"This place is enormous.."I mumble , looking at my surroundings. This was more like a celebrity mansion - glamorous was the word you'd think of when you glanced around , white marble floors ,crystal chandeliers , fancy drapes , luxurious furnishing , gigantic glass windows that overlooked immaculate garden..it was just magical.
"Hey , I trust you , you'll be great" Caesar leans in and says before we finally step into the elegant drawing room.
"Ah finally , welcome you two!" Susie exclaimed , placing her delicate Wedgewood China down , she rose up , her flair floral dress decently showing her curves , she was a beautiful middle-aged woman indeed. She gave Caesar a motherly kiss , muttering a few words in his ears that made him bark a laugh , the deep rich sound rumbling from his chest .
"Kayla darling , you look wonderful"Mr James flashed me a smile , a few of his wrinkles drawing out.
"Thank you "I chuckle.
"Come here boy! , It's your day!"
Caesar and I hugged them both in turns.
"Aunt Yaya!"Caesar fixed his gaze at an elegant woman who majestically descended the grey marbled stairs , two young ladies followed , a lean , attractive man seemingly in his 20's lagged behind. I studied them all .
These are the grand Aunt and cousins huh..
"Darling! , Ah how extremely handsome you've become my son "Her rich accent filled the short silence.
"Always handy with compliments , Aunt Yaya never changes"Caesar smirks , embracing her.
"Cousin , long time no see"One of the ladies chuckled as Caesar embraced her too.
"Lisa , don't blame me , you're always traveling"He grinned at her , letting her go to hug the other.
"Kendall , sweetheart , did you dye your hair , oh my , you look radiant"Caesar speaks to the other lady , her blue contact eyes sparkle at the statement.
"You think so?"She asks , twirling her ginger red hair with her long fingers.
"Of course "Caesar smiles .
"That's enough complimenting for these two , they're going to pester me about how i should learn from you."The young man finally descends the stairs , joining us.
"And who is this Wilhelmina model (Lisa and Kendall finally notice me) Hello beautiful , I'm Joe"He winks at me , seemingly the first one among them who paid me any attention.
"Hi Joe"I nervously shake his hand , a confident smile on my face as I feel all eyes on me now.
"Aunt , cousins , this is Kayla Aniya Wills ,my lovely fianceé "Caesar proudly announces me and I inwardly flinch.
Cool down Kay , we are surrounded by an affluent audience..
"Fianceé?"Aunt Yaya frowns.
Oh boy , oh boy oh boy..
You aren't HELPING
"Yes Yaya , isn't she lovely? , we met her a number of weeks ago"Susie comes in , her husband's hand in hers.James flashes her a bewitching smile in approval.
If not under such scrutiny ,I would take my time to appreciate the closeness of Caesar's parents.
"She's.. Sade güzel" The highly polished woman looks me up.
Did she just speak Turkish?
She just did sub conscious mind.. I'm freaking out.
Calm down Kayla ,we watched that Erkensi Kus movie.. you're a good listener ..you know you can recall a few Turkish words.
Of course I can she just called me plain beautiful..
"Yaya , watch it"Mr James sternly glances at her. My eyes meet Caesar's .I swallow hard.
You aren't soft Kay... you're extremely intelligent , don't let her demeanor you..
"Well brother you didn't tell me we'd soon have a new addition to the family.. size.. "She smiles darkly at me.
"I believe it was my son's announcement to make.."
"You're right darling"Susie urges her husband on.
"Yes , indeed you're right father . Aunt Yaya , Kayla is very dear to me , she's..(He gazes at me) everything I want , and I plan to make her my wife"Caesar's deep voice echoes through the hall.
I smile at him in appreciation then glance at the people I just met ,apart from Joe smiling , Lisa , Kendall and their overly sophisticated mother judgingly scowl at me .
"Trust me you'll love her , quite a charming and intelligent young lady , Aunt Yaya "Caroline joins us , two uniformed maids carrying a black suitcase upstairs , she winks at me. I managed to chuckle.
"I'll decide that myself , let's continue our chat in the third living hall , the maids will serve us a few delicacies I brought from India , you'll love it Caesar.. it's your birthday after all"Yaya elegantly waltz out the room. Susie and James chuckle following her.
"My small sister commands me in my own home"James mutters to his wife on their way. the rest lag behind.
"I'm sorry about that sweetie"Caesar whispers.
"Don't be , you warned me ..I should be prepared for what's to come."I fake a confident smile to assure him.
"I know , what I'm bothered about is her tricks with different languages.."
"Yeah..I would have told you earlier if I had known she would be in the country , she's acquainted with different languages due to her many travels and she pulls out a few sentences to confuse my dates most of the time..I don't know , to prove a point or so "He mutters when we're the only one left in the room.
"So you think she'll test me too?"I panick.
"...I hope not"He chuckles.
"Baby , that's not reassuring , I don't wanna be embarrassed in front of ..."
"Caesar! , we're waiting on you son" Yaya' s voice interrupts me.
"Kayla.."
