CHAPTER 5

MEETING THE FAMILY

The McCaffrey's definitely lived up to their name. The house that stood proudly before me was huge. Even calling it a mansion would be belittling it. I turned to look at my parents and found my mother displaying the same look that I knew was on my face. It was a look of awe, because even though I hated the attitude some rich people had towards the common man, most knew how to put every coin they had to good use, like no doubt the McCaffreys'.

My father, on the other hand, didn't look surprised at all, giving me the impression that he had been here before. No surprise there.

"Good afternoon to you. My name is Benard and I am the butler, welcome inside," He said, ushering us in, "Follow me please," If I thought the house was spectacular from the outside, the inside was definitely a plus. He led us to the living room and excused himself.

The furnishings in the room were modern and they screamed class. Everything looked luxuriant, from the sleek lines and wooden flooring covered in beautiful throw rugs, to the sheer curtains billowing like mist on the wall of floor to the ceiling windows. The room was a beauty. The elengate fireplace, lovely pieces of art and beautiful deco.

"Hello, Mr and Mrs Carson, it is an honor to have you in my house," A lady said, walking towards us. She seemed the same age as my mother, if not a bit older. She had a warm smile on her face that calmed a bit of my anxiety. "Please take your seats. You should feel at home because we are soon going to be family anyway," She said, directing us to the sofas. "Thank you, Mrs McCaffrey," My father replied, taking his seat, followed by my mother, but before I could take my seat, Mrs McCaffrey turned her green eyes and stared straight at me.

"Wow! Dear, you must be Isabella. You are even more beautiful in person, that picture my husband showed me does not do you any justice," I stretched forth my hand, the smile on my face coming naturally, "I won't have that dear, as I have already said, we are basically already family so you better give your second mother as of today a really tight hug," Mrs McCaffrey engulfed me in a hug and slowly rubbed my back, "Welcome to the family dear," She said, ending the hug.

"Thank you, Mrs. McCaffrey, It is a pleasure to meet you," I replied, taking my seat.

Mrs McCaffrey was a beautiful woman. She definitely didn't look like someone who would wholeheartedly agree to this deceiving plan. She had a beige dress on, that hugged her in all the right places and went up to her knees and a thin black belt on her waist. She had matched her black belt with black wedges, she was dressed simply but classy.

"Call me Lucy, Mrs McCaffrey makes me feel old," She replied with a chuckle, taking a seat opposite me, "My husband is in the backyard making sure everything is going according to his directives. My son, on the other hand, is running late but we will begin without him. That silly boy doesn't know how to keep time," Lucy said with a look of reminiscing on her face.

"In the meantime, how about some snacks to pass the time as we bond?" She asked one of the helps who was passing by.

"Adams, can we have some refreshments please?" Just coffee for me though,"

"Yes, ma'am," the help said with a smile, before walking to what I presumed was the kitchen.

"No, Mrs McCaffrey, sorry Lucy. I am sure that your son is not running late, we just came a little early," My father said, replying to Lucy's earlier comment about his son's tardiness. "I am pretty sure the news came abruptly to him, so maybe he already had plans," If I didn't know any better, I would say my father was ass kissing Lucy to get on her good side. The money he was given for the contract had to be really good, if he managed to sell me off and still try cover up mistakes for the man who is supposed to marry his daughter.

"Now, you are just defending him. Trust me, this isn't the first time he has been late to something important. And if he had plans, he should have canceled them, this is more important. I am sure that he was told news about this marriage earlier than Isabella but she is here, isn't she?" Lucy replied, and something in her voice gave away her anger. That anger could only be towards two things, either her son or this whole thing.

"You have a beautiful home Lucy. I especially loved the flower bed at the front," My mother said, diverting the conversation. "Thank you, Charlotte. You should..." Lucy trailed off looking at something or someone behind us.

"Is everything ready Charles?" She asked the figure behind us, finally coming to our view.

"Yes darling," Mr. McCaffrey answered, giving his wife a forehead kiss, "You must be Isabella," He stated smiling, turning his concentration to me. I stood up and met his handshake halfway. "Yes, Sir."

"Please call me Charles," He said, shaking my parents hands.

"It is good to see you again, Michael. I hope that you and your beautiful wife are doing fine," He said, smiling at my parents. "We are doing great now, thanks to you," My father replied, quickly looking at my mother before looking back at Charles.

"No, I did nothing. This way please, I have told Adams to take your refreshments to the backyard," He said, leading the way to the back yard. The backyard was more beautiful than the front. It had a swimming pool and lounge chairs around it. A place for barbeque which was currently being used. A big rectangular dining table that could fit up to twenty people with different types of food on it.

We took our seats at the table and the help immediately started serving us.

"Isabella, I hope you are not allergic to anything. I wouldn't want you to get sick because of any of the food on the table," Lucy asked with so much concern. I forced a smile on my face and shook my head. I was still a little wary about this family. I mean who wouldn't be wary of people you just met and they start acting all nice to you?

"No, I am not allergic. Thank you for your concern."

"Okay." She smiled, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I heard that you are still a student?" Charles asked, looking straight at me. "Yes I am a student at the Uni..."

"I am so sorry I am a little late," Said a voice behind me, interrupting my little interrogation. I turned on my seat to look at the owner and found icy green eyes glaring at me.

Someone sure isn't happy to see me. Well at least the feeling is mutual.