Chapter 1: The Dinner and The Announcement

A/N: Again before you start reading this, in case, you are a grammar nuts, I just want to warn you that all the updated chapters are rough drafts which mean, an unedited version and contains different types of errors ... and again, I apologize. One day, I will get a chance to edit them all. (Cross Finger)

One more thing, I apologize now. I always mixed up his/her, him/her, she/he, so in case you see them, just point it out in a nice way. And oh, English is not my native language and I'm trying my best not to get them mix up, but sometimes when my head in too fixed on writing, I forget about it. So hope you understand, but will edit then after.

And this book just like my other books contains mature contents that were only for adults (18+), but it's not like I could stop everyone.. lol. I just want to make sure I warned yah.

And again, when a chapter has a mature content, I will make sure to warn you ahead of time.

Thank you and let me start with the Chapter 1.

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Eleanor Pallos' POV

The food has been served almost an hour ago, and neither of Victoria and I had eaten anything. Luke already had his third piece of Lemon Chicken and Victoria and I were only playing our food, taking a tiny bite whenever mom snaps at us, to eat.

Mom did not even start eating because she wants to wait for my dad and, as usual, the two would be left on the table again.

Sometimes, I just wonder if they are actually still eating.

Finally, dad decided to join us.

"The Petropoulis family is coming over for tonight's dinner." Dad announced as he sat on the table beside mom, and gave her a hard lingering kiss.

Typical dad.

Both were so in love that they don't really care where they are, and never stop their sweetness. And I want that too. I want my loving partner who will love me until we grow old and never stop showing how much we love each other, no matter how mature are we.

I heard "eeww" from Victoria and Luke. Mom and dad only chuckled and mom filled dad's plate with food while dad did hers. Sometimes, I fail to understand, but they always say, because they love each other.

Luke scoffed. "Really dad, mom? Why don't you just both fill your own plate with food instead? I don't understand." Luke shook his head with his forehead furrowing, looking right at them in disbelief.

"Son, you're going to understand when you found your one true love." Dad explains and mom was nodding her head in agreement. I have never seen those two getting into a heated argument. They always seem to agree with everything.

Maybe they did, but we never witnessed one.

"Yeah, right. One true love!" Victoria snorted sarcastically as she plays with her food.

I was just watching them, but my head was already in a blur when dad's words sank in my head, taking all my attention.

I'm going to see Nicolai.

All my nerves are already in turmoil at the thought of him coming. I felt that tingling sensations every time his name reaches my ears. I had been fantasizing him since I knew what love means.

God, I cannot wait up.

I need to go shopping with my friends, Natalia Petropoulis, his sister, and Angelik Mailov. None of them knew these insane feelings for him and I was so good at keeping it.

I still feel embarrassed about it and Natalia would surely hate me if she knows it.

"Dad, may I excuse now?" I asked looking at him with my puppy dog eyes.

"You didn't eat anything, Elle." Mom glared at me, but I gave dad my puppy dog eyes that always work on him.

"Are you ok, my princess?" Dad asked as he swallowed the piece of chicken, with his eyes shimmering with so much love gazing at me.

I nodded my head, placing the fork in my plate. "I am not really hungry. Can I leave now, please..." I beg, shifting my eyes to mom and dad.

Dad looks at mom and she just rolled her eyes.

I know, I'm going to win this.

Victoria drops her fork in her plate and butted in. "May I leave then?" She stared at dad expectantly and once in a while, she shot me an annoying look. "If you let Elle leave, then I'm excused as well." My sister glared at dad.

Neither of us ate anything.

Luke was only watching us while enjoying his piece of lemon chicken and asparagus. He's always the big eater, then passed hour he'll be in our gym and do a lot of exercises.

He's nuts.

I look at Victoria and dad.

I know Victoria is jealous of me. I always heard her telling dad that he likes me more than her. She was never nice to me, but I still like her. I know she's nice, but she's kind of influenced with her group of friends.

Most of them were drinking, always hitting the club and sometimes, she gets home late and drunk. Victoria is very beautiful. She looks just like mom, with brown eyes and pale skin. While I look like dad. I'm the female version of dad, with sterling gray eyes a lightly tanned skin.

