The Pursuit

Twenty One

TWENTY-ONE

"Mom, I didn't ask for this!" The younger of the group hissed having a pissed-off look on her face.

Selene. From Caleb's descriptions of her to me one time, I could tell this was the sister he adored the most. No offense to the eldest of course.

"It's your party," one of the other two women answered back just as authoritative. "It was given that you will be giving a speech tonight."

"I didn't ask for the party," Selene muttered with a much softer tone giving in. "Whatever." Her eyes looked up, and it grew the size of saucers at the sight of the person besides me. "Caleb!" She squealed running over in her beautiful gown and threw her arms around him. 

Caleb chuckled and patted his favorite sister on the back lovingly. "Happy birthday, Selene, and congratulations on graduating. I was shocked to hear it."

When she let go, she didn't hesitate on slapping him on the arm. "We both know I'm the smartest between us two." Her eyes trailed over to me. "And who is-"

"Caleb, darling!" The eldest woman exclaimed cutting off her daughter. She was the next to pull down his tall height for a hug. "Oh I missed you, honey. I haven't seen you in months." She drawled.

"Hi Mum," Caleb grinned kissing his mother on the cheeks. "I missed you too. I arrived earlier, but Drake told me you were out with Georgina and Selene."

At the mention of their names, my eyes flickered over to each sister, quickly looking away at Selene. She was still staring me down curiously, her mouth still open with the unsaid words hanging in the air. I felt uncomfortable by her gaze. I caught Drake's encouraging nod of head to me.

"We had a girl's day out," the older child of the Wilkes finally spoke up. Her accent along with the way she poised herself made her seem older than she actually was. 

"Yeah, pampering ourselves to perfection." Selene finally gave up on holding my gaze and entered the conversation again.

"You don't seem to be too happy, baby sister," Caleb commented swinging an arm around her shoulders after hugging his older sister. "Aren't spas and shopping what girls die for?"

"Well first of all, I am not a girl," she huffed. "Second of all, do you really associate a woman petroleum engineer graduate with those... those vile hobbies?"

Caleb laughed along with them, and as if remembering I came with him, he turned around and held out a hand for me. I took his hand with a shaky one of my own and stepped into the inner circle. Suddenly all eyes were on me, and I wished I could just disappear, but I had to look strong at least for Caleb's sake.

"Mum, Dad, Georgina, Selene," he nodded his head at each person as he said their names. I felt their eyes move up and down over me, probably checking if I was good for their beloved Caleb. "Meet Bethany, my girlfriend." He tightened his hold around my waist. "Bethany, my family."

"Hi!" Selene was the first to break the short silence that erupted after the introductions. "Nice to meet you."

I smiled at her. "Congratulations on graduating and happy birthday."

"She's American?" Georgina spoke up at the sound of my voice, and my eyes trailed over to her. She had a vigilant stance, assessing every inch of my body head to toe. "You didn't mention such detail, Caleb."

"I thought telling you that I met her in Seattle was explanation enough." Caleb rubbed his thumb against my body. "Be nice, Georgina."

As much as I wanted his sisters' approval, I was more worried about his parents. I slowly gave them my attention and flashed what I hoped to be a charming smile. Caleb should really teach me his ways. I held out my hand for them to shake.