Liam paced back and forth in his office, frustration etched across his face. The task Geraldine had given him—to find her—had turned into an obsession. It wasn't that he hadn't tried; he'd exhausted every possible avenue. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook—every social media platform seemed devoid of her presence. What he found instead were fan pages dedicated to her art and a few stray images posted on her sisters' accounts.
"She's a ghost," Liam muttered to himself.
He glanced at the bouquet sitting on his desk. It was stunning—a vibrant mix of Geraldine's favorite flowers, or at least what he thought might be her favorites. Roses, lilies, and peonies were artfully arranged in an elegant design. He'd spent hours at the florist ensuring it was perfect.
His sister, Pearll, peeked into the office, a mischievous grin on her face. "Still brooding over your mystery artist?"
"I'm not brooding," Liam snapped, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Oh, you definitely are," Pearll teased, stepping inside. "What's the plan, Romeo? Are you just going to show up at Dad's gala with those flowers and hope she magically appears?"
Liam's head shot up. "Wait. That's not a bad idea."
Pearll rolled her eyes. "Of course, it's not. It's my idea."
---
Meanwhile, Geraldine had all but given up on Liam. She'd spent weeks wondering if he'd ever find her, but as time passed, she convinced herself he'd lost interest.
"It's for the best," she told herself as she wandered through an art gallery. Her latest collection was on display, and she found solace in the quiet admiration of her work.
Carla and Frances joined her, their chatter breaking through the gallery's peaceful ambiance.
"Still thinking about him?" Frances asked, smirking.
"No," Geraldine said, a bit too quickly.
"She's lying," Carla said with a grin.
Geraldine groaned. "I'm not lying. I've moved on. Besides, he probably forgot about me."
Carla exchanged a knowing look with Frances. "We'll see about that."
---
The night of the gala arrived with all the pomp and grandeur one would expect from Henry Nollan. The venue was breathtaking—a sprawling ballroom adorned with crystal chandeliers, golden accents, and lush floral arrangements.
Liam arrived early, bouquet in hand, his nerves threatening to get the best of him. Perce noticed and smirked as he adjusted his cufflinks.
"Still hung up on the artist?" Perce asked.
"Shut up," Liam muttered, glancing around the room.
"I think it's cute," Pearll said, joining them. "But don't get your hopes up too high, Liam. She might not even be here."
"She'll be here," Liam said confidently, though his voice betrayed his doubt.
Perce shook his head, but his gaze wandered to the entrance. He wasn't sure why, but he found himself scanning the crowd for Carla.
---
When the triplets arrived, the room seemed to pause. Geraldine wore a sleek black dress that highlighted her effortless elegance, while Carla and Frances complemented her with their vibrant ensembles.
"Wow," Frances said, taking in the grandeur of the gala. "They really went all out."
"Rich people," Geraldine quipped, her tone laced with amusement.
Carla smirked. "We are rich people."
Before Geraldine could respond, her eyes caught sight of Liam. He stood near the center of the room, bouquet in hand, his expression a mix of relief and joy when he saw her.
"He's here," Frances whispered, nudging Geraldine.
"Play it cool," Carla added with a sly grin.
Geraldine took a deep breath and walked toward Liam, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Geraldine," Liam said, his voice soft but full of emotion. He held out the bouquet. "For you."
She accepted the flowers, her lips curving into a smile. "You found me."
"I never stopped looking," he admitted, his tone earnest.
Geraldine's smile deepened. "Well, it's about time."
---
On the other side of the room, Perce finally spotted Carla. She was laughing at something Frances had said, her vibrant personality lighting up the space around her.
"You should talk to her," Pearll whispered, appearing at his side.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Perce said, feigning disinterest.
"Please," Pearll said, rolling her eyes. "Everyone knows you like her. Just go."
With a sigh, Perce made his way across the room, his steps deliberate. When Carla saw him approaching, her smile shifted into something softer.
"Perce," she said, tilting her head. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I've been thinking."
"Dangerous," Carla teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
He couldn't help but smile. "I think we should stop pretending we're just acquaintances."
Carla raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what should we be?"
"Something more," Perce said simply.
Her teasing demeanor faltered, replaced by something more genuine. "Are you serious?"
"Completely," he said, stepping closer. "I like you, Carla. And I think you like me too."
Carla's cheeks flushed, but she held his gaze. "Maybe."
Perce smirked, leaning in. "I'll take that as a yes."
Before she could respond, he closed the distance, pressing his lips to hers. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in that moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Carla let out a breathless laugh. "You really don't do things halfway, do you?"
"Never," Perce said, his voice filled with certainty.
---
The rest of the evening unfolded like a dream. Liam and Geraldine were inseparable, their connection deepening with every passing moment. Perce and Carla, meanwhile, navigated the unfamiliar territory of their new relationship, their banter as sharp and playful as ever.
But amidst the laughter and romance, the Nollan family dynamics loomed in the background. Henry Nollan watched his sons from across the room, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.
"They're changing," he murmured to Kellan.
Kellan nodded. "For the better, I think."
Henry's gaze lingered on Perce and Carla, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "We'll see."
As the night drew to a close, the triplets and the Nollans found themselves entangled in a story far bigger than any of them had anticipated. But for now, they reveled in the moment, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead.