Thank you for reading please remember to vote, comment and let me hear from you 😊

Enjoy 😉

Oliver

"So Abby, tell me what is it like to get away with grand theft?" My mother asks. The entire table went silent as we all stare, mouths dropped open at my mother's comment. "I'm sure running off with your boyfriend and spending the company's money was quite a good deal fun for trash like you."

Abby looks like she just got slapped across the face. I felt horrible for her. I knew she didn't want this and to hear my mother be so rude to her was embarrassing. I was furious with her and this stupid game she was playing. My mother wasn't getting away with it. She has pushed too far this time.

My embarrassment only grew as my anger with my mother outranked it. I took hold of Abby's hand I was about to stand up and leave, but I quickly noticed that my father had taken Abby's other hand and was staring down my mother. Okay....This was new. It's not that my parents didn't fight, they did fight just like any other couple, they just only did it behind closed doors. My mother was very clear about how we were to behave, she wanted only a certain image on display in public, one where we were the perfect family and everything was always perfect. That wasn't happening tonight.

"You need to apologize right now, Grace! That was completely uncalled for and extremely rude!" My father ground out to my mother. Damn, he is pissed. "Abby is Oliver's guest and she's working for him. You need to show her a little respect."

I looked across the table at Kate and I know the expression of surprise on her face matched my own. It's not that my father didn't yell at my mother or tell her when she was out of line. He just usually waited until we were home and there weren't eyes to see or ears to hear him go off. For him to do this in the middle of the restaurant meant she has already done something else to piss him off and now he's not holding back. Not a good sign of a good night.

"I was just wondering what it was like given that she helped rob poor Quinn of quite a large sum of money." Grace explains to her husband as she sips her wine. Smirking over the rim of her glass at Abby.

I felt Abby tense, her head tilted to one side as she measured up my mother. I know what was being said hurt Abby's feelings. I could see it for that brief second on her face. Then that moment of shock and hurt turned to anger and Abby was ready to defend herself and stand up to my mother. I wasn't fast enough to stop her and Abby got her say.

"I wasn't the one that stole anything. In fact, because it was my card that was stolen I have taken the responsibility for it and I have been paying Quinn back every cent that was taken from him." Abby defended herself as my mother glared at her like she was a piece of gum on the bottom of her shoe.

"If you didn't do it then why pay for it? Sounds suspicious to me." Avery snootily piped in. "Ouch!" She squeak and jumped in her seat.

"Oh! Sorry, sis, my foot must've slipped." Dylan apologizes although we know he kicked her on purpose. I look at Kate and she's trying to hid her giggles.

"I'm paying it back because it was my card that was taken. I was responsible for the card and therefore should be responsible for the money on the card. I'm not an irresponsible person. I take my jobs seriously and any responsibilities that I am entrusted with I do to the best of my ability. I felt horrible about what happened and Quinn knew that." Abby was getting upset as she explained the incident. She was professional in the way she was explaining herself but I could see she wasn't going to keep her cool long. I really wanted to just get her out of here grab a pizza and head back to the room for the night. This isn't the way I wanted tonight to go for us all.

"Of course you did, Abby. Anyone would have. We understand that, you don't have to explain a thing. My wife, unfortunately forgot to bring her manners tonight, she brought her new pet instead. You'll have to excuse her." And that's why dad's pissed. He's apparently had enough of Avery hanging around mother. Well, things are certainly getting interesting.

"Don't make excuses for me, darling. Not when I'm not going to be making them for myself." My mother stood up and glared down at Abby and I knew she was going to tell Abby off just from her stance. I've seen it before. My mother loves to tell girls that they aren't good enough for me. It's like her favorite thing to do. "As for you Ms. Murphy, I'm going to tell you this only once more. I know your kind and I know what you're after. If you think for a moment that I will let you get your claws into my son for you to get to his money, you are sorely mistaken."

Abby stood up and raised her chin towards my mother and before my mother could do her hair flip to leave Abby said her piece in return. "Then I'm happy to disappoint you, Mrs Steel. I won't be using Oliver to get to his money. I'm working for him and will earn my money honestly. Oliver is such a sweet person with a giving nature, he is one of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met. He is beautiful inside and out. He doesn't judge someone based on hearsay or on their past but on who they are now and how they treat him. I can say he's given me a lot more chances than I gave him and I guessing he got that part of his personality from his father, not from you. I don't see those qualities in you. In fact, I'm having a very hard time finding any redeeming quality in you at all. Perhaps you're just a select taste for those few individuals that can tolerate your snobbishness. I may not have been brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth, Mrs Steel, but I was brought up with manners and I'm sorry to say you have none."

Kate

Oh. My. God. I look at Oliver then Abby. She's just standing there watching my mother waiting for her to respond. It's like a showdown between them. I nudge Dylan and nod towards Abby for him to do something. He just shrugs at me he has no idea what to do. No one has ever stood up to my mother like this. I look at Oliver and kick him under the table, finally getting his attention. He looks at me then right back to Abby. I can tell he's not sure what to do either.

