Lunch was fun. Eating with you family after so long is ... just great! Most of the meal time, we spent discussing about my life in Paris, which was super awkward. We are sitting in the drawing room. It was nearly 7 in the evening.

"So anyone special?" Cami asked, curious.

"Curiosity killed the cat" I smirked back.

"But satisfaction brought it back." my mom intervenes.

"Mum! Please stop talking Cam's side. At least once in your life, you can take your helpless daughter's side!" I exclaimed with my best puppy eyes.

"No no, I should also know who that lucky person is to who's your special one" 

"Fine! I don't have any special one!" I gave in.

"Ex? Crush? Anything at all?" Mom inquires with suspicious eyes.

At the name of crush, Arlo's face came in my mind. I shook away the thoughts.

"There's an ex but n-no crush" I answered them.

"Who's it?" they both said in unison, and then giggled like children.

"Alessandro Moricelli, Italian guy. He was the reason I learnt Italian" I inform them.

"Aha tell us more" Cami smirks and mom just looks at me with a raised brow.

"Well he was this handsome, and intelligent guy I used to dated for like two to three years"

"Can I see a picture?" mom asks eager.

"Um no I don't think showing you my ex's pic is a very wise thing to do" I say fiddling my fingers.

"Who's ex? What is going on?" my dad comes and sits beside mom.

"Nothing, well I've some work, can I go to my room?" I ask already leaving my seat.

"Sure you can go" my dad says before anyone could say anything.

I quickly dash to my room and huff out.Suddenly it comes to me that I had to call Sebastien.

I dialed number. Within three rings he picked up.

"Hello?" he voice came in.

"Uh Hi, I'm Aurelie, you told me to call you" I tried to sound normal and all innocent, even though I knew what he was going to say.

"Yeah w-well I l-like you since a long time and and would you give me a ch-chance?" he asks, probably blushing on the other side.

"Um I know that you're a very god and suitable boy for me but I'm really sorry I'm seeing someone"

"Oh could please at least think about me?" he asked uncertain.

Oh God! 

"Sure.Do you mind if I end the call? Actually I've some work to do" 

"Oh sure bye" he ends the call.

"Oh Thank God!" I huff out.

"So who's this new guy?"

I turn around to see Adrian looking at he with a an annoying grin on his face,

"Rian what the fuck? you were eavesdropping?" I ask with round eyes.

"Well, I heard you talking to someone on the topic boyfriend, that peaked my curiosity so I just stopped by" he reasoned.

"Well then my work is done, let's go down stairs and grace them with our presence" I said winking at him.

We went down the stairs to see Antonio joined the group.

"Hey Marilyn, come sit" he said patting the seat next to him. 

I went to seat beside him.

"So? in morning I saw you were really really pissed off-

"Tony don't say those words in front of kids" Dad scolded.

"Dad it's fine I'm not that innocent" 

"What do you mean?" dad asked me in return, puzzled.

"In short your daughter is a spoiled brat" Mom said.

"Really? You don't seem like that type" Dad asks.

"Simon she like a Siren. Beautiful yet deadly" Adrian intervenes an I shoot him a glare.

"Ting" the phone in my hand vibrates.

"Aurelie wait in my room by 9. ~ Arlo" this message came from the number I saved as Arlo.

"Rian, come here" I gesture towards him.

"What's it? Another guy?"

"No your brother. That asshole texted me, look" I say through gritted teeth and shove the phone in his hand.

"Woh that's a bold move he made" he gasps and then laughs.

"What? Do you think this is funny?" 

"What is going on? You two are always talking around?" Camilla says, frustrated.

"Nothing" We both said looking at each other.

"Dad let's go to the music room, you'll play us Chopin or anything" I say grabbing his arm and pulling him up.

"Fine fine"

"Did you know Simon that your daughter has voice like Mariah Carey!" Mom teases me.

"Really do you know I'm a great fan of her?"

"No I'm not singing"

"Oh please!" All of them started to plead with puppy eyes, though Tony's was the best.

"Okay" I groan.

We all go to the room and I sit in front of the piano.

"Now be quiet, I don't like interruption" I said, pocketing the phone.

I started playing the soft tune,

"I've been reading books of old

The legends and the myths

Achilles and his gold
Hercules and his gifts
Spiderman's control
And Batman with his fists
And clearly I don't see myself upon that list

But he said, where'd you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can kiss

I want something just like this..." I finished the song like is was nothing. My eyes were closed.

"Bravo!" Antonio clapped.

"Piano went along well but acoustic guitar would have been better" Dad said.

"oh puh-lease you just can't accept the fact that I sing well" I rolled my eyes.

"Drama queen Aphrodite" Rian muttered.

"Shut up Adrian" I flare up.

They all start to laugh but at that exact moment the doorbell rings and Camilla hopes up and leaves the room to open the door.

