Chapter 16
Theo and Daphne
Daphne jumped in her seat as Theo opened the car door for her and held out his hand.
"Ready?" He asked, waiting for her in front of his parent's million-dollar townhouse.
Daphne's gaze flickered up to the main door where a beautiful tall blonde ran out and threw her arms around Lily as the girl ran up the steps. Her gaze flickered toward Theo with hesitation.
"Daphne, they don't bite," Theo said, stepping closer to shield her from his parents. As his gaze bored into hers, the corner of his mouth curved up into a small smile.
"What?" Daphne scowled. "Are you laughing at me?"
"No," Theo's grin spread. "I just can't believe my eyes. You're nervous."
"I don't meet parents," Daphne shoved him. "This is a direct violation of the contract-"
Theo grabbed her hand and held it against his chest, "Can I ask for something?"
Daphne stilled, surprised by the gentleness of his voice. She watched as Theo leaned his arm against the car's roof and leaned in closer.
"Just for a few minutes, can we pretend the contract doesn't exist?" He asked.
Daphne's heart raced as she stared into Theo's eyes.
"What do you mean?" she asked softly.
"I'm saying," Theo continued, "that I want you to meet them as Daphne and not as my fake girlfriend or just someone I hired"
Daphne swallowed hard, her nerves mingling with a flutter of something else. She thought about his request for a few before nodding.
"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Theo's smile broadened, and he squeezed her hand gently.
"Thank you," he said, taking a step back to help her out of the car. Daphne took in a deep breath and stepped out. Her heart hammered against her chest and her palms were beginning to sweat. As they walked up to the house, she glanced at Theo.
"Rate your delivery," he laughed as he spoke to his mother. Lily stepped back and wrapped her arms around their mother. She laid her head against the woman's shoulder as Theo held Daphne's hand and climbed up the steps of their townhouse.
"Mom," Theo said, his voice steady and confident. "This is Daphne."
Daphne forced a smile, feeling the weight of Theo's mother's gaze on her. Daisy stood with a calm, unreadable expression, her posture perfect and her face a mask of polite manners.
"Daphne," Theo turned to her. "This is my mom, Daisy."
Daphne's nerves were on edge as she extended her hand.
"It's nice to meet you," she said, hoping her voice didn't betray her anxiety.
"Daphne," Daisy shook Daphne's hand, her tone measured and neutral. "What a beautiful name?"
"Thank you," Daphne replied, trying to maintain her composure.
Lily, eager to fill the silence, chimed in. "Daphne and Theo went to pick me up. They were with Nate and Emma since Wednesday."
"Oh?" Daisy arched a brow, her gaze never wavered from Daphne's face. The corner of her mouth curved up like her son's. "Isn't that sweet?"
Daphne shifted her weight, feeling the pressure of Daisy's unwavering stare. She glanced at Theo, feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed.
"Is dad home?" Theo cleared his throat.
"He's painting," Daisy replied.
"Great," Theo took Daphne's hand and squeezed past his sister and his mother. "Excuse us."
Daphne followed silently, her eyes lowered and her nails digging into her palm, trying to ground herself as they walked away.
"Theo," she whispered, tugging at his hand as they entered the warm home. "I should go."
"Don't be silly," Theo pulled her closer, tucking her hand under his arm as he led her toward the back of the house. "You just got here."
Daphne looked over her shoulder, where Lily and Daisy stood watching them from the front entrance. Daisy's eyes locked with hers, and Daphne felt her face flush with heat. Daisy's gaze was steady and unyielding, making Daphne's heart race.
"She's just messing with you," Theo said, noticing the tension in Daphne's face and the way she kept glancing at his mother. "I swear she's nice."
Daphne didn't know if she was buying his words. Not only was Daisy a strikingly beautiful woman with glossy blonde hair and flawless complexion, but she had also made Forbes's top 100 list for women in business seven years in a row. Daphne had studied Daisy Silvano's career in college. She just never assumed she would actually be meeting her.
"Dad?" Theo raised his hand and knocked on the double doors as they came to the back of the house.
