Chapter 2 SEVENTEEN

"Have you seen mom?" I asked Isabella, one of the helpers, as I entered the sitting room.

"She's at the study room, my lady. She asked me to remind you about the dinner."

"Of course, I didn't forget it. I'll be ready in twenty minutes," I said smilingly while going upstairs to change. "By the way, do you know who the guest is?" I turned to ask Isabella but she has already left.

However, with that unanswered question in my head, I quickly rushed to fix myself for dinner cause I was so late already. And also It was my birthday celebration's so I have to look nice and cute.

I admire myself in the mirror, as I apply soft pink blush over my cheekbones and layering on some shiny lip gloss. Seventeen, wow. It felt like just yesterday I was a kid. I knew my Mom and Dad would be so happy to see me grow up so beautifully. Mama Celeste always tell me how pretty I was, but it's only lately that I've started to see it too.

People often tell say I had pretty eyes. Mama once said I inherited them from my late mom.

"Really, mom do you also think so?" I asked her for confirmation when she also commented about my eyes.

"Yes, my baby, you got Olivia's eyes."

"Oh my, then indeed I got beautiful eyes! Dad do tell me then that mom's eyes kind of charmed him that was why he married her."

"Whoa, Lucas was such a sweet man!" she declared. "It was definitely the reason why Olivia loved him so much," she sighed wistfully remembering my mom, her bestie.

My mind jerked back to the present time, I continue adore myself in the mirror. I indeed was a replica of my mom.

From my long wavy brunette hair, to my hazel eyes with gold flecks, beautiful lashes, ruby lips, down to my slim curved body, and fair complexion, everything was a replica of my mom.

My faith and belief concerning love and passion and the happy-ever-after, however, was inherited from my Dad. He was the one who made me believe that love is always possible even in the most impossible of times and places. He was a true believer in love. I guessed Dad and I agreed on this.

Oh, how I missed them so much! My heart hurts each time I remember the sweet moments with my parents and the horrible death that took them away.

Put the past behind you Liana, I said to myself as though it was my mom and dad telling it to me. A teardrop fell down my cheek.

I've been trying my best. God knows how much i miss them and how i have been trying to move on.....A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts. Brushing off the tears away from my cheek, stood up and went to open the door.

"My lady, Mama Celeste has sent me to inform you that dinner is ready," one of the house helpers told me immediately.

"Thank you, Liam. I'll be there in a minute," I answered before I rushed back to the mirror to take a one more look at my face and my appearance.

Satisfied now on how my body complimented the whole outfit in front of the mirror, I gently tousled my curls. My new white floral summer dress matched with my petalite pink doll shoes just looked so good on me.

Oh, that's enough with this egocentric behavior, Liana, I scolded myself.

I hesitated as I held my room doorknob....then, I wore a bright smile on my face, and as I joyfully went down the staircase.

I was humming a happy birthday song softly as I was walking down the staircase then to the dining room. Well, it was I needed at the moment , because I was afraid that the sadness in my heart might ruined the dinner party with mom.

Time fly so fast it's been nine years since I became an orphan... but no, Mama Celeste has always been present with me every time and anytime I needed someone to run to in times like this. I am always be grateful for all the good things she had done for me.

There was no need for me to look back to those painful memories. All I had to put in remember now was that mom and dad were already in God's right hand side and carefully watching over me in heaven. I had to focus now on my future including filling it with happiness and graceful hope.

As I walked to the dining room, every maid i passed, neatly dressed in their uniforms smiled warmly and wished me a happy birthday. They were all happy and I could see how their eyes approved of my fit. I smiled back at them and replied , "Thank you."

"My lady, you will be amazed by the surprise gift awaiting you at the dinner hall!" Isabella said chuckling. I'm telling you, she was red-faced the all time. What is this whole drama about?.

Did mama prepare a surprise birthday party for me? I could not understand what she was talking about until I reached the entrance of the dining room.

Wow! As soon as I sighted that area, I was taken aback like I couldn't move my body for some minutes but my feet were frozen on the floor... right there, standing beside mama and sitting on the large vintage dining table was my Elias!

Elias! So he was the guest? The one who drove passed me in the car? What a Fantastic birthday gift, I wouldn't have asked for anything more than this!

Wow, it's been three years now I haven't seen him!

It had been a years indeed. He is now twenty-two and had just finished graduating from the university.

For five minutes straight, I just stood there in the entrance. I couldn't say a single word. I just dumbfounded at how much he has changed and how masculine he had become. He was, a hundredth time more handsome than before?.

