Doubts
2013 Words
Vivian stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection.
She didn't want to appear too casual, nor did she want to overdress for dinner tonight.
Kira stepped back, her hands on her hips as she admired the finished result.
"Ypu look beautiful, Ms." Kira said, a smile on her face.
Vivian exhaled. “Its not too much for a simple family dinner?”
Vivian looked down at herself. The dress was elegant without trying too hard.
It was a light blue dress, the fabric hugging her waist before flowing softly to mid-thigh. The sleeves rested off her shoulders, exposing her collarbones, while white embroidery traced the edges of the neckline.
Her hair had been swept into a loose twisted style at the back of her head, leaving a few strands framing her face.
The look made her appear softer than usual.
Kira waved her off. “This is just right Ms. This is sure to turn Mr Onyx's head especially when he's been trying to avoid you…”
Vivian's eyes met with Kira's in the mirror and the young lady clamped her hands over her mouth almost immediately.
“I'm so sorry.. “
Vivian ran her hands over her dress slowly. “I know Louis hired you to keep an eye on Oscar and I.”
Kira's eyes widened in horror. She hadn't been as discreet as she thought she was.
“Ms. Vivian..”
“I'm only going to say this once.” She glanced at her through the mirror. “You either work for me or you work for Louis.”
Kira swallowed, she knew exactly what Vivian meant by those words.
“I'm so sorry,Ms. Vivian..”
Vivain took one more look at her reflection in the mirror before grabbing her purse and walking out of the room, leaving the young lady to deal with her thoughts alone.
---
Oscar was waiting downstairs, dressed in a simple outfit; trousers and a long sleeve round neck top.
Nothing crazy. It was a family dinner after all. He glanced at his wrist watch again and returned his attention back to the tablet in his hands.
The moment Vivian stepped into the foyer, he looked up. And forgot whatever he had been reading.
Vivian almost wished he would say something. Instead, his gaze lingered long enough for her to notice. Long enough for her stomach to do that annoying flip.
Oscar cleared his throat. "You took your time."
Vivian made her way down the stairs, shoving her disappointment aside. folded her arms.
“Gave you time to work. You're welcome.”
His eyes landed on her face for a minute and flickered down to her lips, then her eyes as though celebrating on something.
Oscar reached for his car keys. "We're going to be late."
Vivian brushed past him, carrying the scent so alluring he paused for a minute too long.
His grip heightened on the eyes as he made his way out of the house; tonight is definitely going to be a long ass night.
The drive to the Onyx family mansion passed in relative peace. The city lights blurred beyond the windows.
Oscar's grip on the wheel was tight, his eyes struggling to remain on the road for some reason. But the woman he's so desperate to steal a glance at, didn't even seem to care.
Twenty minutes later, the gates of the estate opened. The mansion stood illuminated against the night sky.
This had been Oscar's home for most of his childhood and early adult years.
The number of times she'd stormed into his room uninvited back then just to frustrate him..
Vivian smiled gently.
Good old days.
Oscar pulled over on the front porch where assistants took the car keys from him and led the couple down to the garden.
The moment they entered, a loud voice echoed through the space.
"VIVIAN!"
Vivian barely had time to react. Melody practically launched herself across the garden.
The hug nearly knocked the air from her lungs.
"Oh my God!" Vivian laughed. "Hello to you too."
Melody stepped back, eyes twinkling. Unlike Oscar, his younger sister had always worn her emotions openly.
"I missed your wedding." She said, “I'm so sorry!”
Vivian chuckled. "I'm still upset about it. But you were studying."
"I know but still."
Vivian smiled. "It's fine."
Melody hugged her again anyway, glancing at Oscar like he didn't even exist.
“You look very much alive.” Melody said to her brother.
Oscar didn't even bother to respond and walked deeper into the garden. He came all the way here and she didn't even notice he was around.
Melody released Vivian and ran up to Oscar, jumping on his back suddenly.
“I just gave you a compliment!”
Oscar staggered backwards, forced to reach for her before she fell face flat on the ground.
“Bloody hell, Melody!” He muttered. “What are they feeding you over there?”
Melody stepped back, brows furrowed.
“Pig food. Asshole!” She shot back storming away.
Vivian watched a light smile cross his lips. Melody had always been his only and favourite sibling and she'd learned the duo show love through necessary violence.
Hell, Oscar had something she's always wished for. A younger sibling.
Across the room, Rick watched with obvious satisfaction as the maids set the table. Louis stood nearby looking equally pleased, a wine glass in hand.
The duo looked like they had a blast in the Bahamas. The lives of old rich men apparently.
“Finally here.” Rick said, eyes fixed on Vivian only.
She hugged the duo, a small smile on her face.
“Its great to have you back.” Vivian offered.
Rick nodded fondly, “ Of course.” He glanced at Oscar who was already seated. “Has he been good to you? You tell me if he's being an asshole and I'll teach him a lesson.”
Louis waves Rick off. “Get off his back for a moment would you?”
