Summertime Smiles.

3.

Chapter 3: An Unwelcomed Guest

Alaya stood nervously in the grand foyer of her family's mansion, fidgeting with her dress. Her mother had asked her to greet Nathan and his family, as they were running late. Alaya had never been good with strangers, and the thought of meeting Nathan's cold, condescending gaze made her stomach twist with anxiety.

Just as she was starting to relax, the doorbell rang. Alaya took a deep breath and made her way to the entrance. She opened the door to find Nathan standing on the porch, his eyes fixed on his phone.

"Hey," Alaya said softly, trying to sound welcoming.

Nathan looked up, his expression unchanging. "Hey," he replied curtly, brushing past her into the foyer.

Alaya felt a surge of annoyance at his rudeness, but she bit her tongue. She couldn't let her mother down.

As Nathan's family entered, Alaya's mother greeted them warmly. Nathan's father, Robert, boomed out a greeting, his voice commanding attention. Alaya felt intimidated by his presence, but she tried to smile and make small talk.

As they made their way to the dining room, Nathan's father dominated the conversation, talking about business and politics. Alaya found herself zoning out, her mind wandering to more pleasant thoughts.

But when Nathan's father turned to her and said, "Alaya,I hear you're a recent graduate. What are your plans now?" Alaya felt her heart sink. She knew what was coming.

Nathan,who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Yes, Alaya, do tell. I'm sure it's fascinating."

Alaya felt a surge of anger at his sarcasm, but she tried to keep her cool. "I'm actually looking for a job in my field," she said, trying to sound confident.

Nathan's father jumped in, his voice booming again. "Ah, excellent! I have just the thing. Nathan, I think we should offer Alaya a position at our company as a trainee."

Alaya's eyes widened in horror as Nathan's face turned cold. "I don't think that's necessary, Father," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Yes uncle." Alayasaid with a awkward smile although she was very much pissed at Nathan.

But Robert was undeterred. "Nonsense, Nathan! It's perfect. Alaya can learn from you, and you can teach her the ropes."

Anyways, for Alaya, this wasn't the only problem. The bigger problem was Catherine. She was just being too much.

Catherine's eyes scanned the room, taking in the modest decor. She smiled sweetly at Linda, but I could tell she was already finding fault.

"I love what you've done with the place, dear," Catherine said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "It's so... cozy."

Alaya's mother, Linda, beamed with pride. "Thank you, Catherine! We've tried to make it feel like home."

Alaya's father, Anthony, chuckled. "And we're proud of our little girl for making a life for herself."

Catherine's gaze landed on Mia's outfit, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "That's an... interesting top you're wearing, Alaya," she said. "Is it... a new designer?"

Alaya laughed, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Actually, Mrs. Richards, it's a custom Ralph Lauren design," she said, her voice calm and confident. "I had it made especially for me."

Catherine's smile faltered for a moment, before she recovered. "Oh, how... lovely," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "You have such a... unique sense of style, Alaya."

Anthony and Linda exchanged a look, and they were both amused by Catherine's antics. Obviously, they knew how much of a sophisticated woman Catherine is because she's in the same cooking class as Linda.

The rest of the dinner was a blur of Catherine's veiled insults and Alaya's polite but firm responses.

However.

Nathan's PoV

As if dad's words weren't enough, mom started. I just don't like how ill spoken my mom is. She could've atleast tried to keep her calm considering that she's here for the first time.

But it amazed me that Alaya was retorting without getting nervous.

But even as I admired Alaya's spunk, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of irritation. Why was my mother so determined to tear her down? And why did my father seem so oblivious to the tension?

As the dinner drew to a close, Catherine turned to Alaya and said, "Dear, would you mind showing me your garden? I simply adore gardens."

Alaya hesitated for a moment, before nodding politely. "Of course, Mrs. Richards" she said. "I'd be happy to show you around." I saw her smirk.

She's such a little devil. Oh god.

As they left the table, Anthony turned to me and said, "Nathan, why don't you show your father the backyard? I think he'd love to see our little patio area."

I nodded, grateful for the escape, and followed my father outside. As we walked, I could hear Catherine's voice, dripping with malice, and Alaya,s polite responses. I felt a surge of admiration for Alaya's family, who seemed to be taking my mother's antics in stride.
.
.

As we left the mansion, I couldn't help but seethe with anger. My father's attempt to foist some inexperienced, naive graduate on me was infuriating. Did he really think I needed some hand-holding trainee slowing me down?

I glanced over at my mother, who was still chatting away with Alaya's mother. Catherine was her usual self, bragging about her designer clothes and jewelry. I rolled my eyes, wondering how I'd ended up with such a shallow mother.

"Alaya's mother is so sophisticated, don't you think, Nathan?" Catherine said, turning to me. "And Alaya's dress is just...quaint. Not quite up to our standards, of course."

I bit back a retort, not wanting to engage with my mother's rudeness. But I couldn't help shooting a glance at alaya, who was standing off to the side, looking uncomfortable.

"Let's go," I said curtly, turning to my father. "I have work to do."

My father nodded, but not before turning to alaya and saying, "We'll be in touch soon, alaya. About that job offer."

Alaya smiled and nodded, looking relieved that the evening was over. I watched as she walked away, feeling a pang of...something. Irritation, maybe. She was just so...oblivious.

As we drove away, my mother kept bugging me about Alaya's clothes and her mother's sophistication. I tuned her out, lost in my own thoughts. How was I going to get out of this? How was I going to avoid being saddled with that...trainee?

At one point I got seriously annoyed at mom and retorted.

"Mom can you please, please focus on yourself and not judge others for a micro second?" I said, utterly rudely. Not that she deserves kindness.

"Oh! So! You're being kind, huh?" She scoffed. She's impossible.

I wonder how dad deals with her. But then he's worse than her. Actually, they are a perfect couple.

"No. I am not being kind but back-bitching about someone, specifically the daughter of your friend is rude!"  I replied.

"Keep shut Nathan.'' dad said from the front seat.

I rolled my eyes.

"No honey. Let him talk. After all. He never once understood me. He only takes me as a stepmother." She said with teary eyws.

No. She isn't my stepmother and this isnt a soap. She's my birth giver but she's impossible to deal with. She's manipulative.

A cunning fox, she is.

That's what I call her.

"Oh please mom." I retorted.

"Keep shut nathan!" Dad yelled.

I didn't flinch. I just clenched my fists, readying them for the thousand punches that I'll be landing on my punching bag soon, as soon as I hit home.

And. For their convenience. I am going back to my house, tommorow.