Elise's pov

I ignored his calls after that.

I know he didn't do anything wrong but I just needed space, so I lied that I was sick whilst I buried myself in my bed and cried my hearts out in the dark.

It was all going well until he showed up.

I heard my front door unlock. Living in a luxurious neighborhood has its perks, so I wasn't even scared that someone was breaking in to rob me. However I was scared that he was going to see me at my all time low.

I cursed the day I gave him a key to my house.

As his footsteps approached my bedroom door I squeezed my eyes shut hoping that it would somehow make him go away.

I heard him pause, probably to collect himself and then my door opened and he walked in. I kept my back turned to the door because I couldn't bear to look at him.

After a moment the room fell into silence. I waited for a minute, then a few more and it seemed like he had gone so I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding and then rolled to face the door and that was the worst decision I had ever made in my life because there he was, face right in front of mine, staring.

"Ah!" I screamed so loud I was sure it would be heard from the moon. My heart raced too fast . I thought it would burst out of my chest and all the idiot did was laugh.

"Glad to see you're alive."

"Don't ever scare me like that you idiot!" I screamed clutching my chest.

His shoulders shook with barely contained laughter which burst out when I shot him a glare. "oh my God." He said in between breath. "Yo-you should have seen the look on your face."

"Shut up." I threw a pillow at him which he effortlessly caught then moved my leg aside and sat on my bed with a sad expression.

"Why have you been avoiding me, lise?"

That looks... It crushed my heart. He had been so happy to introduce her to me and I ruined it.

"I..." what do I say? "I was honestly sick and didn't want to ruin your new couple's honeymoon."

He gave me a deadpan look.

With a sigh I said, "look, I was surprised. You never told me you were seeing anyone and it hurt you know. As your best friend, you hid that from me."

That was somewhat the truth.

"Oh, Lise." He pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "I understand now. I'm sorry about that, I just... I don't know. I was an idiot. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." My voice was muffled against his chest as I tried my best not to melt into him.

"I promise this will never happen again."

"Pinky?" I held up my pinky.

"Pinky."

Like that, another promise was made.

"Now tell me about her." Saying those words was equivalent to me swallowing class but I knew I had to be his friend first before my feelings.

His eyes lit up. "She's the one, Lise. She's the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know we're going to last."

****

Well... they didn't last.

I guess there really was a big guy up in the sky listening to my prayers. Victoria turned out to be the worst thing to ever happen to him. Their relationship was toxic and on and off for years until they finally broke up.

While he was heart broken and crying, I comforted him and celebrated every night when I got home.

Who said miracles didn't happen?

Three months after they broke up things were finally coming back to normal and I had Marcus all to myself. I was slowly working towards the thought of telling him how I felt.

"Stop daydreaming, you're at work." He said, voice cutting through my thoughts as he walked ahead of me.

We had come to LA for a business trip and he seemed awfully excited ever since we arrived. The way he looked at me and spoke to me, it was different.

"Care to share what has got you in a good mood lately?" I tried to pry.

He simply smiled, shaking his head. "Well... you'll find out tonight. Come to the penthouse by 8, dress beautifully. You wouldn't want to miss it."

Before I could ask more, he got into his car and waved at me as he drove away.

Dress beautifully? What's going on?

****

At exactly 8, I walked into the Royal hotel dressed in the most beautiful crimson dress I owned. Make up perfectly done as well as my hair. I was ready for whatever he was planning.

I stepped out of the private elevator and it felt like deja vu. I shook off the weird feeling and took a step forward, straight into someone's chest.

"Oh!" I stumbled back, my purse slipping from my hand.

A deep voice spoke, fine filled with low amusement. "Easy there."

I looked up and my breath hitched.

He was... gorgeous. Not polished and pristine like Marcus. He was rough and jagged. His dark hair was a little too long, falling over his stormy grey eyes. He had tattoos covering his entire left arm and disappearing into his dark shirt.

He looked out of place here, like he belonged in an alleyway with a cigarette between his lips, not outside the penthouse of the city's most powerful CEO.

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Excuse me, but what are you doing up here? This floor is private."

His lips twitched like he was fighting back a smile. "And who might you be? The security guard?"

Heat flares in my cheeks. "No, but I know you're not supposed to be here. If Marcus catches you sneaking around the higher-ups' residences, you'll be lucky if all you get is escorted out. You could be arrested."

"Arrested?" he let out a smirk, and something about the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. "That's a little too much, don't you think?"

"Not when it comes to people like you sneaking where you don't belong." I made my room harsher to hide the way he was unsettling me.

