《Granting one last wish》 Chapter 0 PROLOGUE-That Night Chapter 0 PROLOGUE-That Night ABBY As I expected, the party of Trey Hamilton at theke house is in full swing. Song of Nicki Minaj is ring from inside. Thewn is full of teenagers ying football despite the empty beer bottles, red cups, and empty soda cans littering all over. I shouldn¡¯t be here. I mentally berate myself, but Reba was so adamant, and I couldn¡¯t just say no. She¡¯s the closest to a sister that I never had. We walk through the crowded dance floor that is already wet and sticky. The smell of boozes, sweat, and cigarettes are wafting in the air. The mini bar full of drinks, cans of sodas, beer bottles, pink punch, and a bowl chips that could cause you salmone. Reba reminded me not to take any drinks from anyone who offers, so I grab a can of soda instead. Her boyfriend James arrived earlier than us since he came directly from the game. He approaches us with a huge grin on his face. ¡°Babe, you made it! Thought you were joking,¡± James says happily after giving her peck on her lips and a peck on my cheek. ¡°Hey, Mack. Good to see you here and not a boring party your parents you usually threw.¡± I roll my eyes. He¡¯s right, but that¡¯s my parent¡¯s party, so I had to be there and y a good daughter role, which I¡¯m actually a good daughter. ¡°I said we wereing, so here we are,¡± Ba retorts, seemingly annoyed. ¡°Good, babe. Let¡¯s danceter, okay?¡± James doesn¡¯t seem to care about Reba¡¯s expression. ¡°C¡¯mere, Mack. I¡¯d like you to meet someone!¡± James yells when the new song starts to y. He grabs Reba¡¯s hand, and I grab her hand as I follow them. Reba pulls her hand back from James¡¯ grip and yells. ¡°Not a chance, babe! I promised her mom that I¡¯ll take care of Mack. It means no meeting with horny football yers.¡± I shrug when I see them start whispering. Reba looks more annoyed, but we keep walking throughout the crowd upstairs to the second floor. ¡°He¡¯s not a horny, Mack. Just meet him, and if you don¡¯t like him, just say excuses like going to the bathroom, or you have a stomach bug.¡± Iugh at hisme excuses. ¡°Jeez, babe. You¡¯re so annoying.¡± Ba rolls her eyes. ¡°Babe, trust me, okay? I¡¯m not gonna just let Mack meet a jock because she¡¯s my friend too.¡± James winks at me. ¡°Rx.¡± ¡°Fine. Whatever!¡± Reba is forced to agree. ¡°Who¡¯s he, James?¡± I ask. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon,¡± he answers. My brows meet together. We stop in front of the group of guys that I recognize most of them as his teammates. He introduces me to them since they knew Reba. ¡°Guys, this is Ba¡¯s friend Mack. Mack, meet my teammates,¡± James says. Everyone waves and says hi, and I wave back and smile shyly. I feel out of ce when everyone talks about winning their game. I know how the game works, but I¡¯ve never watched them y. Reba is already sitting on James¡¯p on the couch while I¡¯m still standing at their back, fidgeting. I tap Reba¡¯s shoulder, excuse myself before I leave. I walk down to the living room where everyone is still dancing, swaying, and jumping like there¡¯s no tomorrow. Everyone looks enjoying the party while I look lost. ¡°Leaving already?¡± A husky voice asks from behind that makes me stop to halt. I turn around, and my eyesnd to the broad chest. I move my gaze up to the one and only, a six-foot and two inches Trevor ¡°Trey¡± Hamilton standing in front of me. His short blond hair is disheveled in a stylish way. He has bright blue eyes that glimmers with high cheekbones, straight nose, full lips curved into a smile, and chiseled jaw. Jeez. I¡¯m checking him out, and the only reason why I¡¯m here. When Ba told me that Trey is throwing a party, I was beyond excited and told my parents that I¡¯m going to a party. I clear my throat. ¡°Um, yeah. Just getting some fresh air.¡± I look away. Lame excuse, I know because I saw him flirting with Lorrie ¡°Bitch¡± Morgan sh the cheerleader when I was introduced to his teammates earlier. ¡°Let¡¯s go then, for some fresh air,¡± he says with excitement in his voice, and my heart flutters. I look up and meet his gaze. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be with Lorrie?¡± ¡°She¡¯s a bitch. I don¡¯t like talking to someone while she¡¯s bitching all night telling me about the cheerleading like everyone doesn¡¯t know about already,¡± he exins while looking at me in the eyes. ¡°Um, sure.¡± He smiles. ¡°Follow me.¡± We scan the crowd to where fewer guys dancing that leads our way out of the house. I can¡¯t just avoid not to bump into the couples making out in the hallway¡ªhorny teenagers. We keep walking for a couple more steps until we get out of the house, and the night is getting cold, and the breeze makes me shiver. ¡°So, you¡¯re Ba¡¯s friend? I saw you with her at school. You don¡¯t like football, do you? I¡¯ve never seen you with her during the games.¡± We follow the stone paths that lead us to theke. I can still see a few students sitting on the deck. ¡°Yeah. Ba¡¯s my best friend. I¡¯m not really a fan. It¡¯s hard to watch them as if they¡¯re in a wrestling match. The only differences are running and throwing a football,¡± I tell him honestly. ¡°Yeah, too violent for you, so what is your n for college?¡± ¡°I agree. Too violent for you. So what¡¯s your n for college?¡± He keeps looking at me, then he drops his gaze to my lips, making me a little bit self-conscious. ¡°I¡¯m nning on staying here for college. My parents won¡¯t let me attend college away since I¡¯m still not legally an adult. ¡°Wait. How old are you, Mack?¡± he quickly asks. ¡°Sixteen. I know I¡¯m a freak,¡± I answer as I look at him to see his reaction. He chuckles. ¡°You¡¯re not a freak Mack. You just excel, and you should be proud of yourself. Not like other girls who are busy putting makeup on their faces.¡± Wow, Trey is not bad, after all. I give him a tight smile. ¡°Well, thanks. How about you, any n for college?¡± ¡°Yeah. Got schrship, and I¡¯m not going anywhere far too.¡± He smiles, and I want to giggle so badly because he¡¯s cute. No, he¡¯s hot. ¡°Congrattions! You deserved it.¡± I tap his arm yfully. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll get us a drink. Stay here, okay? Be right back.¡± I nod and watch him walk away. I check my phone from the pocket of my jacket I wear over the red dress that Reba chose for me. ¡°Wear the red one, Mack. Red is your color. Boys like a girl in red.¡± ¡°Are you sure? I have blue, green, and white. I¡¯m not allowed to date yet, so I don¡¯t care if boys like a girl in red. I just want to see Trey.¡± I check the dresses on my hands. ¡°Trust me. Red is great on you. Wear it now, and I still have to fix your hair. Then don¡¯t tell Catie.¡± Her eyes glimmer. ¡°Mom will know, trust me. Ask from down to bring us something to drink. Press 3.¡± I take the red dress and hurry up to change. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. *** I stay for a while and wait for Trey toe back. The evening is so peaceful even if a little bit chilly. I can still hear the music from inside the house. The tree leaves rustle as the wind blows. The smell of fresh air and the moon reflecting on theke look magnificent. Not bad, after all. I¡¯ll thank Rebater. I hear footstepsing closer to me, and I turn my head in excitement to think that must be Trey, but I don¡¯t see anyone. I feel goosebumps on my skin. The hair on my nape stands as I wrap my arms around me. I stare at the moon before I close my eyes slowly to take a deep breath. Before I can start dreaming, hands grab my waist from behind, causing me to yelp in surprise. I grab the hands and try to lose them, but they were so strong. I shout for help. My mouth and my nose instantly cover with a cloth. I struggle, but I can¡¯t breathe, and I can¡¯t hold any longer. I inhale something like a chemical that burns my nostrils and my throat. I can¡¯t fight anymore, and my eyelids start to feel heavy, and my body starts getting weak, and my eyes flutter closed. *** I open my eyes, but I can¡¯t see anything. Something is covering my eyes. I can¡¯t move either. Then I remember what happened, and I start to panic. I try shouting, but my mouth is sealed with adhesive, or duct tape? I try to free my hands, but it looks like I¡¯m being chained. I can feel the cold metal around my wrists and the clinking sound when I struggle to move is terrifying. For how long I¡¯ve been in this position? I feel cold¡ªso cold, and I can even feel the cold floor on my skin. My ankles are shackled too. I¡¯ve never been afraid in my entire life until tonight, or is it a day? I try moving, but as soon as I struggle, my wrists are burning, and so as my ankles. I burst into a cry, and that¡¯s when I remember my parents. They must be worried. I cry until I feel exhausted, and I abruptly stop when I hear a sound unlocking the door opens then closes. I hear footsteps¡ªheavy footsteps. I am trembling with fear and from the cold. I¡¯ve never felt so helpless like this. I don¡¯t know what will happen to me here. My throat hurts, and my stomach just grumbles. A lot of horrible scenarios pop in my head, and at that thought, my body starts to shake from frustrations, anger, hunger, and hopelessness. Please, God. Please, don¡¯t let me die like this. *** The high-pitched sounds irritate my ears. Beep Beep Beep Chapter 1 Becoming Abby Chapter 1 Bing Abby ABBY Three yearster¡­ I have to flex my neck a couple of times after hours of review for my finals tomorrow, and I feel drained. I study hard to get good grades and to make my parents proud. I don¡¯t have to go to college to get a job to pay my bills. I don¡¯t have to work at all. My parents are loaded, and I can have everything I ask for. I can buy whatever I want, travel around the world, dine in the most expensive restaurant, spend summer in a yacht, drink the most expensive wine, and have the most luxurious penthouse in Manhattan or have the fastest car in the world, and date the world sexiest man. My parents own the biggest hotel chains in the world, King Hotel chains, and Restaurants, and I¡¯m the only heiress. My dad is Michael Aaron King, the best dad every girl can dream of, and Catherine Elizabeth King is the most beautiful woman and the world¡¯s number one mom. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. I don¡¯t need an annoying private tutor because I excel academically. Yeah, I¡¯m on my third year in college at Boston State University, two hundred and sixty-six miles away from home, away from my parents, and away from friends. My life sucks! Just kidding. I am with my roommate/best friend in an apartment that¡¯s not world-ss, but not that bad either. I don¡¯t have a friend. I know it sounds pathetic, but whatever. I met Andrew three years ago during my therapy. He¡¯s also seeing a doctor who was just another floor down my shrink¡¯s office. We met at the reception, and we clicked right away. I guess we have something inmon. ¡°Hi, um, you¡¯re seeing a doctor here?