"It's probably Arlo" Rian guesses.

Oh Shit! He said to wait in his room. Now it's nearly 9, two minutes left.

I jump out of the seat and rush towards his room. Sound of expensive shoes connecting with the polished marble floor was drifting off.

Oh no! Fuck he's here! I get in his room and sit on his bed trying not to look like I just ran in. I tug a strand of hair behind my ear, open a swimming video of Jenny Thompson.

The door clicks and Arlo comes in with a file in his hands.

"So you're quite obedient isn't it?" he says, as he keeps the file in a drawer.

"Yeah you said to wait, so I waited" I answer, keeping the phone away.

"Well then wait for a few more minutes, let me change first" he open opens the closet and pulls out a t-shirt and pants.

I clear my throat as he starts opening his shirt buttons.

"There's water in the nightstand, you can have it" 

"Um I wouldn't mind you being um naked but I think, either you should go to the washroom o-or I should leave, when you're done you can call me back" I twirl a strand of my loose hair.

"No it's alright, I'm going to the washroom"  

He comes out after a few moments and sits beside me.

"Why did you call me?" 

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier"

Arlo is apologizing? Should I forgive him? Though I hate being yelled at, he can be an exception. 

'No Aurelie never! He YELLED at you' my consy scolds me.

"Apology not accepted" I say in a stern tone.

"What? You're kidding right?" he asks surprised. When I was young, I never could stay angry at anyone, they used to say I was too forgiving but things changed I got through puberty.

"I'm hungry" I stand up to leave.

He grabs me by my waist and pulls me down on his lap. 

"Arlo leave me" I squeak.

"Not unless you say you forgive me" he chuckles in my ear.

"Never in hundred years" I bite back.

"Then I don't have a problem to stay like this with you on my lap" 

"Why would I forgive you? You yelled at me." I raise my brow.

"I yelled at you because you made me" he says as if it was obvious.

Seeing the confused expression on my face he added-

"Your language"

"My tongue my wish! What is your problem? Besides it's an old habit" 

"Those words don't sound well in your angelic voice Aurelie. Besides you're cussing out in front of elders" 

Did he just flirt with me? I have an angelic voice? What's wrong with you Arlo?

"Now do you forgi-

"No" I cut in.

"Then fine let's sit here for today" 

"No no I- I forgive you"I said with my fingers crossed.

"Really? Thank You" he loosens his grip.

"Now let me go Arlo" I plead.

"You're hungry right? Go" he lets me go and as soon as I reach the door I turn around and say-

"Sometimes you have to lie to save yourself. Never believe in unexpected turns, they always have a loophole.  I have not forgiven you, Arlo Ricardo" I smirk evilly, or at least I try to.

I close the door and race down the stairs.

"Come sit Aurelie, I was going to call you" Camilla says with a smile.

I smile back and sit down in the right corner. Arlo came in.

"Mom what's for dinner?" he asks, looking at me through the corner of his eyes.

"First sit and then you will get to know. Such a bad habit, asking about menu" Cami scolds him and I stifle a laugh.

"Aurelie can I sit beside you?" he asks.

Shit! He obviously planned something.

"Aaah um sure you can" I say awkwardly.

"Thanks" he sits down.

I purposely kept my eyes on the table as I could feel his gaze on me.

Mom served me lasagna and I started eating. But Arlo watched closely, all my movements.

"Cam could you please bring some wine? Haven't had some in a while" Tony says.

"Us too" Dad said, gesturing towards him and mom.

"Me too" Arlo said.

"I'll like some too" I blurt out and boom! all eyes were on me.

"You drink?" Adrian asked.

"Of course I drink, I have been living for so long in a country that produces world's best wines. Didn't you know French wine is famous all over the world?" I ask casually.

"Yeah but you drinking wine is unexpected" Tony says.

"At least my daughter has some taste! she's not in for those cheap beers" Dad exclaims.

"Dad, I'm a heavy drinker and yeah cheap beer doesn't satisfy my craves"

 "Okay wait then I am bringing it"

"Do you only drink wine?" Adrian questions.

"No, but wine is one of my most favorite ones, I do drink champagne, tequila, whisky and vodka" I grin.

"I would really love to see a drunk Aurelie" Arlo murmurs, loud enough for me to hear.

I nearly choke on my food.

"Aha here have some water" he gave me a glass.

I drank the water. But as I kept the glass back on the table I realized my glass was full and the glass from which drank was Arlo's. I looked at him, and of course he's smiling like a fucking idiot!

"Are you alright Elle?" Mom asks, concern laced in her voice.

"Yea Mom, Arlo gave gave me'water' and now I'm alright"

"Here's your wine folks" Camilla announces.

