Stop Pretending | Saltburn

Chapter 12

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Against Ronan's knowledge, the Catton's intended to throw the rebel boy a birthday party, even if it was small and more intimate; even if Ronan and his mother were not on good terms, Elspeth had plans for the two, despite the pain it may cause them.

"Ven! Where the hell are we going? Farleigh, save me! A beautiful woman is kidnapping me!" Ronan whined as if he were truly in distress.

"Oh, as if getting kidnapped by a pretty woman was a terrible thing." Farleigh chuckled and only followed after Venetia and Ronan.

In truth, Farleigh was the last person to learn about this surprise party his Aunt was throwing Ronan, but what worried him was that Elspeth had invited over the boys' father, who was very aware of the abuse but even so invited his father's side of the family. Ronan needed to be made aware of who they were and where they stood in England's society. Of course, Farleigh didn't know the Abbott family that well, but he knew they worked closely with the royal family for many centuries. According to his aunt, Farleigh must be sure about the information.

Farleigh sighed when they entered the King's Dining Room, which was only ever reserved for big dinner parties or even big birthday lunches like now. "Why are we here? I thought this was where tonight's dinner would be."

"That's later, we got something to show you inside!" Venetia exclaimed, but Ronan glanced back at Farleigh, whose face said everything. "Come on now, Farleigh. Let's show him!"

"This is such a bad idea..." Farleigh mumbled as he and Venetia opened the door, which allowed confetti and even petals of roses to fly out at the three.

"Surprise!"

Everyone was happy; who didn't love a good surprise? The Catton family had champagne bottles ready and spraying While Oliver stood by Ronan's father, almost keeping the Doctor away from Ronan's very pregnant and very distressed mother. However, what took Ronan aback was the array of strangers who lingered at Sir James' side. He could only assume it was his grandparents, and the five women and teen boy had Ronan confused. He and his mother were told that his father was an only child, so to see six different family members left him in shock, which only encouraged the crowd to start singing 'Happy Birthday.'

"Oh, what the fuck..." Ronan mumbled. Venetia and Farleigh join the crowd in singing the beloved song, but what topped it all off was Felix, who approached Ronan with a Lemon blueberry cake with eighteen candles; Ronan could admit that ever told this family that this was indeed his favorite cake would get a reward... but he was stuck on his family members who were behind the brunette.

As the song ended, Felix stood before him, making it impossible to see anyone behind him. "Are you ok?" Felix whispered to the male, who finally snapped out of it and looked at him.

"Who's bright idea was this?..." Felix finally saw Ronan's distress from all of this, but he was quiet enough for only Felix to hear.

"My mother's, but the cake was my idea. now blow out the candles..." Ronan gained an idea to piss certain off at the little event, and he smiled but blushed at the fact that Felix knew his favorite kind of cake.

Ronan blew out the candles for everyone to see, cheering everyone in glee, but the rebel wasn't done with the brunette. Ronan gripped the back of Felix's neck and pulled him into a kiss for everyone to see. Felix nearly dropped the cake because of the initial shock of tasting Ronan's lips so soon, but Ronan took the cake from him and pulled away, satisfied by the earned reaction. Oliver had to hold back from verbally getting pissed off, whereas Ronan's father, Michael, was upset but was stopped by his parents, who were just happy to see their grandson, but Farleigh smiled, knowing why Ronan did that, but he still felt brokenhearted by the fact.