Seeking Solace

Nine

"This is a joke. You're playing a prank on me aren't you love?" He has not moved since he saw me. His feet have been glued to the floor.

"Do you two know each other?" Bram asks, confused.

"No, I don't believe I have had the pleasure of meeting this brother." I smile sweetly at him.

Emmett tries to hide his laugh behind a series of fake coughs, but his rosy cheeks and small smile give him away.

"I feel as if I'm missing something." Bram says.

"It's nothing I'm sure." I reassure him by placing my hand in his shoulder and dragging it down to his hand. I lace my fingers into his, receiving shocked looks from half of the Fursey brothers. "Bram, could you possibly give me a tour? I would love to see the house before dinner is ready."

"Of course." I follow after Bram, who leads me out of the room past Emmett. He gives me a knowing smile and a light pat on the back. He does not take his eyes off of me as I move across the room. Eventually I am passing by him and I feel myself wink at him. His jaw drops a little and his eyes grow wide for a second, but that expression is quickly replaced with his smirk and a small nod, as if to say game on.

Bram and I reach the foyer when a small woman with crazy red hair comes flying out of a door down the hall. "Dinner is ready sir." She curtsies and then hustles back.

Bram looks to me to see what I want to do. "Maybe some other time." He nods and leads me to the dining area.

The room is dazzling with works of art and sculptures. In the center of the room is a mahogany table with matching chairs. Bram pulls one out for me and waits for me to sit. He takes the seat to my left, leaving my right side open and available for anyone. Emmett walks in first and thankfully takes the seat to my right. I smile as he sits beside me and leans in to my ear. "What are you playing at?"

"He's not the only one who can play games." Emmett chuckles at my response and sits back in his seat.

Professor Decker Fursey and Halston enter the room arguing about a sports team. They sit in opposite sides of the table across from us, leaving the middle chair that is directly across from me wide open.

He walks in with a gorgeous girl, the two are laughing and joking around. Where did he find such a gorgeous girl so fast? Is he trying to make me jealous? Not like it is working anyways, but the thought that this is how he is going to play hurts me a little. He pulls out a chair at the end of the table for her before taking the chair across from me. I look back to the girl, confused as to why they are not sitting beside each other. I find Him smiling at me as I stare at the girl. I quickly look away from her, not giving Him exactly what he wants. My jealousy.

A man with dark grey-ing hair walks into the room elegantly and takes the final chair at the head of the table. He places his napkin in his lap and looks up at everyone around the table. He stops at me. "And who might this be?"

"This is Gemma. The girl I told you about." Bram says proudly. I notice that when he announces who I am, he sits up in his chair straighter, and talks with more conviction.

The man looks to me, "you wouldn't happen to be Gemma Rose would you?" He looks to Him briefly. I nod in his direction.

"Only a rare few call me that. Most people just call me Gemma. It's nice to meet you sir."

"Please, call me Aaron. Sir, makes me feel old." He grins a similar grin to that of his sons.

"Well daddy, you certainly aren't getting any younger." The girl says. Daddy?