He paused for a moment, just studying me. There was this intensity in his eyes that made me shiver. Then finally, he extended his hand. "Sebastian."

I hesitated then placed mine in his. "Elise."

There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes but that was impossible because we had never met. Before I could allow myself to think much about it, I pulled my head back. "Well, Sebastian, I'd advise you to leave before you get caught. Consider this your warning."

"Consider it taken," he said softly, though the glint in his eyes suggested the opposite.

I stepped around him, determined not to give him another second of my time. He was probably a lower staff member who got curious or worse, a trespasser who thought he was smart.

Either way, he was none of my concern. The guards would take care of him.

I opened the door to Marcus's penthouse and froze.

At my feet lay... a path of roses.

A path of roses usually meant one thing, a proposal.

Was he... proposing to me?

Elise's pov

The room was lit by soft light to set the mood, the trail of petals led further into the house but I couldn't move. My heart was in my throat and at that moment all I could do was stare.

It was all how I had dreamed.

We had once had a conversation before about proposals and I was so surprised he remembered.

My hands came up to my mouth to stop the son that broke through. I knew my perfect makeup was ruined by the involuntary tears spilling down my face but I could care less.

The candles, the scent of the roses. Everything was all too overwhelming but I loved it.

This is it. This has to be it.

The giddiness bubbling inside me nearly spilled out as I continued to try and convince myself that it wasn't a dream but real.

He was waiting.

"Okay, you've got this Elise." a little pep talk to get over the nerves because I knew that at the end of the trial Marcus was waiting for me and it was best I didn't keep him waiting any longer.

Slowly and shakily, I took the first step. Then another.

That's it, one foot in front of the other.

The trail led me further into the house and my heart swelled with each step.

As I got closer to the main part of the house, I noticed that my family was present and they were smiling. I also say his family.

Oh my God, oh my God. I panicked internally not being able to believe that he got everyone here to witness such a beautiful moment.

He was really thoughtful.

Finally the path gave way and there he was.

He was dressed in a beautiful black, perfectly tailored suit with a bouquet in his hand and the most handsome smile on his face.

A little band behind him started to play a slow love song that added to the atmosphere and made me start to tear up again.

My eyes drifted to the neon sign behind him which said "Will you marry me?"

This was real. I couldn't believe it.

"Marcus..." was all I could say.

"Elise." He said my name for the first time in years, he only said it when he was very serious. "Today is about to be the happiest day of my life. I can hardly believe it!" He laughed.

"I know, I know." More tears kept pouring out and my throat bobbed as I swallowed down a sob. I can't believe it too. This is all... so beautiful."

"I took everything you said about a proposal back when we were in college. I noted it down and made sure to do everything perfectly just to impress you."

A chorus of "awnn" could be heard from his family and mine.

But he wasn't done. "All this wouldn't have been possible without you, Elise. I would have been so lost but I'm glad I had you by my side every step of the way."

"I'm glad I had you too."

"Elise-"

"Just skip the proposal and pop out the question."

My rush made everyone laugh, him as well.

"Okay, okay." He laughed slowly, lowering himself on one knee.

"She said the long speech isn't necessary so here goes."

Time slowed as I watched my dream finally become a reality.

"Will you marry me?"

I opened my mouth to say it.

"Yes."

That was it. That word to seal it all but...

It hadn't come from me.

I stood frozen as Victoria stepped out from behind me, running into his arms. He lifted her, spinning and laughing.

Everything replayed in my head.

I had been so delusional that I didn't see that his eyes kept flickering behind me. He wasn't thanking me for giving him tips for my proposal.

He was thanking me for giving him tips to plan this proposal... for her.

I felt a presence come up behind me, the person leaned close to my ear and said, "The only crime you committed was loving my brother?"

Brother?

Marcus didn't have any siblings.

Turning, my eyes landed on the person who spoke and it was someone I had never expected.

Elise's pov

Sebastian.

He straightened, hand in his pocket as he stared down at me. I opened my mouth to question him but Marcus dragged my attention back to him.

"Elise, thank you so much for everything." Why was he thanking me? "After the breakup you told me that the best way to heal is to revisit what once made me happy and I realized that I was happiest with Victoria. So I talked to her and we sorted things out."

That's not what I meant you idiot! I meant, me!

I wanted to scream and cry but all I could do was offer a weak smile as he planted a soft kiss on her lips which made me want to throw up.

Victoria's eyes slid to me and I saw that smug look in her eyes. "Elise," the way she said my name made me sick. "Can you believe it? We're getting married."

My throat felt like it was closing up but I managed to force out, "Yeah... congratulations."

She moved closer to him, making sure to show me her ring and let me know that she had won.

