✿ Aileen's POV

“She'll turn this engagement party into a country-themed wedding reception!” I hear her shriek before I even get to her.

“Forgive me Mrs. Dalton but the reception is in the garden and so I think the concept of a country-themed wedding reception is acceptable,” Oswald says.

“No. I refuse to have that. It's not acceptable. Call the team back again.”

“I would, Mrs. Dalton, but the guests have already begun to arrive.”

“But how could you allow such a thing, Oswald?!”

“She said you'll be pleased with it.”

Portia touches her temple dramatically and closes her eyes.

“Get me a glass of water. And I hope you can follow that instruction.”

Oswald plucks a martini from a nearby table and holds it at Portia. She opens her eyes and frowns.

“Is that water?”

“It was the closest” Oswald mutters, setting the glass down before walking away.

I step out in front of her with a smile.

“Hello,” I greet.

She barely glances at me.

“Where's my son?” She asks when Oswald comes back with her water. “Oswald, get my son.”

“There he is ma'am. Master Reid!”

I don't need to turn because I feel him behind me in a matter of seconds.

“Hello Mom” he kisses her cheek.

She smiles at him. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and look around at the decor I chose.

“How do like the stuff I chose?” I ask none of them in particular.

Reid hums.

“It's very you.”

I smile.

“If by her you mean cheap them certainly. It's very you, girl” Portia eyes me.

“Mom, please. Not today.”

But any other day for her to disrespect me is fine? Got it.

His phone rings and he excuses himself to go answer it.

“And when are you going to get dressed? The guests have started to arrive” Portia gestures at me with her fan.

I shrug.

“I am dressed. This is what I'm wearing” I say.

Portia eyes me.

“I don't tolerate lame jokes from your kind but for the sake of my son I'll allow it,” she says. “Now, if you have a dress in that twenty-dollar purse of yours, I suggest you hop in the servant's bathroom and change. Your presence is already embarrassing enough.”

I match her look.

“I'm not joking, Portia. And you don't even deserve to hear my awesome jokes. This is what I'm wearing and I think even you can recognize an original Michael Kors when you see one” I shoot back.

Portia Dalton slowly raises a brow at me. And then laughs.

“Just as I expected. Oswald, call my team. It's urgent.”

“What team, Oswald?”

Portia rolls her eyes.

“As much as I am against this, I will not let you embarrass my son and this family. You need to look like a bride from this side of society. So we're going to recreate you.”

I fold my arms.

“Recreate me?”

“Turn Cinderella into a princess.”

I laugh.

“Cinderella? Portia, I think you've confused me with someone else. Thank you for the useless offer though. But nobody can recreate me.”

Portia scoffs.

“You're going to humiliate not only us but yourself, girl. They're going to eat you alive.”

“I'm not afraid of bullies, Portia.”

She smiles.

“Listen, girl. You don't belong here.”

“And listen, Portia. This is me” I gesture to my dress. “So you better get used to this girl, because nowadays you'll come across her very often.”

Oswald smiles behind Portia.

“Enjoy the party” I whisper and turn away from them.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

The next time I return to the garden after getting lost in the main house trying to find a bathroom, the party is in full swing.

“Aileen” Reid calls out to me as he approaches me. “Where did you disappear to?”

Somewhere I could cool off before I shoved your mother's weave down her throat.

“Around. For fresh air” I reply.

“Are you okay?”

I nod.

“Yeah. Are you?”

“I'm fine. Your family has arrived. They were looking for you.”

I smile.

“Thanks for telling me. I'll go see—”

“Reid!” someone calls out, interrupting me.

A woman walks up to us.

“How are you, son?”

“Good Andrea. How are you?” Reid shakes her extended hand.

“I'm good too. Congratulations.”

Reid smiles.

“Thank you.”

“The news surprised us all. You surprised us with this decision.”

Reid chuckles.

“So, where's your fiancée? I wanna congratulate her too.”

I hold up my hand a little and wave at the woman.

“She's here. Hi.”

The woman's smile falters for a few seconds but she picks it up.

“Hello, how are you?”

“Fine. You?”

She doesn't reply. She just eyes my dress and then looks at me again.

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, I should go fine Portia. Nice meeting you.”

She scurries off and my eyes follow her to Portia's side. The woman whispers something to Portia, grimaces, and glances at me in disgust.

I frown.

“Who's that woman? And why is she looking at me like that?”

“Ignore her, Lee. She's not important.”

