Loreliee

1x1 - Loreilee & Aryn

Florence

Emire Jade, her new name, great. They had already chosen a name for her without asking about Flo's opinion and they had every right to. After all it was their child. Her sister had answered her question in all honesty, no doubts left. And Kaleb was madly in love with her. How romantic. He should better not dare to break her sister's heart, otherwise... let's just hope there would be no otherwise.

"Congratulations, Sydney. I am sure you will be a great mom," Florence said calmly without averting her eyes, that were fixed on Kaleb. "Could you leave us alone for a second? Or two? Preferably longer."
She didn't wait for his consent, but turned her head back to her younger sister. "I just haven't had the chance to talk to you in ages. I honestly don't even remember the last time we were alone together. And by that I mean more than five minutes. Whenever I try to talk to you Kaleb will join the conversation. He is like your shadow." Breathing out, Florence realized the harshness in her voice. Maybe she should have started it off differently, but now there was no going back.
"Sometimes I even wonder whether you are still being able to function without him. He does everything for you. And by everything I mean everything. Your laundry, the daily house cleaning, the quick trip to the grocery store to buy you your favorite chocolate... Don't get me wrong. I don't begrudge you your happiness. I am just trying to be here for you, make sure you're all right. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Ouch. Florence looked down at her hand, seeing a small drop of blood forming within her palm. She wiped it off at her trousers. Apprehensively, she made sure that Syd hadn't seen it. Flo had no intentions to hurt herself, but it was a convenient way to keep her raging emotions under control. She preferred to appear angry, yet restrained. Inside, she felt infuriated. After all these years, her little sister forgot about all her promises to never rely on a guy.

1x1 - Loreilee & Aryn

Florence

Florence placed her hands on her sisters leg, trying to calm her down while she gathered her thoughts. Sydney's behavior frightened, but at the same time intrigued her. What caused her sister to become so quiet? Syd belonged to the liveliest people she knew, if not the even the most vivid. Whenever she approached Florence with a new message, she could barely keep it to herself. She didn't have to. Florence knew all of her little secrets. At least she had thought she did.

And then something unexpected happened. Well, it didn't really happen. It had already been that way, Florence had just never noticed it. Sydney was pregnant. 21 weeks pregnant. With a girl.

Oh my God. The strange phone call from the gynecologist yesterday, who had inquired about Sydney's well-being. Sydney'sudden interest in education books. Her constant meetings. It all made perfect sense now.

Florence didn't know how to feel. In fact, she didn't feel anything at all. All the time she had presumed that her sister had started all these new activities for her. To prepare herself for the role of a future aunt. How could she have been so blind? It dawned on her, that her sisters sudden love for hoodies didn't have anything to do with the new boyfriend style. Hell, even her taste in music had changed. Sydney had listened to Mozart while eating cheese toast with chocolate cream. It had all been so obvious.

She didn't react when Kaleb entered the room. She didn't realize his presence in that second. Her mind was racing, but she hadn't moved an inch since the revelation. Slowly, she straightened herself and posed the only question she could think of: "Are you happy?"

1x1 - Loreilee & Aryn

Florence

When Sydney entered the room, Florence held her breath for a second. What would her little sister say? Would she be angry? This, of course, didn't apply to Sydney's behavior. Sydney's frown on her face lasted for merely a second, before she replaced it with a wide, genuine smile and praised her work. Sydney, unlike everybody else, understood her. She didn't even question her motives, she simply knew why Florence had to do what she had to do. Her opinion alone mattered.

"I am glad you're liking it. I wouldn't say that it is completely finished, but even I am pleased with the result so far. Having painted this entire house has done wonders to my handicraft skills, but they are nowhere near as great as your talents, trust me," she laughed. Realizing that her sister looked somehow worried, Florence placed down her paintbrush and thrust the pain bucket aside.
"Syd, you know you can...", before she had the chance to finish her sentence, Sydney already interrupted her with the infamous words "I have to tell you something." If Florence knew one thing for sure, then it was that this innocent sentence could turn your life upside down. In a negative way. She could tell you a thing or two about it. However, in this moment, Florence repressed her past-time memories and focused her eyes on her sister. She knew her too well and how much Syd needed her right now. Despite her complicated upbringing, Syd was not the type of girl to be constantly worried. Something was completely wrong.

