“What? You’ve been hiding such a big matter like this from us since yesterday?” Dave retorted, sitting beside her, “What were you planning to do by that?”
“I didn’t hide it from you willingly. It’s because I had no choice,” Aileen replied, looking down at her hands. “I didn’t want to trouble you.”
Dave sighed, looking up at both of their faces. “What are we going to do now? There’s no point in hiding anything from anyone right now.”
Emilia glanced at Aileen’s face and touched Dave’s shoulder. “Well, everything was going to come to light someday or another. Maybe, this is an opportunity? Make use of it.”
Dave looked back at her and nodded, “You are right. I’ll see what I can do.”
He turned to Aileen.
“After I’m done dealing with this problem, I’m going to deal with the Skylar of yours personally. And you can’t defend him this time, remember that.”
Aileen remained silent about it.
He got up from his feet and walked out of the room.
Emilia looked at Aileen and caressed her back. “Don’t worry, everything will be alright. I’m with you through thick and thin.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Emilia stayed at home to cook breakfast for them and Aileen went back to her room.
She looked for her phone and found it on her bed.
She picked it up to see around 50+ texts and calls from Skylar. The final message showed-“You will regret making me angry.”
Her brows furrowed in worry. “Because I didn’t check my phone, he leaked the pictures as he said he would? He’s really out of his mind, isn’t he?”
“At least the problem you were worried about so much is now fixed. Your mom has accepted your relationship,” Kiki, the wolf replied.
“Yeah, you are right about that.”
Her phone started ringing suddenly. She thought it was from Skylar but it was from Marshall.
She hesitated a bit to pick up the call but answered anyway, “Hello?”
“Aileen, sorry to disturb you. But, you are coming over this evening, right?”
“Coming over?”
“It’s Becky’s birthday today. Did you, forget?”
“Her birthday?” she checked the date. “Yeah, it is today. Yeah, I’ll come but…. did you see the news? Or are you calling me without knowing about it?”
Marshall halted for a second before replying briefly, “Well, to be honest, yes. I’m aware of the news. Were they really written by you?”
“Hm…. yeah, they are.” Aileen gulped. “Are you feeling disgusted by me?”
“Why would I be? Now I can happily accept my defeat without any problems. Cause I never stood any chance against the Alpha in the first place. It’s my loss.” He replied sounding a bit relieved.
She was a bit shaken up by his words, “What?”
“You love him, right?” he asked. “And he feels the same way towards you. That’s why he was always against you getting a boyfriend. It all makes sense now.”
“I’m glad you found the person who treasures you for who you are,” he sounded as if he was trying to force himself to talk. “I’m happy for you. I hope he’ll make you happy.”
Aileen could imagine how he would look while talking at this time if he were in front of her. And it was breaking her heart apart.
“Thank you,” was all she could say with a heavy heart, “I’ll make sure to come this evening. Can I bring along my Mom and Dave as well?”
“Sure, Becky will be happy. I’ll see you later then, bye.”
“Bye.”
She ended the call and dialed her grandpa’s number. He picked up after a few tries.
“Look who we have here? Why are you calling me after the blunder you did?” he added in a sarcastic tone.
“It’s because I have no one to turn to,” she replied politely. “Do you think Dave can handle this matter on his own? Will it leave a negative impact on his career?”
“Even if it did, can you do anything to stop it? Will you leave him for his own good?”
“No, I can’t do that, neither am I planning to do it,” she replied confidently, “Cause families stick together in times of trouble, not go apart. And I’m going to help him out, and you will be helping as well.”
“Me, helping you? Why though?”
“Cause I love him, and you love him as well. So, for the person we love, we have to save his face and shield his back. Please, Cooperate with me.”
He took a minute to respond, “Alright, but this will be the last time you’ll be asking me for help. And I’m doing this for my son, not you nor your Mom, got it?”
She smiled, “I know.”
“So? What are you planning to do then?”
“Well, about that…..” after explaining everything, she ends the call on a happy note.
Then, she headed downstairs for breakfast and told her mom to help her prepare a cake for today’s evening and sent a text to Dave telling him to come back home fast.
Her grandpa arrived at the house in a few minutes and arranged a media conference. Media, cameramen everyone showed up after him.
Dave arrived home after them in a hurry. Seeing all the people, he was puzzled.
He saw Aileen sitting in front of the camera and rushed to her side.
“What’s going on in here?” he asked, grabbing her by the hand. “What are you trying to pull in here?”
She got up from her seat grabbed onto the collar of his pulled him towards her and kissed him roughly.
The media started taking pictures of them. When she pulled away, Dave stared at her puzzled.
She turned to the camera and started talking, “Yes, as you can see, this is the type of relationship I have with my Stepfather David McGarten, I love him. We are physically and romantically involved with each other. And I think it’s not a bad thing. Cause, both of us are aware of each other’s feelings.”
“But, aren’t you setting a bad example to society as a whole, when your Mom is married to him?” one of the media persons spoke up.
“Yes, My mom is married to him. But, none of them love each other. That’s why, this marriage is considered null if you consider it logically. And, I’m an adult, and so is he. If you consider all the points everything is valid about our relationship.”
“As the pictures from my diary were already leaked I wanted to make everything clear about our relationship in front of everyone. I love him, he loves me, and as my Mate, I think we both deserve each other. And my mom has also accepted our relationship. So, if anyone has anything to say about this, please come up. I’m ready to hear all the criticism.”
Dave was blown away by how fluently and effortlessly she handled the matter.
He just watched from the sidelines while she answered their questions. His dad came from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to see him.
“Surprised, aren’t you?”
Dave nodded, “More than just surprised. How did she plan all this in such a short time? Don’t tell me you helped her?”
“Hm…I had to. And I think it’s for the best. So, when’s the wedding? You have to host it after this grand gesture you showed in front of the crowd. Or else everyone will call you a loser.” His dad joked.
“I really am a loser, in front of her,” Dave added, looking back in her direction. “See how she shines in the spotlight. She doesn’t need anyone to shine bright.”
“You are wrong about it,” his dad replied. “She’s all glowing because of the confidence you gave her. She needs you to shine bright. You are pathetic for not realizing that.”
“She needs me…”
“Yes, just like you need her. Go and help her out instead of just standing still. I’m out of this mess,” his dad grunted, walking away. “I’m too old for this.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Dave yelled behind him.
His dad stopped in his tracks for a minute and started walking away with a smile.
“This is my atonement to you. I owe a thanks to that girl.”
After the conference was over, Skylar called her.
She picked up thinking she was going to teach him a lesson. “Hello, what-”
“It’s not fair you get to win all the time. I’m not used to losing, you know?” he grunted.
“Neither am I,” she replied, “You created such a big mess for me and are now calling to check up on me huh? Who’s not playing fair here?”
“You are,” he chuckled, “Fine, I admit defeat this time. You win!”
“I’m not playing to win or lose. This isn’t a game,” she replied.
Seeing her talking, Dave snatched her phone out of her hands, “Hello, Are you Skylar talking? Long time no see.”