On hearing the news, Aspen was stunned for a moment t before finally yelled.
"You've got to be kidding me!" facing the few maid who were with her she ordered "quick tidy up! How is the living room? The dining room is set for breakfast right? Quick quick!!...." she dished out instructions to the maids before pointing to Gia... "You, come with me!"
Aspen dashed for the stairs as she thought using the elevator would take time. She ran over two steps at a time. On getting to the third floor, Gia who was following her couldn't meet up again, nevertheless, she had to continue. Aspen pushed King aside making him stagger a bit. "why's she running like a freak?" he asked no one in particular.
'Where are the guys anyway? I haven't seen them since Finn left.' He wondered and headed to Asher's room. Just as he was about to knock, the door was opened from the other side revealing a well dressed guy who was clad in navy green top, black pants and palm slippers. His wrist was adorned with a black Calvin klein wrist watch. His jet black hair bounced freely on his head.
King was stunned "what's with the..."
"you're not dressed yet!?!?" Asher exclaimed with an horrified expression on his face.
"Dressed for....."
".....you're not dressed!!!" Theo exclaimed as he hurriedly dashed to King and Asher. He was wearing a tight top which displayed his well toned muscular frame.
'Am good looking! Makes sense that am surrounded by good looking people!' King thought proudly.
"Bro! Aspen's parents are here! Go get dressed!!" Asker chided as Theo pushed him to his room which was on the far end of the hall. They didn't give King the chance to retort ad they slammed the door short.
'so that's why elfie was in a hurry.' He couldn't help but chuckle. Though he's heard from different people that her parents hardly made themselves available in their children's life. He actually expected Aspen to act like how other spoilt young girls her age would react... by throwing tantrums, ignoring their parents or doing things that'll get on their nerves. "she quite disappointed me, in a good way" he said to himself before walking to the bathroom.
honk honk honk
The blaring sound of the horns coming from the gate was loud enough to alert everyone in the villa.
Aspen had finished dressing with the help of Gia. She left her waist length hair to flow freely. She walked briskly towards the elevator. On getting there, she subconsciously turned to the right where King's room was located. She smiled 'time for an adventure' she thought.
Facing Gia, she spoke softly "get going, I'll join the rest of you later" to which Gia bowed respectfully before heading for the elevator. When Gia was out of sight, Aspen slowly walked to his door. After spending sometime inside, she came out of the room with a sinister smile on her face while dusting the imaginary dust off her hands. "next time he won't leave his door unlocked" she thought.
Asher who just came back to check on King saw Aspen come out of the room looking like a witch "Aspen...you...what are you.....?"
Aspen grinned at his amused expression before saying "don't think too much Ash, I went to make sure he'll dress properly " she sized him up and down "by the way, you look good" she complimented him.
"Ah, thanks poppie. You don't look bad yourself" Aspen was putting on a simple floral off shoulder gown which stopped above her knees. Her hair was accompanied by fancy hair pins. She looked adorable with her round face. Her usual flip flops armoured her delicate feet.
"shall we...." Asher asked like a gentleman that he was while gesturing to the elevator to which Aspen smiled.
Meanwhile in the bathroom, King tried to open the door but it couldn't.
"Why won't this damn door open??!" he yelled in frustration. He just had his bath, but now, he looked like he had just ran a marathon race. He had already figured out who the culprit was. With determination, he tried to open it again and this time it opened with ease. 'oh well, maybe she wasn't the one' he thought and glanced at the door knob.
'gotta shower again' he groaned and turned to face the bathroom. Just as he was about to close the door, he kicked against the idea.
'can't believe am having my bath with the door opened' he complained as he got rid of the towel that hung loose on his waist and walked to the shower.
Minutes later, he rushed out after remembering that he was supposed to be downstairs.
'Three freaking floors!!!!' he tilted his head back in frustration.
He walked briskly to the walk in closet and hurriedly put on a white oversized to with "vengeful " written on it and a grey baggy shorts. He came out of the walk in closet after putting on a sneakers only to discover that his room was a mess!
