Renata

Chapter 3

He drove up the long pebbled driveway with trees planted in a neat row which led to the house. It was huge. It looked like something you'd see in a magazine. He parked outside the garage, planning to shower and go back to the hospital. He sighed when he saw his mother's car there. He was hoping she was still out of the country. He walked into what one might call a foyer, and looked at the perfectly arranged flowers in the centre of a beautiful room. A beautiful waste of space, he thought. He heard voices coming from the lounge and went there first. He saw two blonds sitting on the red French couches watching a reality show. One blond sat with her legs draped over the side of the couch in very short pyjama shorts, her falsely blue eyes filled with laughter. The other blond sat watching in jeans, a blouse and what he knew had to be flawless make-up, but her back was to him. His mom and his twin sister.

Home.

"Hey." He said casually sitting down, pushing his sister's legs off.

"Mike!" She shrieked and gestured at her legs.

"Hey honey, where were you?" His mom asked smiling at him.

He wondered if he should tell her, he knew she wouldn't approve of it but he figured she would understand, for him.

"At the hospital." He said casually, watching his mother. Instantly her face took on a look of concern and worry and she got up and sat next to him, pushing Megan further off the couch, she didn't shriek this time, her eyes had gone wide.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Mrs Houston asked her son. Her voice was calm and serene, the only sign of worry was the look in her eyes, and she was so good at controlling these things.

"Nothing-" Michael started, "Well this girl from school had a- a severe allergic reaction yesterday and I just happened to be there so I took her to the hospital."

There was silence until Megan broke it, curiosity all over her face.

"Who was it? Was it Felicia, because I heard she's pregnant and it might not be a reaction you know."

Michael laughed as he often did when Megan put her queen bee crown on. "No-" He paused ad watched his sister this time. "It was Renata."

Her eyes went wide and then she smiled knowingly at her brother, "Good for you."She laughed.

Mrs Houston watched the exchange and smiled. "Who's Renata?"

"This girl I like... I'll introduce you one of these days." He smiled at hearing her name.

"Well I can't think of a family with a daughter named Renata, that's Italian you know." She smiled looking proud of herself.

Michael smiled and said nothing. He'd caught the tone of her voice, the one that said Renata had to be on par with their family. He noticed Megan looking away and suddenly feigning interest in a commercial. She'd also heard it.

"I'm gonna shower then head back." He said in his care free manner, getting up.

Megan watched her brother go and took out her phone to text a friend.

*Michael was with her, think you'll have to back off* she sent it and put her phone down, a thoughtful look on her face.

Michael left again and Mrs Houston went on about some new product they were developing, she owned a cosmetic company. Megan half listened until there was a knock on the door and one of the maids ushered a girl with bright blond hair in.

"Hello Christy!" Mr Houston said standing up and hugging her. Megan smiled at her friend as she parked herself next to her after the hug.

"I'll leave you girls to it, not that you were interested Megan." She said walking out with a knowing look.