Chapter 46

ADRIA'S POV:

"Hey, kiddo! I didn't know we were having a party today", Dad said as he walked into the dining area.

"Well, we are having one", I said to him as I tried to cut the upside-down walnut cheesecake into six equal parts and failed at it miserably. Guess there is going to be a fight over the bigger piece.

"I guessed so. There is too much food on the table, but may I ask what's the occasion?", he asked as he took the basket of bread over the table.

"We are partying cause.... I am happy", I gave him a big smile but his expressions showed his lack of belief in my words.

"Are you sure princess? You look exhausted, your eyes are as red as the tomato soup you made today, your cheeks are swollen and you are wearing yellow Pikachu pajama pants under your green Bulbasaur pajama top to your so-called party. Also, you have paired it with your pink mickey mouse slippers", he said pointing at my outfit.

"What's wrong with my outfit?", I exclaimed.

"Everything, every single thing is wrong with it, sis", Andrea said as she walked to us and gave dad a side hug. He kissed her head while still holding her close.

"Oh come on I am not dressed for a gala. This is just a cosy house party", I reasoned.

"The outfit is still crappy"

------------------------------------------------------

"So can I finally know the reason for this so-called party", dad asked again. The old man was behaving like a kid who wanted to know everything.

Right now we were sitting in the living room "Andrea dear, at least you tell me. I am getting worried, she says she is happy but looking at her, I know 'happy' is exactly what she is not right now".

"If I say I am happy, then I am happy, dad. Can you please not overthink about it?", I almost yelled at him cause his constant nagging was making me hard to control myself.

"You don't talk to me in that tone young lady. I am your father and if I say I want to know what is wrong with you then I DO wanna know what is wrong with you. I am not going to leave you alone when you look like you are going to kill yourself and behave like you are going to kill people around you. What kind of a father do you think I am?", He yelled back being frustrated at my behaviour and I knew I should not mess with him now.

"Austin is getting married tomorrow", it was not me who burst the bubble, it was Andrea.

"What?.... I mean he is? That's good, that guy is almost 35 he should get married soon", dad said calmly. I could sense the hidden joy behind his calm words. "But what has it got with you being all psycho"

"LOL, this is going to be exciting", Andrea said while grabbing the bowl of her dessert and leaning back on the sofa as if she was watching a show.

She has a habit to sit back and enjoy whenever I and dad argue, she says that she missed out on her sibling and parent fights throughout her life and now she enjoys them.

"I am not sad, DAD. I am happy. I am throwing this party cause I finally got him off my back. He visited me a few days back and said 'I give up'. So yeh, finally I am free and I don't have to worry about a stalker in my life. He won't ever pop up in my life on random days like he used to do. He won't bother me with gifts on my birthdays or on special occasions. He won't nag me to marry him. He won't keep tabs on my work and give me advice whenever I am having difficulty with something". I said holding back the tears I wasn't supposed to have in the first place. "He will marry someone else and move on with his life and let me live mine peacefully". Dad and Andrea were silent when I was saying this.

"I see. I get it you are happy for him... and yourself. I get it, even I hate that guy just as you do. I always warned him to leave you alone. I am happy too that he is off your hair now. That is what I always wanted but dear, know that what I want doesn't matter. All that matters is what you want with your life and I will always be there for you in your every decision", he said and came forward to hug me. "The food was nice dear. Thank you, I am tired now and I will go to sleep. ". Saying that he went to his room but not before whispering something to Andrea.

"Can we talk?", Andrea asked me when dad was gone.

"Sure sis", I said and we both headed to the pool areas. It was our favourite place to hang out especially during the night as we could lay back in the chairs and gaze at the night sky while having long, senseless conversations.

"Shoot", I said as we laid back on the outdoor chaise lounges. I know dad whispered something in her ears and I know I am going to get a lecture about today. Andrea chuckled before starting.

"Let me start with this, you look like shit", she then laughed and looked at me. "Why are you doing this to yourself?", she asked out of the blue.

"Doing what?"

