Impress [Nate]

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Some people considered the charm training that Isabella had been through in her formative years to be useless and archaic but it had always been helpful to Isabella. It might have been silly to think that poise, posture, conversation skills, and even the way that you dressed all had an impact on what sort of impression that you made. The majority of young people rarely took these things into account and were left to make impressions based on chance. Isabella on the other hand knew how to handle herself as well as others. Maybe that could be considered a subtle form of manipulation but that was how the world worked and her parents had been adamant about preparing their daughter to be able to take whatever was thrown at her. A Dias didn’t fold under pressure and they were always, or so appearances may deceive, in control of the situations that they were in. Despite her nervousness to meet up with Nate and his mother Isabella looked as though she held the confidence and composure of any proper young lady. She had learned etiquette skills from the time she was five years old until she was ten, her teacher back in Brazil having claimed that after five years Isabella had mastered everything that she could have possibly taught her.

This evening she had every intention of applying those skills to have this meeting with Nate’s mother. She had met the woman before, they were familiar with one another, but under these new circumstances it was in a far different context than it had been before. Isabella knew that the woman accepted her as one of Nate’s friends but would she as his girlfriend? Had told her about his intentions and what it would mean for his future? Isabella didn’t know if they had any particular plans for their son that Nate hadn’t let her in on, or if they had even told him about them. Then there was the fact that Isabella was about three years younger than him, which they not find appropriate… essentially Isabella was worried that his mother wouldn’t approve of her. She had dolled herself up appropriately, wearing a flowing skirt that came up just a little bit above her knee and a lace top that, though it did show off a little bit of skin was perfectly respectable according to codes of conduct and a delicate bracelet that her father had gotten her the previous year, a casual white gold band with a sweet message engraved in Portuguese. When Isabella arrived at the restaurant both Nate and his mother were seated at a table waiting for her. A hostess led her to the table, which Isabella thanked, and smiled at the pair warmly. ”Good evening Mrs. Grey,” She looked to Nate giving him a soft nod. ”Nate.” She wouldn’t sit until Nate held her chair out for her though. It made him look good and a lady was always to award that opportunity.

[nate]

Nate had been up in his room trying on different clothes that he had bought for the dinner he is having with his new girlfriend and his mother. "What am I going to do as I haven't told my family that I am dating Isabella, what will I do if my mother doesn't approve of Isabella as my girlfriend, what will I do then, as that will most likely lead to me and Isabella having a falling out what may even lead to me and her not even being friends." Nate said. Nate finally decided on black shoes, black trousers, a white shirt, black tie along with a black jacket.

Nate and his mother then made there way to the restaurant they had agreed to meet Isabella at. 'What is this charity I am throwing a function for again?" his mother said.

"It is for children who suffer from Autism. Don't you ever listen to what I tell you?" Nate asked.

He pulled the chair away to let his mother sit down before he took his own seat.

'Don't take that kind of tone with me mister, or I will call of the function.' his mother said.

"I'm sorry, mother." Nate said.

Nate's gaze turned to the door as Isabella approached the table. 'Evening Isabella.' Nate's mum said.

"Hey there Isabella." Nate said. Nate got up and held the chair for Isabella. "My family doesn't know about us yet." Nate whispered to his girlfriend.

'So Isabella, Nate asked me to throw a function for the Autism charity that you are involved in. Are there any particular you want including in the function like particular band or person doing the music, kind of food you want and when you want the function to be?' Nate's mother said.

"This is going to be a long night." Nate thought as he took his seat. "Why don't we wait until we give our orders first, mum." Nate said as he didn't want the conversation be all about the function.

'So has your father found anyone for your engagement yet, Isabella.' Nate's mother said as she looks at Isabella and then at her son before she looks back at Isabella.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Taking her seat Isabella crossed her legs at her ankles tucking them under her chair slightly, keeping her back straight and not touching the chair. She had done a lot of thinking, despite everything else going on in her life, about what sort of fundraiser she would propose to Mrs. Grey. To come here without any thoughts to offer would have been disrespectful to her generosity. Isabella couldn’t and wouldn’t expect Mrs. Grey to do all the work here, in fact if it was what the woman preferred Isabella would shoulder the planning responsibilities fully handling the staff that would need to be hired and organizing everything to make it a success under Mrs. Grey’s name. It wouldn’t be the first time that Isabella had headed a planning committee and given the credit to whomever was backing the event financially.