Victoria dated a lot of guys and not just guys. Most of them were professionals and businessmen, in which dad and mom always bothered that she may come home one day pregnant and no idea who's the father with all this guy she dated.

Victoria is very blunt and feisty, opposite of me. She knew what she wanted, and if she wants it, she'll get it all. She is quite stubborn and she is very brave and has this uncanny way of getting it. She is a freelance model, as well. She's tall with her 5'9 heights and I only stand barely 5'7 which sometimes I hated. She is without glasses while I do and I look like a scrawny nerd looking one.

Sometimes, I do not see why she likes to piss mom and dad. All I know for a fact that they love us, so much.

"Fine, but none of you will use the internet." Dad negotiated, dragging me out of my lost thought.

Victoria stops on her track as she is about to stand and stared at dad incredulously. Dad met her furious' brown eyes.

"But dad," she whined and dad shook his head waving his hands off to shut her up.

Dad took a sip of his wine and then met Victoria's maddening eyes. "You know I'm not only doing this because of the food you are wasting." Dad said in his stoic-stricken voice. "I'm done with your bar hopping every night!" Dad gritted his teeth and I knew Victoria is really in trouble.

"So, NO!." He said dismissively.

Victoria stomped out of the dining room.

Mom and Dad heaved a loud sigh with their eyes following my sister's back until she got out of sight.

"Can I then hang out with Natalia and Angelik?" I ask praying inwardly that he'll agree.

Dad averted his eyes from the door and met my eyes and smiled. "Sure, princess. Get the Audi car key, not the Lambo." Dad warned me and I grinned.

I stood up in haste and walk to them and mom. "Thanks, dad. Thanks, mom," I kissed them both in their cheeks and they just beamed at me. "Love you both!" I said before trudging out of the room.

I heard dad talks to my brother about the girl he's dating. I'm sure in a few minutes, he's going to follow us.

He disliked talking about his love life, but mom and dad always bug him.

I paced down the hall and reach the grand foyer. I took the grand staircase and headed to my room which on the right, four doors down, across Victoria's room.

I quickly dialed Natalia's home phone.

"Petropoulis' Residence, Natalia's speaking." Her bubbly voice reaches my ears and a smile broke on my lips.

Walking to my walk-in closet, I responded. "Hey Nat, it's Elle."

"Hey, what's up?" She asked, then I heard giggles on the background.

"I was wondering if you want to go shopping with me, and maybe Angel wants to join us?" I asked while my eyes were scanning all the dresses which consist only of twenty or barely, that was hanging on the rod. Since I never use dresses much. I'd rather wear jeans and shirt. I have tons of it. I dislike showing too much skin, or rather I say, I have no guts. I am not as sexy as my sister. And my boobs are small. The only thing I just like with my body is my waist and legs. Small waist and long legs. Other than that, I hate everything in me.

But tonight, I'll start making changes. Probably Nicolai would notice me somehow. Other than his baby sister's best friend, but beyond that.

Then I heard Natalia talking to someone in the background, but I couldn't grasp what they are talking because their voices are a bit muffled.

After a moment, I heard her, spoke. "Angel said yes. She's here."

"Great," I said excitedly. "I'll drive. Can I pick you up in half an hour?" I asked after as I pulled a black jegging with the phone tucked in between my shoulder and head.

I pulled a cream knitted long tunic and paired it with my brown Ugg boots. I said my goodbye to my friends and ended the call. I tossed my garments on my bed and pulled a brown wool scarf and then I had my quickest shower in my entire life.

Shortly, I was outside the mansion in our showroom/garage and unlock dad's Black A8, which is park closer to Luke's car, Teal gray Ferarri.

Soon enough, Angel, Nat and I are inside the mall. I went straight to my favorite boutique and I let my friends help me pick a dress.

For almost two hours I finally find something that I like and hoping I will have the courage to deal with him, especially with my family and wouldn't shock them all, wearing the skimpy yet classy dress.

It's a black dress featuring a low v-neck, open cross- back, and pleated skirt with the hem reaches mid-thigh. I also bought a peep-toe black stiletto to match the dress.

Natalia and Angel were so excited and they also bought dresses for them. I was holding two paper bags when I walk out the mall with them while the two were struggling to keep pace with me with several papers bags in both hands.

Inside the car, Angel sat in front with me, while Nat in the back.

