Perfect On the Surface - Chapter Eleven
Elegance is key. If you don't have elegance how can you accompany a man who is rich by inheritance.
“What should I wear?” I asked Liam who was picking out an outfit for himself.
“Just wear something causal.” He said shrugging his shoulders.
“Where are we even going Mr. Vague?” I asked crossing my arms.
“We’re going to Troyes.” He said putting on a black belt. Troyes was the most expensive restaurant on campus. The only reason Waver had the restaurant was to thank their sponsors and donators, because the rest of us sure as hell couldn’t afford it, not with the pretty price tag tuition had.
“Liam! I can’t just dress up causal for Troyes!” I shouted searching through the closet where I had recently cleared out half of Liam’s things and put my own.
“Just wear whatever. We have to leave in half an hour.” He said leaving the room for me to get ready.
After ten minutes of searching I finally found the perfect dress. It was red with a sweetheart neckline but had red lace covering up to my collarbone.
I put on some black wedge heels and started on my make-up. I opted out of anything fancy and just lined my waterline with a black swipe of eyeliner, traced my eyelashes with mascara and put on a nice red lipstick.
I grab my black leather clutch and ran downstairs. Liam was wearing a suit jacket but had on jeans to make him look more causal. I suddenly felt overdressed but I wasn’t about to walk into Troyes with jeans on.
Liam looked me up and down. “You look beautiful.” I raised my eyebrow and narrowed my eyes. Liam never just said things like that. I looked on the other side of the room and sure enough Niall was in the living room with Harry. They were playing guitars practicing for something I assumed.
“My parents are going to love you.” Liam said looping his arm in mine.
When we got outside it was extremely cold. I never got over the weather in Leicester, always cold and rainy. It was nothing like Orlando and my natural tan was fading with every day I spent here.
“You’re a good actor.” I said looking up at him. He gave me a small smirk but when I looked in his eyes it looked like he wanted to say something but he thought better of it.
“Well Niall was right there I had to put on a good show.” He said giving me a wink.
When we made it to Troyes it was just like I remembered it being in the brochures I received first year. It looked like a mansion from the outside but was actually a restaurant. It had been a frat house for the most elite at Waver about 50 years ago but then was converted when those students became wealthy and donated to the University.
“I don’t want to go in.” I said taking a deep breath while we walked up the front stairs. Liam took my hand and forced me to face him.
“It will be fine. Just act like we have been dating for a while, you were in my bed after all.” He said shaking his head at the memory.
I hit him playfully on the shoulder. “You wouldn’t wake up!” I yelled. Liam raised his eyebrow and gave me a smirk as he held the door open for me.
“It’s under Payne.” He said to the hostess ending our conversation. We followed the hostess to the table which was in the middle of the restaurant. Liam’s dad stood up and shook his hand while his mom got up and waited for Liam to give her a hug. When she did Liam turned to me and wrapped a hand around my waist.
“This is Analeigh.” Liam said using my first name instead of my middle name which everyone called me. I gave Liam’s dad a handshake as well as his mother.
When I sat down Liam’s dad shook his head. “You didn’t even push in the chair for your lady.” He said tsking. Liam blushed at that and I couldn’t help but smile. Over the year of knowing Liam I had never seen him blush before.
“Dad, don’t make me look bad.” He said giving his father a smile small.
“Oh you two stop it. She is sitting that is all that matters.” His mother said looking down at the menu. When we had order our meals I just got a small plate of crab cakes while Liam settled with the same soup his mother and father ordered.
“So how did you two meet?” His mother asked while we waited for the food to arrive.
“It isn’t that interesting.” I said looking at Liam who smiled to reassure me. “It was my first day of classes and I sat right in the middle of the classroom and Liam sat right beside me. After that we sat beside each other every day and the rest is history.” I grabbed Liam’s hand squeezing it.
“It was interesting to me.” Liam said taking his hand back. “She stood out like a sore thumb because she was wearing a tie dyed tank top, meanwhile it was still pretty cold out. So I sat beside her thinking that she would be interesting. At the end of class, I don’t know if you remember this.” He said looking at me and smiling.
“I tried to give you my jacket and you rejected me saying it wouldn’t match your outfit.” He said shaking his head while he rubbed his temples.
“I don’t remember that at all.” I said whispering in Liam’s ear as our meals had arrived.
“I didn’t make it up if that is what you’re asking.” He said with a smirk.