“But—”

“C'mon,” he takes my hand. “Let's go get a box of Kool-Aid on standby for Cami gets thirsty and doesn't want water.”

My annoyance disappears and I laugh, letting him lead me away.

“Okay.”

“Ah, Reid!” someone calls his attention from a table.

The annoyance seeps back in as Reid takes a detour to that table, dragging me along. I sigh and tuck a tendril out of my face.

“Stanley, how are you?” Reid asks.

This Stanley person is standing with two other women.

“Good. How are you?”

“I'm great” Reid smiles.

“Congratulations” the woman I'm standing closest to smiles.

“Yes, congratulations” the other one echoes.

“Thank you” Reid and I chorus.

There's nothing but silence after that. Well, that and stiff necks with eyes scrutinizing my dress.

What the hell is wrong with everyone here?

It continues for almost two minutes till Stanley clears his throat and addresses Reid.

“We're still firm in the airport project aren't we?”

“Yes we are” Reid nods.

“Oh Reid, I also wanted to talk to you about the dam,” the woman closest to me says.

The other woman groans.

“Ugh! Enough you two. Can't we talk about anything other than work? I'm bored.”

I roll my eyes and then look around.

“Our families have done business together for years now, darling,” Reid tells me.

“Hmm,” I hum. “Can we go now?”

A laugh breaks out from the bored woman's lips and my eyes snap to her.

I'll give you something to laugh about.

“Hey, while I have you hear” I begin, “I can't help but wonder, how do you do that stiff neck thing you do?” I ask, demonstrating. “Your eyes move everywhere but your head stays high. Aren't you worrying your eyes?”

The amusement on their part seems like ancient history now.

“I mean a lot of eye muscle is required, is it not? So you have quite the talent. Bravo.”

Reid's trying the best he can to not burst out laughing at the ashamed looks on the people's faces. He looks at me at the humor in his eyes is satisfying.

“Reid, a second please?” Hernan calls out to him.

I stop smiling and give him a look.

Don't leave me here with these people.

Reid smiles and leans into my ear.

“Normally, I wouldn't leave you alone with these wolves, Lee. But you have my permission. Bite. And rip them to pieces” he whispers with a smirk.

I turn my head and our lips are now inches apart.

“Have fun, beautiful” he adds, kissing my cheek. “Keep an eye on her” I catch him mouth to Oswald as he walks off.

I sigh and turn back to the people at the table.

“Lemme sum it up for you honey,” the woman close to me says almost immediately.

I arch a brow.

“As we all know, you can't keep our names in your mind so we'll do it this way” she smiles. “I work in finance.”

“Iron and steel” Stanley continues.

“Textiles” the last woman finishes. “What industry is your family invested in?”

“None of the above” I smile.

“So which holding will Paragon Scapes merge with after the marriage?” Stanley asks.

“That's the question, you know” the last woman chuckles.

“In short” the woman closest to me speaks, “Who are your parents? Which holding are they the owners of? When you mention their names will everyone automatically know who you are?” she snickers, making everyone laugh.

Annoyance begins to churn inside me and I step up even closer to their table.

“My parents?” I question in a daring tone.

I see Stanley flinch a little.

“Pardon my intrusion, everyone” Oswald quickly interrupts. “Miss Aileen? The dishes you requested are ready and the chef needs your approval.”

You idiots better thank Oswald for saving you.

I glare daggers at them one last time and let Oswald lead me away to an empty table in the garden.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, but you didn't have to swoop in and save them because I swear I—”

“Deep breaths” he hushes. “We can't have you becoming a bridezilla.”

I roll my eyes, his comment making me smile a bit.

“How about I go get you some water hm?”

“Fine, go.”

“Promise you won't move from here?”

I sigh and nod.

“Yes, I promise. I can't even stand those people.”

“Okay, be right back.”

He walks away in the very direction I see Anika and her fiancée entering the garden. She’s wearing a very small elegant-looking black dress revealing legs that reach all the way up to her armpits.

“And it just keeps getting worse” I mutter, brushing my hair away from my neck.

I feel Reid's hand slip around my waist and it feels very natural as I don't flinch.

“Hello,” Anika grins when they reach our side.

I smile back politely at Ethan as he shakes Reid's hand.

“Lee, why aren't you dressed yet? The party has already begun” Anika says. “You know what, it's no problem. I'll help you dress up.”

An annoyed chuckle escapes me and I look at Reid, then back at Anika.

“Thank you for your offer, Anika, but I am dressed.”

“Well don't mind me, you look so cute in that piece.”

