𝑺 𝑬 𝑹 𝑬 𝑵 𝑰 𝑻 𝒀 (18+)

Thirty-one

S E R E N I T Y

♥

My parents had the brilliant idea of having a combined thanksgiving this year with the Camerons. With Myles home, Serena thought it was a good opportunity for him to pick my parent's brain about the company and what it took to run a business. It was a disaster in the making. Thanksgiving was always hell at the Taylor residence. Whether it was an argument, or someone burnt food, or an embarrassing date (guilty as charged), something always went wrong.

This year would be no exception. And with the Cameron's involved it was bound to be explosive. I for one would attempt to be on my best behavior but I couldn't make any promises. My mother was particularly aggravating on Thanksgiving. Like she wanted drama just to say she had it. Noah and Bev most definitely had it worse than me though. She had flown in a week before Thanksgiving with a surprise guest, June. They wanted to spend the holidays together so they were staying at Noah's house until their visit was over. He was less than thrilled insisting that if it was going to be both of them a hotel would be the better choice. Bev declined. She'd much rather be with her loving brother than cooped up in one room her entire trip.

She was also worried about how her mother would behave. Their Thanksgiving's weren't the happiest either and she didn't want June to have a bad experience in the States. She gave her full warning that her family was crazy but she still got on the plane so she couldn't have minded too much. Or she wasn't aware of just how bad it could get. Hopefully, my dear friend's lover had better luck with Giselle than I did. That woman was a python, the most unpleasant person I'd ever met.

I couldn't wait for the debriefing once the day was over.

I had spent the past few days at my parent's house to avoid all the constant driving back and forth. Isaiah and Grace were also staying a while, which had our family home bustling with life once again. I hadn't mentioned my knowledge about the deal with Noah to my parents yet and I wasn't sure I would. I wanted to see just how long they were going to keep it from me. My parents were crafty but lazy. They'd soon run out of ways to hide meetings with Noah. He was probably the only reason they were able to get away with it so long.

If they were on their best behavior they would be spared, but as I said, I couldn't make any promises.

"Rin! Come help with the Pies!" My mother called from downstairs. I was attempting to be invisible for the day until dinner was ready but that proved to be impossible. I hated cooking, and it was always so hot in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. She didn't need my skills. They were basic survival skills, Isaiah was the baker. He made tons of sweets when he was younger, he should have been downstairs helping her in the kitchen. But of course, he had a "work emergency," that required his attention. I knew he and my dad were in the garage having beers and watching the game. They'd stroll in together just in time for dinner and tell grand lies about how sorry they were for missing out on the cooking.

The only reason I didn't snitch was that they both paid me to keep my mouth shut. I was raised with two tycoons for parents it would've been fiscally irresponsible for me to turn down such a deal. Call it a family tradition.

I hurried down the stairs to find my mother and Grace in the kitchen chatting and laughing together. It was good they were getting along so well. They started off rocky but my mother seemed to have grown very fond of her. She had no real choice anyway. Isaiah told her to get with it or not to expect him on Sundays or at all. Good for him.

"Are you sure you need my help? How about I just stand to the side and give my encouragement?" My mother laughed and handed me an apron, "nice try honey. You're on apple pie duty."