𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙧. 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙙

18. Family Reunion

I wanted to punch my brother. He wouldn't leave Bella's side, sticking to her like glue while everyone was trying to enjoy the party.

He's already taken at least twenty selfies with her.

There’s only one way to get him to stop following Bella around—his girlfriend.

He thinks I don’t know he has one?

I snapped a photo of him and Bella and sent it straight to Danica.

Minutes later, his phone started ringing. Hah, serves him right.

As soon as he stepped outside to take the call, I slid into his spot beside Bella. He shot me a dirty look before heading out, and I just smirked back at him.

Ahh, Bella smells amazing.

A hint of jasmine, roses, and a touch of orange. I wonder what perfume she's wearing.

“Where did Jared go?” she asked, noticing it was me sitting beside her now.

“He went out. His girlfriend’s upset with him on the phone.”

“Girlfriend?” she said, surprised.

“Yeah.”

She laughed, and it was a sound I’d missed so much.

“Wow, looks like he takes after you.”

“Really? I was eighteen when I had my first girlfriend. He’s only seventeen.”

She laughed even harder.

“One year isn’t much of a difference, Z.”

🐬🐬🐬🐬

"They look happy together," Cherrie whispered to her friend beside her.

"Yes. I'm really glad to see them doing well," Valerie replied with a warm smile.

"What are you two whispering about?" Zack asked, joining the conversation.

Cherrie motioned toward the two people chatting happily in the corner.

Zack followed her gaze.

"Look at my daughter," Edward said proudly, "she's so beautiful when she smiles."

"And look at Zayne, laughing and smiling like that. He seems genuinely happy," Valerie added.

"Bella looks the same way," Zack agreed.

The group exchanged fond glances, content to see Bella and Zayne reconnecting. It had been years, but they both looked like they’d picked up right where they left off.

🐬🐬🐬🐬

"So, how was it?" I could almost see the huge grin and excitement in her voice.

"It was okay."

"Liar! You still haven’t moved on, have you? Your heart was going boom-boom when you saw him, right? Admit it!"

"Shut up, Yan!" I replied, but all I heard was her laughter.

"So, do you think you have a chance with him this time?"

"I haven't thought about that, Yanie. We went ten years without a word to each other. It’s not that easy to reconnect. And you know he’s always just seen me as a sister."

"Ugh! Zayne is so annoying. But things are different now compared to back then. Didn't you notice anything unusual? Tell me all the details!"

So, I told her everything that happened last night—from the moment he hugged me to when he went home tonight.

"I want to meet Zayne. I want to see how he acts around you. I want to know if he still sees you as just a sister."

"What if he does?"

The thought made me feel a bit sad.

"Then seduce him and make him fall for you! Or, you know… maybe give him a reason to marry you."

"Excuse me? Coming from you, Miss ‘I Never Want to Get Married’?"

For once, Yanie fell silent.

"What's wrong? Are you still having second thoughts?"

"I can raise this baby on my own if I have to. Do I really need to marry him?"

I knew exactly what was worrying her.

"He promised to marry you, didn’t he? He’s serious about you, and he loves you."

"Maybe it’s just my pregnancy hormones making me negative about everything with him?"

"Why don’t you call him? Maybe you just miss him."

"Later. By the way, don’t forget about your meeting with Mr. Lopez tomorrow. I won’t be able to stay with you. Have you found someone to accompany you to all your shoots?"

I almost forgot about that!

"You totally forgot, didn’t you? Bella, what would you do without me?"

I laughed, knowing she was absolutely right.

"I’ll ask my mom tomorrow," I replied.

"Good idea. Or why don’t you ask Zayne? He works there anyway."

Would Zayne agree to help? I felt a bit shy at the thought of asking him.

"I’ll ask Mom first."