-James-

The suit I had picked out for tonight's dinner included a crimson button down and a black silk bowtie.

I was still dreading this dinner of course. Even more so that my mom was going to be there with my dad and his horrid idea of a companion. Cristin would eventually latch onto my arm with a death grip. Just the idea of tonight made me want to bury my head in the sand. Or lock myself in my apartment and not answer any calls or texts.

When I got out of the shower, Chaos was curled on my clean suit sleeping.

Let me rewind a bit.

I kept the dog. Why? I haven't exactly figured that out. But since he's been living here, he's caused nothing but chaos, hence the name. He's always hyper, likes to jump on everything, and not to mention, destroy everything. Keeping a puppy wasn't exactly smart on my part, but for some reason I couldn't bear to see him in the shelter. He sleeps on the foot of my bed every night and is basically my personal alarm clock because he gets hungry.

Violet doesn't even know I kept him.

Instead of getting angry, I carefully picked up his sleeping form and coddled him against my chest. I scratched his belly and he yelped in excitement. It was probably the cuteness that persuaded me to keep him. Or at least played a very important part in it.

His bed was sat next to the side of the bed I sleep on, a good two feet away so I wouldn't step on him when he slept in it. It was clearly never, but still I tried. I laid him down in it and he went right back to sleep. Probably only for so long before he climbs right back on my bed.

I got dressed, fixed my hair, and slipped on a pair of black boots. Chaos came padding over when he noticed I was leaving and nudged my leg. He barked twice and jumped on his hind legs. He followed me into the kitchen where I fed him his dinner and then I left.

My dad lived a good twenty minutes away from me. It was the furthest I could get and still go to the school I wanted to without having a long commute. He lived in a gated community filled with high-end houses that over compensate for something. Whatever that would be is none of my business.

Before the guy could open the gate, he asked for my name despite knowing who I was. He's known me for years, but he's the type of guy to do his job properly. Like who does that, right?

My dad lived far inside this place. After taking too many turns, I finally drove down his street. And when I say his street, I mean it's his. He bought all the plots on this street so no one could build any houses on it. Now my dad is definitely trying to over compensate for something. It's an ego thing. We get it, Dad, you have money. We all know it. That doesn't mean you have to buy a whole street.

The house sat at the end of the cul-de-sac. It was three stories of different shades of brown bricks that ranged from an off white to tan-ish. I grew up in this house and I hated coming here.

There were already cars parked down the street, only a few parked in the circular driveway. I really didn't care that I was late. I would get shit for it anyway, so I don't even care.

After I parked behind my mom's car in the driveway, I breathed a sigh of annoyance and got out of the car. I fixed the button of my suit jacket and smoothed a hand over the front.

The walk up to the house was annoyingly long and when I stepped inside, I could hear the talking coming from the living room. The smell of whatever was cooking wafted and invaded my senses. At least they haven't started dinner yet.

I followed the sound of people conversing until I emerged into the living room. The first place I went to was the drink table to pour myself something. I'll be twenty-one in a couple of months, one drink won't kill me. It'll probably be fresh out of my system by the time I have to leave anyway. I swirled the amber colored scotch around in my glass and took a giant drink. It burned on the way down but it felt good.

There was a hand on my back and I slowly turned to see my mom. "If your dad sees you drinking that he'll be pissed."

I shrugged and downed the rest of it. "Remind me to steal the whole bottle then."

She laughed lightly and pulled me into a hug. "I'm glad you made it even if you're late. I'm surprised you came at all."

If it weren't for my mom or the bet I made with Violet, I wouldn't be here at all. Speaking of Violet, I haven't spotted her yet. But I really hope she made it. "I probably won't stay long. I have other plans tonight too." It's a total lie but I needed to get out of here without upsetting my mom.

There was another hand on the top of my shoulder and my dad appeared at my side. "You're late."

"You're lucky I'm here at all." I grinned and fought the need to pour myself another drink.

He just rolled his eyes and poured more scotch in his glass. "We'll be eating soon. Make sure you go around and greet everyone."

"Yeah, sure."

"Thank you."

Someone called his name and he put that fake smile back on. He walked away to join whoever it was. My mom had disappeared too. I sighed and started scanning the room. It looked like all of the interns were here. It didn't take long to spot Violet standing by herself across the room. She timidly put the cup to her lips and took a drink.

She was wearing a little black cocktail dress, black heels, her hair was straightened and she wasn't wearing her glasses. I almost didn't recognize her. If she weren't standing alone, I probably wouldn't have. She looked absolutely stunning, but I couldn't tell her that.

When she noticed me, she smiled and waved. Going against my father's orders, I breezed through people, not stopping to greet any of them. If they spoke to me, I would've. But they didn't care. They were all engrossed in their own conversations.

Violet lifted herself from the wall as I approached. "I was about to bolt if you didn't show up."

"We have a bet, remember?" I smirked. "Speaking of, has he yet?"

She held up one finger. "Just once. And I thought you were over exaggerating, but he really does laugh like that. I had to walk away because I almost spit my drink on your mom."

I snorted. "That would've been hilarious."

"I think she likes me, I don't want to screw that up. Your dad on the other hand...not so much."

"Don't I count?"

"Do you, James?" She teased in a playful tone.

"I am your boss."

She giggled. "And your parents own the company."

I bit back my own laugh and raised a brow. "Who do you think gets it when they retire?"

She put her cup up to her lips to hide her smile.

Suddenly, I heard my dad's fake chortling laugh from behind me. Violet started laughing despite the cup between her lips. She had to quickly pull it away. Her reaction is what made me start laughing too. "It's so bad." She murmured between laughs.

"I know." I glanced behind me at his group and back to Violet, "And it probably wasn't even funny."

"What's funny to us probably isn't funny to them."

"We all can agree that my dad's ridiculous fake laugh is hilarious."

"Point proven again." Her smile slowly fell and her eyes drifted to the spot beside me, "Hi, Cris."

It's sad that I didn't even have to look to my side or hear her name to see who it was. Violet's face said it all. But I looked at her anyway with venom in my eyes. "I'm talking to Violet."

Her eyes sparked alive. "Your dad needs you. Dinner's being served."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute."

She touched my shoulder, gave me a flirty smile and walked away.

"You don't like her."

Violet's voice brought me back to her. "She's been nothing but a pain in the ass this past month." I nudged my head in the direction of the dining room, "Come on. Let's go eat."

Seating was a bit confusing. All I knew is that I had to sit next to my parents at the head of the table. It was awkward because my dad was sitting at the head of the table, my mom on one side and Sara on the other. Cristin was across from me and she was already sending winks in my direction. I almost thought there was actually something wrong with her eye.

Violet was at the end of the long table, seated beside an intern named Finn. He was another quiet intern that liked to keep to himself. Really smart too.

My dad stood up and gave a long introduction before the first meal was served. He does it every time and it's word for word what he says every year. He's most likely practiced it so many times and now it's imbedded in his mind forever.

At the end of his speech, he did his horrid laugh again that made me choke on my own laugh. Now that I've made this bet with Violet it's ten times funnier. Usually I'd just roll my eyes, but now I'm closer to winning the bet.

I looked to Violet and she had her face buried in her hands. She heard it.

The first part of the meal seemed to drag on. My dad wouldn't stop talking, Cristin wouldn't stop staring at me from across the table, and my mom kept telling me to join in on the conversation with dad. The person to my left was basically my dad's second in command. He was an older guy, could probably pass for my grandpa. He's the one that took over after Juliet's grandpa retired. His name is Jared and he talks just as much as my dad does. Maybe that's why he hired him.

He started talking to various interns, asking them random questions about their lives. Of course, he didn't speak one word to Violet. I'm sure she noticed, but she didn't show it. He's probably only ignoring her because I stuck up for her that night at dinner. He's being an ass and it's rude.

I remembered what she said about not liking the idea of being the center of attention. That could be why she didn't even care he bypassed her when asking questions.

When desert came, my stomach protested. I nibbled on the cheesecake that was given to me because there was no way I could eat the whole thing. At least half of it was gone when I pushed it away from me.

While Jared talked to my dad, Jared made a really dumb joke that had my dad laughing again. Of course it wasn't genuine. So that made it number four. There was still an hour left of this thing, so it wouldn't take long. All it would take is one of his co-workers making a stupid joke or telling a "funny" story.

The fifth and final laugh came from my dad when Jared told him a story about one of his grandkids tripping and falling into a pool. It wasn't funny. I was more concerned if the kid was okay then anything. But when Jared laughed, so did my dad. I felt victorious.

Looking at the end of the table, I spotted Violet. She eventually caught my stare and I nudged my head slightly to my left. She nodded and excused herself from the table to find the bathroom.

I waited five minutes and leaned towards my mom. "I'm going to go get some fresh air."

She nodded and I rose from the table. I didn't bother looking at Cristin as I left. Knowing her she'd come looking for me sooner or later. And I still didn't understand that. She's just been so clingy lately and I don't know if she thinks that I'll tell my dad to let her stay. It's definitely not working if that's her motive.