"Dawson Aspen!!!!!!!" He roared angrily.
'Haaizzz I can't just leave here like this...." he said as he tried to arrange what he can before stopping 'f*ck it! The maids will handle it. He stormed off to the elevator.
The garden
"nice setting, nice meal.....I must compliment your efforts poppie" Asher said with a smile to which Aspen giggled.
Samantha smiled "I can see you are getting along with the boys, you should keep it up"
Aspen smiled half heartedly as she thought of King. Sky chuckled "mom, she doesn't have a problem with the guys apart from....." Aspen interrupted him "....dad, you didn't get any souvenirs this time" she said as she faced her dad. "I did, you just didn't get to see it yet. I'm pretty sure your brother had sent some to your office" he said. He was about to say something more before his phone rang.
riiiiinnnggg
"excuse me, I have to take this call." He said as he wipe his lips with the napkin.
Everyone nodded. As soon as he left, Samantha began asking about the whereabouts of her children, including Asher, Theo and Skylar. Then it struck her that someone was missing. Just before she could enquire about the person, her phone rang as well. She glanced at the caller ID and her expression dampened. Looking apologetically to them, she excused herself and went to take the call. As soon as she left, King stormed in with fury written on his face.
He stared at the almost finished food on the table then glared at Aspen who looked lost. Angrily, he walked up to them, turned Aspen's chair to face him and slammed his hand on the handles making Aspen stuck in between.
"King!!! What the....!!" Asher was astonished but then he remembered what Aspen said
"I went to make sure he'll dress properly"
He then gasped in realisation 'she had something to do with his delay!!'
King couldn't say anything , he could only swear at her internally. Aspen looked like she was going to Cry making Finn interfere. "what's going on here?" he asked coldly. No one bullies his sister and gets away with it. Not even Skylar.
King ignored him as he continued to inch closer to Aspen who had to "cower in fear" making Finn flare up.
"Juan King!!! step away from my sister this instant!!!" as soon as Aspen heard her brother's voice, she rejoiced inwardly.
Sob sob
Skylar: uh uh
Theo and Asher: not good....
"King what's wrong with you! Leave Aspen alone! You're scaring her!!!" Jenna yelled as she stood up from her sit.
He lifted his left hand towards her face, Aspen subconsciously turned away with tears threatening to fall. This time, she was scared. For real! King smirked before cleaning the end of Aspen's lip which was stained with cream from her cupcake.
Everyone around: (@_@)
King laughed loudly before saying "what? You all thought I was going to eat her or something? Please, I'm too much of a gentleman to hit a lady even though she's still an underage." He said with a smile before adjusting Aspen's seat back. He drew his face close to her ear and whispered "cherry on the cake." Aspen blushed in anger before smiling timidly at King. People who didn't know would think that he said something nasty to her, but people around new it wasn't anything pleasant.
King sat next to Aspen. Just as he sat down, Aspen's parent returned from their call with an aggrieved look. Samantha walked to her daughter and placed her hand on her shoulder "umm....honey....." Aspen detected worry in their eyes. Immediately, she understood. She had actually hoped that this time her parents would stay a bit longer. Unfortunately, her hopes were crushed by the both of them. Definitely, if they should leave now, they will not be present for her birthday. Heck! They won't be around till God know when.
Samantha saw loneliness in her daughter's eyes. She knows perfectly well that she's not qualified to be her mother. She's not at the threshold of motherhood! "I'm so so sorry baby, but.... but...we....." Aspen completed her statement.
".....have an important business appointment that need to be urgently attended to and we're not sure of when we'll be back?" deep down she wished it was not it, but it seems luck was not on her side.
"poppie, we're sorry, we'll try to be back soon...but if not..." Aspen interrupted her mom
"....you'll send my gift. No problem." She slowly stood up from her seat before muttering "have fun". Having said that, she walked hurriedly to her room, Skylar stood up to follow her. Nash, Asher and King shared confused look.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her....you should get going" Finn suggested and both parents nodded and left the garden dejectedly.