¡± he asks me shyly. ¡°Yeah. For a couple of weeks, you?¡± I answer and ask back with a little smile. Not all people are good at sharing that they are seeing a therapist, but why should I be ashamed of I if I need one. ¡°Dr. Peters.¡± He smiles. ¡°You?¡± ¡°Dr. Wallerman,¡± I tell in a low voice. ¡°Hmm. Rich people.¡± He scrutinizes me from head to toe. Dr. Wallerman is famous for her practice, and I don¡¯t look like I can afford to pay a doctor like her. ¡°Excuse me?¡± I ask him when he raises an eyebrow. ¡°She¡¯s like a celebrity doctor. I¡¯m Andrew, by the way.¡± He offers his hand for a handshake. I hesitate, but he keeps his hand and waits for me to shake it. ¡°I¡¯m Ma¡ª I¡¯m Abbygail. Please, call me Abby.¡± I shake his hand, and then we walk me out of the building. ¡°Sure, Abby. It suits you. Beautiful name.¡± He winks at me, which makes me blush. I don¡¯t talk to strangers, and I don¡¯t mingle too when someone gets close to me. The bodyguard Dad¡¯s assigned will automatically shoo them away. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll walk you to your car,¡± Andrew offers. I pause and face him. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m walking to a coffee shop.¡± His eyes widen as if he has an idea. ¡°Would you mind if I tag along? ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all.¡± ¡°Good. Just only been here for a couple of weeks. I¡¯m an ex-military, and you know this PTSD kind of shit. Oh sorry, I swear a lot. Used to in the military. How about you?¡± he says easily without a single flinch. ¡°If I swear a lot? Not much,¡± I answer. Heughs at me. ¡°Just came here a month ago, and I¡¯m still in college,¡± I cut it short. I¡¯m still notfortable sharing that horrific night even to my Doctor. It takes a while, but I feel better that there¡¯s someone who somehow listens to what I experienced. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to tell me if you¡¯re not ready. Ipletely understand. It took a while for me, too.¡± He sounds apologetic. I shrug. ¡°Soon, hopefully. Thanks.¡± We talk as we walk to the nearest coffee shop where I always dropped by after my session. Andrew mentions that he crashes the couch of one of his friends, and he¡¯s still looking for a decent apartment with a decent price and that he needs a roommate. I offered without even telling dad who was so pissed at me after that. ¡°Are you insane, Mackenzie? I thought we already talked about not talking to strangers, and you¡¯re not just breaking my rules, you let a stranger live with you, and a man for God¡¯s sake. I¡¯ll talk to Howard later. How he didn¡¯t report this to me?¡± He sounds so furious over the phone. I bite my lip. Howard is going to lose his job. ¡°Jeez, Dad. Just calm down. And it¡¯s Abby¡¯s dad. You can meet him if you want to and do a background check. He¡¯s a good person, trust me.¡± I roll my eyes because he¡¯s overreacting again. He thinks all the people around me are dangerous. ¡°You want me to calm down? You are hundreds of miles away from me and your mom, and you want me to calm down? You¡¯re living with a stranger who could be a psychopath. You¡¯re not an adult yet Mackenzie. Does he even know?¡± he continues yelling to my ear. ¡°Dad, please, try to meet him and just give him a chance.¡± He sighs. ¡°Fine I would like to meet him, and if I don¡¯t like him, he¡¯ll be out of your apartment and end of discussions.¡± My smile widens. ¡°Great. I¡¯ll let him know. Thanks, Dad. I love you!¡± I grin and jump. ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate yet, and don¡¯t thank me yet, young woman, and don¡¯t tell him that I¡¯ming over.¡± I stop. My brows furrow. ¡°And why not?¡± ¡°That¡¯s for you to find out.¡± He snaps. I jolt in my seat when someone pats my shoulder. And speaking of the devil. ¡°You¡¯ve been ncing at the clock for a few minutes already. You didn¡¯t even notice meing in. What¡¯s with zoning out?¡± His brows creased, but he looks happy. ¡°Oh, I was just thinking about my exams tomorrow.¡± I lie. ¡°Hmm. You don¡¯t have to worry about it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll ace your exams.¡± He gives me an enigmatic smile. I rise from my chair. ¡°What do we have for dinner? Or would you cook for us tonight?¡± I follow him, passing by our small living room to the kitchen. ¡°I got you your favorite pizza. I¡¯ll cook next time, but not tonight.¡± Yeah, my best friend can cook. He could make something from scratch, and good thing, I have fast metabolisms otherwise, he¡¯s turning me into a hippo because of his cooking skills. He¡¯s already sitting on the stool, leaning his elbows on our granite countertop. I open our dark brown cab that matches the color of our cupboards. ¡°What do you mean you got me pizza. How about you? What you¡¯re gonna eat?¡± I take tes and cutlery for us. ¡°The best way to eat pizza is directly from the box. Why bother the tes, Abby? You¡¯re so rich that sometimes you forget to have some fun.¡± I grab him a soda and water for me from the fridge. ¡°You still didn¡¯t answer me. Why aren¡¯t you going to have dinner with me? Going out with friends?¡± I sit beside him and open the box of Greek Pizza. I grab one slice and start digging. ¡°Actually, ivadet.¡± I stop. My brows crease. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I said I have a date tonight.¡± He didn¡¯t look at me in the eyes. As soon as the words came from his mouth, my eyes grow big in surprise. ¡°Oh, wow! My God, my best friend is dating. I mean, you start dating. That¡¯s good news. I¡¯m happy for you.¡± I put down my pizza, pull him into a hug. ¡°You¡¯re going on a date tonight with a woman. Do I know her? What is she like? I mean I¡¯m sure she¡¯s pretty. How did you two meet? When did you rece your condom in your drawer? I¡¯m sure they¡¯re expired two years ago. Do I need to leave before youe home? Or do I just need to pretend I¡¯m sleeping and wear a headset?¡± I grin like an idiot. ¡°Silly. You¡¯re so funny. Did you check that I have a condom on my nightstand? I¡¯m not gettingid tonight, Abby, and it¡¯s our first date. Jeez, you¡¯re far too excited than me.¡± He crunches his nose, and I can see the glimmer in his eyes. ¡°Why not? Why torture yourself until the third date when you¡¯re both attracted, duh!¡± I roll my eyes. Heughs. ¡°Jeez, Abby. Not everyone went out on a date just to have sex. Of course, when you¡¯re serious about dating her, you can wait until you both are ready, so start on getting to know each other first.¡± I¡¯m already on my second slice of pizza, and it¡¯s nice to eat directly from the box. No hassle. Rich people like to make their life so difficult. ¡°Isn¡¯t it most men think sex like every seven seconds?¡± I inquire andugh at my question. I add, ¡°So, you¡¯re really serious with this one and not just a fling or maybe a one-night stand or a one week in heaven?¡± Andrew dated girls but not too serious. I didn¡¯t even get a chance to meet anyone he dated, and that was over a year ago, then he stopped dating all of a sudden. The reason? I don¡¯t know. He snorts. ¡°She¡¯s different, Abby, and I like her. I met herst week. She¡¯s our new client. I happened to be the one who installed the security system in her apartment. She¡¯s beautiful. I even follow her to the grocery store like a crazy stalker.¡± Andrew works at a security agency for three years now, but I didn¡¯t meet his co-workers yet. He said they would just hit on me. ¡°How different? Like so tall, blue skin, yellow eyes, with tail, and says I see you,¡± I mimic Neytiri, but fails miserably. I love that movie. Heughs again and sips his soda. See, he evenughs at myme joke. We always choose the same movie to watch, even a crappy rom¡ªno arguments. ¡°I better go get a shower. Enjoy your dinner, Abby.¡± He kisses my head and tickles my side with his huge fingers before he bolts out of the kitchen. I narrow my eyes and yell even my mouth is full. ¡°I will kill you! You know I¡¯m ticklish, you dick!¡± ¡°Where are your manners, youngdy? Did you just say ¡°dick¡±? Such a filthy mouth. I¡¯ll tell your mom not to send you copies of the book she¡¯ll purchase!¡± he warns me. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare, asshole! You know Mom always listens to you, and I¡¯ll spray pepper to all of your boxers if she¡¯s not gonna send me copies.¡± He doesn¡¯t look amused. He presses his lips together before he says, ¡°I¡¯ll really spray pepper in your mouth right now if you¡¯ll keep calling me names, Abbygail!¡± Hees back and tickles me. ¡°That. Is. Not. So. Nice. Coming. From. You¡¯re. Mouth. Young. Woman.¡± I fall from my seat and try kicking him off, but he¡¯s too big than me with his six feet and two inches tall, wide shoulders and all muscles. He goes to the gym every day as his therapist has suggested, and he was already in good shape before he even started. ¡°Leave me alone, Andrew yton Tennings!¡± Iugh so much that I almost pee in my shorts. ¡°Say it again, and you¡¯ll see if I¡¯m joking!¡± he warns me again, and I know he¡¯s true to his words. He treated me like his little sister he¡¯d never had. He threatened everyone who tried hitting on me. He even said that they just want to get into your panties, and I know that looks, Abby. Stay away from those types of men. They¡¯re all assholes. ¡°You¡¯re the one who taught me every name. They¡¯re all in my head, now, and you¡¯re ming me?¡± I can¡¯t just stopughing. ¡°I have to shower before my date think I¡¯m ditching her.¡± I¡¯m still sitting on the floor, wiping my tears before he walks to his room. ¡°Fine. You¡¯ll bete anyway!¡± After almost an hour, hees out of his room and walks to me to our couch. ¡°Well, look at you. All well cleaned up. You look good, and you¡¯re definitely gettingid tonight.¡± I raise my hands to surrender. ¡°Oops... sorry. I mean you¡¯re definitely getting a second date.¡± He rolls his eyes. His curly brown hair is slightly disheveled in a stylish way. His blue eyes glimmer. There¡¯s a little-crooked on his nose from a fight, but it gives him a better look. He looks handsome with his button-down blue shirt that fits perfectly with two buttons open that show a little hint of his well-defined chest. Both sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and he matches it with dark fitted jeans. ¡°Hmm. Behave at home, okay? Lock the door behind me, Abby. If you need anything, I mean anything calls me immediately.¡± He never forgot to remind me every day when he found out what happened to me three years ago. ¡°Ugh. Just go, and I¡¯ll be fine. I won¡¯t wait for you. I need to wake up early for my exams tomorrow, remember?¡± I wave my hand to shoo him away. ¡°Okay. I have to go. I love you, sweetie.