The grand oak doors of Theo’s mansion swung open, admitting a flurry of maids bustling in with baskets overflowing with fresh produce and gleaming copper pots. The unexpected influx of guests had necessitated a culinary army, and the mansion’s staff had sprung into action. A delicious aroma of simmering herbs and roasting vegetables already filled the air.
Stella approached the scene with a bright smile, declaring, “I’ll help!”
The head maid, a woman named Elara with kind eyes and flour dusting her apron, gently but firmly placed a hand on Stella’s arm. “No, ma’am Stella,” Elara said, her voice warm but resolute. “We have this under control. Please, allow us to attend to our duties.”
Stella’s smile faltered slightly, but her determination remained. “But I enjoy cooking!” she insisted, her eyes twinkling with a playful defiance.
Before Elara could respond, Flora, ever supportive of her friend, joined Stella, echoing her sentiment. “We’ll help you!” she declared, her voice filled with cheerful enthusiasm.
Daisha, usually more reserved, surprised everyone by stepping forward. “I guess I should help too,” she announced, a hint of nervousness in her tone.
Stella, ever quick with a playful jab, raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that, Daisha? Last time you tried to make toast, you almost set the kitchen on fire,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Daisha rolled her eyes good-naturedly, a blush rising on her cheeks. “That was years ago!” she retorted, puffing out her chest. “I’ve improved my culinary skills considerably!”
With a newfound confidence, she joined her sister and Flora, the three of them lending a hand to the maids, their laughter mingling with the clinking of pans and the sizzle of onions.
Meanwhile, Theo emerged from his room, freshly bathed and looking refreshed. He entered the living room, his eyes scanning the space.
Sky, lounging on the sofa, noticed his search immediately. “Looking for Stella?” he asked, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Theo nodded, a slight frown creasing his brow. He couldn’t find Stella, Flora, or Daisha.
Just as he was about to ask again, Brandon sauntered in from the kitchen, settling beside Tyros. “They’re in the kitchen, helping the maids,” he announced, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“What?!” Theo exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. He immediately headed towards the kitchen, his heart thrumming with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
The moment Theo entered, all the maids stopped their work, bowing respectfully. Theo’s eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Stella. He approached her, his voice soft yet firm. “Stella,” he said, his gaze intense. “Can we talk?”
Stella hesitated, glancing at Flora. Determination etched on her face, Stella declared, “I’ll just talk to him!” and strode purposefully toward Theo.
The back door creaked open, revealing a moonlit garden, fragrant with night-blooming jasmine. The air was cool, a welcome respite from the bustling kitchen.
“Stella,” Theo’s voice was laced with concern, “What are you doing? I told you to rest!” His tone was firm but not unkind, the worry in his eyes betraying his words.
Stella’s response was immediate, her voice tinged with frustration, “I can’t just sit idly by while everyone else works!”
Theo took a deep, steadying breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as he conceded. “Okay, fine,” he said, his voice softening. “Just help them a little, then rest. Please.” He looked at her, his gaze pleading.
A small smile touched Stella’s lips. “I will, thank you!” she replied, her tone light and grateful.
Back inside, Theo scanned the kitchen for Stella before discreetly leaving.
As soon as Stella returned, Daisha’s playful teasing began. “Is he mad at you?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Stella chuckled, shaking her head. “Not mad, exactly. He just doesn’t want me to overwork myself. He wants me to rest,” she explained, resuming her task of chopping vegetables with practiced ease.
“What a nice man!” Daisha teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
After a short while, Stella decided she needed a break. She excused herself and headed to the living room, where a different kind of activity was brewing.
Tyros announced, “We should get some beers!” He stood up, his movements fluid and relaxed, Brandon echoing his sentiment, “We’ll buy some!” and following Tyros out of the room.
Daisha, noticing Sky’s presence, turned to him with a question. “Where’s Sadine?” she asked, her voice curious.
Sky, caught off guard, responded defensively, “Why are you looking at me?”
Daisha was about to explain when Sky cut her off, his tone slightly evasive. “I’ll go with them,” he said abruptly, and promptly left the room.
Daisha’s laughter followed him. “He’s avoiding my question,” she said, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Flora, sensing the unspoken tension, leaned closer to Daisha, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Sadine, right?” she asked softly.
Daisha nodded, a silent confirmation of her suspicions, her laughter echoing softly in the now quieter living room. “You don’t like her?” she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Flora’s immediate reaction was a vehement shake of her head, her dark hair swaying with the movement. “Of course I like her!” she insisted, her tone emphatic, a genuine warmth in her eyes. She settled down beside Stella, her presence a comforting reassurance.
A few minutes stretched into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the clinking of pots and pans from the kitchen.
