Knocking at the Harringtons

Take a seat

Amaya, still groggy from her nap, was startled by a soft knock on her door. She blinked in the dim light of her room, her mind still foggy. "Yes?" she called out, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

Vivian's voice came from the other side of the door. "Dinner's ready, darling. Come down when you're ready."

"Okay," I'll be down in a minute," Amaya shortly replied, her voice slightly hoarse. She quickly checked the time on her phone which said 9:10 pm.

"Is it that late already? I slept through the whole day!" she muttered to herself before quickly brushing through her tangled hair. She still felt a bit uneasy from her previous encounter with Sebastian and now she had to face him and his whole family over dinner.

Glancing at herself in the mirror, Amaya adjusted her clothes before heading downstairs. With each step she took the stronger the smell of the dinner became. She was starving and could eat anything at this point. Finally, the dining area came into view, and she could hear voices murmuring. They stopped abruptly as she walked in.

The table was beautifully set, with expensive china and tall flickering candles. Vivian was already seated beside a man who was sitting at the head of the table. Amaya assumed him to be Edward Harrington, Sebastian's father. She could see the resemblance between him and his son.

He was seated, but she could tell he was tall. He had the same sharp features as Sebastian. A deep-set pair of blue eyes, prominent jaw and cheeks. She felt intimidated by his gaze as she walked closer to the table.

"Ah, there you are, Amaya," Vivian greeted warmly. "Come, take a seat."

Amaya nodded, offering a small smile as she took her place at the table. Edward gave her a polite nod, but something was guarded in his eyes that made her feel unwelcome.

Amaya glanced around and noticed the empty chair opposite of her. Sebastian was nowhere to be found.

"Amaya, it's nice to finally meet you. I trust you're settling in well?" Edward asked, his voice a measured blend of politeness and distance.

"Yes, everything's—" Amaya began, but Edward cut her off briskly.

"Good, good. There's something else, though," he continued, his tone shifting. "It would be best, I think, if for the time being you didn't mention that your father was a Harrington. People around here... talk. We don't need to stir up any more unnecessary attention."

His laugh was dry, almost dismissive, as though he expected her to agree without question. Vivian looked away, her expression unreadable as her eyes closed briefly.

"Oh, I understand," Amaya replied, puzzled, but didn't question further. 

"It's best you don't mention anything to Sebastian either. Where is he by the way?" Edward asked, his voice tight with forced politeness. "It seems he won't be joining us today," Vivian answered, her voice quiet and laced with disappointment. "I'll go find him," Edward said sternly, setting his wineglass down and heading toward Sebastian's room.

Edward's footsteps echoed down the long, marble hallway as he walked toward his son's room. His jaw clenched, whilst trying to keep his composure. He knew his son's rebellious streak all too well, and it dreaded him that Sebastian would choose this moment of all to act up again. Just when their new guest had arrived, he had to pull another stunt.

Edward neared the door, he paused, hearing a faint melody coming from behind the door. The soft notes of a piano floated in the hall. He knew Sebastian took piano lessons when he was younger, but didn't know he could play.