**author's POV**
Just like that two weeks had past nearing Asher's birthday
The decorations for Asher's birthday were in full swing. A pink and purple dollhouse, adorned with glitter, dolls, and her favorite perfume, stood proudly in the corner of the spacious living room.
Rainbow-colored lights twinkled along the house, transforming it into a glamorous enchanted kingdom.
Bouquets sprinkled with blue glitter were beautifully arranged along the stair edges, creating the illusion of a fairy kingdom. Asher's eyes sparkled with delight as she took in the decorations, which were perfectly tailored to her taste.
The Dragons housemaid and bodyguards stood silently at the door, flowers in the maids hand, ready to welcome the arriving students from the airport: Emma and Ashley.
Asher stood beside Peony, clutching rose petals in her hand. She wore a paled white dress and a pink frock. her hair was neatly tied in a ponytail with a peony flower bow. Dragons stood opposite them, a slight smile on his face, dressed in a white t-shirt and a pink jeans—an outfit Asher had insisted he wear.
Peony was dressed in a red fitted dress that Asher had gifted her for her niece's homecoming. After they had settled their tears, Peony had said, "Aunt Emma loves red, just like Ashley. They've been best friends forever, just like us." She had responded with a light smile, tucking the dress on.
Nora wasn't looking forward to the homecoming, nor could she relent. She knew she had gotten Dragons through Emma. Dragons wouldn't have listened to her if she hadn't suggested that Emma tell him little Asher needed a mother who could take care of her because a father could never handle a child alone. Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her form-fitting black dress and eyeglasses while chewing her gum. She eyed the family from time to time, rolling her eyes each time. It wouldn't be long before she ousted them all, especially the little brat.
The maids and servants stood behind them, neatly clad in their white and black outfits. They had worked tirelessly to prepare for the young mistress's arrival. In almost six years, a lot had changed in the Dragons household. Even the young Miss Emma, whom their boss had hidden from the limelight, had relocated to their mansion atop the mountains—all for the sake of the youngest miss, the heiress to Dragons group and wealth and empire, Miss Asher Kara Stewart Dragons.
Yes, their boss had proudly announced the names to them the night he brought her to the house.
As a baby Young Asher was a quiet child. While some debated that she lacked good nurturing, others praised her for her well-behaved manner for a girl of just two weeks .
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, a blue Lamborghini pulled up to the gates. A body guard opened the gates with a slight push, allowing the two awaited beauties to enter.
Ashley emerged from the car, dressed in formal jeans, sneakers, and a tank top, followed by Emma, who looked like a fairy in a red knee-length dress. The two had no idea what was happening in the house.
Peony seemed off as she fidgeted with the bunch of roses in her hand, attempting to control her uneasiness while waiting for someone she hadn't met.
Yes, she could remember turning 18 before Jason cheated on her with the town whore, Jennifer Stamford. Her memories became bizarre. Fragments of dark clouds suddenly clouded her thoughts as she fell deeper into her memories. How did she become Peony Acosta? What was all this about the constant dreams? What relationship did it have with her? Why did she seemingly hate Mr. Dragons even before knowing him? Who was he? Something about him threatened her peace, so she decided to steer clear. She had no idea what had happened to her, but right now, she knew where she belonged, and she was going to make everything right.
when Asher saw her discomfort, she instantly reached out for Peony's left hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Don't worry; they are very nice," she whispered in a low tone. Dragons, who was at a distance, smiled. "Don't be afraid; they are Asher's aunts, after all. There is no harm there."
Peony stiffly smiled as she shifted her gaze back to the door. She still had a score to settle with the man who stood tall and straight, and she needed to find out why her name was given to his daughter's mother. What connection did she have with this family? She had to find everything out, and until she discovered the reasons she ended up in Orlando, stayed for over six years, and came to this mansion, she wasn't going to leave. Until everything was clear to her, she made a resolute smile, clasping the flowers.
However, Dragons, who didn't see the warmth in her smile, drifted off into his own pool of thoughts.
Why did she look at him like an enemy?
What was she thinking about?
Why was she avoiding him? Even her refusal to go with Asher in the morning to the house baffled him. He glanced at her, and when their eyes met, she hurriedly shifted hers to Nora.
When their eyes met, Nora glaringly rolled her eyes to express her disgust at having Peony there. Though she found Nora evil, she didn't seem affected. Instead, she turned back to Asher. "Is your sister in the university?"
