Chapter 19: The Christmas Party

1 week later…

"Come on, Bloom. We have to get there early!" I shout out from the front door of our apartment.

"Slow your roll," she shouts back from the hallway bathroom. "I'm almost ready."

I sigh impatiently. That's the same thing she said ten minutes ago. I'm trying to get to Brandon house before the party starts so I can help set up. Plus, I may get a mini tour of this mysterious home I've never visited before. Either way, I wanted to be there and Bloom was putting a major crack in my plans.

Five minutes later I groan, "Bloooooom."

"Okay, okay. I'm ready." She steps out of the bathroom and models her outfit by doing a twirl. "What do you think?"

I gaped at the short blood red dress she was wearing. Her heels were so high that I think she may surpass Sky in height. Her makeup was beautiful, like always, and she straightened her wild red hair, letting it fall gracefully along her back. She makes my knee-length light blue dress and curled locks look so plain.

I smile. "You look great. Now let's go."

According to the directions that Brandon gave me, his house is only twenty minutes from my apartment. Bloom was practically bouncing in her seat the whole time.

"This is so exciting!" Bloom exclaimed as we pulled up to the gate in front of Brandon's home. "Aren't you excited?"

"I think it'll be interesting." The truth is I'm freaking out about the fact that Steven might show up to the party. I'm also still contemplating if I should tell Brandon that I saw him or not. I was too nervous to tell Brandon before because I didn't want put more stress on him but maybe I should let him know before Steven makes a surprise appearance.

After giving the gatekeeper the password needed to open the gate, we drove up to a gorgeous house. No, not a house. A mansion. The cobblestone walk-way led up to the Oak double door with silver lining. I went to open it but Bloom beat me to it in her haste to be first. As we both stepped inside we couldn't hold our gasps to ourselves.

What looked like a ballroom stood before us with floors as white as snow. It had to be the size of a baseball field. The ceiling was decorated ornately with silver swirly trestles hanging around. There was a DJ table over in the corner and food tables lined the entire right wall. Servers were coming in and out of what I assumed to be the kitchen and placing different appetizers on the tables. It was all so beautiful.

"So I'm guessing you like it," a voice whispered near my ear. I jumped causing Bloom to start. Brandon smiled at my surprise. Geez, I didn't even hear him step behind me. I'm losing my touch.

"Brandon! This place looks great," Bloom compliments. Brandon nods in gratitude.

"Thank you but you should really give the credit to Flora. She's been working nonstop on all of this."

"Well, she definitely knows how to-"

"Bloom!" someone calls from across the room. Sky. Bloom smiles slyly at us.

"I'll be seeing you two later on." And with that, she's switching her way across the dance floor and into the arms of a happy looking Sky. I smirked at the couple and then turned my full attention to the man behind me.

He gives my outfit a quick once-over. Well I wouldn't say too quickly since his eyes did linger more on certain parts than others. By the time he reached my eyes I knew I was blushing hard.

He smiled and stepped forward to kiss my cheek. "You look stunning, Gorgeous. I'm glad you could get here early."

"Anything I can do to help."

"Hmm… would you like a tour?" I smiled and nodded before he grabbed my hand and pulled me across the dance floor and into his elaborate kitchen. Workers were stepping around us as they filtered in and out of the kitchen doors.

"This is the kitchen."

I giggled as he pulled me towards the other set of doors that exit us from the kitchen. "I can see that."

The rest of the mini tour went just like that: him showing and telling me what a room was when I could plainly see which room it would be. I didn't mind it at all. I couldn't even stop laughing at how fast he was taking me from room to room. This mansion had 7 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. What in the world would one man do with seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms? We finally reach a room upstairs that seemed to be the most sacred to him; his bedroom.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Are you okay?"

"What? I'm fine. Why do you ask," I reply.

"You're sweating." I swipe my forehead to in fact see that I'm sweating. My God, am I really that nervous to go in his room? Brandon smiled softly.

"Stella, we're not going to do anything like that. I'm just showing you the last room. Come on."

Walking into Brandon's room was like… walking into one of his guest rooms. No scratch that, it was even plainer than his guest rooms. His walls were all white with no posters or anything. His bed sheets were black and silver. Everything looked so… clean. Nothing wrong with that but it seemed odd.

As I walked over to his dresser I said, "This room is really clean."

"Yeah, I've got a little bit of an obsessive compulsive disorder." That would definitely explain the neat theme of the entire house.

"You mean OCD?"

I felt him step up behind me. "Yes."

"Why didn't you just say OCD then?"

"I don't know," he replied as he swept all my hair to the left side of my head, exposing the right side of my neck.

I shivered as his breath hit my skin. "I think you just like using big words."

He chuckled and kissed my shoulder. "Maybe." He was silent for a moment as I leaned back against him, reveling in his warmth. He then mumbles, "I've missed you these last couple of days."

