16 Gilded Shadows

16 Gilded Shadows
16
Gilded Shadows

The gates of Grams’ house gleamed under the afternoon sun, and Tessy paused as she stepped closer. The entire exterior had been transformed, garlands of pastel ribbons and fairy lights framed the wide entrance, balloons clustered in bunches along the driveway, and a large banner fluttered gently in the breeze. It looked like something straight out of a party planner’s magazine.

She blinked, heart warming at the sight. The old house had always felt comforting, but now it looked… festive, alive. She hugged her jacket tighter around herself, excitement and nervousness twining together.

But when she pushed open the door, silence met her. Too much silence.

The hallway was spotless, but empty. No voices, no footsteps, not even the faint clatter of Grams’ cooking or Patricia’s endless questions from the kitchen.

“Grams? Patricia?” Tessy called, her voice echoing strangely. She frowned, stepping further inside. “Hello? Anyone home?”

Her brows furrowed. Grams herself had called her to come over earlier that morning so where was everybody?

She muttered under her breath, “This is strange…”

POP!

Confetti burst into the air. Balloons dropped from above, and suddenly the room exploded with laughter and cheers.

“Happy Birthday!!”

Tessy jumped back with a startled yelp, hands flying to her chest. From behind furniture, doors, and curtains, Grams, Patricia, Bruno, and a couple of neighbors emerged, all beaming.

Patricia doubled over laughing at Tessy’s shocked face. “You should’ve seen yourself!”

Relief and joy rushed through Tessy, her lips breaking into the widest smile. “Oh my goodness! You guys!”

Grams stepped forward, hugging her tightly. “Happy eighteenth, Tessy.”

Big Sweet Eighteen. The words made Tessy’s throat tighten. She laughed through the emotion. “When did you even do all this?”

“We had a little help,” Grams said, her eyes twinkling. “And someone very persuasive pushed us to make today extra special.”

Tessy didn’t need to ask who. A faint heat touched her cheeks.

One by one, the gifts came out.

Patricia bounced excitedly, handing over a small box. “My gift! I baked cookies for the first time in my life.”

Tessy gasped in mock horror. “Oh no… then this is less a gift and more a weapon!”

Everyone burst out laughing, Patricia swatting her playfully. “Just try them before insulting my hard work!”

Bruno handed her a small velvet pouch. Inside was a delicate silver bangle. “Always wear it,” he said, almost gruffly, but his eyes softened.

Tessy’s smile faltered at the sweetness. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Bruno.” She slipped it onto her wrist immediately.

Grams’ gift was next: a soft, cream-colored jacket, warm and stylish. She draped it gently over Tessy’s shoulders. “You’ll need this for the cold evenings. Consider it a hug you can always carry.”

Tessy hugged her again. “And happy birthday to you too, Grams. We share the same day, remember?”

“Of course,” Grams said, eyes crinkling. “But I’m far too old for balloons and surprises. This year, it’s all about you.”

Still, she was glowing.

After the laughter settled, Grams grew a little more serious as Patricia and Bruno went to fetch drinks.

She lowered her voice. “Tessy, I have to thank you. Ryan spoke to his father about celebrating this year. If you ask me, I think one of the reasons he insisted was… you.”

Tessy blinked. “Me?”

“Yes.” Grams patted her hand. “You’ve brought something into his life he didn’t even know he was missing. And because of you, we’re all here, together, like this. It’s been a long time since my family felt whole.”

Tessy’s cheeks flushed deeper, and she waved it off quickly. “Grams, I didn’t do anything. This is your day, not mine.”

But Grams only smiled knowingly, eyes twinkling with a wisdom Tessy couldn’t quite brush away.

“Still,” Grams whispered softly, “thank you, for making us feel like a family tonight. And remember, tonight's party is as much yours as it is mine.”

Tessy nodded.

And for the first time in a long while, she let herself believe it.

Tessy skidded into their house and hurried upstairs to her room. The evening sky had already darkened, and soft music drifted in from the garden where guests were beginning to arrive. The vast compound glowed with lanterns and fairy lights, casting a warm shimmer over the elegant decorations they had arranged for the party.

