July 2nd, 2006
Graystone Manor, Blackwood
"Remind me why Diana followed us home?" Adrian asked Alyssa while the butler opened the door for them and bowed.
"Maybe she just wants to make sure we got home safe?" Alyssa suggested.
"Or better still, maybe because I actually live here?" Erica snapped.
Adrian muttered, "The woman snaps at me when she lives in my house rent free."
"I heard that," both Alyssa and Erica said from behind him.
He sighed and ascended the stairs to the washroom.
When he came back down, the ladies and Aether were in the living room, the baby feeding, Erica narrating how her boyfriend Simon had proposed to her.
".... and he went on one knee and asked me to marry him, in front of everyone! And I tried to say yes calmly but I couldn't help myself...." She had started to sob by this point.
"Calm down, Erica, it's okay. I felt the same way when Adrian proposed to me," Alyssa said, trying to stifle her sister in law's emotional sobs.
Adrian walked past them to the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of milk and muttered, "Women," before going back to everyone and lounging on a sofa.
His sister had calmed down now, and she continued, "I told him yes and he scooped me into his arms..."
"Of course he did. Sounds just like him. Imagine the utter horror that would ensue if he had dropped you by accident," her brother cut her off.
"What is your problem with Simon, Adrian? No matter what he does, you can't help but find something to criticize him about!"
Adrian replied with a raise of the eyebrows, "Well, I don't think he's good enough for my beloved sister. Diana, I simply don't think he's the right one for you, and I don't bother myself with hiding it."
"When ever has any man been good enough for me, David?! You don't approve of any of them no matter how good they are!"
"No matter how good they pretend they are, sister."
Alyssa spoke, "Not trying to interfere in the sibling squabble, but Aether's trying to sleep and I doubt he can in a hostile and noisy environment."
Adrian agreed, and Erica nodded, then silence prevailed for a while.
Alyssa took the baby upstairs, and as soon as she went out of sight, Erica said, "I never disapproved of Alyssa, did I?"
"You can hardly compare the two. Besides, you and I both know I have a better taste in partners between the two of us," he responded with a smile.
And just then, Erica's phone started ringing.
Her brother said, "Well, I wonder who that could be....."with a playfully thoughtful expression.
"Go on, pick it up. I'll bet it's him."
Erica answered the call, "Hi babe."
Adrian grinned. "Of course, it's him, who else would call you apart from the love of your life?"
She scowled at him and turned away.
"Really? Where? Okay, that would be nice. What time?"
Adrian started to pay a bit more attention, though his sister had crossed half the room.
He recalled their row, then sighed before snapping his fingers to get her attention.
"Tell him I want to come too," he whispered, but she heard him.
She looked at him in confusion. 'What diabolical plan is he conjuring in his mind?'
"Uh, Simon dear, my brother says he'd like to come as well. Would that be okay?"
Adrian focused slightly more, and heard Simon's voice on the other end go quiet for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It would kinda ruin the romantic moment but it's not a problem."
"Thanks, love," she said, then ended the call.
"Okay, you have three seconds to tell me what evil plan you have in mind."
Adrian smiled and said, "But there is no evil plan. You said I never approve of your choices in men, so I'm giving Simon a chance to prove himself."
He grinned and added, "If he fails, you can return the ring he gave you. Unless, of course, you prefer that I object at the wedding."
Alyssa entered the room. "So, where are we going?"
Adrian replied, "To meet my potential brother in law, sweetheart."
"In that case," Alyssa said with a sweet smile, "let me give Heather a few instructions concerning our son. Wait here."
....
16:44
The Red Fox Club, East Blackwood
Simon Bourne sat in a corner from where he could view the door, sipping on a cup of coffee.
He looked up and saw a beautiful lady with midnight black hair and bright brown eyes walk in, scan the room, and rest her gaze on him before her lips curved into a captivating smile.
He got up and walked over to her.
"Erica! Hey!" He greeted her enthusiastically, his eyes darting left and right, as though looking for something.....or someone.
"Simon." He whipped his head round and saw Adrian standing behind him.
"Lord Graystone! What a surprise, I didn't see you come in!" Simon said, laughing nervously.
"Rather simple to do if my sister is the only thing in your eyes, don't you think so too, hmm?"
Simon nodded, thinking, 'I indeed only had Erica in sight but there's no way I could have failed to notice his entry. How the hell did he....'
"Don't do that, Adrian, you're frightening the poor man," Alyssa said, coming from behind Erica to stand beside her.
"Lady Alyssa! Good evening!" Simon gave Erica a look of 'I thought you said only the Lord is coming, you didn't say the entire Graystone family is coming!'
"Well, let's eat, shall we?" Adrian said.
.......
18:08
Graystone Manor
The group of four entered the house, laughing.
"I was wrong about you, Simon, you're quite interesting!" Adrian said, gripping his shoulder.
Despite the inebriation, Simon could clearly feel his bones suffer in agony, like they were in a tightening vice.
Alyssa, who'd drunk very lightly since she had a baby to feed, noticed it and removed his arm from Simon's shoulder.
Heather, the maid Alyssa had left in charge of Aether, came downstairs, the baby in her arms.
"He woke up soon as you arrived, almost like he sensed you coming," she said.
"Oh, who's this?" Simon asked.
"That's my son, Aether," Adrian replied.
"He's beautiful, really!" Simon said, and for a brief moment, he seemed perfectly sober.
And Adrian noticed that.
'Looks like I'm not the only one pretending.'