Short stories!

Anniversary

She shivers, a chill running down her back, "Not again.." She cries, falling to her knees. A hand softly pats her shoulder,
"Why cry, Beau?" A deep voice questions, causing her eyes to widen.
"Aaron.." She mumbles.
He smiles, "You remember my name? I'm flattered! Do you...not like roses?"
"I don't like who gave them!" She shouts, wiping the tears from her eyes and shooting him a glare.

He sips a smoothie, digging the other hand in his pocket. He takes the straw out his mouth, tilting the drink and his head slightly, causing his black hair to fall lazily, "You don't like Logan?"
"...Logan? Who is..?" She asks, getting up slowly.
He walks over to one of the bouquets and points to the note which reads, 'I love you more than all of these flowers, and hundreds more, ~LJ' "Logan Jackson. He made a purchase from Peer yesterday, about this many flowers," Aaron returns to his smoothie, taking one of the red roses with his other hand and crushing it, "Though it's really irrelevant. I'll get them out the way," He smiles.

"N-no don't!" She shouts, picking up one of the bouquets and holding it close to her sadly. She knows it'll be her only chance for an actual love.

Aaron raises an eyebrow, sitting down his drink, "And why's that?"
"I...like t-"
Aaron laughs, "Really? Because the last time I asked, I recall you saying You'll never love again. So let's not start now." He gathers the bouquets, "And I'm assuming you didn't get the gift I sent you?" He asks with a smile.

She has to be careful with what she
answers. Saying something out of line would cause him to either snap or for the anger to build up more. But not answering at all is worse.
"I..didn't." She rubs her arm.

Aaron picks up a velvet and expensive looking box with his free hand, And raises an eyebrow, "Really? Then how did this get here, I wonder." He tosses the box towards her, continuing to pick up the bouquets.
Beau sits down the bouquet slowly, and opens the small box. Inside, a glamorous diamond choker, causing her to gasp.

Aaron smirks as he dumps all the bouquets in the trash, "I knew you'd like it. Also, have you seen my sister around here lately?" He pauses looking away from Beau and glaring, "I'm afraid she might be after something that's already mine. The same for my brother." He sits on one of her countertops, sipping the smoothie.

Beau closes and sits down the box, not wearing nor touching the choker. She notices how the bouquet she sat down disappeared, no evidence it was ever there. She sighs, "No..I haven't seen any of them.."

Aaron looks at her, staring at her for a solid five minutes, until Beau looks away nervously. She really hasn't seen them, but it's not unlike him or his family to randomly break into her apartment. That's probably how the gift got in there, as she doesn't remember bringing it in.
Aaron closes his eyes as if he's highly stressed. He digs in his pocket, pulling out his phone and checking the time. He jumps off the countertop, "Well, you have my number. Also, I just have one last question."
Beau backs up as he moves closer. He backs her into a wall, folding his arms, "Who's that guy you've attempted to replace me with?" He questions.
Beau stutters nervously, "I Uh- I don't-"
"Don't bullshit with me, You know I have eyes on you. What's your relationship with him?" He sneers, glaring down at her.
She attempts to wiggle away, until he punches the wall right next to her face, "Beau-" He pauses, sighing and lowering his fist, "..How about we go for a walk? I have somewhere...a lot of people want you to be," He smiles and offers his hand.
She freezes, trying to hold herself together. She sighs and takes his hand, "I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"No, not really," Aaron smiles and spins her, before pulling her out the door. Beau managed to grab her phone,  while debating whether or not it was a the best choice she could've made.

***

Standing in front of his door, she knows it was the worst idea she's had. She curses silently, hating herself for her stupidity. Aaron leads her inside the house, his arm around her waist. It's a huge, luxurious estate, and it looks highly expensive.
Inside, she already knows it's a party. Not the fun party, the rich snobby parties.
Suddenly, Aaron pauses and turns around to her, but looking farther behind her. He waves his hand, "Stew, Can you dress Beau to..fit with the theme? I would hate for her to be underdressed," He smiles and basically shoves her to the Butler, waving and walking off, "I'll be waiting for her here,"

The butler takes her hand, "I...apologize for the young master's rudeness, though I can't say it's unlike him..." He smiles kindly at Beau, guiding her throughout the place. She nods as they enter a room, filled with dresses and shoes and overall clothes.
The butler looks at her for a minute, then walks over to a maid. They discuss something, and the maid nods, immediately grabbing a blue dress and handing it to Beau,
"I think this'll compliment your eyes beautifully," She smiles. Beau nods, locating the dressing room and going to change.