¡± ¡°Enjoy your date and good luck, I love you too, Drew.¡± After kissing my head, he walks out and locks the door after him. I go to my bed and tuck myself in my nket. I call Dad, but he doesn¡¯t answer. I call my mom, and it goes to her voicemail. I guess they¡¯re still on their honeymoon. I close my eyes, hoping to get good sleep without interruption. *** I wake up in the morning just a minute before my rm. I check my phone, only a message from my best friend, and still no call from my parents. I reply to Drew. Abby: missed you already. Thanks for not waking me up. Got a good sleep. A few secondster, he texts back. Drew: d to know you slept well. Missed you too, sweetie. Don¡¯t your breakfast before you go to school. Tc. Abby: Don¡¯t forget the details of your date. I¡¯ll have my breakfast. No messages from Dad and Mom. Did they call you? Drew: No, sweetie. They didn¡¯t. They¡¯re probably enjoying their trip. Or no cell service. Be patient. Gtg. Luv u. Abby: Maybe. Luv u 2. Tc. Chapter 3 The Promise Chapter 3 The Promise SEB I feel so terrified to hear from her saying she¡¯s dying. How did her daughter take the news? Where is she, anyway? ¡°We both agreed not to tell our daughter. Not until tomorrow, at least, but I know she¡¯s going to hate me for this or her father, Seb.¡± She pauses. So, am I going to break the news to her? I never met their daughter, and I¡¯ve never even seen her before. Mike and Catie seemed to be good parents, and if their daughter got the looks from both of them, then she is beautiful. ¡°Seb, I want you to promise me something.¡± She takes a long deep breath, and my palms turn cold mmy. I hold my breath when I feel like I¡¯m not going to like the next words wille from her mouth. In my twenty-five years of existence, I¡¯ve never been in this position, making promises to a dying woman, which I know I can¡¯t say no. So I have to do whatever she asks me to. ¡°Whatever, Catie. I¡¯ll do everything you want.¡± I start sweating even the room is cold, and I feel ustrophobic. I open one button of my shirt and loosen my tie. ¡°I know you¡¯re happy with your life. You¡¯re supposed to be thest person I asked a favor for, but I don¡¯t trust anyone besides my husband. I¡¯ve known you long enough to know what¡¯s underneath that bad boy and yboy image, and you have a good heart, Seb. You have reasons why you choose this life, and you haven¡¯t met the right one for you.¡± She takes a breath. So that¡¯s it, and now I¡¯m getting more nervous. I constantly swallow why a lot of jumbled thoughts pop in my head. Is this what I think it is? Jesus. Good grace. Hallelujah. This can¡¯t be happening, and did I just promise? Can I take it back? No. I think I¡¯m going to faint before her. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. I feel that the worst day of my life is taunting me, and everything is shing back in my head¡ªit starts from the tabloid that ruins my life, to the meeting that gave me a headache, and to thest words of my dad. And I¡¯m still in front of a dying woman. ¡°Before I admitted myself, I finalized my Will, and even my husband doesn¡¯t know most of it. Just me and mywyer, Atty. Timothy Sanders. I made a copy for myself, and I want you to have it. You don¡¯t have to be there during the reading of the Will, but make sure you secure it safely.¡± She breathes deeply again. ¡°And you¡¯ll know when the right time to open it, Seb.¡± I release a long sigh. So it¡¯s not that bad after all. Thank God. I¡¯m overthinking, after all. I finally find words say, ¡°Thank you for the trust you gave me, Catie. I promise you to keep it safe, and I will make sure you won¡¯te to haunt me.¡± I want to see her smile at least, so I continue, ¡°So, you will trust me for your daughter, too? You know my reputation, Catie. I mean, I, maybe we can be good friends. I¡¯m not that asshole, and I promise to keep my hands off of her.¡± I raise my right hand. Sheughs at themest joke that I cane up with because I will never forget this moment for the rest of my life. She motions to the drawer. I stand up and pull the drawer at her bedside. I notice a man envelope. I pick it up with my sweating hand. It is light, but there is something inside other than documents that catch my attention. ¡°That¡¯s my engagement ring and the ne she gave it to me. It has a pendant¡ªa tulip, our favorite flowers. My daughter likes red, and I like purple. So don¡¯t you ever give her purple unless you want to annoy her.¡± I smirk, and I don¡¯t know why. I fold the envelope and tuck it inside my suit. ¡°So, she doesn¡¯t like purple, huh? I keep that in mind.¡± She smiles. ¡°Thank you so much, Seb. I know I can¡¯t repay you anymore, but I know my daughter will. Please take care of her. Promise me, Seb.¡± All of a sudden, she bes too weak, too pale, and she breaths hard, and I panic and shout for Mike, who rushes in immediately. All I can hear is herst words in my ears and my head. ¡°Tell her I love her so much, and I love you so much, my love.¡± I promise Catie. *** I¡¯m still shocked, and all my energy drained from me. I look down at the delicious food on my te, and suddenly, I lost my appetite. I push it away, still recalling the event earlier. After keeping what Catie gave me, I strip all my clothes and head to my bathroom. A long hot shower might help to calm my nerves. I stand under the showerhead until I can¡¯t take it anymore. I think of going out and pick a willing woman for a release. I grit my teeth when I think again. For fuck sake, Seb. You just witnessed a woman died in front of you, and all you can think about is your dick? I feel ashamed. My good friend is mourning for the loss of his wife, and there¡¯s a daughter who just lost a mother, and she has no idea until now. I¡¯m such an ass. After calling my father about the sad news, I dial my cousin and my best friend, Patrick. After the third ring, he finally picks up. ¡°You left your office early today, and that¡¯s new. ¡®sup?¡± I remind myself to y cool, but I can¡¯t tell him family emergency because he knows I¡¯m lying. ¡°Got some errands to run, so...¡± I lost words. He knows me too well, and if something¡¯s bothering me. I¡¯m not good at lying, and I never lied to him and neither to Trixie. Our family treated us as triplets. ¡°Seb, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I can hear the worry in his voice. After a long breath, I give up. I know he¡¯s going to find out. I already told my parents, and I¡¯m sure the news travels fast. ¡°I received an emergency call today that¡¯s why I had to leave soon,¡± I exin briefly. ¡°Wait. What emergency? Is Aunt Jules okay? Or your dad? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s about work because I should¡¯ve known before I left.¡± I cut in before he can continue, ¡°Pat, they¡¯re okay. Don¡¯t worry. Why don¡¯t you pass by, and we¡¯ll talk about it. I don¡¯t want to talk over the phone.¡± He knows that I never invited anyone in myir. I never bring anyone here or throw a party. I stay here on weekdays. It¡¯s close to my office, and I spend my weekend at my house. ¡°On my way, Seb. are you sure you¡¯re okay? You didn¡¯t knock-up that starlet, did you? Did you really have sex with her? She isn¡¯t your type, you know. You prefer blonde, tall and long-legged. She just wants your pocket while you¡¯re balls deep in her Seb. I can tell it.¡± I groan, rubbing my eye, but I know he¡¯s just trying to annoy me. ¡°For fuck sake, Pat! I didn¡¯t have sex with her, and I¡¯m 101% sure I didn¡¯t knock her up She isn¡¯t definitely my type, and all she had is my picture and before you cane up with an idea that I have sex video with her, don¡¯t go there.¡± I pause. ¡°I¡¯m sure my future wife is not yet even conceive. Get in here before I change my mind and go to sleep.¡± I hang up. In less than a minute, I hear a knock. I stand up and walk to the door, and here he is, still in suit one button open, loosened the tie, and wearing a huge grin on his face telling me that he just gets on my nerves. He¡¯s already inside before I can even say a word. He sits on my ck leather couch, while I make my way to my minibar and pour ourselves two sses of whiskey. I give him his ss then I drink mine instantly. It burnt my throat, but I don¡¯t care. I need this. I collect liquor and Wine, but I¡¯m always responsible when drinking. I sit on his opposite side and rest my head as I rub my temples. ¡°Long day, huh? And man, are you trying to kill me from anticipation? Or you¡¯re gonna keep me from guessing? I get it. It¡¯s bad news,¡± he talks while I¡¯m looking at the high ceiling of my penthouse. I can feel his gaze on me like he can see through my soul. ¡°Catie just passed away,¡± I blurted out before he can say about my scandal. I look at him, and he¡¯s shocked with eyes wide and mouth gapes. He shut his mouth closed and swallows. ¡°What? How? When? I mean, how did she die? Are you sure? How did you know? You¡¯re not kidding, are you?¡± ¡°I was there. And I would never joke about someone¡¯s death, Patrick.¡± I tell him the entire story minus the envelope. He doesn¡¯t ask anymore, and we have another shot. ¡°Poor Mike. Poor daughter. Did you know anything about her daughter?¡± he asks me, and I suddenly feel a twist in my stomach. ¡°Nope. Never met her, why? Do you know anything about her?¡± I ask before I add. ¡°Yeah, poor Mike. Catie is still young, though. He would call his daughter tomorrow. I¡¯m sure she¡¯d be here soon.¡± ¡°Just asking. She must be hot, you know? Mike and Catie are a fine specimen.¡± ¡°Jesus, Pat. She just lost her mom, and all you can think is she¡¯s hot?¡± I¡¯m pissed, and I don¡¯t know why. I am sure it has nothing to do with respecting the mourning family. I suddenly feel overprotective over a woman I¡¯ve never met, which is odd. ¡°Jeez, I¡¯m just saying. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m going to bang her. She probably has a boyfriend.¡± My chest constricts. Why do I feel this way? I still don¡¯t fucking know. ¡°Just have a little sympathy, Patrick. You¡¯re such a whore sometimes.¡± I re at him. ¡°And what are you, huh? Didn¡¯t your face just appear all over the newstely? With a drunk woman?¡± I groan and press my lips together. ¡°Thank you for reminding me how an asshole I am? I think I should lie low.¡± But I know it¡¯s impossible. ¡°Don¡¯t let that woman gets into your brain, Seb. It¡¯ll be over soon. That¡¯s your life, and you should enjoy it. Come to think of it. We don¡¯t know when would be our turn, and you only live once.¡± He¡¯s right, and besides, it¡¯s not new to me anyway, but Dad¡¯s words are a constant reminder. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± I agree. ¡°To hell with those sick bitches and assholes.¡± I offer him a toast. ¡°Don¡¯t get drunk, idiot. You¡¯re driving home. I¡¯m not going to drag your ass to your apartment. You¡¯re not sleeping here.