Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Blair

" Blair," Dimitri's voice sounded through the loudspeaker of the car I had rented at the LA airport.

" The GPS says I'll be there in ten minutes, Commander," I crooned, "I've already made our entire route to Carmell. I already know what we are going to see.”

" Ten minutes? " he took a deep breath.

" You don't seem happy about it. Is there a problem? " I frowned as I focused on the traffic.

" My aunt and uncle want to meet you," he whispered.

This information took me by surprise. The deal was that he would spend the first few days at his aunt and uncle's house in LA while I was in London, and when I returned, I would pick him up and we would go together to Abigail's parents' town. I didn't expect to meet any of his family.

" So this is how it will work, Commander? I introduce you to my parents and you make me meet your entire family? " I scoffed, despite the confusion in my mind.

" Blair, this wasn't my idea," he took a deep breath.

" Why not? Don't you want your family to meet me? I'm going to start thinking that you're ashamed of me," I teased him.

" Blair.”

" And I thought we were evolving," I continued, "this way I'm going to start thinking you've given up on convincing me about marriage, Dimitri.”

" Blair, I can play your game. I just can't guarantee that you'll like it," he challenged.

" I'm dying to meet your family, Commander," I pointed out, "I'll see you in a little while, I'll be right there.”

I ended the call, looking around only to see the big gates of the houses on the street.

These people have money!

I found the indicated house and stopped my car in front of the gate, which opened almost immediately.

I drove the car down the driveway to the front of a large, beautiful and big house, with wood details and large glass panes.

I got out of the car admiring a wooden door that seemed to be twice the size of a normal door, not sure whether to ring the bell or call Dimitri.

But before I could make a decision, the door was opened and a well dressed blond woman stepped out.

" Good morning.”

" Good morning, you must be Blair," the woman smiled, "Dimitri is expecting you.”

She nodded for me to follow her inside.

" My name is Dallas Miller, I'm Dimitri's aunt," she looked over her shoulder, "Joseph is looking forward to meeting you.”

Excited voices began to sound as we advanced into the house, making me think that maybe I had arrived at a bad time.

" He won't embarrass me again. If you really don't intend to accompany us, don't even think of suggesting it," a male voice shouted.

" He is your son, Uncle," I recognized Dimitri's voice.

"He is a huge loser," the man returned.

" Wait here, I'll tell him you've arrived," the woman smiled as if nothing was happening.

I watched her disappear into a room, leaving me behind, shifting my weight from one leg to the other for a short eternity.

" Take the girl, it will be a pleasure to introduce you. But don't try to convince me to do that," the other voice growled.

I frowned at this statement. Are they talking about me?

" Convince you? Like I'm going to accept," a male voice startled me, causing me to turn around in astonishment as if I had been caught snooping.

" What? " I blinked dazedly, watching the man behind me.

He looked like the woman from before, with light hair and eyes. His face had beautiful symmetrical features that could easily grant him a fine modeling career.

" Come on, they're waiting," he nodded, "you're Blair, aren't you? My cousin is crazy about you.”

" Wha…”

But he didn't wait for me to finish my sentence, he simply walked into the room interrupting the discussion.

" You can stop, the Voitovich girl is here and I have no intention of disturbing my father's Thanksgiving dinner," he declared, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

I walked in behind him into what turned out to be an office, finding Dimitri standing in front of a gray-haired middle aged man with Dallas at his side.

" Blair.”

" Blair, right? "The man stepped forward towards me offering his hand "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Joseph Miller.”

" It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Miller," I assured him.

" I was here trying to convince my nephew to accompany us to Thanksgiving dinner tonight. It would be a pleasure to introduce you to my bosses," he assured.

" Introduce us? " I threw a confused look at Dimitri, who was pinching the bridge of his nose in clear frustration.

" What my father means is that it would be great to have someone with a successful career to introduce around, instead of his own son," the man from before returned.

" Joe, isn't it…”

" A pilot and a... sorry honey, what are you doing at the airport? " Joseph ignored his nephew who was trying to smooth things over.

