• E I G H T E E N •

Natalia looked herself in the mirror the golden gown fitted perfectly with her body. The gown had net on the top with toppings on it and a flair on the bottom. She had tied her hair in a side bun her blonde hair looked ethically beautiful and matched perfectly with her dress. It was the most expensive gown of the year. This new year's eve was a hell of a choas. Everywhere people were excited for the most awaited bachelor to tie his knot.

From the day he had announced in the public, through an interview the city had started to gush about it. The most out of all unhappy were the models and the girls he once had any connection. They had called him countless times but Ashton didn't even replied to one.

His engagement was the much awaited of the whole year. Thirty first December was the last day of the year and the much talked day. All the newspapers, magazines, tv news, reporters were just blabbering about it from past a week.

The women Ashton David Cross is marrying is still a mystery!!!

Ashton had made sure she was hidden from the world uptill he want it. He had made sure all his enemies were in check and all long lost affairs were also in check. He made sure everything was under control nothing could harm Natalia.

She had seen countless women in past a week on the news from his college affairs till she met him. All the womens were beautiful, alluring and gorgeous. They were smart and perfectly fitted his standard. But today when she looked herself in the mirror she felt proud of herself.

Those women's were gorgeous but she was elegant and there was a security in her heart that she owned his heart and a slight guilt of never loving him back. She wished she could love him but she never ever wanted to cheat Nicholas.

Over the past week she had bonded herself with all his friends and family. But the person she most bonded with was Austin. She didn't knew what connection she felt but she felt security in his warmth and care.  She felt a brother sister bond was already grown between them. Today when she looked around herself all she could find was world's best thing around her from clothes to jewellery to accessories. She had everything a girl would die for but something she wished wasn't there.

Nicholas!!!

She wiped her tears and sat on the bed, today was her engagement if she looks back there is lot of she had left and she wish to never see it again but a guilt is forever going to remain in her heart. But when she looks ahead she could find people caring for her, loving her and out of all she sees is Ashton..

He may not be her man of dreams but: he is the man who has made sure all her wishes are fulfilled. He arranged everything as per her wish. From the dress to the engagement party. Ashton was never her dream but he was her Santa Claus, who made sure all her dreams came true.

The knock on the door broke her trance. She turned towards the door and saw March standing on the door wearing a evening party gown which perfectly showed off her curves. She looked like a red hot beauty enough to blow people's mind. For a second she felt worthless in front of March's beauty. March entered the room and took Natalia downstairs for the engagement.

Natalia was nervous and more over afraid with thousands of people around her with media and paparazzi. She stopped in her tracks on the door and looked at March verily. March gave a sweet smile and asked her to relax.

"Stay calm..!!" she coaxed

"I can't..!!! I've never been exposed to so much I can't.." Natalia blabbered backing off last minute. She stepped back from the door

"Natalia.." March took hold of her shoulders and made her look at her "...down there Ash is waiting for you.. You can't stab him last minute.. This is all nothing just calm down.."

"Your going to be my side, right??" she shot a curious glance and March shook her head

"I'm not Aaron's real sister I'm sister from another father. I'm not exposed to the paparazzi and all.. I'm a mystery and kept away from public eye.." March dropped the bomb on Natalia's head and she looked at her in horror

"I'm not going down.." she almost shouted

"from down you will be accompanied by Allison don't worry"

"and who's Allison..??"

"she is one of our good friends and like a family member..." March tried to convince

***

(Natalia's Outfit)

(March's Outfit)

(Allison's Outfit)

(Mansion Hall decorated)

(cake as per Natalia's wish)

(Ashton)

(Aaron)

(Allen)

(Austin)

***

Ashton wore his alternate black colour clothes like always. He made sure everything was in check from decorations to food to guest. Half of the city was invited all renowned people were present in the party. His eyes roamed around the whole mansion and all he could see was people gossiping, talking and waiting for his women.

He never imagined he would marry Natalia, even though this is a comprise but he had built hopes of making her his one day. Today he was going to introduce her to the world as his women, as his fiance, as his bride. His friends were present at the party keeping the guest engaged with some or the other talk. Allen was the host of the party where as Aaron and Austin took care of the models and all his long lost affairs who weren't a bit happy of his marriage.

The paparazzi was taking picture of every next thing kept in the mansion. He made sure her dream of having a perfect engagement was a reality. Everything was as per her wish from colours selection to the cake.

He stood in middle of the mansion hall, for people present in the party he was the richest person of New York, he had everything people dream to have but for him he himself was the poorest guy of the world. His only dream: his women wasn't his. She loved his brother like best friend not him. That pierced his heart like a sword.

If dreams come true then he wished his only dream Natalia becomes his. But not all dreams come true. He could hear people whispering about the girl who stole the billionaires heart. He wished even he had stolen her heart. He so wished.

"Ash.. " Aaron called him from behind. He turned around and faced his best friend who had horror on his face which didn't go unnoticed by Ashton

"What's wrong??" he asked impatiently. He had made sure nothing goes wrong. Then what?

"Natalia isn't coming downstairs...!!" Aaron informed and Ashton felt someone stabbed his heart

"Why??" his heart beated widly. She can't change her mind last minute

"she's afraid..." Aaron said with sadness. Austin too reached them and heard the conversation

"I'll bring her down..." Austin announced and spin on his heels

"wait..!!" Aaron stopped him "how???"