¡± ¡°I should probably go. You look like you need a long sleep.¡± He rises from his seat and grabs his keys. ¡°Are you going to the funeral?¡± I ask. Why did I even bother asking him? ¡°Sure. I guess we have a funeral to visit.¡± He shrugs. ¡°I guess so.¡± I slowly nod. I keep turning in bed and think about what Patrick said. Yeah, maybe she¡¯s hot. Fuck you, Patrick! Chapter 4 Losing Mom Chapter 4 Losing Mom ABBY I can¡¯t thank enough, and I want to yell out loud as soon as I step outside the exam hall. I can finally breathe¡ªbreathe some fresh air. This year is the most exhausting year for me, and all I need is a long vacation¡ªspread a nket in the sand, drink a cocktail while reading good books. I sigh. I pick my phone from my bag. I have five missed calls from my best friend, two from Dad, but sadly, still nothing from Mom. I feel sick in my stomach. Is she ignoring me? I ignore those messages in my inbox. My parents are still out of the country celebrating their anniversary. Mom is always Mom who worries too much. A few days ago, her call was a little bit odd. ¡°Hey, Mom. How¡¯s the honeymoon? I mean not that part, you know?¡± I beam even though she can¡¯t see me. ¡°Oh, honey, I know, and I wish you¡¯re here. You¡¯ll love this ce, but we can take you here anytime. How¡¯s college?¡± I sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll love it, Mom. And college is still college, and it¡¯s almost finals. Where¡¯s dad?¡± ¡°On the phone, honey. Got a call from Grace.¡± I knew Grace¡ªshe¡¯s Dad¡¯s PA. ¡°You must be too tan right now. Why don¡¯t you send me some photos?¡± She can¡¯t tag me. I don¡¯t have a social media ount. Pathetic, isn¡¯t it? ¡°I will, honey. So tell me, are you dating anyone? I wanna meet that guy.¡± Date? Since when am I allowed to date? I furrow my brows. ¡°Mom, did you forget you said I¡¯m still young to date? What happened to the focus first on your school, boyster?¡± ¡°Honey, that was three years ago.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah? But you didn¡¯t tell me either that I¡¯m already allowed to date.¡± Pathetic of an excuse because I know why I don¡¯t date. ¡°You¡¯re not sixteen anymore. You should at least date and try making new friends.¡± Mom¡¯s enthusiastic voice fills my ear, and I close my eyes because I missed her. ¡°Mom, I have friends. I mean, I have a best friend, you know.¡± I feel suddenly alone. I still remember when she told me how she and Dad met, and how she knew Dad is her soulmate. They can¡¯t just keep their hands off of each other even until now. When I said eww, they justughed at me. ¡°See, honey. I¡¯m not forcing you into a date. Just try to go out there. Your therapist suggested that you should make friends, right?¡± She always encouraged me, but she worried too much at the same time. ¡°Yeah, I know. Making friends and dating are two different things though, Mom.¡± ¡°Mack, I know smarty-pants, but promise me, you¡¯ll live your life to the fullest. Be happy, have friends, date someone, travel around the world, see new ces, appreciate things because life is too short to focus on just one thing, honey. Don¡¯t let your past hold your future, promise me, Mackenzie?¡± Now, I want to cry. My lips start to quiver. ¡°Mom, why are we talking about this right now? Jeez, I¡¯m not that old to miss the fun and date. Maybe one of these days, I¡¯ll bump into Sam Caflin or Chris Hemsworth, and maybe, one of them asks me for a coffee.¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t do that. I can see your eyes rolling, young woman. Try trusting someone. You¡¯ll feel right when it is. Trust your instinct, honey.¡± I take a huge breath. I try making excuses to drop this subject. ¡°Okay, I promise, and Mom it¡¯s Abbygail. And trusting someone is not just buying sweets from the candy shop. Dad will definitely freak out about me going out on a date. Does he even know that you¡¯re telling me this?¡± ¡°Why would I let Daddy know? You know it¡¯s our secret,¡± she whispers. I chuckle. ¡°And you¡¯re terrible at keeping secrets to Dad. I¡¯ll let you know when I meet someone that worth my time.¡± ¡°Good, now talk to daddy.¡± I bite my lip. ¡°Hey, pumpkin. How¡¯s my girl?¡± Dad¡¯s voice sounds restraints. ¡°Dad, how old am I? And I¡¯m great by the way.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still my baby girl, sweetheart. Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you why. First, don¡¯t call me a pumpkin. No one likes to date some prettytely with a name pumpkin. Secondly, I¡¯m already an adult to be pumpkin, andstly, I missed you, Dad,¡± I sing at the end. ¡°What do you mean ¡°date¡±? Wait. Are you dating anyone, Mackenzie? Why didn¡¯t you mention you meet someone? We talk almost every day, and I don¡¯t like that idea of you keeping something from me, young woman.¡± Oops... Sorry, Mom. I grin. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m not dating anyone, but maybe soon. I¡¯ll start dating since it¡¯s the end of the school year, you know,¡± I say, giggling. ¡°And who told you you¡¯re allowed to date? I didn¡¯t remember permitting you, Mackenzie.¡± I can feel his eyes narrowing on me. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m an adult. Meaning, I can go out on a date.¡± ¡°I know, but you¡¯re still my baby, and thest time you went out, you know what happened. I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart. I don¡¯t mean to remind you,¡± Dad says regrettably. ¡°Don¡¯t be, Dad. I know, but until when I¡¯ll stay away from people? What if Drew will live out with his girlfriend, and I¡¯ll be left alone.¡± I blow a huge breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart. I know how hard it is for you, and I know I¡¯m just on my dad mode.¡± He sounds tired. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when I¡¯ll go out with someone, I promise I¡¯ll let you know. Tell mom I love her and give her a kiss for me.¡± ¡°Sure, sweetheart. Take care, and be a good girl. We¡¯ll see you soon. I love you, Abby.¡± ¡°Love you both, Dad.¡± My parents got married when they¡¯re still both in college. They both came from well-prominent families and rivalpanies, but it didn¡¯t stop them from falling in love. Later on, bothpanies had merged. It took five years for mom to get pregnant, and they almost lost hope. They nned for adoption, but before it happened, I was conceived. I dial my Dad¡¯s number, and he picks up almost instantly. ¡°Hey, Dad. Tell me you and Mom are already in my apartment, and we¡¯re going to have lunch at our restaurant.¡± He stays silent, but I can hear his breathing from the other line. I¡¯m already sitting in my car and turn on the ignition, but before I can drive, I stop. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. The unexpected circumstance that reminds us to expect the unexpected and that life is inevitable. Expect even the worst one, but it never urs to me how strong the impact until it hit me. I feel the world is crashing on me, and I can feel my blood rushing through my body. I gasp, and my hand covers my mouth. I don¡¯t even realize my phone falls from my now trembling hand. I feel boneless, speechless, and breathless. I feel like I¡¯m ice in the middle Sahara Desert, melting rapidly, and my eyes are now blurry. Everything stops. This is supposed to be a happy family get-together because, after a year in college, I can finally spend with my parents for months. Now it will never be the same again¡ªeverything has changed. I finally sob, and my hands are tightly gripping on the steering wheel as if it gives me strength. I wish I¡¯m with Dad when things like this happened. How did he manage to handle it by himself? Poor Dad. His soulmate is gone. He just lost my mom. Mom is gone. Breath... Breath... Breath... I wipe my tears from my face, but it won¡¯t dry until someone tap from outside of my window. My best friend who looks like hell, but I¡¯m sure I look worst. I struggle to open the door at first. When I get out of my car, Iunch myself into him, and I hug him so tight and bury my face in his chest. I know he is crying too, and my shoulders are shaking as we cry together. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Abby. She¡¯s like a mother to me. I know it hurts, and I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Drew keeps rubbing my back. ¡°Your Dad called me when you didn¡¯t pick up. So I took a cab, and I know you would be here. I can¡¯t even drive, Abby. I¡¯m still in shock.¡± He helps me to passenger seat after he suggested to drive. We remain silent on our way to our apartment. I just cry to my bed, bury my face in the pillow, and sob again. Someone is talking and tapping my shoulder, but my eyes refuse to open. Then I remember what happened before I sleep. I cry again until I fall to sleep. ¡°Hey, honey. Wake up. You need to get up, and I have something to tell you.¡± I open my eyes, and I see my mom¡¯s beautiful smile. Her eyes are twinkling like a million stars in the skies, and she¡¯s the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever seen. I jolt awake. Drew is sitting in my bed with a steaming bowl in his hand. He must have cooked while I passed out. ¡°Hey, I know I shouldn¡¯t ask, but how¡¯re you feeling?¡± He manages to smile though it doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°My head is about to explode. My eyes are heavy. Everything hurts like hell.¡± I start crying, but I¡¯m also hungry, and my stomach keeps grumbling. ¡°It¡¯s okay to cry, sweetie. I would be worried if you won¡¯t, but you have to eat. You need your energy. Your dad called back while you were sleeping. We¡¯re leaving in two hours. Your dad wanted to send the jet, but I told him not to bother. I booked a flight for us, so we have to hurry. Eat your food, then freshen up. We¡¯re leaving as soon as you¡¯re ready. I¡¯ll get Tylenol for you.¡± He strides toward my bathroom, and I hear a cab opens and closes. He ces the tablets of Tylenol at my bedside. I force myself to eat the food he offered. I don¡¯t realize how famished I am until I empty the bowl. I take two Tylenol and drink some water. I feel dizzy when I stand up abruptly. Drew manages to hold me before I fall to the floor. ¡°Do you need help undressing?¡± Drew asks as we reach the bathroom. ¡°I can manage from here. I¡¯ll get a quick shower. I let you know if I need anything.¡± I lock the bathroom door and take a quick shower. I almost don¡¯t recognize myself with ssy green eyes, fluffy eye bags, stuffy red nose, full red lips, and my skin looks so pale. I close my eyes and take a deep breath and whisper, ¡° I am strong. I survived once, and I can do it again.¡± *** I sleep throughout our entire flight. Drew nudges me on my shoulder and reminds me we¡¯rending in fifteen minutes. ¡°I guess you slept well too?