Then, a maid’s voice, clear and cheerful, cut through the quiet. “The food is ready!” she announced, and the group made their way to the spacious dining area.
Brandon and Tyros arrived shortly after, their arms laden with chilled cans of beer. They headed straight for the dining table, their casual demeanor at odds with the slightly more formal atmosphere.
Flora, noticing the absence of her brother, turned to them with a question. “Where’s Sky?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly with concern.
Tyros, with a knowing grin, replied, “He’s getting my sister.” His gaze lingered on Flora for a moment, a playful spark in his eyes.
Brandon, meanwhile, efficiently placed the beers on the table, his movements precise and efficient.
Daisha, observing the scene, voiced the unspoken question. “Are we going to wait for them?” she asked, her tone polite but tinged with impatience.
Stella, her eyes fixed on Theo’s approaching figure, responded with a confident nod. “Of course!” she said, her voice firm.
Theo himself added, “Yeah, we will!” his tone confirmed her words.
Daisha simply nodded, her expression a mixture of anticipation and amusement.
Darrel, leaning in close to Daisha, whispered conspiratorially, his voice barely audible above the gentle hum of conversation. “You have a lot of friends here!” he remarked, his tone laced with a hint of awe.
Daisha, startled by his sudden proximity, turned to him, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. “Nah,” she replied, a playful smile gracing her lips, “they’re my sister’s friends.” Her gaze shifted to Stella, a silent acknowledgement of their close bond.
Sky and Sadine finally arrived, filling the remaining seats at the long, elegantly set table.
Theo, taking charge, announced, “We should eat now!” His voice was warm and welcoming. He then proceeded to meticulously fill Stella’s plate, his movements gentle and attentive.
“I can do it myself!” Stella whispered, her voice barely a murmur, but Theo, lost in his attentiveness, didn’t hear her.
The meal began, a lively mix of conversation and laughter.
Daisha, ever the social butterfly, kept the atmosphere light and entertaining.
Sadine, turning to Daisha, offered a polite inquiry. “How are you, Daisha?” she asked, her voice soft and friendly, drawing the attention of the entire table.
Daisha, seizing the opportunity, responded with a touch of playful teasing. “It’s new for us to see you here!” she exclaimed, her words eliciting an awkward but genuine laugh from Sadine.
Sadine, slightly flustered, replied, “You know I’m busy!” Her gaze drifted towards Flora.
Flora’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her gaze firmly fixed on her untouched plate. She couldn’t meet Sadine’s eyes, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down on her.
Tyros, ever observant, leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “Hey, you should talk to her!”
The gentle nudge broke through Flora’s internal struggle, and she finally looked up, her eyes meeting Tyros’. “Oh! I’m sorry,” she mumbled, a faint blush still coloring her cheeks. She nodded, a silent promise to make amends.
Once the meal was finished, the group migrated to the living room, the atmosphere shifting from the formality of dinner to the relaxed camaraderie of drinks.
Theo and Sky efficiently opened the cans of beer, distributing them amongst the group.
Sadine, accepting a can from Sky, offered a polite “Thank you!” But her next words revealed a deeper insecurity. “I can feel that Flora didn’t like me,” she observed, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
All eyes turned to Flora, who sat quietly, her discomfort evident.
Sky, sensing the tension, quickly intervened. “Nah, she’s just awkward with our situation,” he explained, his tone reassuring, his hand gently resting on Sadine’s shoulder.
Before the awkward silence could settle again, Stella stepped forward, breaking the tension with a friendly greeting. “Hey!” she said brightly, addressing Sadine directly.
Then Sky asked her, “Can you talk to your best friend?”
Stella’s response was immediate and slightly exasperated. “Why?” She asked.
Sky gestured towards Flora, who was now visibly distanced from the group. “Look at her!” he said, his voice laced with concern.
Flora, indeed, was sitting alone on the couch, nursing her drink, her thoughts seemingly miles away.
Stella, understanding her friend’s reticence, offered a calming reassurance. “Just give her some time,” she said, her voice soft but firm. She smiled gently at Sadine, adding, “She’s just worried about your situation.”
Sadine nodded slowly, a glimmer of understanding dawning in her eyes. She, surprisingly, offered a candid confession. “I like her to be my brother’s girlfriend!” she declared, her tone sincere and heartfelt.
Stella’s smile widened, a knowing look in her eyes. “I know that she’s feeling the same,” she replied, opening another beer for Sadine, a gesture of solidarity and support.
Stella, sensing the need for direct intervention, approached Flora. “Why are you drinking alone here?” she asked, her voice gentle and concerned.
Flora looked up, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and uncertainty. “I’m just thinking about something,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Stella offered a simple, direct solution. “Go talk to your brother about it,” she advised, her tone encouraging.
