Chapter 27

“She can’t be in love with me,” I tried to denied.

“She does and she still is,” Brianna stressed, “Why do you think she want the double date? She wants you to be her date.”

“But I don’t want to be hers, I want to be yours,” I stressed, “You should just tell her directly that you mind sharing her with me.”

“Well, you, yourself tell her you don’t mind,” Brianna accused me.

“Because you said you don’t,” I defended. Brianna rolled her eyes at me.

“It’s too late now,” Brianna pointed out, “You already agreed to be her date too.”

“If only we could find someone to be her date that night,” I voiced out my opinion.

“You mean like a blind date?” chuckled Brianna and I nodded. “I don’t think she’ll be happy with that.”

“I know she won't but I still hope we’ll find someone,” I sighed and then looked intensely at Brianna, “We need to get your sister off our back. She needs to know that I don’t love her like she wants me to love her. She needs to know that I’m in love with you not her. I think that’s the only way to make her back off,” I suggested.

“I don’t know Rick,” Brianna inhaled deeply, “I’m afraid she might not take it easy when she knows about us.”

“We won’t know unless we tried?” I pointed out, “Besides, I think everyone will try to talk some sense in her. I know Keysh would do that.”

Brianna bites her lips, “I just don’t like to see she’s hurt when she knows about us,” telling me her concerned.

I touched her hand, “Well, she might felt hurt in the beginning but I think she would able to accept it,” I tried to convince her.

“I hope you are right, but I still don’t feel good about it,” said Brianna softly and inhaled again before continued, “Can we wait after charity dinner before we tell her and everyone? At least, she have some time to spend with you and during that time you can convince her your true feelings or we could also hinted to her how we really felt towards each other. So, if later we tell her about us, she won’t be so shock,” she suggested.

“Well, alright,” I sighed not fully agreed wih her, “Let’s hope she’s happy for both of us.”

“Yeah, let’s hope so,” smiled Brianna.

The dinner night finally came and I was already downstairs waiting for the girls to come down.

“Wow, you look dashing,” Elise compliment me as she came down the stairs with Mike, both smiling sweetly at me.

“Thanks,” I blushed at the same time heard the bell door rang.

“I’ll get it,” said Mike walking towards the door and at the same time I heard someone coming down the stairs.

I looked up and my mouth gape at the beautiful girl who’s gracefully walking down the stairs. She looked beautiful and elegant in her one shoulder black grown. This is the first time I saw her in gown and she look stunning. It’s Brianna or is it really her?

“Hi, Rick,” she blushed as she acknowledged me. Well, her voice confirmed it her.

“Wow,” was all I said to her without taking my eyes off her.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she softly scolded me, hitting my arms trying to hide her blush.

“I will also look at you like that, if I were him,” Mike chuckled looking at both of us. Brianna blushed profusely, while I just grinned. “You look stunning, darling,” Mike continued as he kissed her cheek.

“Thanks, dad,” Brianna smiled and looked the boy standing beside him, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, this is Kane. He has just moved here and he went to the same school with Lily,” informed Elisa while we shook his hand. “I’ve asked Kane to be Lily’s date for tonight,” she added, “Since he too didn’t have anyone to ask.” I softly let out a relieved. Thank god. I felt like kissing Elisa at that instant.

“Does Lily know about this?” asked Brianna looking concerned.

“No, it’s surprise,” chuckled Elisa.

“Mom,” Brianna scowled and pulled her to one corner and whispering something to Elisa. We all turned our heads when we heard someone walking down the stairs. It was Lily, smiling at everyone as she coming down the stairs. She looked sexy in her strapless short tight red dress and red high heels shoes. I wonder how she could really walk with it without falling.  Her hair was tied to the side. Her eyes were on me and she grinned widely as she stepped down.

“Hi, Rick,” she smiled, “What do you think?” she asked and twilling around at the same time.

“You look great,” I said smiling at her.

“Thanks,” she all smiled and before she could wrap her arms around me, Elisa pulled her.

“Lily, I think you know Kane?” Elisa said shoving Kane towards her, “Since he didn’t have anyone to ask and you don’t have a date. I’ve asked him to be yours and he’s agreed. Isn’t that charming?”

“What?” scoffed Lily, “I’ve already have Rick for my date,” she pouted.

“Rick is Brianna’s date,” Mike cut-in, “It wouldn’t be nice to share a date. Kane is new here and he didn’t really know anyone. I know you can be a good girl and introduce him around.”

Lily pouted her lips and I could see that she isn’t happy but Mike gave her a stern look as if warning her to agree with the plan.

She inhaled deeply and glared at Kane before agreeing, “Alright.”

“Well, it’s settled then,” smiled Elisa, “Come let’s go,” she ushered us towards the door, “Brianna, you go with Rick and you both follow us in the car,” she pointed at Lily and Kane as we walked out. I could see Lily grumpily followed her with an angry face while I smirk. Yay, I have time alone to be with my Brianna.

Both Briannan and I waited until they left before I hold her hand and walked towards my car. "You look so stunning tonight," I compliment when we reached the car and turned her facing me before kissing her ears.

"Hmm, really, no wonder you couldn't keep you mouth close. I think a fly has gone in," she teased.

"Hah," I mocked, "I think I realised you too can keep your eyes off me when you came down the stairs just now," moving closer to her and wrapping my arms around her.

She chuckled and wrapping her arms around my neck, "Hmm, I have to admit, you do look stunning too," she said, "But I have my reason why I need to look stunning tonight."

