Oh, how stupid of me to even think that this was the game of someone who admired me. But, yea it was someone who admired me, even adored me. The smell inside the car was too close to honey, lavender, smoke, and something exotic; mixed together to become familiarity. 

I squealed in excitement as I didn't think it was possible for him to excuse himself from whatever that he was doing. I am not entirely sure what his job is. Whenever I inquire about that, he brushes it off by saying, "I'm doing business." And that was it. I stopped asking altogether. If he does not wish to enlighten me about his personal life, so be it. I don't want to dig deep. I hugged him sideways to which he laughed and hugged me back.

"I thought you were not able to excuse yourself from work every now and then."

"For my pumpkin, I shall do anything."

"Awesome. I was really hyperventilating, you see."

"I see... that's why I am here as your date."

"Cool... oh uncle, you look good."

"Only good...? I was expecting something more."

"Well I was about to say sexy but I bit my tongue on it."

"I'm nodding' my head like, 'yeah', I'm moving' my hips like, 'yeah', I got my hands up, they're playing my song, I know I'm gonna be okay..." I sing out loud in my head the lyrics of Miley Cyrus. Right now, feeling the vibe, I want to scream out loud, make some noise.

Uncle Tom was eerily silent while I was having the time of my life in my head.

That was not a good sign. 

It started with a text to his phone. He was the most talkative person in the entire world that I have come across with and he being silent was so very odd that was as close to seeing the sun shining in pink. 

Consecutively checking his phone also pulled me off, since he is someone who never mixes work with family. Also, he is driving, isn't he? The last time he looked, he cursed out loud, severed into a side road and inhaled deeply then let it all out.

I slowly touched his rippled arms, too strong in my feminine hands. He looked at me with his forehead creased and his bloodshot eyes in slits. Whoa, this was not the face I know of my uncle. To see him angry made me angry. But when he saw my concern, his face dropped the mask and smiled a half smile at me. The transition was so smooth, it made me wonder if I have imagined it all.

After that, he pulled the car and continued to go in a different direction than we were driving. It was then the realization hit me. I didn't know where the party was held. Heck, I turned to my uncle and seeing him really dazed, staring ahead; I bit my tongue on it. 

I started to get agitated. He didn't say anything. So, I too kept quiet. My mind was clogged. Why was that? I looked out of the window, watching the sprinting trees. But, when the restlessness made me disturbed, I looked at him, opened my mouth and closed it again.

It was because; he drove into a secluded area, so unfamiliar to me that got me worried. It had an eeriness etched into the backbone of this place. There was something about this place. A few yards away, I can see a gate with a heavy wire fence and all sorts of fancy thingies. I looked around and it was deserted but had some sort of authoritarian zombie movie vibe to it. Nearing the fence, I saw a board saying, "Trespassing strictly not allowed." Gulp!

I looked at my uncle for an explanation, but his expression was clipped and tense. Out of nowhere, a stiff looking man clad in black came with AK-47 in hands. Wow, that was awesome. But, my uncle sported a disappointed expression now.

"Warren." My uncle greeted that man.

"Ah, boss, this vehicle was unfamiliar, I am sorry. Let me dispatch command." He had a thick some other country accent to his voice. He took out his walkie-talkie and demanded to open the gate since the boss is here.

My uncle stayed silent. Boss! What was going on? I looked at my uncle for enlightenment. He stared ahead and didn't look at me. The gate opened and he rolled in. without any answer, I kind of looked like a Cinderella in ratatouille's restaurant. What? I love Disney.

Hidden behind thick foliage was a warehouse kind of building but it also looked like a mansion? So, I was not sure. Uncle rolled his vehicle into the garage part that looked as if it was a football field. Many sports cars were parked here as if on display. 

When my eyes touched on a sleek black jaguar, I gasped and mouthed wow, instantly falling in love. A ghost of a smile appeared on my uncle's lips. I so wanted that car but my daddy dearest won't allow me.

"Tom, tell me what this is all about? I am sure the party is not conducted here." He knows me calling him by name means business. I may be thin, awkward, unattractive teenager but I can be serious and rough. Don't make me sing Katy Perry's roar now.

"Well, there is this thing that I want to tell you when you are eighteen but as it is, my plan was not... well, this is my workplace. Don't ask questions now. Remember, no small talk, no smiles. Just be what I taught you to be and I will take you through."

"Tom, enough with the cryptic talk, I want answers."

"You will get when you turn eighteen."

"Eighteen is not leap year away; you know that, don't you Tom. Tell me."

"I can't as of now. You trust me right?"

