10

_Bella Davis POV_

Avery looked at us both, then decided to let go.

"So would you be going for dinner then?" Avery asked and I nodded. 

I have no choice but to go, it seems.

"Alright then. Since it has been decided, let's get you ready for it. We have to glam you up and everything." Luke says, picking up his phone to call someone but I instantly refuse.

"I'm going to go my way to this. I don't feel like doing make-up or anything and I want to be comfortable in my clothes. Since it's just dinner with his parents. 

How bad can it go?

*Few hours later*

I looked around the dinner table awkwardly feeling out of place here.

Veronica and Richard were dressed in expensive clothes, which I guess was the normal thing for them to do. Henry, Avery's stepbrother was dressed in a suit, his black hair gelled back to look perfect. Avery too was wearing a suit as usual but without the suit jacket, his tie was not on his neck, and his first two buttons were undone, showing off his gold necklace and perfect skin.

I looked at Ava who was watching me with a mocking gaze. She was wearing a long red dinner gown which had a slit at the front and her back was bare, her blond hair was packed in a high ponytail on her head, and gold earrings and necklace adorning her ears and neck. I would have thought of her as pretty if I didn't know her.

She looked like she fitted here more than I did, heck I looked more out of place than the maids here.

I was wearing a black checked shirt and blue baggy jeans with black vans, my brown hair was thrown in a messy bun on my head, and few stands standing out.

The instant look of disgust I was given when I stepped in here was enough to make me want to run back home but Avery held me back preventing me from doing that.

"I thought this was meant to be for just family," Avery asked looking at Ava who had been giving him flirtatious looks since we got here.

"I thought so too," Veronica replied, laughing with her eyes on me. 

I knew she was referring to me now. Like she wasn't the one who asked for dinner with me.

If I was Avery's girlfriend and if I wanted this family to accept me as his girlfriend, which I'm not and I don't, I would have felt hurt by what she said. But I'm not.

"Then if that's the case why is she here?" Avery asked referring to Ava.

Maybe I shouldn't have come here at all. I big regret cause it seems this night is going to be hot.

"I was already here and Auntie said I could stay for dinner since I was like family," Ava answered, talking in a voice that sounded like metals scrapping against each other to me. Yes, her voice made me cringe.

"So Steph, where did you and Avery meet? And how did you get him to fall in love with someone like you, you don't seem like his type at all." Ava dropped her spoon on her plate, placed her elbows on the table, and dropped her head on her palm, waiting for me to answer.

This petty beech called me the wrong name on purpose, that much was obvious.

"My name is Bella," I say through gritted teeth, my grip on my fork tightening.

"And how we fell in love has nothing to do with you," Avery added, staring at her with an icy glare, he used his left hand to slowly take the fork away from me, preventing me from committing murder that night. 

She instantly drops the topic, going back to her meal.

I guess they are all afraid of Avery.

"Don't be like that Avery. Ava just asked a question we all wanted an answer to. She was curious just like we all were." Richard, Avery's dad talked for the first time since we got here. 

He has been ignoring me and giving me a rude attitude since we got here.

"We both know that curiosity kills the cat," Avery said holding eye contact with his dad. 

"Good thing I'm not a cat then." His dad said, neither man wanting to give in and look away.

"You don't need to be a cat to die," Avery said, an obvious threat hanging in the air. 

I cough awkwardly, trying to ease up the tension. Both men turn their stares to me, one irritated and the other concerned.

"Can we eat without any fights, please? Let's eat as a family." Veronica said, picking up her cutleries and going back to her food.

I look around the table meeting eyes with Henry, Avery's stepbrother.

He smirks and winks at me before turning his attention to his mother.

"Are you okay?" Avery whispered and I nodded smiling at him. Something falls on the table loudly causing everyone to turn and look at Ava. She smiles apologetically picking up her spoon once more.

I'm certain she did that on purpose, attention seeker. 

Ignoring the silence on the table, I finally pick up my spoon and eat my food. 

I held back a moan as my taste buds exploded. I don't think Veronica would find it funny if I moan out loud. Their food was tasty, I would give them that.

"So Bella," Ava calls my name after a few minutes of silence causing me to roll my eyes.

Can't I just enjoy my food without any disturbances?

"Yes, Ava?" I answer sweetly, smiling at her.

I swear, if this girl asks me any stupid question concerning Avery and my relationship, I won't hesitate to stab her with a fork.

"How long have you and Avery been seeing each other." She returns my sweet smile, waiting for me to expose myself.

Now how do I get out of this?