Brains over Beauty

Tres

It took approximately hour to get to my parents estate through the city traffic, this meant that I was 15 minutes late, which judging by the ever-present buzzing of my phone, hadn't gone unnoticed by my parents. After thanking and paying the driver, I stepped out into the brisk night, and ran my eyes over the old building that I had grown up in. It was an extremely old building that was built by an Italian couple who had come to America after the Renaissance, so the architecture drew heavily from Renaissance techniques and it was all stone, arches, carvings and height. My parents had recently had the outside restored and it it seemed to glow with elegance and beauty. The windows gave the outside world a small peek into the beauty and elegance that lay inside and the many beautiful, hand made chandeliers shed rays of light into the night. As I approached the grand, carved door I heard the familiar trickle of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and smiled slightly before ringing the doorbell, Moonlight Sonata was my dad's favourite thing to play when entertaining and my grin spread when i heard him drop a note at the sound of the doorbell. I straightened up my outfit and waited until I heard the familiar, gentle sound of my mothers heels approaching. Chanel, I guessed silently, I did this every time I saw her, guessed which shoe she had chosen from her vast collection, the clicking of her heels slowed as she reached the door and I heard her turn the handle, before slowly swinging it open.

"Amelia!" my mothers soft slightly accented voice exclaimed, "You've finally arrived" I rolled my eyes as my mother threw her arms around me. My mom is a gentle, elegant woman, throughout my youth she was always a showstopper with her long, glossy black hair that was currently cascading down in a sleek ponytail, her bronze tanned skin that still held a youthful glow at 48 thanks to her spanish heritage, she is a stunning woman, her high cheekbones that lifted with her alluring smile that always turned the heads of male onlookers  and her large blue eyes that always stayed trained on my father.

Tonight she was dressed in an expensive looking, pale pastel pink pantsuit with, I looked down as she was hugging me and grinned, pink suede Chanel heels. "Hi Mom, sorry I'm late," I replied as she released me, "you know how the traffic is", as she pulled back her eyes scanned my outfit and I saw a glint of approval as she nodded, "Ah yes," she reached out a perfectly manicured hand to take my coat which I handed her with a smile. "The Miller's are in the sitting room with your father, Andrea is announcing that she's pregnant, which I wasn't supposed to tell you, so act surprised when she tells everyone", I nodded my eyes widening in surprised, "Okay, will do, thank's for the heads up", she smiled in reply and we began making our way through the marbled rooms towards the elegant sitting room, the piano's melody and the sound of conversation growing louder as we got closer. I smiled at the picture that greeted us when we reached the beautiful marble floored sitting room, my father his back to me was seated at the beautiful white Steinway & Sons piano, the Miller's were, milling (excuse the pun), around him each holding a glass of red wine and chatting amongst themselves. 

My fathers playing halted upon hearing our approach, and the Miller's turned around, "Bella!" my dad exclaimed in Italian, shooting up off the cushioned piano stool. "Papa, come stai?" I replied as he threw his arms around me, "Ah, bene, bene, my girl, I'm good, how are you darling?" he asked a wide grin spreading on his face, "I'm good, Papa" I replied smiling up at him and greeting the Millers who were now surrounding me. I smiled as Andrea thew her arms around me, "You look beautiful Amelia, absolutely stunning," she paused scanning me, "isn't she stunning Charles?" she said turning towards her husband, who grasped my hand and lifted it to his mouth in greeting, "Absolutely gorgeous Andrea" he replied shooting me a charming smile. Andrea and Charles Miller made a stunning pair. Andrea was a decidedly gorgeous petite woman, with long blonde hair that was currently tied back in a high bun with a beautiful set of diamond earrings delicately cascading from her ears, she had wide, doe like brown eyes and a pale complexion that now held a soft blush, she was wearing an expensive looking grey silk dress that was tied around her waist showing her slender figure a pair of sparkling Louboutin's on her tiny feet. Her husband was equally as jaw dropping as his wife in his dark suit, his dark hair and chiseled features, stunning against his equally pale skin and were passed on to his son who was now smirking at me over the rim of his wine glass. I returned Andrea's compliment and greeted Charles smiling at the pair. I noticed, from the corner of my eye that Simon was slowly approaching us, his eyes roaming my body, to which I returned the favour, my eyes calculating and cold in contrast to his appreciative gaze.

