preparazione

"Xan I'm home !" I threw my bag on the floor and jumped onto the bed. "How's your day chica ?" He came out and sat beside me. "Terrible." I sighed and sat up. "Tell me about it." He said whilst combing and braiding my hair. "My father forced me to attend a party. I refused but he used you as the wild card." I exhaled. "What did you say then ?" "Of course I said yes ! He threatened to kill you Xanvier." I looked behind my shoulder. "Don't move." He held my head firmly. "I'm glad you chose me, Akïla." He whispered into my ear. I blushed and slapped his legs. "Behave !" He smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "I'm done. You look beautiful, chica." I stood up and look at my reflection in the mirror. He braided my hair into a french braid, with small red peonies and ribbons involved inside. I gasped, "It's amazing Xan ! How did you learn to do something like this." He shrugged his shoulders, "I learned it today when you're at work. Do you like it ?" "Do I like it ? I love it !" I shrieked and threw my arms around him. He patted my head, "I'm happy that you like it chica. But you should go get ready now." I rolled my eyes, "You're right. I need to attend the god awful party." I headed towards to my room."Wait ! I'll go with you." He grabbed my arm. "What ? Are you insane ? No !" I widened my eyes and shook my head frantically. "If anything happens to you, I... I can't forgive myself. Let me come with you, and let me take care of you." I sighed, "Fine ! But just so you know, I am completely capable of taking care of myself." He smirked, "Oh, everyone knows that you're a badass. I'm sure you can protect yourself. But, just in case." I nodded and rushed to my room, "I need to change, see ya later Xan !"

PREPARATION TIME...

"You cannot wear that." The voice is blunt, condescending, and clad with a general casualty that drives me to clench my fists until the knuckles stand out bone-white under my skin. If I hear that voice one more time, my brain might implode inside my skull. "I am going to a party. This dress is absolutely FINE." "No you look absolutely ridiculous. You look like you're going to the funeral. Wear the dress i gave you." my younger brother said in a flat tone. "Are you fucking kidding me ? That dress is not my type. I will look like a prostitute." "Just trust me okay? You're not going to waste my money. Try it on." "Shoo then. I need to take off my clothes." My brother went out of my room. I stripped the black dress off, shivering in the chilly air, and slide into the red one. It feels like heaven against my skin, cool and smooth and rippling. It fits well, too, snug just under my bust and free-falling into a river of luxurious scarlet silk. I twirled a little, stepping out, and gasp when almost my entire leg is revealed by a slit up the left side of the dress. "Oh My God. ASHER AYALA ! Is this dress even illegal ? Let me wear the black one !" I heard my brother laughing childishly outside the door, "Not gonna happen sis ! I already destroyed your brown eyeshadow palette and I'm going to destroy more if you don't wear the red dress !" I slammed my hand on the wall in anger, "How dare you ? It was my favourite eyeshadow !" No response. I sighed and rubbed my temples in dismay. Forget it, he's your long lost brother. He's just 19. Let him be. My parents had three babies in total. Sage, Me and Asher. Sage died protecting me from my parents. This drove Asher crazy and he ran away from home, and I'd never heard from him again. Until recently, an unknown number kept calling me and I always saw a flash of charcoal hair outside my window, spying on me. One day, I plucked up the courage to meet up with him. I've never thought that I would miss him so much. It's the feeling of ecstasy. I walked into the closet pushed away the machine guns. A door was revealed. I twisted the door knob and walked into a room. It's my weapon storage room. I took some blades and strapped them onto my waist and my legs. "Where is my favorite blade ?" I searched the room madly. It's on top of the shelf. "Remind me to organize my things throughly again." I murmured. I climbed on top of the shelf wearing 10 inches high heels, and it ain't an easy job. "Aha ! Finally got you darling. Come on Mommy missed you - AHHHHH !" I lost my balance and stumbled, falling off the shelf. Just when I thought I was going to to kiss the ground, a pair of strong and muscular arms caught me. "Careful, chica." a deep voice rang out. "Xan ? How did you come in ?" I gasped in shock. He blinked, "Through... the door ? You left it open." I strained my lips into a thin line, "Whoops." He flashed me a smile, "Do you talk to your blade all the time ? Seriously I'm not gonna accept that she's my daughter." I giggled, "No i just talk to myself very often, because i'm lonely at most times. Now please put me down." He ignored my pleas and walked out off the room, while still holding me in his arms. "OH MY GOD WALK SLOWLY, it's like riding a fucking roller coaster !" I put my arms around his neck and clung onto it tightly, afraid that i'll fall. "Relax chica, I won't let go of you." He gently lowered me onto my bed and then he stood in front of me. I sat up and took a quick glance at him. I regretted it at once. It is not even possible that a man could look this hot. He was wearing a tuxedo that fit his body very well. His hair, which he normally wears down and soft to frame his face, is gelled up to reveal his forehead and eyes in magnificent clarity. The dapper tux hugged his slender waist. A black bow tie is tucked into the collar of his stark white shirt. He caught me staring and leaned in as close as possible, making me fall on the soft bed. Then he's sinking down, his arms moving to rest on the bed on either side of my waist as his spine curves, shoulder blades mountaining underneath the material of his shirt. I balled the hem of my dress nervously and stammered, "What...what are you do...doing ?" "Done staring ?" he smirked. I cleared my throat, "I... I'm not staring..." He planted a kiss on my forehead, "Chica you look beautiful tonight. You have no idea how much I want to tear this dress off you right now." I placed a hand on his chest to prevent him from coming closer, "Jesus can you keep everything PG-13 ? I'm just 21." He raised his eyebrows and softly press an index finger against his lip. "So you're saying that you're a virgin ?" he asked unbelievably. I rolled my eyes, "Dude, what do you expect ? I'm only a teenager. I haven't slept with anyone before." Xan laughed, "Would you like to try then ?" I looked at him with disgust, "Excuse me i need to fix my hair. Get out of my room." I pushed his heavy body off me, stood up and turned around but I hear a gasp. I looked at him and asked, "What ? Did I pee my pants ?" He cleared his throat, and he stuttered, "Your... your dress princessa..." I looked down and saw that my left leg was exposed. A blush redder than my dress erupts like lava across my cheeks. I moved backwards and smoothed my dress, my leg sliding back into the garment. I glanced back at Xan and opened my mouth, agape. Boy, he is blushing. Hard. I rubbed my arms and bit my lower lips. Xanvier is blushing, what does that mean ? He took a step in front of me. "You look very beautiful tonight, Akïla." he brushed his lips against my earlobe. "Oh ? So I'm not beautiful at other times ?" I crossed my arms and glared at him. "What ? No ! You're beautiful at anytime..." Xan stuttered. I laughed and placed a hand on his chest, "Relax. I'm messing with you." He leaned in and I can smell the strong scene of vanilla, "Being naughty today hmmm ?" I smirked, "Please, I am always naughty." He lowered his lips on mine but then - "DEAR SISTER AND MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW ! Please do not do dirty things in this house ! I am innocent ! My eyes are innocent !" My brother yelled at the top of his lungs and banged on my bedroom door. "ASHER BLAKE AYALA ! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU I SWEAR ! YOU BETTER RUN FOR YOUR LIFE ASSHOLE !" I screamed and dashed out. "Oh and Xan ? We're not done yet." I whipped my head around and winked at him, leaving his face turning crimson.