Chapter 52 Full of Surprises
Chapter 52 Full of Surprises
Aellorah
The next time my gaze swept across the ballroom, the space where my father and brothers had been standing was empty. The tension that had been coiled tight in my spine finally loosened, and I melted against Max’s chest, exhaling a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“They’re gone,” I whispered, relief softening my voice as I relaxed against him.
“I know…” Max murmured, a slow, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Killian and Jax are following them.”
My stomach dropped. “They what?!” The panic surged up my throat, sharp and overwhelming. “Max, that’s—”
“They can handle themselves, my love.” His tone gentled instantly, his thumb brushing soothing circles along my waist. “They won’t engage. They’re just making sure your dad doesn’t linger.” He pressed a warm, lingering kiss to my forehead, grounding me. “I don’t want you thinking about any of that. I want you to enjoy tonight. Enjoy us.”
“Max, I told you—”
“I know, baby.” His voice dipped, protective and unyielding, his arms tightening around me as if he could shield me from every fear I might conjure up. “They’ll be careful. I promise.”
He guided me off the dance floor, his hand firm and possessive at my waist, his body a constant point of contact. “Ready to see your surprise?” he purred, his breath brushing my ear.
A shiver raced down my spine. My pulse fluttered wildly. “Yes… please,” I breathed, fingers curling into the fabric of his sleeve. Every surprise he’d given me so far had been unforgettable—visiting the ballet company, the Halloween hayride, asking me to move in with him. What could possibly top all that?
“You stay right here with me,” he murmured, his hand sliding along my hip in a slow, deliberate caress. I tilted my head up, my mouth opening to ask what he meant, but the lights suddenly dimmed.
A hush fell over the ballroom.
“For those who don’t know me, my name is Sarah Stonehall.”
My breath caught. Max’s mother stepped gracefully into the center of the room, poised beneath the spotlight. “The board would like to thank everyone for attending our annual charity gala. The auction will begin shortly, and all proceeds will go toward scholarships for young adults in need.”
Applause rippled through the room. “But before we begin,” Sarah continued, her smile widening, “we’d like to celebrate a very special moment for Harrow Wood…”
The far wall lit up with a soft glow. Then, our photo appeared--the one I’d taken with Max. My engagement ring glittered in the projection, our faces bright with joy. The sight hit me like a physical force. My breath stilled. My heart stuttered.
Max leaned in, his lips brushing my temple. “I told you,” he whispered, voice thick with pride, “everyone is going to know you’re mine.”
“Most of you know our son, Max,” Sarah continued. “He’ll be graduating this year… and we’d like to offer our congratulations to Max and his new fiancée, Aellorah.”
The spotlight shifted, landing on us like a warm, blinding sun. Instinctively, I tensed, wanting to shrink into Max’s side, to hide from the sea of eyes turning toward us. But Max’s arm tightened around my waist, anchoring me. He stood tall, confident, radiating a quiet, unshakable certainty as he smirked at the crowd.
“Smile, Princess,” he murmured, his hand gliding up my back in a slow, reassuring stroke. “Everyone here is celebrating us. Shame your father didn’t stick around for this part.”
His tone was light, almost teasing, but I felt the tension still humming beneath his skin in the wake of my father’s appearance.
Then, in front of everyone, Max cupped my cheek and kissed me. Heat flooded my face, but I kissed him back, unable to stop myself. The crowd erupted—cheers, whistles, applause.
“I love you, my little ballerina,” he whispered against my lips, his forehead resting against mine.
“I love you too, Max. So much,” I breathed, brushing my nose against his.
“Come on,” he murmured, threading his fingers through mine. “The night isn’t over. I still have a couple of surprises for you.”
More? My heart fluttered helplessly.
“Max, this is already too much,” I whispered, overwhelmed.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. “Not for you, baby.”
As he led me toward the exit, he exchanged a subtle nod with Hayden across the room. Sarah’s voice drifted behind us, announcing the first auction item.
“Hayden has everything under control,” Max assured me. “Jax and Killian are fine.”
His certainty was enough. I let him guide me into the elevator. He slid a keycard into the panel and pressed the button for the top floor.
With each tick on the panel as the elevator climbed, my heartbeat quickened. My mind raced with possibilities, none of them coming close to what awaited.
When the doors opened, I expected a hallway.
Instead, the elevator opened directly into the penthouse. A soft gasp of awe escaped me.
Candles—hundreds of them—glowed from every surface, casting warm, flickering light across the room. Rose petals blanketed the floor in sweeping trails of red and pink. The air was thick with the scent, sweet and intoxicating.
“Max…” My voice trembled as I stepped out of the elevator.
“My parents were supposed to stay here,” he said with a small, amused smile. “But when I told them we were coming, they gave us the room.”
“Why would they do that?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “I thought you said you didn’t get along with them. Tonight… it didn’t feel like that.”
He exhaled slowly, his expression softening. “I didn’t see my life the way they wanted me to. The expectations, the career path… none of it fit. Not until now.” He paused, eyes searching mine. “I think I understand my dad a little better. And the fact that they’re willing to protect you as fiercely as I am… just means that much more to me.”
“What do you mean?” I stepped closer, drawn to him like gravity.
“I never had real ambitions for my future,” he admitted quietly. “Because I never had someone to take care of before.”
The words hit me like a tidal wave. My eyes burned as they filled with tears. Emotion swelled in my chest, too big, too full. I closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, throwing my arms around him, burying myself in his warmth.