Alphas Revenge

I am not Mrs. Ace

Dre did not understand why her mother gave her such a pathetic excuse for a dress. She was not a traditional girl, but she always dressed modestly. And the camisole of a dress was not even the starting point of modesty.

“Red?” she questioned, looking in the mirror.

She was not going to a Valentine’s party, so why this dark red?

It was not like her mother’s dressing style was bad. It was better than hers, but this time, what she had thought was not coming into Dre’s mind. They had already argued too much about this Liam issue, so she did not want to argue about the dress too.

She took the small box that she had bought as a gift and went downstairs. Her parents were smiling at each other, and her mother was carrying a gift in her hand.

“If you were planning to buy one, why ask me?” she asked her mother.

“This and that are distinct things. I am his aunt, and you are his friend,” her mother replied.

Friend?! Dre forced her laughter to stop.

“Well, you are not his aunty. You are Mrs. Paige for him,” her dad said to his wife.

Arora gave a smile. “I am.”

“Thank God he is the age of our son, otherwise he would have taken you from me. And he would be a tough opponent,” Anthony said.

“Yes, I agree. He is a sweet, caring, handsome boy,” she replied to her husband.

“He works his magic on everybody, huh?” Anthony replied with slight envy.

Arora nodded and looked at her dramatic daughter, who had closed her ears, thinking why the magic did not work on her.

Soon, the Paiges reached their neighbour's house. Maxie greeted each of them with hugs, and Jacob and Anthony soon took scotch and started watching the football match.

“How are you holding up, man?” Anthony asked.

“Do not even start. Her family had already come in the morning,” Jacob replied, taking a sip, when a flying pillow came his way.

Dre also took a seat in the corner, holding her camisole in place. The silk was a tricky thing for her. She breathed in relief that at least her stomach was not bulging out.

Maxie and Arora hit it off from the start, chatting and laughing, meeting some close friends of Maxie. They were not from the city but from their native place—and were as good as family.

The noise from inside the house was also in full bloom. Maxie had told Dre to join Liam and his cousins who were by the poolside, but she refused and sat silently. Arora dismissed the thought, as she did not want to spoil their last day here.

His entire cousin gang, who had been enjoying themselves inside the house, came out, with Liam leading them and drinking. It was the first time Dre had seen him drinking; otherwise, he would be busy being the charming boy he was.

But his physical demeanour was not of a boy anymore—he had become a man in all his glory. Dre clutched her arms. If she had just gained a few inches of height, everything would be right for her.

She was tossing her phone, and in the other hand, she had clutched the small gift. She was trying to figure out whether to give it or not, but she carried it anyway. She looked over at Liam, finding him staring at her too. He took a step in her direction, and his cousins followed. She sighed, thinking he might feel quite confident with all his brothers and sisters around him.

“Is it for me?” he asked, looking at the gift.

“Yeah, I guess so,” she replied.

“Who is she?” a girl asked. She was elegant and well-dressed; she did not seem like his cousin by the way she was eyeing Liam lustfully.

Dre again thought about her height.

“Neighbour—”

“Friend—”

Both spoke at the same time.

Liam held his beer and forced a smile on his face. “Well, Dre, this is Angela, a friend from our area.”

Dre smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.

“You like beer?” Liam’s cousin asked Dre.

“No, she does not drink,” Liam answered before her.

Dre nodded. “Excuse me.”

She stepped out onto the balcony to get some air when her mother rushed to her. “Come inside. They will cut the cake, and they will leave today only.”

She could make out this was tough for her mother. She nodded and followed her back.

Liam cut the cake, and everyone cheered like one big family. He gave pieces to his parents, Arora, and Anthony. Then he cut another piece. Dre rolled her eyes, thinking, if he wishes to give a piece to all the 40 people present here, it will be a long night. She tried to move back, but then his voice came.

“Dreamy.”

She clenched her jaw. Nobody dared to call her that, but she breathed in and out to calm herself. Liam had cut a piece for her and was waiting for her to take a bite. She looked to the side to calm her nerves that were getting to her. Then, thinking of it as the last torture, she stepped forward and took the bite. She could feel his eyes on her while she took the cake, but she ignored it. As she was about to step back, Liam held her wrist.

“You bought me a present?” he asked.

She bit her lip, understanding his intention to humiliate her. Why did he want her gift now when everyone was present? But she nodded anyway, and, faking a smile, she put the small box in his hand. Liam opened it cheerfully while Maxie was smiling at her son. So was Arora. Opening the box, he took out the small chain, and as everyone looked, they sucked in their breath.

Dre looked around. She knew it was not good enough, but they did not have to overreact. It was a thin silver chain with a wolf locket. A smile spread across Liam’s face, and he wore it. Dre was not sure what had happened, but she was happy that it was over.

“My boy has become bigger,” an elderly couple present there said.

“He is a man now,” the elder told his wife. Liam smiled at this.

“Yes, he is Mr. Ace now,” some children said. They wanted to finish the talks and start with the cake.

Dre felt a hand on her dress. She instantly bent down to the child’s level before he could embarrass her, tugging her dress lower.

“Mrs. Ace, can you get aside? I want the cake.”

Dre and her parents were most stunned, and so was everyone in the room.

“I am not Mrs. Ace!” Dre shouted.