"Don't worry you guyss take hold of the party.. I'll bring her down.." Austin rushed upstairs with Allison

Aaron patted his back and asked him to calm down. the guest were waiting for the bride but she was nowhere. Ashton prayed to god not this time, this time his fate can't play ridiculous game with him. He deserves a little happiness.

***

Austin entered the room and saw March trying to convince Natalia come downstairs. Allison stood a little afar from them and eyed Natalia from head to toe. Allison was another person who knew about this compromise. She was Nicholas sister. She loved both Ashton and Nicholas and it hurted her to know about their love triangle.

Allison was confused what to do be happy for Ashton who loved her like his own sister or be sad that he's marrying non other his best friend's girlfriend or pity Natalia to be such vulnerable circumstances. But she didn't chose her mind nor heart she agreed with what others had planned for them. Maybe even destiny wanted Ashton and Natalia instead Nicholas and Natalia.

Austin kneeled in front of Natalia and took hold of both her hands. She looked at him with tears filled eyes. She sniffed and hiccuped while he wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

"trust us.." he whispered

"I'm afraid..." she whimpered

Austin looked at Allison and asked her to sit beside him. She happily obliged and sat beside him.

"Natalia I know it's hard for you to move on but you have too.."

"Austin.." she tried to protest

"you can't betray us.. Look at Allison even she has lost her brother but the thing is at this moment what's happening is correct and for your own good.. "

Natalia looked at Allison in pure shock. Allison gave a sad smile and nodded her head. "Natalia I love both my brother's and right now one is dead and other loves you.. You don't need to be afraid Ashton won't ever let you happen anything... He's there downstairs waiting for you"

***

Ashton saw Austin had entwined her hand with his while Allison had her arm. She looked ethical in the gown like an angel from heaven just for him. He was starstruck by her Beauty and not him but all the people around stood motionlessly welcoming the beauty. She looked like a goddess, in that moment: he felt the most lucky man on her earth to have someone like Natalia.

Natalia was scared to death after seeing people watching at her without blinking. She felt her legs shaking but thanks to Austin and Allison they had her caught or else due to uneasiness she might had trip down or fallen on her face. But then her eyes caught his eyes and all her veriness, nervousness was gone out of the window.

They way he saw her in complete awee made her feel worth millions. She wanted her groom to see her that way and he did saw her that way. His eyes held nothing but pure love. She calmed her nerves down and slowly became confident of her own self. Ashton's eyes were enough to make her feel worthfull and loves.

Natalia was on her way to Ashton when Allison left her hand and Austin suddenly pulled her to the other direction. She looked at him in confusion but then the music played and he placed his hands on her back.

...

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

Austin danced with her slowly and let the music calm her down. With the every next beat he fasten his steps with her and twirl her around and around thrice and left her.

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

She was passed on to Aaron with the next beat. She smiled to the fullest watching them dancing with her. Her dream was a reality. She matched Aaron's pace, moved with his steps. He threw her back and pulled again making sure she doesn't trip on her heels.

I can't believe I forgot your name

Oh baby won't you come again?

She said "I've got a problem with your shoes and your tunes

Suddenly Aaron left her in middle of the hall. The lights went dim and the only spotlight was on her and the other person who was singing the most precious lines of the song. She saw Ashton standing with the musicians on the stage singing the song.

But I might move in" and

"I thought that you were straight, now I'm wondering"

You're so conceited

Smile didn't left her lips, not even for a minute. Her cheeks were hurting due to constant smiling but she didn't care. She hadn't been more happy in her entire life.

I said "I love you"

What does it matter if I lie to you?

I don't regret it but I'm glad that we're through

So don't you tell me that you 'just don't get it'

Cause I know you do.

Ashton walked towards her singing the song. As he moved closer she felt her heart drumming with high note. He bent down on his knees and said 'I love you'. He extended his hand and she without any hesitation accepted it. He stood up and pulled her towards his chest and slowly danced with her singing the lines.

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

Well I know when you're around cause I know the sound

I know the sound, of your heart

The whole crowd cheered for them and sang the repetitive lines. The clapa echoed in the whole mansion with the loud music and people singing. The media didn't left a single chance of clicking the picture from every angle they could. Ashton's parents had tears in their eyes after Anna's death they had never seen Ashton this happy and celebrating something.

Ashton had his arms linked around her waist while hers were resting on his chest, her eyes had happy tears while a joyful smile played on her lips. Ashton condition was no different he couldn't believe that she was in his arms dancing with him as his fiancee. He didn't wanted to even blink for a moment thinking she might disappear and all these turns out to be dream instead of reality.

They were so lost in each others eyes they didn't realise rose petals showering on them. Natalia looked above while her mind just turned back when she had told her fantasy to Nicholas. Today it was a reality.

Allen handover the ring to Ashton while Allison to Natalia. Ashton bend on his knees  and offered his hand "Will you marry me.??" he asked. This was his fantasy and today god gave him grace she said a yes.

They exchanged their rings and the crowd cheered for the soon to be husband and wife. The happiness was too much to be handled at the momemt. She hugged him tightly and hide her face in his neck. She didn't wanted to cry infront of hundred people. She cried in his neck while automatically he patted her back.

The next thing crowd said made Natalia froze on her feet while Ashton heart skipped several beats..

"kiss.. Kiss.. Kiss.. "

A/N: Hello Lovies!!! It's been long time I haven't posted but this part is the longest till now and will post next week as well the wedding. Stay tuned.

Till I post again please checkout my friend's book 'When we were young' by Alex_munroe