Chapter 19

WHILE IN THE ESTATE,Dawn had a difficult time trying to memorize all the names of people she had met as they were rather numerous and looked so much alike that it was almost impossible to tell them apart from each other.

There was aunty Lenore and Rosa alongside three others who rarely hung around for a conversation.

David's six cousins (Darcy, Lionel,

Elodie, Oceane, Pom, and Quincy) along with their kids, were also present at the family house and not to forget the soon-to-be weds, Sylvie and Julius who made it just in time to join in for the fais do do.

Speaking of fais, she was running late.

"Dawn!" David called, wondering what on earth was going on and checking his watch for about the seventh time in as many minutes.

It was already five minutes past the scheduled time and it wasn't that five minutes was anything to worry about but, his family was keen on promptness, and honestly, he couldn't understand women and the thing they had for tardiness.

"Just a minute, I promise " Dawn assured, finally slipping into her synthetically brocaded dress and picking up her purse.

She got up, adjusting her legs inside her heels before walking out and meeting a slightly frustrated David standing at the foot of the stairs.

"I'm sorry" she apologized, holding her dress up and quickly walking down the stairs.

David sighed and reached for her hand as she came into view, he couldn't possibly stay mad at her, not when she looked exquisitely gorgeous.

"If Aunt Rosa catches us, she'll most likely whip both her asses"

"We better hurry then" Dawn laughed, allowing him to take her hand and lead the way.

***

STEPPING INTO THE HALL WAS like stepping into a royal fort, only that it was assorted with gold drapes and embellished with Grecian antiquities only found in Orleans.

"This is splendid David " Dawn commented, simply astonished by the mix of ancient and modern art.

David on the other hand, looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else but where he was. He cleared his throat and slightly adjusted his tie as if it had suddenly grown tight.

Having been to so many luxurious outings, nothing amused him anymore.

"Leave it to the Agents to turn a family gathering into a community party" he sighed, almost tempted to run a hand through his face.

"But still, you have to admit that it's lovely" she giggled rather excitedly.

"Well, you-"

"Spencer!"

Rudely interrupted by a shrieking voice that was oh so familiar made David groan.

"Pote!" The sumptuously dressed gentleman shouted, pulling him into a hug without so much as a hint of warning.

David groaned, nearly intoxicated by his choice of heavy perfume and aftershave.

"I didn't expect to see you here brother!"

"I didn't expect to be here either," he said, with a slight measure of sarcasm as he pulled away and breathed in quickly.

Lionel laughed. "Nonsense Rio. Look at you! You look much better than the last time we met at that strip-"

David coughed loudly and he immediately took the hint, silencing his speech and turning to Dawn who just stared bleakly.

"This must be the wife, si?" He asked, quirking his brows interestingly.

Dawn smiled and gave a curt nod to his question.

"My God David, you are one lucky bastard" he laughed, bending over and gently taking her delicate hand into his "if you'd allow me, belle femme?" He asked and Dawn nodded, granting him the consent to kiss her palm.

"Permit me to say this but I have to admit, your beauty is simply divine. Surely, this lucky bastard must be having a splendid time" he continued, making David wonder if he was suddenly invisible.

Dawn smiled at his rather pointed flattery, showcasing only a tinge of awkwardness in the way his tongue teased her hand.

"Thank you," she said, retreating her hand to her side and curving her lips into a hint of a smile.

"Ah, the pleasure is all mine" he winked and turned back to David. "I'm glad you could make it brother. Come with me, Meredith and Teresa are dying to see you"

"They came?" He asked and Lionel nodded, leading them to where they h, and the minute David came into view, Meredith dropped her drink, not caring to see if it fell on the floor or the table.

"Rio!" She exclaimed, sounding rather unladylike as she plunged out of her chair and lunged into his arms and David groaned, holding her firm so that she didn't topple them both to the floor with her heavyweight (of which, seventy percent belonged to her breast)

"Mer, you can stop now" he muttered, frightened that he might die if his face spent a second more between her breast.

"Silly me" Meredith laughed, pulling away and pressing down her evening dress.

David rearranged his ruffled blazer and turned to Dawn who just blinked with surprise. He cleared his throat, aware that he had not yet made introductions, "Meredith, Teresa," he motioned to Dawn. "Meet my wife, Dawn"

Meredith's smile immediately widened and Teresa chuckled, putting down her glass of lemon cocktail and walking over.

"If it isn't the newest Jolie femme" she smiled fondly, closing the gap between them and wrapping her thin arm around her "Welcome to the family"

Returning her kind gesture, Dawn smiled. "Thank you"

"So adorable!" Meredith shrieked, drawing her into another hug, except, this one was more fierce.

Seriously, what was with these people and hugs?

David sighed and stood by Lionel whose head fell back into a fit of laughter. "As you would have figured by now they are aunty Lenore's children" he added, palming his face.

"Ah" was the only word that came out of her mouth as she finally pulled away and felt herself take a gasp of air. "The resemblance is indisputable" she added, forcing a smile as she pressed down her dress.

