" I can't believe it. I asked you guys to do one thing for me. One. Yet you all managed to screw it up within a matter of 3 hours. Tyler and Clark, why you are covered in melted chocolate? I don't even want to know but you manged to spill chocolate all over this room which led to a few people slipping and injuring themselves. Hayley, how you managed to fall into the Christmas tree and have fairy lights wrapped around you, God only knows and Allison, why are you wet and covered in feathers? " Rachelle cries out in pure anger.
This night did not turn out as planned.
At all.
*** 3 hours earlier ***
By now the party was in full swing. Most of the guest have shown up by now and are busy getting entertained by the christmas music playing out loud over the sound system that the Anderson's have set up in their ballroom.
I was shook to see a giant chocolate fountain placed in the one corner of the room with marshmallows surrounding it. That's definitely a stop that I'll have to make before the end of the night.
" May I have this dance?" I hear Tyler's voice against my ear.
I nod almost immediately before he turns me around and wraps his arm around my waist. We begin moving slowly back and forth to the rhythm of the music. It feels good to just be here in his arms while his scent is filling up my nostrils. I wish my deodorant could last as long as his does. He always smells so damn good.
" Have I mentioned that you look absolutely breathtaking? " he whispers into my ear after a few seconds of dancing.
" You might have mentioned it." I chuckle and step out of his embrace for a little spin with my hand wrapped around his.
"I-"
" There you are man! I've been looking everywhere for you." someone interrupts Tyler from behind me.
I know exactly who that voice belongs to.
James.
" Then you haven't looked everywhere because I've been here since the party started." Tyler chuckles as his grip around me dissappears and he pulls James into one of those manly hugs.
" Oh you brought your tutor along - again." he laughs awkwardly when his eyes land on mine.
I have to keep back the urge to roll my eyes. Hopefully Tyler upgraded me to a friend status.
" She - she's a friend of mine - and tutor." Tyler quickly answers.
Well at least I'm not only the tutor anymore.
This time I do roll my eyes and start walking away. There's no point in me staying seeing as I'm going to be treated like a ghost when his other friends decide to join in on the party.
I really hoped that things between me and Tyler would be a little more serious that he'd want me to meet his friends and hang out with them - not that I would have wanted to but it's the thought that counts.
Deciding to abandon the party I strud up the stairs towards the room I'm sleeping in. On my pillow I find the little black box Tyler gave to me. I'm so curious of what's inside. When looking at the time I realize it's only 8pm now and midnight is still a few hours away.
I can't wait that long.
Grabbing a coat and the little box I head back down stairs and out of the front door. I start making my way over to where the pond is. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be at night with all the lights from the garden.
Once I've reached the pond I wait a few minutes to take in the view in front of me. It's cold and there are ducks running around but it's still a beautiful scenery.
Finally I take hold of the box again and start to loosen the red bow that is wrapped around it. Slowly I open the little box. Inside the little box is a silver charm bracelet with 5 charms attached to it. The first thing that comes to my mind is that the bracelet looks really expensive. It's Tyler, what else can you expect from him?
I take hold of the charm bracelet. I notice ingravings on the charms. My eyes move over to the first charm. I only know it's the first one because it is indicated by a number one on the back of the charm. The charm next to it is indicated as number two and so it goes on till number five. Turning the first charm around I squint my eyes to get a clearer look on what is ingraved on it.
August ~ I met you.
That's kind of strange to ingrave on a charm. Nonetheless I squint my eyes and look at the second charm.
September ~ I want you.
Still don't know where this is going but let's give the guy a chance. I squint my eyes and look at the third charm.
October ~ I got you.
Got...as in a relationship? From what I remeber we aren't dating. He could just refer to the kiss we shared on Halloween. Taking in a deep breath in I squint my eyes again and look at the fourth charm.
November ~ I saw your demons.
That's the month where he found out about Maddie. It feels like it happened months ago meanwhile it was only last month. Holding in my breath I squint my eyes again and focus on the last charm.
December ~ I fell in -
Suddenly a duck bumps into me causing me to loose my balance due from the shock and falling forward. The charm bracelet managed to fly out of my hand and landed a few feet away from me.
It's as if the duck who bumped into me knew that I desperately wanted to read that last charm because all of the sudden it charges towards the bracelet and picks it up with it's beak.
" What in the hell?" I wonder out loud.
I make a move to reach for the bracelet but the duck starts moving its wings to block me from nearing him and before I know it the duck is in the water with my bracelet still hanging out of its beak.
" Oh hell no. Not tonight ducky!" I cry out as I take off my coat in a matter of seconds and before even thinking about it I make a run for the pond.
Probably not my best idea seeing as it's freezing cold and I'm in a gown.
