Chapter 1

Helena's pov.

"Welcome to Tianmo airport. We advise all...."a female's voice pierced through the cold air from the radio in the arriving hall.

"No way I'm getting married,dad!"i protested as I dragged my luggage down the hall.

"Your age is nothing to quote in this discussion,Helena. 

Now that you're back to America,as none other than Lucas Howell's only heiress,one who has made a name for herself home and abroad.

You know, Helena, there's only two important things in this world - money,and love." Dad's voice cackled through the phone and I snorted, halting in my steps, abruptly.

I heaved out a deep sigh, already having an headache because of his words.

"Yeah, right? But you and mom fight every week as if you were newlywed!"a scoff slides out of my lips in frustration.

I'd watched both of them argue over the tiniest issue every fvcking time!

They'd give each other cold shoulders for weeks,then reconcile, only to get in an argument a day after.

"That's because we love each other. You need to find that kind of love today also" his voice rang out of the phone and straight right into my ears.

My breathing hitched,as my brows creased up in confusion.

"Today?"I asked with heavy breath.

What is he saying?

Who is finding love today?

"We are hanging out with the Wellingtons tonight, Helena." He remarked, sternly.

I pulled my hair in frustration.

The Wellington family?

Why are we suddenly meeting today?

It's been years!

"So what does that makes it?"I bit my lower lip, feeling the taste of my own blood.

If I go, doesn't that means he would come too?

Oh, Christ....

"It makes it a day I reveal your husband to you.

He's a great man,to be fair,Helena. 

He's handsome,gentle and caring.

You will love him too." Father was beside himself with joy.

Oh,boy!

I almost bursted out into laughter.

Who is getting a man and who is getting happy?

I removed the phone from my hair,a scoff finding its way out of my lips,as I thought how ridiculous dad was being.

I snaked my fingers into my silky hair,and released a pant.

"This..."I swallowed a mouthful of saliva down my throat.

"...is twenty - first century,dad. I won't have you, absolutely won't have you choose my husband for me when I'm not even ready at that!" I uttered grumpily,with a finality tone before I continued walking.

"Uh,she's all these talks now. You just wait. 

If you fall for him tonight,you definitely owe me one million thousand dollars!" I could feel his sneer from the end of the phone.

Well,one thing I like about my dad is his sense of humor,maybe that's why I'm so close to him.

But,what he was saying surely wasn't funny.

I could feel my hand tightened around the handle of my box.

I just got out of a journey of three hours,and him uttering these words added to my stress,making me feel dizzy.

"Dad,I.." Before I could complete my words,the line dinged, indicating the call has ended.

Oh,what a stress!

I grunts at the blank screen,hearing a voice yelling to me to turn back and go to where I was coming from in my head.

I pinched my nose. 

I am here for my business,and that I shall focus on.

I shoved my phone inside my jacket's pocket and removed my glasses.

The thought of me having to face my mother again at home leaves a huge toll on my heart.

"Mummy long legs!!"a loud voice tore through the room and my legs screeched to an halt.

Oh,God. 

"No,no,not me please." I earnestly prayed.

That sounds more like that kid's voice, but she knows better than to call me that in such a place with many people, right?

I could feel people looking towards me and I breathed out.

I am totally stressed,but my dramatic family just has to make the stress hateful!

Ugh!

Asher and Alexis ran to me beaming one of their beautiful smiles.

I found my lips giving in to a smile also as I instantly felt relieved.

It's been so many years away from home,in a foreign land.

An exciting feeling gushes into my body system.

Asher was the one that screamed.

They are twins. 

One is so gregarious and the other,reserved.

You can already guess the "who" for each character.

I placed my palm on my forehead, dramatically.

They pulled me in a hug and I shyly grazed my eyes over the people giving me stares.

Oof!

"Oh my Jesus. You've added some flesh,and you look a lot more beautiful!"Alexis commented and I grinned at him.

However the grin turned to a scowl when Asher made her own comment.

"What do you mean she's fat and beautiful,one second?"she scoffed,eyeing me. 

My brows instantly perched up at her in a quizzical way.

She stepped behind me for her thorough examination.

I gritted my teeth together, quickly wearing my glasses again.

Alexis came to this world one second earlier than Asher.

They're my cousins,and they've been my best friends.

When they were little, they use to argue about who is the eldest and when Asher finally gave up that Alexis was the elder no doubt,she resorted to calling him that to make herself feel better.

She's really a crazy one but quite lovely.

"She's toned down,and she looks really skinny like she's been eating grass or bugs used her as their reservoir of blood. 

And oh,she looks so much ugly!" Her face contorted in disgust.

Alexis stifled a laugh and I passed him a glare.

My face wrinkles up in a deep frown.

"Young miss,you–"

She clapped her hands, interpolating my words. 

"But,of course,now that you're back, you'll go back to being beautiful! 

Now, let's explore the dresses in the airport boutique and choose you a dress for tonight!"she dragged me before I could even comply.

A dress for tonight?

"Come on! Why do I have to get a dress for tonight?

The heck is happening tonight?!

 Besides,I have many pretty clothes in..."

"Oh,those awful ones? I always see your posts and they look so cheap! 

Not befitting for a queen."she scrunched up her nose, ignoring my other questions.