She recalled they should be here by now since they reached the airport at 2:30, and it was currently 3:30. She instantly wished to be by the heart pool, bathing in the water under the midnight crescent moon, where she and Asher had been earlier before she left for their mother's place. She had abruptly refused to be an escort, not because of Asher or the man she hated without reason, but because she was planning an even bigger birthday gift for her little cute friend. Asher, who'd left a little earlier with her head lowered , feeling utterly disappointed, with her while chocking in on her grievances.
She would make it up to her in the midnight pool, she thought.
She also recalled her younger self camping with people in South Africa, having fun with the person her memory deemed her best friend, but she had no idea who she was. This much she remembered was enough to dig deeper into her past. A cute resolute smile graced her lips, the fear and uneasiness long gone.
"Yes, they live together. I mean, with her friend, Ashley"
"Ashley?"she was stupefied. The horrific expression on her face made Asher think she had said something wrong.
"What happened, Miss Peony?"
Currently, her memories were in a muddled daze, and she wanted to solve the puzzle with the little fragments of memories she had.
"I am not Miss Peony, dear, but rather Miss Araya." She wanted to say this to the worried Asher but dismissed it as she nudged her nose with her fingertips.
"No, Asher! I'm just excited because I will get to meet your aunts today. I'm extra excited."
"Really?" Asher was thrilled.
"Right, Asher," she interjected, while Dragons smiled warmly, glad to have Peony in their lives, especially Asher's.
The awaited young adults appeared at the door with a slight knock, and the door was pushed open.
"Welcome!!!" they all screamed with delight. Asher went first, presenting the bouquets of flowers.
"Here are bouquets for you." They simultaneously took them, smiles lighting up their faces.
"Oh my gosh! Asher, for me?" Emma exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with excitement. She scooped the toddler up and kissed her hair. "My cutie," she remarked excitedly, while Asher wrapped her arms around her neck.
"Aunt Emma!" she muffled.
"How are you, my little perfume rock star?" Emma asked, tightening her hold on the infant. All the while, Nora was a blazing red.
"Aunt Ashley!" Asher muttered, her gaze shifting to a lady standing behind Emma in all her elegant glory and charm. Asher squirmed down from Emma's arms and sprinted into Ashley's open arms. "I miss you," she stated in a warm yet hushed tone. "I have waited forever to meet you both," she added, wrapping her arms around Ashley's neck.
"Happy birthday, dear pretty!" Ashley interrupted, her voice filled with joy. The theory and zeal of presenting her best friend faded as she giggled.
Emma then turned toward her brother and wrapped her arms around him. "Brother!" she moaned, pulling away.
"How are you, Emma?" His deep, husky yet contained voice left Emma speechless.
It had been two years since she last saw her brother, but to her, it felt like ages. "Happy to be back home," she remarked. "I'm all good, thanks to my lovely brother, sister, and best friend," she added exaggeratedly. Ashley chuckled as she took her time to enjoy the cool fragrance of being home again. Well, this wasn't really a home without her sister, she thought, lowering her head, agitated.
"Hi, Emma." Nora's voice echoed throughout the atmosphere. Everyone turned their gaze to her. She feigned a smile .nthat barely reach her eyes walked up to Emma, and held her hand.
"How are you? It's been so long since I last saw you," she said, pretending to hug her. Frankly, she held nothing against Emma; however, she could not stand her friend who had been living off her husband's money.
"I'm fine, Aunt Nora. How are you?" Emma took a quick glance at Dragons, who had his hands in his pockets and was glaring. "I'm always a submissive, obedient wife," she distorted, but Dragons found the hidden meaning in her words as he said, "Very well for you, Nora."
She dramatically rolled her eyes. "At least someone genuinely cares for me, right, my sweet friend and best sister-in-law?" Emma didn't dwell much on her words as she hurriedly replied, "Sure, Nora," afterward taking Ashley's hand. "Come, Ash, meet Nora, my brother's wife, okay?"
Nora frowned,barely concealing the hatred on her face. as they exchanged glances. Provokingly, she said, "Hi."
Ashley noticed the hostility in her tone. She fluttered her eyelids, knitted her brows, and responded in a low, measured tone, "Hey, Mrs. Nora."
Provoked, Nora turned away.
Just then , Dragons noticed Peony's absence. Immediately, his eyes scanned the room, searching for her until he found her cowering behind the nanny's back, picking up the bunch of roses she had held earlier, which he assumed has fallen out from her hands .
The flowers had fallen due her troubling thoughts.
"Come meet my super aunts, will you?" Asher asserted as she approached Peony. She had just picked the last petal from the flowers with a muttered "huff."
The long-forgotten Peony, who had been on the floor picking up the flowers, looked up at Asher, looped her arms around her, and turned to face the two strangers.
"Sister!" Ashley yelped as they froze.