"I think we should go back to the hotel, we can order a pizza or room service." Oliver said standing up and reaching for Abby's hand.

"No, we'll go, Oliver. You had the table first after all. Kids it was nice seeing you." Our dad stood up and nodded to Oliver to sit back down. He then took Abby's hand and nudge her to face him. When she did he hugged her and whispered something none of us could hear, then pulled away looking over Abby at Avery. " Let's go Avery, we're leaving."

"Oh! I thought I would just stay here with Ollie." Avery grinned at Oliver and I shook my head. Poor Abby. Avery was truly a problem we were going to all have to help with.

"Avery, my parents are your ride. We don't have enough room in our car for seven people." I tell her. I'm not going to let her keep pushing at Abby and Oliver the way she is. Looking at Abby I would say she's in need of a break. If Avery stays she's not going to get one.

"I don't mind sitting on Ollie's lap." Avery giggles as she says it. Oliver rolls his eyes and looks over at dad.

"Avery, now or I call your father. I'm sure you don't want to have to explain to him how you were throwing yourself at my son again." My eyebrows shot up. Go Daddy! Sometimes my dad is truly awesome.

"Beau! That's enough, the Solomons are our friends. We don't need to muddy the water with this. After all, Ms Murphy won't be around long enough for it to mean anything more than brush of dust off our clothes. I'm sure Oliver will see this soon and Avery will be back in her rightful place at his side. Come dear, we have a long day of shopping tomorrow to plan for. I want to take you to all the right stores to shop." Grace turns around and faces Abby again. "I heard they have some wonderful second hand stores on the other side of town. Perhaps you'd do better shopping there for your things. I'm sure it's more your speed."

With that my mother linked her arm through Avery's and walked out leaving my father standing appalled at her behavior. We all were. I've seen my mother rude to Oliver's girlfriends before, but this was beyond anything she's ever done. I can't even look at poor Abby. I'm so embarrassed for her. My father pats Oliver's back and takes Abby's hand again.

"I'm very sorry, Abby. I know Grace can be rude and snobbish at times, but she's never been this bad before. I wish I could tell you there was a good reason for it, but I'm afraid there isn't one. I hope Grace's behavior doesn't ruin your evening, since I'm sure that was the idea. " With that he left looking furious with my mother. Oliver and I exchanged looks knowing that was nothing normal for our parents.

Dylan

As long as I have been around this family, I don't think I've ever seen this side of it. I know Kate is embarrassed beyond belief by her mother. She's trying to find a subject to talk about that's safe, but even I don't think I can find one right now. Mrs Steel was harsher than I've ever seen her with any of Oliver's girls. And I've seen her get pretty rude to several of them. Watching Abby as she sits down and tries to compose herself, she looks like she wants to crawl under the table and cry. I'm sure this wasn't what Ollie had in mind for our night out. I know he would never be so cruel to hurt Abby purposely. It's the first time I've seen him really like a girl this much. I know he wants things to work with Abby, but it looks like Ollie's mom has other ideas. I look over at Mason who's even quiet right now. That's saying a lot since Mason likes to make a joke out of everything.

"Abby, you're not listening to her are you? You know she's full of shit, right? I mean, you're so much better than a second hand store across town. Fuck her!" Melanie starts and all of us just look at her. She does know Abby the best out of all of us. "I say we get our asses to the ritziest stores in town tomorrow, buy the best shit we can find and show her up out there on the red carpet! Ya with me, Ab's?" Melanie grins as she picks up her glass to toast.

"I'm in." Kate picks up her glass and I pick up my own. I know Kate doesn't agree with their mother and the way she treats people. I don't think she'll ever agree with her. Kate is too much like Beau, both her and Oliver are. Sometimes I have to wonder how they got related to Grace. They inherited nothing from her.

Mason and Ollie join us with their glasses raised as well. Now we're just waiting for Abby. Kate's Mother did what she set out to do, she hit Abby where it hurt. Abby didn't come from the same background as the rest of us, but we accept her. I think she has a problem accepting herself though. Grace certainly read that one. Abby looks at all of us and shakes her head.

"I can't walk the red carpet, not with Ethan out there. I can't give him that access to you." She says softly to Oliver. I can see the tears in her eyes. Jesus, I feel like shit for her. Grace really can be such a bitch.

"Yes, you can Abby." Oliver says softly and takes her hand into his. "Look I'm not hiding my relationship with you. Not from my mother, not from the media or the public and definitely not from Ethan. I'm proud of who you are. I'm proud to have you in my life as my girlfriend and as my assistant. I want you on my arm and by my side on that red carpet, but I won't force you to do something you aren't comfortable with. I'm only going to tell you that I would love to have you with me, but the choice is yours."