¡± I say while yawning. ¡°I sleep as soon as I hear you snore on my shoulder.¡± I cross my arms. ¡°I don¡¯t snore.¡± ¡°You drolled too.¡± He¡¯s the best brother I ever wanted. He always managed to lift me up when I felt down. ¡°I know how you feel, Abby, and I feel it too. I love your mom. Wherever she is right now, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s happy and proud of you. You shouldn¡¯t be sad but cherish all the memories of you and your mother.¡± He squeezes my hand, and I squeeze it back. ¡°I know, Drew, but I can¡¯t help it. I should be beside her when things got tough. I should be holding her hand and telling her how much I love her. I didn¡¯t even get a chance to say goodbye, kiss her, or hug her onest time. I should have been there. I¡¯m her daughter for God¡¯s sake. Why didn¡¯t she tell me about it? I¡¯m such an idiot, and I didn¡¯t get what she meant when she called a few days ago. I do not doubt that she loved me, and I feel it, but why she hide it from me?¡± Drew wipes my tears by tissue on his hand. ¡°Always a boy scout.¡± He gives me a sad smile and kisses my temple. ¡°Abby, your mother doesn¡¯t want you to see her suffer. You¡¯ve suffered too much already. She doesn¡¯t want to see you sad before... before she¡¯s gone. Thest thing she wanted to see is her beautiful smart, and happy daughter. Which she did.¡± ¡°You always have something to say to cheer me up, haven¡¯t you?¡± A car is already waiting for us when we arrive. Dad¡¯s driver Howard gives me a sad smile and says sorry for my loss. God, how many people woulde to me and say sorry for my loss? I don¡¯t think I can take it. As soon as the car enters the gate of King¡¯s mansion, I feel suddenly hollow. It reminds me again of why I¡¯m here. It¡¯s been three years since thest time I stepped inside this mansion. My eyes start to stings, and my chest starts to feel heavy. I take a deep breath and prepare myself. Would I ever be ready for this? I don¡¯t even notice someone already opens the door for me¡ªit means I¡¯m finally home¡ªmy old home. I step my right foot outside the car and bite my bottom lip that is now trembling. I close my eyes. I feelrge hands cupping my face, and I know those hands, the very same touch, the feelings of warmth, safety and reassurance, and the smell of musk and mint assault my nostrils. I inhale it deeply, and I¡¯m afraid to open my eyes that it might not be real. ¡°Pumpkin? Open your eyes, sweetheart. It¡¯s your dad.¡± He kisses my nose and my forehead. Before I can open my eyes, I¡¯m now shaking and crying out loud, and Dad pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight. I don¡¯t care if all the people in the world hear me cry. I just want to feel that I¡¯m now in Dad¡¯s arm. \ When I feel relieved, I release my hands and look at Dad in the eye. He¡¯s also crying. His blue eyes are sad, and he quickly wipes his face and smiles at me, but it¡¯s enough for me to know that I¡¯m with Dad again. ¡°Good to see you, sweetheart. You know I love you so much, right, pumpkin?¡± I nod and give him a quick hug before we head inside my very home. At this very same room that I remember a lot of beautiful memories nothing has changed¡ªonly a few changes like new furniture, new curtain, fleshly made bed, new red carpet, and a new me. I see both my suitcases are already in my room. I¡¯m sure Drew is already settled on his own¡ªhe has already room on his own since my parents like adopted him. I sit on the edge of my bed and then curl myself to sleep. *** I can¡¯t move. I can¡¯t see anything. I can¡¯t hear either. ¡°Where am I?¡± ¡°Finally, we meet again, Mackenzie. Good to see you too. You¡¯ve grown up into a woman.¡± I can only see a figure of a tall man. I try to move, but I can¡¯t. I start to cry, and my fear is consuming me. ¡°Who are you? How do you know me? Why am I here? ¡°Too bad, Mackenzie. I knew you too well, and soon...¡± Just like that, and he¡¯s gone. Chapter 5 MEETING SEB Chapter 5 MEETING SEB ABBY The morning sun is slightly peeking from the curtain of my window right into my eyes. I wake up, and my nket is wrapped tightly under my arms, and it smells like jasmine and vani¡ªthe same fabric conditioner they used. Someone must have tucked me inst night. I peek through my nket, and I¡¯m still in the same clothes as yesterday from our flight. Two days in a row now, and I slept with the same clothes. I get up from the bed, feeling lightheaded. I had to sit back to have my bearing. I don¡¯t see my suitcases anymore. I guess one of the staff must have brought them into my closet. I take off my clothes and head to my bathroom, and I pass by my massive walk-in closet. All my clothes from my suitcases are already hanging ording to color. I open the top drawer, and I see my underwear. My makeup, makeup remover, moisturizers, kits, perfumes, and cologne are ced just the way I like. As much as I want to bezy all day, I have more important things to do than sulk in my room. I decide to go to my bathroom and shower before someone cane inside to wake me up and see me half-naked. After an eon, I¡¯m all dressed up. I choose a knee-length white dress and Jimmy Choo sandals to match my dress. I put some mascara on and concealer under my eyes. I apply lip gloss too¡ªjust to look presentable. I still don¡¯t know anything about Mom¡¯s funeral. After my breakfast that I asked to send into my own living room, I walk down to dad¡¯s office. I hear murmurs from the inside¡ªI presume, they¡¯re Dad¡¯s friends or Mom¡¯s. I knock three times and wait. Before I can knock again, an unfamiliar deep husky voice says toe in. I hold the doorknob, but someone grabs from the inside, and the door swings open for me. Shock is an understatement when I look up the man in front of me. The feeling is so strange, igniting every cell in my body that I don¡¯t know it¡¯s possible. I meet the gaze of those beautiful gray eyes surrounded by thickshes that now I envy. And man, those eyes are so powerful and can hypnotize every woman by just one look. He has a small scar across the end of his right eyebrow, and now, he furrows in confusion. Wait a sec. Why though? Oh, wow! His hair¡ªthick jet ck long wavy hair that touches down his shoulders and slightly tucked behind his right ear. Jeez, he¡¯s perfect with high cheekbones. A nose that is molded to perfection and he has squared jaw with a five o¡¯clock shadow that added to his look¡ªmore masculine? And oh, my God, his slightly parted lips are so full and red and kissable. I wonder how they feel against my lips. How do they taste like? And are they soft, warm? Does he apply lip balm? Oh crap! Did he just notice me ogling him? Because I see the amusement in his eyes, and a smirk curves up his lips. I swallow and blink twice or three times maybe, to erase those thoughts out of my head. For God¡¯s sake, I¡¯m here for one sole purpose not to ogle at some guy. There are plenty of fish in the sea if I¡¯ll just look around. I can drool every man on earth I want, but not this time. I clear my throat to speak. Before I can say a word, he cuts me off. ¡°Who are you?¡± his deep husky voice makes me even shiver¡ªit feels like an ignition to fire deep inside me, which I never felt like this before. This is getting weirder. ¡°Oh, and who the hell are you? Can you stay out of my way?¡± I raise my eyebrows and re, but a six- foot-three or four inches is blocking my way. With his button-down white crisp shirt with two open buttons, slightly showing his hard and broad chest, making me want to run my fingers on the skin if it¡¯s soft against my touch. Please. Please. His sleeves rolled up just above his elbows, showing his strong arms and the tan skin of his arms. And those hands with long fingers that I don¡¯t know how many women¡ª Crap. me those books I¡¯ve read, and I can¡¯t just avoid the steamy part. My bitchy part starts to sprout like a werewolf ready to shift to wolf form. Oh, I¡¯m just a girl. ¡°I want to see my dad. Now, move, you¡ª¡± before I can continue, my best friend saves me from whoever this god-like in front of me. ¡°Abby, you¡¯re awake. How¡¯re you feeling?¡± He gives me a brotherly hug and kisses me on my cheek. ¡°You look good today.¡± Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Should it make me feel better, or this is your way of telling me I still look like shit?¡± Drew looks better too. I guess he must have slept wellst night. ¡°Pumpkin. Sweetheart,nguage, please? So, you met Seb?¡± He smiles at me that doesn¡¯t reach his eyes, and I blush so hard. My father just called me pumpkin in front of this hot¡ªno, he¡¯s an overconfident ass. ¡°Who? Seth, who?¡± Oh, this must be the hot jerk. God, this has to end. Now! I want my mind back. I mean, what the hell am I thinking? I just lost my mother, and here I am crushing on some jerk¡ªa hot jerk. I hold the groan, and I want to mentally berate myself. ¡°So, you are the daughter, Addy.¡± I hear the husky voice behind me again. Did he just call me Addy? Men are so full of crap by purposely mispronouncing women¡¯s names. I don¡¯t want to be rude, so I face him. He¡¯s already offering his hand for a handshake. I hesitate, but my dad is around. I¡¯m a good daughter, and I have to remind myself. So I look at him who is now smiling and showing his perfect white teeth, and Oh, holy mother in heaven, he has dimples, and I¡¯m a sucker. Sam Caflin and Chris Hemsworth have. Why does he have to be so perfect? Can¡¯t he have at least a single w? Even the cut from his eyebrow makes him perfect even more. I shake his hand firmly, and I swear his pupil dtes, and I feel like I have been charged by a thousand volts that ignite my entire body to fullfort. I feel my blood rushes to my brain, and my heart beats erratically. I¡¯m still holding my breath, and my lips dry instantly. Did he feel the same way too? He looks shocked as me, and he looks more confused. He instantly releases his hand. His smile fades, then he clears his throat once more. I feel like I¡¯m in heat, and my pulse is throbbing. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your mom, Addy.¡± He seems sincere in saying it. ¡°Thank you. And it¡¯s Abby. Abbygail. You seem to know my mother pretty well,¡± I say and sit beside Drew. My father kisses my head and sits across me. The hot jerk Seb takes a seat on Dad¡¯s left side. ¡°He knew your mother well. He¡¯s Chris¡¯ son, Abby. He took his dad¡¯s CEO position years ago. He¡¯s now the majority shareholder of Hughes Industries,¡± Dad exins. Oh, boy. The rich bad boy yboy is glowing on his skin. Perfect. And he¡¯s bad news. ¡°Mike, you forget to mention I work my ass off. Your daughter might think I just grabbed the opportunity while Dad handed his position to me,¡± he retorts amusingly. Then he nces at my hand that¡¯s intertwined with Drew¡¯s. ¡°I didn¡¯t judge you, Seb. I¡¯m sure you deserved that position.