***

After the celebration died down we all sat at the table to have dinner. I couldn't even look in the direction of anyone so I kept my eyes fixed on the tablecloth

I didn't understand why he had brought my family but I didn't want to talk to them. No one even noticed as they all spoke amongst themselves.

Then, someone drew the chair next to me and sat down. Their presence made the table go silent, I looked up and saw Sebastian. This made me remember his statement from earlier.

"Sorry for keeping you guys waiting, I had to take a call." He said smoothly.

I could see the confusion in my family's eyes but when I looked at the Greys they had this tense look in their eyes.

"Who is this?" My mother finally asked

Mr Grey cleared his throat, "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Sebastian Deluca. My son."

All eyes snapped to Sebastian including mine. Something was amiss, how did they have another son and all these years they parade Marcus as the only child.

Also, Deluca? Why did he have a different surname? What was the unspoken tension going on between them? And why did his name sound a bit familiar?

My mom opened her mouth to ask another question but the sound of Marcus's ring tone interrupted her. He gave an apologetic smile then excused himself.

This was my shot.

"Umm... excuse me. I need to use the bathroom." I didn't wait for anyone's response as I got up and hurried after him.

I stayed in the hallway waiting for him to finish his call and once he did, I approached him. He smiled at me, "hey, Lise. Why are you back here?"

"I don't think you should get married to Victoria." I blurted out.

His smile dropped and he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What's the problem now, Elise?"

The way he said my name stung. "I-i just think you are rushing things and should find a better person to settle down with."

"Rushing things? Jesus, Elise. Victoria isn't a stranger, we have dated for years and just had a little misunderstanding and went on a break which all couples have." He said. "I am a grown man and I know the difference between right and wrong, I don't need you to tell me."

"I'm just saying-"

"Saying what? Elise." He snapped. "That I should find a better person?"

I remained silent.

He scoffed. "And who do you think this 'better person' would be? You?" He laughed. "Please come off. Tonight is going to be a happy night. I don't need your moodwings-or whatever this is-getting in the way."

He walked past me, calling out. "Sort out yourself before you come back to the table. I don't need this negative energy to ruin everything."

I stood rooted to my spot, eyes blurred with tears as I remembered the way he had laughed when he said "you?", like it was the most unimaginable thing he had ever heard.

I knew he didn't mean to hurt me and was just overstimulated but that didn't make it hurt any less.

A broken sob escaped, making me clamp my hand over my mouth as my shoulders shook. Was it too much to ask him to love me?

After a few minutes of crying I heard a voice behind me. "You should just give up."

Sebastian. Quickly wiping my tears, I turned to face him, not caring that I looked like hell.

"Look, I don't know you and I don't want to know you so can you please stop following me around and stop talking to me?" I was tired of him just popping up at times when I felt like my world was shattered.

He raised his hand in surrender. "I'm not here to make you feel worse, I'm just saying the truth."

This made me scoff. "The truth? You know nothing about me, Marcus or our situation so whatever 'truth' you think you know is false. Keep it to yourself."

I turned to walk to the bathroom, I needed to splash some cold water on my face before facing Marcus again.

"Give up."

He said it again. I turned angrily on my heels and matched up to him. "I will not give up on Marcus because I love him." Eyeing him up and down I continued. "From the look of things you probably don't know what it means to be loved or to love someone or else you wouldn't be casually throwing the word 'give up' around like it was that easy."

He visibly flinched at my words. Good.

He was silent for a moment, staring down. I guess he had finally gotten the message.

Turning, I continued on my journey to the bathroom then- "Alright, I'll help."

I turned, confused. "What?"

"You're right, I know nothing about love and you seem to do. I want to see what it's like for someone to love a person and you need to learn that not all love is worth fighting for and what better way to do that than team up, try to get you your man and see how that works out?"

Why was he offering to... help me? "What do you gain in all this?"

"Nothing, I'm just bored."

I shot him a dry look which made him chuckle. "Okay, okay." He held his hand up in mock surrender then turned serious. "It might not seem like we have the best sibling relationship but I don't even need to know much to know that Victoria isn't the right person for him. I have failed to be there all his life but what's a better way to redeem myself then to help him escape and claws and be with someone who is actually right for him?"

It all sounded so suspicious but still... he was willing to help me get Marcus. I had been fighting alone for so long and a little help would go a long way.

I must have been silent for a while so he urged me, "so...? What do you say?"

"Let's do it." I stretched out my hand. "But if I find out that you lied to me, I will not hesitate to ruin you."

"Ouu, feisty." His hand was warm as it enveloped mine. "Okay, little vixen. We've got a wedding to stop."