Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

"Hi," said Alexis breathlessly.

"So, which school do you go to?" Asked Nate.

"Harmony International, what about you?" She asked with curiosity.

"We're in Westview High," informed Nate. "You should have been at our school. Life would be fun. Harmony is like a prison for the rich. You need permission of the teachers to even breathe," said Nate.

"I know what you mean. Me and Aries too hate it. We can't seem to fit in there," said Alexis with a shrug. The more Nate interacted wih her, the more charmed he was by her. The whole trip was a big hit with the children. They indulged in various activities together. It was lunchtime and Annalise went with the boys to get food while Nelson sat with Alexis at their picnic table. Alexis's legs were aching from all the exertion since morning and she refused to get up. So while Nelson stayed back with her, the others went to get the food.

"Nelson, are you planning to marry Anna?" Asked Alexis, with a worried expression.

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" Asked Nelson with interest.

"She'll go away to your house and aunt Emily would torture us more," said Alexis in a small voice.

"Your aunt's torturing you? How?" Asked Nelson. Alexis told him what happens everyday at their house and how aunt Emily objects to everything that they do.

"She's behaving like that since she wants Anna to marry Colton, " said Alexis with a sigh.

"I won't let her marry any other guy," said Nelson.

"I want her to marry you Nelson but I'm scared about Aries and me. I don't want to live there without Anna, " said Alexis as a few tears accumulated in her eyes.

"Don't cry Alex. You both can move in and live with us at my house. I would never separate you from your big sister. I know she's the only family you have," said Nelson, wiping her tears. Alexis's eyes brightened up as she looked up at him, hopefully.

"You mean that Nelson?" She asked with hope.

"Yup," he said. Alexis hugged him happily. "I'm so glad Anna chose you."

"Yeah, I'm glad too," said Nelson. They both fist bumped with one another when the others arrived with the food.

"What are you two planning and plotting?" Asked Annalise, seeing them fist bump.

"Nothing," they chorused and Annalise looked at them suspiciously. They enjoyed the picnic and went for more activities. After a fun-filled day, it was time to return home.

"God, now the much dreaded dinner! Colton and his family's coming over and aunt Emily's drama would start," said Alexis rolling her eyes.

"Yeah. I wish I could escape for a few hours," said Aries.

"We can't. So be brave and face it," said Annalise.

"I have an idea. You'll can come over to our house and stay for a few days," said Nate. Drake too supported him.

"Anna, can we go, please?" Asked Aries.

"Some other day, Nate. Tonight I have to get back, " said Annalise somennly.

"Why don't you all come over to my house?" Asked Nelson hopefully.

"Not possible Nelson. What will I tell uncle Edward and aunt Emily?" Asked Annalise.

"I think you want to meet that Colton guy," said a pissed off Nelson.

"You know that's not true. I hardly talk to him," protested Annalise.

"Guys stop fighting. Why don't you announce that you have a boyfriend, Anna? By the way, is Nelson your boyfriend?" Asked Drake and got hit by Nelson. "What? Don't tell me you haven't asked her yet? Ugh, you're pathetic!" groaned Drake as Nelson glared at him.

"Ask me about it. I'm nothing to him, you know. I'm not his girlfriend, nor his fiancée, " pouted Annalise. Nelson scratched his head.

"Oh, I forgot to ask you to be my girlfriend.  You're everything to me.  You're my life, Alise," said Nelson.

"God, they're getting romantic, Nate. Let's evaporate, " said Drake.

Alexis giggled at Drake and Nate. Then she looked at her sister. "Please continue with it tomorrow. As for now we need to dash home," she suggested. Aries too had a smile on his face. He liked Nelson's family more than his own.

"Yeah, else aunt Emily would go crazy," said Aries.

"You're right. Okay, bye. See you on Monday, " Annalise told Nelson.

"I'll die till Monday. Be ready by 12 noon tomorrow. I'll pick you up. It's a lunch date," said Nelson.

"Wow, he'll propose, I guess," mumbled Drake and Nate too agreed.