"Amelia" he greeted with a smirk, reaching for my hand, "Simon" I returned, watching as he lifted my hand to his mouth where it lingered. I pulled my hand away casually as Andrea began questioning me about university. I could feel Simon's hazel eyes on me as his mother lead me towards the lounge-suit. My mother trailed behind us in an animated conversation with Charles whilst my father ushered Simon to the wine cabinet and pulled out a glass for both him and myself and began pouring two glasses of red wine and topping up Simon's half full glass.

"So, Amelia, have you met any cute guys yet? I'm sure there must be plenty of smart gorgeous men on your campus." Andrea asked, I tore my eyes away from my father and turned to her as she scanned my face for any hint of an answer. This was a question that I had come to expect from Andrea, who was raised in a Catholic family and I assume was attempting to live vicariously through me, which unfortunately was sadly not happening. I painted on a grin, "Unfortunately not, i've been extremely busy with my studies" I watched the same wave of disappointment wash over her features, I had no need for a male companion, I have learnt through the years of watching Jade in her string of romances that they are nothing more then a hinderance, and frankly I did not need the added emotional baggage they seemed to carry. Unfortunately, I was unable to say this to Andrea at the risk of shattering all her university dreams for me. "Oh, of course" she said, "Well, you've got plenty of years left for that sweetie" I nod thoughtfully and accept the glass that my father, who grinned as he had arrived in time to hear the end of the conversation, offered, he winked and sat beside me. Simon joined my mother and his father on the opposite couch, and shot me a wink over his shoulder.

Half an hour later, we were all seated at the large dining table and I, not so luckily, had been gifted with sitting next to Simon. "So," Simon said softly picking up his wine glass and taking up a sip, "I haven't seen you for a while" I shot a glance at the end of the table where our parents were conversing loudly. "Mmm, that hasn't stopped you from texting me almost every day" I shot back, he let out a soft laugh, "And yet you ignore every one of those texts," he paused briefly while I took a large sip of my wine in reply knowing what was coming next, "Don't you want to revisit our favourite activity again?" he said his hand reaching under the table and running gently up my thigh. I hid the flush that shot through my body at the touch, "I think once was enough Miller, apologies" he pulled his hand back, "Mm, if you're sure darling," he replied, "you know I'm always one phone call away" I rolled my eyes in reply and continued eating.

Simon was extremely attractive, we had known each other for many years through our parents and around a month ago we had slept together. It was a result of his persistence, extraordinary good looks, a night of drinks and being in constant company with each other and my decision to throw caution to the wind. We were not each others firsts, and there was no real romance or connection, it was pure desire that once the deed was done, dissipated completely, well for me at least. He had been pestering me since then. Despite his good looks, Simon was extremely spoilt and childish and I knew that when he eventually met 'the one' if such a thing existed, this thing he thought he felt for me would disappear.

We were waiting for desert when Andrea stood up, "Everyone, I have an announcement to make," my mom shot a knowing glance in my direction, to which I smiled in response before returning my attention to Andrea. "After years of trying," she paused and met the gaze of each person at the table smiling fondly at Simon, who had gone still, "Charles and I are happy to announce that I'm pregnant!" she broke out in a radiant smile and everyone shot out of their chairs applauding, I turned towards Simon to congratulate him, and noticed his wide eyed expression.

I slapped his shoulder, "Smile, she's coming over" I mumbled through my grin, Andrea threw her arms around her son who's face now held a genuine grin. "Darling, I'm sorry for not telling you, I wanted it to be a surprise" Andrea said tears in her eyes, "Mom, no its fine," Simon grinned, "I'm so happy!" he said his hands cupping her face. She grinned and turned to me, I reached forward and hugged her gently, "Congratulations Andrea, i'm so happy for you all" she smiled and kissed my cheek. "Thank-you darling," she said wiping her eyes. The night continued with celebrations and ended with a champagne and a sparkling apple juice for Andrea.