I thought I would spoil you all with an extra chapter. I hope you enjoy!
Every person Roman introduced Eliza were more shocked to hear that he had brought a date and not flying solo, as he had so commonly done that the night hadn't gone that bad. With the mix of the live band that played in opened deck and the drinks expertly poured by Roman himself it seemed almost too good to be true as they laughed with his Aunt Tamara, who was a small petite woman that had wide hips and hair that curled ever so slightly, his father and even sister. Patricia however, stayed with another group as she expressed her anger through rapid hand movements. Eliza could only guess that the frantic movements were directed to her, and not Roman. Wanting to gain the courage to speak to her, Eliza played every scenario in her mind; from the glass of wine that Patricia held firmly splashed all over her, to a heated argument in the hallway. It didn't take a genius to know that Patricia was hot headed.
"You okay?" Roman asked breaking her out of a mental image of his mother power bombing her off the stairs.
"Yeah of course, why wouldn't I be okay?" she said before taking a swig of the rum and coke he had made her, it had been her fourth within the two hours that passed.
"She's just taking it all in, Roman. Leave the girl be, it's hard enough to have to deal with all of us questioning who she is." His Aunt barked at him as she gave a supportive smile.
Smiling back by the fact that his own Aunt had stood up for her, even though they had known each other for approximately an hour made her feel warm inside "Thank you Tamara" she said proudly as she looked up at Roman who only held a smirk on his beautiful face.
"Oh don't thank me. This one" hiking her thumb towards Roman "Doesn't understand just how stressful it can be. He's a lot like my husband, heck our first vacation together involved his Mother and Father." She began to laugh at the thought when a burly grey haired man, with soft green eyes stood beside her and said "Hey now, you said you had a great time on that trip."
Rolling her eyes towards Eliza, she smiled "Of course, my love. I had a wonderful time when we were alone and not at the casino with your parents."
A thought went through Eliza's mind just as the couple wrapped their arms around another. Would Roman and she be that successful? Was it a farfetched thought to think that maybe they could outlast them all. Shaking the thought just as quickly as it had formed, she excused herself to the bathroom. Even though she'd had four drinks within two hours it still took effect as the music seemed to pound in her head, and the crowd begin to sway. Successfully she had managed to avoid Patricia, who clearly saw her walk throughout the crowd to the hallway bathroom. Once stepping inside she shut the door to block out the noise and took a well-deserved exhale as she looked at herself in the mirror "You're doing good, just a few more hours…" she assured herself.
A low knock came to the door as she was washing her hands and with a polite "Just a second." The knocking continued so again she said "Sorry, just a second." Sighing, she opened the door to reveal the short Patricia who held a hard stare. Even though Eliza was inches taller than her, she felt as though Patricia was towering over her. "So…" her sharp voice said as she entered the bathroom "I see you've caught Roman's attention."
"Ugh…" Eliza stammered as she back into the bathroom and watch in horror as the door shut "Yeah, I…well…" swallowing the massive lump that lodged her throat she was lost of words.
The small woman continued to walk forward, until Eliza's back softly hit the side of the counter. Trying to smooth her emotions out, as to not scare Eliza, she said "I really think that's a bad idea. Profession wise your reputation will be tainted. Dating an employer?" she made a soft tsk noise as she shook her head "It never ends well, and you see Roman doesn't go for the your type." She ended with a sour bite as the work 'type' came through.
Shocked, and anger rolled into one as Eliza stared at the woman who now held a pleading expression as if this would win her over and say 'you got it Mama Reign's, I'll do anything you say.' Instead Eliza straightened her back showing off just how much of a height advantage there was, even if it were minimal. Licking her bottom lip she picked the words accordingly as to not anger the woman standing before her any further "Mrs. Reign's, I can see why you may think this is a bad idea, and heck it might. But that is for Roman and me to find out for ourselves."
Placing a hand onto her hips, she huffed "Are you really that dumb? I mean, I give you credit you are a very talented photographer. But come now, can't you see that he's just a little out of your league."
Taken back by her comment, Eliza stood looking dumbfounded. Had she really said that, and hoped it would affect her. Instead she closed her eyes in frustration as she scratched her forehead "I should go." Her voice filled with annoyance as she brushed past Patricia who stood looking stoic as if she had won the match between the two.
"It was nice seeing you again, Eliza. Next time let's hope it's for the wedding." Patricia smiled as she moved out of her way to open the door causing the laughter, and music to spill in the small bathroom.
Spilling Travis's little surprise was on the tip of her tongue and as she spun around to lay one on her, she stopped and faked a smile "Take care, Patricia."
Not letting the small woman get the last comment, Eliza walked out of the bathroom and down the hall. Avoiding all eye contact, what she needed was have a breath of fresh air and then casually pull Roman aside to tell him that she was done for the night and that she would like to go home. Stepping into the outdoors, deciding to avoid the chair in fear Travis was talking on the phone she stepped off the porch and onto the grass where she tilted her head up to look at the cloudless sky. Even in the city the few stars still managed to peak through made her smile almost instantly. Something about the outdoors, and the stars made her calm, it always had in the past and there was no denying that it was needed after the crazy night she'd had.
