Faking Fate [Book 1]

Chapter Twelve: Family Dinners

The drive to Alexander's family estate was a quiet one, punctuated only by the sound of the car's tires gliding over the smooth pavement. I stared out the window, trying to prepare myself for what lay ahead. The city lights gradually gave way to the sprawling suburbs, and soon, even those began to thin out. We were heading somewhere remote, somewhere private—just like Alexander.

When we finally turned onto a long, winding driveway, the grandeur of the Wolfe family estate came into view. It was a massive, sprawling mansion, the kind you only see in movies or read about in glossy magazines. The house was a blend of old-world elegance and modern design, with tall, arched windows, ivy climbing up the stone walls, and perfectly manicured gardens that seemed to stretch on forever. It was imposing, yet undeniably beautiful, and it made my stomach twist with nerves.

Alexander parked the car and cut the engine, but neither of us moved. His usually composed demeanor was slipping; his leg was bouncing with almost rhythmic intensity, and his jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it might shatter. He stared ahead at the mansion, his brow furrowed and his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.

I watched him, feeling a twinge of concern. "Hey, everything okay?" I ventured, trying to pierce through the thick layer of silence.

He glanced at me, attempting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, fine. Sorry."

His fingers drummed impatiently on the steering wheel, and he fidgeted with the keys. It was clear he was stalling, though whether it was due to uncertainty or something deeper was anyone's guess. I could feel my irritation bubbling up alongside my concern.

"Are you sure? Want to talk about it?" I offered gently, hoping to ease some of his tension.

He shook his head slightly, though his gaze remained fixed on the mansion. "I'm good. Let's just go."

With a deep breath, we exited the car and made our way up to the grand entrance. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen Alexander this tense. It was like he was walking into a battlefield, and the heavy door loomed in front of us like the entrance to a medieval castle. When Alexander reached out to knock, he hesitated for a moment, his hand trembling slightly before he finally raised the heavy door knocker and let it fall with a resounding thud.

The massive wooden doors swung open, revealing a meticulously decorated foyer. The air was thick with the cloying scent of fresh flowers, almost nauseating in its intensity. I stepped inside, trying to mask my discomfort, only to be greeted by the imposing figure of Alexander's mother.

There she stood in the doorway—striking and elegant, her hair perfectly coiffed and her tailored dress clinging to her with an almost regal quality. Her gaze was sharp, her eyes scanning us with a mixture of curiosity and subtle judgment.

"Alexander," she said, her voice smooth but laced with an edge of surprise. "It's been quite a while. Nice of you to remember we exist."

Alexander managed a strained smile, though it barely masked his discomfort. "Hi Mother. Sorry, you know how work is. It's good to be back, though. I'd like you to meet Emily."

His mother's eyes flicked to me, a hint of skepticism in their depths. "Hello, Emily," she said, her tone measured but chilly. "We've met before, but it's nice to see you again."

I tried to keep my voice steady as I replied, "Nice to meet you again, Mrs. Wolfe."

Inside, I was mentally rolling my eyes at the thinly veiled disdain.

"Please, call me Evelyn," she said, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She stepped aside to let us in, her gesture polite but lacking warmth. "Come in, come in."