Grand Opening.
***Daisy’s POV.***
I glare at Theo when he brushes past me in front of my Mom. My Mom, on the other hand, tries to hide her smile. We are at the airport and soon going to board the private jets. And Mom and Theo are hellbent on giving me a heart attack by acting like that in front of Dad.
“What is going on with you Viola? You have been acting strange ever since you came back with Daisy. Is something going on?” Dad asks.
“Nothing is going on, Dad. Mom is just teasing you. Come.” I say and take Dad away to board the jet and glare at Mom.
“Where are you going, dear? This is for us. You, young people, would come in Theo’s jet.” Mom says and takes Dad’s arm and goes off. While Dad forgets earlier confusion and gushes over Mom.
I roll my eyes at her and join the others. We board the jet and I take place near the window while Theo shows Lily to the back of the jet where the bedroom is, for her and Adam to rest. Their nanny looks after him while we take our seats. Noah sits next to me while Theo is opposite me and Ryan and Lily are on the other side.
We are excited for Bristol, but Theo is nervous. Everything is going well, but I know Mr. Benedict is still waiting for Theo to marry his daughter. Theo has good lawyers, but Benedict has connections. Theo told me that once the grand opening of the hotel goes on without a hitch, it will get good popularity and soon he could pay off Benedict.
But till then, Theo needs to be careful, as they can create any havoc or scandal just to make him face loss. I will try my best to protect Theo from Sylvia and her father. I don’t know what level they are on but I will do anything to make Heather’s birthday perfect for both Theo and his family.
Ryan and Lily take the bedroom on Theo’s insistence, and Noah sleeps on a single seat. As soon as we are alone, Theo takes my hand and kisses it. I ask him to get some sleep, but he gestures for me to sit next to him. I look around, then sit next to him.
He puts his head on my shoulder, and after a minute, he is fast asleep. I failed to notice how tired he gets nowadays. He is always out doing some work which he has kept hidden from everyone. He is busy with Valentine’s chains of hotels and the new hotel opening in Bristol. He only gets the night for himself and he spends it with me.
I put my cheek on his head and closed my eyes. I promise myself that I will take better care of Theo from now on. It is not necessary that in a relationship, only men are responsible for looking after women. No, this woman would look after her man.
I wake up when someone shakes my shoulder. I blink my eyes to see Noah.
“They would be out any minute, so it is better if you take the opposite seat.” He says and I nod.
Theo looks around through sleepy eyes, and I smile at his adorableness as I gently wake him up. I go to the washroom and wash my face. Soon, Ryan and Lily come out and sit with us. Adam is in a good mood, so he plays a little with us. Soon we land in Bristol and come out of the airport where cars are waiting for us, along with some familiar faces.
“Toby! Olivia! It is so nice to see both of you.” I say and hug them.
“Same here. So, now can I have the pleasure of meeting your other best friend?” Toby asks.
“You can.” I say and introduce Noah and Toby to each other.
“It is nice to see you again, Theo.” Olivia says, and she looks more open now.
“Same here. How is everything?” Theo asks, and I sense some tension.
“Under control.” Olivia says with an assuring smile, “For now at least.”
“I hope it stays that way for a little longer.” Theo says.
“What are you talking about?” Ryan asks, brotherly concern clear in his eyes.
“Nothing. Let’s go. Adam and Lily would be tired. They need to rest.” Theo says and sits in the car.
“So, is everything going well between you and Mr. Anderson?” Toby asks.
“Yes. Actually, more than well.” Noah says from my other side.
I am sitting between them, and they are so close to embarrassing me. Theo, on the other hand, looked irritated by the fact that he didn’t get to sit beside me as Noah and Toby literally jumped for those seats. He is right now riding with others while we three try to catch up after their initial questions about me die down.
We reach first and the maids show us to our room. My room is changed, and it is beside Theo’s room. Last time I was here, I was very far from him and now he is showing me how close he wants me to be to him.