"Come in," came Luca's voice.
Theo turned to Daphne, "Ready?"
"No," Daphne hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to go home."
Theo chuckled and gently pulled her into the room.
As they entered, Luca, Theo's father, looked up from the large canvas he was working on. The room was filled with the vibrant colors of his painting, creating a serene and artistic atmosphere. Luca was a distinguished figure with a commanding presence, his dark hair streaked with gray, and his eyes carrying the wisdom of someone who had seen much of the world.
"Busy?" Theo asked, glancing around the studio.
"Not at all," Luca replied with a warm smile, setting aside his paintbrush and picking up a towel to clean his hands. His demeanor was calm and welcoming, yet his keen eyes observed Daphne with interest. "Who's this?"
"This is Daphne," Theo said, nudging her forward gently. "Daphne, this is my dad, Luca."
Daphne swallowed hard, trying to steady her trembling voice as she extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Silvano," she said, her throat tight with nerves.
Luca's smile widened as he shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Daphne."
Daphne forced a smile, feeling the weight of Luca's gaze on her. Despite his friendly demeanor, she couldn't shake the feeling of being examined under a magnifying glass. Her stomach churned with anxiety, and she glanced at Theo, silently pleading for the encounter to be over quickly.
"It's not very often Theo brings someone home," Luca said, teasing his son as he took a seat on the edge of his table. "You must be special."
"Daphne and I met through Devon," Theo said, looking at her as he spoke. "We just got back from Nate and Emma's."
"Did Reed like his presents?" Luca asked.
"He loved them," Daphne nodded, hoping her awkwardness wasn't too apparent.
"Good," Luca's smile widened. "Did Lily come back with you two?"
"I'm surprised you don't know her every move," Theo snorted. "She's with mom."
Chuckling, Luca rose from his seat and walked to the door. Daphne followed Theo and Luca through the house, her nerves still buzzing but her curiosity piqued. As they reached the foyer, Luca's expression softened immediately upon Lily standing at the entrance. He stretched out his arms with a broad smile lighting up his face.
"La mia bella ragazza," he called out, his voice rich with affection. (My beautiful girl.)
Lily's eyes sparkled with joy as she spotted her father. Without a moment's hesitation, she dashed into Luca's embrace, her face glowing with pure happiness.
"Daddy!" she squealed, her voice full of delight.
Luca enveloped Lily in a tight hug, his arms encircling her with the kind of warmth that only a father could offer. He leaned down to press a tender kiss to her forehead, his eyes shimmering with love and pride.
"It's good to have you back home," he said, his voice a gentle murmur. He held her face between his hands, his gaze full of both admiration and a hint of melancholy. "You've forgotten all about us since going off to college. Do you know how much I miss you every day?"
Lily's smile widened as she looked up at her father, "I miss you too," she said softly. "It's been so busy with everything at school, but I'm so glad to be back."
Theo stood beside Daphne, watching the touching reunion with a look of contentment. Daphne smiled, feeling a pang of warmth blossom inside her.
"I hope you're staying for dinner, Daphne," Daisy said, turning toward her. "I've already ordered from Lily's favorite places in the city."
"Oh," Daphne's stomach clenched. She shifted her weight and looked toward Theo nervously. "I....I.."
"Not tonight, Mom," Theo said, coming to stand behind Daphne. "Daphne has plans. I just brought her up to meet you and Dad."
"Oh, no," Lily frowned, pulling away from Luca. "You can't stay? Not even for a little bit?"
"I'm sorry," Daphne apologized.
"It's my fault," Theo added. "It was spontaneous plans."
"That's a shame," Luca said. "We've only just met."
"You'll see her tomorrow," Theo assured them. "At Evie's party."
"Oh?" Daisy raised her brow once again, her eyes bouncing back and forth between her son and Daphne. "I'll be looking forward to that."
"Yeah," Theo nodded. "Everyone, say bye to Daphne," Theo announced, placing a gentle but firm hand on Daphne's back and guiding her toward the door.
"Bye, Daphne," Lily chimed in with a playful smile. "I'll go dust up the silk in the coffin for you."
