Grandparents' Anniversary: First Kiss

It’s my grandparents' anniversary today, and the whole house is in a frenzy. The Ashfords have always been known for throwing the best parties. I’m sure we’re killing it again this time around, but my thoughts remained on Adrian.

The house shimmered in the after sun with extended families, like my aunties, uncles, and cousins from London, New York, even Monaco, all gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Charles and Miriam Ashford, the patriarch and matriarch of the Ashford empire.

Upstairs in the family sitting room, a quieter space away from the crowd, Gen and I lounged on the cream velvet couch, our heels off, and our hair curled to perfection. Mum and Dad stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, glasses of champagne in their hand.

Dad, even in a casual moment, cut an imposing figure. Dressed in a charcoal grey suit, tie loosened. Mum looked effortlessly as usual, wearing a high-neck ivory dress, sleek chignon, diamond cuff earrings that caught every light.

“Your grandmother’s asking about the piano duet, Kimberly,” Mum said, looking over her shoulder. “You haven’t forgotten the notes, have you?”

I grinned, half-nervous, half-playful. “I’m pretending to forget them. It adds drama.”

Gen laughed. “You’ll be brilliant. Like always.”

Dad stepped away from the window, his eyes on Gen and me. “You know, I barely see either of you these days. Always school, always something.”

“You’re one to talk,” Gen teased. “You live at your company headquarters.”

Mum sighed with a smile. “Touché.”

There was a brief, comfortable silence until Gen broke it.

“Actually,” she said, smoothing her silk dress. “I wanted to ask something. About tonight.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess. You’re planning to sneak out tonight before dessert?”

“God, no. I love Grandpa's toast.” Gen said, then hesitated. “But... I was wondering if I could invite someone. A friend.”

Mum’s gaze sharpened slightly. “A friend?”

Gen nodded, carefully. “His name is Adrian Thorne. We’ve been seeing each other for a while. He’s smart, respectful, polite, and he races professionally.”

Dad’s face didn’t shift, but I felt the air thicken just a little.

“A racer?” he repeated.

“Formula one,” Gen clarified. “And he’s studying business too. He’s not just fast cars and adrenaline.”

Mum pursed her lips, considering. “The Thornes. I know that name. Weren’t they at the Monaco gala last spring?”

“Yes,” Gen answered quickly. “His father is Michael Thorne... but Adrian’s different. Not obnoxious and not entitled.”

Dad exchanged a look with Mum. The kind of look parents give when they’re weighing between instinct and trust.

“You vouch for him?” Dad asked, finally.

“Yes, I do,” Gen answered quietly. “He’s important to me.”

I said nothing, just watched. My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress.

Mum took a sip of her champagne, then nodded once. “One friend. One Adrian. He may stay for dinner, but he wears a jacket and must speak to your grandparents.”

Gen smiled, slowly and gratefully. “Done.”

Dad leaned down to kiss the top of her head as he walked out with Mum, both holding hands.

I turned to Gen. “You’ve finally spoken to Mum and Dad about him.”

“Yeah,” she smiled. “Now, no more sneaking in.”

“You think it’s that easy? You only granted him an invite to the event; it’s not like he’s part of the family now.”

Gen chuckled. “This is just the first step, little sister. Well, I'd better go inform him.”

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

The garden had never looked magical. Golden fairy lights twisted through the canopy of trimmed trees, their soft glow catching the shimmer of crystal glassware and silk gowns that dotted the open space. Elegant laughter and quiet conversation floated through the air, blending with the soft melody of the live artist performing near the reception area.

I stood quietly near the edge, close enough to see the guests enjoying the show, but far enough to let the cool evening breeze brush over me. My fingers still tingled from the keyboard. The final note of my performance for Nana and Papa Ashford still echoes faintly in my head like a memory. They'd smiled so brightly, their hands clasped with pride. It was everything I'd hoped for.

And yet... even in the midst of all this beauty, I felt something unsteady beneath my ribs. My eyes scanned the crowd unconsciously as I looked for Adrian. Seeing him beside Gen when I played the keyboard for my grandparents made me uneasy. Still, he wasn't in the crowd. He wasn't seated beside Gen anymore. Has he left? I thought to myself, and that's when I turned and just like that, I bumped into someone, spilling my drink all over my dress.

"My goodness!" I exclaimed as I looked up, surprised. "Adrian?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you," he apologized.

"It's fine, Adrian. I know you didn't mean to. It's just a beautiful dress and you've ruined it, and that's the only thing I'm sad about," I sighed, walking out of the reception area and to the other side of the garden.

"Kim," he shouted, following me. "Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but there. I can't let the others see me like this. A mess," I lowered my head.

"But you can change your dress, can't you?" he asked.

"I can, if I have anything this good to wear. Mum handpicked this dress for me, and it's the only one she brought. You know I'm not good at fashion like the rest of my family," I sighed. "Besides, why were you all the way over to the end of where I stood? Weren't you supposed to be with Gen and my grandparents?"

"I know," he said.

"Gen put in work to have you invited, and you just abandoned her there. Plus, you were supposed to meet with my grandparents; it was a deal made between Gen and my parents for you to come to the party," I said.

"I'm going to be honest with you," he said, his voice soft. "I only accepted Gen's invitation because I wanted to see you again. That's why I left her table with your grandparents to look for you. But I bumped into you, and I'm sorry. If this is the only dress you have, we can go out and I'll pick something even better than this for you, and you'll be the belle of the ball, looking better than everyone in there. Trust me."

I sat on the grass, my legs crossed over each other. "Thank you, but I don't think I want to get back there. It was boring anyway."

"I loved your performance. I didn't know you played the keyboard," he said as he sat down beside me.

"I used to take classes. Turned out to be the one thing I'm better at than everyone else in my family," I chuckled. "I'm proud of that."

"You look beautiful when you're happy," he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Adrian—"

"Please, let me adore you," he said, his hands softly placed on my thighs.

"It's weird how much I like the attention you give and have been giving me lately, it's more than anyone has ever given me. But you're Gen's boyfriend, and I don't want to get in any trouble with my sister," I said.

"You won't get into any trouble if you don't tell her. I know for a fact that I'll keep this a secret for as long as you want, not because I care about what your sister might feel towards this, but because I care about how badly it will affect you and I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable situation," he said, his hands now on my face, his fingers softly caressing my cheek.

"Adrian—"

"I know you want this. Stop holding back," he smirked.

"Adrian—"

We sat there in a silence so heavy it nearly pulled me under. But I couldn't look away from him. Not with the way he looked at me, like I was a truth he hadn't known he needed. Like I was something sacred and wrong all at once.

"I've tried," he said. "I've tried so hard."

He took a step closer, and I didn't move. My heart thundered as his fingers brushed mine. It was the softest touch, but it sent a tremor up my spine. He reached up, cupping the side of my face, his thumbs tracing my cheek like he was memorizing it. I could've stepped back. But I didn't.

His lips met mine in a kiss that was slow and uncertain at first, tasting of hesitation and all the things we weren't supposed to feel. But then it deepened, just slightly, like something breaking loose.

It was my first kiss.

And it burned with everything I was never meant to want.

When we pulled apart, the world came rushing back in, loud and real.

"I—I can't," I whispered, breath shaking, eyes stinging.

And before he could say anything, I turned and ran.