I will admit, tonight's supper could have gone a lot better and a bit more smooth on both of our parts.
The lady continued asking me uncomfortable and unneeded questions, which were just resulting in me becoming apprehensive about myself and would wind up with me shuffling over my words.It also did not encourage me when Nickolas was shooting daggers at me each time I said something he found inappropriate.I was trying my best with what limited knowledge I knew about our contract, but it's not like I could outright lie when one of the Johnsons would ask me something about my home life.I have no shame about anything that has happened to me in the past, and I will not be apologizing because my mother was indeed absent from my life because she became a substance misuser.I'll admit, I could have probably kept that little piece of information to myself. Again, I was not thoroughly prepared when I came here tonight to be thrown to the wolves.That's undoubtedly how I, personally, viewed the Johnson's.The wife was like a wolf stalking around its prey, and I felt very much like I was under a police investigation lamp, shining brightly with all the attention on me.The food, however, was magnificent. I ate a little too much, but now I understand why Nickolas has a personal cook. She knows how to blend the ingredients just right that left my taste buds tingling for more.I couldn't take any credit for hosting anything about this supper, which Mrs. Johnson was delighted to inform me that she herself cooks the food for her husband's dinner parties.She then proceeded to ask if I could cook, and again, I told her the truth. My grandpa constantly informed me that it would be better to always speak the truth, even if it would sound better.I was close to losing my patience at this point, but I still did my best to remain calm. I tried to explain to the overwhelming woman who seemed to be overcompensating for something, that being my grandma was sick, I had little time to learn because I would always get home from work past the time to start cooking dinner.“I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother,” she said and scrunched up her nose. “We donated a very generous amount to transplant surgeries last year for Christmas.”Of course, you did.I fought the need to roll my eyes and mumbled, “That was very kind of you.”Nickolas and her husband had dismissed themselves, Nickolas sending me a pleading look not to blow it more than I already had, and followed Mr. Johnson out of the dining area.I felt betrayed to be left alone with this exasperating woman when I would much rather be watching the football game that's going on in the living room.I guess this will be something that I will have no choice but to get used to. I'm almost positive this will not be my last dinner with the Johnson's. If tonight goes as Nickolas planned before, I got a wild hair and showed up unannounced.“Oh, that was nothing. My husband and I are big into giving back to those who are more in need,” she smiled big, showing her clearly bleached white teeth, and finally, I found something that wasn't perfect on the woman.I have never been so self-conscious about myself, then sitting across from a woman who I had until a few seconds ago believed to be perfect, but it seems she does, in fact, have something about her body that she doesn't like.Her teeth have been recently cleaned, and I bite down hard on my lips to stop from snickering at the sight of her red lipstick smeared across her teeth.I have never been one to pick apart at another woman's appearance, but she has been doing that to me all night, and I won't lie. It feels good to notice something non-perfect about her.She even commented on my glasses.“Nickolas, surely you can afford to buy your new girlfriend a better pair of glasses. They look as if they came from a discount store,” she giggled as she gently cut a piece of delicious and perfectly cooked steak.I seriously had to fight the urge to not throw my bitter tasting wine at her face. “Nothing is wrong with my glasses. My grandpa bought them for me,” I mumbled my displeasure, which only caused Nickolas to slide his hand under the table.He settled it on my thigh and squeezed it silently, telling me that he was once again displeased with my response.“Oh of course. Sentimental value. I understand that, sweetie. My mother and father gave me diamond earrings for Christmas one year, and I kept them tucked safely in my jewelry box back at home. They are adorable but not suitable for a business dinner party,” she said, brought the fork against her lips, and took the piece of steak into her mouth. “Time and place for everything,” she added after she finished chewing, holding a hand over her mouth.“I will take her shopping tomorrow. I fell in love with her because of who she is, not because of how she dresses,” Nickolas chuckled easily, not sticking up for me but nor was he agreeing fully about my cheap glasses. “This is her first formal dinner party. She is nervous, and I'm sure we can all remember our first dinner party, I know I remember mine, and I was a nervous wreck.”