***

The dress constricts her lungs and she feels like her feet are crying in the heels, but besides that she feels pretty. The butler was leading her back to where Aaron left, but Aaron was no where to be seen.
"Hm. Maybe.." The butler mumbles something and motions for Beau to follow him. She nods and follows him to an elevator and stops on the third floor.
"This is the..personal halls. Every room is claimed by one of the three masters. So now you know so I won't have to lead you," The butler jokes and Beau nods, laughing. It's a pretty long hallway. So long, in fact, there's a couch and a vending machine halfway. And on that couch, sits Aaron.

He lays over the lap of a girl who was texting. The girl wore an elegant, big, black dress. The dress matches her hair as she crosses her legs, "Aaron, When does the party start again?" She questions.
Aaron rolls over in a fully black suit, "It already started, idiot," he wraps his arms around her waist.
"Okay, When does our dance start?" She asks sassily, rolling her eyes.
Aaron sits up with a huff, "Mmm...ten minutes maybe? Maybe five?"
The girl gets up, stretching, "Well then we shouldn't be laying around, now! Get up get up! We have to get you ready!"
Aaron gets up, sliding his hands in his pockets, "I don't even want to dance. I would rather sleep all day, Or maybe go out to eat. We could have steak and tea and-"
"Oh shut up! It's not like I want to be here either but Alex needs us here!" She flicks him and rushes off, before the butler calls, "Madam! I've prepared Beau for the dance, Shall I..?" He trails off.
"Wait wait! I'll make sure we all get to the dance in five minutes tops!" She shouts, pushing Aaron down the hall and into a room.

Beau and the butler sit on the couch. "Is it always like this?" Beau asks, twiddling her thumbs.
"Not always, but today is the anniversary of the fourth Twin's death, So everything is a bit hectic." The butler explains, bending down to get a drink from the vending machine.
"The..fourth twin?" Beau questions, tilting her head.
"Yes, There used to be four twins, but one..the youngest..passed mysteriously. Of course, there's rumors, but no one really knows what's true..except the twins, of course.."
Beau tilts her head, trying to signal for more information.
The butler nods, "The fourth twin, Anna, was close to all the twins, but especially close to the oldest, Alexander. So today effects him the most. Alexander is also usually dull and colorless, because of the death. Today he's harsh and..unpredictable. It effects the whole family. Therefore, I don't know why Aaron decided to bring you today,"
Beau nods slowly, "Aaron is..the youngest?" She questions.
The butler nods, "Alexander is the oldest, then Angelica and Aaron. I think Angelica will redo her introduction, though." The butler chuckles.

Soon Aaron walks down the hall in a hurried pace with Angelica and Alexander. "Alex, you did get the cake, right?" Aaron asks.
Alexander fixes his glasses, tilting his head towards Aaron, "Did you practice the dance?"
Aaron growls and turns his head away, "Fine, It wouldn't be good anyway."
"Guys, Seriously. Stop acting like children. Alex practiced his speech, Ron practiced the dance, I practiced selling the deal. If we all play our roles everything will go smoothly, and We won't have to worry about it again until next year, Agreed?" Angelica folds her arms, shooting glares at both of them. They nod in unison, "Agreed."

Angelica stops and the whole group stops as Angelica looks at Beau. "Aaron, you're cheating again this year?" She asks. Alexander sneers, folding his arms and looking away.
"Possibly, To avoid Alex busting a vein let's continue. I'll introduce her eventually," Aaron motions for the butler as they continue the walk.

The butler turns to Beau, "Hm. It seems he's preoccupied. Well, I can guide you along the estate, I guess. Grab a bottle of water, this'll be a long walk."

I might write a book based off this 🤷🏾‍♀️