Daphne, too nervous to engage in the banter, merely gave Lily two thumbs up. Luca and Daisy exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unsure of what their daughter was referencing. Theo shook his head slightly, trying to suppress a grin as he closed the door behind him and Daphne.
"That wasn't so bad, right?" Theo asked, his voice light as he turned to face her.
Daphne managed a weak smile, but her eyes were still clouded with anxiety. "Yeah, it was...fine."
Theo led her down the steps and toward the sleek black car waiting at the curb. Marcus was already holding the door open, a neutral but friendly expression on his face.
"Marcus, can you please take Daphne home?" Theo asked, his tone courteous but firm.
"Of course, Mr. Silvano," Marcus nodded, gesturing for Daphne to step inside the car.
Daphne paused for a moment, glancing back at Theo. He gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand gently.
"I'll come pick you up tomorrow," he said softly.
"Okay," Daphne murmured, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering unease as she slid into the backseat of the car.
Theo watched as Marcus closed the door behind Daphne and walked around to the driver's seat. As the car pulled away from the curb, Theo felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He turned back toward the house, his earlier composure giving way to irritation.
Reentering the house, Theo didn't waste any time. He strode into the living room, where his parents and his sister were now seated, and fixed them with a hard stare.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, his voice taut with irritation.
Luca and Daisy looked up, surprised by his sudden outburst.
"What are you talking about?" Daisy asked.
"Don't play dumb," Theo snorted, his patience wearing thin. "Why were you both acting so weird around Daphne? She was already nervous, and you two didn't help at all."
"We weren't trying to make her uncomfortable, Theo," Luca remarked.
"No? Then what were you trying to do?" Theo threw his arms up. "Lily wouldn't shut up the whole flight, Mom gave her the ice queen treatment, and you-" Theo looked to Luca, "You were actually fine."
Daisy sighed, shaking her head. "Theo, we were just teasing her a little. Trying to break the ice."
"Teasing?" Theo scoffed.
"Theo? Baby?" Daisy held up her hand. "Relax. From what Lily's been telling me about her, Daphne seemed tough enough to handle it."
"I don't like it," Theo shook his head. "And what do you mean from what Lily's been telling you?"
"I texted Mom on our way here," Lily said softly before jumping onto her knees on the sofa and taking her brother's hand. "But that's only because I liked her so much and I was so excited to tell Mom about how amazing she is."
"In our defense, you haven't brought anyone home in a while," Luca said. "We're out of practice."
"This is why I don't bring anyone home," Theo threw his hands up. "Just be normal. Smile, ask her about herself, tell her she's beautiful, ask her if she wants a drink. Why do I have to teach you guys these things?"
"You're so possessive of her," Lily grinned.
"It's cute," Daisy added.
"Cut it out," Theo warned but Lily would not listen. She turned to her parents and sat down, folding her legs.
"You should have seen him," she began. "The whole flight he was holding her hand, asking her if she was tired, getting her water....Ugh, I died."
Luca looked toward Theo, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm just glad we don't have to deal with Ava coming to Del Mare with us for Christmas this year," Lily shuddered.
"Are you going to invite Daphne to Del Mare?" Daisy looked toward her son. "She looks like the kind of girl that would love the beach and a good spicy margarita."
"I don't know," Theo sighed, rubbing his head. "I don't know if she will want to fly to a different county with you people. You scared her away."
"Then what are you doing standing here?" Luca asked. "Go do damage control."
"Hmm, yes," Daisy nodded. "Send her flowers. What are her favorite flowers?"
"I don't know," Theo admitted.
"Does she like chocolates?" Lily asked.
"Maybe a long apology letter telling her that my family is psychotic will do just fine," Theo said.
"Wait, wait," Daisy shook her head. "You don't know what flowers she likes?"
"I never bought her flowers," Theo said to which both his mother and sister gasped.
"You never bought her flowers?" Lily threw a decorative pillow at her brother's head. "What is wrong with you?"
"I bought her jewelry," Theo said, swatting the pillow away. "And shoes. She likes shoes."
