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Post by kristay on Mar 8, 2011 2:58:31 GMT -5
I sat beside Frankie, my hand lightly touching her knee as I accepted a drink from her 'mother' with a smile and a word of thanks. I sipped casually as I turned my attention to her 'father' as he asked me how the business was. I grinned and took another sip of the drink. "It's okay Frankie... Actually sir, the stocks have increased significantly in the past month. I'm proud to say the business has never been better. The partners are even thinking of making new branches in other countries to help spread us out. What do you think about it sir?" I didn't actually think his opinion was that important but I wanted to get them talking and get them to relax around me so I did small talk.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 8, 2011 20:01:32 GMT -5
I glanced down at his hand on my leg and smiled, before glancing up to see my dad's impressed reaction to Alec's answer. "That's always good news, I'm sure your father would be proud if he knew his son was keeping the stocks where they should be. Not many of your peers could do that, your quite talented for a mere nineteen years. As far as spreading to other countries, that could be a wise choice or a foolish one, the economy and governments of the other countries are just unstable, I'd tread lightly."
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Post by kristay on Mar 8, 2011 20:15:24 GMT -5
I smiled, knowing that my father would have been a lot prouder of my work against the rich than the wealth that I was seemingly amassing myself in because of our company. "That's a good thing to hear sir." I chuckled at his suggestion and nodded, admitting that he had a point. "But if we can't expand our horizons, then what's the point? Sure there's a little risk but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end." I glanced at Frankie as I finished my drink and smiled at her, hoping she'd know that I'd always be around for her.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 8, 2011 21:15:41 GMT -5
My father made an argument about there not being a point in expanding past the horizons, the hidden meaning being that it might be smarter to just let the other countries wallow in their unstable poor states. "Mom, dad." I glanced at Alec. "I have quite a bit of homework to do, I'm sure you wouldn't want to have to wait another full year of school just to start the planning." I regretted that Alec and I hadn't chatted before meeting with my parents, I wasn't sure if he had things he wanted to get out of them or not, but I was ready to go. I sure wasn't ready to hear anything out of their mouths that would incriminate them, part of me still felt for them. Another part of me was weary of the time and the meeting that we were going to be attending.
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Post by kristay on Mar 8, 2011 22:20:43 GMT -5
I stood after setting my glass on the coffee table, offering my hand to Frankie. "Yes, we really should get going. Maybe we can have dinner another time but for the moment, I really don't want to take up anymore of your time." I playfully poked at Frankie, grinning teasingly at her. "And this little lady needs to finish her homework." Once Frankie was up, I wrapped an arm around her waist. "It was a pleasure to see you again Mr. and Mrs. Conrad.", I smiled at the both of them gratefully as if I was thankful to see them and that I was glad that they hadn't minded that I was taking their daughter away.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 8, 2011 23:13:23 GMT -5
I took his hand to get up and then I released it after her poked playfully at me, not because I wanted to, but because I thought it would look strange to them if I didn't at least hug them. I took my mom into my arms and gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek and then turned to my dad, who I'd always felt I was warmer with and embraced him. Finally, I released him and took Alec's hand back immediately, before starting toward the door. "We must do dinner..." My mom called after us.
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Post by kristay on Mar 9, 2011 1:41:20 GMT -5
I watched her embrace each of her parents goodbye and was secretly impressed at how held-together she was. She had been freaking out for most of the day but when push came to shove, Frankie was probably even better at pretending than I was. I took her hand when she pulled away from them and I smiled graciously at the both of them, grinning inwardly to myself at how they both looked like puffed up peacocks. “We shall; only name the time and place.” I offered Mrs. Conrad another one of my charming smiles before turning on my heel and making my way to the front door.
Once we were outside, I squeezed Frankie’s hand and opened the door of the waiting car for her. “You did very well.” I waited for her to slide in but I looked at her, my eyes glittering in amusement. “We’ll head home for now so you can change into less conspicuous clothes before we… go out for the night.”
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Post by Tiff on Mar 9, 2011 20:53:22 GMT -5
I relaxed even more once we were outside. I may have looked put together in front of my parents, but that was from 'years' of practice holding myself together at big social functions. "I assume you have less conspicuous clothing for me." I glanced back to my 'parent's' house to my room on the second floor. "I'm sure my mom will start sending my clothing and personal artifacts over, but I can guarantee nothing she sends will help me blend in with the Poor."
