Chapter 38 - The talk and the dance

"I still can't believe you actually let your dear sister marry him. Since you always protected her from us why are giving a leeway to Tristan?" Aaron who's close to Alicia and the one who always hang out with her whenever Ralph is busy couldn't help but placing his complaint. Not that he like Alicia as a woman but to see someone he favors marries their friend it's a weird feeling. Moreover it's Tristan. The man known to be brutal, ruthless, devilish and all kinds of evil hovers around him. The higher you stand, the higher the threat and Tristan is one of the exact example. Which is why he's leading a dangerous life. With threats from his own family as well as his own enemies that are countless.

"Do you think i wanted to? He's been watching over her for years and know everything about her more than i know my own sister. The day that she got hit by a car, he was there and told me straight to my face that he wanted her. How do you want me to respond to that? Even if i punch him, i will still lose." Ralph said in regret. He still feeling sullen over this. Ralph didn't expect Tristan will make his move abruptly just like this. He wanted to protest but the look from his own wife and the glare from his mother just made him sulk in silent. Now that he was asked about it, he wanted to vent it all out. Not being able to walk his sister down the aisle is also the reason he couldn't keep his anger hidden.

"I thought he was only looking after her in the past. But i never thought he wanted to marry her from the beginning. That guy, i can never guess how his mind work." Daryl said. Sitting with the group, they couldn't help but gossip about that particular man.

"I'm not surprised. Remember the night she got beaten by her worthless father? You should see his eye that time. If it wasn't for him holding Alicia, he would definitely torture the lot of them right there." Grey swirl his wine glass before took a sip. Savouring the taste as he look around. Mostly looking for his new target. Unfortunately, it's a private party and the one who are invited are Ralph's family and theirs. But his eye fall on a certain someone who's laughing with his sister. He squinted his eyes when she whisper mischievously to his sister before they both laughing like a lunatic. Unknowingly, his lips curled a little bit before he hid it by sipping the wine.

"I thought he would never married considering how he hated to be close with woman. Even his secretary is a man. And most of his employees are men. I can count with my fingers how many woman in his company. Not to mention they are married woman." Jason who always change his woman couldn't help but grumble the unimportant matter leaving the rest of them rolled up their eyes.

"Well, at least two of us are married now. Which makes the rest of us will be fed with dog food whenever there's a gathering. At least Ralph wouldn't bring his wife around. But knowing Tristan, i doubt he will leave Alicia behind." Daryl just had to mention the one thing they dreaded the most. Before it was Ralph who's going head over heels with Delilah. Flaunting his love for her whenever they had a gathering. But now that Delilah prefer to stay at home taking care of their kids, Ralph is back solo again but will always limit himself. He would rushed home before midnight. Which irritates them once in a while whenever he had a big grin on his face as he rushed home. They all know what it meant. It doesn't take a married man to know what that big grin mean and the way he rushes them to end the party.

"Good food is hard to come by." All of sudden Zack speak only to mention about food as he gobbles up the rest of the meal since they were busy complaining and grumbling. Jason and Aaron who are sitting both of his side smack the back of his head as he stuff another prawn into his mouth.

"I hope you choke on your food." Ralph growled out his word. Hearing his friends talking about Alicia and Tristan, his mood just turn worst. He was about to vent more of his anger but was interrupted when someone tapped on his shoulder. He turned around only to see Alicia smiling beautifully at him with white long sleeve dress with glitters and lace and a little crown on her head with her hair braided magically making her looking outstanding and lovely.

"Ralph, dance with me." Alicia said softly as she tugged his arm and lead him to the dance floor. It was supposed to be between the groom and the bride but somehow he was dragged by Alicia and now they were in the center making everyone turn their attention at them.

"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to have your first dance with Tristan? It's part of the tradition." He said while feeling uncomfortable by everyone looking at them. He glance towards Tristan but was stunned when he just nodded at him as if granting him the permission to have this dance with Alicia. He sighed. Looking at his one and only sister who still smiling cheerfully at him. In the end, he guide her with a dance that he's familiar with. They twirl around the dance floor making them the most handsome siblings in the eyes of others.

"Did you realize this was our first dance together Ralph?" Alicia said after dancing for a couple of minutes. She looked at her tall brother and her eyes idolized this man ever since he saved her from her monster family.

"If you didn't ran away during my wedding with Delilah, we would have our first dance there." He rebuked.

"There's too many people. You know i don't really like crowds." She replied.

"I know."

They were silent for a while before Alicia continued.

"Ralph, thank you for saving me back then. Thank you for giving me a perfect family. Thank you for accepting me as your sister. If it weren't for you, i'm not sure if i'm still alive on this day. And if it weren't for you, i might not be able to marry to anyone. Thank you Ralph." She said from the bottom of her heart. Her eyes glistened with tears which she tried to hold back. She didn't want to cry. It's not they won't see each other again. But she just felt like it's the perfect time to tell him that. Her brother. The brother that she love and would always be her number 1 in her life.

"Brat. Are you trying to make your brother cry?" He smile almost choking out the words in order to hide his own sadness.

"He's going to love you more than i love you. Your husband cares for you more than you know. Although he doesn't really speak about his own feelings but through his action it's easier to see how much he loved you. And for your info, he's been watching over you far longer than you ever know. He might curse me for telling you this secret but trust in him. He's going to bring you more happiness ahead. This is just the beginning. And if you think he bullied you too much, you can always come to me. I will always be your brother and we will always be there for you when you needed us." He said as he twirls her one last time. He give signal to Tristan as he hold onto Alicia's hand guiding her to her husband.

"From now on, this is your home. But we would always welcome you anytime. I want you to be happy forever. Tristan, i hope you will loved her until your very last breath. She's my dear sister that i handed her over in perfect condition and should you refuse to stay with her any longer, please return her to us in perfect condition as well." He gave Alicia away and watched both of them with sincere heart.

"You know i won't do that. She will always be mine. But it doesn't mean i'll stop her from seeing you guys. Her happiness is my happiness as well. You should know better." Tristan said when he took Alicia's hand from Ralph. Squeezing it tight as if to assure his wife to trust his word. Alicia felt warm crawling into her heart and felt like her life is perfect. So perfect that she want to make it last forever. To protect the list of people that she kept inside her heart. Ralph, Tristan, her family and her friends. They are her sunshine after the accident. Thinking about how much she endured the torture and abuse back then until this day, she felt like it was for the better. Without releasing her hold on Tristan's hand, she hugged Ralph and promised to live happily with Tristan. With that, she needed to do something about her other identity. She needed to finish the mission before she could live her life with Tristan.