06. Hot?

Elena's POV

"And you fell in love? Such a cliché! The hotshot billionaire falls in love with the beautiful little waitress." I resisted the urge to scoff at Liv's dreamy expression. Love! Right! She couldn't have been farther away from the truth!

"He is Ava's father." Liv's brows furrowed while her brain was processing the information.

"Ava, as in that little girl?"

"The very." She nodded, a smile playing on her lips.

"So she in a way played cupid for you two?" I chuckled before nodding.

"Since how long?" Tyler joined in the conversation.

"Three months." I smoothly added another month to the actual length of time when I had seen him first. The long practice session earlier today in the bathroom was helping me with the easy supply of answers.

"And you have already decided that he is the one?" I could sense that his mood had soured already.

"What's wrong with that?" Though I knew what he was speaking of, I asked with a casual attitude.

"How is it not wrong? You can't know a person inside out in a time span of just three months." He looked at me incredulously.

"I am sure of this." I put up a calm and confident facade which I was far from.

"El, you are not understanding. You need to know a person before you marry him." His voice had raised a notch.

"Tyler please! last time when i was about to marry, I knew the guy for years ,right ? What happened, huh? " I snapped all of a sudden, a strange harshness arising out of my tone because of my need to get out of the situation and partly owing to the sudden rush of bitter past memories.

"Calm down, El." Em placed a hand on my shoulder. I blinked, realising my reaction was unnecessary. He was just looking out for me. Tyler sighed before taking my hand in his and squeezing it gently.

"El, whatever your decision is, I will support you. Just know that I don't want you to make any wrong decisions. I just want you to be happy." I took a deep breath and nodded.

"I know that you always want the best for me and I am sorry for this reaction. It's just that ...I am sure about this. I don't want to think a lot but just go along with my feelings.." Lying straight through my teeth to these two was imposing an uncomfortable feeling of heavy guilt in me but I had no other option.

"I understand." He smiled at me.

"Done being serious?" Liv looked at her nails, trying to pull the classic bored expression.

"Now tell me, do the magazines do him justice or is he hotter in person?" I mentally rolled my eyes at her question. If anything he is the coldest person I have ever come across.

"Yeah, he is hot." I put up a fake smile.

"Is he good in bed?" Her sudden curiosity almost made me choke on air. I was about to ask how would I know but luckily before I could voice my question, I remembered that I was supposedly in love with that arrogant creature and was about to marry him.

"Please spare me the details." Just what I think, Tyler!

"Tell me, is he big?" I looked at Liv's face who seemed unfazed by Tyler's interruption.

"Well, yeah." I came up with the most convincing shy but naughty expression before Tyler changed the direction of the conversation which I was thankful for. I was in no mood to discuss his imaginary qualities in bed.

"You met his family. Do you like them?" Before I could answer Tyler, Liv cut me off.

"Don't tell me your mother-in-law is a classic bitch." She was making those wide curious eyes as if she was about to get some good gossip.

"No, they are really nice people and wait till you meet Ava. She is the sweetest little girl." The thought of Ava brought a genuine smile on my face. Liv nodded before she jerked up with excitement.

"Come on, get your asses off the bed. We have shopping to do." And it wasn't up for discussion!

…………...

"Liv , can you get the cake out of the oven?" I heard Mom shout from the kitchen as I and Liv were seated in the living room.

"I'll do it." Tyler volunteered.

"Look at him! Doesn't leave a chance to impress Talia. " I nodded, agreeing to Liv's statement.

"Oh hush! He doesn't need to. I am already impressed with him." Tyler side-hugged Mom and poked his tongue at us.

"Of course! He is your favourite child!" I fake- smiled at him.

"That he is !" Our head snapped towards Mom who patted his head that was resting on her shoulder.

"Mom!?"

"How can you say that!?" Me and Liv exclaimed at the same time.

"Stop whining you two and help me set up the table." We pulled our asses up and went to help Mom. The Parkers were to be here in the evening for dinner. In fact they would be here any moment now. Thus, Mom had been extremely busy in the preparations since morning.

"Is everything ready? They will-" Dad was cut off by the ringing of the bell.

"They are here." He along with Mom went to open the door and seconds later I heard different voices exchanging pleasantries.

"This is the first time I am going to see Rylan Parker in person!" Liv squealed before sprinting off in the direction of the living room.

Tyler chuckled before we too made our way out. My eyes first fell on Rylan whose eyes were trained on my face. His gaze moved from me to Tyler's hand that was casually flung on my shoulder and his jaws instantly clenched highlighting his sharp jawline even more. I so wanted to run my fingers along his jawline.

What the hell? He was just a good-looking jerk.

Gulping, I averted my eyes. Leah was seated and speaking to my Mom. I took my time to notice her raven hair which complimented her beautiful olive skin.

"Elena, how are you dear?" She stood up and pulled me in a warm embrace. These people were practically strangers to me and yet they made me feel so comfortable and welcomed among them.

"I am good. You look really beautiful." I complimented her while she smiled. The fact that such a cold hearted man like Rylan Parker was a part of this family where everyone was so warm and friendly was unfathomable to me.

"Elena!" Ava rushed over to me as soon as I sat down and settled on my lap.

"So I take it that little Ava here has missed me." I poked her stomach playfully.

"I did. A lot!" She stretched her hands as much as possible to show how much she missed me.

"Aww! I missed you too." I kissed her cheek causing her to grin.

"Can I see your room?" She asked with excitement etched all over her face.

"Of course you can. Do you want to go now?" I asked to which she bobbed her head up and down.

"Let's go then."