Chapter 9: Surprise!

Ziana: Hey sis!

Me: Hey Zi, I'm---

What a coincidence!

Me: Uncle Henry? Aunt Hailey?

Henry and Hailey: SURPRISE!

Me: It is you guys! 

Nothing feels better than having your favorite Uncle and Aunt around!

They both embraced me in a big, warm, tight hug.

Hailey: We missed you so, so much!!

Henry: Indeed, Ziana was just filling us up on your lives recently.

Me: Oh really? Did she tell you everything?

Ziana: I told them everything. No use in denying it.

Henry: Let's sit and catch up on you Liana! We have caught up to Ziana's life. Now it's your turn.

Me: Okay uncle. Let me quickly change.

5 MINUTES LATER

I sat on the couch across from Aunt Hailey and Uncle Henry.

Me: I am here. Anything you would like to know first?

Henry: Do you have a spouse?

I showed my uncle my empty left-hand ring finger.

Me: No ring, no man.

Hailey: Oh come on! After hearing about Nathan and Jonathan, I thought you would have made a decision.

Me: I have resolved in my heart to not get married. Period.

Ziana: Speaking of which, what happened today at work?

Me: Worse than yesterday. Riana threatened me because I was not going to the party---

Henry: Wait, you mean...

Hailey: You are not going...

Henry and Hailey: TO THE DINNER PARTY AT THE ROMANO ESTATE?!

Ziana and I were stunned by their behavior.

Me: Yeah - what's so special about it? It's not like Lee Romano is willing to give us 5 years worth of salary to us.

Hailey: That is Liana for sure.

Henry: But look at it on the bright side... you get to dress up and meet important people that you never meet regularly. I am talking about actors and actresses.

Ziana: Don't lie Uncle Henry!

Hailey: It's the truth. 

Aunt Hailey took out her most expensive phone (that would cost me 2 years of my salary by the way) and showed us pictures of the actresses she and Uncle Henry used to meet in North Cybric.

Me: I am not into such stuff. 

Henry: Come on niece! Are you telling me there's no one on TV that you wouldn't want to meet in real life?

Ziana: There are!

Me: Not!

Ziana: Oh please! You used to say, "Oh I wish I could meet Nabila Frans in real life, like her acting is incredible!"

I looked away.

Me: I did say that.

Uncle Henry went through his phone and gave it to me. I looked back at him.

Me: What am I looking---

No way! Is that...

Me: Nabila Frans is attending? Of course, who am I kidding?

Henry: Stop being sarcastic for a moment Liana!

Me: Sorry uncle. But still, I don't like crowded places.

Hailey: Please do this just once.

Henry: Guess what?

Me: What?

Hailey: Ziana, tell Liana!

Ziana: You will get to see Lee Romano in the flesh!

Me: What?!

Ziana: YES!

Me: Wait... why would I meet him?

Ziana: You are boring sometimes Liana.

Me: I am being serious. Give me one reason that should convince me to be excited to see Lee Romano.

Hailey: He's rich.

Me: Aunt, he has a fiancee, that doesn't apply.

Henry: He supports your favorite sport, volleyball. That's one thing you guys share.

Me: Maybe his fiancee also shares the same interest.

Hailey: Please come with us. This once.

Me: Why don't you take Ziana with you?

Ziana: Am I allowed?

Hailey: Liana, your sister is only 16 years old. 

Me: Why are you all pressuring me to go?

Zane and Alicia both entered the house.

Zane and Alicia: UNCLE HENRY! AUNT HAILEY!

Henry: AH! Hello Zane and Alicia! Look how big you two have grown!

Hailey: Zane, you look handsome and Alicia, you look beautiful!

Zane and Alicia: Thanks, Aunt and Uncle! 

Zane: How have you been keeping?

Alicia: Yeah, in North Cyb?

Hailey: It was great. Uncle Henry works along with the you-know-who we were planning on taking you all there. 

Alicia: I would love to, but I have an outing with my friends tomorrow, so we will watch it at our location. Sorry...

Henry: No problem. How about you Zane?

Zane: I will overworking tomorrow and won't have time to attend, but I will stay with Ziana and watch it on TV. How about Liana go?

Me: Really Zane? You are my twin!

Zane: I also want you to get used to the world.

Me: The office is enough to learn about the world.

I then thought about Jonathan's words.

Hailey: Please Liana.

Henry: I promise, you will enjoy it.

Zane: Please sis - do it for me.

Me: Zane, not you giving me the puppy eyes... Aunt Hailey... Uncle Henry.

I sighed. I am doing this because of my twin brother Zane. Aunt Hailey and Uncle Henry were persuading me already. I don't know why they want me to go but my boss also needs my response by tomorrow.

Me: The three of you are lucky. My boss asked me to think about it and you have made me reluctantly accept the invitation. Well done, I surrender.

Everyone shouted for joy at my words.

Zane, Alicia, Ziana, Hailey and Henry: YAY!!! LIANA IS GOING! LIANA IS GOING!

Me: But...

Everyone stopped.

Me: (smiling) I have nothing to wear!

Hailey: We got you covered.

Me: What?

I thought my plan of not going was done. Having a rich Aunt and Uncle surely makes a difference.

Hailey: Look at the dress we got for you!

I was speechless.

 Me: Wow!

I could hear Aunt Hailey and Uncle Henry chuckle behind me.

Me: Why are you doing this to me guys?!

Ziana: You show them, girl! Enjoy... I know it's going to look perfect on you!

Me: Thanks Ziana! Thanks, Aunt Hailey, Uncle Henry, Alicia, and Zane - I guess my soft spot is my family... you guys.

I looked at the dress once more.

Me: It looks amazing. I love this dress. 

Hailey, Ziana, and Alicia: Try it on!

Zane: Yeah, I would like to see how it would look on you - imagine wearing a wedding dress in the future!

Me: Ha, don't get carried away. Let me try it on.

I took the dress and tried it on.

With extra enhancements, I must say I truly looked mind-blowing.

I came out after Aunt Hailey and everyone was left speechless.

Zane: Liana...

Alicia: OMG!!! (takes a picture) You show them!

Henry: That's my niece!

Ziana: OMG Liana! You are super gorgeous... you could fit in to be Lee Romano's fiancee herself.

Hailey: You see that too!

Ziana: Yes Aunt!

Hailey: But how do you feel?

Me: I am speechless... I love this dress...everything about this outfit I just love so much. You guys are surely good at your expertise in persuasion.

I guess going out with my Aunt and Uncle is not too much of a bad idea... right?