Chapter five

The time had passed quickly, and now it was the day of meeting his family. I still didn't feel prepared, but there was no going back now. I had spent the last two days with Beth, learning all I could about the family and the life I was about to enter. My uncertainty kept getting the best of me, was I making the right decision?

As I sat lost in thought, the door opened, and Beth entered, followed by a lady, who wore a combination of plaid pants, a striped blouse, and a floral jacket, topped off with a hairdo that could only be described as a "hair bungled." She carried a large bag in front of her, holding it with both arms and smiling warmly. Despite the clashing patterns and hairstyle, she pulled it off. "Ms. Jones, this is Jasmine," Beth said, smiling. "She's a talented stylist who will help you get ready. I'll leave you two to get started." Beth turned to leave, and as the door closed behind her, Jasmine approached me. "Hi," she said, holding out her hand. "I'm Jasmine Harris. Nice to meet you." I shook her hand, trying to look relaxed despite my nerves at war. "Nice to meet you too. I appreciate your help." Jasmine smiled and began to unpack her bag.

"It's my pleasure," she replied.

"Now, let's start with your hair," she said, turning me to face the dresser. "What kind of look are you going for?" I thought for a moment, trying to come up with an answer. I didn't want to look too formal or too casual, I wanted to strike the right balance. "I want to look elegant, but not stuffy," I said. "I want to look like myself, but the best version of myself."

"I think I can work with that," she said, smiling. "Let's start by washing your hair."

Over the next few hours, I was transformed from a regular woman into a vision of elegance. My hair was washed and styled into a low bun, with a few tendrils framing my face. My makeup was applied with careful precision. The black sheath dress she selected for me was a work of art, hugging my curves in all the right places and making me feel like a million bucks.

After the makeover was complete,  I gazed into the mirror, and a stranger gazed back - a woman who was equal parts fierce and fragile, with eyes that sparkled like diamonds in the dark. I didn't feel like myself, but I also didn't feel like I was pretending to be someone else. I felt like the best version of myself.

"I love it." I finally said.

"I love it too," Jasmine said, her eyes shining with pride and satisfaction. "I love what we've done with your hair. The black color is really gorgeous, and the simple bun looks so elegant. You look like a movie star!" I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. She had a way of making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, and I was grateful for her encouragement. "Thank you so much, Jasmine," I said, genuinely touched by her words.

Beth came in. "Ms. Jones, it's time to go," she said.

"Before you go, wear this."

She handed me a small box, which I opened. A diamond ring.

The ring that Beth placed in my hand was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It sparkled and glittered in the light, a glittering jewel nestled in a delicate gold setting. It felt light as a feather as I placed it on my finger, and it fit perfectly. As I looked down at the ring, I could see my reflection in the gleaming stone.

"What about my sister?"

"She went for a stroll, she's with someone."

"Okay, please take care of her." She nodded.

I turned to Jasmine and hugged her, thanking her again for her help.

I slid my feet into the black pumps, ignoring the discomfort I felt as I did so. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as I walked into the living room. I saw him, Carlton Williams, my husband-to-be seated on the couch, his eyes focused on his phone. I was surprised he was here, Beth told me he was a very busy person, and  I thought he'd meet me at the dinner.

Carlton was impeccably dressed, as always. He wore a navy blue suit, tailored to perfection, with a crisp white shirt, cufflinks and a silk blue tie. His shoes were polished to a mirror finish, and his hair was neatly styled in a way that exuded confidence and authority. I couldn't help but admire his style, even though I knew it was all part of his persona. The man was a mystery, and I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by him. Whatever, fuck him, let's get this over with.

My heels got his attention. He looked up as I walked in, his face expressionless. "You're ready?" he asked, standing up and walking towards me. I could only nod, unable to find the words to respond. He offered me his arm, and I took it. What a cold-hearted gentleman. I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation as we walked out the door.

As we drove, I could feel the tension in the air. Carlton was on his phone the entire time, barely acknowledging my presence. The car was a luxurious limousine, but the silence inside made it feel more like a prison. I tried to distract myself by looking out the window, taking in the sights of the city. It was a beautiful night, and I tried to soak in the view to calm my nerves.

Finally, we pulled up to a grand estate, the home of Carlton's father. The house was enormous, a sprawling mansion set on acres of land. The car pulled up to the front door, and Carlton got out first, walking around to open my door for me. I stepped out, feeling a little bit like a princess in a fairy tale. As we walked towards the front door, I noticed a small army of staff members waiting for us. There was a butler, several maids, and even a few security guards, they all greeted us as we walked by. It was clear that his family was extremely wealthy and accustomed to a certain level of luxury.

I felt my heart beating faster as we approached the front door. The butler opened the door, and I stepped into a world of luxury and opulence. The foyer was enormous, with marble floors and gilded details. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and there was a grand staircase leading to the second floor. The room was filled with beautiful artwork, and I could smell the scent of fresh flowers. I had never seen anything like it, and I felt a little bit like I had entered a different world.

My hand still in his, Carlton led me through the foyer, into the large room.

The living room was filled with comfortable couches and chairs, the walls were lined with bookshelves, and there were floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the grounds. It was like something out of a movie, and I felt a bit like an extra in a scene.

"Smile," Carlton whispered. He let go of my hand and pulled me close, his fingers wrapping around my waist. Shivers ran down my spine. It's just for show, Sam. I let out a smile. In the center of the room, there was a large table set for dinner. A dozen place settings were arranged with perfect precision, and the table was adorned with crystals. Beautiful.

"Welcome," a voice called out. I turned to see a man with grey streaks in his hair - old enough to have some wisdom, but still spry enough to walk downstairs on his own, probably in his sixties - making his way down to greet us. He looked relaxed in his chinos and button-down, a stark contrast to Carlton's stiff formal wear. Ugh.

He looked like an older version of Carlton- my guess, the great George Williams, the man who'd been married three times! He embraced Carlton, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of warmth in Carlton's eyes. "Been a while, Father," he said, his voice a little softer than usual. I felt like a ghost, invisible and insignificant. But then Carlton turned to me, his face lighting up with a smile. "Samantha, meet my father, George Williams. Father, this is my fiancée, Samantha Jones." He gestured to me, and I smiled, shaking George's hand.

"Great to finally meet you, Mr. Williams. I've heard a lot about you." I said, trying to make a good impression. But my words fell flat when he raised an eyebrow. "I've heard about your success with G&C Enterprises... how you turned it into the thriving business it is today." He chuckled, "Oh, I think you might be giving me too much credit." I breathed a silent sigh of relief - close call! I wasn't sure what to expect from George, Beth hadn't given me much to go on. Was he a man waiting for me to slip up, or one who could see right through me? "But I must say, you are lovely." My cheeks flushed, but I kept my cool. "Thank you, Mr. Williams." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and I saw a glimmer of kindness there that I hadn't expected. "Shall we sit down? The others will be joining us soon."

Just as we were getting settled, a stunning woman walked in, her black slip dress hugging her curves in all the right places. Her hair was styled in an intricate updo, and her red lipstick matched her heels. Her light green eyes sparkled as she took in the room. "Look who's here," she announced, raising her hands dramatically. I glanced at Carlton, and his expression had darkened. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath. I wondered what was going on. Who was this woman, and why was Carlton rattled by her presence?