Meeting All the Boys

Grandmother chuckles as she can see the look of disdain on my face and says, "If a debutante event is too much for you, then what about a small get-together with the colony residents in the clubhouse?”

I am hearing this word for the second time today, so I ask, “What is this clubhouse about?”

“We have a small clubhouse right behind the colony, where all the residents of the Edencrest Gardens, gather on any event or special occasion, and we celebrate together. They are the closest people in my life." Grandmother looks happy talking about the residents of the colony, and I consider that it might not be such a bad idea to have a small get-together.

"Alright, a get-together and introduction with your neighbors will not be so bad if you are that close to them, I guess," I say as Grandmother nods her head.

But now that I stand in the clubhouse, which looks like it could house at least ten of my previous studio apartments, I think I should take my words back.

The space is grand and tastefully decorated, with elegant chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The walls are adorned with intricate paintings and tapestries, and plush furniture is arranged neatly, providing an air of sophistication.

And just for the sake of meeting the neighbors, I had to go through the seven stages of grief. From picking out the perfect outfit to applying makeup meticulously, and from learning about the names of the neighbors to even their backgrounds, I had to endure it all.

I found myself dressed in a bright red sleeveless gown, custom-made just for me by the most desired designer in the country. The gown hugged my figure perfectly and after that, I found myself going through the painstaking process of applying makeup.

However, as I stood there with all eyes staring at me, whispering among themselves, I couldn't help but feel nervous to my core.

The residents of the Edencrest Gardens Colony were dressed impeccably as well, their outfits reflecting their wealth and status just as Mr. Adams made me study their profiles. They were all influential people and the richest in the country.

I tried to appear confident, but my hands trembled slightly as I clasped them in front of me. My grandmother, stood by my side, radiating an air of poise and grace that I could only hope to mimic.

"You are the exact copy of Felix," says Mr. Montgomery with a big smile on his face, and it brings a little peace to me as I smile back at him, feeling a connection to my father through his old friends.

"Ah, what were those days when all of us had no worries in life and would just play around this very clubhouse. It has been so long, but I realize, looking at you, that I do dearly miss Felix a lot," adds Mr. Roberts, his voice tinged with nostalgia, which makes my heart feel heavy.

Memories of Dad flood my mind, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like if he was here with his friends, reminiscing about the good old days.

A sense of yearning washes over me, but I push those emotions aside, not wanting to dampen the cheerful atmosphere.

Politely excusing myself from the group of elders that had surrounded me to introduce themselves, I take a step back, feeling a little overwhelmed by their words.

The clubhouse feels warm and inviting, yet the weight of being the granddaughter of someone as influential as Genevieve Whitaker adds an unexpected layer of complexity to my experience.

I am about to grab a drink from one of the few waiters when someone stops me by grabbing my hand in theirs, and I frown my eyebrows at the person in confusion.

As I look up, I recognize him from the profile Mr. Adams made me go through so diligently. He is Jackson "Jack" Roberts, the son of Mr. Roberts, the Media Mogul. He is the same age as me, and I have been strictly advised to stay guarded around him, as he is known for being playful around ladies.

"Hello, Dalilah," he calls me by my full name and attempts to kiss my hand, but I immediately snatch it away from him, flaring my nostrils in disgust.

However, he remains standing there with a big smirk on his lips, seemingly amused by my reaction. Despite his appealing looks, with those captivating green eyes and sandy-brown hair, his personality leaves much to be desired.

I was about to give him a piece of my mind when someone comes forward and delivers a sharp slap on Jack's head. A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I witness the scene unfold before me.

The one who emerges from behind Jack is Benjamin "Ben" Mitchell, a slightly older boy. He is the son of Mr. Mitchell, who owns the largest Pharmaceutical Firm in the country, associated with almost all of the biggest hospitals.

As he steps forward, he wears a warm smile that reflects his compassionate nature. His neatly styled black hair and warm brown eyes exude a sense of maturity and kindness.

"I'm sorry on his behalf," Ben says with a chuckle, gesturing towards Jack, "He doesn't mean any harm, he's just a bit coy like that." Jack rolls his eyes playfully at the elder boy's comment.

Ben proceeds to introduce both himself and Jack, but I decide to keep quiet, not wanting to reveal that I'm already aware of their identities. Instead, I simply nod my head politely.

Ethan emerges from seemingly out of nowhere, wearing his ever-cheerful smile, and directs his attention to Ben with a mock disappointed look. "Come on, why are you hovering around Lila like this? We should introduce her to the whole group," he exclaims, his enthusiasm contagious.

Jack, showing curiosity, raises an eyebrow at Ethan's choice of words "Lila?" It's evident that he's questioning the familiarity.

Ethan responds, "Well, you guys are latecomers. I already had met Lila before today," he says with a touch of pride, causing me to chuckle at his cheerful demeanor and I did agree to the fact that I preferred being called Lila over my full name.

In the next moment, I find myself being pulled along by Ethan towards a group of youngsters, each one almost around my age.

Ethan is the son of Mr. Collins, a big Tech Tycoon, and he shares his father's passion for technology. At first glance, with his thick, outdated glasses, one might assume he's just a typical nerd, but as the saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover."

As I greeted and was introduced to all the people once again, my attention was drawn to Sebastian "Seb" Montgomery, the heir to a fashion empire. His striking gray eyes seemed to sparkle with a mischievous glint, and his light brown hair was styled in a unique and fashionable way, with a single strand of hair gracefully resting on his handsome face.

While the other boys in the group opted for more conventional navy or black suits and ties, Seb chose to stand out with his confident fashion sense, donning a stylish red blazer over a green vasket and pants.

Next to Seb, is Nicholas "Nick" Anderson, the heir to an Automotive Empire. I had been informed that the majority of cars going in and out of the Edencrest Gardens Colony belonged to the Andersons. Nick have tousled dark hair that gave him a slightly rugged look, and his inviting hazel eyes seemed to hold a spark of mischief. His well-built, athletic physique hinted at his love for sports, and to be honest, I think he might be an adrenaline junkie.

Up next is Oliver "Ollie" Thompson, son of Mr. Thompson who is a Real Estate Mogul. He has sandy blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, and his vibrant personality keeps the conversation engaging.

Last but not least, there stands the grumpy sloth, Alexander "Alex" Williams, son of a Financial Magnate. As our eyes meet, I can't help but roll my eyes away, and I have a hunch that he does the same. He has three sisters that have also joined the crowd, Emily, Evelyn, and Elliana, all three of them older than him. Maybe he is too babied in his house that he only spouts arrogance.

Every resident of the Edencrest Colony belongs to the uppermost echelon of society in the entire country. Even standing in this very clubhouse carries a significance that I can hardly measure.

The air is thick with affluence, and each person present exudes an aura of privilege and influence. It's a world I've never been a part of, and for a moment, I feel like an outsider in my own grandmother's domain.

But I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I am no less deserving to be here than any of those present.