I'm not letting that duck take away my bracelet that may or may not declare Tyler's feelings for me.
I need to know what's ingraved on that last charm. He could have said ' I fell head over heels' or ' I fell for someone else' but that damn duck just had to come and ruin the moment.
" Come on mister ducky. Just give me the bracelet and no harm will be done." I try and bargain with the duck.
The duck only moves backwards a little more.
" Please mister ducky. I need that bracelet to know if the guy I have feelings for is in love with me. "I plead.
I can't believe I'm actually trying to convince a duck to give me a bracelet.
The duck starts moving faster and so does my temper. Before I know it the anger inside of me is warming me up against this cold air.
" Oh that's it! " I cry out loud as I go in for the jump.
Quacks, feathers, curse words and a lot of splashing later, I'm busy fighting the duck to get back my bracelet. The duck manages to escape my death grip on it and sink its head under the water. With the little amount of light, I can't make out where the duck dissappeared off to. Is it even possible for ducks to swim underwater? Well the duck did bump into me and stole my bracelet so anything is possible.
When the duck's head finally resurfaces from the water I notice that it no longer holds possession over my bracelet.
Damn it.
He probably dropped it while I was trying to get it out from its beak.
Fuck.
What am I supposed to tell Tyler? That I wrestled a duck after it stole the bracelet? As if he'd believe me.
Once I get out of the freezing water I look down at myself and see that feathers are sticking to me like glue and so is the gown. Thank God for padded bras.
This night is so not working out for me.
Slowly I start making my way back to the house. On my way over I try and get rid of the feathers but it's no use. I'll just have to take a shower before anyone sees me like this.
That thought slips out of my mind the second I enter the house and hear Clark's voice over the sound system.
" Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention." he clears his throat. He's standing in front of the giant christmas tree so it isn't difficult for anyone to miss him.
Hayley is standing beside him with a broad smile. I notice George giving them a warning look.
This isn't good.
Clark links his hand with Hayley's while his other hand is holding the mic.
" We have an important announcement." he states.
He looks down at Hayley and gives her a small smile before focusing his attention back on the curious crowd.
" We're getting married." Hayley shrieks in excitement.
The room falls silent as everyone takes in the piece of information they just received. I try and look around for Rachelle because I sure as hell know she's about to pass out somewhere. I can't seem to find her but what I do find is a pissed off Tyler. I'm about to make my way over to him to calm him down but all hell breaks loose as he runs towards Clark and takes him down with him on the floor.
Gasps go off around the room as all the guest witness Clark trying to get Tyler off from him and miss the incoming punches.
" That's my little sister you fucking dick!" I hear Tyler cry out.
Hayley is a sobbing mess by now as she watches her older brother try and strangle her fiancé. I look over at George to see if he's going to do anything about the matter but he isn't standing where I last saw him. I then look over at Tyler's friends hoping that they'll do the decent thing and try and get the two of them off from one another. It doesn't look like they are going to do anything from the loud cheers coming from their mouthes. The rest of the guest are staring wide eyed at what's happening.
Is no one going to stop this?
I don't want to step into the ballroom because of how I look but seeing as no one is going to stop them, I probably should do something.
Before I can even blink the two of them have manged to flip each other into the large chocolate fountain. Melted chocolate flies out everywhere. Some landing on the floor and some landing on the guest. I see some guest that were standing close to the fountain trying to back up and then slipping, causing them to fall. I cringe as I watch them hit the floor. That's going to leave a mark.
Before I can even make a move I hear a loud yell coming from Hayley and the next thing I know she's being tackled into the large christmas tree behind her by some girl I've never seen before.
" He's mine!" I hear the girl yell.
" He was yours Jenna until you cheated on him!" Hayley yells back as she tries and escape the claws of her fiancé's crazy ex girlfriend.
This night is turning out even worse than what is expected and it's only 10pm.
Eventually some of the men grew some balls and stepped in to pull Tyler and Clark away from one another while a few other men took the easy way out and dragged Jenna away from Hayley. I had to bite back a laugh once Hayley managed to get out of the christmas tree because she was now wrapped in fairly lights like a present on christmas day. Ha-ha get it, present - christmas - oh never mind.
" You cheating sly whore!" Hayley yells and tries to jump for Jenna again but gets pulled back by some of the men.
While the guest are trying to calm the four of them down and trying not to slip in the melted chocolate, I take it as my chance to head over to Tyler. Feathers and all I strud by loomering eyes until I'm right in front of him.
" What the hell was that?" I ask in a clear pissed off tone.
I watch as Tyler takes in my presence and furrows his eyebrows.
" What happened to you?" he chuckles.
I look him up and slowly. He's covered in melted chocolate from head to toe.
" It's a long story. " I answer.