"What sort of question is that?"

"A yes or no type"

'Fuc*' I muttered, "Yes, I trust you, now will you enlighten me"

"Eighteen is not a leap year away if you have been uncomplaining for fourteen years, be patient for these few months."

"Fourteen years?"

"Yes, you asked me what my job was when you were three and a half."

"Wow, you remember? I bet my father won't even remember that I lost both of my front teeth then."

"That was because you showed me you were a superhero and jumped from the top of the stairs. If I have missed your flight for a second..."

"I am here now, no second gone wrong. And I am not dead, so, yeah... quit it. You always say that and look at me teary-eyed."

"You are my pumpkin, I can't lose you too."

I looked at him sadly. He always says that but he never explains what he meant by that. I feel sad for him.

I never had a chance to finish my train of thought because a man clad in an expensive looking black suit came walking with five men, heavily armed, behind him. A boy about my age, dressed in loose khakis and a tank top with tousled chestnut hair and cute dimples walked alongside the thick authoritarian man. 

Wait!

Damn, did I say cute?

Wow. That's a progress. I never find any boy, cute, handsome or at least bit attractive. I have to tell you, this boy caught my eye but sadly, he didn't look at me.

"Rosthan... how good to see you."

Wait, what? What kind of name is that?

"Panther"

My uncle greeted back and stepped out from his vehicle to hug the bulky man. Both of them embraced for so long. The tank top boy remained silent, uninterested and the uniformed armed guys stood as if programmed to show respect at all times. I huffed. 

And for the first time, tank top boy looked at me. His green orbs bored into mine for few minutes and for the first time in my life, I felt something pass through my body, face, and neck then reached to my cheeks. What was that? He looked away. I felt disappointment crossfire through me. What is wrong with me? I looked away and saw panther still talking with my uncle.

Their face was serious; demeanor tense and they were talking in some other language. I knew my uncle was awesome, but this one just irked me. What was wrong if I heard him speak another language? For a split-second, his eyes met mine and a smile played on his lips. I narrowed my eyes and he laughed. Panther stood still, confusion etched on his thick face.

"Shaun, why don't you give her a company; your father and I need to speak business. Half an hour pumpkin..."

"Uncle..." I started but Tom raised his hands and walked away with Panther. His eyes asking me for this moment. I huffed, crossed my hand and looked away. It was then I properly saw Shaun. An amused crinkle sported his eyes but his lips remained sealed just like mine. I think I like this boy.

He tucked his hands deep into his khaki pants and started walking. I didn't know what I should do. So, I crossed my hands and leaned to Tom's car. When he noted that I was not following him, he stopped and looked back.

"Aren't you coming?"

My God!

Now, I know what was in those books that said "His voice could do wonders inside of me." deep, husky and whatever gorgeousness was there in the history of synonyms was his voice. But, I didn't say anything. I looked at him and looked away.

"Fine," he said and pulled out a remote and pressed a button. Somewhere a car beeped and I was amazed to see that the Jaguar belonged to him. That got me hooked. When he got in and closed the doors, I without my knowledge walked to the passenger seat and got inside. I don't know how I could humiliate myself like that. I am disappointed. But, hey, this is Jaguar we are talking about. The way he looked at me with a proud smile made me clench my fist and blow out loud. There was definitely something in him that pulled me close to him.

"This is my baby."

I grunted a reply. I was admiring the beauty and loving how my butt felt right now.

"You are dressed for an occasion. Not to visit a workplace." I turned at him and saw that he just stated what he saw.

"A party" Was all that I replied. 

What more should I say to him? I was not that kind of girl who spoke often. I don't know how to small talk. If by hearing all this, you think I am a damn helluva talkative person, you are wrong. My mind is a verbal diarrhea zone which never stops. Even when I am sleeping, I think I am planning, writing, reading, acting and all such things since my dreams are so colorful and vibrant. At times, my dreams make it hard for me to convince myself that I've slept.

"So, you don't want to go?"

"No." did I answer him? Oh, well!

"I too have a party, but, my father wanted to meet Rosthan before; I mean Tom... first, so..." why did he stop there stammering when he said that whatever name he is using to call Tom. I looked at him hard and he returned the gaze.

"So, you know his first name huh!" I couldn't help but ask him.

"It's a secret." Why did he sound so unsure? Is he mocking me? "I am known for this beauty, Jaguar."

"Your father, Panther" It was a statement, not a question and he knew it. With so much disinterest, he said, "Yes." Whoa, was there a dislike I felt. I can feel it, since, I do love my father.

"What does my uncle's name mean?"

