Duplicitous (F.C)

1942.

Saltburn had given me some perspective, in the fact that not all complements are meant to feel nice. The feeling of comfortability here in Saltburn seemed to perish rather quickly. Maybe the thought was in my head, but the warm smiles seemed dull and the complements felt like a joke no one but Elspeth seemed to be a part of. The worrying thought of if I made the right decision to stay is starting to run through my mind more often than not. The only one who noticed is Felix, and it seems to have more to do with my anxious demeanor when entering a room with Elspeth and James. Part of me wonders if it's just something I've worked up in my head.

"We're going to the fields, care to join us?" Felix smiles creeping back into my bed, which unspokenly became ours. "You'd like for me to frolic in a field of weeds with your sister and cousin bare?" I turned my nose up at the offer when it was first brought to my knowledge. "We Brit's like to call it a bonding experience." His cheeky smile makes me chuckle. "Again, I'm afraid I'll have to pass." Call me a prude, but I cannot wrap my head around the concept. "I prefer to do my bonding clothed and tick-less." Placing a kiss on my forehead, he grins. "Maybe we can make up for it with an extra movie night?" He offers. "Or a fair match of tennis?" The last time we played, Venita and I were left with rackets that had ancient stories from the crypt. "Whatever floats your boat, lovie."

"Mum just sat down for a cuppa in the lounge if you want to join her." If I don't try, it proves a point. "I have to leave these four walls eventually." Felix snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me in enough to give me a gentle squeeze. "She's a hard case to crack sometimes, but you have the potential." When I first met her, I didn't think that there was any obstacles that I had to jump through. Now it feels like a test every time we have a conversation. "You can do anything you put your mind to; it's one of the reasons I fell in love with you." Hearing those words makes my heart feel warm. "Nice talk." I peck his lips before getting ready for the day. "Don't miss me too much out there." I tease, gathering my belongings for the day. "I have memories of a lifetime to keep me company." I throw a sock at him for his crude imagination. "Oh, the boy that you are Felix Catton."

Making my way downstairs to join Elspeth, my nerves are everywhere. Hopefully she didn't mind me intruding in on her tea time. "I was hoping you'd pop in." Her smile lights up the room. "Well, frolicking in a field of bugs seemed less appetizing." She hums. "Whilst I don't enjoy being the second choice, Pamela has popped off to the shops." With what money I wondered. "She has a shopping habit I wish I could afford." Elspeth shakes her head. "As does she." The more I talk to her, the less her digs seem personal. Frankly, because she does it so much that I don't think she realize it's malicious. "Pamela borrows, yet never purchases. She dates for money- I'm sure Felix has enlightened you." I nod. "Poor girl."

"Luckily for you, our Felix comes from old money, honest money." My composure stays still, even though the urge to show my true feelings is up there. "I promise you that-" She raises her hand from her glass to stop me. "Nothing gets past me, Calliope." I'm certainly aware of that. "Your life back home seems troubling, and whilst I carry deep empathy for you, I will not have my son, nor my family be made to be a fool." I stay silent. "Our Felix tends to let his empathy make him naive, and it shall not happen, Is that to be made clear?" Many responses run through my mind, none of them being nice. "Perfectly." There's a reason Felix never brought anyone home, clearly she's the reason why. "Perfect, so tell me, what your field you're looking to move forward in with your degree.

Her change in tone makes my head spin. "Hope mum hasn't been troubling you too much." Felix places a kiss on top of my head, his warm touch from the sun sends shivers down my spine. "Oh, not at all." My correct response makes her smile. "We were just talking about Calliope's plans after school." Felix shakes his head. "It's break, we shouldn't be worrying about uni." Felix pulls me up from my chair. "Excuse us, we have a match of tennis to attend." He pushes the chair in for me. "Thanks for the tea, Elspeth." She smiles. "On the contrary. Make sure our boy doesn't burn out there." A smile forms as I nod. "Of course."

"Everything alright?" He asks once we're out of earshot from his mother. "I think so." Felix frowns. "Look, I know we lead different lives, but I'm here because I love you, not because of what you have or can offer me." He takes my hand in his. "Trust me, you don't have to prove anything to me." I sigh. "It feels like I'll always have to prove that to your parents." It's something I would never be able to change, no matter how hard I work. "We're here for each other, and that's all that matters to me." He swiftly kisses the backs of my hand. "I'll talk to them. I don't want this to be something that tears us apart." I shake my head. "I'm sure it was just a one off thing."

"We don't have to make a fuss out of it, Fee." He embraces me, the musky scent of his cologne comforts me. "If it happens again, I won't allow it." I nod. "You ready for a mean game of tennis?" He laughs. "Only if you're ready to lose." Felix picks me up bridal style running towards the tennis court. "Oh, look at the lovebirds." Farleigh exclaims. "Girls versus boys." Venetia exclaims, pulling me over to the other side of the court once Felix puts me down. "What about Ollie?" I question. "I'll play referee, too much sun." Farleigh fans himself dramatically. "Or the idea of sports just makes you feel poorly." We all laugh at Venetia's joke, while Farleigh gives her the middle finger.

"Whilst you four are sweating, I'll be enjoying this chill bottle of 1942." He opens the bottle with ease. "No fair." Venetia whines, stealing the bottle from him. The bottle goes back and forth between the two. "C, come and join us." She calls me over and I follow. "Who said tennis had to be boring?" Her pink tinsel jacket flowing in the wind. "Everyone." She nudges Farleigh as I take the swig from the bottle. "You Americans sure know how to party." The truth is, the swig almost came back up. Tequila and I have a rough past. "OI!" Felix and Oliver yell. "Buzzkills."I chuckle as we head back with the bottle of Tequila. "Here" I pour the shot into Felix's mouth, his hand gripping my waist.

"It's so unfair how hot the two of you are." Venetia crosses her arms jokingly. "They're not the only ones." Oliver takes the bottle from me, trying to mimic the same move, but winds up pouring too much into Venetia's mouth. "Oliver!" She chases after him. "We should record this for their wedding video." Felix and I chuckle watching Farleigh record the two. This is the Saltburn that I could fall in love with.