"Oh no no sweetheart, let's sit down," Florence said and tried to calm her down, while looking at the children's chairs next to her newly painted sun. Then, more hesitantly, she put an arm around her crying sister, guiding her to the seats. "Whatever it is, you don't have to worry. We can cope with anything. We are stronger than anybody else, remember? Strong as tigers, that is what we used to say, right?"

1x1 - Loreilee & Aryn

Florence

"And I worry about you Sydney. Stay safe while you are out and about." Florence looked at her sister with warm, but tired eyes. She hadn't had a good night's sleep for the last few days and felt even more sensitive than usual. Deep inside she knew that Sydney behaved strangely, however she didn't want to force her sister to confess something she might not even want to hear. Sydney's intentions were pure and her whole lifestyle filled with positivity. Surely she wouldn't keep a painful secret, would she? Deciding that it was best to not ask any further, she wished them a great day outside and then resumed eating her French toast.

As soon as they had left the building, Florence got up from her chair and put the dirty plates inside the dishwasher. It was part of her every day routine to check whether the house needed any more cleaning, but this wasn't the case today. Sydney and Kaleb made sure to clean and fix everything before Florence could even recognize a single dirty spot. According to them, she should rest more and forget about the daily chores as she was ready to give birth any minute. As if it was that easy. Florence might not be the keenest house keeper, but she was far from being a passive person. Whatever needed to be done she would tackle immediately and if there wasn't anything she would come up with a task.

Two hours later and Florence was busy painting her future baby's room in soft shades of yellow and green. Yes, painting. The cashier hadn't actually believed her when she had told him about her plans to design the room herself, which had made her even more determined to do it. Her pregnancy shouldn't completely constrain her freedom, right? And it was the smallest room in the house. As easy as winking. To distract herself from her neighbour's lawn mowing, she turned the TV on. Sydney and her fiance wouldn't be back in the next few hours and Florence already felt more relaxed. They will love my depiction of the Sahara.

1x1 - Loreilee & Aryn

Florence

"That will do," Florence murmured to herself, putting on one of her many black tops, that she had found in the H&M 'basics' section. Unlike many people, she didn't believe in the saying 'dress to impress'. Why should she spend hours and hours per day shopping for clothes online and ordering them, just to send them back? Not to mention the ordeal of having to try on ridiculously overpriced jeans in countless shops without finding a single pair that actually fit. No, she preferred to keep a written list of the essential clothes she needed to buy for the upcoming season and other than that reused her belongings for ages. And as a mother-to-be her newest purchases consisted of over sized sweaters, tops and dresses. And possibly Chino pants. They were comfy and therefore great. Something only Florence would wear because of its practicality, as they were not in-fashion at the moment, or at least not for women. Today she opted for a camouflage colored ones and slid into a pair of trainers, before taking a quick look in the mirror. Oh wow, I look pregnant. As if in 'I-am-going-to-give-birth-any-minute-pregnant'.

Descending the stairs, she could already perceive the smell of toast and something sweet. French toast. Kaleb is already preparing breakfast. Since Sydney's decision to move in, the house dynamics had changed. In the past Florence used to eat yesterday's remnants in the morning, but now that Kaleb basically lived here, he somehow felt responsible to cook for everybody. Despite having a full time job! However, as far as Florence could tell, he treated her sister well and Sydney seemed to be genuinely happy with him. And as much as Florence hated to admit it, her pregnancy did restrain her in her everyday activities. She was grateful to have the two around, even if she couldn't always express it... properly.

"Good morning Kaleb, how are you?" Florence gave him a hint of a smile and opened the fridge to find something to eat, but Kaleb was faster. "I am great, how are you? You should definitely try out my newest creation of French toast with strawberries and maple syrup", he said and pulled one of the chairs in front of the island back. Florence couldn't think of an excuse why she should refuse his offer and cook her own food without putting off her sister's fiance. And she didn't want to waste the precious French toasts. They surely didn't look too bad. "Thanks", she said and sat down. "I mean, really. You shouldn't have woken up so early just to 'feed' everybody."

In the same moment Florence saw Sydney coming down the stairs and greeting her boyfriend, making it impossible for him to think of a response. As always, she radiated a confidence and ease, that Flo had never felt in her life. Not after the incident.

