+++

The cars were all called and I stood outside, my hands rubbing against each other as I recounted the number of cars there were. 4 cars. I rub my hands once more, this time bringing them to my lips as I blew out small clouds of air.

I give a nod to the drivers, two of which being familiar faces... Mark and Nathan. I turn back around and walk back into the house. As I approach the living room, I come to see that everyone sat in silence.

The only sound heard was from Wendy as she continuously aimed punches at Noah who still stood in place,

"Your fault! Your fault! Lily's upset cause of you!"

Sensing my presence, both Callum and Joshua look up. I make eye-contact with them before I speak, breaking the defining silence,

"I've got all the information I need from Luke. The cars are ready outside for you all. The event had started not long ago but Mr. Marcus King who I came to know is your grandfather has started the party and is just waiting for your arrival"

I glance at everyone before I turn on my feet. From the corner of my eye, I catch the creme wall ruined with liquid; the floor holding broken glass. I sigh softly to myself, already knowing that Noah was the cause of it,

"Lily sweetheart..."

Zoe calls out, but I avoid her changing the topic,

"I'll get someone to clean up the mess"

I respond as I point to the wall, eyes solely looking straight ahead. Without wasting another second, I walk away from the scene. I quickly informed a maid before I left the house. I stood by one of the car as I anxiously waited for everyone to come.

As I hopped from one foot to another, I heard the quiet pitter patter of feet. I look towards the main door, seeing Callum and Zoe leave the house, their heads hung low. They looked up, a frown plastered on their faces. I give them a strained smile, only for them to comment,

"Look sweetheart, he didn't mean any of it. I mean it, he wasn't serious. I've seen the way he looks at you. Out of all the flings he's had, I've never seen him flip this badly. Even though he won't say it... he is changing and you're the reason for it sweetheart"

"Hell yeah, I mean... did you see how shocked and taken back my own mother was?! She knows her grandsons inside out and it won't be long until my father witnesses the same. He always said he wanted experience drama at a party... I guess it'll be his lucky day if mum makes it.."

Callum dragged out as a smile was on his face, clearly enjoying the situation a little. He rubs his forehead as he comments with a small laugh,

"Heck, if mum acknowledge you, I'm sure dad would too. I'll bet my business that he'll even accept you as his granddaughter-in-law..."

"Hey you can't leave me out! I accept her as my sister in law, regardless"

I rub the back of my neck not knowing what to do or say as I catch Joshua and Mia also leave the house. Following behind them, my parents walked out with their hands entwined,

"What?"

I say confused. Joshua only stands opposite me as he places a hand on my shoulder,

"We all mean what we said. Whether you like it or not, the wedding is already being planned"

I give a nervous laugh as I speak, my heart sinking even at my own words,

"Look guys... I wouldn't hype up about it, I don't plan on having my path cross with his any time soon..."

"What are you planning on leaving the country for a while?"

Joshua joked but I stayed silent until his face fell,

"Lily Cole! You better explain yourself clearly young lady"

Dad exclaimed. I blinked rapidly as I stumbled over my words,

"Th-the cars are ready"

I shuffle to one of the cars only for dad to exclaim again,

"Don't you walk away from me young lady"

"Why is everyone still here?"

A voice breaks through, all heads including mine move to face the front door. At the opening, grandma stood with authority. She had her arms crossed, her eyebrows knitted. Since everyone was shunned by her, I used the opportunity to speak,

"Mr and Mrs King your car is the white one; Joshua and Mia yours it's the blue one"

I turn to face mum and dad as I squeak out trying not to make eye contact with dad,

"Mum, dad I got us a driver too. It's that one"

I point to the car next to Callum's. I face the grandma as she continues to watch me. I bite my lower lip as I speak,

"Um Mr King was going to be driven by his driver... there was no one else..."

I was stood next to the car that had Mark sat in the drivers seat. Noah's ride... out of nowhere Noah comes out from behind, making his presence known. He walked past his grandma and walked straight towards me.

He stormed forward like I wasn't even there and collided his shoulder with mine making me abruptly lose balance a little. I give a quick glance to his grandma and quickly caught her as she sucked in a deep breath; her eyes never leaving us both.