"Shut up, you two," said Nelson. With that, Nelson kissed cheek while Alexis and Aries looked elsewhere.

"Only on the cheek, Nelson. Don't  pollute innocent minds," said Drake. Nelson glared at him through the rear view mirror.

"You two already have polluted minds," he said.

"Okay boys, see you again, bye," said Annalise, Alexis waved at the two behind her and then they left to go inside. All the enthusiasm left them.

They saw, Erik working on his laptop at the dining table with uncle Edward. Dean was playing video games with Derek while Mike was talking on the phone, standing near the window. Strangely aunt Emily was nowhere to be seen.

"Hi, did you guys enjoy your outing?" Asked Derek when they came inside.

"Yeah, it was too good," said Aries. He told them where they went and the activities that they did.

"Who's Nelson?" Asked Dean.

"He's Anna's boyfriend, don't you know?" Asked Alexis as Annalise stared at their horrified expressions.

"You have a boyfriend, Anna?" Asked Erik with surprise.

"Not just a boyfriend. Nelson wants to marry her. They love one another," informed Alexis much to Annalise's horror. Uncle Edward turned to look at Annalise.

"Is that true, Anna?" Asked her uncle. Annalise nodded.

"Yes," she told him.

"Then how can you think of marrying Colton, when you aren't available?" Asked Erik, in a displeased tone.

"Anna doesn't want to marry Colton. Aunt Emily's forcing her to," said Aries.

"What's going on? Is Emily forcing you to marry Colton, Anna?" Asked uncle Edward. He actually looked perturbed and angry.

"Yes," said Annalise. She didn't like complaining but since the topic had cropped up, she wouldn't lie. There was a pin drop silence in the whole house at her admission.

"Go to your room and freshen up. I've ordered dinner. Colton and his family will be here any minute, " said uncle Edward. They nodded and went upstairs. It was strange that aunt Emily wasn't around and hadn't made dinner. They had no idea what was going on. Annalise found it odd that her uncle Edward had to order dinner for the guests. Where was aunt Emily? Was there a fight in her absence? Did aunt Emily leave home because of her? She would have to ask Dean later on after the guests left. She changed into a simple dress and went downstairs to welcome the guests. The food arrived and she readied everything. It seemed that aunt Emily had left home. No one said a word about it and she too refrained from asking. After twenty minutes, Colton came along with his parents.

While Colton sipped beer, Annalise served champagne to his parents. She brought in the appetizers too that uncle Edward had ordered. "Where's Emily?" Asked aunt Sandra.

"There was an emergency at her parents' house, so she had to go for a few days," said her uncle but the tensed faces of her brothers told  different story. Annalise couldn't be fooled. She served dinner with Erik's help. After a boring dinner where they only talked about neutral stuff, everyone shifted to the living room.

"Sandra, Hugh, Colton, I want to apologize beforehand for what I'm about to say to you right now, " said uncle Edward, looking ashamed of himself. "You see, my niece, Annalise already loves someone who she wants to marry. She's already in a relationship. Emily was blackmailing and forcing her to marry you  Colton. I don't think it's fair. You can't force someone to marry another. I know you have done a lot for us, Sandra and I'll do everything in my power to make it up to you but not this way," said uncle Edward.

Colton and his family looked very shocked by the announcement. His mom recovered from the momentary lapse and faced reality. "I had no idea about all this. Edward. Of course you cannot force anyone to marry. It will destroy lives. I would never want that. Emily never told me anything, " said aunt Sandra.

"I apologize for that," said uncle Edward.

"No, I should thank you for informing us. I'll stop the wedding preparations immediately but I'll wait a month for Annalise final decision. No force. If you change your mind and want to marry Colton, fine. It's up to you," said aunt Sandra.

"Fine with us if that's what you want," said uncle Edward. Annalise nodded too although she was dead sure that she'd never change her mind. Colton looked a little unhappy and avoided eye contact with her though but Annalise was relieved that the truth came out this way. It's better to be disappointed now than be sorry after a bad marriage.