After the talk Rian and I had at the pier, he takes my hand and leads me throughout the mansion as he tries to find the drawing room.

"Ah, there are the two lovebirds." A man calls out.

We both turn around, and I see a man with blonde hair and blue eyes in a crisp gray suit, and he's a little shorter than Rian.

"Brendan, there you are! Where have you been?" Rian exclaims.

"I've been here, but all those drunk bitches were stuck on me like I was a magnet." Brendan says, giving a conceited smirk.

"This must be your brother." I ask, slightly rolling my eyes at his arrogance.

"Yes, and you must be Alex. How'd you know?" Brendan says, eyeing me up and down.

"I guessed by your big-headed ness. Vanessa and I talked at the pier, she told me a little bit about you." I say, and I can faintly hear Rian chuckle.

"Oh, I'm not as bad as she makes me seem to be." Brendan says, slightly pouting.

"I wouldn't doubt Vanessa's judgement." I say in a snippy tone, and he laughs.

"You've got a mouth on you, Alex. I like that." Brendan says, semi-flirtatiously.

Brendan bites his lower lip before his eyes flicker up and down, making feel uncomfortable to say the least. Brendan is the older brother, but I can tell that he tries to be more like Rian. I can tell by how he's trying to mimic Rian's flirtatious banter. It's so natural when I'm with Rian, it's like he doesn't even have to try to impress me, whereas Brendan trying to act flirty looks forced and unnatural.

But apparently he's the "chick magnet".

He wishes he was.

It's almost as if he's forgotten that I've been Rian's girlfriend for months now.

I just met him not even a couple of minutes ago, and he's already flirting with me right in front of Rian. What an asshole.

"Brendan, in case you forgot, Alex is my girlfriend. Not some girl that you think is hot and that you can flirt with." Rian says, wrapping his arm around me.

"So Alex isn't in my league, but she's in yours?" Brendan says, and I roll my eyes.

"Yes, I am. Rian is intelligent, respectable and Rian isn't at the point where he feels the need to flirt with every girl he sees, and if he did, the girl wouldn't be vomiting internally at the sight of you." I say, and I smirk when I can hear his ego crumbling.

Brendan just stands there, not really sure of what to say back to me because he knows that I'm right. I cross my arms, quirking my eyebrow at him as my smirk continues to widen. I can feel Rian's eyes on me, and his eyes send warmth to where he's staring. The warmth spreads to my legs, and then to my face.

"Now, if you don't mind. Rian and I would like to speak to someone that's actually relevant." I say, and I turn around before grabbing Rian's hand and strutting away.

As Rian and I make our way to the drawing room again, the warmth doesn't leave my body, and I finally look back at him.

"Sorry if I was being a bitch, it's just that he was really getting on my nerves." I admit, and I give off a big sigh.

"Don't apologize, I've been waiting for someone to put him in his place."

"Why didn't you put him in his place? I mean, you are his brother." I state, and Rian shakes his head.

"It was like school growing up with him. If I did the smallest thing to make him upset, he'd run to our parents like they were the principals or something. Anyway, I just didn't feel like hearing my parents lecture me about how I should always respect my siblings." Rian explains, and I smile.

"You give Vanessa and Brendan the opposite, don't you?" I ask, and he furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You're respectful to Vanessa no matter what, but you only give Brendan respect when he does the same?" I ask, and he smiles.

"Your perceptiveness blows my mind sometimes, Alex." Rian says, and I snicker as my mind transforms his simple statement into an innuendo.

"I'm sorry, I'm so immature." I say, covering my mouth to hide my smile.

"Don't hide that smile, Alex. I thought of it in a dirty way, too." Rian says, and laughter shakes my body before I shortly regain my composure.

"It's a good thing that we're heading to the drawing room so that I can blow your mind again." I say seductively, and Rian bites his lip.

"Yeah, but we've got to be a little quick like last time. I'm supposed to give a speech tonight." Rian admits, and I raise my eyebrows.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask.

"I wanted it to be a surprise. You'll see why."

"You always surprise me, baby."

"Do you not like surprises?" He asks, and I shake my head.

"I love surprises." I say, and Rian smiles at me.

As I reach for the handle of the doorknob, I hear the sound of high heels approaching, and when I turn around that sick feeling churns my stomach again.

