Three Years Ago

Today is the day I've been looking forward to for years. It's the result of all the hard work I did as a trainer at one of Blake's hotels. I am now ready to open my own gym today. I was roaming around to check if anyone needed anything at the opening party of my gym when my eyes landed on my family.

I rushed toward them because I had been waiting for them since they said they were coming to my party.

I smiled, and my tone reflected my happiness to see them. "Thank you all for coming," while looking at my parents. "I know, Mom and Dad, you both aren't fond of these kinds of parties, but your presence means the world to me."

Dad kept his hand over my shoulder to show his support and Mom smiled. "There's nothing that could have kept me away from celebrating my son's big day."

Agatha and Agness, I looked at my sisters, and I warned them with my narrowed eyes. "Try to have fun at the party, and keep yourselves distant from all the boys here."

Before Agatha and Agness responded and we started a new argument, Dad cut us off. "Ian, leave my daughters alone and let them enjoy the party."

Mom and Dad walked off to sit somewhere quiet. Agatha told me that the guy next to Blake was looking hot.

I snarled while looking at her and she burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Agnes remarked, "I really don't like anyone here so I am heading to the food."

I smiled and pointed at Agnes. "You're always my sweet baby sister."

Agnes shook her head. "I'm not interested in any guy here because I love my boyfriend back home."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you still seeing those blue eyes?"

Agnes threw her hands in the air. "Ian, you really need to stop threatening our boyfriends."

Before I could answer, I looked up and saw Blake and Thea. I smiled and turned back to my sisters. "This will be continued; because we're not done yet," and then I walked over to them.

I punched Blake on the shoulder. "Why the ear-to-ear smile?"

Blake beamed back. "I can't hold this anymore. You're the first to know – even Margot doesn't know yet. Thea and I are getting married."

I punched him again, this time a real harder. "Okay, the first one, I know but for this one, you need to give me a good reason because it was fucking hard."

I shot up my shoulders. "I am happy for you, asshat."

We all had a good laugh and then I turned to Thea. "I thought you were an intelligent and wise girl, but you chose him, " I pointed at Blake, "What exactly do you see in this weirdo?"

Thea laughed, her eyes sparkling.

Margot joined us at the party with her boyfriend, Phil. She is Blake's only sister, and I've known her since school. I had an inkling she liked me at the time, but one day I overheard her chat with her best friend, Kev, in which she confessed her feelings for me. Despite this, I never looked at Margot that way.

We did, however, have a surprise moment at Kev's mansion following her dad's death. We kissed during a vulnerable moment. It was unexpected and made us both feel embarrassed. We didn't see or speak to each other for years after that kiss, each carrying the weight of that awkward encounter. It wasn't until she met Phil that we were able to reconnect and work things out. Now that we're on good terms again, I invited her and her boyfriend to my party, and she showed up.

Margot asked. "What is happening here? Why is everybody laughing?"

Blake and Thea together announced it enthusiastically. "We are getting married."

Margot covered her mouth with her hands. "OMG, I don't know who to congrats first, you both or Ian."

I raised my hand to reassure her. "They have stolen the show."

Phil asked. "So, when is the big day?"

Blake looked at Margot. "Sorry, sis, you have only a month for all the preparations."

Margot's eye widened. "No way; please don't do this to me. You are my only brother and I want to do everything."

Thea smiled and kept her hand over Margot's shoulder. "We have decided to get married right after Blake's tournament."

Margot looked at Blake. "You are not going to help us in the preparations?"

Blake bobbed his head with a grin. "Yes, this is true."

Thea and Blake's relationship had its struggles at first, but they were always able to get through difficult times together. After a month, at the age of 24, Blake married the love of his life, and I was honored to be his best man.

Gisele was Thea's maid of honor, and I saw her after three years. When our eyes met, she smiled, and I responded to the gesture. Even as we stood at the altar, waiting for the bride, Blake inquired if I was interested in anyone at the wedding. I clenched my jaw and muttered, "One best friend doesn't need to get married just because another is."

Blake chuckled. "But wouldn't it be nice if we both got married in the same year?"

I reminded him. "Focus on Thea and stop worrying about my love life."

After the ceremony, Gisele came to me. "Hello."

I looked at her and nodded. I showed myself to be busy having dinner. Gisele sighed. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

I gestured with my hand, signaling her to go ahead, and she took a seat next to me. I wanted to be polite but wasn't sure what to say or do next. Gisele sensed my hesitation and broke the silence.

Gisele pointed at me. "For God's sake, I am not gonna assume any wrong signal if you talk to me."

I looked at her as I was taken aback. "Who are you? a mind reader?"

Gisele shook her head and laughed. "I enjoy reading people so I have my ways to see through them."

I put my fork and knife down on the plate. "Have you ever met someone who could read your mind?"

Gisele made a tight line of her lips and nodded. "Yeah, I met someone recently who really surprised me with his intelligence."

I looked at my plate to resume eating. "He surprised Gisele," I looked at her, "Which isn't an easy job, I really want to meet him."

Gisele rolled her eyes. "Are you still having issues trusting girls or have you met someone special?"

I pressed my lips, and she continued, "Come on, those green eyes on your chest—I'm not sure who they belong to but try to start trusting other eyes as well."

I squeezed my eyes. "Please don't break your record; you were the only one who noticed that tattoo and didn't mention it."

Gisele teased me, her eyes widening. "Has the once, first- timer become a playboy now?"

I raised my hands and gave in. "I am not going to answer this."

Gisele started digging into her plate. "No need to do that because I already knew it."

I asked her to change the topic of discussion. "How come I never see you after..."

Gisele completed my sentence. "After we had sex."

I nodded. "Yes."

God, how can she be that confident and straightforward?

Gisele responded while eating. "Because I don't live in Glisten anymore."

I looked at her. "Really, where do you live?"

Gisele looked at me and smirked. I knew what she meant so I chuckled. "I didn't mean at all what you interpreted."

Gisele laughed. "To answer your question, I live in LA."