Flora shook her head immediately, her reluctance palpable. “It will just make us awkward,” she protested, her voice laced with apprehension.
Stella, however, remained persistent. “Nah! You should talk to him!” she insisted, giving Flora’s shoulder a reassuring pat.
Flora took a deep breath, the tension visibly leaving her shoulders. Finally, she surrendered, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Fine, I will,” she conceded, her gaze finally shifting towards her brother, a newfound determination in her eyes.
Several beers later, a newfound courage emboldened Flora to approach her brother. The alcohol hadn’t erased her apprehension, but it had thinned the ice enough for her to speak. “Why didn’t you tell me right away?” she asked, her voice slightly unsteady, but her tone laced with genuine concern.
Sky, his expression a mixture of guilt and relief, responded, “I thought you would be mad at me.”
Flora shook her head, her eyes softening. “I would never be mad at you,” she said, her voice firm and unwavering.
Sky, unable to contain his relief, pulled his sister into a warm embrace, the unspoken words of forgiveness and understanding passing between them.
Stella, observing the tender reunion, turned to Theo with a satisfied smile. “They’re fine now,” she announced, her voice brimming with relief.
Theo, however, raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. “You made them do that?” he asked, his tone questioning.
Stella chuckled, taking a sip of her beer. “They just wanted to fix their mess,” she replied, her tone nonchalant.
Theo, concerned about Stella’s increasing alcohol consumption, urged her to stop. “You should stop drinking now,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Stella, however, was not ready to give up her drink just yet. With a playful glint in her eyes, she pleaded, “Please!” She looked at him with her most endearing “puppy eyes,” a tactic that rarely failed.
Theo, unable to resist her charm, shook his head in mock exasperation but couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Fine!” he conceded, patting her head affectionately. “Drink how much you want.”
With a wave of his hand, Theo announced his departure, the other men following suit.
Daisha, noticing their absence, approached Stella, her curiosity piqued. “Where are they going?” she asked.
Stella shrugged, taking another sip of her beer. “I don’t know,” she replied, “Maybe they’re going to talk outside.”
Daisha, however, voiced her disapproval of Darrel’s inclusion in the group. “They don’t need Darrel to be there!” she commented, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance.
Stella smirked, unfazed by her sister’s criticism. “Let him be,” she said. “Maybe after this unexpected event, he’ll stop being scared of our pack.”
Daisha considered this a thoughtful expression on her face. “You have a point, though,” she conceded, taking a long drink of her beer.
Meanwhile, Sadine, noticing Flora sitting alone on the couch, approached her with concern. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.
Flora looked up, her eyes meeting Sadine’s. She nodded slowly, then offered a sincere apology. “I’m sorry for my actions towards you,” she said, her voice soft and sincere.
Sadine responded with understanding and empathy. “It’s fine,” she said. “I know that my relationship with your brother surprised you.”
Flora listened attentively, her initial awkwardness gradually melting away. “Nah,” Flora replied, a genuine smile finally gracing her lips. “I just felt awkward about it, but I’m fine now.”
Sadine smiled back, a sense of relief washing over her.
Stella materialized in the midst of the lively gathering, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Oh! I guess we should have more beers!” she announced, producing another six-pack with a flourish and handing out cans.
Daisha, ever the responsible one, issued a playful warning. “Hey, don’t drink too much!” she cautioned her sister.
Stella, unfazed, simply replied with a confident grin, “Don’t worry about me, I’m good!” and took a long, satisfying sip of her beer.
The merry drinking continued until Brandon and Tyros re-entered the house, their arrival met with a mixture of cheers and groans.
Brandon, surveying the scene with a mixture of amusement and concern, declared, “Guys, all of you are drunk now!”
His gaze lingered on Stella, who responded with a playful defiance. “We are not!” she insisted, her smile unwavering.
Tyros, however, took a more direct approach, heading straight for Flora and playfully confiscating her beer. “Hey! Stop drinking!” he announced, his tone light but firm.
Meanwhile, Stella, ever the pragmatist, announced her next move. “Let her sleep in my room,” she said, already heading towards her own quarters.
Daisha, ever quick to pick up on the subtext, immediately fired a question at her sister. “You’re not sleeping with Theo?” she asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity.
Brandon, intrigued, paused, his gaze fixed on Stella, awaiting her response.
Stella, unfazed, answered with a casual shrug. “Nah! We used different rooms,” she said, opening her bedroom door and stepping inside.
Tyros followed Stella into her room, carefully carrying the now-sleeping Flora.
“Put her on my bed!” Stella instructed, her tone matter-of-fact.
Tyros, however, had other ideas. “I’ll get her later!” he replied, his voice playful.