Like a second nature, my eyes trail back to Noah as he moves to grab onto the door, his knuckles bruised a little as blood seethed through. My eyes widened a little, my foot moving instinctively ready to question what happened but I stopped myself, my attention back on grandma,

"Don't speak nonsense with me. I'll ride with Noah and you are to join us"

I heard a spur of coughs as I turn to see Callum cover his mouth as he fake coughed. The words slipped in a murmur loud enough for me to hear,

"Go mother"

"Bu-but"

"I don't want to hear anything else. You can't change my mind. It's been settled. Let's go already,"

She says as she pouts a little playfully before walking up to me. She grabs onto my wrist, my eyes trying to sink in what was happening. I look back at her, spellbound. From behind, Joshua screams,

"Hope you survive!"

She tugs me closer to the car and opened the passenger seat. I had no reaction as I stared at the empty seat before my eyes fell once again on Noah. His eyes held fire. It held something that I couldn't pinpoint. We didn't hold each others eyes for long as he looked away first.

I tear my eyes away from him as I managed to face her. I parted my lips only for her to raise her index finger, shushing me completely as she made a hissing sound with her mouth,. She had her eyes wide to the point that it actually scared me,

"Come on, get in. My dear husband is waiting for me and you're stopping me from seeing him"

Loss for words. I had nothing else to say. My brain went on vacation for a second before I speak up,

"Let me at least make you sit in first"

Noah's grandma clearly had enough of my stalling as she, out of frustration, slappedmy bare shoulder softly. My hand flies to where she made contact as I wince a little at the cold pain. On instant, the door next to us opens agar a little.

We both look at the door, seeing Noah look at us both. His hand gripping the handle. From the corner of my eye, I catch her smirk slightly. I turn my head to face her fully but as quick as a flash, the smirk was wiped off her face and a stern look was replaced,

"You should know not to degrade yourself"

She spoke confidently. She places her index finger on my chin, lifting my head slightly up as she spoke,

"From what I've heard back in the house, I know you have a backbone. I know you can stand for yourself so why degrade yourself now? You take your pretty ass and sit on the chair like I said. I'm capable to doing the same myself without help. I'm not 90 you know"

Reluctantly, I heed without saying another word. I sit down in the seat and she happily closed the door with an innocent, sweet smile. I watched her form disappear from my sight. I hear the door open and she sat in next to Noah.

My eyes fall quick on everyone else as they all gave me a thumbs up from where they sat. In terms of car, Callum, Zoe, mum and dad all had a driver whereas Joshua was sat in the drivers seat. One by one they all left, I closed my eyes hoping for the worst as I speak,

"Let's go Mark"

+++

We were 10 minutes in the ride and it was like torture. No-one spoke and I'm pretty sure it drove grandma crazy. I glanced at the back using the rear-view mirror only to catch Noah look down at something, most likely his phone. Grandma broke the heated silence,

"Okay this is barbaric"

I turn my head to see her flare her arms out as wide as she could,

"How is no one talking? I can literally feel the sexual tension in the car between you two. I don't know about you Mark and I can't stand this. If this was me and Marcus, we would've made up in the backseat of the car whilst it was moving"

She said with emphasis. I look ahead, my face flushed at her words. I glance out the window only to feel a pair of eyes on me. I look at the mirror only to see Noah stare at me. My breath hitched as I blinked multiple times before our stare breaks with the voice of grandma,

"I can't. For the love of heavens Lily tell me something about yourself... just get rid of this sexual silence"

I turn my head back to her,

"Before I say anything, is there any formalities that I should use when speaking with you?"

Grandma only smacks her forehead, a sigh leaving her lips. From the corner of my eye, I catch Noah giving a slight smirk,

"Rosalie. Rosalie should be the only thing that leaves your plump lips. If I hear any of this Mrs King... Mrs King that, I swear I will rip my hair out. I've got a headache already and you're making it worse. Relax a little, I won't bite. I swear. "

I nod once still feeling a little uneasy. Building little confidence I speak,

"So what so you want to know Rosalie?"

I could feel her lean in between the chairs. I turn my upper body, a smile fighting it's way on my face from her childish behaviour,

"What's your favourite colour?"

