Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

The next day, Annalise was feeling much better. Since morning, she noticed a strange excitement in Alexis and Aries but didn't have much opportunity to talk to them with her aunt sitting at the breakfast table with a scowl on her face. Dean grabbed an apple and left for work and do did Erik. Derek was too busy messaging his girlfriend to notice what was going on. Their uncle had already left for work while Mike hadn't returned home after a night out. It inflamed Annalise further when she heard about his night out. It showed how biased aunt Emily's behavior was towards her. She had never crossed her limit and never returned later than 10 in the night yet her aunt recently started targeting her a lot for not coming home on time.

After Nelson's and Susan's visit, a rebellious side was visible in Annalise. She ignored aunt Emily's behavior pointedly. Why should she give up on the love of her life for someone's unjust demands? If aunt Emily was indebted to aunt Sandra, there were other ways to repay her. How could Annalise help in repaying her aunt's debts? It was unjust to force her. Susan's words made sense and she swore not to give in to her aunt.

Annalise got up to leave  for college as her siblings and Derek too got up. Alexis pulled her just outside the door. "Remember your promise? We're going out tomorrow, " said an excited Alexis.

"Where?" Asked Annalise, having completely forgotten her promise.

"Anna, you forgot about our trip? You, Nelson, Aries and I were supposed to go out. Remember now?" She asked with shock.

"Oh that. Okay I'll talk to Nelson today," said Annalise. Alexis giggled.

"No thanks. You'll again forget. We've already planned everything out. Nelson gave us his number. His brothers Nate and Drake are coming along too. It'll be fun," said Alexis, excitedly.

Annalise looked at her with surprise. "When did you plan so much?" She asked.

"We reminded him when he came over last night. Then we called him at night. He was at his cousin's house. He told us his plans," informed Alexis. "We like your boyfriend, Anna," she said cheekily before running after Aries and Derek who were walking to school. Annalise smiled shyly. Nelson wasn't her boyfriend actually. Then what was he to her? They loved one another yet they hadn't named their relationship. He wasn't her boyfriend, he wasn't her fiancé either. She parked at the restaurant's parking area and walked inside. As usual Nelson was waiting for her near the billing counter.

She smiled at him. "I thought you wouldn't come," said Nelson. He led her away from the crowd of customers at the billing counter to his office.

"How are you today?" Asked Nelson, holding her hand and pulling her close to him. Annalise laid her head on his broad shoulder.

"I'm fine," she said. "How did you impress my siblings? They're crazy about you," she asked with wonder. Nelson chuckled.

"All for you Alise. They're nice kids. I like them too," said Nelson with a warm smile as Annalise lifted her head and looked at him.

"So where are we going tomorrow?" Asked Annalise, releasing him.

"That's a surprise. You need to be patient. Now go to work. I'll see you after your duty. Don't run  away. We'll go out to dinner. It's a date," he said with  a wink.

The rest of the day, she was busy in the kitchen. Susan kept reminding her about her date. As if she had forgotten! Finally her duty was over and Annalise freshened up and went over to Nelson's office. "So, you mentioned a date earlier.  Are we going or not?" She asked with a grin seeing him working.

"Of course, we are. Just give me a moment. I'll finish this first, " he said.  He was posting their restaurant info and reviews at various portals to gain more popularity. After ten minutes, he wrapped up his work and they walked to the parking area. "Enjoy," mouthed Trent at them as he dealt with a customer.

Nelson asked Sammy to drop her car to her house. He helped her to his car and they drove over to the same restaurant where they had previously gone. They occupied a seat at the far end. "My cousins Nate and Drake wish to go with us. I've invited them too. Hope it's okay with you? They're both thirteen and could entertain your siblings better than us," said Nelson after they'd ordered their food.

"Okay, I'm eager to meet them. Don't you have any sibling of your own?" Asked Annalise. It was strange that he never told her much about himself. In fact while she told him everything about herself, she had no idea about his family, where he lived. However, she'd noticed his friends but didn't know their names.