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Post by kristay on Mar 9, 2011 21:02:47 GMT -5
I smirked and nodded, sliding in and closing the door after her. "That I do, Ms. Conrad." I had to laugh at her side comment about her mother sending her things to the manor. "I'm afraid I have to agree with you there." The car pulled out of the driveway and we began the journey back to my house. I leaned back, watching Frankie curiously out of the corner of my eye as we fell silent. There was so much to be done but I wanted to take things slow just because she was new to all of it. We were home sooner than I thought and I didn't wait for the door to be opened. I opened it myself and stepped out, waiting for Frankie to come out as well. We still had a couple of hours to kill and I wanted to get out of my stuffy clothes.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 9, 2011 22:49:08 GMT -5
I followed him from the car and though I was usually quite comfortable in my school uniform, I was ready to shed it and put on something else. In the uniform I was Frankie Conrad, in whatever Alec was going to give me to wear I'd be myself. We made it through the front door and I was suddenly exploding with questions and apologies too. "I'm sorry if I rushed with my parents, I just don't feel comfortable with them anymore, they lied to me. If we need to go back, I can call my mom and set up that dinner date for tomorrow or the next, we just didn't talk about anything before so I didn't know." I caught my breath. "Did you want to get something out of them? Or do you think they're ignorant about the entire thing?" I frowned. "Sorry, too many questions."
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Post by kristay on Mar 10, 2011 1:28:13 GMT -5
I was barely through the door when Frankie bombarded me with questions and apologies alike. I laughed softly and turned to put my hands on her shoulders and silenced her with a kiss. "Shhh...", I muttered softly as I nibbled on her bottom lip. I had to remind her that the walls had ears and whatever she said could be heard by friends and enemies alike. "You can ask me later... When we're alone." It sounded wrong but I was worried that we'd be in trouble if someone against the resistance heard her many questions. I pulled away and smiled cockily as if I enjoyed stealing a kiss from her. "I'm going to go shower and change, do you want to get a snack for us and meet me in the library? Or do you want to go to the sun-room?"
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Post by Tiff on Mar 10, 2011 18:11:28 GMT -5
He silenced me alright. I was still getting used to having someone else's lips against mine, it was by no means an unpleasant experience, I was just surprised by it all the time. I enjoyed the sensation of him nibbling on my bottom lip and though that was even more new and surprising I was a little sad when he stopped. I was quiet and desperately trying to find my voice to apologize for my rash behavior, when he mentioned a shower. I had an image cross my mind that immediately stained my cheeks red and I turned away, hoping he hadn't seen. "The sunroom." I replied, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Um, which way to the kitchen and the sunroom?" I asked, having a vague idea where the sunroom might be.
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Post by kristay on Mar 10, 2011 18:21:23 GMT -5
I watched the blush crawl up her cheeks but I wasn't sure why. She had never blushed when I kissed her before. I shrugged it off as something that I would have to ask her later. "Down that hall, the first door on your right. I'm pretty sure you can't miss it because the smell will take you there. Ask for Martha." I pointed upstairs and smiled. "Where the piano is... That's the sun-room. I'll see you in a bit then? I promise to answer your questions in the sun-room." I turned on my heel and walked up the steps, making my way to my room. Once I was inside, I made my way to the bathroom after grabbing a change of clothes-- a pair of jeans, boxers and a plain black shirt. I set the clothes on a rack before closing the door, then I took a quick shower, sighing when the cold water hit my skin. Afterwards, I dried off and got changed before moving back to my bedroom to slip on a pair of socks and sneakers. I moved to the table and grabbed the leather bracelet I had removed and put it on my wrist before I made my way to the sun-room.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 11, 2011 0:38:42 GMT -5
I felt foolish for asking where the sun room was, because we'd been in there only this morning, but it'd been such a trying day, I decided that I had a right to feel a little disoriented in a house that I'd only frequented a handful of times in the past. I made my way to the kitchen, he'd been completely right, I didn't have to look too hard to find it, the smells of glorious concoctions were cooking and wafting into the halls of his house, it would have been hard to miss. Martha was ready for me when I arrived, I half expected Alec to have prearranged this impromptu snack. It was a miniature buffet of finger sandwiches and as I carried the silver tray to the sunroom I was pleasantly surprised to find that more than half were PB&J. I was worried briefly that our conversation might have been overheard, but then remembered that he'd stated he liked peanut butter as well and those worries quickly evaporated. I set the tray down on a table close by the piano and decided I'd wait until his reappearance to help myself. I sat at the piano and closed my eyes, this was where I felt most at home, right here at the keys. My fingers played across the keys in a song entitled 'Hundred' by a band named The Fray. I knew the words of the song, but I'd always enjoyed the melody better. I took my time playing it and then once the song ended, I started it over and sang the words softly, while I waited for him to return.
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Post by kristay on Mar 11, 2011 5:40:16 GMT -5
Frankie was first to the sun-room and by the time I had reached the place, she was at the piano, playing another song that seemed vaguely familiar... I just couldn't place it. I leaned against the door frame, crossing my arms over my chest and simply watched her. I wanted to give her the answers she yearned for but I also wanted her to think it wasn't her fault. If anything, she had been the victim here; taken from her parents at such a young age. I shook my head, wondering what would happen when it was all over, putting my fears and doubts in the back of my head, forgetting that there was still a chance that it would never be over. I made my way to her and grinned as I sat next to her after grabbing a PB&J for myself. I bit into the sandwich before turning to face her. "You can ask your questions now..."
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