Author's Note: Sorry this took so long! I've had intense few weeks. Ear infection, ick and then my mother was in the hospital and then recovery. So, I've been out of town helping out. I barely had any time to write. Or any inspiration. Anyways, my flow is finally back. So, yay! Here is a look at the Clique parents... ish. And life in Westchester. Yes, those are tones of racism you're reading in Ella Fisher's POV. She is definitely not a nice person.

Chapter Two: Gossip and Truth

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It was well known around the world that US attorney Len Rivera made his first fortune the dirty way through the unjust persecution of a rival banking company in the late 80s, but in the past decade, his wife Nadia Rivera's good work around the world for numerous notable charities like March of Dimes, New Hope, the CHA Inc., and Miracles in Sight, along with colossal donations to the right places, have worked to revive the Rivera name in Westchester.

It also helped that the Nadia was richer than most of Westchester's ladies combined, some great great great grandfather or something of hers struck oil back in Spain. Almost everyone overlooked her husband's faults in light of the knowledge that she was practically royalty in her home country.

Still, Ella Fisher could barely stomach their interactions. Despite all their wealth, or maybe because of it, the Riveras were so… tacky. For decorum's sake, was just about the only reason Ella Fisher gave Nadia the time of day.

Shudder-inducing, Ella thought as she eyed the expansive estate. Set on a hill stretching along the Long Island Sound, the sprawling mansion with its narrow hallways, vaulted ceilings, pointed arched towers, and stained glass windows, was something straight out of a gothic novel. The Rivera mansion could have passed for a cathedral from the Gilded Age, which would have been boast-worthy, if not for the fact that it really wasn't. Tackier still, the Rivera's didn't even live in their mansion. Taking the advice of Len's bodyguards, the Rivera's master bedroom and actual living space was hidden in the pool house for security reasons.

Where did they think this was? Brooklyn?

To even reach the side house where Nadia hosted Bible Club when it was her turn, Ella had to either enter through the service kitchen and leave smelling like Spanish cuisine for the duration of the meeting or take the long way through the Rivera's considerable backyard and subsequent hedge garden.

Adjusting her Dior sunhat, Ella Fisher made her way slowly past the Rivera's rock garden and fish pond. The view would have been considered breathtaking to anyone except her, who resented the route too much to enjoy the beautiful day. By the time Ella made it to Nadia's pool house living area, the Bible Club regulars—Marsha Gregory, Tessa Hurley, Anna Harrington, Jacklyn Ryan, and Kendra Block—were already seated and waiting.

The ladies were all listening to their host guide them through the readings from a study guide (Nadia was only familiar with the King James Bible, since she was raised Catholic), when Marsha (who had set aside her Bible for her real ones: Page Six, the New York Post, and Westchester Magazine) interrupted them. This was another reason why Ella hated Nadia's sessions, Nadia was always so easily distracted. She was quicker than anybody to hunt down pictures of herself and that tramp daughter of hers to brag about, of which there really were many. See? Tacky. Nadia, being a former model and socialite, and her daughter, a rising star, were featured frequently.

"Oh Nadia," Marsha cried, flipping the Post over for the other ladies seated around her to see. "Your gala is featured in the Events section!"

Nadia, thrilled, tossed her study guide and Bible onto her side settee and smiled in faux-modesty over the attention. "Is it really? I had no idea that it would make the news."

"Nonsense," Tessa cut in, picking up Westchester Magazine and flipping through it, hunting for news. "Your gala was a huge success. Didn't it break records this year? The most amount of donations received in the history for New Hope, or any charity even!"

Nadia's hand fluttered over the pearls on her neck. "Well, I couldn't have done it without all of your help," she chimed. She glanced over at Kendra and Anna, reading silently from their Bible. "Especially Kendra."

She sniffed. Despite all of her claims of Nadia's tackiness, Ella had to admit that Nadia knew how to play the game. With her daughter's upcoming marriage to the Harrington family, Kendra was the now the one everyone was aiming to please.

Kendra looked up and waved a hand in the air. "Nadia, please, it was nothing."

"Oh, I know I'm not supposed to say, that you asked to be anonymous, but Kendra, your family's check was the one that really helped us beat the record."

Ella pulled the two full page cover of Nadia's gala over to her and scanned the pages. As usual, none of her photos had ended up on the page, despite the family scandal a couple of years back. Thank goodness. Ella had struck a deal with the Post and Westchester Magazine that no photos of her or her husband were to appear without her approval. She had gotten the idea from Anna and her family, who would rather die than appear in print. There was a point to being discreet, Ella had learned now, after seeing all her family's sordid details splashed across all tabloids.

When Ella tuned back into the conversation, the topic had moved onto the Harrington and Block wedding. A common topic amongst the ladies, since Anna and Kendra were both parents of the couple, and the said wedding was to be the event of the year. The other ladies couldn't get enough.