"I am glad that you are finally taking some time off and meeting your err cousin - Katie, right?" Florence grinned, but at the same time folded her arms before her body. "Guys, you don't have to be so - agitated. I am completely fine on my own, trust me. Live your lives. Don't assume that you have to be here all the time. Really."
Both of them behaved strangely and Florence knew when Sydney tried to hide something from her. Most likely the fact, that spending time with Florence was - less exciting than expected? For Florence this was the most plausible explanation and she didn't even feel offended. Why would she? She could understand Sydney more than anyone else. Florence was supposed to look after Sydney and not the other way around. Of course Sydney needed some time for herself.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

"Actual Cockroaches?" Adrian grinned at Azariah, trying to imagine her eating insects in the middle of the market place. As far as food was concerned, she shouldn't have an issue being a countess. Part of her noble duty was to savour dishes from renowned international cooks and Adrian was more than certain that she wouldn't mind this obligation.

"What could possibly interest you about me? I am a simple British man," Adrian replied, tilting his head to the side. Simplicity might not actually apply to him nor his future beloved, but she could have been betrothed to a duke or Prince as well. Compared to them, Adrian considered himself quite frugal.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

She wouldn't appreciate a ton of the changes that awaited her. And running her own business was a luxury of her past. How long would it take for her to figure it out? Her role in this whole spectacle? Adrian couldn't quite believe that she hadn't even looked up his name just to get to know her future husband and gather information about him. Such as his alleged affair with the married Countess of Devonshire.

"Oh darling, your life is far from what normal people would perceive as boring. And it is doomed to become even more attractive to the public eye." He said with a wink. From the corner of his eye he registered the approaching waiter, who then continued to put appetisers on the table. "Poached Salmon with Honey-Mustard sauce as your hors d'ouvre. Bon appétit," he said with a convincing French accent. Adrian thanked him politely and refocused his attention on Azariah. "I completely forgot to enquire about possible allergies. I hope you don't mind salmon, do you?"

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

A property management firm? That wasn't Adrian's idea of being discreet. No, he had to generate his income without drawing too much attention to himself. And being the boss of a property management firm was simply impossible. People would question his motives and possibly his title, calling him greedy and manipulative. Unlike the royal family, he couldn't directly use the public. And even worse - neither could his future wife. As an American heiress, she would be of use to him, but as the Countess of Summershire, she was expected to attend social events and proclaim her love for charity. Nobody would even listen to her business proposals, apart from him. All her suggestions would turn to his. Azariah did not have a single clue what she got herself into.

"We will talk about your visions later," Adrian replied curtly. "For now I would rather focus on your talents, likes and dislikes. Tell me about yourself, how you have lived your life so far and your plans for the future."

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

"No children, liberties for the both of us." Adrian concluded, raising his glass of champagne. "To us. May our marriage be short and glorious" With a smile he gulped the drink and put it back on the table, waving for the waiter to come. "As tempting as the foods on the menu sound, we would like to try something else. As our lives are full of surprises, the date shall be no less. Please, indulge us with your chef's masterpieces of his own choice."
Turning back to Azariah, Adrian folded his hands on the table. "And you should indulge me with your stories. How has England treated you so far? Albeit you are American, you must surely have come across some similarities. After all we share history." He could barely hide his smug smile. And soon you will be part of it.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Adrian

Her American accent was refreshing to listen to, full of life and energy. At the same time she exuded a calm confidence he found more than intriguing. Azariah was a breath of fresh air in this ancient building, so much he had to admit.
"Then we have a deal", Adrian agreed and considered shaking her hand for a second, but decided against it. She might believe that he was a businessman, however he knew better to not act like one. The lives of most aristocrats contradicted any cunning business schemes. Nonetheless she did have a point. As much as Adrian enjoyed his noble freedom, he also intended to keep it - forever. She was the first change to begin with.

And probably, only probably, she could actually be more valuable to him than he thought. What if she could actually help him with his financial means AND secure his position in the future? He did not plan to give up the parties he enjoyed, nor could he afford to spend less money on social festivities in general, but for the first time he considered using his position. Why had he never thought about it? Celebrating and at the same time discreetly obliging the other nobles to pay for it. And that was just the beginning.

Azariah's presence woke a passion in Adrian, he did not even know he possessed.
"Now that you say it, I am sure that we will form a brilliant team, you and me," Adrian said, seeing her with different eyes.
"But it is not me who we should worry about. After all, you will play a big part in this as well. For the moment you might underestimate your future role in this society, however any mention of the American public will no longer be of any relevance on this soil. If you are keen on your fortune, you will have to learn from the best. Fortunately, the very best is sitting right in front of you."