Quixotic (2)

24

She walked in the house, and everyone's eyes turned to look in her direction. Everyone in the room was wearing dresses and suits of tan and black, but she was wearing red. Sal nudged Brian's shoulder as they stood near the side of the room, and everything seemed to move in slow motion as he turned to see the beautiful woman standing in front of the opened front door.

He stared forward in awe, a confident smile pulling at his lips as he stepped forward and weaved through the crowd of businessmen and women. A nervous smile pulled at her lips as he approached, and a small laugh escaped with her words as she asked, "Too much?"

"Just enough." He answered almost immediately, a playful grin on his lips as his eyes trailed down her thin figure. His eyes lingered over her red dress, and he found himself speechless. The fabric hugged her figure, but his eyes trailed down to rest on the slit that traveled to her upper thigh.

"Be careful, tiger." She hummed playfully, and reached forward to tilt his chin up. Her eyes locked on his, and she watched as his features flushed pink, "If you keep staring, your eyes might pop out your head!"

Her eyes examined his slicked back hair, and she smiled, "You clean up nice." She teased, stepping away from the doorway. She looked down at her camera bag, then flashed him a warm smile, saying, "I have a job to do, but I had to let you know that the girls are ready."

"The girls?" He asked with confusion on his brow, and his smile was quickly wiped from his lips as he sighed, "Aria, this isn't a children's party --." He shifted irritably on his feet, asking her quickly, "Wasn't my mother supposed to pick them up an hour ago?"

"Yes, but there was a little change of plans." Aria hummed without a bit of fear in her voice. She shrugged her shoulders, telling him honestly, "Your mother thought it was a great idea for Eliza to spend some time with her father, and, I mean, you did buy her a beautiful dress for the event --."

"Right, I did." He growled, holding out his hand as he asked, "May I have my card please?" She reached into her camera bag and placed the card in his palm, "Thank you." He growled as he shoved it into his pocket, adding quickly in a forceful whisper, "Now, are you insane? This is an important event for our show!"

"They understand that!" Aria fought back quietly, telling him with a small laugh, "They are children, not monkeys!"

"I'm serious, this is a terrible idea --!" He said in a rough whisper, adding with wide eyes, "Do you have any idea what could happen if these people realize who she is --?"

"Oh, hush!" Aria exclaimed as she a stepped back, growling at him, "She's your daughter." Before he could speak again, she turned to look at the opened door, calling happily, "Come in, girls!"

Mila walked into the house wearing a classic collared maroon dress with an embroidered lace front. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a curly pony tail, and carried a brown bag over her shoulders, "Mr. Brian, do you like my party dress?" The child asked him with a cheesy grin, curtsying with a wide grin on her lips.

"Of course, I do!" He said with forced happiness in his voice, glaring at Aria to find that the playful smirk remained on her lips.

"Alright, Liza, don't be shy!" Aria called with a bit of hesitation in her voice, pulling Mila to stand at her side.

The young woman nervously stepped into the room wearing a navy blue, backless dress and a pair of nude heels. Brian's eyes widened in shock as she stepped forward, "My God --." He muttered, his voice dropping to silence as the young woman carefully stepped forward in the heels, "I had no idea how much she looked like her mother --." Eliza blushed, a small smile pulling at her lips as she avoided his eyes, "She looks so grown up --." He muttered nervously, his heart dropping in his chest at the thought of Olivia.