Chapter 18 Sparkles outburst

Elena

I had come around to see Aiden's arms wrapped around me. Then, I had nudged him awake after observing the way he slept for a few moments.

I remembered the startled look on his face before it broke out into the boyish grin I now adore.

I didn't know how long I had been out exactly, but I was told it was for four days. Also, the only thing I had remembered was seeing Aiden's blood-stained neck.

Smiling, I shook my head at the memory whilst standing in the middle of the vast room. I took my time to gaze at where I was. Aiden had told me it was his room, and I noticed there wasn't much difference between this and his current house.

The brown wallpaper that donned the wall added to the coolness of the room. The curtains were brown and drawn together, and the dim light that brightened the room was from the silver chandelier hung above.

The only thing that wasn't present in the other house was the brown vanity beside the king-sized bed, and on it were varieties of skincare products.

Aiden never strikes me as someone that uses this amount of products on his body. Perhaps, it was made available because of me since I noticed one of my favourite lotions on it.

Beside the king-sized bed stood Gemma's pink cot and I saw it was empty as I walked to it. I pulled out the pink sticky note attached to the side and read aloud;

Gemma's dining with us.

Expecting you soon.

Ellen

“Oh!” I mumbled, grinning.

My heart warmed at the acceptance I had received from Aiden's sister right from the first day I met her, to when they had come to rescue me.

Though her eyes were almost the same hue as his, I never knew they were related until he said so.

Then I noticed some similar features I had failed to recognize from the beginning. From the blue orbs, I love in Aiden, to the thin lips, and complexion. But, she was a bit paler than him.

The only place she lacked was in the height department, she was an inch shorter than I am and I admire how she moved with poise and grace despite her petite frame.

I was nervous when Aiden had invited me to breakfast this morning. It was not because I was scared of their supernatural status, rather I was scared they would not approve of me.

Since what everyone had ever done was to reject me; Only my stepbrother, Renee, and Aiden seemed to think I was worth their time.

Aiden had irked me from the beginning, and I didn't know why I was so anxious about whether they would approve of me or not for him.

That is because you are in love with him!

“Shut up!” I groaned whilst stepping to the bed. But, I knew it was the truth, inner me was right because I loved Aiden.

I didn't know when that happened, but I knew I couldn't bear staying apart from him anymore.

Moving forward, I grabbed the navy satin ruched bodycon dress laid on the bed with a note attached to it.

“Wear me.” I read out loud again before giggling.

The gown was a perfect fit as it hugged my body in the right places. It was a knee-length, cap-sleeved gown with a sweetheart neckline.

I smoothed my hands on the cloth out of habit, before running it through my messy platinum blonde. I picked up the pink comb, then tossed it back on the bed as I decided to leave it that way. I did it in a bun and applied subtle make-up on my face.

After checking out myself in the full-length mirror once more, I stepped out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind me.

I passed by several rooms, and two staircases leading up before I got to the dining room. All the doors had a label placed above the door just like I was used to, back at home.

A feeling of nostalgia washed over me, but I quickly shoved it back as I remembered the reason I left in the first place.

“They'll love you," I mumbled, assuring myself. I took in a deep breath to calm my raging nerve, then let it out slowly before nudging the door open.

I stepped into the cool, yet inviting room. My heart skipped a beat as my gaze travelled around the room.

Seven pairs of cerulean eyes bored into mine. Suddenly, the floor became interesting to me as I clasped my hands behind my back. I fidgeted, and I fingered the dress I donned. I had never been this nervous because I have never had a reason to stand in front of my self-proclaimed fiance family.

Funny enough, they didn't frighten me like a supernatural being, rather as a human which was weird.

Someone let out a slight cough, and I lifted my head a bit to peek through my lashes at them.

“Come on, don't be a stranger, and quit standing there as if we are predators to you!” Ellen's eyes twinkled as she beckoned to me.

“Okay maybe we are predators, but we are not going to eat you.” She pointed out.

Aiden nodded whilst standing from the chair he sat on. I walked to where he was, then sat on the vacant chair next to him.

I blushed when one of his large hands cupped mine, my heart whacked in an unsteady rhythm, and the butterflies in my stomach collided with one another as he squeezed it. I understood what he was doing and he must have noticed how nervous I was to offer me this comfort.

“I promise we don't bite. You don't need to look at us as if you have seen a ghost.” He whispered into my ear.

