bully love

chapter 10

I picked up the parcel from the doorstep and walked inside.

Placing it on the coffee table in the living room ,I headed upstairs to my room . After freshening up ,I changed into an oversized hoddie and comfortable shorts before making my way to the kitchen.

It was already 6:30 p.m.

There were enough ingredients to make chicken gravy and steamed rice ,so i decided to cook dinner for Aunt stella and me.

By the time everything was ready , the clock read 8:00 P.M.

Aunt Stella still wasn't home.

I frowned.

She was usually punctual .

After turning off the stove , I walked into the living room, switched on the television ,and curled up on the sofa to wait for her.

That's when my eyes landed on the parcel again.

It was wrapped neatly in brown paper, with a handwritten card taped to the top.

Hope Jones.

Curiosity bubbled inside me.

I picked it up and was about to open it when the front door clicked open.

Aunt Stella walked in.

She looked exhausted.

Her shoulders slumped with fatigue, and the smile she gave me was weak.

"Hi Bubble ," she said softly.

"Hi , Aunt."

Without another word, she disappeared upstairs.

I placed the parcel back on the table .

Dinner first.

Questions later.

A few minutes later ,I reheated the food in the microwave and called Aunt stella downstairs.

She joined me at the dining table, and we ate quietly for a while.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"Is everything okay, Aunt?"

She smiled tiredly.

"I'm fine, sweetheart . Sandra is on vacation this week , so I've been handling both her workload and mine."

"That sounds exhausting."

"It is."

She chuckled softly before looking at me.

"Thank you for cooking dinner .I really needed this today."

I smiled.

"You don't have to thank me."

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand gently.

"You have done so much for me already . This is the least i can do."

Her eyes softened.

"I'm really glad you're here with me, Bubble."

"So am I ."

We finished dinner while chatting about small things.

When we were done , Aunt stella leaned back in her chair.

"The food was delicious."

I grinned proudly.

"Thank you."

"I'll clean up."

She immediately shook her head.

"No , you should rest."

"I insist ."

She smiled helplessly.

"You're just like your mother ."

My heart warmed.

"Good night , Aunt."

"Good night, Bubble."

After washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen , I remembered the mysterious parcel.

I grabbed it from the living room before switching off the lights downstairs.

Back in my bedroom ,I locked the door and sat cross -legged on my bed.

Carefully, I untied the ribbon and peeled away the wrapping paper.

Inside was beautiful sea-green gift box.

I slowly lifted the lid.

A folded handwritten letter rested neatly on top.

I unfolded it.

Dear Hope ,

You may not remember me, but i certainly remember you.

I'm Olivia Lambert - your mother's best friend.

I recently returned to Chicago after spending many years in England pursuing my career as a fashion designer.

Last week, I visited your old house in Texas , But no one answered the Your neighbours told me you had moved to Chicago with Stella.

The last time i saw you, you were only five years old.

I've missed you terribly, and I can't wait to meet you again.

I've enclosed one of my latest dress designs as a gift .I hope you will like it.

I'll visit you very soon .

with love.

Olivia Lambert.

I folded the letter carefully and reached into the box.

My breath caught.

The dress was breathtaking.

It was an elegant sea -green evening gown made from silky fabric that shimmered under the light.

The back was completely open ,the neckline plunged into a graceful V-cut and the skirt flowed beautifully to the floor.

It looked classy.

Elegant.

And suprisingly.....

A little daring.

I couldn't stop smiling.

"I love it...."

I whispered.

I couldn't remember Olivia at all .

Maybe aunt stella would .

They were probably close if she had been mom's best friend .

I placed everything neatly back into the box.

A loud yawn escaped my lips.

Within minutes, I was tucked beneath my blanket.

Sleep claimed me almost instantly.

Warm arms wrapped gently around my waist.

I smiled before even opening my eyes.

When I turned around -

Michael King stood behind me.

His blue -green eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You're late ," I pouted, pointing dramatically at my imaginary watch.

He chuckled.

"Traffic."

Then he lifted a small pink box.

"But I know exactly how to make it up to you."

I gasped.

"Cupcakes!"

He laughed as I threw my arms around him.

He hugged me tightly.

When we pulled apart, something changed in his expression.

His eyes darkened.

His gaze became intense.

Slowly,he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

My cheeks burned.

He gently brushed his thumb across my lips.

I Instinctively bit my lower lip.

He smiled.

"Don't do that."

I blinked.

"Do what?"

"Bite your lip."

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"You have no idea what it does to me."

My face turned crimson.

"S-Sorry..."

I looked down shyly.

He tilted my chin upward.

"Look at me."

His voice was soft.

"I like seeing your eyes."

My heart fluttered .

He leaned closer.

Closer....

Our breaths mixed.

His lips were only inches away -

Thud!

I crashed onto the floor.

"Ow!"

I blinked rapidly.

My bedroom ceiling stared back at me.

I groaned.

"It was just a dream...."

I buried my face in my pillow.

"Why is my subconscious is torturing me?"

After showering, I headed downstairs.

Aunt Stella looked up from her coffee and smiled.

"Someone's in a good mode today."

I smiled sheepishly .

"I actually slept well."

Then I remembered the letter."

"Oh! aunt , do you know Olivia Lambert?"

She looked suprised.

"Of course."

"She and your mother were best friends."

"She moved to England years ago to become a fashion designer."

"And now she's one of the biggest designers in Europe.

She frowned.

"But how do you know her?"

"Wait here."

I sprinted upstairs before returning with the gift box and the letter.

Aunt Stella read it carefully.

A warm smile spread across her face.

"I'm so happy she still remembers Amanda and you."

She gently touched the dress."

"Olivia has incredible taste."

"I knew you'll love this."

"So she's really mom best friend?"

"More like a sister."

That made me smile.

"You're glowing today."

Rose grinned as soon as I got into her car.

"Really?"

She nodded .

"You look .....happier."

"I guess today started well."

"I'm glad."

We reached school a few minutes later.

As always,we parked and walked towards our locker.

Halfway there -

I froze.

Michael was standing near the lockers.

Jasmine had her arms wrapped around his neck.

A second later-

She kissed him.

Something sharp twisted painfully inside my chest.

"Hope?"

Rose looked at me.

"What happened?"

I forced a smile.

"Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Are you...."

She paused.

"In love with Michael King."

My eyes widened.

"What?"

"No!"

I laughed nervously.

"I'd rather fall in love with a complete stranger than someone like him."

"He is arrogant."

"A bully."

"And completely impossible."

Besides....

"My family would never approve."

Rose looked curious.

"Why?"

"My aunt....."

"My uncle...."

"My grandparents...."

"My cousins...."

"They all love me so much"

"They'd probably interrogate any guy who even looked at me ."

Rose laughed.

"Good."

She nudged my shoulder.

"So don't fall for Mr King."

"I won't."

I answered a little too quickly.

She gave me a suspicious look but i let it go.

The professor entered the classroom before either of us could say another world.

The rest of the day passed quietly.

I kept replaying everything that had happened over the last few days.

Michael.

The dream.

The gift.

Olivia.

Everything felt strangely connected .

By the final lecture, everyone looked exhausted .

Just before the bell rang , our professor cleared his throat.

"I have one final announcement."

The classroom fell silent.

"Next month, our annual prom will be held."

Instantly, excited whispers filled the room.

And somehow.....

I had a feeling this prom was going to change everything.