Oscar was grateful for Louis. Hell, it's almost like he was his grandfather and Rick was Vivian's, seeing how his old man always sides with her.
Rick eyes Oscar, clearly his throat in disdain and returns his attention to Vivian with a smile.
Louis shook his head.
“Let's eat shall we?!” Melody whined. “I'm starving.”
Dinner began shortly afterward and the atmosphere felt lighter than most family gatherings. Louis and Rick were seated at the far end of the table, Vivian and Oscar were naturally seated together, Melody sat across from them.
Melody told them all the obnoxious college stories she had to give and at some point, Rick recalled something about work.
“Speaking of which, how is the merger going?”
“Good.” Oscar said simply. “I sent a revised version to Pearl already and I am yet to get a response from its acting CEO.”
He brought his fork to his mouth, eyes staring right into Vivian's as he did.
“We're taking our time to go through the details. And we want to be certain we won't have a repeat of last time.” She offered, staring Oscar down as she cut through her steak viciously.
“A repeat?” Louis and Rick chorused.
“What is she talking about?” Rick asked, irritated that his rascal of a grandson was stressing his daughter in law.
Oscar ignored Rick. “I expected some level of efficiency from you and your team. Seems like I'm asking for too much.”
Vivian wanted to stab his eye with her fork! God, he must love getting under her skin!
Rick tuts. “What? Efficency? You bloody rascal…”
He turns to Louis, “Lou, remember when this rascal couldn't decide what to buy Vivian for her nineteenth birthday. The little rascal was all over the place and here you are talking about efficiency! Don't make me laugh.”
Melody nearly dropped her fork from laughter.
“Oh I remember that incident. God he was panicking so bad!”
Oscar shuts his eyes, this is exactly why he doesn't attend these family dinners.
Vivian looked between them. "You all are making this up."
"We are not," Louis said.
Rick pointed dramatically. "He once sat through your entire ballet recital in.." The old man tilted his head. “When was that again?”
Louis is also in thought. “It was in the seventh grade.”
Vivian blinked.
They didn't become close friends until college. He's been watching her since then, there's no f*****g way.
Oscar stared at the table, stabbing through his meal more aggressively than before but no one seemed to notice.
Melody gasped. "No way!"
Rick nodded. "He doesn't even like ballet and I thought he went there to watch Melody dance."
Vivian almost laughed.
Oscar looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
"It was one recital." He finally said.
"You stayed until the end."
"I was twelve."
"You still stayed."
More laughter echoed around the table. Even Vivian couldn't stop smiling.
If that really happened…it was sweet.
Was.
“Honestly I wasn't thinking these two would get married.” Melody said casually.
Rick shrugged. “It was bound to happen regardless.”
Melody nodded. “Yeah yeah but really. Oscar stopped talking about her for a very long time and she stopped coming over.”
The table fell silent. Great.
Everything was going great until Melody brought that up and now, both Vivian and Oscar felt awkward.
Louis paused first a minute. “Yes. She wanted to switch colleges in her third year for some reason. Wouldn't even say what the problem was.”
“See?!” Melody snapped. “That's why I don't buy this marriage thing. They're together because you both arranged it.”
“Yes. Because they seemed to get along well. We decided to push things and help them out, no?” Louis said, his gaze flickering from Vivian to Oscar.
Melody tuts, "You're sure it's not because you both want to be in laws so bad?”
Oscar slowly lowered his glass. "Melody."
"No, hear me out."
Nobody wanted to hear her out but that didn't stop her.
"For years," she continued, "Oscar acted like he never wanted to see Vivian again." She pointed out. "And now I'm supposed to believe everything is perfect?"
Nobody answered. Rick looked between them carefully. Louis did the same.
Vivian kept her expression neutral, not sure what the right word to say was in a situation like this.
Were the two old men really thinking they were helping them?
Oscar's jaw tightened. "Melody."
She pointed at him. "You two used to be so clingy and all over each other and right now..”
She pointed at Vivian. "She looks like she'd rather negotiate with sharks than spend an evening with you."
Vivian nearly laughed. That was true.
Rick's eyes narrowed on Oscar. Did the rascal do something to upset Vivian? He must have done something that made the young lady mad at him for sure.
“Is this true?” Rick asked, voice stern.
Oscar exhaled, meeting Rick's gaze. “Are you taking Melody seriously?”
“Did something happen between you two?” Louis asked.
Melody chuckled. “Something happened. I'm telling you.”
“We were young back then.” Vivian offered, “You don't expect us to act like kids do you?”
Melody eyes narrowed on the duo. “I can swear something is wrong..”
“Melody, you're just…”
“Fine.” Oscar said, realising Rick had his eyes on him still.
He loves his sister but sometimes she can be simply annoying and overbearing! If only she had a clue what was at stake! If Rick had the slightest suspicion that he'd been anything but loving towards Vivian….
Oscar turned towards Vivian, his hand tilting her face to meet his, his eyes never left hers.
He leaned closer and planted a kiss on her lips.
- Writer