¡± I feel guilty because the moment Dad said that he¡¯s the CEO, I was sure he got the position because they own thepany, but then he seems to be serious, determined, and smart. Or everything I see in him is clouding my judgment? Still, the yboy and bad boy image, the cocky, arrogant, and assholeness are there, and it¡¯s annoying that those characteristics make him pleasing and look more beautiful. The way he talks and sits, he looks more powerful and very intimidating if I¡¯m not used to meeting businessmen like him. I can see him who always bark, organize, decide, and a control freak. I guess I misjudged him if Dadpliments him genuinely. That makes Seb sexier. I want to hit my head against the wall, and maybe it helps me distract my thoughts. Please, I need some peace here, heart. I¡¯m still broken and lost. Why do I have to meet him in circumstances like this? ¡°Are you still in college, Abby?¡± he asks, emphasizing the B. ¡°Yeah. Just finished my junior year. I¡¯m taking Business Management major in Finance and Ad,¡± I answer with pride. ¡°There were good colleges and universities around here, why bother in another state?¡± My palms start to sweat, but Drew squeezes my hand as he must have felt my difort. I look at Dad ¡°I don¡¯t want to depend on from my parents. I¡¯m not just a little princess who ys dress- up, go shopping, and painting toenails. I want to see ces, meet new people without the pressure of being the heiress, I guess.¡± I shrug. ¡°Hmm. Interesting. Mike mentioned that you excel academically.¡± He looks amazed, but it feels more like an insult to me. What is this? A beauty contest with Q & A portion? I want to roll my eyes. ¡°Let say I¡¯m a freak, a dork, I have no life other than books and my thick-rimmed sses, but thanks to Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick and Otto Wichterle, I don¡¯t need any more sses,¡± I answer with touches of sarcasm. I look at Dad, and he doesn¡¯t look impressed at all. Mr. Hot sexy jerk smiles at me that can melt every women¡¯s panties. I look at Dad again. ¡°So, Dad, what¡¯s your n on mom¡¯s?¡± I feel my eyes start to wet. I look up, blink back my tears, and take a breath. ¡°Your mom doesn¡¯t want a long funeral.¡± I bite my bottom lip that starts to tremble. I feel my tears run down my face. I can¡¯t say another word, and all I can do is nod. I take a huge breath. ¡°It never urred to both of you that you have a daughter out there who¡¯s missing her parents? You didn¡¯t even bother telling me that Mom was sick again. I thought you both went for a honeymoon. I didn¡¯t know that honeymoon has the same meaning as the hospitalization these days. Maybe because I don¡¯t have a twitter ount, and I¡¯m so left behind with the new urban dictionary.¡± I don¡¯t mean to be sarcastic, but I¡¯m so upset for both of them. Seb chuckles, and I re at him when our gazes meet. I can see a hint of surprise again. ¡°Your mother¡¯sst words were to tell you she loves you so much.¡± He takes a deep breath. I rise from my seat and go to dad. I hug him so tightly and wipe my tears from my face. I clear my throat. ¡°I need some air.¡± I rush to get out of Dad¡¯s office. I walk towards our old bench that Dad used to watch me ying on the same massivewn when I was a kid. They still look the same¡ª thendscape is even more beautiful than three years ago. I hear footsteps approaching. I sit at the empty bench before I can reminisce about those happy memories, then the hot jerk sits beside me. His perfume reaches my nostril. God, he smells so good, and I want to bury my nose in his chest. I know without looking at him, and these, whatever these sensations I feel that affect every nerve endings in my body are not going to end soon. I need to remind myself constantly that whatever crush I have on him has to end. I¡¯ve been avoiding things like these for three years, and I¡¯ve been good at it, but I doubt if I will seed this time. ¡°I said I need some air.¡± I take a glimpse at his beautiful face ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I heard you the first time, but I guess I need some air too.¡± He sighs then stares at me like counting every freckle in my face. I ignore him and look at thendscapes instead. ¡°Well, you can have some air in every corner of this ce. We have another bench over there, So go find your ce.¡± I shoo him away, but he doesn¡¯t move. ¡°Show me then. Be a nice hostess. You know I¡¯m not familiar with your home.¡± He smiles. I narrow my eyes, and his smile turns into a grin. Bless my heart and every living creature on this earth. This man deserves to be named Anael, not Seb. ¡°Hmm. This isn¡¯t your first time to be here, and you¡¯re not my visitor,¡± I tell him and press my lips together. He chuckles. ¡°Ouch. You hurt my feelings, Abby. So I guess I should just stay here, and I¡¯d like to share some air with you. I¡¯m not that selfish, you know,¡± he says with a glint in his eyes. ¡°God, you¡¯re impossible!¡± I cross my arms over my chest, and his gazends on my slightly exposed chest. I release my arms quickly and I think I just blushed. ¡°Are you always this¡ª?¡± I cut him off. ¡°Bitchy? Annoying? Grumpy?¡± ¡°Smartass, fascinating, and beautiful? Yeah.¡± I know he used to flirt with women, and did he just hit on me? I¡¯m sure I¡¯m red as a tomato right now, and he is amused to see my reaction. ¡°I need my moment, please?¡± I look up to him. ¡°Fine. But next time, you¡¯re not gonna shoo me away again. I¡¯m leaving anyway.¡± He rises from his seat, and I feel his gaze on me, so I look up. God, this is impossible. He tucks his hair behind his ear, and he looks magnificent, standing with the sun rays shining on him. ¡°Nice to finally meet you, Abbygail.¡± Then he walks away. Finally? Chapter 6 The Touch Chapter 6 The Touch ABBY Dad settled for only Two days funeral. I¡¯m wearing white instead of ck showing that I¡¯m not here to mourn, I¡¯m here to celebrate her life, her legacy, she may be gone but she¡¯ll always remain in my heart. I didn¡¯t recognize most of the people who paid respect. I hate every word they said. ¡±sorry for you lost¡± Wreaths everywhere of different colors, designs, and sizes. From politicians, movie industries, different charity organizations, businessmen, powerful people arrived, some stayed long some leave immediately. I kept my head down, Dad wants me to keep it that way, he wants me to have a normal life away from the scrutiny of public eyes. I know one day I can¡¯t stay in my loophole forever. One day the world will know me. I want to go home, I feel sick in here. I don¡¯t like attention, this is the reason why I am who I am today. It changed my whole life forever. I spotted Dad talking to one of his friends. ¡°Dad, I can I have a moment?¡± The couples both look at me with sadness in their eyes. My eyes widen when I look at them, they must be Seb¡¯s parents, the resemnce, Seb¡¯s got his hair and eyes from his dad, nose, and lips from his mom. They¡¯re both tall and fit and his mom has dimples too. ¡°You must be Abby?¡± before I can answer Mrs. Hughes tackles me to a hug and she starts to sniff. ¡°Thest time I saw you, you were still so young, and now look at you, grown up to be a beautiful young woman, Catie must be very proud of you.¡± I give her a tight smile but I can¡¯t remember I met her before. ¡°Thank you foring here today,¡± I say The next thing I know Mr. Hughes is next giving me a bear hug. Then Dad excuses us both. ¡°What is it pumpkin?¡± Dad gloomy eyes look at me. He ces his hands on my arms. ¡°Dad, first I¡¯m Eighteen and stop calling me pumpkin in front of people. You can start calling me by my name, can¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Sweetheart you will always be my baby girl, old or not you¡¯ll always be my pumpkin.¡± ¡°Dad it¡¯s annoying you know?¡± I look down at my shoes. ¡°You don¡¯t want me to call you in front of Seb and his parents or you don¡¯t want me to call you pumpkin at all. Seems my daughter has grown up.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. I roll my eyes ¡°Dad, we¡¯re at mom¡¯s funeral. What is it with Seb in his family? I did mention ¡°people¡± dad.¡± ¡°I love you pumpkin¡± I wrinkle my nose. Before I forget what I¡¯m going to tell him I hold his hands. ¡°Sweetheart if this is about eulogy, you don¡¯t have to, I¡¯ll never force you when you¡¯re not ready for something like this. I understand. You don¡¯t know most of these people. The truth is you never met 90% of them before. I¡¯ve been keeping you safe for a long time. I¡¯m a little bit paranoid when ites to your safety and I can¡¯t jeopardize it for just a few minutes. For all I know they might be somewhere near us. Don¡¯t trust anyone here. I lost your mom already and I don¡¯t wanna lose you too.¡± You¡¯ll never lose me again dad. Promise. You¡¯re the only family I have left. I can¡¯t afford to lose another one. I love you, Dad.¡± I get back to my seat. I smell the familiar scent from yesterday and the tingling sensation spread throughout my body, now it¡¯s affecting between my thighs. I know he¡¯s near me. I kept reminding myself that I¡¯m in my mom¡¯s funeral. This is definitely not good. I have a lot of issues to handle than to give attention to this tension between me and him. I don¡¯t socialize with people but when he is near me it¡¯s like everything will be okay. I know this is crazy. I don¡¯t even know him. I don¡¯t know anything about him. How old is he? What¡¯s his favorite color? Does he have an FB? Do they do kinky sex? Ouch! The billion dor question is does he feel the same towards me? Definitely not absolutely not! Get a grief Abby for God sake. My palms start to sweat. Drew is ring at me but I cut him with I-am-okay-look. I move near Drew just to lean my head on his shoulder but before it happens someone sit beside me, the person I¡¯m trying to avoid, the person that send shivers to my spine, took my breath away, made my lips dry, butterfly in my stomach all this kind of ...shit. He might notice my difort. ¡°You okay Abby?¡± He looks at me, and searches for something in my face ¡°you look so pale, you need a rest, did you even sleep or eat beforeing here?¡± he asks me. I can¡¯t help but look at him. Oh, my goodness. Okay I admit, he is the most beautiful creature ever created. I lick my now dry lips. I have swallow hard. ¡°Y-yeah, I¡¯m...um I am fine.¡± Way to go Abby. He touches my forehead but I¡¯m still looking at his eyes. Holy hell it feels so so good and I feel suddenly cold before I can enjoy the feeling. ¡°You don¡¯t have a fever.¡± he scans my face. ¡°You¡¯re a physician too?¡± I regret as soon as I blurted it out. I know my best friend is listening. ¡°I don¡¯t need to be a doctor to figure out if you have a fever or not.¡± ¡°Whatever smart-ass¡± He just chuckles ¡°Seriously Abby, you need to get home and rest. You still have tomorrow to pay respect to your mom. