not edited

I flipped through my notebook checking off the things that had been done.

Catering. Check.
Cake. Check.
Drinks. Check.
Music. Check.
Decoration. Not Check.

The most important part, the part that made it look like a party was still pending. "Ray," I call out to the young lady, the family's planner, who runs at my voice. "We've been at the decoration since 10, it's been two hours. I need to leave when will this be done? It's taking too long. I'm looking at a random blue tarp in the middle of the yard, the lampposts aren't erected, the stage- the stage isn't even here. And where are the seating arrangements? What about the lanterns? What-" I was cut off when I felt familiar strong but soft arms wrap around me.

"Surprise," I heard a soft, deep voice. I craned my neck to look at Aaron, looking as ravishing as ever. He had the faintest smile on his face but he looked relaxed, there was another emotion on his face which I couldn't perfectly pinpoint but that didn't matter. His brown hair, as messy as ever look soft and his sce t enveloped me, calming me down. "Take it easy yeah?" He said.

I nodded, breathless.

pretty sure I was drooling by the time I took in his attire when he stepped back, white button down paired with grey pants and his sleeves rolled up. He was a sight to behold.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, recovering so i don't make a fool of myself.

"I was returning from my dad's company branch when Dorian told me how you've decided to throw Octavian a party. So I'm here. Tell me, do you have any work for me?" He asked, a smile on his face. A smile that felt that it was there just to woo me.

"Please," I muttered, "Can you help me with the decoration? I don't know if you heard or not but like the stage isn't here yet, the flowers aren't either, no latterns, no chairs or tables. There's literally nothing in the name of decoration except this blue fucking tarp." I'm pretty sure he could understand the extent of irritation I felt just by my words and darn right he should have felt.

"Alright, go get dressed, I'll have the decor and the seating done before you get back from lunch," He said, pushing me towards the door.

"But, I-"

"No buts," He said, his tone final, "go have a successful lunch. I promise I'll have the stage and the seating ready." I sighed realizing that this was not a battle I was going to win. So instead I gave up and walked towards the main house.

The lunch was successful. Or that's what I would like to believe but to any third person looking in, It would be anything but that. Octavian was tender than usual, snappier. Dorian was way too quiet. The twins were unusually calm. The whole lunch, not one word was said to each other, just to the waiter.

It was awkward. But the moment we arrived home, my heart was filled with joy at the sight of numerous cars standing in the driveway and families pouring out of them. My family was here.

The twins jumped out of their cars to greet them while Dorian held the door open for me. I got out of the car, straightening my dress, suddenly nervous and aware of the fact that I haven't seen these people for more than half my life.

The negative thoughts started entering. Why hadn't Octavian invited them over before to meet me when I had come? Was he hiding me from the? Was he embarrassed of me? Do my grandparents and uncles and aunts hate me?

Dorian took my hand, smiling widely, unaware of the storm brewing in my head, and pulled me towards the laughing and smiling crowd. I plastered a smile on my face. Pretty sure it looked nervous and scared but this was best. I know it's awful but it's my best.

As soon as we were in the eyesight of the group, the chatter stopped and everyone stilled. The smiles were wiped off and looks of shocks replaced them. I had no idea of what to do when Dorian nudged me forward so I squeaked.

Like a fucking rat.

"Hello," A squeaky hello. Could this day get more embarrassing. I'm sure my face turned red, down to my neck, in the thorough embarrassment I was experiencing.

One of the cousins broke the silence. "She is so cute," he said, a wide smile on his face. I reddened further, if that was even possible.

My eyes then landed on my grandparents. All four of them. And I did not know what to do. I was scared of embarrassing Octavian when we had just had a breakthrough and gotten close. All the doubts swirling in my head stopped as Nana stepped forward, tears glistening in her eyes as she hugged me. I awkwardly bent down as she held me while tears dropped down her face. She pulled away softly, observing my face, her wrinkled soft hand caressing my cheek as she made herself taller and kissed my forehead, "So beautiful," she muttered against my forehead.