People like Mrs. Grey liked having that credit under her belt and though it was good for Isabella’s reputation as well if she had taken the full credit she also understood the importance of networking. ”I have a few thoughts on the matter, ma’am.” Before Isabella could get into any detail though Nate was suggesting that they order first. She bowed her head looking at her menu and silencing herself for the time being. Though Isabella’s gaze was stick stuck to the menu she was ready to order, but to put it down too soon would suggest to the others that they needed to rush, which wasn’t proper. Isabella knew all the tedious ins and outs of this lifestyle and didn’t have much of a problem going through the motions.

When she was spoken to Isabella looked over at Mrs. Grey lowering her menu. ”Last I spoke with him he said that he was narrowing it down to three this month and by February’s end he’ll have made his selection.” By her birthday Isabella was to know who she would be engaged to. She hadn’t told her parents about her and Nate’s relationship either and it was a good thing apparently because he hadn’t told his. If her father knew he would have called the Greys to set up a meeting, first with Nate of course but his parents, out of courtesy, would be made aware, and then if he was satisfied he would meet with Nate and his parents and discuss the future in more detail. It was just the way that things were done in her family.

[nate]

Nate sat back in his seat but made sure the he is sitting up straight wondering just how this meal going to go. Nate knew that if Isabella does all the planning he will most likely be asked to help out by his girlfriend since it will be something they can both do, then there is the fact that he is a Grey so that will help with the planning, plus it also means that he can get involved in something that Isabella was into and to see what a charity for something is like. Nate noticed that the younger female by him was deep in thought so he just pretended to look at the menu even though he knew what he is going to have since he has been here a lot of times in the past.

Nate let out a sigh as he cut of Isabella from replying to his mother. 'You shouldn't interrupt a young lady from talking Nate Charles Grey.' his mother said.

"I am sorry mother, and you know I hate it when you call me by my full name." Nate said knowing that his mother was doing it on purpose.

'Why don't you propose to her Nate, since the two of you are such good friends.' Nate's mother said.

Nate's eyes went wide when he heard the suggestion his mother suggested. "There is no way that will happen mother, as that would ruin my friendship with her." Nate said as his face became a dark red. "I will have the usual thing, mother." Nate said as he got up to leave.

'Nate are you forgetting something?' his mother asked.

Nate turns to his mother before speaking again. "Please may I be excused, I need to go to the toilet." Nate said as he bowed to his mother.

'Yes you may.' Nate's mother said.

Nate then walks of to the toilet.

'So girl to girl. How long have you and my son been sleeping together?' Nate's mother asked the female opposite her.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

His mother had that strict sense about her that Isabella saw in her own mother from time to time. If Isabella were to step out of line though rather than being vocal about the inappropriate behavior she would get a pointed look or a part of her body would be grasped by the woman to indicate that Isabella wasn’t acting right to her standards. It was never hard or violent, anything of that sort, but the gentle applying of pressure got the message across to her and, unless Isabella was feeling like being particularly horrid, she would amend her attitude to suit. At the moment though it just seemed to her as though Nate’s mother was picking at every little thing making an issue where it wasn’t necessary.

Isabella wasn’t sure of the woman’s motives behind it other than maybe she wanted to test both Nate and Isabella in how they would conduct themselves when she put the pressure on them. For Nate it was likely to see if he would snap at her or be a dutiful son and for Isabella it was probably to gauge how much she could take as far as obedience went. This had never happened to Isabella before but she had been given suggestions on how to handle it in the past, in theory. It was all for Mrs. Grey’s amusement. The woman was pulling what strings she could to see what dance she could make the pair of them do. Nate probably shouldn’t have gotten so defensive with his mother and allowed her to get under his skin but he wasn’t as well equipped as she was.

She kept calm bowing her head slightly to accept Nate’s leave. He was leaving her alone with a hungry lion wanting to eat her alive but Isabella might be able to tame the beast before Nate got back…maybe. ”Pardon me?” Isabella folded her hands over her menu on the table unfazed by the brazen question. ”Nate and I have yet to sleep together. As he mentioned we’re just friends compromising that with the desires of the flesh would be quite the waste of a perfectly good friendship, don’t you think?” Handing over the opportunity to express her opinion was a tactical move. Her answer would give Isabella a better sense of what the playing field looked like and how she would best maneuver it.

