Dark Paradise

Adios Morgan

They both discussed topics I had no idea what they were about, so I just awkwardly stood in the back.

"And who is this lovely lady?" his father asked gesturing towards me. Ryder turned his head towards my direction and introduced me.

"This is my date, Adriana," he gritted out as if he were forced. I smiled and moved forward to shake his large hand. 'If Ryder said his father was going to hate me either way, then why not give him a reason too?' I thought. I smiled in satisfaction at my amazing thoughts.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Adriana," The glint in his eyes alarmed me that this man was overly excited about something.

"If I had a dime for every time someone has said that," I oh so modestly remarked.

Suddenly, a blonde beauty rose from her seat to greet me. Her face was as clear as day, her thinly plucked eyebrows were shaped into a perfect arch that followed the slight curve of her eye, and her nose was small and slightly pointy, having a perfect shape. Her stormy emerald eyes that contained tiny flecks of gold really stood out. The blood red ball gown she wore fitted her perfectly, enhancing her round hips. She came closer and I shook her delicate hand. Even though she was probably in her 40's, her skin was as soft as a baby's bottom and it gleamed under the lighting. His dad then introduced her as his girlfriend, Reyna Gustavo. I noticed Ryder stiffen at the word girlfriend.

"You're stunning, dear. Nothing like the young ladies this young man has brought," he rolled his eyes at her and I was shocked at that. She stuck out her arm for Ryder, but he just brushed her off and we both took a seat.

"Well, I guess you're rude to everyone," I commented in a whisper, only aiming for him to hear.

"It's shocking you actually managed to make that observation," he whispered back.

"And here I thought I was special," I sarcastically remarked but he had no chance to reply because he was cut off by Mr. Morgan.

"So Adriana, I've never seen your face on the runway. Who do you model for?" his father's girlfriend started the conversation and her accent was quite thick, sounding exceptionally exotic.

"I'm not a model, Ms. Gustavo. I don't necessarily enjoy walking down an aisle half naked." I truthfully answered and Mr. Morgan raised a brow at my choice of words. Ryder smirked knowing that his father was on the verge of despising  me.

"Really? That's funny because Ryder's dates are usually models. And if not a model then an actress," he chipped in.

"Plenty of models are. . . what's the right word for it?" I began pretending to think. "Whores." their eyes widened at my word choice and Reyna's face held a bewildered and a somehow offended expression. His father coughed, trying to clear the awkward tension.

"You know, I'm a former model, but I guess everyone's entitled to their own opinion." Reyna managed to say with a forced smile etched to her face.

"I believe so," I attempted to hide the smirk that begged to make an appearance on my features. I was having way too much fun with this.

"So how did you two meet?" I was about to answer his father, but Ryder beat me to it.

"Mom introduced me to her," Ryder lied and at the mention of his mother, Mr. Morgan stiffened. Reyna shifted  uncomfortably in her seat and Ryder's dark eyes stared at both of them intensely.

"Oh, I see. Well it was quite. . . interesting meeting you, Adriana. Now if you'll excuse us, Ryder has some people that would like to meet him." he pecked Reyna on the cheek as I gave Ryder a 'I'll kill you if you leave me look' but he just strolled away with his father, leaving me all alone with those  strangers.