I turned in his arms to look at him. Our faces were so close that our noses almost touched. "I missed you too." He leaned in closer and kissed me slowly, making my knees quiver. My hand found their ways on either side of his neck as his gripped my waist tightly. I could spend the rest of my life just living in these kisses. Metaphorically, of course. Other than him himself, I've missed Brandon's kisses. I pulled back first to tell him such but he kissed my nose and asked me a question first.

"How's your week been?"

Okay, now's the time, Stella. It would totally break the mood but you need to tell him about Steven. You have nothing to hide anyway so why is this so hard to get out?

"I, uh… I went to see your sister last week." Well, not the exact thing I wanted to tell him but it's a start.

Brandon pulled back slightly, like I knew he would, but I gripped his suit sleeves tightly so he couldn't pull back fully. "Just hear me out. I've been thinking about how you guys have so much tension and maybe it would help you relax in the long run if you got over this… hatred you have for her, you know? Plus, it-"

Brandon sighed in an exasperated way. "What did you do, Stella?" Uh, oh. My legal name is back.

"I maybe… invited her to the party- wait," Brandon ignored my protest and broke contact from me. He ran a hand through his hair and stared at me intensely.

"You did what? Why–I told you to stay out of this."

"I know, but I-"

"Is she coming?" he interrupted.

"Well, she said she wasn't."

"Good," was all he said before going towards the door and opening it. He looked back at my frozen form. "Are you coming or not?" He had on his blank face. The one he uses when he doesn't want his expression to give away his true feelings.

I sighed and walked out of the room, Brandon in tow, shutting the door behind us. He began to walk in the direction of the stairs but my next words stopped him. "Please don't be mad. I was only trying to help."

His back was to me as he lifted his head towards the ceiling. When he brought it back down, he also turned towards me and reached an arm out. I cautiously stepped into is offered arm. He pulls me against his chest and kisses my head. "I need to keep a good mood to get through this party. Let's just forget about this for now and we'll talk about it later, alright?"

I nodded even though I'd rather talk it out right now. I didn't want us to be tense with each other the whole night. But if he'd rather do it that way then I'll go with it. It's his party. I reach up to kiss his cheek but he turns his head at the last minute and pecks my lips instead. I smile widely. We're okay.

For now.

Throughout the night, Brandon introduced me to what seemed like dozens of people. I didn't mind; I loved seeing him in the zone. He was so charismatic and professional. I even saw couple a women swoon when he greeted them. Surprisingly, I wasn't in the least bit jealous. Heck, I don't really blame them.

The party is actually starting to pick up with the dancing. Probably because the alcohol has started to kick in and people were feeling a little more bold. I saw Bloom and Sky on the dance floor doing the chicken dance. I took a video of it all. Maybe I could use it for blackmail later.

"Stella!" Brandon and I turn around at the sound of my name. It was Flora wearing and beautiful pink diamond-incrusted dress. She smiled gracefully and gave me a small hug. Looking over her shoulder I see Helia standing behind her. Hmm… so I guess she accepted his date offer.

"Flora, I absolutely love the decorations," I complimented.

She grinned. "Thanks. No help from him," Flora look at Brandon pointedly and lightly punched his shoulder.

"Don't even try it, Flora. We all know that decorating isn't my thing. And face it, if I even would've tried to give advice about it you would've chewed my head off."

"I would have to agree with that," Helia said. Flora mockingly glared at him and he put his hands up in defense. "Remember the party from three years ago? I suggested you move the flower vase away from the dance floor and you-"

Flora slapped his hand to Helia's mouth. She turned her head to me. "Sorry about that, Stella. You don't need to know about my anger fits."

I laughed and was about to respond when I heard Brandon mutter, "Damn it," and he was staring at the front door.

The door Mitzi and Steven just stepped through.

No no no no no no no no. This is not happening. Not only is Mitzi here but Steven really came with her. Flora and Helia saw the look on Brandon's face and became alarmed themselves. Brandon started forward and I tried to stop him but he shook me off and moved towards them. Flora glanced at the door, gasped, and turned back to me, accusation in her eyes. "You invited her, didn't you?"

"I-I- she said she wasn't going to come," I tried explaining. Brandon had now approached the couple and already things didn't seem to be friendly.

"Stella, I told you it wasn't a good idea! Now Brandon is going to lose his cool in front of everyone." She looked nervous and Helia put his hands on her shoulders. It seemed to relax her but only a little bit.

"I'll fix it," I proclaimed.

"How are you going to do that?"

"Watch me." I moved my way through the dancing and laughing people to reach Brandon, Mitzi, and Steven. The truth is that I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Once I reached them, I caught the last bit of something Mitzi was saying. "… right to be here as you do."

Brandon snorted but you could hardly hear it over the music playing. "Since when do you have the right to come to my house?"

"Alfea Corporations is a family company and if you have forgotten, I am a part of this family."

"First of all, I own Alfea now and even if you are unfortunately a part of this family," Mitzi flinched. Ouch, "it doesn't mean you're invited."

Steven decides at that time to acknowledge me. "Sweetness! Good seeing you here."