[nate]

Nate knew what his mother was doing and the reason but Nate couldn't help but to let it get under his skin now since it does also involve Isabella. But just how far will his mother go and does she know that he is dating Isabella. When h bowed down he slightly looked in Isabella's direction and mouthed 'sorry' to her knowing that now Isabella would have to deal with his mother alone while he is at the toilet. He will have to make it up to Isabella in some way since that punishment is worse than death that no one should have to deal with who isn't related to his mother. Nate did have to wonder on if his mother will be asking Isabella about the two of them or not.

Nate's mother smirked at the other female as it was obvious that Isabella had figured out what she is doing. "You heard me, dear." Nate's mother said as she placed her finger tip together in front of her mouth. "So you have yet to sleep with him. So do the two of you plan on sleeping together as there is something going on between the two of you or does my son just blush very darkly when ever I bring up him and one of his ever 'lovers'?" Nate's mother asked as she tried to study the female's expression carefully. "If you aren't sleeping with him then is he crushing on you since I have never seen my son blush in front of a female friend before, or maybe there is something the two of you are hiding from everyone else. I think that the two of you are dating or sleeping with each other..." Nate's mum said as she raised an eye brow at Isabella. "...so am I close to guessing." Nate's mum said.

The waiter then came over to take the orders.

"Can I have the lasagna with extra salad please. Nate will have a Mixed Grill with a rare steak. Could we also get a bottle of wine, a Jack Daniels and Coke, and a Sprite please. Will you be joining in the wine?" Nate's mum asked Isabella.

Nate stood by the toilet door seeing that Isabella was looking defensive at what his mother had said. So he decided to stay in the toilet to give the two females some time to talk with each other.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

The mention of his other lovers was probably a ploy to put Isabella on the defensive or perhaps shake her with the thought that Nate was a very sexually involved young man. Whatever her intentions were Isabella remained serene, complacent over the intrepid methods that his mother was using on her. It was almost as though she were trying to shock Isabella into an unfavorable reaction. Some people could get under her skin with nothing more than a look but when it came to Nate’s mother her attempts were rolling off of Isabella’s shoulders. Buttons were being pushes but Mrs. Grey was missing her target. She already knew Nate and well she liked to think so by pointing out his, as some would consider them, misdeeds didn’t rile her much. What Mrs. Grey was saying wasn’t news to her.

As the woman spun her theories observing Isabella carefully to see which struck with her she didn’t flinch on any particular matter that was being addressed. She was indeed close to guessing but it wasn’t Isabella’s place to tell her what was going on, that responsibility lay with Nate when he was ready for it. ”You’re very astute, Mrs. Grey.” Isabella complimented. ”I’ve always admired that about you.” Easing the woman off her attack with praise was the most assured way to sidetrack one’s mind. If you stroked their ego they were more likely to relent in whatever it was that was bothering you in the first place. It was the same action and reaction as a mother holding a child in her arms to soothe their crying or mellowing out a frightened animal with a soft, calming voice. ”Nate and I aren’t sleeping together and as for his feelings toward me I don’t ever presume to speak on other people’s behalves.” It was a polite way of suggesting that if she wanted answers about Nate then she needed to go to her son directly.

Turning toward the waiter, after Mrs. Grey was finished ordering she made hers. ”I’ll have the chicken parmesan, please and a lemon water.” Smiling and handing over the menu Isabella received a flirtatious smile in return, which she took graciously but didn’t return. With the conversation being about her and Nate’s relationship, or rather the suspicion of it, Isabella was in no mood to obliged the young man. Mrs. Grey’s question about he wine had her attention turning back toward the woman. ’If it pleases you.” To accept or decline without knowing whether or not she wanted her to in the first place wasn’t how these things worked and Isabella knew that. If she accepted and Mrs. Grey didn’t want her to then she might be viewed of a floozy and if she declined and the offer was genuine then it suggested she was ungrateful of hospitality. Putting the power of the decision in Mrs. Grey’s hand had Isabella avoiding either screw up and also further appeasing the woman by making her feel more in control, powerful and respected.

