Chapter 52: Aaliyah's Secret

“Congratulations, Captain!” Aria said, hugging Silas.

Silas pecked her on the cheeks and hugged her tight. “Thank you, Aria.”

“Where’s your bride?” Aria asked as she sat down, accompanied by a young man who nodded as he sat beside her.

“She’ll be here soon,” he replied.

He’d seen Ivy around the garden but lost sight of her almost immediately. A large table had been arranged in the middle of the garden for his family. Now, with everyone seated, it gladdened his heart to see them in one place.

Theresa and her husband, Wills, had finally joined the party and were having a conversation with Uncle Mike. Thomas was on his phone, while Rosie was talking to Aria, who was signaling for a drink.

Andrew, seated beside him, leaned closer.

“So, you’re officially off the market,” Andrew teased.

“I was never on the market in the first place,” Silas said with a smirk. “Can’t say the same for you.”

Andrew released a long, knowing laugh and sipped his drink. “Clown,” he teased again.

Silas chuckled, reaching for his own glass of wine. Andrew had brought yet another woman, this one with monstrous jet-black hair, dressed inappropriately for his wedding, and Silas could bet Andrew didn’t know her name, as usual.

Silas turned to Thomas, seated on his other side. “You good?”

“Yes, yes,” Thomas mumbled distractedly, his eyes still fixed on his screen.

Silas’s heart broke for his brother as he remembered yesterday’s painful discovery. Thomas hadn’t spoken about it, and Silas was willing to give him all the space he needed.

“Where’s the bride? When will I meet her?” Theresa asked. Her blonde hair, now shoulder-length, made her look younger than her 33 years.

“Ah, yes. When will we see the Stone family’s latest addition?” Wills added, his hand resting on his wife’s shoulder.

“Soon,” Silas replied, scanning the garden again for Ivy. He had asked Monica to tell her to change right after they left his study.

His body reacted as he remembered her skillful hands, and now he was eager for much more. Desire stirred within him, and he stood up gingerly to avoid drawing attention to the bulge in his trousers.

“I’m going to find my bride,” he said.

“Alright,” everyone answered, except Thomas, who hadn’t lifted his eyes from his phone.

The sight made Silas’s stomach clench, knowing he couldn’t do anything to ease the pain.

Silas left the table and headed for the garden’s exit, even waving at others as he went. When he reached the door, Rachel passed him a glass. He stopped, downed it, then felt slightly better.

He left the garden and proceeded down the hallway. As he turned towards his study, he bumped into Aaliyah.

“Oh, hi. I didn’t see you there,” Silas said, smiling. But the smile faded when he saw the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head, but he knew she was lying.

He gave her a look. “Don’t give me that. Is something wrong again?”

Aaliyah shook her head. “No, Silas, I have to go.”

As she turned to leave, he grabbed her hand. Before she could argue, he gently pulled her into his study, locked the door, and led her to the couch.

His mind flashed briefly with images of his earlier intimacies with Ivy, then he quickly focused on his friend. “Now tell me, what’s wrong?”

Aaliyah glared at him. “It’s you, Silas.”

He was stunned. “Me? What did I do?”

She stood up, anger visible in her eyes. “Tell me why Priya came to me!”

His brow furrowed. “Bro, I didn’t tell her anything. She’s just jealous." His voice softened. "She's been insecure a lot lately."

Aaliyah regarded him for a moment before speaking again. “So she doesn’t know?”

“No, Aaliyah, she doesn’t. Nobody knows. You're safe with me," he said firmly. "Well, unless you decide to come out," he added playfully.

Aaliyah ran into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Silas. The marriage thing threw me off, and then I panicked because I didn’t want her to judge me.”

“Ivy would never judge you,” he said softly, releasing her from the hug. “Who has the right to judge you?”

She nodded, her eyes twinkling with gratitude. “Thank you.”

“I can’t believe you almost left my party over that,” he teased.

She laughed. “I was scared.”

“I understand,” he smiled.

When Aaliyah had first come out to him, it hadn’t really been a surprise. Their relationship had been short, and the sex had been terrible. He’d thought she didn’t like him, until he figured out she actually didn’t like men at all.

The day she told him at the photoshoot that her parents – her father especially – were making threats to cut her off completely just because she jokingly told them she might end up with a woman, Silas’s heart almost shattered.

“Well then,” Aaliyah said, “let’s get on with the party.”

“That’s more like it,” he cheered.

Silas opened the door to his study and let her out. The instant they turned to the hallway, they met Ivy by the stairs.

Ivy had changed into a short, straight gown adorned with pearls and stones. Her hair was styled differently, her makeup more subtle now.

“Ivy, you look beautiful,” Silas said, his heart leaping at her beauty.

“Yes,” she replied flatly, not looking at him. Her eyes were on Aaliyah. “I apologize for earlier.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” Aaliyah replied, her cheeks flushed. “Sorry I overreacted.”

“Let’s head back to the party,” Silas suggested. “The rest of the family wants to meet you.”

Ivy nodded, and when her green eyes finally met his, they were cold – hostile – and they scared the shit out of him.

What had he done this time?

When they entered the garden, Ivy turned to him. “Lead the way,” she said coldly.

Silas nodded, waved at Aaliyah, and led Ivy to his family table. Thomas was now talking to Wills and Uncle Mike; Theresa was talking with Aria. Rose was pressing on her phone. Andrew was kissing his date, and Aria’s date sat alone, just looking in space.

“Hello, family. Meet Ivy Stone,” he introduced.

“Oh, it’s nice to see you again, Ivy,” Aria said, standing up to hug her.

“Same here,” Ivy said with a fake smile.

He knew it was fake because her cheekbones were raised too high. He pulled out a chair for her, and she sat.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Ivy,” Theresa said.

“Nice to meet you too,” Ivy responded.

“That’s Theresa Stone Alston and her husband, Wilson – we call him Wills,” Silas said, gesturing towards them. “They’re both medical doctors, the smartest bunch amongst us.”

“Oh, come on,” Theresa said, and everyone laughed.

“It’s nice to meet you, Theresa and Wills,” Ivy said, shaking their hands.

“That’s our uncle, Mike,” Silas added, pointing to him.

Uncle Mike stood and gave Ivy a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family.”

A small blush colored Ivy’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

As Silas was about to sit, Rachel approached and whispered in his ear.

“Mr. Dylan is here at the wedding, sir,” she said.

Anger rushed inside Silas as he stood abruptly. “Excuse me,” he muttered, then followed her.