“Really?” I pulled my knees to my chest, feeling a familiar flutter of pride in my stomach. “Do you think mum and dad will love this?”
“Of course,” Asher said firmly. “This is a blueprint.”
I let out a small breath. “I guess it’s really good then.” I bit my lip, glancing down at my sketches. “How’s everyone?”
He flopped onto his back. “Oh! Nolan traveled.”
“Huh?” I frowned, “today?”
“Mm–mm. His mom said he went to his grandparents‘ place for a few days.”
“Ohh” I nodded slowly.
“So… what’s next?” He asked, rolling onto his stomach, his chin in his palms.
“I don’t know,” I admitted softly.
He tapped the notebook. “Can I snap this to Dad?”
“No! I mean… not yet,” I said quickly, hugging the notebook to my chest. “It’s messy. I want to fix it and—”
“Aria.” He nudged me gently. “It’s amazing already.”
I shook my head. “I want to show it to him in person.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Miss Aria?” Lena said softly at the door. “Your… um–Mr. Nolan is downstairs. He said he came to see you.”
“Nolan?” My eyes widened as I turned to face Asher. “I thought you said he traveled.”
“Yeah, about that,” he cleared his throat, already smiling. I may or may not be pulling your legs, and also have told him you weren’t feeling well.”
I glared at him. “Asher.”
“It was funny!” He chuckled
“So you told him I was sick?”
“Not really,” he defended. “I just said you might be coming down with something.”
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “You’re unbelievable.”
may
“That must be why he brought a bag.” Lena giggled softly, clasping her hands together. And flowers. They’re
very pretty.”
Of course he did.
I glared at Asher. “Get out.”
He grinned at Lena. “Come on. Before she uses her tiny fists on me.”
“Get. Out.” I roared, flinging my book at him as he ran out laughing.
I paused for a breath, smoothing my hair before heading downstairs.
****
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“Hey Nolan!” I called as I reached the living room. He turned away from Asher, a smile tugging at his lips.
“You look perfectly healthy, not exactly what I heard from a certain person.” He muttered, his eyes trailing over my body and up to meet my eyes again.
I shot a glare at Asher, who was pretending to admire a vase. “My brother exaggerates.”
“He does,” Nolan agrees with a smile. “But I brought these anyway.” He held up a bouquet of white lilies with soft lavender roses and a small paper bag, “plus your favorite iced tea and those strawberry pastries.”
My eyes widened. “How did you know I liked those?”
“I… just know,” he whispered, a faint pink tainting his cheeks.
“Oh,” I breathed, taking the bag. “Thank you, Nolan. That’s really sweet.”
Asher cleared his throat loudly. “Alright, enough flirting with my sister. She’s fine. You can go now.”
“He’s not flirting with me!” I smacked the back his head and push him away”
“Ow!” He yelped, almost falling down.
Nolan chuckled and quickly grabbed Asher, stopping his fall. “I’ll stay for a bit. I did come all this way.”
We all moved to the couches. Asher and Nolan bickered over which video game to play while I sip my tea, watching them with a small smile.
I pick up my phone as it buzzes a notification.
Maya: Ari, something came up. I can’t make it today. I’m so sorry.
I sighed, sent a quick reply of okay, and then slipped the phone back in my pocket.
“Naya?” Asher asked, not looking away from the screen.
“Maya,” I corrected, rolling my eyes. “Why did you ignore her at school today?”
Chapter 86
“Because she’s too violent.” He scoffed. “Stop it tiny.” He groaned as I elbowed him.
*****
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“I miss you too buddy.” I said to Ella as she wags her tail, trying to climb onto my laps.
“This is astonishing” Helen muttered, flipping to the next page as she read through my jotting. Though it’s late in the evening, she could not wait another day to go through them after Asher told her about it.
“I told her that too,” Asher said smugly.
“Shut up bigmouth brother” I glared at him. I had wanted to wait till tomorrow to show them since they cam back late.
“I’ll send this to my team of architects, they’ll be able to create something according to these doodle sketches Robert smiled.
“And the capital to run this?” I asked pouting.
“You’re Aria Morales, do you even know your worth? You’ve got billionaire parents.” Helen winked
“And billionaire big brother,” Asher whistled, making us laugh.
*****
“Aria! Are you up? We need to pack everything for your excursion!” I groaned into my pillow.
“I’m awake…” I muttered softly, barely awake. Ella poked her wet nose against my cheek, her tail wagging against my bed frame.
“No, Ella,” I mumbled, gently pushing her away. “You’re staying home. I promise I’ll come back.”
She whined dramatically My bedroom door swung open before I could sit up fully.
“Wake up girl” Helen clapped her hands, walking into my room. “We have work to do.”
“Wolf!” Ella barks, leaping down to greet her. I blinked at the big box she dragged behind her. “What… is that?*
“Supplies, like junks…,” she grinned, opening my wardrobe to add some of my clothes into the box.
“In that big box?” I frowned.
“You’re dramatic.” She rolled her eyes, “it’s not that big.”
Not being able to fit a blanket into the box, she began unpacking the entire contents on my bed.
“Snacks… juice boxes… electrolyte drinks… protein bars… mosquito repellant… sunscreen… jackets… three pairs of socks… wipes… hand sanitizer… granola… a first–aid pouch… a backup first–aid pouch” I state as she drops them, “Mom. I blinked. “This is a three–day excursion. Three days!.”
I know,” she blinked innocently, “which is why I also packed peppermints, pajamas, aloe wipes, vitamins-
Chapter 86
“Oh my God mum.”
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She refolded everything back into the box. She grabs another pack of wipes from my closet and shoves it int the box. “You’ll thank me when someone else is crying because they forgot theirs.”
I pressed a palm to my forehead, biting back a chuckle. She’s impossible.
“Where’s Asher?” I muttered.
“Gone to school,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You woke up late, so it’s just us.”
I smiled. “Of course it is.”
“Now grab your ass into that bathroom!” She hissed.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
