Crazy Town

Family Dinner

Eleanor's POV

'You look so beautiful tonight' James whispers into my ear as I sit down on the chair he has pulled out for me, a light pink dusts my cheeks. 

'Thank you' I smile, tucking myself in closer to the table as he sits down beside me. James managed to organise a meeting with his mother and sister for dinner today and I am intrigued by what his sister has to say to me. 

He takes my hand in his, lifting it up to his face as he places kisses on each of my knuckles, I giggle, 'What are you thinking about gorgeous?' 

'Nothing, I am just excited and hungry' I tell him, he smirks in amusement as my stomach rumbles quietly. My blush deepens. We talk for a couple more minutes before he lets go of my hand. 

'I am going to the bathroom, I will be back baby' he tells me, I nod and watch him walk towards the back of the restuarant. Only a few seconds after James leaves, I see his family walk into the restaurant, the restaurant host who led James and I to our table, greets James' mother and sister before also leading them to where we are sat. 

His mother looks so elegant in a white blouse which is tucked into cream coloured wide leg trousers, her hair is tied up into a neat bun and light make up dusts her face, creasing slightly around the fine lines along her forehead. His sister is wearing black silk jumpsuit with a designer gold belt around her waist, they both look to be the same unnaturally thin weight they were when I had first met them. 

They take their seats opposite us slowly, his mother speaks first 'hello Eleanor, where is James?' 

'Hi, it's nice to see you again, he left for the bathroom not too long ago' I inform her, she glances at Zoe before nodding slowly. 

'I'm so glad you could arrange this meeting' Zoe says, leaning forward slightly in her chair as I nod in agreement, 'I know it must have been strange for you to receive a phone call from me but I really wanted to meet you' 

'It wasn't strange at all' I dismiss her with a friendly chuckle, 'What is it that you are eager to tell me' 

'Well, it's about James...' she trails off, glancing around the restaurant at the other customers seated nearby. 

'Zoe, I don't think this is appropriate' her mother frowns, also looking over at the people in the restaurant. 

'No mum, it's important, Eleanor has to know' Zoe shakes her head. 

'What is it that I need to know?' my eyebrows pull together as I stare at Zoe. 

'It's James, h-he's not who you think he is' Zoe says, chewing nervously on her bottom lip. 

'Zoe...' her mother says in a low warning tone. 

'I-I, h-he... he-' Zoe stutters but is interrupted by a waiter appearing at our table. 

'Good evening' he says slightly loudly, 'Would anyone like any water?' He lowers a large glass jug in offering to us, I nod slowly and he fills up my glass before turning to James' sister 'I think you should have some water too, it will give you something else to do with your mouth that doesn't involve talking' 

My jaw drops. That was rude! I stare at Zoe to gage her reaction, her eyes stare widely at the waiter as he pours water into her glass too before turning away and walking back towards the bar. I spot James returning from the bathroom, the waiter pauses beside him leaning towards his ear to tell him something before they continue their journeys. 

James sits back down beside me, 'No, please, continue your conversation, don't let me interrupt' his voice hard, a shiver runs down my spine as he glares at his sister. Zoe stares down at her cutlery, teeth tugging at the skin of her bottom lip. What just happened? 

'So Eleanor, James has told me that since we last met you have become his girlfriend' his mother says, changing the topic. I nod slowly, feeling James take hold of my hand again, linking our fingers together under the table and stroking my thumb with his. 

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So far, the dinner is going well, we are about halfway through our meal before James' mother excuses herself to go the bathroom, and as I finish my drink, I realise that I also need the bathroom. I stand up, smiling at James and Zoe before walking in the same direction as I saw his mother go. 

Pushing open the female bathroom I walk in, it's empty and only one of the three stalls is occupied. I head into one them to do my business, I flush at the same time as the other person and we both step out, I smile at his mother and she smiles back at me as we wash our hands together. 

'Is Zoe okay? I'm not quite sure what she wanted to tell me about James' I say, wiping my hands on the paper towels.

She looks at me, 'Yes she's fine, she's just a little emotional' 

'Do you know what she wanted to say? What she meant by James isn't who I think he is?' I ask her, throwing my paper towels into the bin. 

'Um, I-I don't know, I think it's best if w-we move on from t-this subject' she stutters, frowning at the ground as she scrunches up her paper towels. 

'Are you sure? You can tell me' I smile assuringly at her as she glances up at me. 

'N-no, everything's fine' she shakes her head, binning her paper towels and hurrying past me, out of the bathroom and back to our table. I follow behind her, disappointed, I know Zoe wanted to tell me something and I know that his mother knows what Zoe wanted to tell me, but why do they look to scared to say anything? Is James already married? Is he cheating on me? Is he in a gang with Logan? I sigh and head back to our table to finish the dinner. 

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Double update as an apology for not updating in a long time! Hope you guys enjoyed! COMMENT&VOTE