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.
"Took you long enough," Alec immediately remarks as soon as we enter. "What were you two doing?"
I don't mean to- I even try not to, but I blush once again. I turn around and meet Mateo's face. He's staring at everyone with an evil eye I haven't seen yet in my few hours here. "It's alright," I tell him softly. "I-I sit over there and you deal with them. I'll try not to be any trouble."
He shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. I've got this all under control. Though, this night's turning into crap a lot faster than I had expected."
I giggle. "Well, I'd try and help you, but I really barley even know you, so good luck. I'll be passed out over there if you're looking for me." I turn away from Mateo and stumble over to a far couch with all eyes of his family on me, his mother looking the most concerned of all the females here.
In a matter of seconds, I've drifted off into a dead sleep.
Mateo
The long night of chatting up my family, everything eventually came to an end and everyone either headed home or off to their room. I for one decided to stay and make sure Delilah was comfortable before crashing on a couch not far off from hers.
I position myself comfortably on the small couch and watch her sleep soundly under the little plush throw blanket I covered her in.
Oh how I wish I could just hold her in my arms and kiss those lips of hers. My life would be complete; all I ever wanted would be in my arms.
The next morning...
"Mateo? Mateo.."
I feel a rustling on my back as I emerge out of my coma-like sleep from all the scotches I had last night. A small headache awakens me fully when I turn over and see Delilah standing there with a blanket draped over her shoulders and makeup a mess on her face. "What it is?" I ask, rubbing my eyes. "Are you alright?"
She nods and tries to blink back some of the obvious tears in her eyes. "I-It's just a headache. I'm hungry too. Could you tell me where the kitchen is?"
Getting to my feet I shake my head and look to the clock. It's only 7 am. "I'll take you, hm?" I take a closer look down at her through the darkness and see that her entire face is covered in runny mascara. "What's wrong, amore?" I ask and try to place a hand on her shoulder, but she flinches away.
She tries wiping away the makeup and tears, but it only makes it worse. "Nothing nothing," she tells me. She chuckles awkwardly, "heavy sleeper, that's all."
I eye her suspiciously. "Alright. Well let's go get cleaned up before breakfast, shall we?"
She sighs in relief. "Yes, let's go."
As we walk through the halls, I notice she stays close to me and is constantly on guard to every noise she hears and everything that moves a slight bit. Even when an oven alarm goes off in the distance or my phone buzzes, her entire body flinches.
When we reach my bedroom, she frowns. "Where are we?" She questions as we enter the room. "I thought we were getting ready for breakfast?"
I smile and sit down at my desk with my laptop. "You get ready, amore. The bathrooms to your left. Take as much time as you need."
Her face drops in confusion. "Is this some sort of trick? Why are you being so nice to me?" She definitely has her guard up now.
I turn in my chair and stare deep into her golden, hazel eyes. "What's wrong with me being nice to you? I just want you to be comfortable for the day and get washed up for breakfast. I even had a pair of comfy clothes set out for you; they're on the counter by the sink."
She eyes me suspiciously, but says nothing more and heads into the bathroom. A click of the lock echoes in the room, but it barley even fazes. What, you think I was going to go in there and take advantage of her? Nah, only Alec and my own father pull that shit. I wish they hadn't, though cause it's putting shit on my name now.
My mother taught me well. Too bad it was mostly just my father around when Alec was in the learning stages of becoming who he is now. It's really sad to see someone so close become such a shitty person.
I skim through a couple emails regarding Novak enterprieses on my laptop as I wait for the bathroom. In one of them, there's been an email sent to her in regards to an article about her not being seen in the last two days.
Two days, people? Cmon... For all their concerned she could simply be sick. The only people that witnessed the entire thing happen are now in captivity and are being held in the 'village'.
The door to the bathroom gently creeks open as I go through the last of my unread emails, and a pleasent sent of freshness and vanilla fills the room, making everything seem serene at once. I turn in my chair and notice she's only got a towel wrapped around her and wet, ashy blonde-brown locks and creamy pale skin dripping with water.
Jesus, it's only been a few days and you're hooked.