"Oh Shanice, move over and stop hogging her all to yourself. Let me get a good look at my granddaughter as well," Another feminine voice spoke up from behind nana and I peeked behind her frail form. My eyes landed on an elegant woman, she didn't even look half as old she should've been. Striking blue eyes, black hair with wisps of white tied up in a neat low bun with some strands of her hlsoft hair framing the face. Sharp cheekbones and cat-like eyes complimented her demeanor as she looked a carbon copy of my dad.

My dad's mother, my grandma. Does she hate me as well? Does she blame me for what happened to my father? Is she going to be like Dorian? "Oh child," She whispered, almost inaudible to everyone "Wipe that worried look off of your face, love. We're not going to eat you alive," she muttered as she stepped forward to hug me. Still a little shocked, I hugged her back.

The grandfathers came next both of them gushing over how old I've gotten and how much I've grown since they last saw me. Much to my surprise and possible my good luck, they were all quite welcoming of me. But I don't know about my aunts and uncles or my cousins. Before I could even greet them, a disheveled and tired Ray came running over to me, immediately asking for my presence in the humongous backyard.

I gave a questioning look to Dorian, confused as to what I should do but before Dorian could reply, Alejandro, one of my older cousins replied instead, "Go on princess, we can talk later," he said with a soft smile on his face. I returned his smile before waving awkwardly and running off with Ray. With my purse in one hand and the coat in another and with a dress on, it did seem quite difficult. But what I saw in the backyard was worth the struggle of running in that bodycon dress.

The venue was ready. Almost ready but oh well. The tables were set up, cloth and centerpiece and the chair and everything perfectly in place. The lamps were erected along the pathway while the crew fixed golden lightbulbs in them that would give the gorgeous golden glow to the main pathway. More men were in the trees covering them with the pretty little lights to decorate them. And amidst all this hustle bustle was the man who handled all this.

Aaron stood there, confidently ordering the workers around running everything smoothly and pulling off the impossible task of decoration for Octavian's party. And look like the most handsome guy I've seen while doing all that.

I began to ran over to him, a wide smile of my face as I called out to him. He turned, an irritated expression on his face but he that was soon changed when he saw me. A smile took the place of that scowl as I threw my arms around him in excitement. He hugged me back, wrapping both his around me and then standing up straight, which caused him to pick me up asy feet dangled in the air.

I pulled away, a big smile still on my face, "This is amazing, you're amazing." I mutter. His face glowed with adoration as he slowly, cautiously moved closer, closer and closer to my face and my breath hitched and I stayed frozen in his arms as his stubble brushed against my cheek and then his lips landed right there. Giving me a soft, fleeting cheek kiss. It was like everyone froze and nobody mattered except him and me and our little moment.

His lips moved a little ahead as he whispered in my ear, "thank you sweetheart," and the zoo in my stomach felt that. It was just beautiful. He pulled back so I could get a proper look at his face. We held eye contact until our little moment was broken up by Ray calling out to us.

"Miss Crawford," she called and i attached back to reality, i burned red as I shimmied out of his hands and turned to Ray. I was very well aware of his lingering hand on my waist.

"They're bringing in the stage, where would you like it?" She asked, I looked up at Aaron and nodded a little before walking away with Ray to where they were unloading the material.

Today had to be perfect.

***

A/N

Well, ik I've been disappearing for quite a while but there's shit going on, I hope you guys understand. But we'll I'll try to the best of my ability to update.

Also, y'all this book has 100k+ readers. I'm crying, sobbing, blubbering any words you can think of. It was literally the first chapter when I remember celebrating 100 readers and now thirty chapters later a 100k. That's so many. I could never express how grateful I am that each and every one of you decided to give this book a chance, put up with my shenanigans and supported me and loved the characters. Each and every one of you has made this possible and I couldn't thank you guys enough for it.

So, look forward to Astria's story and her journey and I hope you stay till the end.

SIBLING MEME

QOTD: What book are you reading currently on Wattpad?
AOTD: loathsome brothers

Toodles

~Ash