"Oh you say that, Jackie, but I'm more stressed out than my daughter." Kendra rolled eyes, setting her Bible aside. Like Ella, she seemed to understand that getting anymore read was impossible. "For someone who used to cry if I didn't let her coordinate her outfits by herself at five, Massie is all about unburdening the load onto me and Anna, surprisingly. Now that I think about it, other than the designer of her dress, I don't think she's made a single decision."

"Speaking of children," Marsha, who turned sour whenever the wedding was brought up (mostly because her good-for-nothing daughter hadn't managed to catch the Harrington heir's eye), cut in before anyone could respond. "Ella, when is your son flying in for the wedding? He's the best man, isn't he?"

Ella hid her eye roll at the blatant and obvious attempt. While the Gregorys were prominent in England, in Westchester, Mark Gregory had lost most of his money in a series of failed art sales. In addition to that, Marsha was practically new money. The hopeful glint in Marsha's eyes didn't even register to Ella. There was no way her only heir would fall for someone as transparent as Kristen Gregory.

"Oh you know sons," Ella complained, now flipping through the Westchester Magazine and spying pictures of Ryan and Dylan Marvil on the Life & Style section. Tessa nodded in complete understanding and Anna in sympathy. "They never share anything with you. I haven't talked to Cameron for almost three weeks. I can barely squeeze any information out of him on the phone before it's 'time for class, gotta go' again. Without a cook, I abhor to even think about how he's eating."

The alarm system of the Rivera's pool house beeped loudly, interrupting them all. The ladies all turned to look as the Rivera's one way mirror that provided a glorious view of the sparkling Rivera pool and immaculate hedge gardens tilted and lumbered up like a garage door and Alicia Rivera slipped inside holding Neiman, Ralph Lauren, and Gucci shopping bags.

"Alicia, baby," Nadia thrilled. She waved Page Six up at her. "You're on the front page. I told you, you made the right choice in going classic by wearing that Dany Tabet."

Nadia's daughter rolled her eyes good-naturedly, dropping her bags by the door for a maid to pick up. She took the offered magazine and admired her picture on the cover. She glanced at the discarded Bibles and smiled politely at the other ladies. "Sorry for the interruption."

"You're never an interruption, dear," Jacklyn told her. She glanced at Ella from the side of her light blue eyes. "We were just talking about your dear friend Cameron."

At the mention of her son, Alicia straightened and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, I take it that you've heard."

Ella did not like the glimmer in Alicia's eyes. "Heard what?" she asked, faking nonchalance.

"About his guest?" Alicia asked, her brows raised in seemingly genuine confusion. All the ladies looked shocked at Alicia's question, but none as much as Ella.

"What? What do you mean? What… guest?" Ella stressed.

"The guest… that he's bringing to the wedding? As his plus one?" Alicia cast a furtive look at her mother, who looked shocked that Alicia had knowledge of such a tidbit. And also put out that she hadn't shared this with her sooner.

Ella felt her heart beating loudly in her ears in anger at the mischievous looks the other ladies were now casting each other. She hated being out of the loop. She hated being part of gossip more. And she hated it most that Alicia Rivera knew more about her son than her. "Plus one? What plus one?"

"His girlfriend," Alicia told her, relishing that she was the one to break the news to Ella. It was her hard won victory and despite the flush of anger appearing on Ella's face at the news, Alicia knew that she would be gaining favor with her after this was over.

"No!" Ella exclaimed, fanning herself with Westchester Magazine. "There's no way that Cameron has a girlfriend!" She had never heard any mention ever of any… girlfriend of Cam's in all their talks on the phone.

"Why do you find it so hard to believe that Cameron could have a girlfriend?" Marsha asked. While she was disappointed at the news of Cam, the new heir to all of the Fisher enterprise, being taken when her daughter was still shamefully single, she was also secretly thrilled that she was witnessing Ella's humiliation. There was nothing better than watching someone unravel from their children's escapades.

Nadia nodded in agreement. "Frankly, I'm not surprised at all, Ella. Your son's quite the catch." At those words, she covertly glanced at her daughter, who possessed beauty, charm, and charisma in spades, and apparently a slyness she was only just discovering, that would bring her far. Cameron Fisher, now that he was heir, might be the best prospect Nadia could hope for her daughter.

Stupid bitches, Ella thought snidely. Of course she knew how much of a catch her son was. With her eldest son's betrayal, Cameron was the Fisher family's last chance of passing along the family business. Her baby stood to not only gain billions, but control of an entire enterprise as well. She knew exactly how much her son was worth, and it was more than most of these greedy ladies and their up jumped daughters, and certainly more than whomever he was keeping a secret from his own mother.

Ella couldn't even imagine. There must be something really wrong with her for Cameron to try to spare his girlfriend from his own mother.

"What is her name?" she asked after a few calming yoga breaths.

The ladies all turned to Alicia, who seemed to be in the know about it all. "Claire Lyons."

"Lyons?" Jacklyn asked. "Claire Lyons of the Lyons Motorcars?"

"From a rival company?" Ella shook her head vigorously. She tossed the magazine away from her and moaned. "Please stop. Are you all trying to give me a stroke? Cameron wouldn't dare."