His navy blue, tight-fitting top proudly displayed the impressive build of his chest and abdomen. I always dreamed about him during my quiet time at the lagoon, how sexy and appealing he would get at twenty-two but damn he look so attractive and handsome. It beats my imagination and expectations.

You won't believe it, Elias was also looking at me. He didn't say any word, I just felt that the world had stopped and it was just the two of us in it......

Oh my, wait, am I dreaming, I pinched my left hand as I placed my hands on my chest to be sure that I was still breathing! This felt like a dream!

Mama Celeste quickly broke the silence that filled the room.

"Liana, finally our Elias is back home!" she happily said.

My body jerked back to reality as i heard mama voice, gently, I walked towards them.

The moment that I was finally standing before him, I felt so small in-front of his grown very tall height, he was like six feet and or more than.

"Hey..." I greeted, and alas, alas, it felt so weird! But I didn't stop, I went ahead to add "oh, one will mistake you now for a prodigal son who finally returned home ..." I said sarcastically as I looked up and down trying to stop my tears from dropping down. I was so happy that I began crying I couldn't stop myself!

I do text you like thrifty-five times every single day. Am always here waiting for you, you couldn't even text or reply me, even sending me a 'hi' you didn't at all.

I thought you will ignore me forever or better still I will die while waiting for you... I had so much I wanted to say to him. I just wanted him to know that during this three years of separation, it was the toughest and longest period in my entire life.

Tho, it was as if nothing was more surprising about this moment, Elias answered curtly,

"Do I have a choice---" as he looked at me, his eyes scanning my body from my head down to my feet.

"Elias!" Mama Celeste interrupted, "obviously, you have a choice. You have Liana, she's your choice for the future."

What kind of twist was that, mama? I almost voice it out loud but, of course, I didn't dare do that not when the guy, sorry man now, in front of me was a party pooper.

His eyes focus on mama, he said, still curtly, "Oh mom, Come on! I'm didn't come to discuss on this topic... please. I'm here to talk with you concerning a very vital thing. But, right now, I'm famished." He slumped into his seat clearly not caring about the topic.

Mama Celeste waved at me to take a seat close to Elias.

But I went ahead and sat down on my usual seat opposite to Elias's.

As we were eating, I found myself to staring at him each minute. His thick brows were way hotter and more mesmerizing than before!.

Okay, so, his lips were totally masculine, plump, red, and just... 'sensual'. And his jawline? Sculpted to perfection, seriously highlighting the face that I couldn't stop thinking about, day or night. Seriously, what more could you even want? He was the definition of flawless.

Ugh, everything would've been 'perfect' if he'd just treated me differently a-bit! But no, I was totally checking him out, and he was just chatting up mama about his business stuff like I wasn't even there. Like I was invisible, or something. It was the worst!

Even though he came back, I knew now that it wasn't because of me. It was just a total coincidence that he showed up on my birthday.

I thought maybe Elias might have developed a soft spot for me and was trying to surprise me, but nope! He just came over to tell Mama about his business stuff.

Listening to their conversation, I realized how he is now a big shot at the Rosario corporation. Plus, he's opening a new business in the capital...something using Rosevale' grains. It's supposed to be a huge expansion for the company.

Mama, was really excited and proud about the plan!

Mama Celeste, though, totally switched the conversation.

"Elias, seems you are forgetting that today's is Liana's birthday?"

When Mom said my name, that was the only time he, like, looked at me again. His ocean blue eyes, were still kinda distant, but when he looks at you, it feels like you are falling into a super dangerous trap you couldn't get out of!

"She's, already seventeen!. look how much she of a lady she is now. Doesn't she look so much prettier?" Mom said, totally proud.

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, especially now his eyes were on me. After three long years, I was desperate to know what he thought. How did I look to him now?

"Look, she's still a minor, Mom? Okay so just drop it," he pleaded. "Seriously, can you stop trying to set me up with Liana?"

"She will be an adult next year, Elias.

You'll marry her when the time is right."

"Mom we've been over this conversation, I'm not going to marry her." he said without hesitation, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ouch! Those words really hurt, like, a lot. They just shattered my heart.

"So, who are you going to marry?"

Mama Celeste's voice was sharp with annoyance. She put down her fork.

"I'm marrying the woman I choose, not the one you want, mom," he said not looking at Mama, but keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

Why was he staring at me like that, especially with his hurtful words! I wanted to burst into tears at that moment.

"Forget what he said, sweetheart," Mama whispered to my ear, as she smoothed me to sleep. "I will to do my best to ensure that Elias marry you."

