RED HOPES

Alanis

“Okay here’s a pointer! No bad speech at my house, Aayna is diabetic so sweet talk just makes her unconscious. Father has an off hand appeal about him but once you discuss politics boom!! You’ll love him and mother is quite a detractor don’t mind her judging you the moment you walk inside. And one more thing…” Reverie took a long breath before adding. “They’re insanely practical, don’t mind if they start discussing gore crime” I gulped at the last line.

“And here’s a breather.” I blew air in the paper bag since my girl decided to go nuts over her parents. “babe we discussed your parents likes and dislikes, even if you wake me up in the middle of the night I will answer correctly.” I added calming her down, as she kept inhaling and exhaling in the paper bag. She was too nervous about us, and so was I. After all this was my first time meeting a girl’s parents. I had to take notes to make sure I don’t mess this up because as strange as it sounded, I did want her parents to like me. And after reaching her home I did understand why she was adamant on nagging me about things.

Ames Mansion was a whole new level of different from what we had in the city. Away from the buzzing traffic, a quieter, prettier place, with bigger rooms. If Reverie was a cleanliness freak, her parents were on another planet. The house shined like mirrors reflecting sunlight from each cranny and nook of the house, creating optical illusions in one’s mind. We were welcomed warmly with greetings.

Her mom ran a university under her name, she had those grey eyes yet they lacked colors, being almost pale. Thick frame hung over her nose bridge as she slid it up every now and then. Reverie’s father was rather cool in his grey dress and pants, they seemed okay with our relationship as I suspected nothing but comfort in my uninvited presence.

“Umm this is as you know him...” Reverie hooked arms with me, as I smiled at everyone. After a good passionate argument we concluded that the whole ‘fake dating’ idea wouldn’t go well with them, so they still thought we were a thing.

“Alanis Carter, your boyfriend?” three pairs of eyes scrutinized me from head to toe making it hard to gulp my own saliva. Maybe inviting myself to her parents’ house wasn’t that wise of a decision.

“Yes Sir, Ma’am.” I spoke.

“Benedict’s murder case, you were the attorney.” Aayna asked shooting a raised brow in my direction, here comes the younger Ames, Aayna Ames was just a mini version of her sister, 10 grader with highest grades in mathematics, in contrast to her being academically excellent she was deeply interested in fine arts. The girl even resembled Reverie in looks but with brown eyes, the only difference which made Reverie look beautifully intimidating.

“Yep I was, you’re into law?” I asked because for an 18 year old it was more than her age to study such a complex documentary of the case. Not a case worthy to discuss over lunch I thought.

“I have a list of cases in history, study them like crosswords.” Pride boomed in her voice while surprise bloomed in mine. Her parents nodded in appreciation as we further discussed cases more complex, politics and what every topic currently running. After lunch I experienced change a of pace as we started with the birthday preparations.

Since Aayna was diabetic her cake was made sugar-free a small celebration with just three friends. “Too many friends distract you and it’s boring.” She stated blowing my mind. That was the day I felt I was getting old.

“Happy Birthday Aayna.” I placed her gift wrapped in blue, her fingers traced upon the blue and white wrapper, she even tapped upon it to guess what was inside. “Aayna there’s a whole party dedicated for your gift unboxing.” Reverie added gaining an eye roll from her sister. It reminded me of Reverie.

“Thank you so much.” the girl smiled before reluctantly keeping among her other gifts. Eyebrows raised in dramatic arcs while her face forming an enormous ‘O’. A limited edition murder mystery game resided in the box. “How did you get it?? I couldn’t.” Aayna questioned hugging the box close to her chest.

“It was available.” I shrugged, keeping the (I had to go to the measures of pitching a deal with the last psychotic billionaire who was the last buyer of this game) to my self. Call me crazy but I needed their approval.

“You did your homework Mr. Carter, I’m impressed.” Indeed the girl was smarter than I expected, yet she kept that to herself accepting my gift whole heartedly.

Reverie gifted Aayna an art themed Chanel which was customised into a Hollywood theme. After the gift exchange, we headed to the backyard which was covered in a small theme puzzle with different colored drinks.

Aayna later played with her other girl friends, showing her gifts off. Meanwhile Reverie chatted with her mother sipping coffee in the other corner of the yard, a smile never leaving her face. Air brushed her hair as strands fell over her face, creating a velvety mesh which bothered her a little as her lips formed a little pout.

“You love her don’t you?” Benedict dropped the bomb standing beside me, his eyes too fixed upon the two figures in front. The sudden question shook my trance since I wasn’t prepared to be shot by a direct assumption which was only the truth.

“I—”

“You don’t have to say it, I know you have feelings for my daughter.” The man sipped his strawberry soda casually. But the warm summer air became stifling, silencing my eardrums to hear nothing but faint laughs from a distance afar. “How can you tell?” I asked, curiosity lurking around my head.

“Experience speaks, or do I need to elaborate the way you look at my daughter as if the world around her is heart shaped and red?”

‘No you don’t need to, I’ve already made a witnessing fool of my self!’ I defended in my mind.