To Endure A Little More

TWENTY ONE

*Aelia’s Point Of View*

The party felt quite pleasant and although it had been quite a long time since I had last been to a party as such, I didn't find any difficulties fitting in; even after Jeremy had left me  right after stunning me with our encounter during the dance, to pay his respects to his relatives who attended the party. His speech for his father was splendid without fault and his love for his father was touching. But again, I was reminded of Luan. Luan and his father both shared the skill of art and they'd often sit together to paint something fabulous from their imagination which was actually interesting to watch. Their bond used to be similar to the one I see Jeremy and his father share. Although, there were too many etiquettes and rules to abide by for him, as if he was a prince who lived in the eighteen hundredths.

However, i noticed it upset Terran though. He hadn't ever had the experience of a lovely moment alone with his father. Not that his father loathed him but they could never be as close. His father rather loved his older son, more. He would always treat him as an excellent boy despite his failures but in his eyes, he could see nothing but only Terran’s flaws. He did love Terran too as his but he didn't show any love to Terran as a person. He was always set on pointing Terran’s flaws out. Terran however did wish dearly to have a better relationship with his father; one of genuine love and understanding. He wished his father would look at him and believe in him and understand him, support him instead of force upon him.

Speaking of Terran, I wondered where he had suddenly run off to after receiving a second call from his father. While he was giving me company earlier, I had made many attempts at making his mood better but all went in vein and his foul mood remained. I guessed his father has told him something that pissed him off. I wondered what. Not that I wanted to pry on their privacy but I was simply curious why it pissed Terran to a point that his off mood about it was visible. Terran usually doesn't show his real emotions much.

While I was getting drifted away in my thoughts, I suddenly felt a someone shake me. I turned behind to see Jeremy himself. He looked concerned, laced with a hint of nervousness in him.

"Hey Aelia, you alright?"

"Yeah, of course. It's a lovely party."

"So you wanna meet the hosts then?" He asked, getting me a little confused. "I mean, meet my parents. I want to introduce you to my parents." His hand rubbed the back of his head in nervousness.

"Oh, yes of course." I smiled and chuckled afterwards at him being shy about it. Jeremy breathes out a sigh of relief while nervousness builds up in me. I was about to meet his parents and I wondered if they'd like me. If I wanna build a future with Jungkook, it's utmost important to have is parents like me for the better. But I could feel nothing but guilt in me because all I've seen and thought tonight has led me to thinking about Luan. Jeremy shouldn’t deserve someone who can’t give the whole of themselves to him. How can I walk with Jeremy when a different man is on my mind. I felt full of shame and hesitancy. Maybe Luan was right to insult me the way he did when he moved in to share my dorm room. And I don't want to just lead Jeremy on. He's such a nice person, he deserves all the bests in the world. And he for sure as hell, does not deserve me.

"Let's go then, shall we?" Jeremy offered me his arm which I took, breathing out to calm myself down. We walked towards his parents who seemed to be busy talking to some guests. Jeremy gently called them and they parted ways from the other couple they were being accompanied by and approached us.

"Mother, Father, meet Aelia." I politely bowed low and smiled as my eyes met theirs while Jeremy introduced me.

"Sweetheart, it's great to finally meet you. We've heard about you a lot." His mother said, calling me in for a hug. As for being his step mother, she wasn't anything like we've heard about step mothers in fairytales. It was visible that she was genuinely sweet and that she loved Jeremy as much her own son.

"Our son was right about you being absolutely gorgeous." Jeremy’s father complimented.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. It is very lovely to finally meet you too, I'm glad I was invited to this wonderful evening." I spoke politely with a smile plastered to my face and I could Jeremy was proud of me. "Also, Happy Birthday Mr.Peterson. I couldn't help but bring you a present although your invitation card had asked me not to."

"Oh sweetheart, why take the trouble. We had clearly suggested to not bring any gifts. Your presence here for the celebration is enough." Mr Peterson said.

"Like I mentioned, I couldn't help myself." I said with blush coating my cheeks, making Jeremy’s parents c***k a laugh. Jeremy’s hand had snaked around my waist, keeping me closer which had heated my body up. "It's just a small gift from my friend Park Terran and I." With my words, Terran approached us and shook hands with Mr Peterson.