Closing her eyes with her head still tilted up towards the sky, she cleared herself of thoughts and just stood taking in the sounds of the cars in the distance and bugs that chirped happily. Lost in her thoughts, the sound of Roman's voice made her eyes open, as he said "Hey…" from behind her causing her head to drop instantly as she spun around even under the moonlight he still look handsome.
"Hey" she replied stepping towards him as his hands extended out for her.
"What do you say about us getting out of here?" he asked resting his hands onto her hips as he bent down to rest his forehead against hers.
Letting out a sigh of relief, that caused a soft chuckle from Roman, she said "I was waiting for you to say that. Let's get out of here." Tilting her head up slightly to capture his lips with hers they stood under the moonlight taking in the silence before pulling away. "Do you want to say goodbye to everyone?" she asked looking back at the house.
"Nah, I already did before I came outside." He smirked when he saw Eliza's relieved smile appear.
"Thank god…" she whispered as they walked towards the car. Looking back at the house one last time, it had been one of the craziest evenings she'd ever partaken in and Roman wasn't the wiser. As she opened the door, sat down in the passenger seat and waited for Roman to start the car and drive off she wanted to tell him everything that happened. But, instead it was him that sat with his hands clenched against the steering wheel as if he had something to say.
"Everything okay?" she asked confused by his odd behaviour.
Shifting in the leather seat, his voice was cool as he asked "When I saw you outside with, Travis. What was happening?"
"If I tell you, you cannot go running back into that house." Eliza began to say as she shifted in the seat to look him in the eyes.
Taking a deep breath he nodded "okay…so tell me, what happened."
"…Well, I overheard Travis talking to someone on the phone." She waited to see how Roman would react, and so far he just nodded his head and whispered "Go on."
Taking a breath she continued "I think he may have another relationship, and I know it's not my place to say it because maybe I'm wrong and he calls his sister pet names."
"Fucking prick…" he growled out in frustration as his hand reached for the door handle "I knew that no good cock sucker would do something like that." Stopping his movement when he felt the small hand of Eliza holding him back, he took a deep breath. "If you weren't here you better believe I would be kicking the shit out of him right now." Moving his hands so that they clenched the wheel so that the whites of his knuckles popped out, he continued the onslaught of swears, but as promised he remained in the vehicle, even though there were multiple "I should go show him what happens when he messes with my family" comments.
"I'm sorry to bring this onto you, but as we promised we wouldn't hide things." She said resting her hand onto his to give a quick squeeze of assurance.
"Don't be, I knew I didn't like the prick the moment I met him." Starting the engine he backed out of the driveway as he continued to speak "When I met the guy he would make comments about our families fortunes, and how lucky we are. It always seemed to come up when he was around. Even to now and knowing that my family has offered to buy a house for those two." He paused "Not that Lynne doesn't deserve anything that my parents have given her, it just seems too easy for him as if he planned the whole thing." Turning down the road he glared at the road ahead of him.
"You think he planned it all? Get the house, marry the rich girl and have everything handed to him?" Eliza asked as she tried to add everything together.
"That's what fucking gold digging pricks do." He said without a missed breath. This was just one more reason for him not to like the guy, and to give a well-deserved punch that was a long time coming.
"Next time I see him; there are no promises that I'm not going to beat the shit out of him." He said calmly causing Eliza to shiver.
"You do what you have to do…" she said unsure what else to say at that point. It was his sister after all, and if Mariana had been cheated on and Eliza knew. There would be no holding back the information or what she would do to ensure they guy was in just as much pain as she was.
The conversation ended as Roman glared at the road with pursed lips lost in thoughts of what Eliza could only imagine were horrible thoughts directed at Travis.
Glancing out the window half expecting them to pull up to her house, she was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar street where Roman lived. "Where are we going?" she asked looking over at Roman.
"My house, if you're okay with that. I can always drop you off at home." He said briefly glancing at her before looking back at the road.
"No that's okay" she replied "I actually think Mariana won't be home tonight, so sure. That would be nice."
With a nod, and a half smile Roman continued to drive down the road, with the soft sound of music filling the car. Making a final turn down the street and the house coming into full view, he parked the car in the driveway and stepped out as had Eliza. Walking around the car where Roman stood they walked up the pathway in silence.
"So, I think we should do something different tonight." Roman grinned as he unlocked the door.
"Oh?" Eliza wearily said as Roman stepped into the house and she followed behind.
"Mm hmm" he replied shutting the door behind them "Just remember to call me, Sir tonight." He grinned as he took her in his arms before pressing his lips against hers causing an excited yip to form my Eliza lips. Travis and Lynne would have to come tomorrow. Tonight was about them, to forget what happened during the evening and enjoy each other completely, and now she was ready than ever.