My heart melted at the huskiness of his voice and I felt my skin flushed as I imagined the different things his lips could do to mine.

“I don't look like that,” I mumbled whilst attempting to let down my hair in a discreet manner to cover the redness of my cheeks. However, there was no way they wouldn't realize it since their eyes were on me.

“You do.” He swatted my prying hands and whispered, “You look gorgeous this way and I like how cute you are when you blush. Also, you will make me imagine you on my bed if you let it down.” He finished with a wink.

I nudged his hard chest whilst sending him a dirty look. “Don't be gros..”

A voice interrupted me as I was about to retort. He had blond hair, azure eyes which was a bit lighter than Aiden's. Despite the difference, you could tell they were related. He wrinkled his button nose, and fake gagged. My gaze roamed around the table to see they were all staring at me.

This time, it wasn't only my cheek that reddened, it was all part of my body.

“I'm sorry I interrupted your love session.” He grimaced again.

I rolled my eyes at his assumptions, and I believed that was what they were all thinking.

weirdos.

“I'm Kellen, but please if you need a room for private matters, we have more than enough. I just want to eat my food in peace, and not throw up.” He said with a grin.

My eyes went wide as I began to think of what to say until Aiden chuckled, and the rest joined in the amusement. Only then did I understand he was joking.

“He's joking with you,” Aiden said, shaking his head.

“I just realized,” I whispered back, relaxing into him. We had merged our seat in the course of the conversation, and I was enjoying the warmth radiating from his body.

“I'm Liam, and I must say, you are the most beautiful woman in this room aside from my mother.” Another version of Kellen beamed whilst nodding his head towards their mom.

Liam had the same azure eyes, but darker and his blond hair was darker too which would make it easier to tell them apart. They have the same lanky frame and a lopsided grin.

However, if they decided to pull out the twin stunts every twin often did, I was sure no one would be able to tell them apart, except for their parents, and maybe siblings.

“Oww, Sparklight, what is that for?" He yelped.

He scowled at a girl I instantly recognized because I often saw her in the company of my step-sisters. Also, she had come in the company of Ellen and another girl to rescue me last week but I was too frightened for Aiden to notice she was there.

She glared back at him before swirling to glance back at me with disgust. Her lips curled up and the tip of her nose crinkled.

“Umh, thank you, Liam, I'm Elena.” I smiled at him.

“Silly, we know who you are.” Liam chuckled.

My brows furrowed as I glanced at Aiden who had a sheepish grin on his face before shrugging.

“You are so cute. I thought it was only Fireflies that could pull out an irritated look without looking ugly, but I was wrong.”

“I told you never to call me that, Buzo.” Sparkles growled, attempting to swat him.

“Jealous much?” He snickered whilst dodging every move she made at punching him.

“Liam, stop riling your sister.” Their mother spoke up for the first time. Her voice was authoritative, yet loving.

I didn't get the chance to see how she looks since I had been out. I noticed some slight grey in her blonde hair and aside from that, she looks quite young. I had read from an article that the duchess was fifty years old which was quite surprising since she didn't look like it. The wrinkles, and bags that were frequently present in people her age were absent in hers even without any makeup on her face.

“I did nothing to her, she just kept jamming my foot with her killer heels.” He tossed his hands in the air, and he yelped for the umpteenth time.

“See?" He pointed out to back up what he had said earlier.

I watched as everything unfolds whilst I was chewing slowly on the lobster I had come to love ever since my arrival in West Vale- It was one of their traditions to add lobsters to their meals.

How could she be jealous of me? As far as I was concerned, she was the most beautiful woman in this room. Even as she was scowling, she looked quite beautiful.

“It's fine,” I mumbled slowly whilst staring at her. “I'm not trying to take the spotlight from you.”

Still, her expression didn't soften and I didn't mind either. My gaze travelled elsewhere and landed on their mom who gave me a soothing smile.

“Thanks, ma'am for being so kind.”

“Silly, call me Callista and you are part of us now.”

“Umh, where are Renee and Gemma?” I mumbled as I saw the vacant chair in between Kellen and Liam. It was really funny I hadn't noticed them from the beginning.

My mind must have been preoccupied for me not to because even if I didn't think about Renee, the thought of Gemma was always running through my head.

“That cute red hair with a nice ass?” Liam said with a cheeky grin, whilst Kellen whacked him on his head.