I reply with a smile on my face,

"Easy. The colours that all merge when the sun sets"

I turn back to the front and point out the window. Since the sun was setting, it gave a perfect example of what I loved. I continued to reason,

"We don't always look at the sky cause we're so caught up of what to do during the day but to me it's always the prettiest. I would love to have a day where I would just sit on the grass and watch the sky set. It's a mood setter for me personally,"

I felt at peace as I spoke. I looked down at my hands that were placed on my lap. From the side, Rosalie speaks up,

"Wow"

I tuck in a loose strand of hair as I look back at her, already find her look at me with admiration,

"You're a special one"

She whispered to herself. I give her a soft smile as she continued,

"You sure do love nature, don't you?"

"I find it beautiful really. If I could, I would love to explore places and try new things out"

"I'm sure you have. You look pretty young, if you ask me,"

I chuckle as I speak,

"Even though I'm 22, I haven't really"

"Why? Girls like you should be living and enjoying life! Not stuck working"

She spoke in disbelief. I merely shake my head as I defend myself,

"In the past, my friends would make me do things but it felt weird. I've always wanted to visit places with the one who would mean a lot to me. My friends called me a helpless romantic for it. I knew that deep down, I wanted to explore places with the one I love the most..."

My eyes raise back to the rear-view mirror to catch Noah's eyes,

"...the one who I would proudly claim as mine. That way, I knew it would've been more meaningful than ever. Well to me that is"

I say softly as I look down at my nails. Quietly I hear Rosalie speak,

"I hope you find him soon, even better if he finds you"

I give a nod sucking my lips in, hoping so also. I lick my lips before I touched the glove compartment of the car. I took out my red lipstick applying another coat using the mirror. Quickly but briefly, I caught Noah staring only to be interrupted,

"Okay so what's your favourite animal? Every girl has their favourite animal"

"Oh mines dolp... fin..."

I begin to say only for it trail out as Noah straightened his posture taking a deep breath that didn't go unnoticed. Rosalie gives a little scoff as she speaks,

"Why are you reacting? It's not like she calls you dolphin"

At her sentence the car almost went dead beat silent,

"Oh my god she does doesn't she!?!"

"We're here ma'am"

Mark interjects, I look at him and mouth him a thank you as he nods discreetly, a smile playing on his lips. I quickly undo my seat belt, stepping outside the cold almost regretting it. I look around, seeing the cars for everyone else already parked.

I turn to see Mark leave his place. He stood in front of Rosalie and opened the door. She stepped out gracefully. I mirror Mark as I open Noah's door. He clenched his jaw as he stepped out angrily. Without giving me another look as he stormed into the venue.

I close the door, a sigh leaving my mouth as I trail towards the venue slowly. Steadily enough, Rosalie walks beside me, a smile playing on her face. I give her a questioning look as I speak cautiously,

"You're looking at me funny... what have you done?"

Rosalie only hums as she sings out,

"It worked before I know it'll work out again"

She says as she walks off leaving me to question her even more. With a shrug of my shoulders, I step inside the venue. As I take steps forward, my eyes wonder around; taking in the breathtaking, black and gold themed interior designs.

"Damn, talk about high class"

I close my mouth as I follow a small crowd that made their way to the main hall. As I stepped in, I felt my jaw touch the floor. The whole room screamed class and elegance. Everywhere I looked, I caught people talking, laughing or sipping on their champagne.

My eyes raid the place seeing everyone scattered everywhere. On my left, I catch Noah sitting down. Even though he was sat on a bar stool, he still somehow managed to snatch my breath away.

He was sat down with his legs slightly agar, his arm resting on the counter behind him. My heart tore a little as I looked beside him seeing a random blonde approach him. She took the initiative and sat down in the stool that was free on his left.

I watched them both; her grazing her nails up and down his arm and him, making no move to interact with her. I could tell that he was annoyed so he faced her and began speaking with a what looked like a smirk he was a playboy after all she thought to herself.

I no longer wanted to watch them both interact as it only made my heart pull. My eyes wonder around the room but it didn't help at all as they were all that was pictured in my head. I guess my silent prayer was answered because someone caught my attention for sure,

"Flower? Is that you?"