Hey guys, we are a few chapters away from ending Not Another Cinderella Story and I just want to say thanks for staying by this book and reading it.

***
“What now? I just can’t figure it out.”
~What now by (Rihanna)

“You guys know we are already running late, right?” Hadid, who is already dressed up in a black three-suit and white long-sleeve, announces as he steps into my room, where Wesley is applying Felicity’s makeup on her face.

No way in hell did I know he could do that, nor did I believe him when he told me we didn’t need a make-up artist yesterday. I laughed and shoved him out of my way as I was already late for a psychology class, but he caught me by my hand and when I glanced up at him, he gave me a very serious look.

I then told him he’d have to first show me as the wedding was tomorrow and I wasn’t prepared to have my mother look like a Disney witch on her wedding day. So after we were done with the decoration of the house, we all came inside together and Wesley went to his room and brought out his make-up kit. It was a big box that got even bigger when he opened it.

It didn’t make sense, so I asked why he never told me or Hadid or even hinted at it all these months he’s been here.

Then he told us his mother was a make-up artist and that he’d learnt everything from her while he was growing up and was going to pursue the dream, but the dream died when his father found out. In Wesley’s own words. He had an empire and his only son was going to run it.

But no one is running the empire now since his father practically disowned him months ago.

He also told us he was also scared we’d make fun of him, just like his friends had done in the past. They called him cheeky and a girl to the point he had to give hide his make-up kit and then told them he had destroyed it.

Anyway, Wesley was amazing with his art of makeup because when he was done, I looked like a goddess.

“Give us 3 minutes,” Wesley requests, now applying a little blush on mom’s face.

“I’ll tell the driver three more minutes and this is will be the last time I’m going there to push the time.” He says before walking away.

“Is three minutes enough?” I asked in a sceptical tone of voice.

He glances at me and smirks. “I’m already done.” He says before a guilty smile covers his face.

“Then why did you say three more minutes?”

“I wanted to piss him off.” He chuckles and walks over to my bed to pick up his black suit before shrugging it on.

“You’re a horrible person.”

He winks at me. “You would not have me another way. But you’ve got to admit it is funny.”

We hurriedly made our way outside. “We are already late and there is no cutting around it. We needed to hurry, so Alex doesn’t end up thinking his soon-to-be wife changed her mind.” I say as we reach where the car.

“I’ve been singing that song for 20 minutes now. No one seemed to have cared,” Hadid answers, with a frown settling on his face.

Wesley puts his hand on Hadid’s shoulder, “Oh Hadid, that’s because you’re a horrible singer.”

Hadid slaps his hand off and glares at Wesley, who can’t help chuckling like a crazy person while Hadid shoves him away.

I and mom enter the limo and I yell, “Get in guys.” at the two little children still standing outside.

**
“We are late!” I say for the tenth time since being in the car.

“We know.” Hadid and Wesley respond in unison.

“It’s not like you saying it will make us get there any faster, but nice try.” Wesley rubs my legs.

I turn to the calm and reserved one among us who hasn’t shown a hint of worry since the day began.

“Aren’t you worried?”

She smiles, making her face look even more beautiful. “It’s my day. The day I get to marry the most amazing man in the world and I will not let little things like going late ruin this day.”

“Well, technically the priest might decide to cancel if—” Hadid doesn’t get to finish before Wesley elbows his stomach.

“What I believe Hadid is trying to say is the priest will wait for us, and everything will be perfect, just like the bride today,” Wesley says instead.

If glares could set people on fire, then Wesley would be ash already with the intensity of the glare on Hadid’s face.

“Thank you guys so much for this.” Mom says, “I genuinely appreciate it.”

The limo stops and the driver announces, “We are here!”

We all get down and walk into the church. The congregation was not so many and it was better this way only family and close friends are here.

Alex is already at the altar and once he sees us, his face loses and an expression of relief overshadows his face. A wide smile breaks out on it as well and the smile is matched with the one on mom’s face too.

We all make our way to the front row and Hadid Wesley and I take our seats while Felicity goes to stand beside Alex and, together, they both approach the priest.

Alex and Mom, who were in my words too eager to get it over with, then read and answered the vows.

The reception was better than we thought. The decorations were not as bad as we thought they were, or at least no one ‘side talked’ about it to my hearing.

The compound, although small, could contain the 63 guests we had and well, we planned for 70, so it was all good.

“I have to admit today is better than I thought it would be,” Noah says from behind me before I feel his strong arms wrap around my waist.

I lean against him. “You thought it would be a disaster?”

“No, I thought you would be a disaster.” It doesn’t take him a second to blurt it out.

I pull away to stare at him and although there’s laughter on his face, there is also sincerity. “You always think the worst of me, don’t you?”

“Contrary to what you think I think of you, I think you’re a nice person”

I wish I could believe him, but he doesn’t even know me, so I don’t get why he’d say that.

“You don’t know that.”

“I don’t, but I know what has happened here today, and it’s all you.”

I shake my head. “I’m not taking the glory, if that’s what you’re hoping for.”

“I would, but you’re not me, and that’s what makes you different.”

I sigh and wiggle my body from his hold before turning to him. “What do you want?”

“What?” He asks with furrowed brows.

“The cheap compliments and words that’s not you Noah, so what do you want? I have to tell you I can’t do sex right now. There are things I have to attend to first.”

“You think I’ll pull you out to have sex with you?” He asks, his face becoming distorted.

“Yes.” I instantly reply, “You’ve done it before when you pulled me from the Leeds campaign front.”

He pauses and bites on his lower lips, “You’re right that’s what I normally do, but that’s not what I’m doing here”

“You’ve been rubbing your crotch against my ass for the past six minutes.” I pointed out.

“And I’m not hard because that wasn’t what I was thinking about.” He counters in defence. “But you’re right, I want something and instead of having a written letter drafted to you, I’m here in person.”

My brow rises. “What is it?”

He collects two glasses of wine from a guest. “Go get yourself another one, buddy.” He says and gives one to me. “Well, I want you to come home with me for Christmas.” He takes a sip of his wine.

“Is it something I can say no to?” I say and cringe at the strong alcohol present in this wine as I tasted it.

He laughs at my action, but shakes his head. “It’s not. The Castillo’s always have a Christmas reunion at the family home every year and everyone will come there with their spouse and girlfriends, and I want you there with me. Plus, it’s still part of our contract.”

“Is it a request or an order, then?” I cross my hand over my chest.

He empties the wine in the glass into his mouth. “Both.”

It isn’t like I have a choice in this situation. Although I know there’s a significant risk of being under the same roof as Luke being, there’s no way Luke won’t be there at the Castillo family reunion. “When are we leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?!” I exclaimed, unable to help my surprise.

He gives me a confused look. “Christmas is in a week, Avril.”

I take a sip of the wine and I swallow it down; it was horrible but not as horrible as the feeling I’m already having on the inside. “Alright then, I’ll put my things in order tonight.”

“I already have.” He answers.

“What does that mean?”

His mouth twitches. “I can’t tell you all my secrets except you tell me yours.” He pulls me closer, and this is the first time he’s been this intimate with me in public after officially coming out in public months ago. “Just tell me you won’t run away.”

I smile at him. “I’ll try not to.”

He takes my lips in his for a deep kiss. His lips taste of strawberry and alcohol and it intoxicates me I lean in to get more taste of him. “I look forward to tomorrow, then.” He collects the remaining wine in the glass from my hand and pours it into his mouth before walking away.