Love Aint Always Pretty

Sprezzatura

- the ability to make one's actions seem effortless or to disguise one's true desire, feeling or meaning

60

I fixed my earrings while I plaid my skirt as I stand in front of my mirror. It was our family's Christmas Eve dinner and as a family ritual, we always have to look good for dinner. I want to look good cos Nick is joining us tonight. He even helped mom with our foods for tonight and I was also at the kitchen trying to help.

My mom seems to be fond of Nick which was a good thing since my mom is so hard to please while my dad wasn't really talking to Nick that much. Cameron didn't do anything ridiculous at all while Ingrid keeps teasing me about Nick.

My phone vibrates.

I'm outside your room. - Nick

I quickly ran to my door and opened it. Nick stands there before me, wearing a white polo shirt paired with a black skinny jeans and white sneakers. His hair was always perfectly coiffed and I could smell his manly perfume from where I was standing. I fixed his collar as he looks down on my mouth.

I smile. "Looking good."

"You too." He says.

Then we hear someone clearing his throat. I moved my head to my side and found Cameron standing right across us. Nick quickly pulled himself away from me while he glances at Cameron.

"Mind both of your actions, will you? We're in the same house." He says to us.

Cameron walks away and all of a sudden Nick steals a kiss on my cheek. "Your brother is such a pain in the ass."

I smiled.

"Let's go downstairs. It's almost dinner and dad usually puts up fireworks." I say.

Both of us stumbled our way downstairs and headed out to the backyard where everything was set up. The table was there, the foods were prepared well and cooked beautifully on top while the wine stand was ready too. Both of us joined my parents while they were already sitting down on the table. Nick pulled out a chair for me while he sits down right next to where I am.

"You look lovely my dear." Mom compliments me.

"Thanks mom. You too." I say.

"And wow! You look very handsome Nick." Mom complimented him too.

"Thank you Mrs. Canterbury. You as well." Nick smiled.

"Ahh! Let's eat. I'm famished." Dad says.

All of us started eating the foods before us. Mom and dad starts talking about their experiences while I was away and how things were inside the house when I was in WSU. They asked me how college was and how my studies are doing. They even asked Nick about his and I was impressed that he gets high marks too. He says he's aiming for a company next semester to start for his internship. I was hoping my dad could've offered him but he didn't even do or say anything.

"Well how long have you been single, Nick?" Cameron asked him.

I gave him an eye to warn Cameron.

"Eight years." Nick answered.

Mom seemed shock. "If you don't mind, how old are you?"

"I'm already twenty-four, Mrs. Canterbury. I went to college at the age of 20 cos I needed to save up for it." Nick answers so calmly.

My father's eyebrow shoot up while he takes a sip from his champagne.

"And you haven't had a girlfriend for eight years? Why? What happened? It's hard to forget the last one?" Mom asked.

Nick smirked. "Kind of. A little bit."

"Or maybe you're not what you are and you're hiding something." Cameron is starting being an ass.

I looked at him to warn him again but Nick was holding my hand to calm me down.

"What does that mean?" Dad asked.

"Nothing dad." I say right away.

it. Honey don't ask about it. We understand Nick." Mom

My brows creasing.

about

so

like that. Nick is a... you

smiling on

"A what?" Dad asked.

"He's gay

eye socket then I bursted into laughter.

"Sorry." I excused myself.

really gay

I'm definitely not

Gay? Dad come on, he fucks so great in bed. Hell, Nick's super amazing in bed. He makes me come so many

us and the fireworks lights up the sky. The colors were filling the dark sky and it was a beauty. Ingrid was awed by it while I stand right

Eve." He

Christmas Eve." I say

glass of champagne in our hands. We were having a good time and I'm glad Cameron didn't there a tantrum or anything else other than a while ago. The maids started placing mom and dad's gifts to

little princess, Ingrid." Mom says with a smile plastered

gift and she was even squealing cos it was a big

second princess Savannah." She smiles

stood from my chair and hugged mom then

mom and dad." I

this is to my prince." Mom says to

to that car I've been eyeing. This box is too big for a

I smirked.

you Nick." Dad handed

as I am really didn't expect they had something for him. "Sir. Thank you for this.

him. "Open it."

and it was a branded plaid polo that I'm sure it would fit him really good. The color would

you. Thank you very much for

an envelope." I was so excited for him and I don't

opened the envelope. My eyes widened when I read

dad."

at me and so

while

so happy

After this semester or when you're ready you can have your internship at my company

with happiness and I'm so happy that my dad

Mr. & Mrs. Canterbury. Thank you so much for this. This is really a great opportunity for me.

the company!" Cameron

moved my head to him. "Ron. Don't

company. He can't have

just overreacting my

mom! We can't have an ex-convict in our company! What will the other people say?! We can't have a

it!!" I yelled as I pulled myself

back at Nick and he's just bending his head down. His fists are closing. He's

"You're a murderer?"

"Dad please." I say.

is he...

Now you offered

from his chair and looks at Nick while

very disappointed at you Savannah. I can't believe you've been hanging out with

called out as he leaves the

on! Hear him out for a second!" I called

to mom. "Mom. Nick was just blamed for it. It was all a misunderstanding. Mom you

too and reaches her hand out to Ingrid. "I think we have to call this a night.

them as they leave the table. I quickly moved my head to

the night Cameron! Way

ruined this night when you invited this dirtbag

you or even called you names! All