[nate]

Nate let out a sigh before he walked out of the toilet but instead of walking to the table his mother and his girlfriend are at he walked over to an empty table close to them so that he would be able to listen the convocation with out being involved in it.

Nate gently shook his head as he heard what his mother has pointed out.

'Well I have to be in my line of business.' Nate heard his mother say with a smirk on her lip. 'Why thank you for admiring me.' Nate heard his mother say.

Nate turned his head slightly and saw that his mother slightly relaxed and became less offensive in her body position.

'So I take it that there is something going on between the two of you, since only lovers will not speak about the others feelings.' Nate heard his mother say.

"What is she doing?' Nate thought not exactly sure if his mother had actually figured out that the two of them are dating or if she knew about it before the dinner.

'So you are a chicken eater then, Isabelle.' Nate's mother said politely. Nate's mother raises an eye brow at what Isabella said about the wine. 'So what do you think...' Nate's mother said before she looks over to her son. '...do you think your friend should join us in wine.' Nate's mother said.

"She will need the bottle to deal with you." Nate mouthed as he rolled his eyes. "So I guess you knew I was here since I arrived then." Nate said with a smirk before he sat down at the right table. "Bring over the bottle of wine with three glasses please." Nate said.

'So Nate have the two of you shared a bed recently?' Nate's mother said.

"Define share a bed. Would the both of us sitting on the bed count as sharing the bed?" Nate asked trying to think up a good way of not lying since he did share the bed with Isabella at her dorm the other night.

'Have the both of you slept in the same bed and don't try to change the subject son.' Nate's mother said.

"Well to be truthful with you mother..." Nate said as he turned to look at Isabella. "she might as well know." he mouthed to her before she turned back to his mother. "...Isabella and me had some drinks at my work the other night and against our better judgement we shared the same bed for the night, but it was in her dorm room and no sexual things happened between us." Nate said telling the truth but leaving out the fact that they are dating.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

With her praise Mrs. Grey’s body language drastically changed. Isabella didn’t think that she would have the wool pulled over her eyes for more than a moment or so but it was enough to give Isabella a moment to breathe and mellow herself out. It gave her enough time to think things through and figure out what he next move would be. Stalling had its purposes. ”I would have to disagree with you on that account. I’ve always found it inappropriate and presumptuous to speak for others without them asking you to. It’s merely a common courtesy that I prefer to extend toward others, be they lovers, friends, or nothing more than acquaintances.” Isabella was stonewalling the woman as subtly as she possibly could while remaining polite and civil. It wasn’t an easy balance to maintain but Isabella’s best efforts were being put forth.

”Yes, ma’am. I like to have a balanced diet.” She had considered going vegetarian at one point in time but as it were Isabella liked meat too much to stop eating it. It had its nutritional value just as being vegetarian or even vegan did. Her gaze followed Mrs. Grey noticing that Nate had been hanging back a little bit longer than necessary. She kept her amused smile from being too predominate on her lips. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to stay away with his mother’s interrogation under way. Nate took over in deciding the wine situation, which Isabella was grateful for.

Isabella looked down at her lap for a split second trying to hide the laugh that she held behind pursed lips at Nate’s craftiness toward his mother. Getting her on a technicality didn’t seem to go over too well with her but the struggle to keep control of the situation between the two of them was an entertainment that she was rather enjoying. His mother had been trying to rile her for a past few minutes and came out unsuccessful and Nate had swooped in and did to her what she had been trying to accomplish with Isabella. With the tables turned it was hard not to seem smug.

His answer did manager to bring a smile to her lips. ”You should be proud of your son, Mrs. Grey. He was very respectable making sure that I got home safely even going as far to stick around, chastely, to be certain I’d be feeling well in the morning.” Isabella hadn’t had too much to drink that night and certainly not enough to make her feel ill or pass out drunk, but his mother didn’t know that and it was the principle of the matter rather than it was the details behind it.

[nate]

'Well I go buy in girls talk, what gets said in it stays in it so I wouldn't bring it up to who ever asks about it. Even if it is about Nate, I wouldn't tell my husband if you were sleeping with him or even if you were dating him as it would be up to you and Nate to tell people and not me. So in that sense we are sort of similar but also slightly different.' Nate's mother said.

Nate smirked at the way Isabella is buying her time until he comes back to the table.

