She watched her friends in wonder as they talked with smiles with their partners. A strike of jealousy formed in her heart. Not about wishing a partner on her own but she felt left out. As if she didn't belong anymore to what always felt like home to her.
"Are you okay?" Liam asked watching her space out. He had been asking a question she failed to answered.
Ivy rapidly cover her uneasiness with a wide smile, "yeah," she replied.
"Still confused about all the information a received,"
Liam nodded in understanding. It shouldn't be easy for her to digest all what happened. Most importantly, he was sure, what disturbed her the most was they fact they hid it from how. Remorse grew in his heart
"Pardon to intrude miss Stone," a man waiter said getting the attention of the group of five.
"Madam Black entrusted me to hand this to you," he added presenting a small box in his palm. The little box, matching Ivy outfit with its purple color and golden wrap picked everyone interested.
Ivy took it, admiring it's beauty.
"She precise you should open now Miss," he added.
Ivy nodded before dismissing him. Her eyes focus on the present, she asked, "Where is aunty?" Unwrapping the present.
"Don't know. We didn't came together," Liam answered.
"Why so?" she lifted her head up. Meeting his gaze.
He shrugged his shoulders. Ivy raised an eyebrow at his gesture. Her gaze met Andy owns. With a look they understood they were thinking the same thing. His parents didn't want to come with them and only one person could be the cause.
Without prying on his issue, she focused on the box. She opened it and in side lay a pair of diamond earrings. With wide eyes, she looked around, in hope of finding Liam's mother.
"It's so pretty," she presented the earrings to the rest.
"Liam's mother really adore you," Bella commented at the sight of the beautiful stone. All of them, at the first glance knew it's quality and value.
"Of course," she bragged closing the box. She didn't fail to notice Shirley sore face at Bella comment and it didn't fail to make her happy.
Closing the box, she saw by the corner the one she was looking for. A big smile graced her face, her eyes twinkling of joy.
"So, what do you think?" Liam's mother asked with a similar expression on her face.
Liam looked nothing like his mother. She had golden hair which she wore as a bun for the occasion why his was as black as ebony. Her big eyes and oval face was also a contrast with his narrow eyes and structure face. One though couldn't miss took them. Sharing the same strong head helped.
"Aunt! I love it, thank you," she hugged.
"Glad you like it. Your mother addressed you in perfection and father organized this wonderful party. I couldn't dare to be left behind," Liam's mother said, breaking the hug.
"Why didn't you bring it yourself?" Ivy questioned. She assumed her absence from the party, thus, the use of a messager.
"I wanted to see if you really love my gift or just pretend to do in front of me,"
"No reason to. I love everything you give me," Ivy said sincere. Everything given to her was precious. Whether pretty or not.
"Glad you like my welcome gift." Liam's mother smile in appreciation.
"At least you remember. Not like certain people," Ivy remarked. There were no need for her to point out whom she was talking about because the concerned people felt it.
"Of course. You are back home. It's need to be celebrated," she said caressing Ivy cheek, her gaze full of love.
"Look at the three of you, still together," she remarked, her gaze on the two men of the group.
"I knew it was a good idea to introduce you guys to Liam. You are the friends he needed,"
Ivy and Andy was at first just together. It was later on that Liam joined the duo, for it to become a trio. The three friends smiled, sharing a sweet glance among themselves. Yeah, they were lucky to have each other.
"But it seems like the group increased. Who is this beautiful lady standing by your side Adrian?" she wondered though having a idea of whom the mysterious woman was.
Andy wrapped his arms around Bella waist and said with pride, "My fiancée, Bella Fine,"
His eyes looked weary in Ivy direction. With no surprised, she was carrying a shocked look.
She thought they dating not about to get married!
"You are engage with her?" she pointed at Bella, looking down upon her.
"Yes, we are," said Bella with pride.
"Unbelievable!" she exclaimed, not knowing what else to say.
They were about to get married, and she was informed only now. What else was there for her to say? Her eyes remained on Andy, who was talking with proud of his fiancée, as if he won the jackpot. She frowned, hearing bothering of what he was saying.
"See? Even my playboy is about to get married, what about you dear?" Liam's mother question, bringing back Ivy wondering mind.
'what can I do? The one I want to marry can't be mine and you know it,' she replied in her head.
All she did was to shrugged, there were no words to say .
"I'm not a playboy," Andy defended himself ending a look from his best friends.
"Not anymore?" he corrected himself, getting a nod from Liam. Ivy still gave him a look. It felt like she didn't know him anymore, and she hated that feeling.
"Anyway, the most important thing here is your engagement. Take some of your time to come with your fiancée. Your mother told me she was a cook? I'm eager to taste her food. You choice a fine one son. And for an eater like you, it's perfect. Not like the son of mine," she said.
Liam was not an eater, and never were. He took great care of what he ate. His had a strict diet he respected which could be handy for many. Even his mother. It was for him Ivy tried to learn to cook. The key word here being trying.
"I know," he looked at her, "I got lucky," he said in a soft tone. Bella was all he could see.
"I'm so happy for you son," she said taking his hands in his, with a soft smile given to Bella.
"Now dear, tell me. How are you?" she asked Ivy.
"Good, just tired with this party thing and-"
"Mum!" Liam called, cutting Ivy mid sentence.
"You forget to greet Shirley, " he added. His tone low and calm. No anger was hears and that was what gave chills.
"I didn't forget," his mother replied, not shying around her son murderous stare. She lived for more than thirty years with his father. If it took her so little to be unsettled, their marriage won't have occurred.
"Mum!" he called again.
He wasn't one to tolerate disrespect less when it was towards Shirley, even if it comes from his mother.
They all notice her lack of acknowledgement towards Shirley but they didn't say a word, it wasn't their place to. The poor girl had her head down, the eyes red, at the verge of crying.
"Why should I acknowledge a worthless person," she wasn't one to dissemble. If she doesn't like you, she won't act but tell you in face. Her honesty was what people admired the most in her. It wasn't always easy to say how you really feel.
As much as Ivy was enjoying the show, she knew she had to put an end to it. Shirley sadness was her happiness but not at the expense of their mother and son relation.
She caressed his mother's hand, signaling her to backup. If it was for her, she wanted her to stop.
A murderous aura radiate from Liam, he didn't say a word, didn't move, only his gaze could make you shiver. Shirley and Bella unconsciously took a step back from him.
This Liam was something no one want to confront, not even Ivy and Andy who saw it all. They knew one wrong move and hell would come on earth. His mother seems to have realized the same thing. It wasn't a place for a dispute
She nodded to Shirley "Evening" she said in a cold voice.
"Now if you would excuse us," with that said, she dragged Ivy away from the group.
The devil inside Liam settle down, he slowly returned to normal.
"You didn't have to," Shirley said.
What was the used when she was being forced to acknowledge her, even under pressure, her distain was evident. She was all smile with Ivy but her, she receives so much hate, and it shattered her heart to see it.
"Excuse me," she ran off, the tears she has being holding back couldn't help but fall, the pain in her heart was so big. Since she arrived, Liam and his mother didn't stop arguing, instead of bring them closer she was falling them apart.
"Wait," Liam ran behind her.
Left behind were Andy and Bella, which wasn't left with the head full of interrogation.
"Wow, that was…" Bella started after they left, but Andy cold gaze made her shot her mouth.
"Ok" she said.