Chapter 177 - Where's My Hug

"I swear that man loves you like there's no tomorrow. Just look at those eyes which are filled with unending affection and warmth for you. I won't lie, Em, I'm jealous. Why I can't seem to find someone who will love me even half of how much Mr. Sullivan loves you?" 

Emily's attention was pulled away from her mate when Olivia whispered next to her ear while nodding towards Kaiden as she spoke.

"Oli....."

Emily's voice sounded a little bit desperate as she looked at her friend with pleading eyes.

Olivia was confused at first as she could not understand what was wrong with her friend but when she noticed that there was a big smile blooming on Mr. Sullivan's lips as he returned his attention towards Mr. Alessandro, she finally understood.

Of course, the man heard every single word that she just spoke. 

"You don't want me to boost your man's ego, am I right, my love?" She asked her friend as she looked at her with a teasing smile. 

Not knowing how to deal with Olivia's teasing, Emily once again picked up a marshmallow and stuffed it in her friend's mouth who gifted her with another glare.

"If you dared to tease me once again then I'll make sure to tell your future boyfriend or potential husband about all your popular rumors at the Nightfall," She threatened her friend who gave her a sad pout but thankfully stopped teasing her.

Emily and Olivia once again settled down in their seats along with Bianca and Jackson while Sam left to talk with Kaiden, Domenic, and a few of the Council members who were standing at the other side of the hall.

"Em..."

"Huh?" 

Emily looked at Bianca to see why the woman was calling her in such a hushed tone. But when she turned towards her, she found the woman pointing towards something with her eyes.

She turned to look at whatever Bianca was pointing out and found Leo staring directly at her. Her brother gave her a quick look before he disappeared into the crowd and a few seconds later, she noticed him walking out of the back door of the ballroom.

Emily turned to look at Bianca as she asked, "Should I follow him?" 

"Of course, child. That's exactly what he wants," Bianca told her with a soft smile and a slight shake of her head which made her blonde hair bounce. 

Emily did not waste another second as she hurriedly rose from her seat and made her way towards the direction of the back door. 

-

"Wh.....oof...!"

Emily stared at the stairs leading towards the upper floors in pure shock. Her mouth was left open as she still was trying to process the fact that the moment she stepped out in the back hallway, her youngest brother had pulled her in a tight warm hug.

As seconds passed, a weak smile finally started making its way to her lips. She moved her hands to wrap them around her brother as she spoke, "I thought you were angry at me."

Leo was silent for a while as he kept hugging his little sister. Though she was no longer a kid, she was still his baby sister and he had missed her a lot in the past four years.

"I was," he finally replied and pulled away from the hug slightly to look at her face. She looked just like the little angel that he saw for the very first time twenty-two years ago, just a little bit taller and more beautiful.

"I was also angry and hurt just like the others. But in the past few days, I realized that we are just wasting these precious moments. I have already spent so many years yearning for my baby sister and now when you are finally back, should not I be an idiot to waste this time if I kept holding a grudge? I don't want that Emmy. I want to spend family time with you and others. I want us to be as happy and complete as we were before you....you left." 

Leo stopped speaking and smiled softly when he saw his sister crying as she stared back at him with an apology written all over her face. He was well aware that she had accepted her mistakes and he also knew that she was sincerely apologetic about her actions. 

He cupped her face in her hands and brushed away her tears as he spoke, "I knew that you are going to cry, that's why I decided to talk to you here instead of back there in front of everyone. I'm a thoughtful brother, right?" 

Emily hurriedly nodded her head as she again broke out into tears. Looked like recently she had been crying a lot but thankfully, it was not because of something bad. Rather, it was because good things kept happening without any indication. She would have never thought that Leo would forgive her so easily but here they were.

"I'm so sorry, Leo....I'm really sorry," she apologized as she looked at her brother with her tear-filled eyes.

"It's alright. I forgive you, Emmy, and it's because this was the first time you hurt us, and that too unintentionally. I love you too much to keep ignoring you," Leo said as he pulled her in another hug and rubbed her head tenderly. 

As Emily tightened her arms around Leo, her teary eyes landed on another familiar figure standing next to the back door leading into the ballroom.

"Daniel..."

Leo pulled away when he heard her calling their Second brother's name. He also turned to look at where Emily was staring.

Daniel watched his two younger siblings with warmth filling his emerald eyes. He could never have guessed that out of all his brothers, Leo would be the most sensible one. But it was good to see that his youngest brother was becoming mature with time and he knew the importance of family.

His eyes then moved towards the young lady who looked as beautiful as he had seen in pictures and videos. This was the first time he was seeing her for real after the past four years.

"Where's my hug, Sorellina?"