Dynasty | h.s

Seven

When it came time for lunch, someone had thankfully come to my room and offered to escort me to the patio. Without their help, I definitely would have gotten lost. When I arrive in the backyard, it is just Victoria socializing with whom I presume to be one of the helpers. She holds what appears to be a mimosa, taking the occasional small sip as she laughs with an older woman.

There's a big glass table that sits on stone that can easily seat ten plus people. There's an array of different foods already laid perfectly across the top. It's mainly appetizers with a few different side options to go with the main course that is still being grilled. There's a lot of food present and that makes me wonder just who will be joining this little luncheon.

Victoria's eyes catch sight of me. "Ezra, darling!" She calls and waves me over to where she stands. "So nice of you to join us. Can Elaina get you something to drink? She makes the best mimosas," she says once when I reach the two women, confirming that she is in fact drinking what I had assumed.

I look between the two of them and I nod. "A mimosa would be lovely," I tell Elaina. "Thank you." The older woman then takes off and heads to the outdoor counters that sit beside the grill that has an older man cooking an array of different foods on.

Elaina rejoins us with a freshly made drink in hand that even has a cute little pink umbrella in it. I accept the drink and take a small sip. The orange juice inside of the glass is the more overpowering flavor, but I won't complain. The drinks where you can't taste the alcohol tend to be the best ones, but also the most dangerous ones.

"Is this the American?" Another female voice joins in on mid conversation. The voice didn't sound too pleased when they referred to me as "The American".

"Blaire," Victoria says. Blaire Styles, the Princess. "This is Ezra, our lovely guest." Victoria makes a point to correct her daughter's rudeness. Her own voice sounds both pleading and firm when she speaks to Blaire.

A scoff comes from Blaire. "Lovely guest, that's funny," she says and brushes past me. I'm now able to get a look at her. She is a striking clone of her mother. Blues-grey eyes, beautiful ash brown hair, full lips, sharp jawlines with high cheekbones, perfectly shaped eyebrows, noses that both had bumps on the bridges. They looked more like sisters than mother and daughter, honestly.

"She's more of an intruder if you ask me," she states, bitterness laced in her voice, "oh wait. You didn't ask me. You and dad just agreed without asking anyone else if we would be okay with a complete stranger coming to live with us and putting our life on blast." She pours herself a glass of red wine that matches the cherry lipstick she wears.

I can already gather that Blaire is not my biggest fan. Her reason is completely valid too. I am a stranger who is meant to write about my three month stay with the family for thousands of people to read. I wouldn't want my life to be broadcasted like that either.

"Blaire. Enough." There is sternness to Victoria's voice. I can only imagine how she is feeling about her daughter's little fit of rage towards me. "Ezra is a part of the family now. Be nice."

Blaire's eyes noticeably narrow at her mother. "She is not family. You have officially lost your mind." She then walks away from the three of us, a dramatic sway to her hips that her sundress follows the movement.

Victoria turns to look at me, an apologetic look on her face. Before she can even get a word out, I wave a hand and dismiss her. "Don't worry about it. Really. She has her reasons." I wasn't going to let Blaire bother me. She hardly said anything offensive directly to me. She just lacks proper etiquette which comes more of a surprise than anything.

"She's just... very vocal about her opinions," Victoria tells me and runs her fingers through her hair, pushing some of it away from her face. "She can come across quite rude. It's been a lifetime struggle with her." She talks as if Blaire is not in earshot.