His Forced One

Liliana Covey liked to play the piano, it was the only thing that gave her comfort at a time when everyone in the world was either mad or getting there. As she sat on the piano, her fingers running along the smooth white tiles, she forced herself to ignore the furious whispers of her parents behind the door.

She could hear them of course, the angry whispers were not drowned out by the smooth simple melody she played. Some days Lili wondered what it would take to get them to stop arguing but then she would toss the idea out of her mind.

" Stop that hammering" her father's cold voice echoed, Travis Covey was not a particularly handsome man, he had beady black eyes that sat too narrowly in his thin face, as well as the most unflattering habits of hunching himself to appear broader than he was. He wasn't particularly kind either but his mother had against all odds managed to care for him over the past twenty-eight years of their marriage.

" Oh stop that Travis she was playing quite beautifully" Mother scolded, at five foot six inches Miriam Covey stood an inch shorter than her husband, she was a beauty with most of her features having been passed down to her daughter including her kindness.

" Don't mind your father dear he's just grumpy that some business fell through today" Mother consoled, her father spluttered, his eyes widening comically

" I don't think she has to know that Miriam" he grunted and Mother's lips quirked in a slight smile

" Go on upstairs and prepare for dinner dear we're inviting a few of your father's associates to dinner, look as pretty as you dare," she said softly and Lili laughed, rising from the piano

"I always look pretty" she grinned

Nodding to her father and pressing a small kiss to her mother's cheek, she strolled to the stairs just as her parents picked up bickering again. Liliana sighed and prayed that if she ever got married it would be to a man as quiet and unassuming as she was who would never incite in her the horrible traits of bickering.

************

Liliana pulled a dress from her closet, it was a lovely shade of sky blue, one of her favorite dresses actually, that matched seamlessly with her eyes. She could hear the soft clatter of plates and spoons as the house staff got ready for the big dinner, Mother had sent them up twice to check that she was getting along with her preparation unwilling to risk them being sent a third time, she pulled on the dress, and then moved to her hair, a  smooth silky red, Liliana's hair was one of her greatest joys she'd taken care of it for years to get the silky texture just right.

" Lili darling hurry down" her mother called, her voice echoing along the house

" I'm coming" she called back, putting on simple comfy shoes she hurried out of her room and straight into a tall lanky body, glancing upward she found a grinning face and equally laughing eyes

" Well hello there beautiful, what are you doing here" Lili froze

" I live here of course, who are you," she asked pulling away from the stranger

" I'm one of your guests."

" Oh, did you get lost then, I'm going down so you can come with me" she answered, he smiled, his eyes twinkled suspiciously like he found her amusing,

" Come let go then," he said interrupting her thoughts and she nodded slightly, they walked down the stairs, in companionable silence, it was surprisingly nice to walk with someone who didn't look too long at her face with awe

" You never told me your name," she said softly and he grinned