C3 THE DAWSON’S

I had to type Dawson's family house on Google Maps to navigate my way to the massive family house. I stepped out of the BMW in my sequins gown blinking in the illuminating light emanating from different angles in the massive house. It's a beaded one-sleeve with an open chest area gown giving the right figure feature of my body. I had taken my time snapping different angle postures and swarming the Instagram with it. It was June's comment that came first.

"Fierce."

This gown was worth over a thousand dollars and I couldn't believe it was the most expensive of all things I possessed. This is why I'd agreed to do this. I bought fragrance too, the chiefly kin. I couldn't help but imagine my life before Mrs Dabs. Not trying to sound selfish and greedy, but I hope this will last a long time. This feeling of luxurious life. This feeling of fulfillment. But then, putting up with Lewis' madness is not something I think I can live with. I held the gold-stoned purse beside my hips after tossing the car key inside. The butler walked up to me. Or whoever he is.

"Purpose of your visit ma'am?"

He asked. I like the sound of ma'am.

Before I could reply, a voice came behind me.

"She's with me."

That doesn't sound like Lewis, so I turned.

He is wearing a well-tailored suit with a broch sitting pretty nice at the chest pocket. He beamed. I can vividly see his biceps fighting hard in the sleeves. Let it breathe.

"Hi. I'm Gerald."

I've heard that name before.

"Evelyn."

"You look lovely... astonishing." He flaunts his teeth. He had a set of uneven teeth. I thought the rich take care of themselves. His teeth are uneven.

"Thanks," I murmured.

"Come, let me walk you in." He offered his clutched arms as he took in my hand gently patting it as we made our way to the building.

Yes, Gerald. Mrs Dabs mentioned him earlier. He is family. I don't know if he's just being a gentleman or if is he hitting on me. It better be the latter. Not that Lewis will care if he is hitting but there should be limitations to my flexibility. But Gerald's outlook is tempting. I quietly followed him in taking in every corner and angle of the massive expensive building housing nothing after the day except the butler or so I thought.

We walked right in the middle of the party. Now I see why he said I looked like a purchased doll. How much do these people spend on personal care and dresses? I tried not to look sore or let my face down. I smiled broadly taking in everyone's gorgeous outlook. The men, too.

"Theresa, this is Evelyn," Gerald said to a lady who was busy tapping away on her phone. She should be in her early thirties. Soft and smooth skin and high demeanor. Charisma.

"One of your one-night stands?" She asked not looking up. My face fell. This is embarrassing. I loosened my hand in his grip a little bit and he noticed because he held on back. He should let me be.

"She is a better woman than you'll ever be." He blurted out.

"Of course. Like Layla too, Ava, Ruth, Shelly, they're all better women than I'll ever be. Now I'm adding Evelyn to the list." Now she looked up and scanned me disdainfully.

"Money suckers." She bellowed, looking straight into my eyes before walking off. I was speechless.

"Ugh! I came with Lewis." I blurted out.

It was his turn to lose his grip.

"Lewis? Oh!" He finally let go of my hand and stood facing me now.

"You know Lewis?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Before I could answer the beginning of his non-ending questions, I caught a glimpse of Lewis walking down the stairs with an older man and Mrs Dabs. That woman. He saw me and he maintained a hard stare. It sends shivers down my spine. He is dominating. Mrs Dabs on the other hand gave me a quirky smile as they both journeyed down the stairs with the old man.

I excused myself from Gerald and walked down the end of the stairs, waiting. He walked gently toward me. He eyed the dress but not scornfully this time.

"Okay." That was all I got. Then..

"Follow me." We turned and met the older man halfway down the stairs.

"This is my fiancee, Evelyn."

"Oh! Finally. This is good. Hello Evelyn."

"Hello, sir." I don't know maybe 'sir' is the right honorary word but it's official enough and that'll do.

"Welcome to the Dawson's, Evelyn. We're one big family here." The old man chipped in.

I watched as he helped the man down the stairs. He could be a gentleman after all. Mrs Dabs came over to tap me gently on the shoulder. She smiled satisfactorily. Now I'm thanking Lewis for tossing the first outfit.

"I am the head of the family for now and I'm glad you're here." The old man added after stepping down the stairs.

We walked towards the corridor until we were facing the big decorated table at the center and more than twenty eyes peering down at us. At me.

I tried not to look nervous but this is not what I signed up for. He led the old man to sit at the chair facing the entrance and as soon as the man settled down, the rest of the family took their respective chair. Gerald was sitting right opposite me sitting beside a woman whose stare won't stop searing into my flesh. I sat between Lewis on the right and Theresa on the left while Mrs Dabs was sitting beside Lewis on the left.

"You're not with Gerald after all. Would have been better if you were. He is a better man than he is." She whispered in my ears. What a family.

The old man cleared his throat before raising his hands. As soon as he hits the table with his index finger, maids from different angles start pouring out different plates of different kinds of ridiculous food. Some that I've never seen or tasted before. The charade went on quietly for more than twenty minutes. Then we dived in to eat. I was restless. I was given a crab big enough to swallow a lizard with different kinds of vegetables sitting beside it. I am going to eat this.