Chapter 23

Aella POV

Tina's boyfriend? When I look at my niece who's by the way, looked so shocked, I chuckled.

"Oh! I'm so sorry Ezekiel. Can I call you that?" I asked and he gave me a warm smile and a nod. "But she did not tell us that she already have a boyfriend." I said to Ezekiel and back to Tina who swallowed and drank her wine quickly. My cousins watch our exchange. They know that I don't approve Tina to have a boyfriend at a very young age.

But...

As I look at the young man in front of me, I suddenly thought about Vincent being young. What did he looks like when he was younger? I'm sure a lot of girls are throwing themselves at him.

As I walk towards Tina, the tap of my shoes echoed. I'm in a good mood, by the way.

"Tina..." I started. Nancy and Zoey walk as well. I don't know what they're thinking but they're walking towards me as if they're ready to stop whatever I'm going to do.

"A-aunt..Aella." Tina said, nervously. I smiled at her.

"It’s okay." I said as I saw Nancy and Zoey looked shocked but relieved.

I also saw Tina's eyes sparkles. "But...." I interrupted her, making her more attentive. "Ezekiel must go to our house tomorrow to meet our parents and to have dinner with us." I said to her. "And..." I face Ezekiel.

"I know you guys are still young to commit on something, but…don't hurt her. She's been through a lot." I said directly to Ezekiel who is by the way, look serious.

"I won't promise anything, but I'll try not to put a single tear from her. Aside from happy tears, I guess." Ezekiel replied and giving me a smile

"That's better." I said before I went to the couch and sit. Nancy and Zoey are already there, sipping their cosmos. "You're going to talk to Tina?" I asked Ezekiel and he nodded.

"Go ahead." I said, looking at my niece.

Ezekiel assisted Tina to stand and walk towards the door. "No monkey business guys." I said to both of them.

"Auntie!" Tina reacted more like a protest or something.

"What? You're still a teen. Hormones nowadays are very....." I pause, thinking about a nice word to put it. "Say... Energetic." I added making the guys chuckles.

"Whatever Aunt" She said, rolling her eyes. "Love yah!" She waves before disappearing on our sight.

Ezekiel and Vincent, I think, exchange glances. It’s more of a warning look, I think. How sweet of Vincent.

"What's sweet?" I heard Andrew asked. They heard that?

I look at them and they all nodded at the same time.

"It’s nothing." I said before sipping on the glass of wine.

The girls’ releases a sigh of relief like something in their chest are ready to explode.

"Come on guys! Say it!" I said to both of them.

"We thought you were going to create a scene."Said Nancy who's by the way look a little tipsy

"Why would she create a scene?" Vincent asked as my cousin’s laughs.

"Because..." Said Zoey. "Because, that woman is very protective of Tina. We thought she was going to punch the boy or maybe drag Tina out of this place." Zoey added while Nancy nodded in agreement.

"Oh come on! I'm not like that." I said, giving them an eye roll and they snorted.

"Oh yeah! Last year, if I'm remembering it correctly, someone asks for her number and you almost threw your coffee on the poor guy." Nancy said as she shakes her head.

"That was a joke." I countered. I heard Vincent chuckled lightly.

When I look at him, he raises his two arms in surrender.

"Cheers?" Said Andrew, shifting the subject. We all tossed our drinks and drank it straight.

"Care for a dance downstairs?" Asked Vincent "I think, it’s the lovers' dance." He added making me laugh.

"Lovers dance huh?" I said before standing and letting Vincent guide me downstairs and to the dance floor where most of the people are lovers.

"There they are." I say to myself as I spotted Tina and Ezekiel.

Vincent followed as to where I'm looking and found Tina and Ezekiel also dancing romantically. Teens

"They're enjoying themselves, I see." Vincent replied as he put his arms around me and fold me in his embrace as we go along the sweet music.

I know that the happiness I'm feeling is just temporary. I don't think he'll stay. He's living miles away from here. I mean, he'll disappear before I even know it. But I'll just enjoy it until then. Said my ever betraying mind that’s always over thinking