I didn't realize I'd been talking to Thes for an hour after I said goodbye to her. When I put my phone down, drowsiness pulled me in, and I fell asleep. I woke up to the sound of my phone.
I groped for it on the side, and when I saw Luther calling, I sat up abruptly.
"Hello?"
"Are you ready? I'm outside your house."
Oh sht!
My eyes widened as I glanced at the clock in my room.
It's 4:50 pm! Holy shit! I forgot! We were supposed to leave at 5 pm!
"W-Wait, Luther."
I hurriedly went down the stairs and headed outside. When I opened the gate, Luther was there, leaning against his car.
"Luther!" I called out to him. He looked at me and slowly lowered his phone. He walked towards me.
"I'm sorry; I fell asleep. You can wait inside my house."
I widened the gate, and as Luther entered, he said he would close it for me.
"You look tired," he said, scanning the mini-garden outside.
I opened the door of my house and let him in.
"Not really, I was just talking to Thes earlier, and then sleep overcame me. When I woke up, it was already almost five. Do you need anything? Water? Juice?"
"Sit down here, okay?" I offered him. Luther followed and sat on my sofa.
I'm really embarrassed! He has to wait for me now!
"S-Sorry, just a moment, okay? I'll get ready. I'm really sorry."
He just nodded, "Take your time."
I turned away and went to my room. I quickly searched for something to wear from my closet. I picked the baby blue puff dress and my flat white shoes. I took a quick shower, blow-dried my hair, and then applied light makeup.
In twenty minutes, I was done. When I went downstairs, I was surprised to find my pets surrounding Luther. Daisy and Lily were on his lap, and Rose was perched on the back of his neck, sitting atop the sofa. Meanwhile, Dandy, Dahlia, and Cherry were beside him.
"Oh my gosh, I am sorry about their furs..."
I gently removed my pets from Luther.
"No, it's okay. It's cute that they didn't give me the cold shoulder. They're affectionate too."
I smiled, "I'm training them to interact with other people. Just wait, okay? I'll bring them back to their room so we can leave."
"I'll help you. Where is it?"
I picked up Dandy and Lily, and Luther carried the other pets. He followed me to their room.
"This is nice, Thaliana. You really like pets, huh? You treat them like your children."
I arranged the sleeping area for my pets and looked back at Luther.
"Yes, I love them, and I truly consider them my children, not just pets."
Once I made sure my pets were settled, I took the bouquet I had arranged for Tita Cynthia and then Luther and I headed outside. We walked towards his car. I checked my phone to see if Dad had messaged, but there was none. I sent a message, letting him know that I'm on my way with Luther.
"Everything is ready for tomorrow. The surprise party for Mom will start at 7:00 pm. Is it okay if I pick you up at 7 am?"
I glanced at Luther.
"No problem. My team and I can start arranging the flowers for the venue, maybe around 11 am, and we should be done by 3:00 pm. I saw the size of the place, and it's beautiful... near the sea."
"I deliberately chose a location near the sea for a beautiful view."
The place is beautiful, and I can't wait.
We fell silent. Luther drove quietly, and I glanced at my phone, waiting for a call or message from Daddy until a few minutes later, I received a call.
"Dad..."
"Hello, sweetheart, we are here... are you?"
I looked out the window. We're also near. We'll just make a turn into the village.
"We are near, Daddy..."
"Okay, okay, take care, Tangi."
After ending the call, I looked at Luther.
"Tito George?"
"Yes, they're already there. He's asking about us."
Luther nodded. I put my phone back into my bag as we turned into their village.
I checked the time. It's 6:10 pm. Luther's car was about to enter their house. I was amazed. Their gate is so high. Due to its height, you can't see the house beyond.
"Let's go, Thaliana."
I nodded to Luther and got out of the car. He took the bouquet intended for his mother.
Luther's hand was on my waist as we entered their mansion. He was supporting me as we walked.
"Oh, they're here!"
I heard Tita Cynthia's voice. They were also waiting for us here in the living room.
"You guys really look good together..." she said, smiling.
I saw my Dad with a blank expression, gazing at Luther's hand on my waist. I approached Mommy and Daddy and kissed them on the cheek.
"Mom... Dad..."
Mommy smiled at me, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. Why do I feel like something is wrong? with them?
"Dad, is there something wrong?" I asked.
Daddy cleared his throat and looked at me. He smiled, but I could tell it was forced.
"Mom, flowers, Thaliana arranged them herself for you."
"Wow! really? You are so sweet, Thaliana!"
Luther and I went to the garden, where Tita Cynthia and Mommy were preparing the food. Since they weren't finished yet, they told us to stay in the garden for a while.
I was amazed by its vastness. I smiled as I looked around the entire garden. The flowers were so beautiful!
"Do you like it? Mommy also loves flowers. Aloncious inherited that from our mother."
My broad smile disappeared when I heard the name of their eldest sibling.
"Beautiful, your mom takes good care of it. From what I see, almost everything is vibrant and nothing is withering, even the leaves."
When I looked at Luther, I noticed the feathers of my pets on his navy blue long-sleeved polo.
I knew it.
I approached him and brushed off the feathers from his chest and arms.
"Oh, Luther, sorry... you have still furs on you."
Luther tilted his head down, looking at his clothes, while I continued to brush off the furs.
"No, it's okay, I can change inside--"
Luther turned to look inside, and when I noticed his prolonged gaze, I looked as well.
My hands, which were on Luther's chest, stopped when I saw who was standing in front of us.
"Cyron..."
Not far from us, I saw Rozzean's face clearly. Serious and dark as he stared at Luther and me. My eyes also dropped to his clenched fists.
"You didn't say you were coming?"
Relax, Thaliana. Don't lower your head, don't hide your face. Show him that you're not affected anymore. That he has no impact on you. Even if that's the only thing you can do tonight!
Rozzean walked towards us, Luther asked him again, but his eyes never left me. He was only looking at me.
We are looking at each other.
"I have free time."
Even when he answered Luther's question, he kept looking at me! I was about to give in, ready to lower my head due to Rozzean's intense gaze when Luther grabbed my right hand and placed me behind him.
He was shielding me!
Thank goodness!
"Why are you looking at my fiancee, Cyron? What do you want?"
I glanced at Rozzean due to Luther's question. Now he's looking at his brother. His jaw tightened, and his hands were clenched as if he could launch them at Luther at any moment.
"Luther Rico..."
When I heard that dangerous tone in Rozzean's voice, fear crept in. I was about to step in front of Luther, but he held my hand tightly, keeping me behind him.
"If you don't have anything to say, then we're leaving."
After Luther said that, he started pulling me inside, but I was stunned by what happened.
I stopped in my tracks!
I quickly turned to Rozzean.
lowered my eyes to my hand, which he held tightly.
"Let Thaliana go, Cyron."
W-What the hell...
I tried to pull my hand away from Rozzean, but he tightened his grip even more.
"No," he said firmly while looking at me.