“Goodness, quit describing her as an object. Talk to your son, Edward.” Callista said to her husband who had been quietly observing everything.

“They are yours too.” He shrugged, chuckling.

“Thanks, Dad.” Liam beamed.

“Like father, like son." Callista tutted.

“I agree, can't you see my boys look just like me? So handsome, and strong," He flexed his muscles whilst Liam hailed him.

Aiden facepalmed, and mumbled under his breath. “Sometimes, I often wonder why I'm part of this family.”

“As if you are any better.” Ellen retorted, rolling her eyes.

Aiden and Liam were just like their father- their playfulness and the way they joke around things that should be taken seriously.

I have experienced all those with Aiden, and it could be quite upsetting. Still, when it comes to seriousness, Aiden could win an Award for that. I was sure Kellen behaved this way too despite the serious vibes he was giving.

“Sorry bro, I can admire your girl if I want to.” Liam sing-song.

“For the last time, she is not mine and we hardly know each other!” Kellen grunted.

“I can help you put nice words to her...”

“That is enough, Liam!” Callista stated firmly.

“Okay mom, next time bro." He winked, ruffling his hair.

“So, ” Edward cleared his throat before he continued, “Are you fine with what we are? I guessed Aiden already told you everything about us.”

“That is so peachy!” Sparkles shrieked, tossing the paper towel with her across the table. “Within how many days of knowing each other, you already revealed our secrets because of what's underneath!?”

Their father ignored her outburst, and went on, “We are not like those big bad wolves you do see on television.”

I nodded, agreeing with him, “I know that because I have stayed with Aiden for a few days to know he's that harmless and not as bad as he wants people to think.”

“Coming from someone who ran away for a full year only to reappear again.” “I wonder what you want.” Sparkles tsked.

“Be nice!” Ellen scowled as she nudged her.

“How do you feel about being Aiden's mate?”

I blushed at the term. It was certain I was going to be his mate because I can't keep running forever though it wasn't for the debt anymore. I had nowhere else to go.

At first, it seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen to me, my father sending me off to a man he hardly knew because he couldn't control his love for gambling. I felt he threw me in a deep shit I couldn't escape, a mess of a lifetime!

Coming to think about it now, he wasn't bad.

“You like me?” Aiden's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I glanced at him with a raised brow.

“What?” My brows furrowed, perhaps for the umpteenth time whilst staring at him.

“You said you like me,” Aiden said slowly.

“I did?”

“You sure did,” Ellen affirmed with a smile.

“Geez, my loose thought.” I grimaced, facepalming.

“So, do you like me for real?" He asked and I noticed the longing in his voice and the smile he was trying to keep on.

I wonder how he would react if I told him I didn't, however, I was not one to toy with the emotions of people.

“Of course, I do. Right from the beginning.” I professed.

“Wow, I thought you hated my gut. You are always angry whenever you see me.”

“Despite that, I liked you.”

“This dinner is so interesting, and I wish red hair was here to witness all this.”

“Liam...” Kellen warned.

“Okay, okay," Liam mumbled with his hands up.

Silence ensued as Sparkles slammed her palms on the table. All eyes were on her, and she didn't fidget one bit.

Unlike me that would prefer to stare at the ground, her eyes bored into each of us and stayed on mine.

“Have you slept with him? I'm sure you like doing that too.”

“Sparkles, enough of all these! This is so unlike you." Aiden said.

“Stay out of this, she can speak for herself.” Sparkles grounded her teeth together, “Have you?”

Aiden was about to say something but his mother interrupted him. I gripped his hands, and I felt how angry he was as it shook.

“I won't have you disrespecting anyone on this table anymore, Sparkles. If you don't feel like sitting here with us, you can as well take your untouched meal to your room. It's big enough and lucky for you, it has a mini dining room you can use.”

“You are not this way and you should apologise to her." Callista finished, staring at the defiant Sparkles who looked as though she was ready for a fight if anyone was offering.

“I'll rather do something nasty to her than apologize.”

“Sparkles!”

“Fine, ” She grunted. “Sorry b*tch.” She screeched and left the room.

“That girl is just so rude.” Callista groaned whilst pinching the bridge of her nose.

“She takes after you.”

Callista scowled at Edward but didn't say anything.

“She isn't this way. I promise she will come around." Ellen said beaming.

I hope she does because I was not ready to have someone as evil as my stepsisters for a sister-in-law.