Chapter 4

Ava’s POV

The hustle and bustle in our house grew as we prepared for my mother’s wedding ceremony. I was stressing over my mum’s wedding as much as mum herself was doing.

I woke up with my head pounding, I’d slept really late from planning late into the night, and this was the result. I winced as I opened my eyes and realized that my curtain was up, the ray of the sun brightening up my room was quite uncomfortable as I stood up, I placed my palm on my face as I slowly made my way to the window to drop the curtain, making my room a little bit darker.

I excitedly did the happy dance to my bathroom as I hummed a song, while brushing my teeth. The day we’ve all been anticipating was finally here and I just can’t wait to capture every beautiful moment in my heart.

I took a long glance at the powdered blue gown laid on my bed and I picked it up to hold it against my body for a few seconds.

I went back to the bathroom to have my bath, I’d done all the necessary things I needed to do, and then I had my mother’s makeup artist and hair stylist do my makeup and hair.

I put on my blue gown accompanied with a blue stiletto heel and a white purse. I looked really gorgeous, I thought to myself in admiration. I took another look at the mirror before walking out of my room.

“You look really beautiful.” I shrieked as I saw my mother already dressed in her wedding gown with her perfectly made up face.

Like I had hoped, the wedding turned out really beautiful and flawless. My mum was the happiest bride I’ve ever seen, and I silently prayed that she’d find immense happiness in her new husband, like she did in my father.

The wedding was held in a court, and after they both said their vows, I watched as they both signed the papers and everyone in the room stood to cheer for them.

I looked around in search of my soon to be step brother and he was nowhere to be found, I couldn’t wait to meet him, but for a moment, I wondered if he decided not to show up at the wedding today because he wasn’t happy that his father was remarrying.

With a small sigh, I pushed that thought out of my mind.

We proceeded to the reception venue and I let out a smile when I saw my mother and her husband having their first dance. I felt lucky to have to witness a moment as precious as this.

“I need to use the restroom.” My childhood friend announced as she got to stand beside me, she must’ve been really pressed because she was pacing about.

“Why does it have to be now?” I groaned as I turned and I couldn’t hold in my laughter when I saw my friend doing the urgent dance.

“Is it that bad?” I demanded, trying really hard to not burst into another round of laughter.

“Mhhm.” She answered and we both made our way to the restroom. We did almost everything together and I understood at once when she couldn’t walk to the bathroom alone.

“Why do you have to pull me out of that beautiful dance floor?” I huffed out while checking myself out in the mirror.

“Quit whining, Ava. It’s not like you have a date waiting for you back on the dance floor.” She called out from the stall she was using and I rolled my eyes.

“Shut up.”

We returned to the reception and I scanned the room in search of my mother. I let out a small grin as soon as I spotted her beside her newly wedded husband. It took a few minutes for me to notice the third person standing before them, whom my mum tugged down into a long hug.

The person was also dressed in blue, and telling from his back, he was very tall and wide shouldered.

Perhaps it was a family friend? A distant cousin?

I watched as a smile tugged at Danny, my step father’s lips, as he watched the interaction between his new wife and the stranger, proving to me that he was perhaps, not a stranger.

I had better go say hi!

“Your stepdad is so hot in his suit.” My friend let out in a quiet voice beside me and I snarled at her.

“That’s my mother’s husband, ew. Keep your nasty comment to yourself!” I huffed out and next, my mother finally noticed me.

“Ava,” she called out while beaconing me over.

“Come over here.” She added and I smiled as I carefully made my way towards her.

“Where have you been? We’ve been searching around for you.” Danny asked and I apologized for leaving the area unannounced.

“I’m sorry, I had to go to the restroom.” I answered and my mother took my hand in hers.

The stranger was still backing me, just as my mother began to speak.

“Now that you’re here, I’d like you to meet—“ Her voice was filled with excitement as she spoke, as the stranger finally turned around till he was facing me, and then my jaw dropped.

Next, my body went cold as ice. My eyes were as wide as saucers and I couldn’t bring myself to wrap my head around what was currently happening.

There was no way I’m seeing right, I slightly pinched myself and I could feel it and that told me what I needed to know, I wasn’t dreaming, he really was the one.

From nowhere, immense anger engulfed me and I pointed my index finger at him. I’d almost forgotten everything about him but seeing him right now has made me recollect all what had played out that day between us.

“You!” I snarled, “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my anger evident and I was sure my mother and Danny were surprised.

“What am I doing here? I think I should be the one asking you that. Oh wait, perhaps you weren’t watching your steps once again and mistakenly walked into the venue like you walked into me that morning?” He shot back and I was taken aback, how dare he?

“You stupid bastard, who gave you the effontary–”

“Do you even have a right to be here?” He cut me off and I spluttered while my insides boiled with anger.

“What kind of dumb question is that? Are you insane?” I screeched just as my mother grabbed my wrist and tugged me against her side.

“Do you both know each other?” Danny asked while regarding me and the stranger at once and I nodded, which made Danny’s confusion intensify.

“Ava, I was just about to introduce you to your stepbrother.” My mother supplied next and everything literally stopped in that moment.

I was shook, there was no way in hell that I’d just heard my mother right.