Forever And Always Mine

Chapter 5

Delilah

"So, how'd you and Mateo meet, Dear?"

Dear. They really like to call you everything but your name. I wonder if they even remember it? There's already been one too many questions asked about me tonight.

Ugh.

I look over to Mateo in confusion; he simply looks at me as though they're asking the simplest questions in the world. As though this is entirely normal and we're together.

But I decide not tonight. I would rather be anywhere but here.

"Mateo and I are simply business partners. Nothing else," I say to his uncle. The entire table frowns and they whisper to each other in tones they think only they can hear.

I decide that this chicken looks much better than dealing with a family I merely have business connections with, and I cut into another piece, savouring the creamy, garlicky goodness that melts in my mouth.

Another conversation breaks out amongst the family as the mixologist pours them some more drinks. Mateo gets a scotch on the rocks and sips it slowly, eyeing me every so often as I nearly down my third drink of the night. "Maybe you should take it easy on the tequila, Delilah," he warns with his hand edging closer to my drink.

I pull my drink away and bit of the liquid spills out on the silky table cloth. "You are not my father OR my husband OR my boyfriend OR-"

He presses his finger to my lips and I pull my head away in disgust that he actually had the nerve to do that. "I know that, Delilah!" he whispers yells to me. "Just please. Please calm down and don't make a ruckus. All I need for you to do is play along and the sooner you cooperate, sooner you can leave."

"Leave this place?!" I accidentally yell out loud and jump out of my seat. "WHEN CAN I LEAVE THIS PLACE?!"

What the fuck is wrong with me right now?

One too many shots of tequila in your drink. That's what's wrong.

Everyone gasps as they turn to me. Well, everyone but Alec. He just sits back in his chair and smirks evilly up at me. I crumble back down to my chair in fear of what Mateo's brothers intentions are, and sit there as I receive dirty looks from everyone sitting at the table.

Mateo stands from his chair politely and gestures to a double doorway in the hall, across from the dining room. "Why don't you all head into the family room, hm? I just need to speak with my Delilah for a moment."

I watch patiently as everyone exits the room as though they haven't had a single drink tonight, but being some awfully judgemental people of both me, and well, me. Once they all leave, I feel my chair being turned from behind me and I am face-to-face with Mateo whom is crouching down on his knee to get to my level.

He smiles, despite the obvious judgement of his choice of women from his family, but in all honesty, it was nearly 90% his father and the other ten was his uncle. Must be a trait of that side of the family.

"Little bit of a light weight are we?" he asks, already knowing the answer to that.

I try not to, but a smile crawls across my face in response. "Just stressed, that's all." I pause and look over to the room where I can see his family all sitting at a large couch. "I'm really sorry I'm drunk."

He chuckles and looks down at the ground shaking his head. "Nah, it's alright. You're somewhere you haven't been before and everything unfamiliar. Trust me, I understand." He too takes a glance back at the family room before coming back to me. "C'mon." he reaches out for my hand which I surprisingly take. With the most gentle touch and carefulness in the world, he slowly guides me out of the dining area.