“Where are you from?” Liam’s dad asked as he took a sip of his wine glass. I had opted out of drinking anything in order to make a good impression on Liam’s parents who already knew I was sleeping in the same bed as their son.
“I’m from U.S., Orlando Florida to be specific.” I said focusing on my crab cakes that were delicious.
“Did your parents move with you?” Liam’s dad asked and I tensed at the question. My demanding mother hadn’t wanted to come and I wasn’t even sure if my dad knew I was even here. Liam seemed to notice my mood swing and changed the subject.
“She got a full ride to Waver, she is by herself but she is adjusting quite well.” Liam said taking a spoonful of his soup. “She is pretty much the mom of the house.” He said laughing.
My eyes widened as did his mothers. “Oh so you live together?” She said clearing her throat. Liam looked at me than back to his mother and nodded.
“That is quite serious Liam.” She said whispering as if I wasn’t at the table. “We don’t even get to know you have a girlfriend but now she is living with you. I guess that explains why she answered your phone.” She said shaking her head.
The waiter came by and I ordered a glass of wine. If I was going to get through this lunch I was going to need some liquid encouragement. “Liam, you know what your mother is trying to say. We want you to be with someone who is in the same group as us.” He said looking at me with a smile that was full of pity.
“What do you mean by the same group?” I chimed in crossing my arms. Liam took my hand and interrupted me.
“He doesn’t mean anything.” He said giving his dad a death stare. I had never seen Liam so tense before.
“Liam let’s not sugar coat it someone who knows our lifestyle and can accompany you.” He said looking to Liam with sad eyes.
“With elegance.” His mom chimed in and I swear my jaw dropped. Did they know who I was? I studied elegance for years while competing. Not the mention the fact that they had just both called me poor. Maybe it was because I wasn’t wearing name brands or wasn’t dripping in jewellery but these people knew nothing about me. Meanwhile I wasn’t actually dating their son so they didn’t know him very well either.
“You’re right Mrs. Payne. I think we should just end this here Liam. I’m very sorry I have wasted your time.” I said curtseying to them. If they wanted to act like they were royal that was how I was going to treat them. I practically ran out of there I was so furious.
Liam came running out as I was already at the bottom of the stairs. I turned in the opposite direction to find Niall and Blondie walking hand in hand who were headed my way.
“I’m so sorry.” Liam said when he caught up to me but I interrupted him by kissing him on the lips and acting as if it was the best kiss ever.
I whispered in his ear before we separated “Niall is right there.” I nodded in his direction. He smiled and pretended to act as if we were the perfect couple before Niall and Blondie were out of our sights. There was no question Niall had seen us because he texted me moments later.
1:36pm Get a room.
This was actually working and I couldn’t believe it. Liam looked down at me with a serious face. “We don’t have to do this anymore. I can’t believe my parents said that to you.” He said shaking his head.
“Liam its working, we can’t stop now.” I said showing him the text. Liam gave me a small nod and put his hand on the small of my back. “Well in that case can you come back inside?” He said but there was no way I was going to play nice if I went back in there.
“Liam I don’t want to play pretend with your parents. They’re horrible actually.” I said putting my hands on my hips trying to stand my ground.
“You will if you want me to be your boyfriend in front of Niall.” He said narrowing his eyes.
I threw my hands up. “Why do you need a girlfriend anyway?” I asked following him back up the stairs.
“My parents like to pick who I date, it’s always been that way and you kind of screwed things up with answering that phone. Now my parents think I’m just goofing off and ignoring their wishes so you can’t just be a fling you have to be my girlfriend, or else my parents are going to pull the funding on my spending money, the money that pays for our house.” Liam said rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
“Wait your parents pay for the whole house?” I asked stopping him.
“Yeah the boys stay for free because my parents have met all of them and approve. This is why my mother was so upset about you living with me, without permission.” He said shrugging. “So please can you just sit there and act like the best girlfriend anyone could ever have?” He asked with a huge smile.
“Fine but if your mom says I’m not elegant again I’m pulling the pageant card.” I said rolling my eyes joining the table where Liam’s parents looked more than disappointed to see me back.
A/N- Soooo sorry it took me so long to update! Because of this I will be updating on Friday probably!! The schedule is quite busy this week but I will be finishing Harry's preference and starting my new fan fic this week and I'm so excited!!
Side Note- I know in this chapter Karen and Geoff are nothing like they are in real life. This is a fan fic and I had to add some drama just know that I love Liam's parents in real life and know they are total sweethearts!
That's all for now, I love you all my beautiful lovelies!