Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Kenny

Sylvester was the first to speak. “It’s good seeing you again, Mr. and Mrs. Greenland, the Allisons, Georgia, Kenny and little Maria.”

Mr. Harmony exchanged pleasantries with everyone present. I shook his hand and returned the greeting, but from the corner of my eyes I observed her.

She didn’t introduce herself right away. She stood silently with her hands resting gracefully below her stomach. That smile didn’t move from her face. After Georgia gave him a hug, Master stepped back and placed his palm on her shoulder.

“Ah, what nice music. I would like to introduce you to Copper Harmony, my only grandchild.”

So that’s her name. She shared the same one as her grandmother.

Copper stepped forward, but instead of coming to me, she approached my father’s wife.

“Nice to meet you,” there was a slight pep in her voice. “I presume you’re Caroline, right? I am Copper, and might I say I love your dress!”

She blushed and pushed a stray platinum blonde hair out of her vision. “Why, thank you, dear. Um, this is my husband, Hunter Greenland.”

“Of course! The man of the household.” I watched as she accepted his outstretched hand and shook it. “It’s good to know that not only are you a capable president, but you have great style too!”

His lips extended, exposing his teeth. “Pleasure to meet you, young lady. I hope our home is comfortable.”

“Well, we’ll have to wait and see.” They both laughed. “But I’m sure it’ll be just fine.”

She moved on to my aunt and uncle, then she came to me.

“And I guess you’re Kenny Greenland.” Was all she said. Copper took the initiative to offer me her hand. I shook it gingerly. “You’re not wrong,” I said. “And I guess you’re Copper Harmony.”

A soft giggle escaped her mouth, but she failed to meet my eyes. I raised my eyebrow.

“You’re not wrong,” she said as if she was coppying my reply. “I’m happy to meet you.”

And just like that, she moved on to my mother. They engaged in conversation quicker than a star athlete and Mom ushered her to the dining room. I was… disappointed. With everyone else she acted like this joyous girl but with me, she barely said two sentences.

Shouldn’t she be trying to urge my approval? Maybe she was shy. That seemed to explain it.

My father allowed Mr. Harmony to sit at the head of the table. Mom sat to my right, opposite my stepmother who sat to Copper’s left, leaving me and her face to face.

Maids walked about, setting the table with dishes of the highest quality. Anywhere from steak, fish, lamb, salads and mash potatoes. I placed a napkin on my lap and glanced up at Copper. Mr. Harmony asked if there was anything else she didn’t see that she wanted to eat. Mom encouraged her to speak. Looks like she got Mom’s favor right from the get-go.

Copper softly denied both their offers. Dad didn’t hesitate to ask questions about her life, some she answered directly, others she gave very vague replies.

“So,” Georgia rested her arms on the table. I broke off a piece of lamb and took a bite. “What is it like for you?”

“What do you mean, miss?”

“Please, call me Georgia.”

I glanced towards Mom. She caught my gaze and smirked. I shook my head, choosing to continue my meals and let her have her fun.

“Oh, okay. Georgia, I won’t lie. It was frightening at first. I mean, there are so many things to learn and it’s completely different from the life I’ve known. However I’m grateful that my life changed for the better.”

Georgia nodded, satisfied with her answer.

But I wasn’t.

“What school did you attend?” I questioned her. Copper switched her gaze to me. This time she did meet my eyes. And hers were on fire.

She formed a little smile as she cut into a baked chicken breast. I watched her hands. The utencils she used were the correct ones.

“Mona Girls Academy,” she said.

“Ah, I see.”

Mom wanted to say something else and I could tell. However, I wasn’t done yet.

“So, how old are you, Miss Harmony?” I placed an elbow beside my plate and smirked. Dad observed us, until his phone rang.

He got up from his chair. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

Caroline nodded in understanding, watching as he departed from the room with the phone to his ear.

“To answer your question, 19.”