"I don't know. It's a name used in Norwegian."

"Where is that?"

He looked at me like I was a stupid or something. I looked at him confused. "It's Norway. In Europe." I grunted in reply. How come Tom spoke that language was all in my head right now. Norway? That's so far away from us. 

"What were your father and Tom speaking?"

"You don't know?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't be asking."

"It's German." 

Silence

He switched on the radio and my favorite song played through the speaker.

I was in my verbal sickness right now. There happen to be times when I'm really stuck without any explanation and right now, I am in such a situation. I have no idea what my uncle is, and I am sure there won't be any use in asking tank top guy. I mean Shaun. And that's my added trouble right now.

Him; Shaun... I can't understand what it is with me when I saw him.

I have read tons of books on romance. So, I have learned the thing with love at first sight and as such, with the help of these books. And I thought I was an expert. 

It seems like I am as close to being brilliant as a donkey and I bet donkey will be more cautious with such stuff, right? I think if a donkey saw someone who is ok to be mating happy with, it won't think about the heat creeping to his face right? He will act on it. Wait, does donkey feel heat crawling through its face?

Shaun clicked his fingers onto my face and looked at me amusingly.

"I have been calling you for so long. I didn't catch your name."

"It's because I didn't throw it around." 

That was not a rude comment. It was something natural that I am expert at; comebacks. Sometimes stupid, sometimes ass wrenching; whatever that meant. To answer my family's weird questions was similar to climbing Mount Everest. And right now, with his question, my program answering machine answered him back without even thinking about it. 

When his face blinked, shocked, I felt bad. Wait, what? Did I just felt bad for him? That is totally weird. I am not someone who feels bad about anything. To me, whatever I am doing is the right thing.

I opened my mouth to reply but my uncle came back, hugged the man, gave him a handshake and looked around for me. Shaun looked at Tom and then to me. Without saying anything, he climbed out and I followed him. Shock etched on my uncle's face so evidently that I smirked at him. If he can play a game, so can I.

"Let's go."

"Yea, I don't want to be late to the party," I said to him and got into the car.

"Louise, be there soon," Tom said to the guy who was called panther a little earlier.

"Yes, yes, SHAUN, go change." I looked at Shaun, he scratched his hair, looked at me and our eyes just locked. He stood straight, tucked his hands into the pockets and looked at me. He was not a sculptured handsome man like those romance novels explained. No, he was handsome in his own way. He had those ripples on his hands, showing muscle but it was nothing compared to my uncle. Tom was a handsome devil. Even in forty-seven, he was a heartthrob.

Tom reversed the car and slowly rolled out from the place. He was talking too many things at the same time; about this place, about Louise, about Shaun. But I was stuck at Shaun from the beginning. It's really impossible to have my mind captured by some boy. I am shell-shocked. 

Sure, I had been stuck with so many other things. One prominent one being, 'how can I destroy Tiffany's good looks and Simon's arrogance.' I also had something so juvenile, 'how to immobile my mom.' Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean anything in the long run; just, a few weeks to see how she will react to her crippled state for a while. She thinks she is the freaking owner of this whole wide world. Pfft.

You see I think she is immune to diseases. I have never seen her catch a cold or something. When Annalisa caught something nasty. My mom was a hyena at her throat. Saying it was she, my mom, who was paying Annalisa so she should be responsible. Thus, she doesn't pay for illness and blah, blah, blah... I was like, Mom, she is not a demigod! God, I hated a major part of my mom then.

I had this distant look when I think too much. Tom must have felt something was wrong with my image because an odd part of my brain told me something was off. Thus, without thinking, I looked at my uncle. He had his car still in the ignition, but it was not running. He had this amused glance in his eyes which surprised me. "What?" It was a reflexive question.

He laughed. Shook his head and drove off. His nerve! I was about to taunt him but the surrounding got me to act as a rich spoilt brat. We have reached the party.

Tom stopped the car, stepped out and handed the keys to the servant who came to collect the car. I looped my hands in his hands and walked straight keeping a poker face. When I reached inside the hall, I was awestruck. Such posh party and I don't even know what kind of a party is this.

"Uncle, what party are we attending?"

"Umm, you know the company, Universal Enterprises?"

"Oh yes, the company my father has eyes, balls and everything on it."

He chuckled. "Yes, that is the one. The old man is stepping down and his son is taking over." He said with such huff in his voice, that I was instantly hooked. I too hated such extravagant useless parties.

"And the party is for?" I was still lost.

