"Cousin, I am able to meet you at last!!!"
"Uncle and Auntie had me move out so that you would be more comfortable when you got home and I haven't been able to visit." She pouts.
I don't know what to tell her... It's weird to meet someone you've never met, especially someone as enthusiastic as she is. I could only smile and nod, "It's nice to meet you as well, cousin. However, it's my understanding that I would be meeting my fiancee today."
Her face paled, "Well, I know, I just wanted to tag along and meet you..."
"This is Jonathan, by the way. He and I grew up together..."
Oh? Childhood friends and now... lovers? Has she really known him for so long and of his womanizing ways only to be with him now after all that? Is she being misled or is she after more? There is no way she has been blind to his ways all this time right?
I extended my hand to Jonathan, the old blonde guy, "It's good to make your acquaintance. My name is Olivia."
"It's my pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady," he says as he takes my hand and gives it a kiss. Do girls really fall for this? My skin couldn't help but reel from the kiss. I quickly took a glance at my dear cousin. I could sense some displeasure which was quickly changed into her usual smile once he stepped back from me.
"Oh! And we also brought Mason along. He is Jonathan's nephew."
Now that's news. I didn't know Jonathan had a sibling, nonetheless a nephew. It was my understanding Jonathan was an only child. I think I will have to have a talk with my mother.
I greet Mason courteously, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, feel welcomed and join me for some tea and pastries."
I turned around and walked back only to find the table had now been set up for 4 people instead of the 2 originally planned. They are so efficient around here, I didn't even have to say a word for them to understand when to adapt.
We all take our seats, Jonathan pulling my dear cousin's chair out for her. Speaking of my dear cousin, she hasn't introduced herself yet...no matter. For now, I will refer to her as "dear cousin."
The servants served the tea and we all sat awkwardly at the table. "Cousin, have you tried the strawberry cheesecake the pastry chef makes? It's simply divine. You should try it. She reaches over and hands me a slice of cake. For someone who had grown up in this kind of setting, she seemed to lack proper etiquette training, or maybe she just wanted to seem ditzy and... different?
Either way, I smile and thank her. She wasn't kidding, the first bite of cake was delicious. What made it slightly less enjoyable was the stares I was getting. My cousin's excited stare, my fiancee's creepy stare, and Mason's weird stare. I guess I was too excited for the cake and forgot to offer them some as well before digging it.
"Pardon my manners, feel free to choose any pastries you would like. I haven't been here for long so I can not recommend any one of them except the one I just tried."
"That's alright cousin. You looked like you enjoyed that cake so much. You lit up so beautifully. It was mesmerizing. Have some more, cousin. The other cakes are also delicious."
Jonathan intersected, grabbing a tissue and approaching me, "You have a crumb by your lips." His hand reached to lift my chin, perhaps to wipe the cream off of me, however he was slower than the standby maid who wiped it off my face herself. I must thank her later because that was terrifying and more than anything, repulsive. I was about to smack him right there and then.