"Alright alright, that's enough" Lionel waded in, brushing his hair in a swift motion. "We're here to party right? The free drinks aren't going to drink themselves. Come on!" he pulled both Teresa and Meredith, winking at David before disappearing into the crowd.

David smiled and turned to Dawn."Wanna dance?" He asked rhetorically, already taking her arm and guiding her across the dance floor.

Dawn gazed across the dancefloor, flushed by the number of eyes that had turned their way.

"David" she whispered, biting on her lip. "Everyone is looking at us."

"Really," David Chuckled softly, his body already in tune with the thumping rhythm of the slow classical music. "I haven't noticed."

"I'm being serious right now" she frowned and he squeezed her hand slightly.

"Just keep your eyes on me and you will be fine" he assured, coaxing her into taking his hand and when she did, he circled her, keeping his gaze locked as he placed his hand on her back and moved her gently and as the song progressed, Dawn felt relaxed.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and allowed a small smile to form on her lips.

It was perfect, the way they aligned themselves in excellent sync with the music. She allowed him to take her anywhere and everywhere, savoring the moment of each step. He went right, she went right. He sped up, she sped up, and just like that, they continued to dance, laughing and cooing until the song ended.

"That was amazing" Dawn breathed, her voice holding so much excitement that it made David chuckle.

He closed the gap between them and placed his head on hers. "I'd like to kiss you without asking permission, but I have a feeling I'll get slapped," he said with all sincerity and Dawn chuckled, pretending like she didn't feel her heart flutter to his flattery.

"You won't, at least not this time" she assured, the adrenaline rush cajoling her into parting her lips only to feel his pressing into it, hungrily, fiercely but contained.

"Well, you two seem to be having a lot of fun" Luther intruded, clearing his throat lightly and they both swiftly pulled away from each other.

"Mr. Luther" Dawn murmured, her cheeks flushing with the barest hint of red. "I'm sorry you had to see that"

Luther chuckled softly. "Oh, it's no problem. Nothing can stop a man from professing his love for his woman"

"Father" David cleared his throat "anything the matter?"

"Your uncle got drunk and fell into the water fountain"

David didn't ask any more questions, as a matter of fact, he groaned to himself, knowing what was going to come next.

He turned to Dawn. "I'll be back soon okay?" And with that, he walked away.

"A lady shouldn't be left alone on the dance floor" Luther spoke, noting Dawn's uneasiness "have a cup of tea with me" he urged and Dawn offered him a genuine smile.

They walked into the screened room and Dawn took a seat, resting comfortably into the armchair and sipping from her cup of freshly brewed tea whilst looking around.

"You must love hunting," she said conversationally, motioning to the skins of numerous forest animals festooned on the brick wall.

"Yes I do but unfortunately the years haven't been very favorable to me" he chuckled, bringing his cup closer to his mouth as he admired his art.

"My uncle once told me that only a hunter truly understands the real meaning of patience"

"Your uncle must be a true hunter himself."

"He was" she smiled, circling her fingers on the rim of the cup.

Luther took a large sip from his cup and dropped it. "I remember back in the days when I'd take David hunting with me. He was always so passionate about the animals and would deliberately distract me just so they got away " he chuckled softly as if reminiscing on the memory.

"He has always been that affectionate" she chuckled in unison.

"He's a good man, he might be a little stubborn and hard-headed sometimes but he fights for what he believes in, and when he loves something he is willing to go an extra mile to protect it"

"The way you talk so fondly of him, if I didn't know better, I'd mistake him for more than a son to you"

"Well, certainly he is my son" he chuckled "but sometimes his perception amazes me and I think he grew up a little too fast " he smiled, reaching for the teapot.

"Here let me" Dawn suggested, taking the pot and expertly preparing him a fresh cup.

"Not too many orchids, I get allergic " Luther instructed and Dawn quickly removed a few leaves before it soaked into the water.

"So where were we?" He asked, sitting back down and lifting his teacup to his lips.

"Pardon my curiosity but since I arrived here, I haven't seen much of your side of your family, it's mostly packed with Mrs. Amanda's siblings and distant relatives"

Luther smiled, downing his tea and coughing as it went down his throat. "The Argents, unlike the Medichies, are very few in number"

"Why so?"

Luther shrugged, coughing lightly. "It has been that way for a very long time"

Dawn sighed softly and lowered her head. "I guess David isn't the only one with a thing for not having children" she muttered, almost inaudibly.

"Hasn't he told you yet?" He asked, stifling his cough as he raised his brows interestingly.

"About?" Her eyes somewhat came back up.

"About the dis-"

He paused, coughing harshly.

"Mr. Luther, are you okay?" Dawn asked, tensing up as she noticed his slight change in disposition.

"I-I can't -" he choked on his words, clutching his chest as the teacup suddenly slipped from his hand and shattered on the ground.

"Mr. Luther!" the shriek ripped itself out of her throat as she plunged forward and caught his collapsing body.

Dear God.