But then… her precious baby had allowed this news to be sprung on her in the middle of Bible Club, leaving her with no way to dispute it.

"I haven't heard much, but Massie said something about Cam arriving with her soon." Alicia shrugged, tossing her long dark hair over her shoulder. At that news, Ella felt a cold calm overtake her. She eyed Alicia with new eyes. And though, Ella loathed to admit it… With her sultry looks, ample curves, and provocative ways, Alicia would prove an ample adversary to any girl Cameron's age.

And eying the calculating glint in Alicia's eye, Ella found that they probably had a lot in common in terms of what they wanted for her son. And when Cam was free of this Lyons girl, she'd find a way to get rid of Alicia after.

After all, her baby boy deserved no one but the very best.

##

Cam brought it up nonchalantly.

So nonchalantly, in fact, that the words didn't even register in Claire's mind, since she was absorbed in saying goodbye to Chicago as the cab whizzed by the night life. When they finally reached her though, her head snapped to his.

"Wait, what?"

Cam licked his lips before repeating himself, a familiar sign that told Claire that he was nervous.

"You're saying… that… you've never told your parents about me?" Claire asked, not just for clarification, but for jaded emphasis as well. "Your parents never knew about me? In all this time?"

Claire was never one for dramatics, but she felt that this was really worth repeating. She and Cam had been dating for almost over two years and in all that time, she found it really hard to believe that he never once mentioned her to his parents. He talked to his family on a regular basis. She had told her mom about Cam the moment she came back from their first date.

"Yeah—I mean, no. No, they didn't know. But Claire, you have to understand that it had nothing to do with you or anything like—"

"Well, Cam, it's kind of hard not to take it personally. My mom knows practically everything about you. Amy, all my friends, and even Layne too…"

Cam gripped his girlfriend's hands in his. "Please don't take it that way. I swear it's not you. I just that… I don't really share any of my personal life with my parents."

Claire blinked in confusion. "But they're your parents."

Cam ran a hand through his messy hair in frustration. "It's a bit different in my family. We don't really… share much. My parents are different than most, than yours."

"But…" Claire bit her lip, feeling insanely vulnerable. She didn't know how to take Cam's words. Wasn't she a big part of his life? Wasn't she important enough to at least warrant one mention on the phone? …Or maybe she had misread their whole relationship up until this point?

Cam took Claire in, noticing from the furrow in her brow and the crease in her forehead that she was hurt. Even in her upset state, Cam couldn't stop himself from admiring her with backdrop of the lights from the cab window behind her. Claire's gentle features, natural light blonde hair, and expressive dark blue eyes made up the most simplistic, uncomplicated beauty (so different from fashion-obsessed, makeup-ready girls of his childhood) that sometimes, it took Cam's breathe away.

How did he get so lucky? And how could he have fucked up so badly?

"I swear, Claire, it's nothing against you. Even as a kid… My family never shared anything emotional. It's just the way my family is."

Claire took a deep breath and decided to believe him. Because even if he had never told his parents about her… Cam had now. He was taking her to his home to meet them personally. They were going to New York together.

She tried a weak smile. "Anything else you want to tell me before I hop on a plane and spend a month in a different state with you?"

Cam hesitated. He knew that Claire would need to be prepped about the ways of his family and New York, but how could he possibly explain all of it to her when he had been conditioned his whole life never to speak or brag about his wealth? When he had been trained never to speak of his family to reporters, to the press, to outsiders. He had grown up around people who were exactly like him; there had never been any need to explain anything. People like Derrick and Josh and the boys at his old private school… they got it because they had lived in the same lifestyle. They knew how parents got.

"Well, you should know that it's not just my family that you're meeting. Westchester is a really close community. The people I grew up with in town… have been friends for generations. People are pretty close, so 'family' kind of extends to them too. You're going to be meeting everyone I grew up with too."

This was the most that Cam had ever shared with her about his family, friends, and community. Claire absorbed all that he said. She was coming to realize just the other day that Cam knew almost everything about her, her friends, and her family, whereas she knew nothing about his. But the important thing was that that was all going to change now. Cam was… opening up and letting her in.

The bright lights and high traffic outside signaled to Claire that they were nearing the airport as they car slowed to a stop. Cam held out his hand and Claire didn't hesitate in placing her own in his. As they took their luggage out of the trunk of the cab, Claire fought down a flush of embarrassment. She had let her insecurities get the better of her. …If Cam hadn't told his parents about her, not because of her… then it must be because of them. What if Cam was embarrassed about his family? Was that part of the reason he never shared anything about them to her either?

As they headed into the airport together, Claire resolved to find a way to let Cam know that there was nothing to be ashamed of. Claire loved him and she was ready to know all of him too.

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Author's Note: I'm on a binge writing session.

I have another 2000 plus words written of Claire's arrival, but I just decided to cut it here since the tone changes so completely. IDK. Anyways, thank you so much for your continued support, you guys. I'm the worst updater ever, I'm sorry. I haven't even gotten back to any of you guys for all your kind reviews either! Just know that I adore each one and I love you guys so much. Tytytytytytyty.

Review if you like?