“Sure, I remember mine,” Mrs. Johnson paused and then added. “I believe I was seven years old. My father had invited me to one of his business partners' birthday dinners and I do remember feeling like I would mess things up, but I was just a child and the night ended up running like a smooth oil machine,” she giggled. “My father owns a chain of oil rigs, so that was a little family joke.”“Oh right, you are, Nick. I remember how I felt, and it's not a good memory,” Mr. Johnson's full belly laughed. “I wound up spilling my wine onto the table, and it dripped on one of my father's friends' wives' dresses. My mother was furious and sent me to my room.”I thought after that brief conversation, the rest of the dinner would go a little more smoothly, but I was wrong. Once the men left, she started back on the questioning, and this time, they made me out to look like a hooker, looking for a better life.“You like staying here with Nickolas?” She asked me and lifted her eyebrow as she looked around the room. “He has a nice home, but with his amount of money, he could afford a munch bigger one.”“It's nice,” I told her truthfully and pushed my plate away. I have only taken a few bites of my steak, but for some reason, my stomach feels overly full, and I believe it's because of the nervous butterflies flying around inside my belly. It could also be because I'm so darn uncomfortable sitting in just her and I. I know she is judging me even more with each question I answer.“I'll be honest, I'm surprised that Nickolas fell for a woman like you,” she hummed, lifted her wine glass, and took a small sip. “No offense, of course, sweetie,” she added, but a part of me is starting to think she actually means to be offensive.“No offense taken,” I lied and counted to ten inside my head before I ended up blowing on the woman. I have never been on to let my angry rule my actions, but this infuriating woman had me wanting to flip this table on top of her.“It's just that. Nickolas usually goes for a certain type, and you don't exactly fit that,” she shrugged and looked apologetic, but I could tell she really wasn't sorry by the bright shine in her eyes.She was enjoying this little game she and I were currently engaged in, and it was a game called how many times she could embarrass Nickolas's new girlfriend?She was currently winning.“People's taste change once they fall for someone,” I shrugged and acted like her words didn't bother me.“Yes, I'm just wondering what made him fall for you. How do you both truly meet? You can be honest with me. Were you an escort when you met Nickolas?” She asked and forced her question to sound innocent.The absolute nerve of this woman.“Were you?” I snapped and instantly regretted my question.Today is already starting out unpleasant. I tore my second favorite scrub bottoms, the ones that bore adorable kittens on them. My grandma had struggled to sew the hole shut and ended up giving up because her shaking hands can no longer handle the needle and thread anymore.Then I was at the pharmacy to pick up my grandma's new medication, and the pharmacist tried telling me my grandma's health insurance was canceled. I couldn't afford to pay for her medicine without the insurance. After ten minutes of arguing with the older lady, I stepped aside, called her health insurance company. I then proceeded to be on the phone with a man who sounded very annoyed with his job.And now I am stuck in traffic and have been in the same spot for at least twenty minutes. Twenty minutes doesn't sound like enough time to get someone frustrated, but as I already said, it's been a rough day. It would be so much easier if my brother was still here. Sadly, he passed away when I was just sixteen years o
Macys P.O.VMy alarm goes off the next morning and pulls me out of the pleasant dream I was having; in my dream, my grandfather and I were engaged in a game of cards. After hastily reaching for my phone off the nightstand, I silenced the alarm and fell back down in bed for a few moments to reflect on the past few years of my life.My grandparents have been me and my brothers' primary caregivers for the past twenty-two years of my life. As soon as I was born, my mother began doing drugs because she was unable to cope with the death of my father. One day, she said she wanted to introduce us to my grandparents, so she brought me and my brother over to their house. She lied to them that she needed to go to the store to pick up a few things, and she never came back to get me after she left.At least Mother didn't start using drugs until after I was born, which is a huge relief.Little favors, I guess. They didn't give it a second thought to take us in and raise us. Over the course of the
When I step into the kitchen, I notice my grandmother standing in front of the stove. My grandfather remodeled this kitchen for her many years ago, claiming that she spent so much time in it that she deserved a lovely one. It wasn't even horrible before; I simply think he wanted to do something special for her, and he knew how much she enjoyed cooking. For her, he upgraded the refrigerator and stove. If you don't want a complete tour of her restaurant-style oven, don't even bring it up. She jerked her oxygen tank as she reached for the bowl of sliced strawberries and poured them onto the skillet. "You should be laying down, Grandma." I tell her quietly, a scowl on my lips forming as I wrapped my arm around her and hugged her. "Ava, every morning, you tell me that, and I tell you the same thing. I'd be better off dead if I stayed in bed all day. Let me look after you while I'm still here, okay?" She whispers sweetly, encircling me with one arm and caressing me back as the other hold