As she hands me my glass, I could feel Arlo's intense gaze heating my skin up. He touched his lips with the rim of the glass and took a sip. I noticed that he held  the stem between his thumb and first two fingers while I pinched the stem with my thumb and index finger. Similar but not the same say.

After dinner, mom and dad went to their room, and so did Antonio and Camilla. After sometime Adrian also got up and said goon night to us, before going to his bed.

"Good night Arlo" I say and start making my way towards the stairs when his strong hands grab my waist and he places me on his shoulder. My abdomen on his shoulders and my face in front of his back.

With ease he steps on the stairs and we reach his room as I continue to bang his back.As soon as we get in he locks the door firmly and puts me on the bed before he himself sits on the bed and pulls me on his lap.

Oh God! Not this again!

"What the fuck are you doing Arlo?" I said trying to keep my brave facade.

"No dirty words Aurelie" he says tucking a loose hair strand.

"What is your problem? Let me go or I'll scream out loud" I threat him.

"Why did you lie to me? I'm really sorry for yelling at you" he says, truth was clear in his voice.

"Look I'm really angry at you for yelling at me, then you interfered in my life, then you put me on your lap once and now twice" I say, struggling to get out of his grasp.

"I just saw after nearly a decade and you're angry at me? You don't love me anymore" he pouted and I go back to the times when we were young and Arlo used to stay clam and quiet.He was always the mature one among the three of us. While me and Rian built sandcastles he painted, and now look at him, from outside he's the ruthless billionaire, who is very famous, but from inside all I see is the old Arlo, the one I used to play with, sleep with and eat with. When there were sleepovers in any one of our rooms, I used to sit or sleep in the middle, or the fact I was always in between them. I used to tell Mom that I had two protectors to protect me, to love me and cherish me.

How could I say no to him? One of the most important person in my life?

"Fine I really forgive you, but do not yell at me like never ever and do not tell me to change my language, I'm really in love with my words" I say shrugging.

"Now leave me and sleep, you look tired" I said. There was a impression of tiredness in his beautiful face.

"Will you sleep with me like old times? Maybe we can call Adrian too?" he suggests.

"You know what? That's a great idea" I say, jumping from his lap.

I open the door and knock on Adrian's door. My room was beside Adrian's and in front of Arlo's.

He opens the door.

"What happened Elle?" he asked taking in the fact that we just came out of Arlo's room.

"We have a proposal"

"Go on" 

"Can we have a sleepover in my room?" I say in in a rush.

"Wait! Like old times? Like with you in the middle and we both on each sides?"

"Ye-yeah is that a problem? I mean I'm not trying to take advantage" I feel embarrassed.

"Yeah sure, except you don't snore right?" he chuckles and I slap his arm.

"Okay guys, you can come in but just gimme a sec, I gonna change into my pjs" 

I rush in my room and take my pajamas out before striding into the washroom and wearing it.

By the time I finish brushing and open the door I see the two brothers standing in front of my room. 

Arlo rakes his eyes on me with a somethings in his eyes. His baby blue eyes grew darker. 

"Come in" 

They get in and I close the door.

"Go and I'm coming" I say before padding towards the balcony in my room.

"Where are you going?"Adrian asks.

"Just gonna call a friend"

I dialed Ethan's number. A missed call. I try again this time he picks it up.

"Aurelie?" a girl says in her french accent. Maybe it's Celine.

"Celine? How are you? Ethan's with you?" I ask.

"Yez he iz wit meh"

"Oh so you guys hanging out without me?" 

"No we mizz youh but me  and Ethaan arh studying togetheh,we  zent our applications to  Paris-Saclay" she says.

"Oh best of luck to you guys then, tell Ethan that I rejected Bash, you know that he asked me out?"

"Yez Ethaan told meh, good that youh rejected him" she chuckles from the other side.

"Ok good night Aurelie"

"Good night Celine, pass it to Ethan too" 

 She ends the call and I return to my room to find both the boys looking at me with smiles.

"What? Why are you two smiling?" I asked sitting in front of the mirror and start untangling my hair with the brush.

"Need help? Adrian asked.

"Nope"

I tied my hair into two tresses. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna have curls!

"What is that?" Adrian said laughing, while Arlo just looked at me.

"You will see tomorrow morning" I fished out my hairspray from my bag and sprayed it on my tied hair.

"Make space for me cause I'm coming"

They shift to the corners and I lay down on the soft mattress, pulling the duvet over my body.

"Good night boys" I say.

"Good night Aurelie" they both say.

I could feel a strong hand gripping my waist, from my right side. But I stayed quiet and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

Maybe things didn't change as much as I thought.

Hope you liked this long-ish chapter ^_~

Arlo's room, in case you're wondering 👆

Aurelie's pj

Another tattoo reveal. No wonder how many she has.

On her right ankle

Your comments fill my heart

All my love~ Lily