I flutter my eyes open when I heard my phone ringing, groaning I try to reach it thinking who it might be.

A frown itched my face when I read the caller ID, why is Lilly's mom calling me this early? Picking up the phone lazily I answer her.

"Hello?" My voice was hoarse due to my sleepiness.

"Hello, Ashley." She sounds a little tense. "Come home as soon as possible. I've already sent my driver to pick you up."

"Why, what's wrong?" I ask.

"I'll tell you everything when you reach here, now come fast." Saying this, she hung up.

I didn't even bother to change and freshen up, I ran out of my apartment in my PJ's. Lilly's driver was already waiting for me, I quickly got inside and reached her home in ten minutes.

Entering the huge mansion, I make my way towards the living room, her mom immediately rushed towards me. Her eyes were moist and puffy.

"What happened, Mia? Where's, Ted?" I question her.

"She's not talking to us nor opening her door. She's upset and we're scared th-that she might do something wrong." She explains.

I didn't waste any more time, as I sprint towards her room.

I knock once.

'No reply.'

"Ted, it's me, open the door."

'Nothing!!'

I banged hard and yell "Lilly, you better open the damn door or I'm gonna have to break it, and don't even think about ignoring me." I threaten.

'God! Please.. please. please, help me. Open the door Lilly, please.'

Just as I was about to knock one more time, the door clicked open. What came into my view broke my heart.

She was a mess. Her hair was like a birds nest and sticking all over her face with all the tears that she shred acting as glue, her eyes were red and puffy, her face was swollen and flushed.

'Oh, god! What has she done to herself?'

She flung her arms around my neck hugging me tightly as though her life is depending on it and sobbed continuously.

I run my hand up and down in a soothing manner "Shhh. I'm here with you." She continued to sob for some good thirty minutes, after which she relaxed a bit.

I made her sit on the bed, filled a glass of water, and handed it to her while waiting patiently for her to compose herself and slowly her hiccups subsided.

Kneeling down, I sandwiched her trembling hands in between my mine "Whatever is troubling you, we will face it together, I am and will always be with you, we're in this together. Understood?

She doesn't bother to answer me as she kept her eyes glued to the floor. "Go, freshen up your self, I'll make you some breakfast," I say and made my towards the kitchen to make her favorite chocolate chip pancakes, I even poured a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and placed everything in a tray.

I was heading towards her room when Mia stopped me "How is she doing?" She was on the verge of tearing up.

"She's fine, I'll make sure she is. I made her breakfast, I hope you won't mind." I gave her a warm reassuring smile.

"Not at all, thank you. I am indebted to you forever." She expresses her gratitude, which was unnecessary, as I'll do anything for her because that's what she did when I needed her.

"Lilly is my sister and I'll do anything for her. You need not thank me." I reply and walk away.

"Finish everything" I order her and sat on a nearby armchair.

"Aren't you having?"

"I'll only eat when you finish everything on your plate." I target her weak spot.

'Hehe..I'm so evil.'

She finished eating everything, not before throwing her tantrum that she's full and pointed towards her slightly bloated tummy. But, I didn't budge. I made her eat everything, she needs energy.

"You wanna talk about it?" I request her, If it was any other time I would have forced her to spill everything.

She took a deep breath like she's preparing herself.

.......

Lilly

Right now I'm standing outside dad's office with my ears glued to the closed door, trying to overhear my dad's conversation with his dad. From what I heard, I'm guessing it's about our relationship and something about upcoming dinner, I spin around to escape before my dad caught me.

'But damn my luck.'

"Where do you think you going?"

I turned to face him with a sheepish smile on my face, I can feel my face heating up. "Nothing dad, I was just passing by. I'll take my leave now." I try to walk away, but he stops me again.

'Arrgh!'

"I know you heard everything."

"What are you talking about dad?" I tried to play innocent.

"You trying to play innocent won't work, let me give you another piece of information.  Ian agreed to this proposal." He said, giving me one of his biggest smiles, "and they'll be joining us for dinner tonight."

I engulf him into a bear hug with my welled up eyes.

'This is it! He'll be mine. He's mine. All mine. Nobody can take him away from me.'

I couldn't get an ounce of sleep that night, all I could do was imagine my future with him. How will it feel when he holds my hand when he hugs me, how will our future kids look, what should we name them, I was giggling, twisting and turning the whole night.

I still didn't inform, Bri about their arrival as I want to surprise her with this newfound good news.

What if he goes on his knees and proposes to me.

Hmm, how should I react, should I cry or clap my hands on my mouth and act like how those girls react when someone proposes?

'I'm so whipped!'

Every single second seemed like an eternity.

Finally, Mr. Evening decides to grace me with his presence, I tried to keep everything simple and elegant. I didn't wanna seem like some desperate women, so jumped into my Raquel Allegra sundress, paired it with Malone Souliers heels and a Boucheron necklace.

'Damn! I've never felt so nervous before.'

I was pacing back and forth nervously when my housemaid informed me about their arrival. Giving myself one last glance I walk out.

When I entered the living room, everyone's' head whipped towards my direction, I gave them a friendly smile while I made my self comfortable next to my father.

Then, I locked my eyes with him. He is even more handsome than I met him last time. I can look at him all day and never get tired. He's one hot specimen, with eyes as blue as the deep ocean, just like his name.

Out of blue he stood on his feet and made his way towards me, I could feel a hot crystal of sweat trickling down my face, as he held out his hand.

"Ian Longwood, It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ripperton." He introduced himself in a very formal way without showing an ounce of emotion and in a tone as cold as ice. It was like a bucket of cold water being splashed on my face waking me up from my trance.

'Miss Ripperton! really?'