"Going somewhere?" Austin asks, and I scoff before rolling my eyes.

"Is the party getting so boring to you now that the only source of entertainment is stalking Alex and I?" Rian asks furiously, scowling at Austin and Kassandra.

"Rian and I would actually like to enjoy the night." I say, and I feel the anger rising slowly.

"Come on, let's go." Rian says, and he grabs my hand before we both walk past them.

As we're walking, the anger doesn't go away, it just continues to rise. It gets to the point where I'm squeezing Rian's hand so tightly that my knuckles are white, and Rian grabs me by the shoulders to stop me.

"What?" I demand.

"Just try not to focus on them, okay?"

"It's going to be kind of hard to do that because they're basically following us now." I grumble, and I groan out of frustration.

"I know, I know. It's frustrating and he doesn't have any right to be here, but let's just try to focus on each other and having fun tonight. Okay?" Rian says, and I nod before a smile tugs at my lip.

"There's that smile." Rian says, and my chest warms up as he smiles back at me.

The music is louder than it was before, and Rian takes my hand and drags me into the crowd of people that are dancing like it's the last day of their life. Together, we dance to the music, our feet in perfect sync of my heartbeat. The warmth between us grew more powerful by the second, and his hands gently guide me as I accidentally miss a step.

"Sorry," I say through a chuckle. "I totally messed it up, didn't I?"

"Nope, I can get us back on track." Rian says, and abruptly dips me.

People around us smile or clap, and I'm staring up at Rian with wide eyes as his smile spreads from ear to ear. Rian lifts me back up, and I stare in awe at him.

"How did you just do that? Did you take dance classes or something when you were younger?" I ask, and he laughs.

"Maybe." Rian says cheekily, and he grabs my hand and spins me around.

I laugh as my body spins around, and it feels like my insides are floating as Rian watches me. He reaches for my hand, and I grab it and shriek as he pulls me against his chest. Rian continues to dance with grace and vigor, and I get the hang of it after a while.

"I learn something new about you everyday, Rian." I say while looking into his eyes.

I look over and I see Austin and Kassandra through the crowd of people, and their eyes are fixed on us. Rian's lips gently graze my cheek, and I turn my head quick enough so that our lips meet. We both break out into laughter, because my lips are clumsily placed on his, almost like I'm hesitant to kiss him. His thick lips carefully overlap mine after the first sloppy and clumsy kiss, and we kiss so much that it feels like my lips are burning.

I can feel people's eyes on me, but I don't care. Rian gently twines our tongues together, and it feels like everything else has stopped and Rian and I are the only ones in the room.

"Alright, alright! That's enough." A voice says, and Rian and I separate.

"Dr. Raymond!" Rian exclaims, and the two hug each other.

"Dr. Rian!" Dr. Raymond exclaims, mocking Rian's voice, and I laugh.

"I didn't even know that you had a significant other. Would you mind introducing me to her?" Dr. Raymond asks.

"Dr. Raymond, this is my girlfriend Alexandrianna Hawkins." Rian says, and I smile before shaking Dr. Raymond's hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Rian's told me about you." I say politely, and he smiles at me.

"Nice to meet you, Alexandrianna." Dr. Raymond says, smiling at me.

"I was just telling her earlier that I'd be making a speech during the party tonight." Rian says, and Dr. Raymond nods.

"Yes, yes! I just came to remind you of that. I am about to make my speech, so be prepared."

"I'm always prepared." Rian says, and the two of them laugh.

I watch Dr. Raymond step away from Rian, and walk up to a platform which has a microphone standing on it. He taps the microphone a few times to test if it's on, and the microphone screeches which causes almost everyone to cover their ears. Dr. Raymond adjusts the microphone so that it's at his height, and the conversations cease as everyone turns their attention to him.

"Good evening, everyone. Fellow acquaintances, doctors, colleagues. Tonight we celebrate together as one, to commemorate all of our hard work and success as a hospital staff. We've gained some new members, and we've had lots of our staff earn their degrees, whether they be Bachelors or PhD. I want to congratulate all of you, and as your Chief of Staff I couldn't be more proud. I couldn't imagine working with any other hospital staff, and I'm lucky to have you all to work with. Now, to begin the speeches for tonight is a very special man who I've mentored since he first came to the hospital, Rian Peterson." Dr. Raymond says, and once he's finished speaking, everyone begins clapping for Rian.

