The duo made their grand entrance at the country club. It was a Sunday morning brunch their father and his girlfriend, Jessica decided to host. The couple picked the most posh club in Malibu and refused to settle for anything less than perfect.
When the twins stood in the doorway of the room they looked at each other with the same expression. It was a mix of annoyance and boredom. How many more time were they going to have to do this?
"Maddy, Vran, over here!" Their father called from a crowded table. They hesitantly walk over to the table where their father stood with his girlfriend of a year, Jessica.
"Dad, Jess what's up?" Vrandia questions the two while Madeline stood next to her silent.
"We just wanted to welcome our baby back!" Justin hugs Madeline as Vrandia cranes her neck to look for her boyfriend.
Madeline looks at her father, confusion written all over her face, "Thanks." Big brunches like this were normal. The family had a reputation to uphold so Justin would have these brunches to entertain friends and family of the community. The family went through a divorce last year and their reputation was hurt but it was nothing an overpriced cup of coffee and pastry couldn't fix. Usually, the brunches didn't necessarily have a purpose or theme. They were just thrown to get the community together to mingle, gossip about each other behind backs and play golf.
Madeline was confused as to what her father said. Recently, she disliked being the center of attention and he knew this. It was in her discharge information from the rehabilitation center. The social worker strictly wrote "no modeling until further notice and try to avoid confrontation and being center of attention until anxiety is controlled". It was a simple guideline!
"And you Ms.Vran, can't give your old man a hug?" He questions.
"Hey dad!" She wraps her arms around his neck, still looking for her boyfriend, "Have you seen Keith by any chance?"
"Oh, him. He's somewhere back there." Justin points behind him then snakes his arm around Jessica's neck. Vrandia nods, dragging her sister with. It was at times like this when Madeline felt eternally grateful to have a twin sister.
Madeline and Vran were attempting to guide their way through the people, hoping to find the table where Keith was at. Madeline and Liam, her boyfriend, immediately lock eyes and Liam's hand darts up the air. Madeline tugs her sisters hand in an effort to head to the table but were stopped when someone called after them.
"Hey Jimmy!" The twins say in unison, greeting their uncle, or dad's best friend rather.
"How are you, Maddy?" Jimmy shows his concern, his fake concern that is.
Madeline unnoticeably rolls her eyes. Although Jimmy couldn't notice it, Madeline's anxiety was increasing. She just wanted to be at the table with her boyfriend and friends. "Yeah, dandy." Vrandia giggled at her sister's actions. Vrandia told Jimmy that they had many more people to greet and would see him around. It was a cop out so they could catch up with their boyfriends. Vrandia dragged her sister away only to be interrupted a few steps later.
"Vran!" They hear, averting their attention to the voice.
"Hey mom!" Vrandia runs up and hugs her mom. They had to play it safe, act cool around the guests. Vrandia and Madeline already knows how this brunch and any other social event works. Even if you can't stand the person, act friendly towards them, don't make a scene and let others think less of you. Justin couldn't risk that and the girls knew it. So even though behind closed doors, the girls, Justin and Jessica had their issues with their mother, the world didn't need to be made aware of that. For all they knew, Justin and his ex wife were the happiest, most benevolent divorced couple ever.
