chapter 8

Ethan's POV

The door opened with a very rude and loud bang, revealing Anabella's father what did she call him?..... That man gives me the creeps.

His green eyes are easily noticable from a distance, with his black hair, unkempt giving it an just-got-out-of-bed look....

And I don't mean the kind you would find hot.

It takes a few seconds for him to turn his attention to us, as he does I hear my note falling from Anabella's hands to the floor.....

And then her hands start visibly shaking as she stares at Mr thing-ummy with her eyes filled with fear.

He in turn slowly closes the door and turns back to Anabella smiling while smoothening his hands over his loose sweatpants and stretching his oversized t-shirt as if in preparation, with his eyes conveying a message that only Anabella seems to understand, as she shivers in response

But, there's something about his smile... As if promising something.

His gaze flickers to me for a few seconds which I return. Don't get me wrong... This man looks scary.

"Ah!" He says to me "it's you again what are you doing here"

His voice is on the  borderline between deep and raspy.

I hear a strangled sound close to me

I turn to look at Anabella who is staring at him wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights, sweat slowly but surely forming on her forehead...

Okay this is getting weird.

"You have not answered me young man" he face now contorted to a frown "what is your relationship with my daughter"

One thing struck me.... the way he said the word daughter like it was a bitter-sweet phenomenon....

Okay Ethan, here we go.

"Oh good evening sir, I'm her friend" I say politely, internally cringing from just eye contact with him,from my side vision I saw Anabella's lips open slightly....her gaze flickers to me for a split second, it was, if possible filled with more fear....

"Ah..." Her father started again "friend... I see, Anabella so you didn't see it fit to tell me about your new friend"

"I... He... We" she says in a blubbering mess. To which her father smiles...

That creepy smile

"Well why don't you introduce us"

"Oh I'm Ethan, we met the other day, remember"

"Oh I remember you alright"

His words were somehow each laced with unspoken threats.

We where all then silent, with heavy tension in the room.... Mr Anderson with a creepy smile and occasional audible sharp breaths from Anabella. Just when I thought this could go on forever..

Right then there was a knock on the door.... I could see the look of suprise on both their faces.... Weren't they used to visitors?

"Brought more 'friends' eh Anabella"

What! Did he just put air quotes on the word friends.

Knock, knock

Nobody moved to open it.

Knock, knock, knock

The knocks became louder and more persistent. With one last unreadable glance sent Anabella's way her 'dad' went to open the door....

That's right pay back for the air quotes

Who was it you ask? Well don't ask me... Mr Anderson isn't exactly who you would call... Fit.

He blocked the whole view of the door staring down at someone

"What do you want" he says with a voice that could make a soldier quake in his boots. I have to say he is intimidating

But he doesn't scare me.... Yeah not at all, I mean why would I be a intimidated by his huge size.... He's just fat... Yeah that's it... Fat, and huge

  The person at the door seems to share my opinion about this fine situation because she ignores his apparent rudeness and replies with a cheerful voice...

"Oh... I'm Mrs Brown sir nice to meet you"

Dear lord.... mother?

"So?"

Apparently Mr thing-ummy  here hasn't heard of the fine phenomenon niceness.

But what the hell is mum doing here?

"Ummmm.. I and my son just moved in next door, so we decided to invite you and your family over for dinner... You know to get to know each other better" she says,yet again ignoring his rudeness.

Sometimes I can't help but think my mum is a pixie undercover.... Sent to spread love. But Mr thing-ummy on the other hand emits a great amount of negative energy. I would not want to socialize with him.

But then again, my mum won't hear of it.

So all those food mum made me help her cook, will go down that man's pot belly! Hell no!... Well if I have anything to do with it, seeing my mom wears the pants around here.

"So where is this son you speak of" he says standing akimbo. Which made his behind look a bit more.... Apparent. Yes, that's the word.

"Oh Ethan?" My mum answers as Anabella takes in a Sharp breath..

"He went to see a friend.. but he'll be back soon" only I could hear the "he'll be back soon, hopefully or I'll have his head for missing this " important" dinner"

"A friend.... I see" he says, though he's still backing us, I could hear the smile in his voice.

Now, i know I said my mom could be a pixie under cover...but it only takes so much to freak her out. So I decide it's time to step in.

"Hey mum" I walk to the door and wave from behind the creepy man.

"Ethan, you're here... What exactly are you doing here?"

"To see a friend"

"Oh.."

"Sorry to interrupt" he says not sorry at all "but we can't have dinner with you, you see my daughter here already cooked for a delicious meal and it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

Did he just decline my mother's invitation? Oh this is going to be a long argument.

          ★★★★★★★★★★★

Anabella's POV

..."oh it's no bother at all Mr...."

"Anderson" James answers his resolve slowly but surely dwindling... I have to hand it to her, she's persistent.

You should be thinking about how you just signed your death warrant... Once Ethan is gone, there'll be nothing stopping him. Oh why oh why!

"Besides" she continues "I prepared a lot for this it would be a shame if you and your daughter miss it"

"But" James starts but is interrupted

"I even bought sparkling wine for the occasion"

Okay..  it's all over, James' weakness... Wine. Dear lord save me... this is going to be the most awkward, weird dinner ever.

"Oh you did didn't you, well then I might actually reconsider"

Ethan physically face palms... I am tempted to do the same, but as it is now.. my hands are paralyzed...

"Wonderful" Mrs Brown chirps "I'm looking forward to meeting you and your daughter"

To which James just chukles

God, she doesn't know what she's getting into.