Rian smiles at me before making his way onto the platform and giving Dr. Raymond a brief hug before standing in front of the microphone.

"Where do I even begin? Well first I'd just like to thank Dr. Raymond for being my guide. He's helped me memorize the hospital and he's taught me many life lessons as well. Dr. Raymond has given me his key to success, and after a couple of years, I recently received my Doctorate degree. Many years ago when I was younger, I was so determined to have this be my career, in fact, I didn't have a plan B career for if this didn't work out because it was almost seemingly impossible. But, I surprised myself with my success in school and it got me to where I am now." Rian says, speaking eloquently and his smile never leaves his face.

I watch him as he delivers his speech, and he doesn't mess up a single word, and gives the speech perfectly as if he rehearsed it a thousand times. Rian's eyes meet mine, and we both smile at each other before he resumes his speech.

"Besides Dr. Raymond, I'd like to thank my family. My parents have encouraged me for my whole life and I couldn't be more grateful to them for pushing me to be the best I could be. They've definitely taught me a lot of things that are still relevant to me, and I appreciate their support. I'd also like to thank my girlfriend, Alexandrianna. She's been so supportive and encouraging, and she's just been amazing. I've been lucky to meet her, and like my parents, she's formed me into a better version of myself." Rian says, and my face heats up as I sheepishly smile.

When he said those words, they keep replaying over and over in my mind. My heart flutters as he says those words about me, and his eyes sparkle brighter and brighter as he continues to talk about me to all of his colleagues.

"Alexandrianna has really changed me, in a good way of course. I owe most of my thanks to her, because I've been more than determined because of her." Rian says, and he points towards me, and everyone starts clapping.

My cheeks heat up almost instantly, and I smile at everyone who's smiling back at me and applauding. I look at Rian, and he's clapping for me as well, and my entire body feels like it's been replaced with warmth.

"I also would like to thank a few of my colleagues. Jessica, Jordan and Elijah. They're some of my closest friends, and we're always there for each other. All of the people in the room I owe some gratitude, and I don't think I could've done it without any of you. My degree not only proves how hard I've worked, but it also shows how far I've come." Rian continues.

"I would just like to thank everyone again for the support, and for being the main reason as to why I'm here now. Thank you, and good night." Rian concludes his speech, and everyone begins clapping again.

I see Vanessa walk up next to me, and she's clapping as well and she has a wide smile on her face as she watches Rian stand there and bask in the glory. Rian soon steps away from the microphone, and off of the platform and he walks over to me. I throw my arms around him, hugging him the tightest I've ever hugged him.

"Did I do okay?" Rian asks as we hug, and I nod.

"Your speech was amazing, it really was. I can see why you wanted to surprise me." I add, and he smirks before grabbing my waist.

"You didn't think that I wouldn't include you, right?" Rian asks, and I shrug.

"I just wasn't expecting you to say that much about me." I admit, and he raises an eyebrow in confusion.

"Of course I would, Alex. All of what I just said is true, because you gave me that extra push I needed. While I was writing my speech I knew that you'd be in it because you mean so much to me." Rian says, and I practically melt as he says those words.

"You mean a lot to me, too." I say, unable to fight my smile.

Rian places his forehead to mine, kissing me softly before looking me straight in the eyes.

"I love you." Rian says, and I kiss him back while holding onto his strong upper arms.

"I love you, too." I reply, and we both smile before he takes my hand and we walk off.

I feel someone tap my shoulder, and I've totally forgotten that Vanessa was just standing next to me a couple of minutes ago while Rian was giving his speech.

"Oh, hey Vanessa." I say happily, and she smiles at the both of us.

"Hey Alex, hey Rian! I loved your speech, it was really great." Vanessa says, and I nod in agreement.

"Thanks, Nessa." Rian says.

"But why didn't you thank me? I mean, I am your sister!" Vanessa asks curiously, slightly pouting at Rian which causes him to laugh.

"Sorry V, but if it makes you feel any better, I didn't include Brendan in my speech." Rian says.

"Good. That little bastard didn't deserve any praise from you." Vanessa adds, and I try to suppress a giggle, but it sounds like a snort.

