My Shiny Knight (COMPLETE)

Chapter 8-Garden Party

     "So how do you feel about meeting my parents?" Tristan asked one morning in bed.

     "Your parents?" Lexi asked, her stomach suddenly churning with nerves.

     "They're having a party this week."

     "A party?"

     "Just a small one at their house. They host quite a few during the summer months."

     "Oh, Tristan, I don't know if I'm really up to a party," she said.

     "Please, Lex? It will be fun."

     Images of caviar and suits and ties floated through Lexi's mind. Was she even up to the standards of a party at Tristan's parents? She looked up to find Tristan begging her with his eyes, hands folded.

     "Please will you come?" He pouted to add dramatic effect.

     She grinned and playfully shoved his shoulder. "Okay, fine," she said.

     He kissed her hard, grinning.

     Lexi's jaw dropped once they got a little further up the driveway.

     "You used to live here? Here?"

     "Yes, here," Tristan said, completely unfazed by the gated entrance, the mile long driveway, or the stone mansion at the end of the concrete. He pulled his car up to the entrance and a man opened Lexi's door and offered her a hand to help her out. She took it and tried to gracefully exit the car in her heels and red cocktail dress.

     "Thank you," she said.

     The man took the keys from Tristan and went off to park the car. Tristan took her hand and they headed up the steps to the entrance where a young looking woman and an older version of Tristan were standing, greeting everyone as they arrived.

     "Tristan!" the woman shouted upon seeing them. She walked down a few steps hands outstretched.

     "Mom," he said, kissing her cheek. "Dad," he shook his father's hand.

     "Oh and who is this dazzling young woman?" Tristan's father asked, eyeing Lexi shly standing behind Tristan.

     "Mom, Dad, this is Lexi, my girlfriend. Lexi, these are my parents, Robert and Susan."

     "It's nice to meet you both," Lexi said, shaking each of their hands.

     "I'm so glad we finally get to meet you, dear. Tristan talks about you all the time. I'd love to hear more about you, Lexi," Tristan's mother said, giving her a gentle smile. "We'll have drinks in the garden."

     "Okay," she nodded, smiling, cheeks turning red.

     Tristan took Lexi's hand again and led them through the front hallway, into the kitchen, where a million people were frantically running around, and out a door into the back garden. The green space was booming with colors. A small fountain bubbled in the background, and a gate to the left surrounded a crystal clear pool. Tables upon tables were set up across the grass, a bar to one side. People were scattered all across the lawn, chatting quietly amongst themselves.

     "Mom and Dad said we're sitting over here with them. I hope that's okay with you," Tristan said, placing a hand on the small of Lexi's back and leading them off to a table to the left.

     "That's fine with me," Lexi said. "Your mom seems sweet."

     "My mother is a goddess. For a lot of reasons. But mainly for putting up with me. Speaking of the angel herself," he said and Lexi turned to find Tristan's parents crossing the lawn and heading their way.

     "Do I look okay?" Lexi said, tugging at the hem of her dress. She suddenly felt like it wasn't enough. Or maybe it was too much?

     A warm hand enveloped hers. "You look beautiful, love. Don't worry," he said, kissing her hand.

     "My sweet boy," Susan said, beaming at the two of them. She enveloped Tristan in her arms, giving a big squeeze. Her and her husband took a seat across from Tristan and Lexi.

     "How have you been? How is work? What's new?" Susan asked Tristan.

     "I'm good, Mom. The company is doing really well right now. We just signed a huge deal with the Ashbournes. Should make shipping a lot easier now."

     "Nice job," Robert said, sounding impressed.

     "I'm trying to work on a deal with some more retail stores and about getting our products on their shelves."

     "I'm proud of you, bud," Robert said, placing a hand on Tristan's shoulder. "You've done really well there."

     "Thanks, Dad," Tristan said, his cheeks tinted pink.

     "So," Susan said, slapping her palms on the table. "Where did you two meet?" She wagged her eyebrows at them.

     Lexi swallowed hard. She dreaded this question all along. She was unsure how his parents would react towards her had they known where the two really met.

     "Work actually," Tristan said, smoothly. "Lexi was working in the mailroom at the company and then when my old assistant left, she applied for that job."

     "Oh, how sweet. Things always happen for a reason, right?"

     "Absolutely," Tristan said, placing a hand on Lexi's leg and giving her a broad grin.

     "Oh, that's the mayor there. We should go say hi, Bob. Excuse us for a minute kids," Susan said, as she pulled her husband after her. He winked at Lexi and Tristan as they left to go say hi to the newcomers.

     Tristan snatched two drinks off of a passing waiter's tray and handed Lexi a glass of white wine. "Cheers," he said, clinking their glasses together and taking a sip of the whiskey.

     "I'm underage, remember?" Lexi whispered in Tristan's ear.

     "I won't tell if you don't tell," he said, winking at her. She smile at him, it would be there little secret. She took a sip of the sweet liquid and it warmed her insides as it traveled down her throat.

     As she took another sip, a flash of gold caught Lexi's attention to her left. Turning, Lexi found it was a woman's watch. She looked up to the woman's laughing face and the world stopped. Her heart began pounding in her ears. Lexi clutched Tristan's arm hard. He looked to her, concern clear on his face.

     "Lexi, what's wrong?" Tristan asked quietly.

     "I need to go, now. I'm sorry. Please apologize to your parents and thank them for inviting me. It was a lovely party," she said, as she began heading for the exit, setting her glass down on an abandoned table.

     "What? Lexi wait. What's wrong? " He asked as he followed to the side of the house. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "Please talk to me."

     "I have to go. I can call a cab to get home, but I cannot be here right now,"

     "Lexi, just tell me what's wrong. What happened that you all of a sudden need to leave right now?"

     "My grandmother is here."

     Understanding crossed Tristan's face. "Let's go," he said, taking her hand.

     Lexi could feel eyes burning into the back of her head as they walked out.

Hi guys! I know I haven't posted a chapter in awhile and I'm so sorry for that.  Life has been really busy and my head keeps buzzing with all these different book ideas.  I need, like, eight of me to keep up!  Anywho, i just wanted to say thank you to all of you for taking the time to read my story.  It means the world to me that people enjoy reading it.  If you have any suggestions for improvement, please feel free to message me.

Sadly, this story is coming to a close and this will be one of the last few chapters.  Stay tuned for another update soon, possibly even tonight!

xoxo,

Kay