Olive's P.O.V.
On the terrace stood a large white oval table, with rounded wooden chairs. The sun was bright and warm against my skin. I could hear the waves crashing against the shore before my eyes spotted the ocean. The breeze was cool, carrying with it the smell of the ocean breeze. I closed my eyes as I inhaled, letting the breeze cool me while the sun warmed me. It felt so perfect outside today. There were beautiful white potted lilies in every corner as well as the center of the table.
The tiny fork nightmare continued as I saw it staring at me from its place on the table. Hopefully nothing we eat calls for me to use it. I wouldn't know how to anyway. I spotted Lisa first as she leaned against the white wooden railing facing the beach. She wore a long off white maxi dress that showed her shoulder blades in the back. Her black hair flowed in neat waves around her, covering some of the exposed skin. She looked absolutely radiant, like a still frame photograph.
Laughter caught my attention, making me turn to see a tall woman with large black sunglasses and an elegant Aubrey Hepburn styled sun hat. It was white with a black thick ribbon around its base. Her dress matched her hat perfectly. It was all over lace with a black silk tied belt. It was sleeveless with a round neck and filled bust, relaxed through the hips. This woman had a smile that shone as bright as the sun. She was so elegant with her white gloves and pearl necklace. A real Audrey Hepburn herself.
In front of her was a man, in what I would guess to be, his early 40s. He was a hunk of a man with large biceps, nicely hugged by the sleeves of his button down shirt. He had short black hair styled like Henry Cavill's. He had chiseled angular features and a sharp jawline. He looked intimidating, but the way he smiled just invited you in. Lucas was guiding us right to them.
"Happy birthday, Mother." He greeted her, kissing her on the cheek, but never once removing his hold on me. "I'd like you to meet, my Rose. This is Olive Brewer."
He introduced me as both Rose and Olive, leaving the choice of what to call me up to her, I guess.
"It's so nice to meet you, Olive." She smiled at me.
I am not sure why, but my heart clenched and tears threatened to ruin the makeup Hailey worked hard on. Being here, seeing her, it just made me think of mom, and it brought back all the hurt like a punch to the stomach. I swallowed back the pain, and reigned my emotions in, refusing to cry in front of this woman.
"It's lovely to meet you as well. Happy birthday." I smiled back at her.
"Be civil, Lucas, and greet your uncle as well as introduce your guest," his mother scolded him.
"Yes, mother," he said with a nod as he turned to his uncle with a glare. "Kane, I see nothings changed."
I felt like there was an insult somewhere in there. Something only the two of them know as Kane narrowed his eyes at Lucas.
"This is Olive," Lucas introduced me, but before Kane and I could exchange pleasantries he turned me around. "We haven't greeted Lisa yet. Don't want to be rude."
"Play nice, Lucas!" His mother yelled after him.
Lisa turned, realizing we were headed her way. She flashed me an amused grin as she leaned back against the rail with her elbows resting over the top.
"You look nice as always." She greeted us, but I wasn't sure who she was directing that comment to.
"She was telling you that. Lisa wouldn't dare compliment me. She thinks I have too big of a head for that," Lucas said loudly, causing Lisa to laugh.
"You do!" She agreed. "I can't have you getting too arrogant."
"You look radiant yourself," I said, gesturing to Lisa's dress and overall self.
"Thanks, but you don't have to be sweet with me. I'm not as prim and proper as mother would like." She held her pinky out in a mocking kind of way, making me snort a laugh. She smiled at me, happy that I understood her humor. "This is going to be so much better with you here. Thank you for picking one I can actually get along with."
She had directed that last statement at Lucas, even though it was about me. I wasn't sure how I felt about the comment. I guess Lucas really had a lot of women to pick from to take here, but I hadn't thought about it. I was the one he chose to meet his mother, and share this special occasion with. I was still fighting back the emotions his mother spurred inside of me, and the realization Lisa's words brought me, didn't help. I was feeling overly emotional at the moment. I need to find a bathroom to collect myself in.
"Excuse me for a moment, I need to find the ladies room," I said, stepping out of Lucas' hold.
"It's down the hall to the right," Lisa called after me.
I stepped inside, following her directions. Thankfully it was a private bathroom. It was singular without stalls, allowing me a real moment to myself. I stared in the mirror picturing mom when I was younger. I wondered if mom had parties like these on her birthday once she left dad. Did she look as radiant as Lucas' mother? Smile as brightly? I hope she did. I looked up the ceiling catching my tears with tissues so that they would not stream down my face and ruin my makeup.
I stepped out for the bathroom to find Lucas leaning back against the opposite wall. He quickly grabbed me, dragging me to him. His strong arms wrapped around me and held me close. He kissed my forehead tenderly, and rubbed my back with his thumb.
"What's wrong, Rose?"
"Nothing. I just...it's stupid." I shook my head.
"I doubt it is. Tell me."
"I was thinking of my mom. I wondered if she was able to shine as brightly as your mother, after she left my father," I admitted with a sigh.
"I am sure she did. If you're really that curious you could always ask her friends. Doesn't one live in the same building as you?"
He made a good point. If I was really that curious I could hunt down Penny, and ask her. I nodded into his chest.
"You're right. I'll do just that. Thank you, Lucas."
"I didn't really do anything, but I'll take the thank you anyway." He winked at me, as he pulled back from our hug. "Lunch is ready, let's get you fed."
He grabbed my hand this time, guiding me back outside. He pulled my chair out for me across from Lisa. Kane sat beside Lisa with Sarah at the end of the table. Lucas sat to the left of her in front of Kane and beside me. I felt the tense air around Lucas and Kane. It was obvious even to me that they did not get along in the least.
"So, tell me Olive how did you meet my son?" Sarah asked me, her shades and sunhat were off now to reveal her black hair and brown eyes. The same brown eyes Lucas sports.
"Oh, um.." I bit my cheek feeling a bit embarrassed. I didn't want to tell his mom we met at a club. It seemed sleezy, but I also wasn't going to lie. I felt mortified as I continued. "I met him at a nightclub."
I thought back to our first night together. My mind flashed with the image of him leaned back over the bar as he looked out onto the dance floor. His eyes had caught mine from across the room, pulling me towards him. It didn't take long until we were dancing with one another, eventually leaving together after my little game.
"That sounds accurate." Lisa laughed, sparing her mother from having to comment. A wave of hot embarrassment crossed my face, turning even my ears red.
"Lisa!" Sarah scolded her daughter.
"What? We all know about Lucas' escapades. We don't have to pretend otherwise. I'm just glad he found this one, and is taking it seriously," Lisa said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"That's a colorful way of phrasing it." Kane commented, feeling the need to add to this conversation for some reason.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas snapped.
"No, we are not doing this today." Sarah quickly shut down whatever argument was about to happen.
"I know it's not exactly the best place to have met, but I am glad that it happened. You've raised a really caring man."
I am not sure whyI felt the need to tell her that. I wanted to steer the conversation away from Lucas' less redeeming qualities. I didn't want his family picking on him for what he'd done. They didn't understand it, but I do. As such I won't let them look down on him for it. He was doing what he needed to do in order to heal, and I will no longer hold it against him. Yes if makes me insecure and at times jealous at the amount of girls he's been with, but now I understand it better so it's easier to swallow down.
"Thank you, Olive. I am glad to know my Lucas is treating you right." She nodded with a smile, but it seemed a bit fake. The slight disdain in her voice had me believing that perhaps she didn't like me very much.
Silence filled the air until it was interrupted by two faces I was grateful to see.