I burst into tears, seriously I was hurting so much, the tears wouldn't stop. She wiped my face and said, "you're such a sweetheart, I can't believe he is treating you like this! He can't continue this way!"

I could sense the sadness in her voice. I could tell she was deeply affected by it.

"Don't worry, Mama....I'll do my best to make sure he starts to like me."I promise

Mama smiled softly at me as she listened to me, then she lovingly caressed my hair with her hand.

"Do you really like Elias that much?" I nodded, a sincere gesture. How do I describe these feelings that I held for so long? The racing heart, the sweaty palms, the way my world stops when he was near me . How his absence hurts me, the constant longing for his return. Was this, perhaps, love?

"If that's the case sweetheart, I swear that he won't marry any one else but you," she said with a serious expression.

"Thank you, Mama. I love you so much ."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," she murmured, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Okay, good night. Sleep soundly. Happy birthday again, Liana."

"Thank you, Mama."

"Don't worry about anything tonight, alright? Get a good night's sleep and relax. He's staying for a week, you know.....This is a great chance for you to bond with him."

The next day, I intended to spend it all

with Elias . But, I woke up so late that Isabella informed me he went to the Whispering Grove, I bet he was going to sketch there.

Yes sketching or painting --- again. That was his first love. I didn't realize that, until now, he still loves to painting. Even now, he couldn't shake the memories he had with Arielle, their secret meetings in the grove.Poor Elias! So good-looking, and yet, so much pain he had to bear.

He must really miss her so much. I understood that feeling better than anyone, believe me. I, of all people, could truly understand how it feels to loose someone you love.

I waited for him to join me for lunch. But he didn't come. Then, Theodore , the gardener, came over to ask the cook, Mia, to prepare the young Lord's lunch. Elias would be eating his lunch in the whispering grove.

With Mia's help, I cooked his favorite

Jamón ibérico with so much love afterwards I neatly packed for him.

When I handed it to Theodore, the man in his mid forties. He smiled and said, "I'll tell young Lord that you're the one who made this meal for him, my Lady."

I smiled as well. "It's okay, uncle."

In the afternoon, I wanted to go to the lagoon but I didn't go because I had this feeling that Elias might come back to the house. So, instead of going to my favorite spot, I just stayed back waited patiently for him in the alfresco area. I was enjoying the swing when someone came by, no it was the man I was patiently waiting for it was Jackson. He was wearing that bright grin as he came closer to me.

"Hey" he greeted.

"Hey," I shyly answered.

This guy, basically sat on the other swing beside mine. I felt his eyes on me. What exactly was he thinking? I felt he was too close to me.

"Do you need someone to talk to, you seem bored."

I gave him a funny grin. "Is that what It seems to you, huh?"

"Yes, it appears so," he said, still smiling.

I knew Jackson to be some sweet guy who smiled with that cute dimple on his right cheek but I just didn't feel it was okay to be having this conversation with him like this. Most people in the villa knew he how liked me and if they were to see us swinging side by side like this, they might start questioning my future marriage with the Young Lord!

"Thank you, but I do not need to talk to someone now," I said firmly, forcing a smile.

He acted nonchalant to what I said as he was continuing smiling. Then, karma happened to him, when his left index finger nail accidentally scratched the big swollen pimple on his jawline. His face made a painful frown as the fake smile in my lips turned into a real one.

It was definitely "karma!" Warning him not to flirt with a betrothed girl like me!.

"This new shirt is beautiful?" he asked changing the topic as he tried to act tough on the pain he was experiencing from the scratched pimple on his face. "I always see you wearing something purple or white. I didn't imagine you were so pretty in pink."

"Whoa!" he exclaimed with an excited whistle in the end.

This knucklehead! He was always this smooth with words!

"Yeah, I'm indeed wearing something new 'cause my fiancé's here. Didn't you know?"

"Who didn't know about the young Lord's presence? Which makes me wonder why he isn't here with You?"

"Will you please leave me alone? You're irritating me!" I said, with a loud scream.

Who are you to comment on my love life?

"Damn, you're now angry at me," he said giggling as he stood up. "Okay, time to go." Let me leave you to enjoy your time as you wait for your 'fiancé'.....

I was clenching my fist, as he walked away.

"Ugh, that guy! I couldn't stand his attitude!"

I was so angry, I didn't even notice when Elias arrived . When I finally calmed myself down from the so much annoyance, I breathed in deeply and looked up. The king of my heart was already standing in the entrance.

In that moment, my heart raced wildly.