Chapter 7

Amora

At the dinner table, I sat quietly, Elbows off the table and wearing a nice, red silk blouse with sleeves that come down to my elbows and button up. As well as expensive black pants, not tight, tight pants show off more of a woman than what is deemed proper. The mystery guest has not arrived yet. My mother is anxiously pacing in front of the door wringing her hands. She keeps casting judgment glances in my direction.

"Who's coming over for dinner mother?" She stops and glares at me again. She speaks through her teeth "Amora, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop asking questions, be quiet, and only speak when prompted to. Do you understand?"

My eyes shoot away from hers "Yes, Ma'am" My mother takes a deep breath, as if shaking off her irritation with me "Good, now straighten up. Your posture is terrible."

I shoot up straight in my chair. I almost say sorry before I realize I wasn't 'prompted to speak.' The doorbell rings and my mother looks at me.

"Well, don't be rude. Answer it."

She then strides into the kitchen. When I open the door, I see a teenage boy, around my age at the door with who appears to be with his mother. His light brown hair is slicked back, and he's wearing a very nice suit with a red tie. He smiles a great, big, white-toothed smile.

"You must be Amora."

He bows down and kisses my hand

"Much obliged to make your acquaintance. I'm Derrick, this is my mother, Edna." He gestures to the woman behind him. "May we come in?"

I realize I just stood there, frozen the entire time he was speaking. Not smiling. I plaster the biggest, fakest smile I possibly could.

"Of course, I apologize, I'm just a little bit tired this evening, I suppose."

I open the door wider and step out of the way.

"My mother, Camille is still in the kitchen. She'll be out shortly. Please, have a seat. Dinner will only be a few more moments."

He smiles that big smile again. I can't help but notice his mother's facial expression has remained neutral this entire time. She looks at me with the same judgment as my own mother

"Turn."

She says simply. Used to taking orders and asking no questions I rotate slowly in a circle. Derrick's mother then takes my face in her hands and moves it to different angles. Showing off my cheekbones and looking closely at the rest of my facial features.

"Pretty."

She let's go of me. Derrick looks at me closely and then nods as if agreeing with his mother. They sit down at the long oval table that takes up most of the dining room. It is adorned with a white tablecloth, handcrafted by our maid Beatrice. Fine China plates, and freshly polished silverware. I take the seat across from Derrick, and he stares at me. It's quite unsettling, not that he isn't attractive. His dark hair and blue eyes make for a charming exterior. His eyes are royal blue, and his skin tone is a rare olive. His heritage seems Italian. There's just something too…perfect about him. Why is he even here? My mother walks out of the kitchen with our maid who is carrying two large dishes covered with our crystal dome lids. She places them on the table and rushes out of the dining room. My mother sits next to me and across from Edna. Beatrice walks back in and sets Champagne, bubbly water, and regular water in the center of the table.

"Amora, I'm sure you've already addressed these two, lovely people?"

"Yes, of course, mother. This is Derrick and his mother, Edna."

She looks at our guests. Derrick smiles and reaches across the table to shake my mother's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ripley."

She smiles her sickening seductive smile

"The pleasure's all mine." Derrick looks back at me "I see where your daughter gets her beauty. I trust she's been informed of the situation?"

He raises an eyebrow in my mother's direction.

"No, actually. I was waiting for her to hear the news from you. Given the circumstance."

He nods "Of course." His smile is back on me "Well, Amora. Our two, powerhouse families have come up with the brilliant plan to forge our two plantations to become even stronger rather than wasting their resources by competing against one another. Meaning a marriage as you well know. But sadly, both of them are past their primes and thought it better for their younger generations to be married. So, we are to be married to one another by our eighteenth birthday."

I froze "uh- um m-married?" He nods "By eighteen?" another nod I look at my mother "When was this decided?"

My mother looks at me disgustedly "Well, I'm positive there is no issue with the marriage Amora. But if you must know, it was decided a few months ago. There is no issue, is there dear?"

I look at Derrick, then back at my mother. "Well, not exactly. But I always assumed that when I did marry it would be for love instead of money. Like you and father."

My mother bangs on the table with her palms "Well, yes that is what you thought. But you do understand how mine and your father's marriage turned out. Now he's dead! And I will not have you speak of him at my table as if he is still here."

She takes a deep breath and huffs it out.

"Surely you can find love with Derrick dear. He is…devastatingly handsome. I only wish his father wasn't married. No meant harm of course Edna." Edna laughs,

"None taken Ms. Ripley, Derrick does get his looks from his father."

I begin to answer her

"I-I suppose I could, mother but-"

"No more buts Amora! You are to be married to this fine young man no questions asked! Are we clear?"

I push back my chair and stand up. for a long pause I say nothing, but then my voice drops to a whisper

"Of course mother." I clear my throat and speak again. "May I be excused?" without waiting for an answer, I rush out of the Manor house.