[center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjk2LmU5MDdkMS5RWFp2YVdScGJtY2dRMkYwWVhOMGNtOXdhR1UsLjAA/my-december.regular.png[/img]
[img]http://78.media.tumblr.com/362d855db7e2db178bf5612e94dc0d6f/tumblr_n7jmapQTc51tba8a1o1_500.gif[/img][/center][hr]
The moment Alexandros opened his mouth to reply to her father, Audrey held her breath. There were a lot of things he could say, many of them granted to put her ten feet underground. But to her surprise, he decided to play nice. Instead of revealing all the scandalous scenes lived throughout the course of the past months, Alex limited himself to praising her, saying something about how she’d been an excellent guide on his first day of class and how she’s shown him ‘everything he wanted to see’.

Audrey bit back a laugh. Well, [i]that[/i] was a freaking lie. On the first day they met, he’d acted like a total creep by following her around, and she clearly remembered her ex-boyfriend Jackson coming to her defense at one point. Of course, she wasn't about to say [i]that[/i]. Instead, she merely resorted to giving him a gracious smile and a wink. She would reward him later for being a good sport and behaving himself.

Then came the unexpected twist.

[color=pink]“Well I would certainly hope my granddaughter here didn't show [i]too[/i] much. After all, a real lady doesn't show all the cards in her hand at once. A little mystery is necessary to maintain one’s decency.”[/color] Miranda said sassily from her seat at the head of the table, shooting Audrey a knowing look that spoke volumes. 

The young woman’s blood turned to ice, even if she kept a cool exterior. There was no doubt about what exactly her grandmother meant with her words and, most importantly, that look. She’d seen Alex and her leaving the party to go up to her room. She’d seen them arrive together to the drawing room. She'd seen their interactions, and she knew exactly what was going on. If there were any doubts, her grandmother’s slight eyebrow raise before going back to her meal were conformation enough.

Romina, ever the sharp, observant one, was quick to realize what was going on. Underneath the table, she noticed Audrey’s knuckles turning white while grabbing her knees: a sure sign she was stressed, angry and ready to blow. The last thing this dinner needed was a confrontation between Audrey and Miranda, so Romi decided to intervene while the situation was still manageable.

Before an uncomfortable silence could settle in, the Mexican spoke up in what only few would recognize as defending Audrey. [color=blueviolet]“With all due respect, Miranda, I have to disagree with you on that. I mean, sometimes ‘a little mystery’ isn't really that beneficial. Sometimes, it only keeps you from letting others see you exactly for who you are.”[/color] Romi said politely, placing a Miranda comforting hand on top of Audrey’s underneath the table. [i][color=blueviolet]I've got you, primita.[/color][/i]

Heather was quick to jump up on the bandwagon as well, but more to stir up a little trouble. [color=BC8F8F]“I'm with Romina on this one, grandmother. You never know what's hiding behind people’s façades. Charming men can end up being cheating scumbags that sleep around. You never know.”[/color] The dark-haired young woman shot Alexandros a quick, knowing smirk that seemed to say [color=BC8F8F][i]I know exactly who you are[/i][/color] before turning back to her meal.

[color=lightcoral]“Now, now, girls.”[/color] Elisabetta piped up, smiling softly at her nieces. She could sense the girls’ comments had a hidden meaning that went much deeper, but she decided to open [i]that[/i] can of worms later, after the guests had left. [color=lightcoral]“Let's play nice and behave in front of our guests now, shall we? We don't want them to get any bad impressions.”[/color]

Heather snorted at that comment. Nobody else noticed.

Elisabetta shifted her eyes from her nieces to the Mossos matron, the smile still in place. [color=lightcoral]“Adrianna, darling, might I ask what brought you guys to Beverly Hills? I was so surprised when Arthur told me! I didn't imagine that you guys would choose to live here, of all places. What are the odds?”[/color]