“It’s stunning, but it must have cost you a fortune?” I muttered, running my hand over his and admiring the tiny ring.
“Money doesn’t mean anything, you do,” his eyes warmed and as he ran his thumb over the back of my hand I closed my eyes slightly. “I picked it because I thought you would wear it more than a necklace. I’ve never seen you in a necklace maybe once but you always wear that one.” He pointed towards my feather thumb ring and I smiled. My mum had gifted it to me on my 18th. “Also it’s a big birthday so you deserved it.” I let out a small chuckle. I was relieved he hadn’t asked me to marry him. I internally battled with a laugh at the thought that this had even crossed his mind. “It doesn’t fit on your left hand, it should fit your right?” His eyes examined my hands and then the ring. He slipped it from my fingers and placed it on my right hand. It fit like a glove. It sparkled under the lights, almost winking at us and I smiled widely. I ran my hands up his neck, held his cheeks and kissed him softly. I loved this man. I was in love with this man. Not because of his money, his status but because of the way he always seemed to have the strength to overcome almost everything and he loved me.
Vens
I heard Buddy gasp as he must have noticed the ring on her finger.
“I just shit myself, I thought you’d asked her to marry you for a second.” He blurted, a small laugh from around the table rumbled and I watched as she blushed red. I had watched her reaction when she opened the box. She was shocked beyond words. It fit her almost perfectly, Nancy did a great job and I smirked at him.
“Wrong hand idiot.” Marley rolled his eyes and slapped his shoulder. Maybe one day there will be another one on the other hand? I growled at the fast pace of my brain. At least people would question why she was wearing a ring like that now. Which meant it wouldn’t take long for Bandoni or Rava to click on either. The thought of either of them getting their hands on her made me sick and I pulled her softly towards me. Her long hair skimmed her shoulders and I admired the way it knocked the tiny straps of her dress down. She was fucking beautiful. I kissed her softly, taking her face in my hands and running my nose against hers.
“Fucking hell this is sickening,” Chlo scoffed. The feeling of her lips curling upwards against mine made me smile too. “Pass me a bucket.” She laughed as Jay joined in. I should have been embarrassed, but I wasn’t. I was confident and as I watched her flush crimson red I couldn’t help but smile.
“I think it’s wonderful.” Her mother spoke softly. I released her face and glanced towards her mum. She was smiling widely at her daughter. They looked nothing alike. Her mum's mousey blonde hair was nothing like her daughters thick brown locks. Her hazel eyes grew softer the longer she looked at her. I wished I had met her so long ago. Before I’d been dragged into working for the hideous people I worked for. I felt her hold my hand under the table and smiled at her. “I’ve never seen her this happy before.” I looked towards Chlo. She seemed happy. Genuinely happy. She nudged Jay and he too looked happier than I’d seen him in a long time.
Her mum left a while before we left. She looked tired and worn out. I’d wondered what their life was like before they moved here. Av had dropped bits of her life but nothing solid. I looked down at Av, she was sipping on yet another glass of whatever Chlo hand handed to her. She’d done well out of gifts, I think the loungewear Jay had brought her had gone down well. Nancy and Sophia had also left. Nancy said she’d got a job interview somewhere in town while she finished off her degree and Soph wanted to go out with Callum. Av didn’t seem bothered. Missy wasn’t happy, she’d sat in the corner with her head in her hands. The soft light from the Christmas tree lit the living room. Buddy was half asleep, still dressed in his suit and propped up against Chloe’s shoulder.
“You know I fucking hate it when he touches you.” Jay admitted, his voice didn’t sound the slightest bit angry as he looked towards my brother. I chuckled.
“Yeah I bet.” I raised my brows at him, almost teasing him and watched Av frown.
“You hate it when I touch Av.” I instantly tensed at the thought of him holding her in any way shape or form.
“But Avaya isn’t my sister.”
“Yeah but she’s the only thing you care about Hey?” Av had zoned out, she was too caught up in conversation with Alfie. I glanced towards her, her sharp jawline was so smooth and I nodded in response to Jays statement. He was right. There were some similarities.