'You don't really seem to be the kind of girl who really need to watch her figure. If you don't mind me saying but you do have a fabulous figure.' Nate's mother said complimenting the female's figure.

When Nate sat down at the table he noticed Isabella was smile on her lips but he pretended not to notice. "So did you two females enjoy your chat?" Nate asked.

'Well from what you heard we didn't really talk that much.' Nate's mother said.

'So if you two haven't slept with each other but you have shared the bed. Do you plan on sleeping together and Nate you answer since I don't know how to tell if your friend is lying.' Nate's mother said.

Nate just sat there not sure what to say but then Isabella spoke up that bought him some time to think of an answer.

'Well my son is a gentleman. Plus I don't really see him that often during the night time since he is either in work until closing time or with one of his slutty friends.' Nate's mother said.

Nate sat there with his hands tightening into a fist beside his chair trying not to reveal how offended he is since it now involves Isabella. Nate then turned to his girlfriend with slight hint of anger in his eyes. "Have you told yours yet?" Nate asked deciding to tell his mother since it would mean that his mother may be more nice to Isabella.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

In Isabella’s experience girl talk left for dropped hints to others in order to gain favor with someone else. Whatever was said privately was used as leverage elsewhere even if you never gave away exactly what it was that was held over a person’s head. Perhaps that was just the high school version of it though. Holding secrets like that in the palm of your hand was a powerful bargaining chip for later. Isabella wasn’t much for giving people that kind of power over her. She was old enough to make her own decisions, yes, but she was also the kind of daughter that tried to be mindful of how her choices might impact her parents. Isabella had been doing a superb job at keeping her reputation clean of any dirty deeds. She wasn’t a model citizen of course, she drank underage and did have relations with young men, but it was all hushed, she didn’t make a big display of herself like some of her peers did holding a proud title of slut to her name.

She would say nothing on the matter though not wanting to offend the woman by debunking her conditions of the sanctity of girl talk. ”One mustn’t ignore a healthy living because they’re graced with good fortune.” While Isabella might not have needed to watch her figure now while she was young and her metabolism kind to her she knew that some day she wouldn’t be as fortunate as hormones changed in a female’s body as they grew older and it effected their weight and many other things about them. If she practiced good habits now while she was young it would be second nature to her when it did matter. Isabella ate right and exercised regularly. She was a fan of jogging, for example and the workouts that accompanied her cheerleading was helpful as well as her dancing.

It must have bothered Mrs. Grey greatly that she couldn’t read Isabella like she could Nate. Though Isabella was glad that she could tell when he was lying it also meant that his mother could too with that tell of him biting his lip. That didn’t mean he couldn’t avoid lying by wording his answers in a craftier manner. Of the two of them Isabella was better at that, she thought because Nate let his mother get to him so bad, but she couldn’t be sure. He had always been honest with her and if not well she knew how to tell when that was the case.

Isabella looked over at Nate and discretely reached under the table to put her hand over top of his hoping to soothe his anger. His buttons his mother was an expert at pushing. She wanted to him know, in her silent gesture, that she wasn’t fazed by what she was saying so he didn’t need to be either. Maybe it would work and maybe not it all depended on how far gone Nate was by that point. ”I haven’t yet, no.” She would have mentioned why but thought it best not to say so in front of his mother.

[nate]

Nate couldn't help but to wonder if the kind of girls talk his mum wanted to have was the same kind as what happens in the High School, where Nate's sister hears from the girls about who he has slept with in the school and all of his latest accomplishments, what eventually gets back to him. Or is it like the 'girl' talks he has with his sister when it doesn't involve people he has slept with where they keep the convocation just between the two of them.

Nate's mother raised an eye brow at the female as if to say 'Well are you going to say anything.' but no answer came. "That is true, maybe you should teach my son that, since he doesn't watch his figure but he does work out in his spare time.' Nate's mother said.

Nate knew one thing was good and that is if his mother asks him a question that he can't possibly answer with out leaving some bits out, then he could just let Isabella speak to his mother to buy him time.

Nate felt something warm go onto his angry fist, so he looks at Isabella and noticed one of her arms was discretely in his direction so he smiled slightly before turning back to to his mother, Nate released his fist and attempted to hold onto Isabella's hand. "Well you see mother, I would like you to stop bad mouthing my mistakes of the past, since the present has no mistakes but it does involve Isabella being more involved in my life." Nate said admitting to his mother that he is dating Isabella.