Her eyes immediately landed on the carefully wrapped box sitting neatly on her bed. Heart racing, she crossed the room and opened it again, even though she already knew what was inside. Nestled in tissue paper lay the dress Ryan had sent the evening before.

It was breathtaking, a flowing red gown made of silk that shimmered under the light, the fabric catching glints of gold undertones with every tilt. The bodice was delicately embroidered, hugging her figure in all the right places, while the off-shoulder neckline gave it an air of quiet sophistication. The skirt cascaded gracefully, with a slit that hinted at elegance and allure. It was expensive, undeniably so, and Tessy could hardly believe it was hers.

For a moment, Victoria’s scornful words from their last encounter echoed in her mind.
“You're going to stay away from him. Whatever you’re hoping to gain won’t work. You and Ryan live in different worlds. Accept that. Go find someone on your level.”
She pushed them away firmly. It’s just a gift… nothing more.

Without wasting time, she slipped into the shower, scrubbed off the day’s sweat, and dressed carefully. When she finally stood before her mirror, her breath caught. The gown seemed made for her, it accentuated her curves, giving her an ethereal glow she hadn’t seen in herself before. She curled her hair into loose waves, letting them fall over one shoulder to cover part of her neck, the style softening her features. A smile tugged at her lips. She felt happy. She felt… fulfilled. Tonight, Ryan and his family would be here, and she couldn’t wait to see him. He had promised Victoria wouldn’t show up, and Tessy clung to that assurance.

Just then, Patricia walked in and froze.
“Oh my God,” she gasped, eyes widening. “You look… beautiful. Like a goddess. Is that the dress Ryan bought? It’s stunning!” She walked closer, her tone dropping to a teasing snort. “If Bruno sees you like this, he’ll lose his mind. He’s been sulking ever since you got that present.”

Tessy’s smile faltered for a second, a crease forming on her forehead, but she quickly masked it. Bruno had been acting strangely, but surely, he’d come around. Ryan wasn’t a bad person, and she only wished Bruno would see that in time.

Patricia kicked off her shoes dramatically. “Anyway, I’m hopeless with these straps. Help me tie them?”

With a chuckle, Tessy crouched and tied her shoes neatly. The girls shared a look in the mirror, both radiant in their own ways before stepping out together. By then, night had descended fully, and the garden was alive with laughter, music, and the start of a night Tessy would never forget.

The Smiths arrived in grand style, a convoy of sleek cars gliding up the driveway one after the other. The murmurs from the crowd rose, eyes turning instinctively toward the powerful family as doors opened.

Alexander Smith was the first to step out, his presence commanding in a tailored suit, elegance stitched into every line of his posture. Margaret followed, graceful as ever, her beauty glowing under the evening lights. And then came Ryan.

He was magnetic, dressed to perfection, but it was his eyes that caught the attention. They swept the gathering almost lazily until they landed on Tessy.

His gaze lingered. Heavy. Searching. Tracing every inch of her as though he wanted to memorize her in that very moment. And when his lips curved into a slow, satisfied grin, it wasn’t hard to guess what was running through his mind. Lust flickered openly in his stare, sending a rush of heat Tessy tried hard to ignore.

Forcing himself away, Ryan moved to greet his grandmother, but even then, his glance returned to Tessy like a forbidden pull.

“Victoria came,” Grams murmured in mild surprise when the eldest Smith stepped out last.

Ryan gave an indifferent shrug. “She decided at the last minute and insisted on following us.”

And just as quickly, he left Grams’ side and headed toward Tessy.

The mood shifted again when Ronda and her family swept in. Ronda’s dress clung uncomfortably tight, her face painted with exaggerated makeup that drew more whispers than admiration. Her eyes immediately found Tessy standing beside Ryan, and she let out a sharp snort. Envy and anger twisted inside her. Tessy still hadn’t learned her place. Well, tonight, she will be reminded of her place. And with Victoria by her side, Ronda was certain Tessy’s fairytale would shatter before the night was over.

Victoria strolled toward Grams with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Long time no see, mother.” Her voice dripped with mockery, and the word mother rolled off her tongue like poison, leaving a bitter taste in the
air. She gave the room a slow, assessing glance before smirking.
“What a decoration! Finally acting like a Smith.”