"Start with the flowers," Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "It's a classic for a reason."
"I'll make a note of it," Theo muttered. "Just please promise me you will all act normal when you see her tomorrow."
"But she was so cute when she was squirming," Daisy pouted. Theo's eyes narrowed. "Fine. Fine."
"Thank you," Theo sighed.
"What about Mason and Levi?" Lily asked.
"I don't have to worry about Levi," Theo shook his head. "But tell Mason she will gut him if he tries to hit on her."
________________________
Levi and Evie
The blue tie around his neck was stifling. Levi craned his neck to ease the pressure but nothing seemed to help. His heart pounded inside his chest and he felt as if his ribs were closing in around his lungs.
The gentle hum of the elevator rang in Levi's ears as he rode it up to the venue. He rubbed his forehead and the back of his neck as she leaned back against the glass elevator and clenched his jaw. As he grew closer and closer to the moment when he would finally see Evie, each second began to feel as if it moved entirely too fast and too slow at the same time. When the elevator doors finally slid open, Levi wondered if he should bother getting off at all.
"Levi?"
Levi looked up as Debbi spotted him from down the hall. She smiled and excused herself away from the man she was speaking to and made her way over to the elevator.
"Debbi," Levi stepped forward politely and kissed her cheeks. "How are you?"
"Busy," Debbi laughed. "Everything has been such a mess. It's not easy putting together something like this in a span of two weeks."
The tightness in Levi's chest returned. He smiled politely and pushed his hands into his pocket.
"If there's anything you need me to do-" he began.
"Oh, you're too sweet, my love," Debbi smiled.
Levi nodded, his smile feeling strained as he followed Debbi down the hall. The elegant venue was already buzzing with guests, the low murmur of conversation blending with the soft strains of classical music. The bright sunlight seeped in through the high glass windows, illuminating the beautifully decorated tables and lavish floral arrangements while also giving a grand view of the clear blue skies outside and the city below them. It was as if they were in a glass castle, high above the ground, floating in a glass bubble.
Levi's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Evie. His heart raced faster, each beat pounding in his ears. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but the anticipation was overwhelming.
"There he is."
Levi turned to see Jason, Evie's father, walking over to him. Jason's broad smile did little to ease Levi's nerves. He made his way through the crowd, nodding and offering polite greetings to those he passed.
"Good to see you, kid," Jason said, clapping him on the shoulder. "How have you been?"
"Good, thank you," Levi replied, his voice sounding more confident than he felt. "Congratulations on the engagement."
"Thank you," Jason beamed. "We're all very excited."
Levi forced a smile, his eyes darting around the room again. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Evie's mother looking at him with a gentle smile.
"She's in the bridal suite," Debbi said softly as if sensing his anxiety. "Why don't you go say hello?"
Levi nodded, swallowing hard. As he made his way down the corridor, his heart pounded louder with each step. The soft carpet muffled his footsteps, but it couldn't drown out the rush of blood in his ears. He paused outside the door to the bridal suite, taking a deep breath to steady himself before gently pushing it open.
Inside, the room was filled with an array of white flowers, their delicate scent mingling with the air and creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Roses, lilies, and orchids adorned every surface, their petals soft and inviting.
There, standing before the mirror, was Evie. She was laughing at something a guest had said, her smile radiant and her eyes sparkling like the clearest diamonds. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, the silk straps of her icy blue dress flowing gracefully around her arms. Her dark blonde hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, and the sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted the high points of her cheeks, making her glow as if she were a fairy tale princess brought to life.
Levi's breath caught in his throat. For a moment, he couldn't move, couldn't think. All he could do was stare at her, his heart aching. Evie looked completely different from how he remembered her. The last time he had seen her, she was in ripped jeans and band t-shirts. But the woman before him now looked as if she were carved from the finest diamond known to mankind.
Levi froze, his hand still on the door handle. Evie's reflection met his in the mirror, and for a moment, time stopped. Their eyes locked, and the room around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them suspended in the moment. The laughter and chatter of the guests became a distant hum, and all Levi could focus on was the way Evie's gaze held his, her expression shifting from surprise to something deeper, something unspoken.
