✩┊# 𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗦 ༻¨*
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
❝ 𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙚 ❞
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IVY FIDDLED WITH THE TOP button of Robert's shirt. It was a linen button down, short sleeves in the shade ivory that complimented her outfit. She was dressed in a cami dress with a lovely abstract rose print. Rob himself couldn't keep his eyes off the Lake Como fitted bodice cut at her chest. They had planned it so Ember had the same style of dress but had an abstract sage print. They were outside the venue. The event was at the University Club, located in Irvine. It was a beautiful location. The day happened to be quite gorgeous.
Ivy had been there earlier to set up last minute things with her parents but left to pick up Rob. He said it might be suspicious but she insisted.
"Breathe, would you?" He placed his hands on her shoulder to steady her. "I got my invite didn't I? I charmed myself into that one, I can charm my way through this event as well."
"You're right. It's no big deal. Just a friend meeting my family."
He nodded with a grin, "Just a friend meeting your family."
The inside was nicely decorated but the real view was the landscape in the back. It was decked out in glorious decor that matched the theme of which Lina had selected for her daughter and, soon to be, son-in-law's party. Rob placed his hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the long hallway, to the backyard.
Song lit up when he saw the pair. Ivy's father was a man of very few words. He had his fair share of sassy remarks, but they were nothing compared to the bubbly persona his wife radiated. Speaking of his wife, she was yards away, talking to some guests.
"Mama is angry with how long you took." He gently smiled and placed a kiss on the woman's flushed cheek. He turned to Rob and extended his hand, "Song Myung. Nice to meet you."
Rob returned the shake, "For me as well. Thank you for inviting me, it was really kind of you."
"Oh that was all Lina, my wife. Oh! You should meet her." He turned and called out his wife's name, several times before he got her attention.
"That isn't necessary, dad." Ivy gritted her teeth and groaned as her mother strided over.
Ivy had always been amazed at her mother's confidence. She had grown up in Germany, always knowing both English and German due to her father (Ivy's grandfather) originally being from Boston. Lina was never cocky or arrogant but sure of herself. And Ivy would forever be envious of that.
"Robert isn't it?" She smiled up at him. He nodded his head and told her to call him 'Rob'.
"I was just telling Mr. Myung, how thankful I am for the invite, Mrs. Myung."
"Is it too cliché to say, call me Lina?" Rob was effortlessly charming with her parents there. "And it's no problem. Thank you for the sentiment. The lilies were gorgeous."
"Of course, Lina. They're my mum's favorite."
"Well it was rather kind of Ivy's...friend?"
Before Ivy could speak, Rob took the initiative. "Yes. We're just friends."
Ouch. "It was sweet. And we're happy to have you as a friend to the family as well. Here let me show you some of the details I incorporated."
Ivy tried to interject but her mother was insistent. And her father escaped the scene after Lina ushered Rob over to some elaborate fountain. She didn't even notice her younger sister creeping up.
"Aww your boyfriend is here, how sweet."
Ivy nearly jumped at the surprise of Ember's voice. Her young sister was all dolled up and looking radiant. I never looked like that at 15, Ivy thought. "Oh my god you scared me."
"He looks nice. You two match."
Ivy sighed, "We're just friends."
Ember laughed. She stepped closer to her sister and placed a hand on the older's shoulder. "Ivy, I know."
Her look told it all. She knew. Ivy's chest began to rise and fall rapidly. "What? Know what? We're just friends."
"Might I remind you of something, my darling sister. I have access to all of the family's Apple ID's."
Oh my fucking god, she knew. "Ember! That's an invasion of privacy, you brat!"
"I've gotten this far doing it, I think I'm just fine."
"I hate you." Ivy brought her hands up and buried her face into them.
"I think you're gonna hate something a bit more, in a second." It was a giggle. Ember giggled.
Ivy was about to ask as she looked up at her sister but then she followed her sightline and that's when she saw it. Him. Niall.
