Melinas Men

Chapter Eight.

Chapter Eight.

Today was the last day that Jack would be with us until they left for prior engagements back at home. We were all going to a Polo match about an hour away, lots of high-class people were going to be in attendance so I had to be on my best behaviour, as my mother kept telling me. I wore a mid-length navy blue silk dress with a grey blazer and black fascinator with mesh that covered my face and strappy black heels. I had my hair in loose curls cascading down my back with natural makeup of course. I looked at myself in the mirror and felt I looked really good, sexy yet classy with a bit of an edge. My mother didn’t want my dress to be so loose at the top and show my cleavage, but she’d live, I did wear the blazer for her, even though it was cinched at the waist. All my family wore some sort of navy blue. Where it be a navy suit jacket for Michael, a navy tie for my father, navy fascinator for Jessa and a navy silk shirt for my mother. We had to look coordinated.

And of course, Eric and his father’s choice was grey. Which made me tie into both families. That was a statement that some fashion blogger would most likely point out.

When we got to the field there was seas of people everywhere. We were driving right to our assigned area. There were celebrities, socialites and a few more royalty where we were. It was the other side of the field to the rest of the spectators, so they’d have to have a pretty good zoom lens to get to us. Of course, there was always photographers and reporters that made their way into our area. It was a big do, and I wasn’t really one for social events, but I could drink a lot more champagne here than at usual outings and get away with it. We were greeted by waitresses with trays of champagne when we arrived, and we all grabbed one and made our way to our designated lounges towards the end of the field.

Our staff wasn’t joining us here so I thought I wouldn’t see Jack today but seemed he was accompanying Eric. Clearly, he was more his friend than his assistant and that made my stomach churn. To get Jack to stay I had to get closer to his friend and that didn’t sit right with me.

I sat between Jessa and Michael on the lounge, our parents on a love seat together and Eric, his father and Jack on another lounge. Luckily all facing the field and only slightly angled towards each other.

“Do you wish you were out there Michael?” I asked my brother, knowing he loved to play Polo.

He laughed, “yes, but the view isn’t so bad here.”

He looked over my shoulder, my gaze followed his and settled on some socialites laughing and drinking together at a high table, looking over at Michael.

I laughed and shook my head.

We sat there watching as the horses and their riders’ parade around before the match, more eyes were on us than them. We were very popular as royal families go due to our genetics. Carmichael was tall and tanned with dark tousled hair and a firm jaw line that girls drooled over, and Jessa was the flawless innocent type looking girl with small features and long, wavy, dark hair fading out into blonde. And then there was me, the thin girl with curves and shiny dark hair. I was always known as the ‘beauty with a secret’ as I was hidden for a couple years between eighteen and twenty-one.

My parents were the embodiment of us, and aged too well.

I knew that eyes would also be on Jack today, the only ‘staff’ with us. And with his blonde hair barely hiding his tattooed skull and the sleeves of his grey button up shirt pulled up to his elbows his bad boy look would be all they talked about. I was glad to have eyes off me, and Eric, my potential suitor. But that also meant I couldn’t steal a moment with Jack.

Eric also did look very dashing in his grey suit,

I can admit to that. But it was hard to see him for what he was whilst he sat next to Jack.

I sat there sipping my drink, conversing with everyone, but I was barely listening. I watched the men on their horses, more the men, and how they moved. I wasn’t a fan of the sport, but the physical build of the men was always nice to watch.

“Melina,” I snapped back to reality by the sound of my name being called.

I looked to who spoke, it was Eric. Before I could answer he spoke again.

“Would you like to get a drink with me?” He asked.

“Sure,” I stood up.

Eric walked over to me with his arm out, oh god. I linked arms with him, and we walked over to the bar.

After grabbing a champagne each for us he led me to a tall bar table to stand at.

“How do you like the match?” He asked.

“I don’t really follow it much,” I said, I wasn’t trying to shut him down, I really didn’t.

“You seem to be watching it intently,” he raised his brow in confusion.

I laughed, “well, I try. I just can’t seem to make much of it.”

