Rehan's party was a hit. The food turned out great and the decorations were done on time. Our family and friends had all gathered in large numbers and enjoyed the amazing Halloween birthday party Rehan had thrown. Every year his birthday was a big hit.

Our little cousins were all over the cats and the older ones had gathered around Kai and Ace.

I was munching on a pumpkin pie when Remi texted me she was here.

"Finally woman." I left my plate and ran towards the door. She was standing in the living room with Fin.

"You made it." I hugged her and then looked up at Fin. "Well well well... look who's back again"

"Shut up." He smiled and left to find Kai.

Remi scooped closer to me. "Seems like they made up. I asked him a bit about it when we met at the door but he only said that they talked it out." She dragged me to the kitchen.

"I know. Kai was beaming in a good mood all morning.. After Elric said to his face yesterday that he was being insensitive, I'm sure he went and apologized to Fin." I handed Remi a drink from the counter.

"What?" She took the drink.

I told her in short about what happened yesterday, going back to the living room so she can eat.

"I can't wait to meet Lucy." Remi smiled. "Or Elric. What should I call him? Wait, he will come right?"

"Even I'm confused about what to call him. I wonder if he is even going to come."

As soon as I said it the doorbell rang. We walked back to the living room as mom went to open the door.

Elric walked in wearing the sexiest turtleneck I've ever seen on a guy and his hair fixed up. His eyes instantly found mine.

He walked over and for a second I was considering running, but Remi had a firm hold on my elbow.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi." I smiled and looked down. Was I dressed okay? I didn't have any stain on my teeth right?

"I'm Remi. Francy's friend." Remi smiled.

He put a hand out."I'm..."

"Lucy.. I mean Elric. Francy told me about you." She shook his hand.

He gave her a polite smile which was a relief. I did not want him giving his gloomy stares to Remi.

"Francy, remember what I said about the gifts.." He said.

"Yeah. None of us gave him anything yet" I answered.

"Do you mind bringing your gift here?"

"Um sure.."

I went to fetch my gift and came back to find him where I left him. He was having a chat with Remi. She was red head to toe.

"What did I miss?"

"Kai just came to say hi to us." Elric said and glanced at Remi intrigued. Hugging her drink she excused herself.

"I don't know If you've noticed but your brother and Remi..." Elric started and I raised my hand.

"I know I know. We all know. Our whole family knows. He has a crush on her. And I think she likes him too." I shook my head and sighed.

"So why don't you encourage them?" He asked, taking the small gift box from my hands.

"I did. Did you see that mutually awkward hi?"

"Yeah."

"It used to be one-sided. This two-way awkwardness it's recent progress."

"Right." Elric smiled amused. "I guess they also have the same issue we have."

I just realized it. Oh my god.

"Do you think that's what's stopping them from telling each other they like one another?" I covered my mouth. "Oh my god. That never crossed my mind."

"How long have they been doing this?" Elric asked, still looking at the gift box.

"Well Kai for few years. Remi just recently started avoiding him."

Elric glanced at me. "few years?"

I was still in shock. Was I the dent of their progress? Was it because of me that they felt like they needed to hide their feelings? Oh my god! I was Ace. I stole their happiness.

Suddenly Elric patted my hair and then pulled his hand away just as fast. "I can tell where your mind is going. Don't worry so much."

"I'm the reason why." I couldn't shake the bad feeling away.

"You don't know if you are the reason why they won't talk to each other. Maybe it's because of Kai. He is thinking of going abroad..."

"Oh god." I gasped. "That's why Remi suddenly became awkward. Maybe she realized he would walk away and she would never get the chance to tell him and he will find someone abroad and..."

Elric leaned back took something from the table and then handed me a cheese roll."Eat this."

"Why?" I took it.

"Because you're on a roll."

It took me a second.

"Did you just...did you just make a joke!?" I burst laughing. "You just made a joke. A pun at that."

"I never said I couldn't.." He smiled changing the subject.. "Just talk to your friend and tell her how you feel about her and your brother."

"What if she gets mad?"

"She'll go home, cool off and call you the next day. Trust me if she likes him that much, she won't get mad. She'll be thankful. Wouldn't you?"

I could see myself becoming redder. My ears were burning.

Elric pulled out his phone. "Oh it's time." He quickly texted someone.

"For what?"

He pushed me towards the center of the living room. "for Rehan's present."

He raised his hands. "Can someone find Rehan for me?"

The chatter died down and everyone's eyes were on us. Someone called Rehan from the back garden.

Rehan made his way through the crowd with a big smile on his face. "What's this?"

"Your birthday present from Francy just arrived."

Rehan instantly looked at me and I panicked. My what?

The doorbell rang and Elric gestured to Rehan to go and open it.

Ace, Kai and Remi all came intrigued and we followed Rehan to the door peeking from the hallway.

"What did you get him?" Ace asked.

"Yeah Francy, you didn't say anything about a surprise.." Remi added.

I glanced at Elric and he just winked at me.

