Emily
The banquet was indeed an incredible place to connect with people who are business minded. I must admit I had an astonishing time with everyone I came in contact with. It was a great honor talking about business and some other related stuff.
I met people who didn't focus on business, they spoke about life in general. It made me realize that just because my relationship with Ryan ended, it doesn't mean I won't have a second chance at love. It was quite interesting, and I must say, I felt more relieved than before.
It was getting late, I had to leave with my step siblings. Though father and mother decided to stay back and meet some few people before heading home.
The sound of our car coming to an halt got my attention. I looked up and realized we had already arrived the mansion. I was so occupied with thought and did not realize we had come this far.
"Ain't you coming?" Lisa asked, holding on to the car door, about to step out. She must have noticed I didn't move which must have prompted her to look in my direction.
I smiled. "Of course I am! Let's go inside." I stepped down, and we all led our way into the gigantic building.
"I will go freshen up." Lisa announced, as we stride into the room, about to ascend the stairs when she paused. "I hope mother and father don't stay there longer, I want to have some fruits with them before going to bed." She sounded eager, it made me wonder, if everyone was okay with her.
"Go ahead, I will give them a call." Ethan assured her before she zoomed off. We both looked at each other and laughed.
"She still acts like a kid." I said, settling into the couch. It had been a wonderful evening so far, except for the fact that I ran into Ryan just two weeks after the divorce.
He seems to have moved on without me. I was just a mannequin in the picture, who donated blood, I shouldn't expect him to be worried about me.
What if we hadn't gotten a divorce? Would he still have loved me? I should have made him see that Zara had been fooling him all along, pretending to be someone she wasn't.
She doesn't deserve to be next to him. If he doesn't want me, he should be with someone who is not Zara. Someone who will love him genuinely.
'Don't tell me this is you being jealous and overprotective?' my subconscious muttered, prompting me to quickly brush the thought away.
There's no way I am being jealous of her, she doesn't even stand a chance with me. I am better than her, there's no comparison.
I sigh, ready to rose from the couch,when I lock eyes with Ethan staring at me. His expression said it all, he looked agitated.
For how long has he been standing this close? Shit! I need to put myself today, I told him I have moved in.
"Is something bothering you? Something I should know? He sounded stern. I have never seen him in such a state before. This shouldn't be the way for him to find out I lied to him.
Father did ask if I was okay. If I tell him I can't get my mind off Ryan, he won't hesitate to tell father. I would rather not ruin the trust we are beginning to build.
I need to put my emotions aside, and learn to act strong infront of everyone. He's already divorced me, there's nothing more to think about.
I started by smiling, reaching out to his hands. He looked down and up to meet my gaze.
"I am your brother, I promise to protect you. If there's something I need to know, tell me."
"Believe me Ethan, I'm fine. You said I was doing well for the past two weeks, didn't you?"
He gulped, it was like he was finding it hard to respond. "Yes I did say that, and it's because you were happy."
I didn't get to respond before I heard Lisa spoke up. "Was going on here?" She descended the stairs, striding towards us.
"We should ask Emily, she doesn't look okay." Lisa gave me a concern look, waiting to hear my side of the story.
"Guys, come on, don't make it a big deal. I'm okay. I just remembered the past after seeing Ryan. I didn't expect to run into him there."
They both sighed, making me chuckle. I wasn't expecting that. "Listen, both of you." He held our hands, looking from Lisa to me and back again.
"I want to see you both happy, and you have to be happy. Whenever you are sad, I tend to be bothered." He said softly.
"I am sorry I made you guys worry about me. I promise to behave from now on."
"It's okay! I need to freshen up, I will be right back." Ethan said, letting go of our hands and walking out of the living room.
"We love you so much, I want you to know that." Lisa smiled. "Go freshen up. I met a cute guy at the banquet, and there's a lot to talk about."
She sounded so excited. Does this mean she is already in love with him? I nodded, starting to ascend the stairs when I heard my name.
"Emily." My mother's voice called out. Before I could take a step down, she was already pulling me into a hug.
She pulled away slightly and held my hands. " you guys are back?" I responded, though it sounded more like a question. The way they all stared at me made me feel there was more to this than anyone is letting on.
Even Lisa's expression gave me enough reason to believe she knows something they ain't saying, I'm left behind. Whatever it is, I have to find out, and it has to be today.
"We have a little suprise for you." My mom said, looking In father's direction. I couldn't catch them, but I am sure she raised her brows at him.
"Yes, we have a little suprise for you, but you have to come with us." My father added, turning his heels, before i said anything further.
I was gifted a car few days back, and today there's more to what I will recieve. I allowed mom draw my hands, with Lisa holding on to another side of my hand.
We all walked until we were standing next to a door, one I recognized as one of the guest rooms.
"A suprise in this room? Why don't you just tell me what it is, mother?" I asked, the smile on my face growing wider.
"You have to see it for yourself, there's nothing to worry about." She assured me. And with that, we stepped into the room.
My eyes clearly popped out of their sockets when I saw the luxurious outfits arranged in the room. These weren't ordinary outfits, anyone, even someone with no fashion sense, could tell they were top tier.
I glanced around at everyone, including Ethan, who just walked in. None of them seemed suprised—they already knew about this.
"Don't tell me all of this is for me?" I asked, as I walked further into the room, checking out the outfits. Most were elegant office wears and a few stunning options for a dinner date.
"It's all yours, sweetheart. I don't want people to compliment your good looks only. I want them to talk on how expensive your outfit is too!" My mother said, pulling my father into a hug. I had a feeling this must have been his idea.
But was she serious? The outfits I wore were already expensive, why go through all the trouble of getting me more?
"You should accept them, I also don't want you going around in your old outfit. I plan to take everything out of your room." Ethan chimmed in, making me look at him.
"I also don't want your old clothes." Lisa added. A drop of tear almost ran down my cheeks, but I held it back.
This is so much more than I deserve. The thought echoed in my mind. I am not even his daughter, I am only here becaumy mother got married to him. Do I really deserve to be treated this way?
"Come give me a hug." Father said, his arms wide open. Before I knew it, I was rushing into his embrace m, a warmth spreading through me. I'm getting so much more than I deserve.