"Oh, my I know why?" I playfully asked.

"Well, I'm going to be the centre of attraction tonight and I just want to give you a gentle reminder what you going to lose if you don't put on a good price on me," she smiled coyly.

"Ahh, with this look, I'm definitely not going to loose you," I promised her.

"Hmm, good," she smiled giving me a peck before pouting her lips, "What's you reason to look stunning tonight?"

"Well, I wanted to get other girls attention, at least I wouldn't be lonely when you not around," I playfully joke. She playfully pushed me but I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, “But don’t worry, baby, I just have my eyes on you,” and planted a kiss on her sweet lips. “On second thought, why don’t we just go back inside and spend the rest of the night ourselves,” I playfully suggested.

She whack my hand, “You crazy,” she chuckled, “They will be looking for us,” she said before turning away from me, “We better get going, I don’t want them to wonder where we are?”

I laughed, “I think your mom would suspect.” Brianna rolled her eyes while sitting in the car as I closed the door and walked over to the side of the car before driving us both to our destination.

When we reached the hotel where the dinner is, Brianna introduced me to some of the people she knew. Some of them are her college and ex-high school friends. Most of them are also taking part in auction.

"Hmm, so you are the mysterious Rick. We finally meet you," said one of her girlfriends.

"Ahh, I can see now why you been hiding him from us, Bree," teased her other friend, "He's a stealler," she said while the rest laughed. I just smiled while Brianna keep blushing when her friend added, "You both look cute together."

They finally leave us when we entered the hall and walking towards our table, "You told your friends about us?" I asked Brianna.

She smiled, "They make me tell them," she confessed.

"I'm so glad you did. You don't know how proud I am when your friends acknowledged me as your boyfriend."

"You know what?" Brianna looked at me still smiling, "I feel proud too being your girlfriend."

"If that the case, I don't see a reason why we should still hide what we feel from everyone," I smiled at her.

"Agreed," she nodded her head and kissed my cheek before we continued walking to our table where most of the Silverstones have seated including Lily who's from far I could see sulking her face obviously not happy with the arrangement that Elisa has made for her. What more when she saw Brianna and me walking hand in hand towards our seat. I could see she's not happy but try to act as if nothing happen.

"Rick, sit here," she said patting a chair next to her.

I smiled but pretended I didn't hear her as I acknowledged both Andrew and Steve. After shaking their hands, I pulled the chair for Brianna to sit besides her instead while I sat beside Steve.

The dinner went well and after nearly two hours later, Brianna excused herself, "It's time to get ready," she said while pushing her chair backwards to get up. I got up from my seat too helping her up. "Thanks," she smiled and then whispered, "I'm counting on you."

"Hmm, you know you can do that," I said to her kissing her cheek. I pretend not to notice that Lily was glaring at us.

When she left, Lily immediately moved to sit besides me. I felt she puts her hand on my thigh rubbing it softly.

I pushed her hand away, "What are you doing?" I gritted my teeth trying not to say it out loud to avoid the rest of the family from hearing it, but I think Keyshia noticed because she was shooting daggers at Lily as if warning her to behave. I'm glad she didn't continued what she's doing but moved her seat closer to me instead. I have to control myself from yelling at her but I don't want to disgrace her in front of everyone. I did what I think the best, ignored her as if she's not sitting besides me and continued talking to Steve about nonsense stuff instead. I think it’s enough being nice to her.

The auction finally begins and one by one the sons and daugthers of the members were sold. Some were up to 1000 pound. At last Brianna came up the stairs with as sweet smile on her face. The auctioner begins the price at 200 poun just like everyone else. As soon as her price is up, a guy in mid-forties put up his number, meaning he’s interested to buy her.

"Ahh, Mr. Morris couldn't wait to have Brianna," mocked Lily.

"That's Mr. Morris?" I asked and Lily nodded confirming it.

Before I know it some guy agreed to buy her at 250 pound. Then the price keeps going up and up before I have the chance of putting up my number. Wow, almost everyone wants my Brianna which I notice, most of them were male.

"1,500 pound," yelled Mr. Morris making everybody clapped their hands. I was stunned. Is this guy really interested in my girl?

"I've told you Mr. Morris would want her," I could hear a mock in Lily voice.

"1,500 going once," I heard the auctioner said. I saw Brianna looked at me with a worried face, biting her lips. Damn, does she think I'm going to let her down? No, way I’m going to let him have her.

"1,500 going......." before the auctioned finished I stood up.

"3,000 pound," I yelled and there was silence in the hall. I could feel everyone eyes were on me especially Brianna. She had her eyes and mouth opened, maybe stunned at the price that I'm willing to pay for her. I smiled smugly at her and suddenly I heard someone clapped and then followed by the rest.

The auctioner yelled, "3,000 going once," she paused for a few second before going again, "3,000 going twice," and finally I heard she said, "Sold to the gentleman no. 48. Congratulation, sir,” she said and signaled me to come forward. “May I know your name, sir?”

“I’m Rick Anderson,” I responded.

“I understand that you’re Brianna’s date for tonight,” she smiled while announcing it.

“Yes, I am,” I nodded.

“Wow, that’s the highest bidding for tonight. Do you have any relationship with our sweet Brianna, that you willing to pay so much for her?” she raised her eyebrows teasingly at me.

“Hmm……” I shutter and before I could further response Brianna took the microphone.

Wrapping her hand around mine, she announce with a proud smile on her face, “He’s my boyfriend."