Chapter 5 Dinner with the Harrfolds

Cecilia stared at the ivory invitation card in her hand like it was a summons from royalty.

Hartford Family Dinner – Friday, 7:30 PM. Formal Attire.

Leo had delivered it to her apartment two days earlier, along with a garment bag containing a designer black dress, silver heels, and diamond-studded earrings she didn't even want to guess the price of.

She had no choice.

This was part of the deal.

Be the perfect girlfriend. The soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Charm his parents, play nice with their friends, and smile as if she belonged in a world that had never even opened its doors to her before this contract.

She exhaled deeply and began getting ready.

---

The Hartford estate was more like a palace than a home.

It sat on several acres of pristine land just outside the city, surrounded by manicured gardens, marble statues, and a fountain that gushed like something out of a European movie. A valet opened her door the moment Leo's car rolled to a stop.

Cecilia stepped out, her nerves coiling tighter with every click of her heels against the stone driveway. She smoothed the silk of her dress, took a deep breath, and looked up at Leo.

He looked unfairly good in a tailored charcoal suit and navy tie, his hair styled perfectly, as if he hadn't had a single stressful thought all day.

"You ready?" he asked, offering his arm.

"No," she said honestly, but linked her arm through his anyway. "Let's get this over with."

"You'll be fine," Leo said, but his voice held a tightness. "They can be... intense."

"Comforting," she muttered as they approached the massive oak doors.

---

They were barely inside when a tall, regal-looking woman descended the staircase like a queen in heels.

She was elegant, with shoulder-length chestnut hair styled into soft curls and a sharp gaze that could cut glass. Dressed in an emerald green dress and a pearl necklace, she extended her arms toward Leo with a composed smile.

"Darling," she greeted. "Finally."

"Mother," Leo said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

Then her eyes turned to Cecilia.

"You must be Cecilia."

Cecilia straightened her spine and stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hartford."

"Eleanor," the woman corrected with a tight smile, her eyes scanning Cecilia's outfit, shoes, jewelry-everything. "We've heard... so much."

"Only good things, I hope," Cecilia said with a smile she didn't fully feel.

Eleanor didn't answer.

Leo's father appeared next. A tall man with silver-streaked hair and a firmer handshake than necessary.

"Graham Hartford," he said. "My son's been quiet about you, but I can't say I'm surprised."

"Dad," Leo warned lightly.

Graham chuckled. "Just being honest. You're a surprise, Cecilia-but a pleasant one."

It felt more like a test than a compliment.

Dinner was being served in the formal dining room, a place so grand it made Cecilia's childhood kitchen look like a shoebox. The table was set for ten, with gold-rimmed china, crystal glasses, and tall candles flickering down the length of the table.

Leo pulled out her chair like a proper gentleman, and she murmured a soft "thank you" as she sat, already feeling the sweat trickling down her spine.

To her right sat a woman introduced as Aunt Miriam-a sharp-tongued socialite who grilled Cecilia on her "background," which was Hartford-speak for "family and income."

"And what does your father do?" Miriam asked mid-salad.

"He passed away a few years ago," Cecilia replied calmly.

"Oh. I'm sorry," Miriam said, but didn't sound sorry. "And your mother?"

"She works in a small pharmacy," Cecilia replied.

"A pharmacist?"

"A cashier," Cecilia corrected.

A silence hung over the table for a beat too long. Then Eleanor spoke again, slicing her salmon delicately.

"And what do you do, Cecilia?"

"I was working in civil service," she replied honestly. "Administrative support at the Department of Transportation."

Eleanor arched a perfectly manicured brow. "And you left that to... be with Leo?"

Cecilia smiled tightly. "Let's just say life had other plans."

Leo jumped in. "She's being modest. Cecilia's smart, grounded, and practical. Everything I need in my life right now."

The table shifted a little. Eleanor didn't reply. But something softened in her eyes for just a second before she returned to her meal.

---

By dessert, Cecilia was exhausted. Pretending was harder than she'd thought, especially when it came to high society. Every word she said felt like walking a tightrope-one wrong step, and she'd fall.

But Leo surprised her.

Every time a question went too far, he redirected. When his uncle laughed too hard at Cecilia's unfamiliarity with caviar, Leo leaned in and whispered, "It tastes like salt and regret anyway. Don't bother."

She nearly choked on her laughter.

When they stood to leave, Eleanor walked them to the foyer.

"You did well tonight," she said quietly to Cecilia.

"I-thank you," Cecilia stammered.

Eleanor's expression was unreadable. "My son has never brought a woman home before. Not even when he was dating Clarissa."

"Clarissa?"

"His ex," Eleanor said pointedly. "She comes from good stock. Wealth. Prestige."

Cecilia swallowed hard. "I'm not trying to compete with anyone."

"I hope not," Eleanor replied. "Because no matter what Leo tells you... our world doesn't bend easily."

With that, she turned and disappeared up the stairs.

Cecilia stood frozen until Leo returned from saying goodbye to his father.

"Ready?" he asked, noticing her expression.

She nodded, and they exited the house in silence.

---

Back in the car, she finally exhaled.

"That was... intense," she muttered.

Leo chuckled softly. "Welcome to the Hartford family."

"Your mom basically told me I'm unworthy, she hates me."

"She says that to everyone," he said, loosening his tie. "It's her love language."

Cecilia laughed, despite herself. "Well, I passed the test, I think."

"You did more than that," he said, glancing at her. "You handled them better than I ever could've expected."

His voice was softer now. Warmer. Sincere.

Cecilia turned to him. "Did you mean what you said? At the table. About me being everything you need?"

Leo paused for a moment before answering.

"Yes," he said. "At least... for now."

Cecilia's heart skipped a beat-but she didn't press. Not yet.

Six months.

No feelings.

No strings.

But sometimes... he made it hard to remember that.