“Hmm,” I hum.

“I thought you weren't dressed because I can't see the accessory.”

Reid's hold around my waist tightens a bit. Probably his way of asking me not to bite. I scoff.

“I don't understand why simplicity bothers you all so much” I shake my head.

“Well I think you couldn't be more breathing” Reid turns to me, tucking a tendril away from my face.

I smile, particularly at the smoke coming out of Anika's ears. Reid hadn't once acknowledged her presence.

“Well if you two will excuse us, my fiancée has other people to see,” he says.

Ethan nods and Reid leads me away from them.

“Go see your family. I'll go make sure the juice boxes are here.”

I chuckle.

“Thanks.”

I step away from him and move in the direction my family is standing.

“Lee!” Camari cries, jumping up at me in her beautiful gold-colored dress.

“Oh wow, Cami. You look absolutely beautiful” I grin.

“And you look transcendent” she giggles.

I laugh.

“And where'd you hear that?”

“Daddy told Mommy.”

I shake my head and set her back down, giving me space to receive the hugs that come my way.

“You boys made it” I smile at Matthew and Landon.

“Like we'd miss this day for any ambulance call” Landon jokes.

“Now c'mon Lan, let's go pick up girls” Matthew chuckles, tugging his brother away.

“I'm going to take Cami to the bathroom real quick okay?” Nora tells us and leaves too.

“Oh Lee, you look so beautiful” Sophie grins.

I give them a little smile.

“Where's Papi?”

“Hanging out with Eros Dalton” Tracy replies.

At least he's having better luck than me.

“I will drown that mother-in-law of yours in a spoonful of water and feed her that gaze she keeps shooting at us” Bonnie frowns over my shoulder.

“Mother-in-law scuffle, my favorite” Tracy beams. “Tear her apart, Bon Bon.”

I sigh.

“Hey, aren't couples supposed to travel together like conjoined twins at their engagement party?” Sophie giggles. “Why are you all alone, Lee?”

I shrug.

“Whoever Reid introduced me to either asks about my family or comments on my clothing. They keep talking about everything.”

“Why? What's wrong with your dress?” Tracy frowns.

“If the outfit you're wearing isn't custom-made, it's trash to them,” I say.

“I call bull” Sophie rolls her eyes.

“Tell us, who's saying this about you?” Tracy asks.

“Nevermind Tray. Everyone here.”

“Then I guess you'll be introduced to them with us in tow from now on” Tracy concludes. “I'll put them in their place.”

I smile.

“I can take care of myself Tray. You know that, right?”

“Yes, and you look like an angel in that dress, don't listen to them” Sophie smiles.

The girls shower compliments on me in a row.

“Oh there's your knight in shiny armor” Sophie grins over my shoulder.

“He must be looking for you” Bon nudges me.

Sophie lifts a hand and waves at him.

“I guess I'll see you later then,” I say to them and blow them air kisses before walking away toward Reid.

“All good?”

“All good” I reply.

“C'mon, Anika is feeling too cocky.”

Of course, this is about her. All and always about her.

I let him lead me to a table with several people who look like they've all sat in one class before.

“Everyone, this is my fiancée, Lee. And darling, Amy, Ray, Brandon, and Pamela, Anika's siblings and cousin” Reid introduces. “Amy and Ray are younger than us but Hernan, Anika, Clay and I all went to school with Brandon and Pam”

“Hello,” I smile. “It's nice to meet you all.”

They chorus their greetings. The girl Reid introduces as Pamela chuckles and rounds the table to my side. She's wearing a low neckline bodycon dress, that shows too much cleavage. Pamela rests a hand resting on Reid's arm and smiles at me.

“So you're the woman who has turned my ex-fling over here into Shakespeare's understudy huh?”

Ex-fling?

I look at Reid and arch a brow.

“You didn't tell her about our wild nights, Benny Boo?” she asks coyly, tugging her neckline even lower.

“Pam” Brandon says firmly.

“What? I thought we were getting acquainted” she grins at the same time Reid plucks her hand away from his arm.

“Ignore my cousin, Lee. She's drunk” Brandon says to me.

“But not lying” she giggles and winks at Reid before she's tugged back by Ray.

“Freshie...”

“Save it Armani” I cut him off with a whisper.

“Hello, hello” Portia Dalton smiles, joining us at the table.

They chorus their replies. I don't reply.

“What are you all just standing around? Are you bored already?” she laughs.

A chorus of 'Nos' erupts and she smiles.

