353 Christmas 3 (1/2)

The villa was not as massive as the ones Andersons have, but it was on a large piece of land and the décor was luxurious.

Other than strained chat about the weather and work, and a few of their distant relatives, nothing exciting happened, and Brianna was happy that she had a drink to keep herself busy.

Ten minutes later, Brianna was wilting from boredom while being under pressure to maintain her ladylike façade and she chanted internally that this is only dinner and she can go through it. In her life, she had many uncomfortable functions that she needed to push through. This is not much. But the last few years she lived freely, away from these social shackles, and maintaining a smile was more difficult than she remembers it. The only good thing was that they were not involving her in the conversation.

Back to the present…

The dining table was full of mouthwatering varieties, but the dry atmosphere dampened the pleasure of enjoying the scrumptious meal.

Brianna concluded that the Reynolds family has a good cook.

In a way, it reminded her why she left San Francisco and decided to live a modest (and wild) life with Mia in New York. What is the point of all the riches and comfort if people are behaving like they have a stick up their ass?

Since Brianna returned to San Francisco, six months ago, she noticed that her father is not so strict, but she knows how that is only because she refused to move into their family home. Also, her life would be devoid of color if Quentin is not there. She must admit that other than spicing up her personal and sexual life, Quentin helped her at work as well. The deal he brought to the Harper Industries started an avalanche of stellar performances and her father is full of praises. Quentin is amazing like that.

”So… what do you do Brianna?”

Christina's question broke the silence.

Brianna was almost startled. They are here for more than half an hour, and this is the first time Quentin's mother addressed her.

”I work at a bank.”, Brianna decided to keep it simple.

”At a bank?”, Christina continued probing. ”You meet customers and open accounts for them?”

”Yes. My clients are mostly companies.”

Christina's expression was unreadable as she continued asking: ”Is that how you met?”

This question was directed at Quentin.

”We met before I moved some of our transactions to be handled by Brianna.”

Timothy paused and looked at Brianna. ”You work for Harper Investments?”

”Yes.”

Brianna was not sure what this meant, but a second later, she decided not to think about it. It does not matter. She needs to keep her smile on, finish the food, and go back home.

Brianna finished her meal, and so did Quentin, but Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds ate at a snail pace and Brianna needed a break. She excused herself and went to the restroom.

She took longer than needed.

'They will think I'm taking a dump, and that's fine…', Brianna thought while staring blankly at the mirror in front of her. Everything in the bathroom was luxurious, even the ornate etchings that followed the edge of the mirror. She wondered if she and Quentin can leave as soon as everyone is done with food, or if they will need to stay longer.

After an unknown measure of time, Brianna estimated that it's time for her to return before someone comes to check if she drowned in the toilet.

She walked down the hallway, toward the dining room and heard voices. 'Well, it seems that things are quite lively without me around…'

Brianna didn't want to overhear, but the voices were getting louder with every step she took and she paused to listen.

It was Quentin's mother talking…

”We let you have your way with all those models so that you can get it out of your system before marriage, but we expected something more of the girl you actually brought home.”

”More? Like what?”, Quentin asked.

”As her future mother-in-law, I deserve respect. She needs to make me like her, and not ignore me.”

”Dad? Do you feel the same?”

”Son… I expected that you will find someone of your status and not a girl who works in a bank.”

”I see… so in order to please you, my girlfriend needs to act like we are married and to suck up to my mother, while managing a publishing company in order to match my status? Do you have requirements on her assets as well?”

”That is not what I said.”, Mr. Reynolds said.

”And what did you say?”, Quentin exhaled so loudly, that Brianna heard it in the hallway. ”As soon as Bri is back, we are heading home.”