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll not be happy to see you like that.¡± ¡°See me like that? like what?¡± I raise my eyebrows. Then I continue ¡°What does it mean? That I look like shit? Well, thank you for the honesty Mr. Honorable¡±. Now I can see the hint of a smile on his lips. Way to shoo the devil away. Grrrr... he really doesn¡¯t have an idea what his presence did to me or he¡¯s just used to women batting theirshes at him. He has no clue that he is the reason why I feel like shit. ¡°Hush, show some respect, keep your voice low. What I mean is you need to rest. You¡¯ve been in hell these two days. You don¡¯t have to stay here all the time. You need your strength.¡± He pauses then looks me in the eyes then to my lips then back to my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re far from looking like shit. If you look like shit then I don¡¯t know how everyone looks like.¡± Ugh! Don¡¯t believe him, heart. He probably said that to all the women who get into his pants. Cheesy pickup lines don¡¯t work on you Abby ¡°I¡¯ll talk to your dad so that you can go home. Did you came here together with Drew?¡± He asks ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this. Why are you even doing this anyway?¡± ¡°Doing this? This is what the right thing to do. I guess. Be a gentleman.¡± he shrugs ¡° Gentleman? Ha!¡± ¡°I know I¡¯m an ass sometimes. Okay, scratch that I¡¯m an ass most of the time. But I¡¯m just trying to help and your dad will worry more when you¡¯re sick. He has already a lot on his te.¡± Wow, I guess he¡¯s really just trying to help. Seb asks my best friend ¡°Drew I¡¯m sending Abby home. Are you nning to stay longer or are you coming with us?¡± ¡°Wait you said you¡¯ll send me home. You¡¯reing with me?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll send you home myself then I¡¯ll go home after.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to bother I¡¯ll call my driver.¡± ¡°Stop it, Abby, You can¡¯t shoo me all the time, we¡¯re going together and that¡¯s final. I promise I don¡¯t bite unless you want.¡± I re. ¡°Jeez, Abby I¡¯m just kidding.¡± ¡°You can go with him, Abby. I¡¯ll stay here for a while with your dad.¡± Wow, my BFF is now betraying me. I give him a What-is-going-on-with-you look but he just gives me a smile. Traitor! After saying goodbye to dad and a quick hug I follow Seb to the parking lot and head home. Chapter 7 FANTASIZING ABBY Chapter 7 FANTASIZING ABBY SEB Losing in the stock market, dropping dor rates and losing a deal didn¡¯t torment me, it¡¯s a win-win game. But It¡¯s been agonizing two days of my life. I¡¯m currently fantasizing a forbidden fruit and I know I¡¯m in a great trouble. Who would have thought Mike and Catie¡¯s daughter is Hot? I mean Hot...H-O-T as hell. Those beautiful big green innocent eyes, but there is something in her eyes I can¡¯t quite figure out and this dick of my mine is having a brain on its own. Now, little traitor dick starts throbbing in my pants just thinking of hot Abby. Thank God Pat doesn¡¯t know, he¡¯ll surelyugh and say I¡¯m a pussy-whipped. Now, I¡¯m a boner. Yeah, I¡¯ve never met anyone as beautiful as her, her smell, and her hair look so soft, I can imagine grabbing her and fuck her from behind and those parted sulent lips wrapping around my cock. I groan And Jesus she has a gorgeous pair of round tits. She wears a white dress that exposes a little cleavage that makes my thoughts turn dirty. I can¡¯t me my dick, it¡¯s been a while and she is just so gorgeous, that¡¯s it. Period After sending her to her home all my thoughts keeping back to her, her smart-ass banter. Here I¡¯m lying alone in my lonely cold bed looking up the boring ceiling with my cock hard as steel. I can¡¯t help but stole few nces at her long toned legs while she¡¯s sitting beside me in my car. I give her a moment of silence, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s thinking about her mom. She seems so distant and controlled. She flinched when I tried securing her seatbelt. I wonder what had happened to her. I can feel she doesn¡¯t trust me and it made my chest tight. I want to strangle her so called the best friend, he¡¯s holding her fucking hand, best friend or not it makes me a little bit of a caveman. Fuck! Why I suddenly be overprotective of her. I¡¯ve never felt anything like this towards any woman. Only with her and it¡¯s freaking me out. I guess I need to getid. I¡¯m too exhausted to get up in bed. Maybe a self-service will do. I put my hand inside my boxer and hold my cock firmly, the moment I think of a brte with huge green eyes my dickes to life, I imagine her kneeling down on me and licks the tip of my cock, her eyes looking up at me, taking all my cock inside her mouth, twirling her tongue and suck me hard, I gasp. Fuck I¡¯m not gonnast... grabbing her soft hair and push her until my cock hits her throat...fuck it feels so good...so fucking good. I thrust into her mouth, to the back of her throat onest time...Abby. Ie so hard. I shudder. I¡¯ve nevere so hard. Fuck! That feels good... Beads of sweat start forming on my forehead. I want to feel when I¡¯m deeply buried inside her pussy...shit! I¡¯m hard again so I think of her once again. It didn¡¯t take long Ie again. I¡¯m so drained. I close my eyes. I wake up before the rm goes off. It¡¯s still dark outside. I start to make my coffee. I lean my elbows in my kitchen ind and bury my face into my hands. I check my phone for calls and messages. Nothing worth calling back. My mom left me a voice message telling me she met Mike¡¯s daughter. Christ! I really need to erase her from my brain. I remember dad saying after the meeting, son, if you will not clean your mess I¡¯ll be the one to clean and you may not like the oue. it may not be true but you¡¯re dragging Hughes andpany¡¯s reputation down. I drink the bitter taste of coffee but dad¡¯s words are far worst bitter than the coffee and it twists my stomach. What will he do? Is he really threatening me now? I may be thergest shareholder but he has the majority of votes. After a shower and put some fancy suit I head to my office. My PA already arranges my schedule and insert the burial for Catie. I meet Patrick at the parking lot since he wasn¡¯t able toe during the funeral. Still a lot of people here in the cemetery who I recognized mostly are businessmen. Some are politicians and few women I think from Catie¡¯s charity. My parents are already here so as Patrick¡¯s parents. I didn¡¯t see the woman that caught my mind these days. I clench my jaw until it hurts. I need to get her off my mind but she won¡¯t just go. This is so wrong fantasizing her. His father won¡¯t be happy. I¡¯m sure her mother will rise from her grave and haunt me to death. Patrick noticed my difort. ¡°You okay, man? I know this is hard for you but it¡¯s ok to be sad about it. Wait, I¡¯ll have to extend my condolences to Mike.¡± Mike is already sitting in the first row with two empty seats beside him, probably for the hot piece of a daughter and her friend. I choose the opposite left side in the second row so no one notices me ogling her. I groan. I didn¡¯te here for her, I mutter. A few more minutes the ceremony will start ording to that man in ck-rimmed sses. Everyone wearing ck and white. I didn¡¯t even notice Patrick is already back in his seat. ¡°Where is the daughter?¡± Does he really have to ask me? ¡°Maybe caught in the traffic¡± I deadpan. Before he can ask again my eyes dart to the woman that keeps me hard on and came twicest night. I must be dreaming right now because this couldn¡¯t be real. If she looks beautiful these past days now she looks stunning, ravishingly gorgeous. She¡¯s way beyond beautiful. God heaven on earth, bless my heart. My mouth hangs open and I¡¯m sure I have to put the scarp in my suit pocket to a good use. I probably drooling right now. She is wearing a whitecy dress that ends on her knees, long sleeves that fit perfectly on her toned arms like her second skin. Her curly brown hair flows just below her shoulders. She is wearing a ck headband. A light pink on her cheeks. Her lips are painted with light pink too. She wears high heels that make her almost taller than her best friend. Good grace Abby way to make my cock throb again... Thank God for the weather, It¡¯s not hot because I probably sweating like an idiot. Everyone turn their attention towards her. I guess they notice now who is she even my goddamn best friend. Now he can¡¯t just keep his mouth shut. ¡°So she must be Mike¡¯s daughter? Who¡¯s the man with her? Lucky bastard. She¡¯s so fucking hot. No wonder Mike never let her stay here. She could make any man boner.¡± Now I¡¯m pissed. I hate this caveman feeling, just thinking of another man thinks the way I think, I wanna poke every eye looking at her with my fingers. ¡°That¡¯s her best friend Andrew, they¡¯re roommates.¡± Patrick looks at me with wide eyes. ¡°And how do you know they¡¯re just roommates? Or just best friend? Without the benefits?¡± He asks and raises his brows. Way to piss me off more. If we¡¯re not in here I might cor him already. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°That¡¯s what I heard. Why do they have to hide from the old man if they¡¯re dating? Or your so-called benefits? They¡¯re both consenting adult.¡± I exin but Patrick doesn¡¯t seem satisfied. ¡°Are you sure they¡¯re just friends?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask them yourself?¡± I re at him. ¡°Whoa! Man rx I¡¯m just messing with you. What¡¯s got into you? Why so grumpy today? and do you think I didn¡¯t notice you drooling over her when she arrived?¡± I clench my teeth and take a deep breath. I need to calm myself down. My best friend will not shut up until I grill me with the question as soon as he knows I have a thing for her. A thing for her? I don¡¯t do rtionship. She looks so innocent and I¡¯m a bastard who doesn¡¯t say no for free-fuck-no- strings-attached. I don¡¯t deserve someone like her. She needs a good man at her side and I¡¯m definitely not a good one. She deserves someone who brought her flowers dine in a fancy restaurant and propose to her with a huge diamond ring. Mike knows me well. I¡¯m thankful he still didn¡¯t warn me to back off when he caught me ogling at her from the first day we met, or he was too preupied with his wife¡¯s death. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll go back soon after this burial and thank God I¡¯ll not see her again. ¡°Earth to Seb. You zoned out too much.¡± He nudges me. ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t score on her yet?¡± He asks waggling his brows. ¡°One more talk about her I¡¯ll break your nose. Her mom just died for God sake and you¡¯re talking about her like that?