Rehan opened the door.

Outside it was the craziest picture I have ever seen. The guy standing there had bright red hair, a red coat and I could see tattoos on his hands and neck.. He was smiling and I could see a glint on his teeth. Was that a gem glinting and sparkling?

He had some sort of night vision goggles on his head and one hanging around his neck.

"No fucking way!" Rehan was in shock.

The guy casually waved. "Bula"

"Aren't you in Fiji? Wait how???'" Rehan took a step back rubbing his eyes.

The guy started shaking. "Can I come in? I'm freezing."

Rehan moved out of the way still in shock. He walked inside and took off his shoes. Then I noticed his shoes had some sort of thing attached to them.

"This is the laser you wanted and I couldn't ship off last time. Happy birthday." The guy told him and handed Rehan the box.

"I am your biggest fan!!!"Rehan took the present with shaking hands.

I turned towards Elric and pulled him aside whispering. "That's Redwood right? That's the guy who I said Rehan wanted to meet!"

Elric nodded. "I found who he is and convinced him to come here."

"How?" I asked smiling and then my eyebrow shot up realizing what he just said. "How did you persuade him?"

Elric smiled. "I have my ways."

"Legal I hope." I narrowed my eyes.

"So, how about it? I think he liked this present?" He smiled.

I turned around and saw Rehan completely in shambles. He was all over Redwood asking him all kinds of questions and he started explaining something I barely understood. Kai and Ace were looking at me with murderous eyes.

"Why did you say it, it was from me?" I was confused.

"Because you said you wanted to win this year. The best present Rehan has ever gotten. This year is you." Elric turned me around again.

Rehan had pulled out his laser while Redwood tried to get him to calm down since the reaction looks like he pulled out something illegal.

"I have the best present." I grinned and turned towards him. "And you?"

Elric showed me my gift. "This is why I needed you to wait before giving him the gift. Now I have one too."

I couldn't believe it. Rehan was so happy.

"How did you get him here Francy?" Ace asked in total wreck of emotions.

"I have my ways." I grinned.

"Guess this year you win," Kai said tapping my shoulder. "Congratulations sister."

"No. This is unfair.." Ace looked back and forward at me and Rehan, eventually, he sighed in defeat.

"Fine, you win."

I did my little happy dance. This was the first time I outdid Kai and Ace.

Remi shot me curious glances, but hey. I'll tell her later. Now I can bask in the glory.

We all followed Rehan to the kitchen where he took Redwood for a drink.

"Then the sharks almost tore off my leg. But they pulled me out in time." Redwood answered by taking a sip of champagne. "I guess that's what I get from swimming with blue scar sharks. But Fiji does crazy things to a person."

"Is it true that in India they chased you through the jungle because you managed to build a radio-neurotransmitter that could call a panther miles away and then tame him?"

"Shhh. It's a secret." He took another sip. "Okay. Let's go see the thing you talked about. I have a few hours and then I have to fly back. Oh, I'm taking a paragliding invention out for a try, I made myself, in March in Turkey. Wanna come?"

"Hell yes." Rehan didn't waste any time.

After they left Ace pulled Elric away somewhere and Kai and Fin instantly vanished rather than staying with us.

"Anything to confess?" Remi crossed her arms.

"Let's say hypothetically Elric and I switched presents so I can win."

Remi put her cannoli down. "Shut up."

I grinned. "Yep."

"But why?"

"I didn't know either. He just said that this was my present for Rehan and he took mine."

"He just can't get over you Francy." Remi smiled. "He really likes you."

Few of my relatives came into the kitchen so Remi dragged me back to the living room. "He does all these things for you even though you are supposed to be ignoring each other. Girl.."

I touched my forehead. "Right, I know but.. He confuses me. He says he'll do one thing and that we are over and then.."

"Maybe he is changing his mind and thinking of how to talk to your brother about you two..."

"No!" I panicked. "We agreed we won't do that.."

"What are these two beautiful girls doing all alone here?" Grandma showed up and raised her champagne glass to us. "I see no drinks."

"Oh shoot I left my cannoli in the kitchen too. I'll be right back." Remi smiled and vanished in a second.

"We are having a lot of fun grandma. It doesn't matter if we are alone."

Grandma leaned closer. "Where is that boyfriend of yours? You need to tell him that if he's not here, another one just might take you for himself."

My smile died down. Right. "Um we broke up. Some time ago."

"Oh no. Why.." She patted my head. "Don't you worry sweetheart. You're a catch and you'll get another guy in no time. Look at just how Ace's friend is looking at you. He is such an eye candy, but he's been staring at you all night."

I looked up and saw Elric talking to Ace looking this way. His eyes instantly shifted away.

She smiled. "He might just approach you."

"No he won't." I sighed.

"Why not?" Grandma asked.

"Because that's the guy I had to break up with."

Grandma stood still for a second and looked at Elric and then me. She straightened up like she understood and passed me her champagne glass. "You need it more than me."