'So you two have slept with each other since that is one of the first things you do with someone of the opposite sex.' Nate's mother said.

"We haven't slept slept together since we want to take our time and not ruin our relationship, we have only shared Isabella's bed and before you try asking in another way the furthest we have gone is just kissing." Nate said as he raised an eye brow at his mother as if to say 'stay out of it'.

'It is about time you went out with her since you have loved her for about two years now.' Nate's mother said as she smiled warmly at the couple. 'So Isabella, what would you like included in this function?' Nate's mother asked since they had ordered there food.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

She was fairly certain that Nate’s dietary habits would continue to suit him well into his forties but if Mrs. Grey was really all that concerned over it Isabella saw no reason why she couldn’t give him a few nutritional tips to help him out. Nodding to the woman she would keep in mind to pay more attention to what her son was eating and make the appropriate suggestions where she could. Cutting the amount of alcohol that he drank out of his diet would have been the first step, while a glass of wine with dinner wasn’t too bad, he was twenty-one and a bartender. However, that wouldn’t be anything that she would have suggested at this point in time in his life. Nate was still young and should have been enjoying it. Besides it would have been hypocritical of her to suggest he stop drinking when she herself did it.

Lacing her fingers together with his as Nate unclenched his fists Isabella gave him a reassuring squeeze. His mother was being very expressive of her thoughts this evening and Isabella couldn’t help but to be stirred by a pang of nervousness overcoming her. She wanted Mrs. Grey to be in favor of their relationship but with the way she was giving them the third degree Isabella couldn’t anticipate her approval. She wasn’t discrediting the possibility of it of course just that Mrs. Grey hadn’t displayed any signs of being positive about it. Perhaps she was just concerned about her son’s feelings for Isabella being crushed because of his usual habits. Mrs. Grey probably could have figured out that Isabella wasn’t the kind of young woman to be trifled with. If his affection for random women were to kick back in while he was with Isabella she wouldn’t tolerate it.

His mother was a bit jaded in thinking that the first thing a couple did was to sleep together. Isabella might not have been a blushing virgin but she did still have morals and standards. While she was attracted to Nate and she did lust for him she wouldn’t be so quick to jump in the sack with him like the other girls that he was used to. Isabella had wanted to take their relationship one step at a time. Besides Nate had said that he wasn’t going to sleep with her this week maybe even longer. She imagined that him waiting was for the same reasons that she was. They wanted to explore the other aspects of their relationship before bringing sex into it. Isabella respected that and who knew, maybe it would do Nate good abstaining for a little while. She didn’t really mind what he’d done in the past, in between that time of them thinking about it because she had been with someone else during that time herself. The boy had been useless to her but for one thing until the other day when he had helped, unwittingly, give her clarity on what she was going to do regarding Nate. It had led to her giving him a definite yes.

Seeing that smile on the woman’s face immediately had one adorning Isabella’s lips. It was the approval that she had been hoping for and even the answer to a question that she had left unasked. Two years though, during that time Isabella had been flirtatious with other guys right in front of him. She felt guilty again over it but pushed it away keeping in mind that they both had a past and if she could accept his far more colorful one then he could deal with a bit of flirtation on her part. Getting back to why they were originally supposed to be here for dinner Isabella kept quiet while the waiter came back with their drinks and only once he was finished and she had thanked him would she speak up.

”I thought that it could be a benefit dinner.” It would offer Mrs. Grey the glamour to doll herself up and it was usually the simplest of fundraisers. ”All we’d have to do is secure a proper venue, caterer, and live entertainment.” It didn’t have to be a big name but if the scheduling was right there were a couple bigger names that supported autism awareness that might be available and interested. That wasn’t necessary though there was plenty of talent to consider, even locally that would have been more than happy dedicating an evening.

[nate]

Nate knew that he would have to cut back on a lot of things since he doesn't want to be unfaithful to Isabella if he gets drunk since that isn't any excuse on why he cheated on her. Nate did have to wonder on what kind of things will Isabella try to do to get him to change, hopefully it would just be to have a healthier lifestyle when it comes down to food. The hard part would be the alcohol since he works in a bar so he is surrounded by alcohol for the shifts and he serves the alcohol so that would be hard to do.