As he took in every detail, from the way her dress shimmered with each movement to the soft blush that colored her cheeks, Levi felt a familiar tightness in his chest. He wanted to say so much more, to tell her how much he missed her, how seeing her like this made his heart ache. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers.
Evie turned slowly to face him, her smile softening as she saw the emotion in his eyes and for a moment, they were just Levi and Evie.
"Mr. President," Evie uttered the first word, her sweet smile piercing Levi's heart.
"Madam Vice President," Levi mustered up the strength to greet her.
"You came," Evie said softly.
"How could I not?" Levi cleared his throat. "You sent such a beautiful card."
Evie's nose scrunched up, "Don't be mad."
"Mad?" Levi chuckled, shaking his head. "Evelyn, mad doesn't even begin to express what I am feeling right now. I'm furious. I'm livid."
"I prepared for this," Evie bit down on her bottom lip, trying to look apologetic, but her eyes were too playful. Levi could see her struggling to hold back a smile. He felt a sense of relief knowing not everything about her had changed.
"Did you?" Levi laughed once again, forgetting they were in a room full of people as he took a step closer. "Then why didn't you call me? Why did I have to find out about this from other people?"
"I...." Evie took a deep breath, her gaze wavering from his as she let it out. "I didn't know how to tell you." She said softly, her voice carrying the hint of something Levi couldn't catch.
For a moment, they simply stood there, caught in the gravitational pull of each other. The world outside the bridal suite seemed far away, irrelevant compared to the world they created amongst themselves.
Levi's eyes traced the familiar lines of Evie's face, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the delicate curve of her lips. She was the same and yet so different.
Evie looked at Levi, seeing not just the man standing before her, but the boy she had once known. She smiled like she always did whenever she looked at Levi.
"Are you happy?" Levi finally asked, his voice breaking the fragile silence.
Evie hesitated, her eyes searching his as she laughed. "What? What kind of question is that?"
"Are you happy?" Levi asked once again. "With everything that's happening?"
Evie stared at him. Her eyes searched his.
But before she could answer, the door to the bridal suite opened and a handsome man in a navy blue suit stepped in, flashing a charming smile.
"Sweetheart," he said, addressing Evie in a crisp English accent. "Are you ready? The guests have started to arrive."
Evie blinked, breaking free from the trance Levi had put her in. She shook her head and cleared her throat.
"Um...." she touched her forehead as if she was at a loss for words. "Yes, I....."
"The photographers are in the main hall," the man stepped closer.
"Yes," Evie nodded before looking up toward Levi. "Levi, this is Harry, my fiance."
Levi clenched his jaw as he turned to face the man beside Evie.
"Harry, this is Levi," Evie introduced, her voice tinged with an awkward hesitance. "My... my best friend."
Harry's eyes widened, and he laughed, holding out his hand. "Yes, of course! Nice to meet you, Levi."
Levi forced a smile and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too."
"The pleasure is all mine," Harry said warmly. "I have heard so much about you from Evie. I feel like I practically know you."
"I wouldn't trust everything you've heard about me," Levi said, pulling his hand back a bit too quickly.
Harry laughed again, seemingly unfazed by Levi's coolness. "I promise it was all good. Evie speaks very highly of you."
Levi's eyes flickered to Evie, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. He could see the subtle tension in her posture, the way she twisted her hands together.
"Well, I hope I can live up to the reputation," Levi replied, his voice tight as he commanded Evie's gaze to remain on him.
Harry chuckled, completely oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. "I'm sure you will. Anyway, we should get going. The guests are waiting."
Evie nodded, giving Levi one last look before turning to leave with Harry. Levi felt a pang in his chest as he watched them walk away, Harry's hand resting possessively on the small of Evie's back.
As the door closed behind them, Levi stood there, the room suddenly feeling emptier. The scent of flowers seemed cloying now, the golden light too bright. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing something, and that feeling of helplessness gnawed at him.
I want to write as much as I can before I go on vacation at the end of August. Pray for me lol