Chelsea pushed Matthew out as she changed for dinner. She slipped into another soft, cotton dress. This one was black with short sleeves. She slipped into her black heels, pinned her hair up into clips and put on a little makeup. As she looked in the mirror, she almost wondered why she was still trying so hard. Matthew. It’s because I love him. The same way he didn’t want their wedding getting in the way of her career was the same way she didn’t want to get between his family. She pushed the thought aside.
Sangi walked out of her bathroom dressed in a red and white polka dot dress. Her long, brown hair flowed over her shoulders. Chelsea even noticed she was wearing makeup, something that didn’t happen all that often. She stared at her friend open mouthed. Sangi was even wearing heels.
“You’re really making sure he notices you, aren’t you?”
“Shut up,” Sangi hissed. Chelsea could almost see the embarrassment written all over her face.
There was a knock on the door before her mother stepped in. She was stunning in her long, black dress and low heels. Her hair was salt and pepper by now, she refused to dye it. It matched her father’s. He stood next to her looking stern. It was a look she’d gotten used to, but she knew he was more than stern. He just didn’t really know how to express it. Her father was dressed in a black suit, black tie at his neck. She smiled at how handsome he looked.
As they walked downstairs together, Matthew joined them. At the bottom of the stairs there were people gathering. Chelsea raised an eyebrow at Matthew. He shrugged his shoulders. They made their way into the dining room. The smaller table had been replaced with a long one. People were either sitting down or milling around talking to each other.
Andrew walked up to them, a big frown on his face. He was fidgeting with his tie, looking uncomfortable. When his eyes fell on Sangi, he paused for a moment. She smiled at him, but he didn’t return it.
“Andrew, what’s going on?” Matthew asked.
“Well, mom knew Chelsea’s parents were coming today, so she planned another night of fun, she calls it,” he looked around nervously before his eyes settled on Chelsea and her parents behind her. “You must be Chelsea’s parents, I’m Andrew. Matthew’s brother.”
They shook hands. A woman walked up, blond hair, thin, with a dazzling smile and even more dazzling champagne colored dress. She slipped a hand around Andrew’s arm.
“You must be Matthew’s fiance, Chelsea. I’m Emily, Andrew’s fiance.”