A Word of Praise
Chapter 20

"You didn't tell me there was a dress code." Her voice had a strain that wasn't there before, and it was all his fault for just seconds ago coming out of the bathroom practically in his birth suit. Fucking tease. "I told you to dress nice."

"I think our concepts of nice are different." She assessed his three-piece suit with a judgmental look. When he stripped down after the flight she thought he'd lighten up the work clothes, but he put on an even fancier dress shirt and blazer. "Don't worry, that dress you wore to our dinner at Madelaine's will be fine for today. I got something for you for tomorrow."

"Wait, what?"

"For Thanksgiving."

"I understood that, Chris. Why did you buy me clothes?" What the hell was he thinking, dressing her up like a Barbie doll? "You needed them."

"No, I didn't." She kind of did, but not from him.

"Fine, then don't wear it. Let people stare at the odd one out." Shit.

She got a blue dress from the bag and went into the bathroom. She planned to wear it for the big event but now she realized how out of her league she was.

Kiara considered playing the same trick on him and walking out on her underwear, but she was still cringing from her schoolgirl's reaction to his stunt. It shouldn't have thrown her off, but there was a couple of months since her last fuck and turning away was the best she could do to prevent him from seeing how turned on she was. Couldn't he be ugly, for fuck's sake?

Looking in the mirror, Kiara considered exposing the sidecut she kept hidden most of the time. It would be a nice comeback against him, but it would probably undermine her first impression with his parents. She decided against it, and just changed her clothes and applied some makeup.

She left the bathroom to head downstairs with Chris, drawing a large breath and making the same mental preparation she did before any performance. She wouldn't dangle from the ceiling today, but it was just as likely to go wrong in such unfamiliar territory. They left Batman in the bedroom to sleep and Chris led her to the dining room, holding her by the waist before getting in.

"Be nice."

"I always am," and she flashed a smile that could pass any girl-next-door audition.

Patricia Wright was exactly as Chris described her to be. The aura of elegancy that emanated from her was not welcoming at all, but in comparison to the male figure by her side, she exuded hospitality.

Edgar stood by his wife's side, analyzing the room as if he intended to buy it. Chris was so different from them, in all aspects. Well, perhaps not the entitled pose. But everything else was as like as chalk and cheese.

It was clear to Kiara that they didn't come to greet her when they first arrived because that setting wouldn't favor them as much as the dining room did. There, they were kings, not hosts. She waited patiently by Chris' side, hoping the introductions would provide some insight on the behavior they expected from her.

"Mother, Edgar. How are you doing? This is Kiara, my girlfriend."

"Nice to meet you, darling." A charming smile flashed on Patricia's face as they approached her, and she air-kissed the two sides of Kiara's face. If Kiara had any inclination to like the rich, she would have thought it was a sweet gesture. But she didn't and could only think of how long the woman must have practiced it to make it that perfect.

"Welcome to our humble home!" Argh. Kiara had to control the urge to roll her eyes.

"Thank you, Madam, it's a pleasure to be here."

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"Oh, please, call me Patricia. How was your flight? I hope that dog didn't bother you much."

"It was great, and Batman was a good boy" Patricia's expression hardened almost imperceptibly. The dog was a sensitive subject.

Edgar approached her and took her hand to his lips to place another kiss in the air above her skin. They were not fans of touching people, apparently. She was not complaining though, the further the best.

"Kiara, what an exotic name. May I ask what you do for a living?" Much to her surprise, his tone wasn't that from a condescending prick. Perhaps he was waiting on her answer to begin the judgment. "I'm a circus performer."

She couldn't gauge his reaction because there was none. It was Patricia who spoke next.

"I knew I recognized your beautiful blue eyes. You performed at Chris' promotion party!" Kiara stared back at the man by her side with an amused look. He failed to mention that was the reason for the party. Promotion party at daddy's house. How sweet.

"Yes, mother. She was magnificent in her performance and we bonded after the show."

She felt a tingle of pain caused by his words. He didn't seem fake but any reference to her performance in a phony environment made her cringe to the core.

"Now I understand why you didn't mind Felicia. You had another young lady in your mind."

Kiara noticed Edgar staring intently at her and wanted so bad to hold his gaze, perhaps allow some venom to slip out of her glare. But she knew it wouldn't suit the role she was playing. Her eyes diverted down, and she clung a bit on Chris's arm, like the powerless girlfriend she was.

"Dinner is ready, Madam Patricia." Announced the same maid that welcomed them earlier. Kiara took her place by Chris's side and watched as the entrees were served. At least the food was nice.

"Tell me, Kiara, how is it that you began to work in the circus industry?" Patricia asked in sculpted curiosity. Maybe etiquette classes taught her that.

"I was always an artistic kid, with lots of energy to spend. So my parents enrolled me in gymnastics classes. I guess I was too wild for the harsh discipline of the sport, so I drifted off to the circus." She wasn't sure Chris wanted her to be honest about her background, but he hadn't instructed her otherwise.

"Not one for discipline, then?" Edgar's words might suggest he skipped the etiquette lessons altogether, but then his tone was... indifferent. Not critical, as she expected.

"Not in my art, sir. It requires a colossal dose of discipline to master the skills needed to perform in the professional circles. But when it comes to creation, I prefer to color outside the lines."

He gave out a satisfied smile, and Kiara was having the hardest time reading the man. Did he judge her for her job or not? Was he cool with a lack of discipline in her terms? Maybe she could ask Chris later.

The conversation switched to business from that point forward, mostly comprised of Chris explaining the prospect profit of a new client. Edgar was quiet most of the time, but his son seemed to be playing safe and keeping him satisfied. Patricia decided to change the course of the conversation back a Kiara, apparently bored by the work talk.

"Tell me, sweetheart, will you be able to spend the whole holiday on the island?"

"Yes, I canceled all my shows for the period."

"But it's thanksgiving, what did your parents say about you spending it away?" "Nothing, they are dead." Kiara stuffed her mouth with another piece of chicken.