Tyler chuckles before reaching his hand out to remove a feather.
" What in the name of Christmas Eve happened in here? " I hear the loud screech of Rachelle's voice.
Uh-oh.
She struds off towards Hayley with George on her heels. Grabbing Hayley by the ear, she starts pulling her over to where Clark is busy calming down. I cringe as I watch her grab Clark on the ear with her free hand and pull both him and Hayley towards us.
Tyler tenses up when he notices his pissed off mom with both Hayley and Clark and George walk over. I too gulp. This lady looks really.
"I can't believe it. I asked you guys to do one thing for me. One. Yet you all managed to screw it up within a matter of 3 hours. Tyler and Clark, why you are covered in melted chocolate? I don't even want to know but you manged to spill choclate all over this room which led to a few people slipping and injuring themselves. Hayley, how you managed to fall into the christmas tree and have fairy lights wrapped around you, God only knows and Allison, why are you wet and covered in feathers? " Rachelle cries out in pure anger.
Not one single word is uttered from the 4 of us. I wasn't part of the mess created in this room but I'm pretty sure there are a few feathers laying around because of me.
" To your rooms. Now. " Rachelle orders before storming off with George by her side.
I release a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Without another word nor glance towards Tyler, I walk off and out of the room. I'm pretty sure the guest aren't going to stay for long after what they just witnessed. Once I finally reach my room I turn on the steaming hot water and try to unzip myself.
I'm about to put up a fuss when I hear the door open to the bathroom.
" Need some help?" Tyler questions.
He's still covered in chocolate and I don't really want him to ruin the gown further but nonetheless I allow him to unzip me.
I don't say anything as I climb into the shower. I'm still pretty pissed off with Tyler from fighting with Clark. The guy didn't do anything. He just wanted everyone to know that he and Hayley are engaged but no, Tyler the almighty Anderson just had to come in and ruin the special moment.
" Babe please talk to me." Tyler whispers from behind me.
I didn't even realize he stripped himself and got into the shower with me. My back is still faced towards him. I shake my head as an answer to his plead. Next thing I know his hands grip my waist from behind and pulls me against his hard rock body. From the lack of clothes I can feel all of him being pressed up against my back.
" Please." he whispers into my ear again.
Don't give in.
Don't give in.
Don't -
I turn around so that my vision is now focused on his bare chest. He takes it as an opportunity to cup my cheek and lift it up so that my eyes can meet his.
He starts washing away the dirt and feathers from my body and I allow him to. It spares me the effort to get rid of it all. We stand still for a few minutes to allow the steaming water to burn our skins. There's something about hot water against my skin that calms me down.
" I'm sorry." he finally says.
I shake my head in denial and look up into his eyes. I'm not sure what emotion is swimming around in his eyes but I'm sure he knows that I'm still pretty worked up from earlier.
" You need to grow the fuck up."
With that said I climb out of the shower and wrap myself in one of the towels. Not looking back I walk out of the bathroom.
A few minutes go by as I start changing into my pj's. Tyler emerges from the bathroom with a frown on his face.
" What do you mean I need to grow up?"
" As in you should stop looking for possible fighting opportunities and just talk it out like normal people do." I cry out.
" He's acting real tough now that his ring is on my sister's finger."
" So what? He's making her happy! Don't you see how she looks at him? Do you even realize how happy she is since she came forward with the engagement? No you don't because all you are focused on is beating him up for no fucking reason!"
" Stop defending him. " Tyler spits out.
" Stop acting like a child for God's sake!"
Tyler paces up and down in the room. He's furious that's pretty clear. I can't believe we're actually fighting about other people's problems but he can't go around and beat someone up just because he wants to. I don't know if it was to show off to his friends to maintain his image but that shit isn't going to do it for me.
Tyler doesn't say anything as he storms off towards the door.
" Yes. Run away. That's what you always do! Running away from your problems won't make them disappear cupcake." I snap.
Tyler turns around in his tracks and makes a bee line for me. He pushes me up against the wall, not hard enough to actually cause any damage. His hot breath is fanning my neck while his scent is filling up my nostrils.
" Lose the attitude or I will fuck it out of you. " he whispers into my ear.
I push him against his chest to make him move away from me but it doesn't help the slightest.
" Get off from me." I whine as I try and push him again.
He takes his one arm off from the wall behind me to brush a strand of hair away from my face. He looks deeply into my eyes, which leads me to gulp.
" I love you." he breathes out.
_______________________________________
Heyyyy guysssssss :)
I had sooo much fun writing this chapter so I hope you had fun reading it ð
Thank you all sooooo much for all the amazing support and positive feedback â¤ï¸ it really helps motivate me to finish this book âºï¸
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Peace out âï¸