in an open relationship 2

Chapter 45

" Aren't you going to join me ?".

" I'm too old for that ".

" Horses aren't for kids , you and I are practically the same age " I reason with him.

" If I feel up to it ... Is this it ?" He stops in front of the gate that has a board that's written  'gate two'

" Looks that way ".

I pull out my phone to call Caitlyn and let her know we have arrived, she doesn't pick up but the gate automatically opens .

"  your dad will catch on to the energy you two are giving each other  ".

I breathe out the nerves that are clinging to my throat," I'm thinking the same thing, I haven't seen her since forever and I can never know with Caitlyn,she can be but a time bomb for us ".

" She won't do anything weird , she loves your dad like you do ,I'm sure she'll play happy with you".

" Hopefully ".

" Since I'm the reason you two aren't on talking terms I'll try and speak with her , maybe it's my genuinity she is doubting ".

I nod ," you can do that ,but I doubt she'll budge ".

" She will ".

He drives in to where three other cars are parked and stops there.

" Wow , this place is huge " I look around, the  freshly green grass gives me relief by just staring at it , there aren't many trees and only one by the lake .I can spot the house Meters away from where we are, I was only able to see it properly when we passed gate one .

" This is a whole lot better than what they did last year , someone else was  involved, those two aren't so smart" I tease.

" That someone must've been google and the reviews ".

" That could be it ".

We step out the car and approach the lake where everyone is gathered , there are a lot more people present then I expected, the house is big but I doubt each person will be provided their own rooms .

" Are your dalfis always this crowded?" he adjusts his cap.

" No this is the first time I'm seeing this many people, last year the family member that had the most attendance was Aunt Stephany but they weren't as much ,maybe it's because they didn't have to fly out ".

" Is that Jen ?" He points at her as she's sitting on a bench next to Caitlyn.

My eyes widen ," it is " , I look again to see if we are not deceiving ourselves.

" I thought you said she swore when she was 15 that she'd never attend anyone's dalfi again and cut all ties with the whole family at 18 ".

" Yes ,I'm as shocked as you are , she has lost tons of weight I almost didn't recognise her ".

Jen is Ashleys half sister , they share the same dad , her Mom passed away when she was still drinking milk , Aunt Stephany and her dad got married when she was 5 , she's the same age with Ashley , they were one big happy family,I used to yearn for what they have so much so that I'd suggest to my dad that he should take another wife, it's not like I wasn't content with him alone I just wanted what they had .of course as a kid I didn't expect my dad to actually go through with it because I knew deep down that I loved how it has always been just the three of us . Jen was of course the nicer one with better attitude and somehow things changed , she became ruder than Ashley and started denouncing everyone, and when her dad and Aunt Stephany got divorced we never heard from her again.

" This must be the year of miracles" I mutter as we approach them.

" The lady of the hour !" Aunt Stephany shouts causing all eyes to rest on us.

I nervously hold on to Ethan's hand and with a bright smile his acting face surfaces .

" Good afternoon family" he greets them all.

" Ethan !" Someone shouts his name like a fan .

They all greet him back , if I were to count I'd say up to 50 family members are here , distant relatives who stopped attending and hosting dalfis 4 years ago are all here.

" Wow , what's the occasion,so many guests, I feel honoured" I joke nervously, why am I nervous.

My dad emerges," sorry to burst your bubble sweety but they all came as soon as I mentioned Ethan was coming, he is the big shot here ,not you " he frowns.

They all laugh ," ouch that hurts ,I love you too guys " I add.

" How are you sweetie?" He brings  me in a warm and tight embrace .

" I'm great dad ,still popping the pill?"

" That's a funny way of asking me how I'm doing. Yes I'm Bettina makes certain that I take my meds on time don't worry " he answers laughing .

Everyone else starts by greeting Ethan before coming to me , " so much for being the host " I murmur.

They all adore him , my female cousins keep touching him like they want to check if he's human or a robot, I'm asking myself if I should be jealous of how close they keep coming onto him , labelling him as prince charming .

Jen and Caitlyn are the last to greet him , Caitlyn does it sternly, her hatred for him is not too visible but only to the ones that know , and then Jen hugs him getting unnecessarily  excited, now I'm certain that she also came to see the world's famous billionaire.

Caitlyn doesn't look at me in the eye but pulls me in for a hug that feels too fake to be coming from her , " our final guests have arrived" her tone emphasizes her happiness she lets go of me and walks past me to those people .

I turn around to see who it is , my jaw drops at the sight of them , I thought I was anxious before but now I really am , I feel invisible ,sweat is dripping from my forehead to my thighs.

" Austin ! , This must be Miranda right ?" She greets and hugs them more genuinely.

Oh Caitlyn.