“Fair enough,” he smiled, “I guess you’re not a horse girl? I haven’t seen you ride at all this week, that’s all there really is to do.”

“Yeah, not really. I’m more of a dog person,” I laughed, thinking of my beagles.

“Of course,” he nodded.

We stood there silently for a while.

“Well, I’m sorry we have to shoot off, but I will be back soon so we can get to know each other better. Like when we were kids.”

I smiled, “it’s no worries. I understand. I’m sorry I haven’t given you much attention this week.”

He laughed, “it must be odd for you. Knowing prior circumstances and all.”

I gulped at what circumstance he meant.

“I’m sorry, I really need to stop bringing it up,” he shook his head. I swear he would have hit himself in the head if we didn’t have eyes on us.

“It’s really okay, I should get use to it.”

We stood there silently for a while until my drink was finished.

“I’m going to see how Jessa’s doing,” I hitched my thumb behind us where everyone was still sitting.

He nodded, “sure. I better save Jack from my father.”

I laughed and we both walked back to the group.

“You missed some good plays,” King Angus went straight into talking to Eric thankfully.

I watched Eric still have his eyes on me until I had to look away, down to my lap, I then looked across to my mother who was beaming from ear to ear.

I couldn’t take it, I stood up to go back towards the bar.

“Another please,” I told the waiter who poured me a champagne.

I downed it in one go, not caring who was watching, “and another.”

He widened his eyes at me but said nothing, pouring another.

“To the brim please,” I eyed him as he tried to give me half a glass.

“Better slow down there, princess,” Jack swiftly moved beside me, leaning his forearms against the bar and watching me.

“You know this is very dangerous,” I warned him.

“Well,” I knew he was about to be cheeky by his tone, “if a certain princess offered if anyone else wanted drinks, I wouldn’t have to be here fetching them.”

“Six glasses please,” he told the waiter.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I asked.

“Yep,” he popped the ‘p’.

I laughed, “you’re such an idiot.”

“I do try my best,” he smiled his half smile.

The waiter put a tray in front of Jack with six champagnes.

“Thank you,” Jack said to him.

I skulled the rest of mine, “one more please.”

“Damn girl, you better slow down before I’ll have to carry you out of here,” Jack whistled.

“Yeah, you’d love that.”

He winked at me then walked off towards the lounges.

I grabbed my next champagne and followed Jack, watching him in his tight pants.

“You okay?” Jessa asked me as I sat back beside her.

“Yeah fine,” I patted her knee, “just a bit thirsty.”

“You always are,” Jessa leant against me.

“You’re the best kid,” I said into her hair, putting an arm around her.

“How long does this match take?” she wondered.

I laughed, “too long.”

“How long is too long?” She moaned.

“Two blissful hours, now enjoy the ride,” Carmichael butted in.

“If you don’t want to listen to us b***h and moan then go somewhere else,” Jessa nudged him.

“You two are the worst, why couldn’t I have brothers,” Michael rolled his eyes at us.

“Now, what would be the fun in that,” I laughed.

“True, I love watching you squirm trying to find a husband,” Michael smirked.

“That was a low blow, and you know it,” I pointed at him.

“Okay, what about watching you squirm trying to stay away from certain staff?”

My eyes widened so much I thought they were going to pop out of my head.

“What?” Jessa’s mouth dropped.

“Nothing!” I put my hand over her mouth and gave Michael the biggest daggers I ever had.

He gave me a knowing smirk.

All of a sudden, a napkin hit me in the face lightly.

“Melina, let go of your sister,” my mum snapped.

“Throwing napkins is not very lady like, mum,” I snarled at her.

“Neither is man handling your sister,” my dad butted in for my mums’ defence.

I let go of my sister. We looked over and the three men on the other lounge were laughing at us.

“You three are so immature,” my mother pouted.

“We learnt from the best,” all three of us said in unison, then all started laughing.

My mum and dad couldn’t help but laugh too, our whole group was laughing and causing a commotion that there were a lot of on lookers that we all decided to compose ourselves at the same time.

“I’m going to go find some eligible bachelorettes,” Michael declared, getting up from his seat.