The conversation was going lovely and I was quite glad Jungkook's parents had shown no signs of disliking me. They are amazing people to be honest and they really know how to keep their guests entertained.  Mrs Jeon was super funny and I realised Seokjin has her genes which is why he's so great at being funny.  They prevented me to feel like today was the first time I had met them and it felt as if we were so close like I we've known each other for ages.

Our conversation was intruded when a lady had called Mrs. Peterson from behind, preventing us from seeing her face. Jeremy’s parents face lit up by the couples presence just as much as Terran’s jaw clenched in disappointment. He slipped his hand in mine, squeezing it in a way as if he was trying to tell me to stay calm. I was confused what he meant till I saw the faces of our parents. The lady was my mother and the man was Terran’s father.

I grew skeptical at their presence here since I never knew they were friends with the Peterson family. My mother however smiled at me as if she was expecting me here. Excusing myself, I pulled my mother aside as Terran and his father followed.

"My princess, it's lovely to see you smiling after so long. You look beautiful tonight." Mother said as I smiled back out of courtesy.

"Thankyou, mum. Why didn't you tell me you where coming too, I could've picked you up. You didn't have to come alone."

"Sweetheart, I came with Mr.Hadleigh. We actually were hoping we could have a word with you and Terran." She said, hints of concern on her expression.

"What is it, mother? Are you alright? You look like your growing pale." I asked with worry as she shook her head. "Terran and I are here now, you can speak to us now."

"Listen Aelia, you know whatever I do is to give you the best right?" She said, holding my hands firmly as Terran grew sensitive next to me. I was still confused. "I and Terran's father, Mr.Hadleigh... I mean, Garfield... Garfield and I have decided on taking another step... together." She took one my hand along with Terran's. Terran shut his eyes in a way that it showed he already knew what she was about to say.

"Terran, your father and I are planning to move on from the past and into the better future we are hoping for all of us...by getting married." She said as my heart skipped a beat, disbelief starting to engulf me as i try processing.

"I know." Terran voices out with no emotion as I was still dazed while trying to process.

"What?" I freed my hands from her grasp, speaking with inability to understand.

"Baby, listen to me. It's for the better sake of you and Terran. It's getting hard for me to take care of myself, if not the company and you altogether. And Garfield has been facing the same."

"Lilith and Andrew are enough to handle the companies!" I said, having tears swell up in my eyes. I couldn't believe they were ready to give up on my father and Terran's mother; especially on the day that marked the death anniversary of Luan's family which was followed by the deaths of my father, Terran's mother and our happy lives.

"For how long! They have a life of their own too and now that they will get married too soon, we must let them go! Garfield and I together can help you and Terran grow up together to a better future." She said as I found nothing to serve her as a reply.

I walked away from them in disbelief, running away to anywhere. I walked out to the garden to get some fresh air and to calm myself. I find Terran following me too.

"Sun..."

"I know what you are going to say." I say, trying not to break down as he pulls me into a hug. "I now know why you were so upset earlier." He simply nodded, caressing my back in soothing circles.

"Listen, Terran. Having you officially as my brother will be honestly amazing and a blessing granted. You are already more than just a brother to me and I don't mind being your family by name too. But—"

"I know. When I first got the news I was scared too. Because you know very well the relationship I have with my father is quite ugly. I don't want you to see him hurt me like he does... but if you are my sister, I have nothing to hide from you." Terran said, afraid to meet my eyes.

"Of course, i would never judge and protect you at all costs. You know that, dont you? With me around, I promise to never let him hurt you again." I said as Terran smiled, making me somewhat relieved.

"But Aelia, there's something more you need to know. The real reason why I was actually mad..." Terran started as I raised a brow.

"Your mom... is... uh how do I say this!" I held Terran's hand to assure him that I can take it. "She's pregnant with my father's child." He said and I lost my senses.

"What?!"

"Yeah, we are having a blood related sibling. Reason why they are actually getting married... for the sake of the child...not us..."

"Terran, I- ..."

Sounds of palms clapping grasped our attention. We saw a man approaching us out of the dark, clapping is hands like he's applauding us.

"Aelia Dallarosa... oh my bad, I guess I'll have to call you Aelia Hadleigh soon. Oh maybe, Aelia Peterson afterwards." Luan said as my heart clenched in surprisal. "Well either way, you couldn't have mine as your surname after all..." his words shot me like a dagger.

"Guess it's another one of your promises you couldn't keep."