" I am a flight attendant," I explained.

" A flight attendant! That's perfect. Joe usually only brings home drunk waitresses. And he expects me to introduce him around like painting canvas in the park is some big source of pride," the man declared with a certain contempt that made me consider him a big jerk.

" It's my profession! " the young man exclaimed.

" You should learn what it is to have a real career," he returned.

It's official, this guy is the biggest asshole in the universe.

" Uncle, as tempting as the offer is, Blair and I already have another appointment. Right, Blair? " Dimitri gave me a meaningful look.

" Yes, we do. I'm sorry," I endorsed.

" What a disaster. You're going to be left with nothing to be proud of to present to your boss," Joe muttered as he left the office.

" I'll get my things and we can go," Dimitri gently held my arm, leading me out of the office.

" Go on, darling. We're going to meet your girl," Dallas intercepted me, guiding me toward a room.

Dimitri looked doubtful for a second before taking a deep breath and climbing the stairs that would take him to the second floor.

" You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Miller," I decided to compliment her in order to break the ice.

" Dallas, please," she asked as soon as we reached the living room.

Joe was sitting on one of the sofas and watched us with disinterest as soon as we entered.

I approached a painting that was displayed on the wall. It was of a peacock's tail painted against a blotchy background in pastel colors. In the corner of the canvas were the initials J M drawn.

" You did this yourself? " I turned to the man.

" How do you know? " he questioned flatly.

" It doesn't take a detective to figure out the meaning of J M," I shrugged.

" Joe made this painting for me as a birthday present," Dallas reported, "he has talent, don't you think?”

If she really thinks so, why did she let her husband treat him that way earlier?

" It's a very beautiful painting, I would love to have something like that in my loft," I assured her.

" Great, you can take it," the obnoxious man's voice reached my ears, making me bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from snorting.

Really, this guy takes pleasure in demeaning and humiliating his son!

I felt bad for the guy who remained sitting on the couch with an exasperated expression on his face.

" Dallas, why haven't you provided the girl with something to drink? " the man scolded the woman, who quickly left in the direction of the kitchen, apologizing to me.

" So there really is no way to convince you and Dimitri to stay? " he stood next to me " it is a great opportunity in my career and you would help me.”

" I'm sorry," I mentally thanked him for already having plans, and many plans, with Dimitri.

" So, how much do you want to help me with it," the man indicated to his son on the couch with his head.

I blinked dazedly, unsure if I understood his intention. Joe finally showed some reaction, sitting upright on the couch and staring at his father.

" I didn't understand.”

" It's an important night for me. I can't let him ruin it," he declared as if Joe hadn't been there.

" I'm not going to your stupid dinner party," Joe stood up in a burst, "I don't even intend to stay in this house.”

" And you think that after the Christmas embarrassment I'm going to trust you? " Joseph growled.

For a moment I felt sorry for Joe. Was he really wanting his son to spend Thanksgiving alone so as not to embarrass him?

" How much do you want? " he asked me again.

I thought for a moment, I was already taking Dimitri as an extra guest, it would be totally rude to take someone else.  But I am sure that if I told them everything that happened, the Goldberg's would understand.

" You are unbelievable," Joe growled as he walked past us.

" Five hundred dollars," I stared at the man.

Joe stopped walking and turned toward me with a surprised expression. Without much thought, he picked up his cell phone, entering a few commands before holding it out to me.

" Enter your account," he ordered.

I followed his instructions and handed the phone back. He nodded before turning his back and walking past his son.

" Tell me the city you're staying in and I'll make his reservation," Joseph warned as he walked away.

" What was that all about? " Joe lowered his voice and approached me.

" You deserved some time away from him, and he paid for it," I smiled.

" Why would I go with you? " he crossed his arms, staring at me.

" You're going to spend four days away from this guy and I have beautiful, single friends," I shrugged.

" I'll pack my bags," he returned, heading for the stairs, bumping into Dimitri on the way, "it'll be a pleasure, cousin.”