"You heard her , she's waiting , let's go"I cut him off , walking into the living hall.
Lisa and Kendall throw me a pitiful look , as they settle in an expensive looking sofa.
I don't like those two..
"Hey Kayla , come over here , these pineapple sweets are delicious"Joe and Caroline call out to me. I ease up a little , heading to them. Yaya and Caesar's parents are laughing about something when Caesar joins them , I sigh. I feel so out of place. Who was I kidding when I thought fitting into his world wouldn't be so difficult.
"You look pale , are you alright?"Caroline hands me a plate of differently flavored Indian sweets.
"I'm fine , mm!..these are amazing"I enjoy the melting flavour of coconut in my mouth.
"..and spicy"Joe points outs , taking a glass of water from one of the serving maids.
"Stay cool darling , she doesn't bite besides my brother can barely keep his eyes off you" Caroline mutters to me.
"My mother isn't always like this you know (Caroline scoffs)..hey Carol watch it.. listen Kayla just be confident or else she'll pretty much embarrass you"Joe says.
"She's pretty good at that huh...I remember how Rosa and the three other girls run into a corner after her tests"Caroline laughs
"Gets interesting everytime"Joe joins her.
"Really?"I gawk at them.
"Chill Kayla , she's just being protective of Caesar. The dude's got looks and brains , something my mom admires"Joe smiles , his long eyelashes catching my attention.
No doubt , this family was endowed with good looks and money.of course.
"Thanks"I nod
"Kayla.."My name rolls off Yaya' s tongue.
"Yes?"I turn to face her.
"Kya aap paise ke lie Hain?"
(Are you in for the money?)
Oh dear , she spoke hindu.!! Kayla we know a bit of Hindu right?
We do?!
Remember the Hindu movies we watched
Yeah , you're right...oh yes!
I confidently stare at her
"Main pyaar maidam mein hoon"
(I'm in for love , madam)
Yaya raises her expertly shaped eyebrows , a challenging look in her pale brown eyes as everyone else stares at me with intrigue.
No no , I didn't mean to start a challenge Yaya!..oh my goodness.
"Hm..qui êtes vous?"She keenly eyes me.
(Who are you?)
French.. that's easy.
You got that right , I'm studying French anyways.
"Madame Yaya , Je suis la fianceé de votre neveu "I smirk , squaring my shoulders.
(Madam Yaya , I am the fianceé of your nephew)
Yaya clamps her lips together. Joe and Caroline wink at me.
That was definitely not the information she was asking for.
"Defol buradan"She speaks , scowling at me.
(Get out of here)
Turkish again Kay..
"Hayir" I confidently say to her.
(No)
"Hayir?" She scoffs
"Hayir.." I nod.
Our audience gawk at us .
"Hm.."She studies me for a while , before twitching her mouth into a smile. I stiffen.
She's smiling at you Kay , is that a good thing?..is that a language too?
Don't be ridiculous.
"Ik vind je leuk , een beetje "She offers me her hand.
(I like you , a little)
Dutch?..
Yikes , I don't recognize those words.
And you think I do..gees Kayla just smile back !
I smile brightly at her , shaking her hand.
"Veniam in me"She retrieves her hand.
(Excuse me)
Bingo! , Latin , baby!..
Hihihi , I can work with that.
"Ut omni tempore opus" I tell her.
(Take all the time you need)
She looked impressed , slightly nodding .
"Excuse me , I'll be back shortly"She turns to the family before walking out of the hall.
I let out a relieved breath.
"Whoa girl"Caroline nudges my arm. I giggle.
"That was the first loss for Yaya , you are full of surprises young lady"Mr James smirks ,a look of admiration in his eyes.
"She was just lucky"Lisa scoffs.
"Shut up Lisa , you barely know Hindu and Dutch"Joe scowls at her sister.
" Lisa , Joe , let's go and fetch Caesar's gifts from upstairs . And Kayla ,that was impressive...for now"Kendall glanced at me.
"Oh give her a break you two , she passed your mom's ridiculous test"Susie pulled me in for a warm hug.
"Thank you Susie"I mutter , glancing at Caesar ,his one hand under his chiseled chin as his elbow rested on the armrest of the peach coloured sofa, the other laying on his right lap . eyes on my every move as if I were a ticking bomb. I giggle , inwardly melting at the way his amused eyes were smiling at me.
I walked to his side , he swiftly landed me on his lap.
"Caesar!"I glance at the rest of the family who seemed to be engrossed in their own conversation.
"Seni seviyorum Kayla "He whispers.
( I love you Kayla )
Aah..I know these turkish words like i know my ice cream flavors..
"Seni seviyorum Leo"I lose myself in those dark brown eyes , knowing in that moment that this silly test and everything else was worth it...it was worth this love.
YOU ARE READING
What Love Is
Romance*****I stare at the crowd , and feel myself tense up .. This is it, another episode of my complicated life:no genuine smiles , no love, no care.. Kayla's Series. I look as polished as always , the only thing that seems to give me confidence. I walk...
