Page 40 of Chase

“So, I guess you’re all wondering why I asked you to come over tonight,” he says, as if he’s just read my mind.

“It’s always a pleasure to see you, darling, you know that.” Tilly’s over-the-top upper RP accent always grates on my nerves, but put together with her saccharine-sweet expression, I especially feel like I want to vomit right now.

“Er…yes, of course. However, I also wanted to tell you all that Izzy and I have been seeing each other for about a year or so now.” The simultaneous rise of eyebrows around the room tells me they’re both shocked and not overly comfortable with the news. “But last month, I found the courage to propose to her and I’m over the moon to tell you that she accepted.”

As soon as the last word has escaped through his lips, I feel his grip on my hand tighten. He turns to look me straight in the eye. He plays with the ring on my finger, all the while I think what a bloody great actor he is.

Gasps fill the room but Nonna’s clapping causes me to giggle a little - cheeky old minx. Theo grins too but then wipes it off as soon as he takes in the reactions of everyone else in the room.

“What about Cindy?” Tilly asks, sounding heartbroken. “I thought things were going so well with you both.”

“I can answer that one,” I chip in, remembering to give them the act they all so love for me to deliver. The same one that gives them an excuse to think even less of me. Unfortunately, it also sets Theo on edge, but not enough to stop me. “I told Theo tohave one more fling; you know, before he ties himself down to one vagina for the rest of his life.” Nonna giggles as I take a slurp of wine for Dutch courage to go on. “I did tell him to choose more carefully, but I guess she came along first. Between you and I, they only had the one night,” I continue before theatrically putting my hand to my mouth and whispering, “he told me it was like shagging a rabbit hole.”

“Oh, my God, Isobel!” Mother slaps her hand to her face while Theo looks up to the ceiling with embarrassment. He squeezes my hand to the point of pinching, but I just smirk, enjoying the look on my sister’s face. “Isobel, show some respect, will you?”

Having been told this on many occasions, and over many years, I just shrug and continue to stare into my wine glass, knowing I mustn’t drink anymore if I want to stick to my rule. And with Ethan here, you can be damn sure I’ll be sticking to my rule.

“But you’re cousins,” Dad pipes up, “what will people say?”

“What a beautiful incestuous couple they make?” I offer, earning me a scowl from the man who has barely held a conversation with me…ever.

“Well, for starters, we’re not blood-related,” Theo states in an irritated tone, “and secondly, I don’t really care what other people say about us.”

“No,” Ethan finally says, sounding authoritative. “You’re not doing this. Blood-related or not, this will not go down well for the company. Many of our clients are very conservative. It can’t happen.”

“I think you are mistaken, Ethan,” Theo says, turning onhim, “I’m not asking for permission here. I’m marrying Izzy whether any of you like it or not.”

Before I know what’s happening, Theo has downed his glass and is stomping out the door, leaving an extremely uncomfortable silence in his wake.

“Shall we eat?” I ask, grinning as I do so. “The quicker we eat, the quicker all of you can go and hash this out behind our backs and I can have my wicked incestuous affair with Theo. Nonna, you’re the exception in that sentence.”

Nonna, who I would argue is a little squiffy already, smiles and raises her glass in my direction. I return the gesture and give her a cheeky wink. My father tuts at the both of us before getting out of his chair and sulking off into the dining room.

_____

Izzy

Dinner is quiet at first, though my brother enjoys shooting us with the odd evil glare every now and then. However, halfway through the main course, Tilly launches into a long-winded memoir of her recent holiday with Gary. Lots of name-dropping, money-dropping, and a whole load of waffle which I don’t even bother to pretend to listen to. I’m sure I yawned all the way through her rambling, not that I could tell you for definite because I think I semi passed out through sheer boredom.

It isn’t until dessert that her monologue is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Theo gets to his feet, still reeling from my family’s reaction to our fake engagement. I think he’s exaggerating, given the circumstances, as well as deluded if he believed it would go any differently, but I choose to say nothing. Moments later, we all hear the sound of his parents entering thehouse with warm, genuine greetings for their son. Theo mentions something about getting their plates served before they tip-tap across the floor and into the dining room. I look up to see his slightly older-looking parents walk in, full of smiles and friendly words for everyone. It’s the first time I notice Dad smiling as he gets up to embrace his brother. He slaps Wyatt on the back, to which he nervously laughs and moves toward an empty chair as soon as possible. Typical Dad, trying so hard to impress everyone but me.

“There she is,” Frankie says, looking at me strangely, almost tearfully. I remember her always being kind to me, trying to form a motherly relationship because my own was so indifferent toward me. But she still left and forgot about me, just as her son did. “I’ve missed you, young lady.”

“Hi,” I reply awkwardly, “please, sit down, your dinner will get cold.”

She pinches my chin and continues to study me. It feels as if she’s seeing right through me; she can see beyond the mask. I shake her off and turn away, but I can still feel her frown on the back of my head. I don’t dare face them again until I hear the sound of her chair scraping back along the floor. Uncle Wyatt is kind to me, as usual, but it’s more like when a stranger holds the door open for you. I am sure he would be the same with anyone.

“So, what have we missed?” Wyatt asks the table while laying a napkin across his lap.

“Your son has taken leave of his senses and asked Isobel to marry him,” Tilly laughs before she gulps the last remnants of her wineglass.

Even I’m surprised by her announcing this to someone’s parents before the person in question can say it first. The bitch hasoutdone herself this time. Not that she has any clue about it, not even when Theo drops his fork onto his plate with a clatter.

“What?” Frankie clasps her hands over her mouth but not before revealing a huge grin across her face. His father looks momentarily stunned but then leans over to shake Theo’s hand with words of congratulations on his lips.

“Oh, Theo, Izzy, I’m so pleased for you both; I always knew you two were meant for each other!”

A pang of guilt bubbles deep inside of me and I can tell from Theo’s expression that he’s thinking the exact same thing. I couldn’t care less about lying to my family, but his parents genuinely love him. It must hit hard.

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