Page 47 of Unfinished

“Mom, this is Hannah,” I introduced her and Hannah held out her hand to my mom.

“Mrs. Teresi, it’s so good to meet you,” Hannah greeted my mom with a soft smile.

My mom took her hand and then Hannah and her blew air kisses at each other’s cheeks. My mother quickly corrected the brief shock that Hannah greeted her in the way she would have expected. Both women smiled at each other, but it wasn't in true friendship. They were challenging each other but Hannah's confidence was winning out. She wouldn't let anyone intimidate her from what she wanted, and what she wanted was me. Admittedly, I was concerned about this meeting but Hannah had taken control and my mother would have zero excuses. My father walked into the foyer, and smiled slightly at the standoff between my mom and Hannah.

“Dad, this is Hannah.” I introduced Hannah breaking the tension but noticing the small sigh my mother released. Hannah reached out her hand towards my dad.

“It’s good to meet you Mr. Teresi.” My father took her hand and covered it with his other hand and nodded with a smile.

“Well, dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes, we can sit for now,” my mother informed us, and I led Hannah into our sitting room. We sat down on a loveseat and Hannah crossed her ankles and folded her hands in her lap. Our butler got our drinks for us, and both Hannah and I decided on water despite my desperate need for a stronger drink.

The doorbell rang before a conversation started. My mother jumped up and looking at my father he shook his head and shrugged at me. He was as confused as I was.

“Yes, yes, come in and sit,” my mother trilled, leading three women into the sitting room.

I was immediately irritated and even my father looked annoyed. This was my mother’s plan; to bring in other women to try to make Hannah feel out of place. She prepared for a battle and Hannah was outnumbered. Worse was Melissa was among the three and after the fight with Hannah last weekend over the way Melissa flirted with me and my behavior, this could end badly.

“Hannah, this is Melissa, Jennifer, and Rachel,” my mother gestured to the three women and they each nodded to Hannah and she nodded back, keeping a smile on her face and showing no other emotion.

“I thought this was a dinner just for us?” I didn’t bother hiding the irritation I was feeling. My mother was going to try to make Hannah feel inferior and I was about ready to take Hannah and leave this entire thing.

“Well, I figured since you missed the last couple of dinners I planned, tonight I’d combine the guest list,” my mother explained in that fucking innocent voice she always used when she was up to something.

Hannah reached over and squeezed my arm. I looked at her and she had a twinkle in her eye. She wasn't going to back down just because she was outnumbered. She would fight to prove to my mom she was the better choice.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you could join us now,” I muttered, not hiding my slight disgust. The women all shifted nervously in their seats.

We were called in for dinner after a bit of small talk. I sat next to Hannah and the three women sat across from us. My mother sat at the end of the table near me and my father sat at the head of the table near Hannah.

“So Hannah, where are you going to school?” My father had completely ignored the three girls my mom invited, holding a conversation with Hannah.

“I am attending Frick Institute of Tech in Pittsburgh. I intend to get my masters in computer science. I’m on a fast track to graduating early.”

“Is that like video games?” Melissa sneered at Hannah while looking down her nose.

“No, that would be game development. I’ll be going into software development, at least that’s been my focus. I’ll likely be creating programs for use in business.”

“What about you, Melissa? What are you going to school for?” My mom asked Melissa before she shot a glare at my dad for ignoring the three girls.

“Oh, I’m going to school for Art History,” Melissa answered.

“Nice. I know there are a lot of options with that degree. What are your future plans?” Hannah asked Melissa with what appeared to be genuine curiosity.

“Well I’ll likely just be a housewife but I’d love to have an expansive art collection,” Melissa answered then looked at me with hopeful eyes. I gave her a bored and slightly disgusted look in return.

“Oh, well, I guess that’s one way to use that degree.” Hannah then took a bite of food. Melissa’s eyes went cold towards Hannah and I bit my lip trying to hide my amusement.

“What about you, Rachel?” My mom moved the conversation on.

“I’m going to school for fashion design.” Rachel smiled brightly.

“Wow, are you planning on starting your own fashion line?” Hannah inquired, sounding genuine once again, then taking a bite of her steak.

“I had planned on getting the degree so I could more easily talk to designers about custom dresses. I hadn’t really thought about creating my own fashion line.” Rachel remarked and then looked at her plate a bit contemplative.

“Fashion design could be fun and with your connections I bet you’d be extremely successful on your own,” Hannah encouraged. I rolled my lips and glanced at my father who looked incredibly amused.

“Maybe. I would probably need help finding a good website designer and setting up business software. I’m not technologically inclined at all. Can I get your number and maybe pick your brain on some things in the future?” Rachel inquired, looking a little more excited.

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