He was accompanied by a small blonde at his side, Maura, his mother. She carried a giant wrapped gift. The gasp that was heard from across the garden was insane. Lina pushed past Rob and Song. She barreled towards the Irish pair.
"Maura!" The two women embraced. Ivy's heart dropped to her stomach. The Myungs and Horans had been close since they met. They had become family. But when Ivy and Niall called it quits, they lost almost all contact.
"Where is she? Where's my Effy?" Maura smiled into the closeness.
Effy suddenly appeared and joined the women in their hug. There were laughs and a few weeps and Niall just stood off to the side, watching.
Ember squealed and grabbed Ivy's hand. She dragged her over to the group, "Niall!"
The poor man was then bombarded with Ember launching herself at him. He caught her and squeezed her tightly.
"My favorite Myung sister."
"Hey!" Ivy caught herself responding.
She couldn't help herself. Ember got the message and let go and separated. The others were paying no attention to the ex-lovers. Before she could do anything herself, Song came and patted Niall on the back. That's when she noticed Rob pad up to the family.
"Robert Pattinson?" Maura chirped. They all seemed to laugh at it, and Rob introduced himself to the mother-son duo.
"Well, how about you two get settled in?" Lina smiled and pointed to a specific table, "We have you set up there, at table 8."
"You remembered?" Niall asked.
"Oh course we remembered." Effy was the one to speak.
He smiled sweetly at them, "Hey, this is getting crowded." He turned to look at Ivy, "Mind going for a walk and a little catch up?"
Ivy subconsciously looked at Rob and he gave her a nod. So she agreed and the two ended up stepping away from the party area and going off along a little walkway even farther back.
"Effy and Juno finally tying the knot." Niall was the first one to talk. They had been walking for about five minutes at that point and Ivy didn't know what to say.
"It's about time. One of the Myungs needs to please my parents and take the first step to giving them their grandchildren they're begging for."
"Wow. Ivy Myung isn't bouncing for that adult life?"
"Ha ha. No. I'm quite content with how my life is." She nudged his arm with her own. His bare arm due to his pink polo shirt's short sleeve, felt nice. Smooth.
"So. You and Edward Cullen?"
He was asking if they were together. Which they were. But Rob made it clear, to tell no one.
"Just a friend."
"Oh. So you're single?"
No. "Yes." It hurt to say. "And from the articles with my name plastered on it, I'm assuming so are you."
"Yes I am. And I'm sorry about that. You've never deserved to get hate, let alone when you've moved on and living your own life."
"It's okay. We both knew what it meant when we were getting into it." She reassured him.
"But that was then. You shouldn't have to go through it when we're not together anymore."
"We'll always be linked together. And I'm honored to be known as Niall Horan's ex-girlfriend."
"Do you ever wonder?"
"Wondering is quite natural, so I'd say yes."
He laughed, she always loved when he laughed at her jokes. "No. I mean like this. Marriage. Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we would've lasted?"
"Of course I wonder. I mean I thought it would have been us by now, you know?"
"Mum pulled out a photo album the other day, of our big trip to Italy."
"Our family's first trip together. Summer 2014."
"You look beautiful." At that point they had stopped. Both of them propped up against a vast willow tree. "But you're going to get your dress dirty."
"Oh well." She shrugged and leaned her head back against the bark. Her eyes instantly shut with the contact.
"Lina will murder you." It took her a moment to notice him tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Niall." She warned. He was a little too comfortable reuniting with his ex, who he hadn't spoken to in almost three years.
"What? I'm just being considerate."
"Why did you break up with her?"
"Huh?"
"Amelia. Why did you break up with her? Why did she post that caption a few months ago? About 'his ex'? What was that?"
"She thought I was still in love with you." Niall inched away from her.
"Now why would she ever think that." Maybe it was frustration, or anger, or sadness, or confusion. But her voice came off harsh.
"Because she wasn't wrong."
OLIVIA'S OPINIONS
niall, rob, and i 🤝 being absolutely
enthralled by ivy myung