"The party is for, him getting down from his kingdom and giving it to his son as his engagement gift." His words disgusted me. He was stepping down from years of torture, smuggling, and many more things and he is celebrating it. Pfft. And oh, his boy is getting married. Right!

"He tied down his freedom in the gutter." I looked away.

"When true love hits, baby, you are gonna clean the gutter into one helluva romantic place." Good, now Mr. Bachelor has turned into one sappy poet.

"Don't think so." I am adamant in my thoughts. Shaun was just an attraction that I had in the spur of a moment. Nothing serious.

"Even if you find love..." he had this amusing smile with a crinkle which I loved so much has now turned my least favorite thing. I turned away.

"Don't exaggerate; I am not in an expedition to find love."

He chuckled and said, 'Like mother like daughter.' It was a faint whisper but I heard it alright. I was frozen. What did he mean? Even before I could ask him, or think more about it, painted flock of peacock thronged in and amongst them were my family. 

Shell-shocked to see me in a knee-length black and white lace dress would be an understatement. Mom's face frowned into distaste and I am sure she was disappointed. Father was as usual, ignorant of my fashion sense and frowned because I was standing with my uncle when I had to stand with someone young and someone my age, and someone who was having different anatomy than myself. Pfft.

Tiffany and her goons flicked by, fluttering their imaginary wings and feathers. Whatever! One of her goon, a scarlet-haired gorgeous girl turned around. She was dressed in something velvet and navy blue. I loved that dress. But she turned around, acknowledged my dress in awe and commented that I had great fashion sense. Yeah, whatever! 

Just because she admired my dress, everyone started praising. As if when her mouth opened, they all saw the goodness around. God! Tiffany was all the while, shirking in her golden globe, frowning and scowling at me. I enjoyed seeing her squirm. Politely I ignored them and walked towards the drinks section, desperately in need of something strong and stiff.

Suddenly I felt so underdressed. Everyone sported floor-length gown with knee length or thigh length cut. But, none had knee length dress. Dang! This is why I hate dressing up. Glad I had good legs. At least those pompous ladies won't chew my fat away.

To have a moment to myself was impossible in such a gathering. The comment made by Tom was still reeling in my mind like a broken tune. I know my mother, Evelyn, is nothing like me. Then why did he say something like that? It was the moment when my mother thought it might be a good chance to chastise me.

"What are you doing?"

"Drinking something..."

"Stop right now. Why are you dressed in disaster? What are you wearing?"

"Mom, please, I am not in the mood to talk to you impolitely acting polite."

"You are grounded for the whole week. No internet, no e-books and no outing."

"As if I am three... mom, listen, I am close to eighteen and you are not the boss of me. I have dressed decently. This dress is a gift from my uncle and it costs Mount Everest by what Tiffany's friends said. So, knock out your frown and enjoy the party."

"Did Tiffany's friends say that?"

I knew it. "Yes," she looked pleased. "Now if you will excuse me."

"Of course, keep your eyes open to some boys."

"Don't embarrass me and I am not... you mom. So please leave."

She huffed and was about to walk away as if she was walking the Victoria secret catwalk but Tiffany made an entrance.

"You... argh why do you have to humiliate us like this?"

"What's wrong honey?" mom never called me that. It's always lily or Liana. Huff!

"Her dress; my friends are still laughing" oh I should have known better. They were mocking me earlier and thus, my dear sister squirmed. I was in for something beautiful.

"What do you mean?" oh mother dear, don't be this stupid.

"This dress is a disaster. They didn't praise you, you idiot, they were making fun of you. How can I face them?"

See I told you, I was in for something beautiful. My mom's face slowly turned to something hilarious. But it can also be understood as anger. "You are grounded. And dare you to humiliate us again like this, I assure you, you will regret the day you were born."

That got me so angry. Tiffany was standing with her hands crossed and Evelyn still had her fingers pointed at me. I walked closer to my mother and said, "Dare you to make me regret it, I dare you, you will regret the day you threatened Me." she was horrified. Tiffany rolled her eyes and walked away. Mom too made a dramatic exit. I sighed and gulped down whatever was there in my hand in one go.

"Now, I see why a party is not a favorite of yours."

A deep husky voice acknowledged me from behind and if I am right, it was directed to me. I turned around to find a handsome young chap staring at me with a smile. And yes, those green orbs were doing wonders to me.

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I am really excited about this book! Keep reading for heck load of roller coaster ride! :D If you the chap is too long, comment, comment all that you want. Please keep hate to minimal and smile :)

Not quite the dress I had in mind, but hey, I am super lazy to keep checking in the internet :D SO, yea, imagine your own sexy dress :)