Damn, that boy is smooth. This is why he is such a good actor. I watch the look on Abby's face change as he spoke to her. She was upset at first, but by the time Oliver was done she was putty in his hands. Her eyes changed, they weren't teared up because she was hurt. Then they were soft and doe-like, darkened to an emerald green that was stunning. Her entire face softened I almost wanted to high five my friend and tell him he would definitely be getting some of that tonight, but I thought better of it since my own girl was sitting next to me and would probably slap me for it. Mason, however, doesn't have my filter, or any filter for that matter.

"That was the most panty dropping..." Melanie covered his mouth before he could finish his sentence.

"We need to work on your filter, baby." Melanie whispers then kisses his cheek. She's somehow has managed to tame the beast we know so well as Mason.

Abby

We finally got back to the hotel and to our rooms. After Mason informed the entire restaurant that Oliver would definitely be getting lucky after what he said to me I've been hiding my face. Not that Oliver couldn't see it, it has remained a beautiful shade of bright red for the rest of the evening. Now that it's just the two of us, I'm not sure what Oliver expects. I don't know if he said that to me because he figured it was a guarantee to get me to sleep with him or what. I just thought it was sweet of him to be wanting me by his side.

I sit down on the bed and I know I'm still shaken after everything Oliver's mother said to me. I stood up for myself, I don't have a problem there, but that doesn't mean that what she said didn't rattle me. She's just like those board members that judged me when I had to stand before them with Quinn and be questioned about Ethan and what happened. I was questioned on my ethics and class and where I came from and how I was raised. It was humiliating to know that just because I was poor it was believed that I didn't have enough ethics or morals to not steal. That because I wasn't in the same financial class as they were, I wasn't worth as much to the company as someone who had more money or social ranking. I'm in the same place again.

Oliver didn't say anything to me, but changed out of his suit and slid under the sheets into the bed. I was still just sitting on my side of the bed staring at the floor. I know who and what I am. I know my own worth, I just hate it when someone tells me I'm worth less than they are. I don't feel that anyone should be worth less than another person. Everyone has a skill, everyone has self worth. I don't like to be put down in any way, especially by someone who obviously doesn't know their own worth. I'm curious now about where Grace came from.

"Abby? Come on sweetheart, change and come to bed with me so I can hold you. That's all I want tonight, is to hold you. Mason is an idiot sometimes. I told you I'd wait and I will." Oliver says as he turns one of the lights off.

I don't say anything, but I get up and grab my pjs from my bag and go to the bathroom to change. As I strip down I look at myself in the mirror, am I even close to what Oliver would find attractive enough to be satisfied with for the long term? I'm not a supermodel or actress or anything close to what he's used to going out with. Yet he pursued me, for a while too. He could have walked away anytime but he didn't, he kept after me, and despite me pushing him away he kept coming back for me. That has to mean something. I pick up my discarded clothes and carry them out to the bedroom dumping them on top of my bag and walking over to the bed, I crawl in.

Laying next to Oliver, I curl up. My head resting on my pillow and watching him. He's laying on back and was obviously expecting me to cuddle up with him. He rolls to his side and looks at me when I don't do what he wanted. We just lay there watching each other for a while before we break the silence.

"I'm not sure what you want me to do." Oliver says softly as he touches my hand but doesn't take it.

"I don't know either. What your mother said about me, Quinn's board accused me of the same things. I don't want your money. I just want to spend time with you. I'm not like that. I don't like the spotlight, but if you want me on the red carpet with you, I'll do it." I tell him quietly.

I hear him sigh then I feel him moving closer to me pulling me into his arms so we're now on our sides chest to chest. Our arms are wrapped around each other's waists and Oliver kisses my forehead before he speaks. "I'm sorry, so fucking sorry for what my mother said to you. I know it's not enough, but I can't do anything else about her."

"Oliver, it's not your place to apologize for her." I touch his face and give him a small smile. I appreciate that he does make the effort to apologize though.

"She's so wrong about you. I know that. I trust you. If I didn't I wouldn't have hired you. I don't want you to doubt yourself or me. Don't doubt how I feel about you. She's gonna try to get you to doubt it, just believe in me. Okay? I really need you to trust me." He says and it makes me wonder how many times has she done this and how many times has she succeeded in breaking that trust?

"I trust you. I won't doubt you. I promise, if you promise too." I make that vow to him knowing I mean it. I won't break his trust, not when I think I'm losing my heart to him.

"I promise." His lips touch mine as the words are spoken and he seals his promise with a kiss. Gently, his lips are like soft little silk pillow brushing against my own. I just want to get lost here. His arms tighten around me, pulling me deeper into his chest as he moves his head and angles against my own as he nips my bottom lip. I part my lips slightly in surprise and he takes it as a welcoming move and he teases and tempts me deepening the kiss. Slowly he's making me forget about the nip he gave me. Slowing back down his lips kiss down my neck then he snuggles me into a tight hug and relaxes. "Good night, sweetheart. By the way, I'm going shopping with you tomorrow."

Oh boy, this shopping trip will sure be interesting.