"I am glad you finally initiated to go to the mall shopping," Nat chanted and I rolled my eyes.

I push my eyeglasses up on the bridge of my nose and looked at my rear mirror as I back up and then on both sides making sure all my blind spots are safe and back up and get back to my way out of the busy parking lot.

As soon as the car is moving with the traffic, I looked at my rear mirror and met Natalia's eyes briefly, then back to the road as I responded. "I needed to dress for tonight. I think you are all going to our house for dinner." I told Natalia and she scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Dad never said to us," she said.

I bobbed my head involuntarily and once in a while look at my rear mirror and catch her eyes while we converse. "Dad just did at lunch. That's why I asked you to go shopping as I remember I have no dresses that are appropriate tonight." I responded.

"And you decided to wear a mini dress?" Angel teased with her eyes shining with amusement.

I looked on her direction briefly before averting it back to the road with my forehead furrowing, disliking her tone. "What do you mean by that?" I asked.

She chuckled as she kept her playful eyes on me. "I know why you suddenly chose to wear mini and frantically called us to go shopping while in fact you hated shopping and lastly, you hated wearing mini dresses or anything that show off too much skin." She grinned mischievously and I hate it.

"And?" I provoke, sounding irritated.

Natalia looks so interested now, that she scooted closer to us so she can hear us, unbuckling herself trying to grasp everything we talk about.

"Do you really want me to say it out loud?" Angel instigated, shifting her gaze to me and Nat with her body facing us awkwardly.

I clenched my jaws and even if I am not sure if she is right. I don't want to take the risk of Natalia knowing my feelings for her brother.

"Forget it!" I snap at Angel and she just laughed at me with her eyes dancing with mirth to my annoyance.

"What is it?" Natalia was looking pissed now and Angel just laughs it off.

"That's unfair. I want to know!" Natalia whined and pouted. It's funny why she acts more like a kid than us while in fact she's two years older to me and a year to Angelik, but even with our age differences, we are best of friends and we are like sisters.

"It's nothing Nat." I smiled warily to reassure her.

She rolled her eyes. "I know there is something. You two are keeping secrets already." She complained and huffed as she scoots back to where she seated before, looking displeased.

I watched Angel and she just shrugged her shoulders.

"Alright," I said while my head was trying to come up with a lie.

"I wanted to have a change," I grinned and she just stared at me in the rear mirror like, yeah-whatever.

I sighed.

"She likes your brother, silly!" Angel snaps at her playfully and my eyes widened in horror.

"WHAT?" Natalia's eyes almost popped out of its socket as she suddenly moves closer to me. I could feel her breath kissing my nape.

"Since when?" She asked, now her full attention is placed on me. I was praying the traffic will move smoothly so I could reach their mansion and leave at peace, but I was born, unfortunately. The light went red.

"Since when, Elle?" Natalia's tenacious voice reaches my ears and I felt cornered.

"You are too shallow. Nat." Angel chuckled as she looks at her.

Natalia turned her attention to Angel and I move forward once the light turned green.

"What do you mean?" Nat did not take her sarcastic retort in a wrong way while she waited for her response with ferocious curiosity.

Angel shot me a brief glance then back to Natalia. "Since when we are in grade school. Don't you remember, she always asks if Nicolai is at your mansion. If he's there, we play in your mansion, if not, in their mansion or ours." Angel explained and then Natalia's eyes bulge and her smile widened.

"Why did I miss that?" she chuckled looking so excited.

Finally, I reached Angel's mansion first. Natalia's mansion is like five to ten minutes from ours.

"Here," I said too anxious to kick them out of my car.

"I'll talk with you tonight," Angel said excitedly and I just rolled my eyes.

She collected her things from the trunk and told her goodbye before entering the broad gate and one of their guards assist her.

When I dropped Natalia at their mansion, it was now four. Dinner is in 3 hours and I have time to prepare.

"I'll talk with you tonight, Elle. And thanks for the ride." Natalia said excitedly before she entered the gate.

I wanted to drop them off to their doors, but I'm too anxious to leave out of their sight.

As soon as I reach our mansion, I pulled over right in front of the front door and gave the keys to our valet Ronnie and I grab my stuff and headed inside our mansion.