Nate smiled warmly at his girlfriend when she laced her fingers with his so he did the same. Nate's gaze then turned to his mother as he tried to read any sign of if his mother was in favor of his and Isabella's new relationship or not, but so far couldn't see anything. Nate didn't really care if his mom was in favor of him and Isabella since he would still remain with her even if he was told not to but he did want his mums approval of him to have a steady relationship.

Nate noticed that Isabella seemed to be annoyed at what his mother had just said. "She means that I didn't really do much bonding and what not with my previous... 'relationships'... so it is just something that she has assumed about the two of us as well." Nate said explaining to his lover what his mother meant.

Nate smirked slightly when he noticed the smile appear on his mothers lips and gave him the closest thing to a approval he will get. Nate glared at his mother slightly when he brought up how long he has loved his best friend but he never said anything. He turned to look at Isabella and noticed that she looked guilty about flirting in front of him. "Don't worry about it Isabella, since you didn't know." Nate said. Nate let out a sigh of relief when his mother returned back to the order of why they originally decided to come to the restaurant. Nate smiled when his drink appeared, he took his drink from the waiter and swirled the drink before taking a sip of it.

Nate's mother sat in her chair and rubbed her chin in deep thought. 'So just a simple benefit dinner then.' Nate's mother said. 'Nate are you still friends with the musician's daughter?' Nate's mother asked.

"Not any more mother, we simply had a falling out." Nate said simply.

'I guess it will give us a chance to get in touch with the whole family to attend and to meet your new... sorry I mean your first girlfriend.' Nate's mother said.

"I guess it will be a good idea. Why don't you ask your child hood friend if his band could play at the function." Nate suggested to his mother.

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

While his mother might have meant that Nate didn’t form bounds with the others what she seemed to forget and was a crucial difference was that Isabella was an actual friend to Nate beforehand. They had already bounded with one another and though it had been strictly as friends maybe that was for the best. Isabella already knew the person that he was and had been able to appreciate him for that. The other women that he had seen in the past they couldn’t really be considered relationships, those were flings to Isabella. You couldn’t have a relationship with someone over a one-night stand that was just having relations and yes, she was a stickler for semantics.

She gave him a nod of acknowledgment having no interest in telling Mrs. Grey that she was wrong in her assumptions. That wouldn’t have been very polite now would it have? Glancing over at Nate she offered him a smile. Of course it was nice to know that he wasn’t holding any sort of grudge against her despite the fact that she hadn’t been aware. Maybe she should have taken better notice though. Every time Nate had displayed signs of liking her she had always shrugged them off trying to tell herself that it wasn’t the case. It hadn’t been for lacking of want as she had always been attracted to him but rather that she didn’t want to set herself up for disappoint, lay down more flirtatious interest in him and make him uncomfortable.

It was one thing for her to just be herself and offer up those mild affects but there was a difference between that and Isabella really showing interest in someone. She tended to take a more aggressive approach than light kisses or touches, she had pretty much mastered the art of seduction and there was one person in her life that had been helping her hone those skills for the past year in various stages of advancement and yet they didn’t particularly care for one another. That was probably perverse in some way but she tried not to think about it.

”Yes,” Isabella interjected before listening on as mother and son went back and forth about the music aspect. She turned to her wine, gracefully, and took a sip properly appreciating the blended flavors. The mention of meeting the rest of his family at the fundraiser nearly had her drink being swallowed the wrong way and coughing but Isabella held the instinct to do so at bay despite it tickling at her throat. There had been a lot riding on the fundraiser’s success as it was in making a good impression with Mr. And Mrs. Grey but to add on the rest of his family, that was a lot of added pressure. Isabella pushed down her insecurities keeping a complacent expression on her face the whole time without even a moment’s wavering. She could handle it.

Getting back on focus Isabella smiled at Mrs. Grey. ”I think having your friend play is a splendid idea. I know of a wonderful chef in the next town over that I can book for catering.” All that would be left to decide was the venue they’d be holding the dinner at. The guest list and set up could all be done at a later time when they had something to write down things on, tonight, Isabella had thought, was supposed to be about brain storming ideas and that was going along quick and painlessly.