Mitzi looks up at him with an arched eyebrow. "You know her?"

"Oh, yeah. We go waaaaay back," Steven said. God, I wanted to slap the grin off his face. He held out his hand to Brandon. "Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Woods."

"Who are you?" Brandon asked without shaking his hand. Great, Brandon already had a bad feeling about him.

"Steven. Steven Shaw." Brandon locked up completely then. It was loud in the house but the silence between the four of us was all I could concentrate on. I chose to break it.

"Okay, can you two just go? Please?" I pleaded. Brandon was now giving Steven a death glare but Steven was looking at me.

Mitzi balked. "You're the one who invited me in the first place."

"Yeah," Steven nodded mockingly. "You should be glad I convinced her to go-"

"Why in the hell would she need you for anything?" Brandon barked out. I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back slightly.

"Brandon, let's go over here for a second," I whisper-shouted. Maybe it would've worked if Steven hadn't started talking again.

"Come on, Mitzi. Let's go. I'll see Sweetness later." Mitzi went to protest but Brandon interrupted her.

"What did you just call her," he questioned. Not nicely either but I'm sure that was already understood.

Steven lifted his brows. "Oh, just an old nickname. She knows about it right, Sweetness?"

Brandon took a step straight at him but I planted myself right in front of him before he could make any more forward progression.

"Brandon, stop it. Please. He isn't worth it. You don't want to cause a huge scene like this. Not here," I tried reasoning. He stopped moving but didn't relax at all. I noticed Flora and Helia have made it over to the confrontation.

"Fine. I'll leave," With that, Brandon stepped away from me and moved around all of us to the door.

I saw Steven's face fall at Brandon's proclamation. What? Was he sad that he wouldn't be able to pick at Brandon some more?

Steven stepped up behind Brandon quickly. "Dude, I wouldn't do that."

Brandon ignored him and went outside, shutting the door behind him. I paused for a second before rushing outside to find him. He hadn't stepped off the porch yet when I said, "Brandon, stop!"

"No, you stop, Stella!" He whirled around to me. "I need to get some air or something before I punch your ex in the face."

"Okay, I understand that but-"

"But nothing!" he exclaimed then he blew out a breath roughly. "I'm just going to take a drive. Let me do that in peace, okay?"

I nodded, slowly. "I'm sorry."

"Stop saying you're sorry. It isn't fixing anything." He walked away towards the right side of the house where all the cars are. About five minutes later I went back in the house. He needed space and that's least I could give him.

The only two people left by the door were Flora and Helia. "Well?" Flora questioned.

"He… he went for a ride. He needed space." From me.

Flora chewed her lip. "I'm going after him with my car then. I don't care if he wants to be alone. He might do something stupid."

"He's a grown man, Flora," Helia pointed out.

"I don't care," she retorted. "He's still my brother. Are you coming?" She wasn't talking to me. She wasn't even looking at me.

Helia nodded so she took his hand and they walked out of the house with no words for me. My eyes blurred with tears but I blinked them away. Once this party is over and Brandon cooled down, we would be able to sit down and have an uninterrupted conversation.

I walked around the dancing bodies and went into the kitchen where I seemed to interrupt a heated argument between Mitzi and Steven. When Mitzi saw me she quickly turned her head and tried to discreetly wipe her face. Steven walked up to me quickly.

"Did you stop him?"

By him I'm assuming he meant Brandon. "Why do you care?" I say harshly.

"Just tell me, Stella."

"I'm not telling you a damn thing." I shoved him in the shoulder.

Mitzi loudly sobbed and made me glance at her curiously. "Why is she crying?"

He ignored me. "Did he take a walk to get air? Or did he drive his car?"

"Why. Do. You. Care?"

Mitzi shouted, "Did he take the car?!"

"Yes. Now tell me-" I was interrupted by my phone's ringtone in my purse.

Baltor stared at the purse before shutting his eyes. "Because the–Stella I'm sorry."

"You should be sorry! I told you not to come!"

He shook his head. "Not about that. I'm sorry for what's about to happen."

I scrutinize him a second longer before answering my frantic phone. "Hello?"

"Stella? Oh, God, Stella," I could barely understand Flora's blabbering over the phone. She sounded like she couldn't stop crying.

"Flora? What's wrong? What happened," I asked even though my gut was already telling me.

"G-get to the hospital. B-Brandon's been in an accident."

A/N: So…. Don't kill me okay? And before you get too upset just remember I always write HEA's( Happily Ever After's), okay? Okay.

We broke 200 reviews! Once again thanks to every loyal reader and reviewer out there plus all my new readers and reviewers. Love ya ;-)

Hmmm why was Mitzi crying? How did Steven know what was about to happen? If he knew then why come to the party and be the reason for Brandon leaving? So many questions soon to be answered.

I'll lay off the major drama in a future chapter. I don't know if it's next chapter or the one after that but it'll be one of them. And it'll be extra fluffy.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I've gotta slow down. Do you guys even want more after this? There's only one way I can know…

So…Review!