I'm ten minutes from the vet clinic and pulled into the convenience store on the same road, needing to get a few things to get my tired body through the long hours of work. I quickly killed my car, grabbed my purse, opened the door and stepped out, and locked it before heading into the store.“Hi Mr. Charlie,” I greeted the elderly man who owned the store and headed straight towards the back of the store to the fridges that held the drinks.I needed an energy drink.“Hello dear. How's Mae doing today?” He asked about my grandma, worry lacing his voice. I actually think he has a crush on my grandma. His wife died years ago due to a bad car wreck, and I am told by my grandma herself that Mr. Charlie was a very funny man. Whatever that means. My grandma though will never move on from my grandpa and the thought makes me both happy that he would never get replaced in her heart and sad for her because that means she will stay alone until it was her time to meet back up with my grandpa i
I made it home a few minutes later, and to my horror, my grandma was standing outside in the light drizzle, holding her portable oxygen tank tightly in her arms and waved me at me when I stopped the car directly in front of her.“Grandma, what are you doing? I would have gone inside to help you,” I complained, leaned over, and opened the door for her. “You should not be outside in this weather.”“Oh, Macy, it's alright,” she gasped and climbed into my car. “Let's go.”“Where are we going?” I asked her, hoping she would give me the answer this time.She didn't answer me again. Instead, she was typing something on her phone, and suddenly, I heard the GPS robotic voice telling me to stay straight for two miles.“Okay,” I exhaled, put the car into drive, and headed down the road, curious as to what was going on. Why is she acting weird about this errand? “Why can't you tell me now? Is something wrong?” I asked quickly, thinking something was wrong.“Just drive, sweetie,” my grandma said,
I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm actually going to meet my dead brother's old fraternity brother, who I have not seen or spoken to in years. He said he had an offer to make me, and I'm drowning right in. Anything could help me at this point. I'm hoping he will give me is a job. That suit he was wearing today didn't look expensive, neither did the watch he had on his wrist that only made the tattoo around his wrist more pronounced. I was nervous as I pulled up into the abandoned parking garage. It's late at night, and it's passed dark out. I had realized I have watched far too many horror movies. It's never a good idea for a woman to be walking around a garage late at night when no one is around to hear her scream. It is unclear to me why we couldn't have had this conversation during the day. Instead, I feel like I'm doing something shameful, sneaking around at night when no one is around to see. I walk towards the elevator and notice a man still sitting inside the small securi
While Nickolas's offer was extraordinarily generous, I told him I needed at least a day to think about it. I couldn't stop feeling like I was prostituting my body out for money. I mean, I incidentally was, just not in the way that, well, the other types of ladies do, and if my grandma ever found out, she wouldn't be too pleased with me.I'm not going to lie. That money is sounding pretty darn good to me right now, I just need to think about it a little more. I would sign myself away for months. My life will turn into chaos with the media hounding us about the engagement and being dragged along to events with boring, stuffy nosed people wanting to make more money.Nickolas explained to me just what exactly he would expect of me during our little contract time. I have to stay at his house. I will have to help him host dinner parties for significant, rich families, and I will always have to look my best while doing it. A CEO's fiancé is expected to maintain a certain appearance, and h
I stayed for a few hours, had dinner with her, and listened to stories from the past of her and Renee's high-school antics. Apparently, my grandma used to be the rebel type back in her day, black fingernails, and leather jackets, and she explained to me all the crazy different colors she used to add to her hair.I never had nursing home food, and I was happy to know my grandma was at least eating well while staying there. The chicken fried steak and green bean casserole were wonderful, I just had to add a tiny extra salt and pepper. I kissed my grandma goodnight and told Renee that I'd be back to play a game of dominoes with them and headed home.I made my decision. Becoming his bride, all because I signed a contract, wasn't something I wanted to do, but it was something I was going to have to do for my grandma. She is getting worse, and if they called tomorrow for her transplant, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I went straight home and packed a suitcase. I was almost positive he