Time passed, and her birthday was getting near.
"Aw, Emy. I don't know what I'd do without you. I can't wait for you to be my sister- in- law." Larrisa said, her smile widening as Emeralde helped her with the decoration.
Emeralde cleared her throat and let out an awkward laugh.
"I think you're getting the wrong idea, Rissa. There's nothing going on between your brother and me." Emeralde said as she passed the balloon to the maid.
Larrissa crossed her arms against her chest and chuckled.
" Everyone sees the way you both look at each other. And the way he acts around you. It's like his world revolves around you."
Larrisa swayed her hips as she walked away. Emerald's eyes followed her until she disappeared from her sight. Her grip tightened around the ribbon when her eyes fell on Greyson, who wasn't far from her.
He leaned against the mirror in the hallway and combed his blond hair with his fingers.
Greyson straightened his back and smiled at her through the mirror. Her lips curled before she could stop herself.
"There's nothing going on between your brother and me."
Emeralde flinched when she heard the mimicking voice of Larrrisa.
"W-what are you doing here?"
Her eyes widened when she turned to face Larrissa.
" Your dress is in."
- Imperial Garden-
Jolly held the teddy bear in a baby form as she rocked back and forth. Her mental health has been deteriorating ever since she received the parcel of her son's head.
Veronica chuckled.
She leaned against the stair rails and swirled her wine.
"Do you want mommy to feed you, Max?" Jolly coaxed the bear.
"Hmm, I wonder how his finger tasted," Veronica said loud enough to make Jolly hear.
Jolly whipped her head toward her. She stood up on the stairs and marched towards her, screaming.
This alarmed the maids. They rushed towards Jolly to take her to her room.
Veronica's head dropped back as she laughed.
- Greyson's House-
The house was filled with laughter and the clicking of glass.
Emeralde jolted when Larrissa squelched behind her.
"Are you ok?"
Larrissa moved towards her and showed Emy the screen of her phone.
"Maya is coming to my birthday party."
Emerlade raised a brow at her.
"Who's Maya?"
Rissa clasped her hands together and said. "Maya grew up with Greyson. She's like a big sister to me. And she's super close to Greyson."
Her face dropped before she realised.
"Close to Greyson? You mean childhood friends?"
"Duh, I just said that."
Rissa didn't notice Emeralde's expression as she dragged her away to greet the guests.
Emeralde nibbled with her bottom lip while she allowed Rissa to drag her around.
"Mommy!" Larrisa let go of her hand and rushed to a woman with updo hair.
Emeralde cleaned her hand on her dress. Her jaw tightened, and she took in some breath before plastering a smile on her face.
Larrissa pulled herself from her mother and turned towards Emeralde.
"Mom, meet Emy. Emy, meet Mom. People call her Octavia."
Emeralde smiled at her awkwardly.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am."
Larrissa looked around her before asking about her brother.
"He's getting me a drink."
Her breath shortened when her eyes landed on them. Emeralde clenched her hands as the two people walked towards them.
Maya.
Greyson pulled Maya's hand away from his arm when his eyes locked with Emeralde.
Emeralde looked away.
"Happy birthday, Rissa." Maya hugged Larrissa.
"E-
Her phone rang, and the colour on her face drained.
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave."
Greyson reached out a hand, but before he could touch her, she slipped through the crowds.