"Yeah, I have a twin brother, Nick. He's totally the opposite of me. He's going steady with his professors daughter," said Nelson with a smile on his face, remembering all the times that he shared with Nick and his girl, Iris. He told her about his mom and her passion for baking. "She'll love you since you share her passion," said Nelson. Annalise smiled shyly. He told her about all his uncles and aunts and his cousins and their lazy pets. Their food arrived and they tucked into the delicious meal.

"You have a lovely family," said Annalise with a warm smile on her lips.

"Crazy family actually, " laughed Nelson. "Now Stuart and Allison are expecting twin girls and everyone's over the moon. They'll be the first girls born in the Taylor family!" Said Nelson with a chuckle.

"Wow," said Annalise,  wanting to be a part of such a family.

"And friends? Like I have only Susan, who's your best friend?" Asked Annalise curious to know more about him.

"I have two best friends. You saw them at Adam's party, remember?" He asked and Annalise nodded. Of course she remembered that day. Her mom was feeling unwell yet Adam's mom hadn't given her leave and wanted her to cook for the party. She asked Annalise to help her. It was only later that Annalise realized how sick she'd really been. She ignored her own health because of lack of money. Nelson's voice brought her out of her reverie.

"The guy who was at the buffet table with me was Carter and the tall one sitting with me was Levi, " said Nelson. "I've broken all relationships with Adam after that day," said Nelson.

"Why?" Asked Annalise.

"He falsely accused you and his mom behaved badly with you and your mom. I hate such snobs," he said. "I'm sorry Alise that I judged you wrongly," he told her. Annalise smiled. She wanted to hear it from his mouth that he left all ties with Adam and his family. Nelson's first reaction was to fight with Adam and set him right. In fact Nelson wanted to beat him to a pulp but when he found out from Carter that Adam's bitch of a sister Alanis had returned from LA, he refrained from going to Adam's house. Alanis wanted to pursue a course in Jewelery Designing and went off to LA, two years earlier after pursuing Nelson with a vengeance. Of course, he hated the sight of her and that was what pushed her away and now that she's back, Nelson didn't want anything to do with her.

"It's okay Nelson. You don't need to apologize anymore. I've forgiven you, " she told him. He caught her hand and kissed it lovingly.

"Thank you, " he said with a sincere look in his eyes. They finished and paid for their food and left the restaurant. Nelson drove her home. They sat in the car outside her house, talking. Annalise told him about her aunt's behavior and the way she allows her sons to do anything.

"They can have night outs but if I don't return home by 6 o'clock, she gets furious. It's my wish who I want to marry. She can't bear a grudge on me for it," said Annalise.

"You don't need to listen to her," said Nelson.

"She told me that for every thing that she and my uncle had done for us, it's the least I can do to repay them for their kindness," said Annalise.

"Your uncle manages his own business or your grandfather's?" Asked Nelson suddenly. Annalise looked up at him with surprise.

"My grandfather's business. My dad and my uncle Edward are brothers. When dad married my mom who was their housekeepers daughter, my grand dad broke all relations with my mom and dad. It was only later when he was admitted to the hospital did Adam's dad call my uncle Edward and inform him. Granddad had already died five years ago," said Annalise as Nelson listened with interest.

"Why did Adam's dad inform your uncle?" He asked curiously.

"Adam's dad and mine were childhood friends. He treated my mom as his younger sister and offered to financially help us many times but mom never took advantage of his kindness. So he gave her a job in his house since dad was too sick to continue working. When he fell unconscious and wouldn't wake up, we asked Adam's dad for help. He admitted my dad to the hospital and called uncle Edward," said Annalise. Everything became crystal clear to Nelson. Adam's mom was just like Alanis and they might have misinterpreted everything and made up their own fake stories about Annalise and her mom.