. "You ready, honey? Your

te," I replied, staring at m

t, come

was perfect. The nude make-up, the simple side-parted long hair, the off shoulder gown

dy," I w

smoothed my hair once agai

blue eyes looking up and down my body. "Holy shit! Y

. You don't look

in his three pi

we?" I

eir eyes off of you tonight." Grinni

his breath. His face turned grim, spotting us together. After Mom gushed ab

t the dinner in the middle, excusing of my jet lag last night. I knew wh

They thought it could upset me as they all had an idea of my heartbreak seven y

wasn't the fifteenth ye

announce his engagement with my sister before the world. But I was a

care anymore, I still felt the anger and betrayal I felt that night. After knowing eve

ould

ting to remember the pa

in the past. And I sh

ter all. And I've

fect me now.

g with my heart. Mom and Dad got

ere

led out, waiting

at my knees. Heart palpitating down the chest, my mou

alm facade, it was sli

sa is waiting for us

thing happened.

th shaky knees. I caught Warner's arm in a vice grip as my eyes

ttle pale," Warner asked as

I shouldn

y nails dug i

you s

e winced, but didn't ask any furt

. The vast hall was sufficient to gulp the massive crowd alone. Everything was decorated

de some of her friends. Seeing us, she excused herself and rushed to us, the

friends were her

around. My legs urged me to run. Go back to the safety of my room where s

ce croaked as she glanced at Dad. "When did our daughter get so big,

d took a glass of wine from a passi

s. "Mom, we're just announcing our official eng

little emotional. Anyway, where is yo

!" She pointed near t

one's gaze. Four men stood together,

t...

come to him face to face. I will have

breath. I needed a

to slip away, Tess

al

halted.

and a broad grin lightened his face. Striding close

eyes with full of affection... I blinked

he one Tess got engaged

made sense. 'V' for Val

ly disappeared, filling it wi

his brown eyes. "Oh my God! It is the infamous Emerald Hutton who

a smile. "

rment. He was like a big brother to me. But in the process of distanci

shoulders. "Did anyone tell you what

The grip around my glass rem

h my sister, can I hug her now?

her temple. "You know I only

im away and threw her arms aro

Something close to regret flashed in her eyes, an

ald,

errupted. His giving Tess a look didn't g

and on Caleb's and together they skipped off to the dance floo

dle as he went to say something. Excusing h

s around. My uneasiness. "Rel

u say that?" I fe

ing. You need another drink?" He j

wanted to say, but decide

t to the bar to

th it alone. I wasn't still that naive teenager w

ck of my neck stood up. Goo

rved my surroundings.

eel like someone

t corner, a figure stood there; his face in the shadow. Hands in his pockets, he stood unmoving, his body facing mine. Even if I c

is

E

right, I whi

s just me," Warner said

relief, I turned back

u o

ust startled me," I re

" he asked, givi

ing with some girls with two glasses still i

small smile, I

t to be alon

hts and slow music. And then I felt it again. That stare, the

ear, but my ardent gaze was searc

You look a little disturbed

g," I lied. I didn't want to. But I couldn't tell him why

know you can tell me anything and

was genuine. I nodd

ok one of my hands and plac

chance to dance with this beautiful lady?" A

iffe

o his eyes as a polite smile tugged on his lips. "Sure." Stepping away, he glanced at

o

ut I couldn't move

d me. A pair of big calloused hands covered mine, placing them before me together, with his arms

is enormous frame around me in slow moves. The heady combinat

the

stopped

d. An uncouth swarm of emotions crashed on me. Somethi

I could hear was the music, my deep breathing and the pou

is. I can't! I n

ed my hand and swirled me around, pulling me in. My chest

caught at

ormy gre

ey held me captive, just as they used to do years ago. Those grey pools

his other features. An

lips and a wide forehead. Not even a strand of his jet black hair was out o

everything about him now screa

n't know age made people that much beautiful. No, beautiful

out of t

rlier. His gaze roamed on every inch of my face, as if memorizing them. They seemed in some kind of trance. As if he

kin eager for more, only those strong arms around me didn't suffice.

e even for a second. My vision burned at t

Ace

trance, bringing me back t

, Rosebud?" His grey lo

embered someone of that

mber the heartache he