Stella shook her head, her expression firm. “Let her sleep beside me,” she insisted, leaving Tyros no choice but to comply.
Once Flora was settled, Stella and Tyros emerged from the room.
Sky, appearing at that moment, was informed of Flora’s sleeping arrangements.
“Flora’s already sleeping!” Stella announced.
Sky simply replied, “Weaklings!” before heading towards Sadine.
Tyros, turning to Stella, announced his own plans. “I’ll go to Brandon, Stella!” he said, receiving a nod of acknowledgement from his friend.
As Stella surveyed the scene, taking in the slightly chaotic aftermath of the evening’s festivities, Theo appeared, surprising her. “Where did you go?” she asked immediately, her tone laced with a mixture of concern and playful accusation.
Theo, however, decided to tease her. “Why? Are you looking for me?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
Stella, unable to resist, retorted with confidence, “Of course, I’ll look for you!” and grabbed another can of beer, her playful defiance intact. She reached for the cold can of beer, intending to open it and take another sip.
Before her fingers could close around the tab, however, Theo swiftly intercepted it, his hand covering hers. “That’s enough, Stella,” he said, his voice firm but laced with a hint of concern.
Stella, undeterred, protested playfully, “But I can still drink!”
Theo, however, shook his head, his expression unwavering.
Just then, Daisha’s voice cut through the air. “Stella!” she called, approaching with Darrel trailing behind her.
Stella, momentarily distracted, turned to her sister. “What?” she asked, her tone curious.
Daisha, her expression a mix of gratitude and farewell, announced their departure. “We’re going to stay in our house tonight, and we’re leaving now. Thank you for inviting us here!” she said, her voice warm and sincere.
Darrel echoed her sentiments, adding a simple but heartfelt, “Thank you, Stella.”
Stella nodded, her smile genuine. “Drive safely, please,” she instructed, but Daisha shook her head, explaining their mode of transportation. “We’re going to walk and leave his car in your garage,” she clarified, gesturing towards Darrel’s vehicle.
Stella nodded her approval. “That’s better,” she said, relieved at the thought of their safety.
Daisha, waving goodbye, said, “Bye!” Stella mirrored the gesture, accompanying them to the main door.
As Stella opened the door, Daisha stepped out into the cool night air.
Theo followed close behind, his hand gently offering itself to Stella. “Should we sleep now?” he asked, his voice soft and intimate. He paused, about to suggest a shared sleeping arrangement, but Stella interrupted him.
“Let Tyros sleep with Flora!” Theo stated firmly, cutting her off before she could voice her preference.
Stella opened her mouth to protest, but Theo silenced her with a swift, tender kiss.
The kiss was unexpected, passionate, and silencing.
Sky, witnessing the intimate moment from across the room, immediately sought out Brandon, his expression a mixture of surprise and amusement.
Sadine’s voice was a soft murmur, barely audible above the lingering sounds of the party. “Let’s go home,” she whispered, her hand gently resting on Sky’s arm.
Sky nodded, his gaze lingering on Brandon and Stella, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Someone’s losing his chance now,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
Sadine, however, gently covered his eyes, silencing his playful commentary.
“Fine, let’s go,” Sky conceded, his tone good-natured.
They turned and walked towards the main door, their departure quiet and unassuming.
Sky opened the door, and the two slipped out into the night, leaving the house behind.
Inside, Brandon remained, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. He watched as Theo’s lips found Stella’s, a tender kiss that spoke volumes of unspoken longing. He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips, and placed his empty beer can on the center table. “I’m going home now,” he announced to the maid who was busy cleaning up.
One of the maids, her voice polite but firm, informed him of their plans. “We’re going back to the mansion after cleaning here,” she said.
Brandon nodded, his reply equally brief. “I’ll tell that to Dad,” he said, and with a final glance around the room, he turned and left, disappearing through the main door.
Stella, sensing Brandon’s departure, broke away from Theo’s kiss. “They already left,” she said, her voice slightly breathless.
Theo, however, wasted no time in reclaiming her attention, his lips finding hers again, deeper and more passionate this time.
When they finally broke apart, Theo scooped Stella into his arms, carrying her effortlessly towards his bedroom.
“Theo-” Stella began, but Theo cut her off, his voice a low murmur against her ear.
“Let’s sleep together! I miss you so much!” he whispered, gently placing her on his bed.
Stella stared up at him, a mixture of surprise and anticipation in her eyes, as he began to remove his shirt. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice laced with a touch of confusion.
Theo, however, didn’t answer verbally. Instead, his lips found hers again, his kisses trailing down her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
“Theo!” she called out, a mixture of protest and surrender in her voice, unable to articulate the complex sensations that were flooding her senses.
The night was far from over.