Thomas Conner

"Do you really have to drink, Catherine?" My mother asks for the thousandth time, looking at me angrily, as I drink my second glass of whiskey.

"You are about to sell me like a cow, so yes mom, I need to drink". I say in an ironic tone, watching her look at me with disgust.

"That's no way to talk to your mother". My father scolds me.

"Why? Is she going to cry?" I ask ironically.

"Quiet!" My grandfather speaks a little louder, in my direction. "If you can't act polite, just ignore them". He completes the scolding.

I just nod, remaining silent. Soon an employee of the restaurant enters, announcing that our guests had arrived. We get up and wait for them. I see Mr. David Conner enter first, possessing a smile on his face.

Right behind comes Thomas Conner, making me roll my eyes. But soon another person enters, making me widen my eyes. By God, what was he doing here? He puts on a smile as soon as he sees my reaction, making me look away.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" My grandfather asks, looking at me confused.

"I'm fine". Answering softly, faking a smile.

"Vitor, it's a pleasure to see you again". David speaks greeting my grandfather.

"The pleasure is all mine". My grandfather reciprocates.

"This is my youngest son, George Conner". Speaks, pointing to the one I thought was my fiancé, making me look surprised. -This is my heir, Thomas Conner. -Speaks pointing to the man I spent the night with.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Montanari". He greets my grandfather with a friendly smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you". My grandfather greets him with a smile. "This is my granddaughter, Catherine Montanari". He puts his hand on my back and introduces me with his usual proud smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you". Thomas says as we greet each other, with a tone of irony that was only noticed by me.

We sit down and Thomas sits down beside me.

"I was glad when you finally called me to meet and we decided on a wedding date". David speaks, making everyone smile, a little forced.

"You know how women are, they like to have all the details ready in front of them. Catherine worked hard during this time so that the wedding party would be perfect". My grandfather says, looking at me with a smile.

Of course this was not true, this time was being spent in the search to find something that could stop this wedding.

"Good, because this wedding has to be talked about by everyone". David says looking at me somewhat satisfied. "You're even more beautiful in person Catherine, don't you think Thomas?"

He looks at me seriously and looks me up and down, giving me a satisfied smile at the end.

"Yes, beautiful". Elogy and I force a smile, quickly looking away from him.

"Have you thought about a date yet Catherine?" David asks, after ordering a drink.

"Although many things are already done, there are still some small details that I want to take care of personally. So I was thinking of leaving it until the end of next year". I speak with a smile.

Everyone turns serious and a silence lingers for a while.

"But that's almost 20 months". My father notes, somewhat surprised.

"That's right, enough time to organize everything". I say, faking an innocent smile.

"This wedding has to happen fast, we've been waiting for months". David says trying to control his dissatisfaction.

"I'm sure you can advance the preparations, right Caty?" My grandfather asks, looking at me seriously and with that look that would make others cringe.

Others could cringe at the look on my grandfather's face, except me. After all, I lived with him all my life and ended up inheriting a good part of his personality.

"I can try". I said, forcing a smile.

"For two months at most". David speaks with authority, faking a sympathetic smile.

"I believe that..." Thomas begins to speak and I wait expectantly for him to say something against his father. "In a month or less, the wedding should come off". Speaks with a corner smile.

I glare at him, which makes his smile widen and so does my anger. Apparently I was alone.

"I have reserved another dining room, we can go and let the bride and groom get better acquainted". My mother speaks with a smile, making me look at her angrily.

She doesn't do most of her chores, but she made sure to find a way to screw up the day even more.

"Right, she's right, it will be good for you to spend some time alone". David agrees as he gets up with his son, then leaves the room.

"Be good". My grandfather whispers in my ear and gives me a kiss, then leaves the room.

A silence prevails for a while, as I wonder what to say to him in the midst of this awkward situation.

"I'm just curious". He speaks, catching my attention. "How did you get out of that room? After all, your dress was torn". He asks, looking at me seriously.

I smile, taking a sip of my drink.

"The same way I came into the world". Answering as if it were obvious, causing him to roll his eyes. "In my robe and my Prada heels". I say with a wry smile.

He denies with his head, now showing impatience.

"And what was that money shit?" He asks with a harder tone, showing anger and making me laugh at him.

"To pay for the room". Answering, shrugging his shoulders and starting to eat the dessert he had ordered.

"Did you think I couldn't afford it?" He looks at me with an arched eyebrow.

"Is all this anger about the money or are you angry that I didn't act like the others?" I ask as I cross my arms, watching him carefully.

"Of course not". He answers with a smile on his face. "You're not like the others, you're my fiancée".

I roll my eyes, making him laugh.

"How can you be dealing with all this in such a good mood? Haven't you understood that we're going to be stuck with each other forever?" I ask angrily.

"It will be interesting". She answers, shrugging her shoulders, still with a smile on her face.