Not long, I was up in my room and I was glad nobody noticed my presence. I decided to have a nap to feel refreshing and relax when dinner comes.

I can not wait to see Nicolai. Just the thought of it makes me feel excited and my heart beats like a drum, drumming furiously inside my ribcage.

I quickly wore a pair of comfortable pajamas and lay in my comfortable bed as I felt exhaustion kicking in. And soon enough I fell into deep slumber.

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I woke up with a jerk when I felt a hand grabbing my shoulder and shaking it, and then a faint voice. I snapped my eyes open to see my dad looking at me, worriedly.

"Wake up princess. Dinner in half an hour. Your uncle Nicolas is here-"

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier, dad?" I complained cutting him off as I got out of bed when dad words sank in my head, frantically scrambling to the washroom.

Dad chuckled. "I thought you know dinner is at seven?"

"I know dad, urgh.." I grunted. "That alarm did not ring. Crap!" I hissed as I undress.

"Make it fast, princess." Dad said behind the washroom door and I heard his footsteps retreating.

I quickly had a shower and then wear the new dress I bought, with the black stiletto. I completed my looks with a tiny diamond stud earring that mom gave me on my 15th birthday and just wore a natural makeup, with only a powder, mascara, and lip gloss.

I just dried my hair and leave it hangs loosely around my shoulder and back. It was wavy and thick, with the color of dirty blond, like my cousin Shaina.

I fix my glasses and decided to join them for dinner.

Burt our butler assisted me at the dining table as I tried to keep my posture with the sky high stiletto. I'm beginning to regret wearing the heel as I felt my sole was starting to irritate me, each step. I'm pretty sure, tomorrow I'm getting blisters on both heels.

My heart hammered inside my chest as we draw closer to the dining room. I could hear now their voices. Dad and Nico's dad's voice dominated everyone. Once in a while, I could hear Nicolai's rich baritone voice that always make my knees weak and my heart races wildly.

I stop, before the door and inhaled deeply, relaxing my nerves.

"Ready?" Burt smiled at and I nodded.

Burt gets the door for me and I entered the spacious dining table. All eyes were on me. My eyes searched for him and I saw how his mouth was hanging open, staring at me, but his face held no emotions. The same Nicolai I knew.

Cold and ruthless.

I ignored dad and mom's incredulous looks as they watch me, each every move.

I greeted everyone, gave each and everyone a hug, and a kiss. When I Nico reach me, he just hugs me briefly and no kisses on my cheeks which he usually does and I enjoyed it inwardly.

My heart sunk and he's even avoiding my eyes.

I am seated on the spot on the other side of my dad, and then the conversation continued on. About dad and uncle Nicolas' friendship and then about their business to which we already heard it like millions of times and it's still an interesting story for them.

Natalia was staring at me with a glint of amusement in her eyes as she shifted her gaze to me and her brother Nicolai. She's sitting in between her twin brother and sister, Ember Lynne and Markus.

After dinner, the dessert was served and then the happy air circulating in the room morphs with something serious and odd.

Dad and Uncle Nick is now silent and I could sense that they are wanting to say something, but they were both wary.

Dad made a cough. "This dinner is set up because we wanted to announce an important event between this family." Dad started and he shifted his gaze to Victoria who was looking magnificent in her red sleeveless shimmering dress, sitting beside Nicolai.

They look at each other like they knew what's happening.

My heart beats so fast that I thought I'm going to run out of breath, catching each breath.

"We wanted to keep the family business between this family so we decided to plan a wedding." Nicolas continued on while dad was tentatively sipping his wine.

My breath caught mid-air as I was waiting for his next words, with my eyes glued on him. I grab my wine and chugged it.

"My son, Nicolas will be wed with Victoria-" I felt the liquid went through a wrong hole and up to my nostril. I cough incessantly, as I place the half-filled wine glass on the table. I could feel the tears brimming around my eyes as I excused myself, with head hanging down low, not wanting everyone to see my glistening eyes.

"Are you ok, Elle," a different voice, I don't really know and care who were they, as I stood up and just nodded.

"Yes, sorry excused me!"

I stormed out of the room, unable to hold the tears anymore. Looking down further and I heard mom, following me.

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A/N: Here you go for the first chapter...

I hope it's not that bad!

Please let me know what do you think..

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Thank you and have fun reading...