Heather is amazed when she arrives. She loved the house and asked Theo if this was a surprise like Ryan’s. Theo shakes his head and promises that he will beat Ryan’s gift. We went out to the museum and had dinner. At night, we come back and go to our rooms. I was disappointed when Theo didn’t come with me.
A knock comes at my door, and thinking it would be my Theo, I open it. I am met by a ferocious kiss from Theo. He locks the door behind him, and I wrap my legs around his waist. It has been just one night since we had been away, but it seemed like such a long time.
“Is everything alright, Theo?” I ask as I draw circles on his chest.
“Why would you ask?” He says and stops brushing his hand against my hair.
“It just, you seemed a little tense when you were talking to Olivia. Please do tell me, Theo. I promised myself I would look after you and protect you.” I say and place a small kiss on his chest where his heart lies.
“I just want tomorrow’s party to go without a hitch. But somehow I am getting this feeling that Benedict and his daughter are up to something. But now I am relieved.” He says with a genuine smile.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because you are there to protect me.” He says with a goofy grin and I slap his chest.
“Don’t tease me.” I say.
He flips us the very next second and starts another round of lovemaking after saying, “I’m not.”
Next day, we all wished Heather for her birthday and every Anderson showered her with gifts. Richard takes Heather out for a romantic date and would be back before the evening party to get ready. Theo already informed others to be ready by evening, too.
I spend my day with my parents and Noah, who join us to take a tour of Bristol. I enjoyed the day with them and we also went to some beautiful places. We come back before evening and start to get ready for the party.
I take out the dress I specially bought for this occasion. I hope tonight Theo will appreciate it and does not have to run away like last time. I giggle as I think about that. I take a quick shower and start getting ready.
I wear a champagne colour choker halter neck, backless, satin dress. It has a thigh-high slit and a lace-up in the lower back. It is a daring dress but also appropriate for a party like this. I wear matching heels and silver hoop earrings. I take the coat as night does get chilly here.
“Theo, now tell me. What is this special gift?” Heather asks as I enter the main hall.
“Few more minutes and you would know it. But first,” Theo says and puts a blindfold on Heather’s eyes.
“Theo! What is the need for this?” She asks.
“Just for suspense. Dad, as usual, you are in charge of looking after her. Now, follow me, you all.” Theo says with a boyish grin. He is excited like a little kid, which is in turn making others smile too.
We all follow him and walk all the way to the hotel’s main entrance where a red ribbon is tied. All the reporters and investors are waiting for Theo to do the inauguration. Richard is looking around in astonishment and so are other Andersons.
“Okay, Mom. Are you ready?” Theo asks.
“I hope you won’t embarrass me in front of people. Because from what I hear, I can hear thousands of them.” Heather says.
“I would never do that.” Theo says and opens her blindfold.
Heather is astonished to see the crowd and the hotel in front of her, which holds Valentine’s name on top of it. For a few seconds, there is complete silence, but then she hugs Theo and kisses his cheeks as she understands what this means.
“Oh, my Theo! I was waiting for this moment. I thought I had to live until your children would grow up and make an international debut. I am so proud of you. While I am still alive, I got to see Valentine’s name in another place than my home country.” Heather says and Theo kisses her cheek and gives her scissors to inaugurate.
“I am happy that you feel proud of me.” Theo says.
“I love you the most.” Heather says.
“Please stop showing off.” Noah groans out.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Yes. Dad, tell your son to take it down a notch, otherwise he will overthrow you as a charming man.” Ryan says.
“Not today, sons. Today is their day. Maybe tomorrow I can take him fishing and give another lecture on marriage.” Richard says and all three start laughing.
“I won’t mind that, Dad.” Theo says with a smile and their laughter dies down and they look at him in shock and so do I while he gives us all a smirk, me a special one.
Heather cuts the ribbon, and we all enter the hotel. And after the grand opening, the grand party starts. But soon my excitement dies down when Mr. Benedict approaches Anderson with greedy glee in his eyes.
I remove my coat and give it to the host. I roll my shoulders and say to Noah and Toby, “Let’s get this party started.”