I tried to slide my arm out of hers,but damn,her grasp was too tight.

Wait....

My bag!

I turned,and Alexis gave me a thumbs up.

"I got it."

...

Night.

..

The cool breeze swept my gown up, making it float in the air.

I inhaled the fresh air as memories flashes in.

Especially those I shared with him.

How we played hide and seek together, making silly promises, moulding sand balls.

My cousins and I are heading to the usual spot where our family and the other usually hang out every month.

My grandpa and grandpa Wellington has been friends for years now.

Their friendship automatically flows to their children,then to him,Maverick and I.

Just at the sound of his name in my head,I felt a breath got stuck in my throat.

Heck,I am nervous.

It's been so many years,how did he look now?

What's he up to?

He must have gotten married,right?

I swallowed a lump in my throat.

Anyways,rhe relationship between both families has kept both of their businesses prospering.

Mav,my cousins and i attended same highschool and college but I left in the second year to further abroad and that was the end of the family hang out. 

Only the grandparents met to have fun.

We spotted the tent afar and Asher rushed to it,going to hug mom.

I rolled my eyes to the side,puffing out.

I bet mom would have entertained the thought of she being her actual daughter not me, cause i've only been passionate towards dad,and passive to her.

We arrived at the tent,and the fresh aroma of barbecue found its way into my nostrils.

My mouth watered as I found a plate of it on the table.

Everyone from the other family were present and with me and the twins here too, we were completed.

I said my 'hi' and turned around to greet the last person.

I froze. Maverick.

My heart pumps up at an abnormal rate,and I found myself feeling the surge of different emotions.

He winked at me,and I gulped down as I gawked at him.

He has gotten more handsome. 

So handsome that I can barely manage not to stand forever, taking in his featuress.

"Sit down or you'd develop a leg cramp!"Asher chimes,with a knowing voice.

I cleared my voice,and smiled out at him.

"You look different."Maverick commented with a smirk

Now,my voice was gone.

What do I say?

I felt a hand pulled me down on the chair.

"Maybe we can actually grill some meat on your cheeks."Asher whispered in my ear.

My eyes pops out in shock.

I'm I blushing?

Sh!t

I wiped my face,as if that could get it off.

Barely five minutes of meeting again after five years,and I'm already feeling crazy about him?

I glanced away from him, deciding to focus on the little stars in the sky.

I could feel his eyes on him. 

I felt sparks in my heart,and I bats my lashes.

He was famous among girls back in high school and college. A total playboy.

"It's been so long, hasn't it?" The awkward atmosphere was lifted up when dad's warm voice cuts through the air.

I still didn't turn. 

How can I when I would just jam my eyes right into him since he was sitting across to me?

"Well,with your daughter here,we get to hangout after years again and maybe this would continue?"Mav's father chuckles.

"Naturally,it should."Mav's grandpa chipped in.

I turned just to see my grandpa nod in affirmation.

Why was this man looking at me tho?

It is making me feel unnecessary butterflies.

I wish I could just see him as the boy back then whom I mess around with.

I lowered my gaze to the table, mentally read the names of each drinks there before grabbing a canned non-alcoholic drink.

It's chilled,and the air is freezing. 

Just what I need to slap me back into my sense.

Asher suddenly grunted,as she dropped her phone on her laps.

"Ouu,this is starting to be boring. 

Is this some kind of oldies reuniting after the first world war or what?"she whined in my ears and nudged my arm, just as I drew a sip of my drink in.

I spat it out before I could control it, laughing.

Now everyone was looking at me,with mom and Mav's mom passing me glares.

"Oops,sorry about that. 

But,my cousin just wanted to know if all we do here tonight is to...uhmm..talk about stuffs not quite interesting."I explained myself,giving Asher a dead look for the great embarrassment she caused me.

"Hm."my grandpa smiled,a suspicious one at that. 

I narrowed my eyes at him.

I was thankful Maverick was no longer stalking me with his eyes!

"Maverick,"he called staring out to the sea that dances tho and fro under the moonlight.

"Have you and Helena ever envisaged sitting and enjoying this lovely view together?,as couples?" Grandpa questioned and I froze.

I choked on my drink once again as the bomb lands heavily on my head.

What the hell?!

My heart began racing.

Couples? Who?

Dad's world rang into my ears and I tightened my grip around the can.

So, Maverick was the man he was talking about?

"Damn it,what annoyed your stomach tonight?"Asher scolded in a snort,passing me some tissues.

I wiped the drink that smeared my mouth, before throwing it in the dust bin nearby.

What's with that comment from Grandpa?

My eyes were clouded with shock.

"Uh..no."Mav answered simply,passing me a look which only baflfles me the more.

Why is he looking at me?

I brushed my eyes away from his.

I glared at my dad. 

So perfect for him not to tell me beforehand that he was going to marry me off to my highschool friend whom I had crushed on back then, but he was too busy with other girls, seeing me only as a friend - a girl best friend!

"You should consider that. You guys are getting married,you should."grandpa was so simple with his response.

My stomach boils in rage.

My eyes met with Mav to see what he thinks about the ridiculous revelation.

He didn't want this,that I can see. 

Well,I don't too and that's just great!

We simply cannot get married!

That's what I think,but my heart is playing tricks on me.

Why is it beating so fast?!