Chapter 5

Grace

I hated to disrupt them but Mia had been relentless. Besides, it has already been 2 hours; and even i'm curious about what they've been doing in there. Immediately after I open the door, I hear Christian laughing about something Ana said. He seems so happy and carefree at that moment. He has improved so much from the angry teen that he was before he started seeing Dr. Flynn; but despite all of the demons he conquered, he was still somewhat withdrawn and reserved. He was hesitant when it comes to creating relationships with other people. He still found it hard to trust others so he never lets them get too close. Seeing him now with Ana, and only after 2 hours together, it's as if they've known each other all their lives.

Christian

Mom comes in with the biggest smile on her face. Mia is right behind her practically bouncing with excitement. I look at Ana, and we share a look that communicated regret that our time alone is over, but also a look that's grateful that it happened.

Mia walks toward Ana, and immediately give her a hug. I could see Ana's bewildered look, and I let out a chuckle. Yup, that's Mia for you.

"You. are. so. gorgeous! Beauty and brains! I loooove your book, and I have so many questions I want to ask you. Are you gonna write a sequel? Oh please, please write a sequel!" Mia exclaims in her usual loud and non-stop way of talking. Ana stammers for a response, so I decide to butt in and try to calm Mia down a notch. I separate Mia from Ana and say, "Mia, you're invading Ana's space. Calm down and give her a chance to think and respond to you before you ask any other questions. Okay?"

"Okay. Sorry. I tend to get over-excited and forget boundaries sometimes." Mia apologizes. Ana smiles at us and replies, "It's okay, Mia. It's very nice to meet you. It gives me so much joy to see that people are enjoying my book. As for your question, it's really very unlikely for a sequel to be made. Sorry. Also, if any of your other questions are similar to your brother's, then he can tell you all about my answers."

"Oh, you mean your non-answers?" I tease. She laughs and rolls her eyes.

"Think of it this way, a story is an art form. Like a picture, it's worth a thousand words. Different people, different interpretations. The answer to your questions are the answers you want it to be. I'm not gonna take that away from you by forcing my own interpretations to you. The answers are with you, not me." We all smile at her response. She is just so special. I don't understand why. I just have this feeling that she is.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

We all file out to the backyard to get something to eat. I saw Elliot sitting with the blondes we saw earlier plus another man that's waving his hand towards us. I look to see that he's waving at Ana, and is gesturing for her to come sit with them. Ana makes her way there and sits beside him. Jealousy flares within me. Who is this guy? How does he know, Ana? Or rather, who is he to Ana?

I was about to make my way to my parent's table right after getting a plate full of food when Ana catches up to me. "Hey, why don't you sit with us. Your brother and Mia's already there." She smiles and grabs a plate.

"Okay. I'll wait for you though so we can go back together." I tell her.

Ana

Christian sits beside me and I decide to make the introductions. "This is Kate, my best friend/sister and Ethan's kind of like my big brother. We grew up together since their house is right next to ours." I notice Kate is sitting beside Elliot, and they've been making eyes at each other since I came from the library. While Mia and Ethan seemed to pick up a conversation they were having before she went to come see us at the library.

"And this is my younger brother, Edward." I tell Christian who smiles widely at Luke. Hmm, I could swear he was frowning just a moment ago. How mercurial.

"It's nice to meet you all. I hope you're all enjoying the party." Christian barely finishes talking before Elliot starts speaking, "Hey, whadd'ya say we leave this old people party and have some real fun at the boat house? I could get us some tequila plus there's board games in there."

We all agree and head to the boat house right after we finish eating. We ended up not drinking at all; we played charades, pictionary, and head's up instead. Christian and I stayed in the same team together. I keep catching him staring at me, and instead of looking away when he sees that I caught him; he would smirk and throw a wink at me. Ugh, what a smug bastard. I secretly love it though. He's flirting with me, and even though i'm a bit worried about the whole billionaire status - I can't help but feel like this is the risk I was waiting for. I just hope I won't end up hurt.

Elliot and Mia's a hoot; and I love seeing Christian bicker with his siblings. We were all having so much fun when Kate started shushing everybody as if she had a big announcement to make.

"Ana and I are planning on taking a vacation sometime soon. Ana wants to go to Asia, and I wanted to go somewhere sunny and beachy. So, we decided to go to sunny Philippines! Now, who wants to come with?"

Christian

Elliot and Mia immediately said yes to joining this vacation. It's not that easy for me though. I mean, I have a company to run. There are people that rely on me.

"C'mon Christian! When's the last time you took a vacation? When's the last time you went anywhere with us? Please." Mia gives me that look again. Elliot and Ethan's also trying to get me to come join them.

"I can't guys. I have work." I tell them.

"Aww Chris, c'mon. You're the boss. Delegate the work to someone else." Elliot persuades. I look at Ana, and she tries to smile but it doesn't reach her eyes. I can see that she's disappointed that I couldn't come.

Ana

Rationally thinking, I know that Christian must be very busy being a billionaire and all. I also know that a lot of people are probably relying on him, and there must be a lot of pressure on him at all times. The fact that he wants to do good by them, and work hard for the success of his company is admirable. But a part of me - the one that's not thinking, just feeling - still can't help but be discouraged when he said he wouldn't go with us. Just a minute ago, I thought he liked me. Now, i'm not so sure.

I see his gaze fall on me so I smiled to try and tell him that it's okay. I sigh. Kate and Elliot is probably gonna hook up - knowing Kate. Mia and Ethan have also been throwing eyes at each other but they're trying to be more discreet about it - not discreet enough for me not to notice it though. Edward's probably gonna bring Bella, his girlfriend/ high school sweet heart. Me? Well, I guess i'm gonna be the 7th wheel.

"Fine, i'll come." I look up at Christian while the others cheer. He smiles at me. I smirk and throw a wink at him.