"You know what I mean Adria. If you love him, just go to him. I don't get the reason to hold back so long?", I could sense the frustration in her tone. This is going to be a hell of a long conversation.

"I am not holding back Andrea, you know why I am staying away from that man. You out of all people know what he has done to me", my voice cracked as I said this.

"I know very well. Ok now, if you hate him so much why haven't you moved on yet? Why do you compare all the other guys with him? Why would you keep updates on the fake news of his affairs and flings? Why would you be upset when he is getting married?", the questions were thrown directly on my face and I had the answer for none of them.

"I.. I don't know. All I know is that I can't be with him after all he did to me and dad", I reasoned.

"Is it making you happy though? Is staying away from him making you happy? And I only want to hear the truth"

"I.. It.. I don't know ok? All I know is it is making everything less complicated and safe. That man is dangerous, he is bipolar, one moment he is good the other he is bad. You can't predict what he does and I don't want to get hurt anymore. I want a safe and steady life", I said, finally voicing out my fears.

"And what about a happy life? Are you going to be safe and feel like shit all your life?", her words stabbed realization in me. "Look, I am not a big fan of Austin after what he did but I won't ever stop you if your happiness is in being with him. You don't have to think about what I feel. But you know what? You are just like our mom who always thought about other's happiness and not her own. She never wanted to marry Jake but she did, to make grandpa happy. She was getting abused by him but she suffered all that quietly cause she was afraid to spoil her family's reputation. Throughout her life, she kept thinking about others and lived a miserable life. The only time she was happy was when she listened to her heart and let herself accept Edward. She was the happiest only when she took a decision listening to her own self and not anyone else.", Andrea got up from her lounge and sat on the edge of mine. She cupped my face gently with her hands and looked into my eyes. "You don't have to think what I or dad Edward feel about him. Just think how your heart feels. Don't do the same mistake that mom did, think about your happiness before it's too late"

I was stunned listening to her words. Yes, all this time I reasoned that Austin's actions were why I kept away from him but my major concern was that my sister and father hate him. I never voiced it out as I thought it will make them feel guilty but my twin saw directly through me.

"But what about the things he did", I still tried to reason.

"That's for you to decide. You have a twisted heart that is still beating for him even after all his mistakes and the time you spent away from him. You were not this bothered by breakup Connor whom you dated for 2 years but a few months with Austin had him running through your veins. It is evident that you still love him. It's time to accept him before he gets married and you can do nothing but throw more house parties so you can reduce your sadness while making food", she shrugged.

See the twin again saw right through me. I cook a lot when I am sad, it helps me burn off some sadness. That's why I decided to make all those stuff when I saw the invitation card sent by Austin's secretary.

"What if he hurt me again. I once thought that he changed but he proved me wrong by kidnapping Cara", I spoke up another of my major fears about being with him.

"He won't hurt you again. Trust me. If he wants to live he won't hurt you ever again. Now tell me do you want to keep crying over him throughout your life or do you want to be with him?", Andrea asked and I knew this was going to be the last time I have a chance to choose cause tomorrow he would get married and I won't have a choice again.

"Yes", I said quite loudly. "I want to be with him. Give him the last chance he deserves after waiting all these years", Andrea laughed at the choice of my words.

"Now come on be ready for tomorrow, we have a wedding to stop"

-------------------------------------------

I tried to convince Andrea that I should go to Austin the same night and tell him that he should not get married to that Shasha girl cause he has to marry me instead.

I figured 'Don't marry her, marry me', is easier to say than 'I am a crazy woman and I still love you despite you being a complete asshole in the past and I want to spend the rest of my life with you'.

I wanted to tell him everything last night itself but Andrea said that it would be more impactful and dramatic if we go just before the wedding. She is crazy.

So now here we are waiting outside the church which was mentioned in the invitation card Austin sent me.

This is it, this is going to be the turning point of my life and I will finally keep my fears aside and give Austin a chance. It's been seven years since I kept him waiting but now no more, I was ready to take the risk of getting hurt by being with him than getting sad by being away from him.

I took a deep breath before walking through the big doors. But I guess I was too late already cause as I entered in the first thing I saw was the couple kissing.