“Anika dear, do you think the music is too cheerful?” she asks.

I fold my arms. Anika catches my reaction and smiles.

“Well yes, but I like it a little.”

“Okay then I won't ask them to change it” Portia smiles.

I chuckle nastily and turn around.

“Lee...”

I subtly shove his hand away. A loud bark erupts from somewhere in the garden, startling everyone. I turn as surprised cries grow closer to us and see a large Rottweiler barreling in my direction.

Did they send a dog after me?

“Unbelievable” I mutter.

“Nobody panic. He won't hurt you” I hear Oswald's voice.

The dog stops right in front of me and starts barking. I hear Portia's snicker and ignore her. I don't move or flinch and the dog stops. It slowly approaches me and I carefully hold my hand out.

“Lee, he doesn't like strangers” Reid whispers to me.

“I'm just saying hi” I chuckle.

The dog sniffs my hand for about a minute and then pushes himself up to press his forelimbs against me.

“Oh, we're doing that now?” I chuckle. “Okay.”

A happy bark escapes him and I smile.

“Hi. Aren't you a good boy?” I coo and crouch down to his height when he sets back on the ground.

I give him a few scratches and take a look at his collar.

“Sirius” I read.

He lets out a happy bark and I chuckle.

“Sirius?” I look up at Reid. “Like Sirius Black? From Harry Potter?”

He smiles and crotches down beside me to give the dog some scratches too.

“It felt right.”

I laugh.

“I've known that dog for years and he has never liked me” I hear Clayton say.

“He has never liked anyone” Hernan chuckles.

“Anika especially” Pamela teases.

I turn to look at Anika who's pressed behind her fiancé's back. I smile and turn to Sirius.

“I think we're going to be best friends” I whisper to him.

Reid chuckles and stands.

“C' mon” he extends a hand to me.

I take it and he helps me to my feet.

“Oswald, please take him inside,” Reid says.

I smile as the dog is led away and then turn back to his friends.

“Well it's nice to meet my fiancé's high school friends” I smile.

“Oh, speaking of school” Anika starts, stepping out from behind Ethan, “Lee, you have to give the press some information about you.”

I furrow my brows.

“Why is that?” I ask, “Is it because we're engaged?” I turn to Reid.

“Yes, exactly” Anika replies. “Your family, your education, your work history. It doesn't have to be a speech, just the basics are enough.”

“I don't think that's necessary, Nikki” Reid speaks up. “If they have any questions about my fiancée, they should come directly to me.”

I force back the winning smile threatening to form on my face.

“Why? She can speak for herself, can't she?” Anika asks. “Just tell them about yourself Lee, it's nothing to be scared of.”

“Scared?” I scoff. “You think I'm scared?”

I expect Reid to nudge me to let it go but he doesn't.

“I think you all know exactly who I am, Nikki. So when you're speaking to the press about me, please don't even be tempted to tell them I'm one of your kind. Just tell them I'm a baker. No fancy titles or old money last names. Just Lee, the baker.”

I'm about to walk away when Reid holds me by the shoulders.

“Did I say anything wrong?” I hear Anika ask.

I crane my neck at her.

“Oh no dear, don't worry” Portia chimes in with a smirk, “The truth hurts.”

“Mom that's enough. You will all show Aileen some respect. She's my fiancée and before that, she's a human being and somebody's daughter.”

Portia rolls her eyes and crosses over to our side.

“Listen to me, young man. You will not demand any respect from me for this girl. I will never accept your engagement to this... creature.”

“Pardon?” I ask.

“You're irrelevant. Taking offense is not necessary” She holds her hand up at me to shut me up. “Our family, our traditions, our customs, our position in society, Reid, are you going to tarnish everything for this girl?”

“There's nothing to do now, Mom. Lee and I are engaged.”

“I mean a baker? When there are so many options in your life? When there is an option like Anika? For the love of God Ben, I'm begging you to see reason. Take a look at our family tree. Look at the caliber of people married into the Dalton family and then look at that.”

I shut my eyes and reel my anger back in.

“A low-class uneducated girl, my God!”

I snap.

“I am not uneducated—”

“Don't speak when I'm talking girl!” she declares, her tone very deadly and her expression matching the one her nephew wore at the coffee shop.

I let out a dry laugh and forcefully pull myself away from Reid.

“Lee...”

“Just stop, okay?” I shake my head, “I'm going to get a drink” I add and walk away.

Thank you for reading!
Please don't forget to vote.
Ciao
~the_atticwriter