American Beauty

"If you are a dreamer come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a pray-er, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a pretender come sit by my fire, for we have some flax golden tales to spin, come in! Come in!" - Shel Silverstein

{Lilith's POV}

I would be lying if I said that never spending Christmas with my parent's bothered me, I preferred when they weren't home. When they weren't home I could pretend that Melinda and Gaston were my real parents and not the cook and chauffer my parents hired when I was the ripe age of six. Melinda was technically my nanny until I turned fourteen, that's when her title changed to Chef. She told me that I was too old to have a nanny but too young not to be looked after. I never understood why she relinquished her title, being my step in mom paid more. She always told me that no amount of money could make her happier than knowing that I was safe, happy, and felt loved.

"Even though I'm not considered your nanny anymore, I will always be here for you. You are like the daughter I was never able to have and I will protect and watch over you always." Is what she told me right before my fourteenth birthday. My parents hired her when she was 19, even though she is only thirteen years older than me she is like the mother I always wanted but never had.

Growing up I wasn't allowed to have friends. My parents made sure of it, they said friends were a distraction from studying and that my schoolwork would always be more important than human interaction. So not only was Melinda like a mother to me she was also my best friend.

You see, my parents are the founders of a multi-billion dollar company called Vibe . It is a service much like Air BnB and Uber all in one. You could go stay anywhere in the world for the best price possible as well as have a private home all to yourself equipped with a private staff and an on call Chauffer 24/7. It was actually genius but since their company took off they haven't been around much.

I used to feel so lonely but as I grew older I grew out of it. I wasn't exactly an only child but my brother was 14 when I was born and he moved away when I was almost 4 and he was 18. I've seen pictures and he sends letters every now and again but I haven't seen him since. So that only leaves Melinda, Gaston, and I home while my parents rapidly fly to and fro to all of our home across the world for their business.

The last time I saw them was a few months ago around Halloween. Now, here I sit, in front of the Christmas tree that was uniformly decorated in gold, silver, and white ornaments garnished with white tinsel and an elegant dainty diamond star at the top which I am sure cost a fortune. Many people believe that being rich is the best. Having homes atop lavish hills, twenty foot ceilings, being financially set. All of those didn't matter if you couldn't enjoy it with your family. Eventually you get so wrapped up in your work life that you forget everyone exists. Apparently your own kids who you birthed are on the list of things you find to be mediocre and not worth your time.

I never could understand why my parents would have me if they had no intentions of caring for me, loving me, or even paying attention to me. I remember, after the first three birthday's of mine they missed, I found myself often forgetting they existed. Gaston and Melinda have nurtured and cared for me for as long as I can remember. Gaston is like my dad and Melinda is like my mom and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Lily, it's time for dinner. Set the table and wash up please, we're having guests so set three extra placemats!" I heard Melinda yell. I smiled to myself as I stood up and walked out of the ridiculously large living space and into the kitchen. I walked over to the cabinets and grabbed the plates and bowls. Many people would think we'd have a staff of people to take care of things like this but Melinda decided when I was younger that it'd be best to live as normally as possible, making sure not to spoil me rotten. I actually couldn't have thanked her enough for it because after being forced to sit through countless events with spoiled rotten brats my age I could not imagine turning out like them.

I walked all the way to the dining room, set up the plates and bowls, only to realize that I forgot the utensils. After another unnecessary trip to the kitchen, I grab the utensils and finish setting the table.

I smile at my handy work as I make my way up to my room. I probably have the most simple room in the house. It is lightly decorated in a minimalistic theme with all my furniture only being what I need. I opted for the smallest room because all of the others where just too big. Even with that being said this room is still too big. I made my way over to my closet, skimming through all of my clothes as my eyes landed on the perfect dress. It was a dark grey halter top velvet dress that had a lace up back and ended close to my knees. I paired it with a pair of white heels that were encrusted with small diamonds. The heel was only four inches so it was perfect for this occasion.

I went to my vanity and looked at my hair, deciding it was best to leave it be. My hair was stark black with beautiful coily and kinky curls put on minimal makeup, opting for just lightweight foundation with medium coverage as well as a soft pink eye look and clear lip gloss. Finishing my look off with natural looking fake lashes I start to make my way down the stairs and to the kitchen. I bite my lip as I find my curiosity getting the better of me. Who exactly is coming over anyway?, I thought to myself as I went to find Melinda.

"Melinda?" I called out, my voice echoing against the walls. I heard some soft shuffling before seeing her head poke out from the kitchen doorway. I giggled a little and covered my mouth lightly with my hand. Her eyebrows furrowed as she watched me. I made a wiping motion with my fingers on my cheek and she wiped her face, realizing that I was giggling at the fact that she had flour on her face. Realizing this, a blush crept onto her face as she motioned for me to come to the kitchen.

"You called me?" she asked as she leaned against the island, I cleared my throat as I went to sit down on the other side of the island. "Yes, I did but before I ask my question you should know that there also flour in your hair..." I said, trying not to laugh. She cursed under her breath as she turned to grab her phone, using her camera as a mirror. She excused herself quickly and when she came back I nodded my head in approval, she had gotten the flour out without messing up her high ballerina bun.

"So what did you want to ask?" she asked me as she wiped down the countertops.

"Who exactly is supposed to be coming over?" I asked as I picked at my finger nails, trying to act nonchalant about the topic. She rolled her eyes as she tossed the dish cloth into the sink. She knew how nosy I was and she wasn't surprised in the least that I was curious about these unknown guests. "We have new neighbors. I met the Abington's earlier this morning on my morning run." she stated as she continued to clean up little by little.

"They have a son that's a year older than you. His dad called him a cheeky bastard so I just can't wait to see how this dinner goes..." she mumbled sarcastically. I laughed just as the doorbell rang. I stood up before Mel could leave the kitchen. "I'll get it, don't worry!" I said as I made my way towards the foyer.

When I opened the door I did not expect to see what I saw. One of the most beautiful pairs of eyes I had ever seen staring back at me. The boy in front of me was in a classic two piece Tom Ford suit and held a small bouquet of lavender colored roses in his hands. He extended out his arm, graciously handing me the roses. As I stared into his eyes, I was sure I looked I ridiculous.

"Well love," he drawled in a thick English accent, "I know I'm gorgeous but there is no need to stare."