“That’s two years later than most people graduate from highschool, right?”

“Kenny!” Mom hissed.

“Just saying, mother. I want to learn more about her. She is to be my wife, yes?”

“It’s alright, Georgia.” Copper reassured her. Then she captured me in her gaze once again. The band did their best, and the way they played surely displayed their talent. I couldn’t hear any of it, though.

This girl stopped smiling for the first time since she entered. I froze in my seat. What was this? Was she preparing to snap at me? A part of me wanted her to, it would be quite the spectacle.

Instead, she covered her mouth with her hand. “I… there was an accident in my second year at the academy. During lunch, I left something in class and went back to go get it. While on the stairway one of my friends called out to me, so I leaned over the railing. The thing is, the railing loosened somehow and fell down the stairs and broke my leg.”

“Oh honey.” Mom reached over and clasped her hand. Copper squeezed it in appreciation.

“I’m fine now. The past me, now that’s a different story. I had big plans to play soccer and make this big name for myself around campus. Who knows, maybe if I worked hard enough I could get a scholarship and attend college. That way, my parents wouldn’t have to worry about how to pay tuition. I became so depressed after that accident I skipped classes to cry in the bathroom or just stay at home. It affected my grades negatively, and I had to repeat a year.”

She lifted her face. “As I said before, I’m alright. I got to talk to my school councillar and we worked some things through. I feel so much better than I ever did. The world is bright and magnificent, what would be the point in wasting away my years when I should be enjoying me life. Even if it’s not the best life, it’s something.”

Copper shot me an innocent grin. “Wouldn’t you agree? I have no doubt you do, Kenny Greenland.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to me. I gave a nervous chuckle. “Certainly. I’m sorry that happened to you, and I’m glad you’re here.”

Great, now I’m the asshole who almost made a harmless girl cry when all I wanted was to find out about her life before meeting Mr. Harmony. Looks like if I wish to discover her intentions, I can’t ask her outright in front of others. I’ll need to change my strategy.

Dad returned after our little dicussion, and the whole table was brought back to that happy air riddled with light conversations and compliments to the chef.

“Now that I’ve answered your questions,” I looked up. “Would you be open to answering some of mine, Kenny? I don’t know if it’s fine to call you that, I only did so because I’m not sure how to refer to you.”

As I thought out my answer, Georgia waved a butler over. “Stanford, we’re missing the tomato sauce. Get it for me, will you?”

There it was, my break.

“No mother, let me get it instead,” I said, getting out of my seat. She began to protest but I squeezed her shoulder. “It’s not a problem at all. Think of this as a way to make up for how rude I’ve been.”

I smiled at everyone while heading to the kitchen. I didn’t miss the way Copper’s eyes followed me across the floor.

In the kitchen I spotted the tomato sauce bowl on a tray. I ignored it and went to one of the cooks. “Excuse me, will this stain? I don’t want it to be an issue for our guests.”

The cook shook his head vigorously. “No way, sir! I admit it could leave a permanant mark on certain fabric, but as long as they’re careful, they’ll be a-okay.”

The biggest grin spread up my cheeks. “Perfect!” And I brought it out without saying another word.

When I got back I overheard Mr. Harmony talking about how Copper would be starting a new school after the wedding. Hearing them talk about the wedding as if it were inevitable caused my jaw to clench. I know my parents, as well as my master, spoke over and over again about how getting married would give me a good look in front of the board. Why should I mix my personal life with my business? On purpose?

I hid my distain under a mask of excitement. “Hey guys, I have it here.” I walked directly to where Copper sat. “Oh, there is some space here. Excuse me, Miss Harmo-”

As soon as I was close enough, my foot braced againt the ankle of the one in front. Copper turned around to face me only to be dosed red, well-spiced, tomato sauce. Half of her face was covered in the liquid, the top of her dress turned completely red, the rest of it dripped down to the floor.

Yes, come on. Get angry! Show me your true self.