Chapter 319: Chapter 319

A little earlier and in the main lobby....

"Are you sure it’s all okay?" Ava asked. She couldn’t help but look back a few times at the retreating backs of Ian and Brianna right after the slapping incident. Ian walked majestically in front with Currey behind him and a gloating Brianna behind them.

Ava was thrilled about the slaps that they had given Brianna, so even Brianna’s gloating looked sad and awkward to her. It had taken only a few minutes for the red imprints of their hands to be seen on either side of Brianna’s cheeks. However, Ava was still wary because it was Brianna, and no one else was going with Ian.

"Of course! It’s Ian."

Ava looked long and hard at her friend and then relented. Shelby was right. That was Ian. There was nothing for them to worry about. Ava was also happy that Shelby had gotten rid of Royston or, rather, Ian had arrived just on time. She made up her mind then that nothing Royston said in the future would move her! Ever!

"I’ll be going to the grounds with Samantha... Would you be comin-"

"I’m not missing the ’grape stomping’ for anything! Of course, I’m coming. Just give me a quick moment."

Shelby’s eyes cringed in a smile as Ava darted to the back and came back without her apron.

Samantha linked her arms through Shelby’s. She had grown so close to Shelby that it was surprising.

Brad stood on the side, watching the three, and followed them out of the lobby but did not interrupt their conversation. He was like a silent protector and had assumed that role without being asked to. The small crowd that had gathered to watch them dispersed with their exit.

Ava linked her arms through Shelby’s other arms as the three walked synchronously.

"Mum! You were amazing back then! It was pa! and then pa! OMG, you should have seen her face! Damn! I should’ve recorded it! It was so exhilarating! And then Dad came in... hahahahhahaaaaa..... I will have to write this down and keep it in my memory for years!"

Shelby rolled her eyes at Samantha’s exaggerated movements as Ava added, "Some role models we are becoming!"

"Hahahahahahahaaaa....." The friends laughed out loud, not caring about the shocked gazes coming their way. Samantha was the only one keenly aware, and she wondered how her mother bore with such bare, lusty gazes. She pulled even closer to Shelby as if afraid that she would be taken advantage of.

Shelby’s mind tuned out a little, and she could not help but think of the other tricks Brianna had up her sleeve.

’Don’t worry! It’s all good here.’ She smiled as Ian’s words infiltrated into her thoughts. Ian must have felt her wavering thoughts. That made her feel warm. He was still caring for her in the face of all these. Her cheeks warmed up.

Ava turned sideways, and seeing Shelby’s look and reddened cheeks even in the night light, she could not help but think that Shelby might be talking to Ian. Ava was still new to the supernatural world but was equally marvelled.

A keen eye would notice that even with all the admiring and lusty looks, no one approached them. Brad’s presence was intimidating enough. Even though Brad was a slightly smaller build than his brother, it didn’t mean that his tall 6ft was not intimidating when he had a glum face. His charm was there alright, but he had a ’come if you dare’ kind of look, and no one wanted to test those waters.

They stopped at various stands, sampling the wines, but ensured that Samantha only had the non-alcoholic ones. Samantha was delighted to have the adult experience.

It did not take long before they arrived at their destination: the only place dedicated to the maidens for the grape stomping.

Their excitement made Brad shake his head at their childishness. It was refreshing to watch anyway, and he liked it as it was a very different way for him to spend his time.

"We’re here!" The two friends said at the same time and laughed.

The place was full of giddy young women who all wanted to do the same thing: stomp the grapes with their bare feet. This was the part of the festival that most young ladies loved. It cut across students and workers alike, with no class distinction.

They were greeted with an unexpected visitor as soon as they got there, though.

"Sissyyy!!!!!!!!!! Ava!!!!!!!"

A loud voice interrupted their enthusiasm as a figure rushed through the crowd. He lifted Shelby off her feet and away from the entangled arms. He swung her around, and Shelby giggled.

"Rocky! You didn’t tell me that you’d be coming here!"

"How else would I surprise you?"

Envious gazes flickered all around at his ability to approach the women everyone was trying to find a way to meet. That kind of beauty was rare and dangerous! It made the people around wonder who he was, but it wasn’t hard to guess as the two of them were very similar.

Rocky stepped off Shelby and kissed her cheeks. "I missed you!"

"You did? And what of Ava?" Shelby joked, making Ava’s heart skip a beat,

’Does Shelby know something?’ Ava wondered, but she was overthinking stuff.

