(These events happened 6 years ago, a year before the previous flashback.)
FLASHBACK
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, Yve! How's your day?" That was my stepmother.
"It was amazing! Thanks. By the way, what is for dinner?"
"It's your favorite stew and your sister's favorite, steak. That is if you don't mind." She asked.
Yes, she is not your typical evil stepmother. That is why I approved of my father's marriage. Even if she has her own daughter from her former partner, she still treats me well.
"Of course, I don't mind. By the way, I need to get her gift upstairs, mom."
She looked puzzled."What gift? It is not her birthday yet."
"She won the song of the year award in the campus."
"REALLY?!"
"Yes, Mie. That's why if you don't mind can we have the dinner in the garden?"
"Sure. But why?"
"Some of my friends and her friends will be coming."
"WHAT?! The food will not be enough."
"It will be fine. Our friends will be bringing the additional food."
"Yve, can you come here?"
"Yes?" I replied and walked closer to her.
She hold my hands and said, "Thank you very much for accepting me and my daughter. You also let her in your circle and let her shine in her own field."
"Of course, Mie. She can shine in her own field. I don't mind. Now, Mie, I need to get my gift for her and prepare the surprise in the garden."
"Okay, go ahead."With mommy's permission, I dashed towards my room.
You might be asking, why 'mommy'? It's because I call my real mother as mom.. and since it was fine for her to be called as 'mie'. I really love my family. I don't believe that having a stepmother and a stepsister could mean a bad thing. I mean, look at us. My father is doing his very best in expanding the company both for our future and the future of the employees and their families.
I hurriedly went out of my room bringing Airis' gift with me. Airis is the name of my stepsister. She is a year younger than me so I was very happy because I got an instant younger sister. She is very good with music. She can write songs and was fast enough in learning how to play different music instrument. Upon discovering her talent, I gave my keyboard to her and decided to keep the grand piano to myself.
The grand piano meant a lot to me because it was my mother's most precious gift to me. Piano is also the only music instrument which I know how to play since my mother was my first teacher. I stopped in the living room when I heard my smartphone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Yvory, are you ready?"
"Vincent, not yet. I still have to set the garden. I just arrived home."
"I can help you as I am on my way."
"That will be great. Just hurry up because I will be needing a taller person."
"Okay. I'm coming."
I smiled as the phone call ended.
"Yve, dear, is that Vincent Gray?"
"Yes, Mie. He will be coming to party with us."
"Does your sister know?"
"Nope. It's one of my surprises to her. She likes Vincent right?"
"Yes."
"I'll try to play cupid but I can't promise anything."
"It's fine. It's the opportunity that counts. Thank you very much."
She hugged me so tight. "Mie, I still need to decorate the garden."
"Okay, you go ahead. I will try to add another dish to our dinner. I also need to call your dad."
"Mie, I already did.He said he will be home a little early."
"Okay."
With that I went to the garden. I needed to arrange the tables and chairs. I want to make sure that Airis feels happy and appreciated. I even created a video compilation of her. I didn't sleep for two nights just to finish it. Vincent even helped me in editing the video.
True to his words, a few minutes later, Vincent arrives with a bouquet of blue roses. Blue rose is my sister's favorite flower.
"There you are! Come on! Help me carry some of these tables and chairs!"
"Why are you carrying those alone? Where are your house staff?"
"It's their break. They have their 2-week summer vacation break."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. Let me help you with that."
Vincent helped me carry the furniture to their respective places. In no time, the garden is set except for the video part.
"Vincent, I don't know how to set the video presentation. Can you help me?"
"What would you do if I didn't come?" He smirked and pinched my cheeks.
"Why did you do that? It hurts, you know!!" I touched my cheeks and massaged it gently.
"I know. I just want to." He said and showed his tongue out, teasing me.
"Aaahhhh, just because you want to...."
Without warning I decided to run towards him and pushed his head forward. He was still able to dodge me and ran towards me. We were now playing tag. Finally, Vincent caught me but because I was too focused on escaping, I didn't realize the stairs behind me.
Luckily, Vincent caught me. He was holding me so tight and I was grabbing his uniform, crumpling it. Our eyes met and I noticed the color of his eyes. It was very beautiful and felt like he was hypnotizing me. My heart skipped a beat with everything that happened.