"I'm not disagreeing." Rian says, and I break out into hysterics as my laughing is uncontrollable.

"What's so funny?" A voice asks, and we all look to see where it's coming from.

Brendan walks over to us, and I feel the laughter drain itself from my body and it's replaced with disgust.

"Rian, your speech? Loved it, but it would've been better if you included me." Brendan asks, and Vanessa nudges his side.

"Why would he include you in his speech if you've done nothing that a big brother should do? Like, I don't know, actually supporting him and having his back?" I ask, curious to hear an answer from him.

"Hey, you might not know this but I happen to care about Rian." Brendan says defensively, and I snort.

"How? Because flirting with his girlfriend doesn't seem like you care about him at all." I sneer, and Vanessa's eyes widen.

"You were flirting with her?" Vanessa asks.

"Right in front of Rian, too." I say, and Vanessa lightly shoves his arm.

"Hey, I don't deserve this assault!" Brendan says, and he holds his upper arm as if he's actually been hurt.

"Yeah, you do." I say under my breath, and I hear Rian snicker.

"Shut up Brendan! God, you're such an asshole!" Vanessa groans.

"Hey, hey! That's no way to talk to your older brother." Brendan says.

"I don't care!" Vanessa exclaims.

"Alright, quit it. This event is not thrown just for you guys to have another squabble." Rian says, and I smile.

"I guess you're the voice of reason in your family, huh?" I ask, and he sighs.

"Sadly, I am." He replies, and I laugh.

I see Rian's parents approaching, and we all quiet down and pretend to act like we're quietly discussing something.

"Rian, that was a wonderful speech that you gave. Your mother and I want to thank you, and to congratulate you." Daniel says.

"We wanted what's best for you, so we gave you all of the advice we could. We took advice from your grandparents and we passed it down onto you, and if you have kids one day, we expect you to do the same." Emmanuelle adds, and I smile.

"Of course, of course." Rian says, and his father pulls him in for a hug.

"We're so proud of you, Rian." Daniel says, and watching them makes me happy but sad at the same time for obvious reasons.

Once they separate, we all follow Daniel and Emmanuelle, and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Where are we going?" I ask Rian, and he smirks.

"The pier, we're going to spend some time there before the celebration is over." Rian informs me.

Once we're outside, we all stand together on the pier, viewing the beautiful scenery of the night. The sky is cloudless, and the deepest shade of blue possible as the stars are scattered across it.

While Vanessa, Brendan and Daniel all view the stars together, Rian, Emmanuelle and I talk.

"I remember the conversation we had on the phone a while ago, and I just wanted to thank you for the support. It means a lot to us, especially me. We're all still in shock about Daniel's condition, but hopefully something turns around and everything will be okay." Emmanuelle says, and her eyes show exactly how she feels.

"You're welcome. I wouldn't wish that kind of hurt on anyone, especially Rian. He's told me how much his father means to him, and l love Rian so I really hope that he'll be okay." I say, and Emmanuelle hugs me.

"Thank you so much, Alexandrianna. You're a very sweet girl, and I'm glad that you're dating him. You seem like the one for him, we can tell whenever he speaks about you, especially in his eyes."

I look over at Rian, and the moon highlights his face beautifully. Rian's cheeks are slightly red and his dimples are deep as a smile breaks across his face.

"He tells me everyday how much he loves me, and I tell him back. I truly care for your son, and I wouldn't want to see him get hurt. I know that you guys would hate to see that, too." I say, and Emmanuelle nods.

"My parents would have a heart attack if they saw that I was hurt." Rian says jokingly, and his mothers facial expression remains solemn.

"Yeah, we would. Your father and I really care about you, and we've done everything we could so that you wouldn't experience hurt." Emmanuelle says, and I smile.

"I can tell that you're a very caring woman, Mrs. Peterson." I say, and she smiles.

"Sometimes I'm a bit too caring." Emmanuelle says, and I smile.

"I'd rather have my mother care too much about me than not care at all." I reply, tasting bile in my mouth just mentioning my mother.

I haven't seen her since she came to Rian's flat and attacked Bruno and I. It's been months since my mother and I have contacted each other. It doesn't really bother me that we haven't seen each other in that long, either.