Rocky, on the other hand, did not falter.

"Of course, I miss her too!" Rocky swiftly pulled Ava into a hug and kissed her cheeks as well, lingering a second longer, but Shelby did not notice this.

"Rocky!" Shelby hit his burly arms.

"Watch your actions!"

"Ouch! Ouch!" Rocky exaggerated as Ava’s face heated up. Shelby did not notice that her friend was behaving weirdly.

"Yo! Other Brother-in-law! You good!"

Rocky fisted and met Brad’s fist in a greeting. Bradly nodded and then stood back. It was as if they had met many times and were bosom friends.

"Oh! You’re on bodyguard duties today?" Rocky asked as if this was normal, making Brad shake his head, but then he affirmed it. They all knew that Shelby could never enjoy the night without being ’protected.’

"Have you forgotten Samantha?" Shelby asked.

"Oh, that brat?" Rocky asked, making Samantha blush. She knew that she deserved this,

"No Shit! She really came around! Well, welcome to the game!"

Rocky ruffled Samantha’s hair, and the little girl’s heart swelled up at being entirely accepted into the group. Even though Ava had been giving her the cold shoulder, she felt that even Ava had warmed up to her after Raye’s presence earlier.

"Yo! Sis Shelby! Sis Ava! You are looking as radiant as ever!"

Two voices radiated simultaneously as two young men came to stand beside Rocky.

"Nicholas, Matt!" Shelby called out their names, and the two blushed. They were unsure what to do with their eyes or arms around Shelby. They had literarily grown up around Shelby, but it was still hard for them. They were used to such situations, so they quickly switched to Ava- the safer presence, and then asked Rocky,

"Are you not going to introduce us to your family members?"

"Yh, sorry, this is my new brother-in-law and my niece."

"You must be the famous Brad?" Matt asked, and Brad relaxed his vigil on Shelby. Someone recognized him!! How awesome was that!

"Of course! And you must be Rocky’s friends....."

Nicholas, always the ladies’ man, looked at Samantha, "Well, -"

"Don’t go there, Nicholas! She is underage!"

"What kind of perverted thoughts do you have, Rocky? She is your niece; won’t that mean she is our niece too?"

"That better be what you were thinking!"

Rocky knew Nicholas more than anyone. He was his friend who worked by editing porn videos. After being assured that Nicholas just saw Samantha as family, he turned his attention back to Ava.

The small crowd talked and walked around a bit before Shelby suggested to go stomp the grapes.

The three ladies left them standing and then walked towards the enormous makeshift wooden basin that hosted many women of varying ages. The basin could as much as hold after women.

The hosts beamed as these three walked towards them. With such beauty, their event would be deemed the most popular and successful that night!

They helped the three wash their feet, and the men helped the three women get into the basin. Brad reached out to carry Shelby, but a figure whipped past him. Shelby was not watching, so she placed her hands on the outstretched palm and stepped into the basin.

When she turned to thank Brad, she saw his furious look and then her eyes landed on none other than Royston!

"You know this chicken?"

Shelby couldn’t help but burst out laughing, stunning the few people who still had their eyes trained on her. She had heard Ian once use that name for Royston, and Brad did the same.

"Yes, he is an old friend,"

Brad still inserted himself between Royston and the big wooden tub after this.

"You should know your place, Chicken!"

Royston did not take any offence at the statement for the simple reason that he was distracted, and his heart was thumping. He studied his palm,

’I was able to touch her! The witch did not lie! Asaaaa!!! It was all worth it! I will gladly give more of my life just for this again!’ At that time, Royston had no idea that what had happened was not a result of the Timeless Witch’s work, but his wishes were about to come true in a grave way.

He raised his head to see an angry Brad,

Royston’s aim had been achieved that evening. He fought against all that told him to retort against Brad. He stepped back, winked at Shelby, and then went back to complete setting up his stand.

Rocky helped Ava, and Nicholas carried Samantha directly into the wooden tub.

"It’s soo cool!" Samantha said as soon as her feet made contact with the grapes that settled around her ankles

"...and squishy!" Ava added, scrunching her face but then breaking into a dazzling smile. Rocky stepped back, his eyes lingering on her face, oblivious to the fact that someone in the crowd had their eyes trained on them only.

Shelby was still puzzled by Royston, but that only lasted a second as Samantha and Ava took her hands and began moving with the flow,

Royston, Rocky, and Brad shouted simultaneously as Shelby let go, and her body started twisting to the flow of the background music.

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