Chapter 24

Stefano I watched Ashton getting ready for his wedding. Though being the groom, he was pretty chill. He was laughing and joking with us as if there isn’t something big gonna happen later that would change him for the rest of his life. "Hey. You okay?" Ashton came to me. He left the others when their wives decided to visit them. I was standing beside the window finding interest in watching the staff arranging the venue with finishing touches. Any moment now, the guests will arrive. The men have finished changing and were all set. Ashton was wearing a navy blue colored suit with a bow tie while the rest of us were wearing black suits. I was wearing a black tie while the rest was wearing a beige one. I raised my brow. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?" He smirked. Instead of getting nervous the guy clearly was excited. The emotion was written on his face. "Well... honestly. Not so sure. I guess these past two months and everything that happened- though it might be in a rush, it wasn’t so bad at all." His face showed a soft smile. I can’t help but feel proud of Ashton. At first, it was hard for him to accept the fact that his fate has changed the moment his parents married him off to the Greene family. But he managed to adjust and lived through it and even opened up to Sierra who I might add not as easy either. It was probably thanks to Avery. When the two suddenly became close, I knew they had a good talk and Avery somehow managed to convince Sierra to open up to Ashton. I have known the girl to be quite convincing. "I haven’t said this to you, Ash. I’m sorry I snapped at you the other night." I said sincerely, regretting the fact that I bursted on him. He smiled from ear to ear. "It’s fine, Stef. It’s not like I haven’t known you. You were just drunk and not in the mood. No worries. I didn’t really take it to heart." He then gave me childish grin. I chuckled. His grin reminded me of how he looks to be the youngest in the group despite us being the same age. I then patted his shoulder. "You’re getting married, Ashton. I think it’s time for you to stop acting like a boy and be a man now." He frowned but I just laughed inwardly teasing him. "You’re not being nice, Stef. Maybe you should man up too... with her." He muttered the last part with sarcasm. I opened my mouth to say something back but I was cut off when my friends and their wives at the front door were suddenly being too noisy and almost shouting and laughing loudly. Ashton turned to them as soon as I was. "Ashton, hey!" Avery was walking towards us while bringing a small gift. Somehow my eyes followed her watching her intently while walking towards us. I was caught inevitablly in a trance at how she looked. It was entirely different when I first saw her at their apartment when I had to go there myself to talk and convince Mrs. Willis to reconsider my offer for the land. It was different when she wore the uniform Carson gave her and when she was all dressed up for Ashton’s engagement party. And what made me burn inside with unimaginable feelings- when I saw her picture in that black bikini showing all the curves she possessed. She was so perfect that no one deserves to touch her cause it might ruin her. Each and every time she always gave me a different feeling. And I haven’t forgotten each and every one of them cause every damn time my breath would stuck in my throat like it would choke me. It was happening again this time but it was hell worst. It made me question why and how the hell do I feel this way towards her. "Here. It’s from Sierra." She handed the gift and gave him a hug. "She said that it will remind you that the rest of your life will be hers." Ashton groaned. Everyone in the room laughed. Their laughters made me snapped with whatever reverie I was in. But it  still wasn’t strong enough to unbind the spell Avery has on me. She was wearing a beige tinsley dress with her back bare. Her hair has a braided crown while the rest was put down. Her make up was light but it made emphasis on the best assets of her face. She looked so otherworldly beautiful. Just by her presence- it sucked me completely in a dream I don’t want to wake. It made me not say anything but admire her- worship her. Ashton opened the gift. It was a very expensive branded watch. The others laughed when they knew exactly what Sierra meant for the rest of his life. Ashton groaned again. "Thanks, Ave." They hugged each other again. When the two pulled away from each other, Avery managed to caught sight of me for the first time since she came. She smiled at me softly. I guess she had forgotten our fight a month ago. I wasn’t sure if I should be happy about it cause it would have been that she’s also forgotten that night. The night we almost kissed. "I also have something for her. One sec." Ashton walked towards the drawer where he kept the gift for his soon to be wife. I looked at my friends in front who was smilingly at me knowingly. Even Ashton’s annoying cousin, Hunter knew about it. My stupid friends have to update him what we were doing in Ashton’s bachelor party. He wasn’t able to go because he had an emergency in his company. I became the hot topic just right after they were teasing the groom when Avery’s name was caught in our conversation. Just because she’s the maid of honor. I rolled my eyes at them. Some of them laughed. Their wives seemed to be admiring silently our view. We weren’t even talking. We were doing nothing but the girls have this looks of excitement for us. And I’m not the one who’s getting married. Avery seemed to not notice it. She was busy waiting for Ashton to fish out the gift. "Here you go." Ashton finally found the gift and handed it to her. "Tell her she’s all mine now." He then winked at her. Everybody in the room laughed. We all knew that he was joking and acting usually like the ladies’ man he is. Still the women in the room gushed at Ashton once more. "Make sure to add the wink, Avery." Damian exclaimed. "Of course. I wanted to say you should add a kiss but... we’ll save that for later." Avery added. Everyone once again laughed. "Okay, that’s enough." Ashton whined not liking the sense that he’s going to be teased again. "Thanks, Ave." Avery smiled back. "No problem. I gotta go. Good luck not getting nervous." She said with excitement and tease. "Ha ha very funny." Avery then looked at me and smiled. It crossed my mind if she’s just trying to be polite and smile because I get the feeling that it was half hearted. She said goodbye to the others kissing and hugging the other girls. She waved goodbye to the rest and finally go. "She looks beautiful." Mason whispered to me. I didn’t noticed him coming to me. I just hummed and nod. "Are you sure you don’t have something on her? I mean a girl looking like that would have all men worship her." "Would you?" I asked back. "I’m in love with my wife, Stef. That’s out of the question. Can’t even imagine my life without her." Mason would always talk like that even behind his wife. It’s not only him, the others as well. I saw those familiar glint in their eyes whenever they talk about their women. "I know." I simply replied. "You know, we might be annoying jerks with Ashton but we know we want nothing but happiness for him." He took a pause and looked at me . "And you’re no exception, Stefano. Whether you’re on to that girl or not. Or focus on your business or whatever. We just want you to be happy. Both of you. Damian, Brayden and I sure want you to feel the same way." I raise my brow. "Nope. It’s not the same with your parents- stop looking at me like that, Stefano." Mason defended himself. I chuckled. "I would say the same, Mason."