I fell into step through the kitchen and down the small hallway. The winding staircase finally came into view and I ascended it. As I reached the landing, I noticed light pouring from only one room and of course it had to be my old room. Reaching the doorway to my old room, I quietly leaned against the doorframe. Violet was standing in front of my old dresser, an old photo in her hand.

When I cleared my throat, Violet jumped and put a hand to her chest. "Don't do that!"

I laughed as I stepped further in the room. "It was too easy."

She shook her head at me and sat the picture down. She met me in the center of my room and put her hands on her hips. "I guess you won the bet."

"I guess I did." I smiled proudly, "So that means you owe me lunch at your favorite place."

She smiled warily. "I guess so. Monday?"

"Monday's good for me."

She wondered back to my dresser, brushing her fingers over the pictures that stood up. "I knew this was your room the second I stepped in here."

"Is it the smell?" I joked.

Violet laughed lightly. "Yeah, because it totally smells awful in here." She picked up one of the pictures and showed it to me, "Is this your sister?"

The picture she held up was Meredith and I in the 6th grade before she bleached her hair blond. "That would be Meredith."

She looked back down at the picture. "Definitely twins."

"We don't really look too much alike now. It's kind of weird actually. She's prettier than I am."

Her laughter was contagious. A light, musical sound to my ears. Too adorable to really even explain. "The way you talk about her is so nice. I feel like she's probably nicer than you too." The tone of her voice was laced with a tease. She sat the picture down and moved onto another one. Eventually she left them alone and walked back up to me, "Gray will be here soon to pick me up I believe. Do you want to wait outside?"

"Sure." And like the gentleman that I am, I offered her my arm.

She shook her head again and looped hers through. We walked back down the stairs and through the foyer to get to the front door. Keeping my gentleman stance, I opened the door for her and we exited. Knowing when my dad finds out, he'll send Cristin to look for me.

I led Violet around the side of the porch where there was a swing. When my dad was madly in love with my mom, he actually built it for her and put it up to look over the lake behind the house. She used to sit out here with a cup of coffee every morning with my dad. She used to watch the sun rise and set with him. Now they can barely be in the same room with each other and he's marrying Sara.

"This is beautiful." She breathed, taking a seat on the edge. "You grew up in this house?"

"I did." I sat beside her and smoothed my palms down my legs, "It was a nice way to grow up." Her silhouette was illuminated by the moonlight as I looked at her. Her eyes were rested on the lake.

"I can see how. I'd probably never sleep inside. It would be a camping trip every night here."

I leaned back, but watched her carefully. "I have slept out here before. It's all fun and games until you have ants in a place they don't belong."

She whipped her head in my direction. "Are you serious?"

"Believe me, I'd never kid about that." I shivered, "It was an absolute nightmare. I was only ten when it happened, but still. It haunts me."

Violet leaned back beside me. "Every time someone says the word ants you probably cringe."

I chuckled. "Basically."

The silence we fell into was comfortable and not the least bit awkward. I rocked us gently back and forth. Warmth filled my chest and it tugged at my heart. Violet's calmness was something different. Except when she sees a struggling puppy in the road. Then all calmness goes out the window. "I've been wanting to tell you something." I spoke softly so I didn't startle her.

She peered at me again. "What's that?"

"I didn't take the puppy to the shelter when I left your house Monday. For some reason I couldn't make myself do it, so I kept him."

Her smile stretched to her ears. "I can't believe you'd do that."

"I can't either to be honest. But I'm glad I did."

"What'd you name him?" She beamed.

"Chaos. And he's definitely lived up to it."

Headlights flashed up the driveway, signaling that Gray had arrived to pick up Violet. "You're welcome to come visit him whenever." I blurted without putting too much thought into it.

But she didn't freak out. "Really?"

I nodded. "If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be here."

"Thank you." She stood up and fixed the back of her dress, "And tell your dad I said thanks for the dinner. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be."

"There will be one more of these dinners when the three months end. Prepare for more excitement."

"I live for excitement." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stuck her hand out for me to take, "See you Monday."

Confusion contorted my features, but I shook her hand anyway. "See you Monday."

I waited until she couldn't see me to actually smile.

What the hell was going on with me?

---------------

You probably guessed he'd keep the puppy, haha. Even in a story I couldn't bear to let a cute puppy go to a shelter. Honestly I want to bury myself in puppies in kittens.

I hope you guys are liking the story so far! I'm enjoying writing it, haha.

Please vote and comment, let me know what you guys think! :)

Also, go check out 'Limitless' by MadeintheAMHazza. Well, actually check out all her stories, but this one is new and it's going to be sooooo good and it needs more recognition. :)