¡± I hissed and I can feel the anger radiates my body. I didn¡¯t even notice my hands already form into fists. ¡°Okay, Okay man. We¡¯ll talk about itter.¡± ¡°Nothing to talk aboutter especially if it¡¯s about her. She is off limits.¡± I snap ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll drop it if you¡¯ll introduce me to her. deal?¡± ¡°No fucking way.¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡° Yes way, or I¡¯ll just introduce myself.¡± He grins ¡°unless you want her alone to yourself.¡± I grit my teeth. ¡°What off limits you didn¡¯t fucking understand? She still mourns and here you are, you can¡¯t keep your dick in your pants? really, Patrick?¡± I crinkle my nose. ¡°Well, just introduce me, that¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Fuck off asshole! You fucking touch her, you¡¯re dead! fucking think about her, you¡¯re dead too!¡± I narrow my eyes. He grins. ¡°I got you there, asshole. Fine, she¡¯s yours.¡± I mutter, yeah, she is fucking mine. I¡¯m grinning deep inside. Everyone already on their seats when the minister is about to start I look at her and it was wrong to move, she finds me looking at her too. Yeah, just like that everything freezes even my God damn breath, my heart flutters. Damn it! she smiles at me... fuck! that¡¯s the most beautiful smile I¡¯ve ever seen. I can¡¯t help but smile back. She arches one brow as if saying what¡¯s wrong? I shake my head then she focuses herself to the minister. ¡°Hmm...that smile. she smiles at you, we really have to talkter cuz. I¡¯ll never let that one go. Over my dead body.¡± Not today. Not ever. I won¡¯t let him get into me. ¡°Just shut up, can you? nothing really to talk about.¡± ¡°I doubt that that smile says everything and you¡¯re still smiling, it¡¯s new on you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying I never smile before?¡± I elbow him. ¡°See, you never did that thing to me either.¡± ¡°What, elbowing you? see whates next if you¡¯ll not shut up.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t change the topic Mr. Pussy-whipped.¡± Someone clear a throat from behind. I bite my lip. I feel guilty. Shit, I remind myself why we¡¯re here. ¡°Drop it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I can.¡± Jesus. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I decided to leave immediately after the burial service but something stopping me from going. My heart breaks when I see Abby¡¯s shoulders shaking. I wish I could hold her and tell her everything will be okay but I¡¯m sure nothing can help at this moment, the fact that we just buried her mom, she¡¯ll really bawl. Somewhere part of my brainmand me toe closer to her and my feet just followed. Her eyes are red and wet. She¡¯s still sniffing to the tissue on her hand. I can¡¯t fathom why I feel pain for her when I see her sad or crying like we have a connection to emotions. I touch her shoulder and she stiffens and faces me. When our eyes met it feels like we knew exactly whates next. We hug... yeah, just like that. We¡¯re like pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly. I can feel the warmth of our body. The smell of vani and flower that I can¡¯t quite guess hit my nostrils, maybe her shampoo or her body wash. It¡¯s addictive... I don¡¯t wanna let her go just yet. I close my eyes and feel her against me, I want to feel this moment because this might never happen again and God it feels so good, so damn good. When she pulls away, I feel so empty and cold. ¡°Thank you Seb... thank you foring here...¡± she says in between sniff. She looks God damn beautiful even her eyes and nose are red. Drew, her best friend gives me tight smile. My best friend clears his throat beside me and tells her he¡¯s sorry and introduces himself before he can say anything I told Abby and drew that we¡¯re leaving. I don¡¯t want him to spill my beans yet. I¡¯m not in a mood to deal with work either. I want to drink to stupor. What had just happened freaks the hell out of me. Thank God Patrick stays silent throughout the entire ride. I guess he already has answers to himself. Too obvious? Damnit! Chapter 8 THE WILL Chapter 8 THE WILL ABBY These past few days of my life were so exhausting and full of pain and anguish. I can¡¯t believe that I¡¯m still breathing, barely. Barely breathing. I¡¯ve been through a lot for my eighteen years of life but losing someone you love is different than being held captive and torture. Although I¡¯m also affected mentally I¡¯m not heartbroken, unlike mom¡¯s death. Nothing in this world can ever rece my mother, I don¡¯t even care about the Will, but it¡¯s mom¡¯s legacy. Herst will and testament will only remind me that my mother is truly gone and nevere back. I just need to be strong, for dad, my only family left. Dad reminded mest night before going to sleep that today is the day of reading of mom¡¯s will. I saw the pain in dad¡¯s eyes no matter how he tried to hide. He just lost someone who we dearly love and who has been his life partner for almost three decades. It sucks! I know. Dad¡¯s office reminds me of a lot of things, from my childhood until today. I still remembering to this office when I¡¯m still in grade school, I love reading books in this ce even I have my own mini library and study room especially when dad¡¯s around, but today it reminds me of Lost. I run my hand through dad¡¯s book collections alphabetically arranged ording to Author¡¯sst name, I guess it¡¯s in the blood of being a bookworm. His huge mahogany desk still the same for as long as I can remember. On the left side are few of his liquor collections although dad doesn¡¯t drink much. He has his own cer here in our home. Mom¡¯swyer is already sitting in front of dad. I feel nervous but what ever written was mom¡¯s wishes. She could just donate all of her money or sell her property to an auction and donate them to those in needs but I hope I can have some of her jewelry as her memories. Some are heirloom already that passes through generations of Hirlington. I knew mom¡¯swyer. I¡¯ve met him a couple of times. His on histe 60¡¯s, graying thinyer of hair with thick rimmed sses just on the tip of his nose but he is well known for his practice. Atty. Timothy Sanders started since histe 20¡¯s. After extending my hand for him I sitfortably. I take a deep breath. I didn¡¯t pay much attention when he started mentioning mom¡¯s name address, spouse etc., all I heard are money, bank ounts, properties and assets, and liabilities. When my name is mention I listen intently and something catches my attentions about three conditions. Three conditions??? Wait! What? I must have shouted the word ¡°what?!¡± dad and Atty. Sanders¡¯s attention is on me. ¡°Let him continue sweetheart,¡± Dad says ¡°Well I really don¡¯t care about mom¡¯s money, she is gone and it will not change a thing. She can donate them and I will not say a thing. You don¡¯t have to continue Atty. Sanders.¡± I say and look at the Lawyer. I tighten my lips then frown. ¡°I know it¡¯s hard for you Abbygail but let me continue. It¡¯s your mom¡¯s will. Honor her wishes, will you?¡± Atty. Sanders says. I nod. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ¡°Okay, please continue. I apologize for the interruption.¡± I narrow my eyes to listen carefully, my hands start sweating. ¡°three conditions¡± as thewyer continues. I listen half interested. I hear in between words and sentences. ¡°All will be transferred to my daughter Mackenzie Abbygail Catherine a.k.a Abbygail Catherine within three years otherwise all will be transferred to my representative permanently.¡± My eyebrows furrow. ¡°1. A ties of matrimony to Mr. Sebastian Christopher W. Hughes III within a month of my death, no divorce within three years otherwise all conditions will be forfeit.¡± my hands cover mouth, I freeze and just stare with eyes wide open. ¡°2. A Trust fund including educational fund, housing allowance, foods, bills etc. will be fully paid by my representative within three years, as monthly allowance ording to her status of living.¡± I remove my hands in my mouth, My gut twisted ¡°3. My representative, Mr. Sebastian Hughes III will take all the rights and ownership of all my properties after three years when any of my conditions are not met.¡± I shake my head. I can¡¯t believe this. I motion him to stop. ¡°Sebastian Christopher Hughes III?!?¡± I shriek, I observe both of them. Nobody talk. ¡°Sebastian? as in the Seb? the yboy, Badboy, man-whore?¡± I squint my eyes. ¡° Unbelievable!!! Un-fucking-believable! Does he know about all of it?¡± No one answers ¡°Of course he knew. How could mom let me marry this man for God three awful years of my life.¡± I look at dad who¡¯s seemingly calm. ¡°You knew about this, do you, dad? Why didn¡¯t you stop her? I¡¯m only eighteen and thest thing on my mind is getting married. I thought you both want me to enjoy life, have friends, travel all over the world and finish my MBA. I didn¡¯t even go out on a proper date or yet even kiss. I didn¡¯t even experience a teenage life and now everything is ruin because I¡¯m getting married. What do you want me to do? Just pop out kids? And stay at home and make myself crazy waiting for my man-whore of a husband to come home and spread my legs? Tell me! Does he even want to marry someone like me who is totally beyond damaged? An inexperienced, naive, full of baggage? I don¡¯t even know how to cook or boil water, what more changing diapers? I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be disgusted when he found out about this. Oh, I read on the inte about him. He probably has STD because he slept most of the women in this fucking state.¡± Both of them just stare at me in shock. ¡°I don¡¯t want this God damn money or anything belongs to mom. And I¡¯m leaving tonight.¡± Before I can move from where I¡¯m standing dad catches my hand. ¡°Sweetheart, your mom was an intelligent woman, she knew what she is doing writing her will. You have to know that. Respect what ever is written there. You can¡¯t change anything. It is already done.¡± Dad¡¯s voice isposed ¡°She must be drugged or confused writing them.¡± I look at thewyer and I continue ¡°Or maybe you misheard or misspoke or overlooked. Please, this can¡¯t be happening. There must be a mistake. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll not agree with this. He seems to enjoy his life well and he¡¯ll not just agree to marry me. This is so ridiculous. I¡¯m going to destroy his life, marrying him or forcing him into marriage is entirely insane. He¡¯llugh his ass off at me. He¡¯ll think mom was out of her mind. He can have them.¡± My hands still on my hips, I sigh ¡°Sweetheart, pumpkin, I¡¯ll talk to him don¡¯t worry and I¡¯ll arrange everything. It¡¯ll be okay. We have a month to do it. That is your mom¡¯s assets pumpkin. Your mom works hard to earn everything that she had and you deserve to have every penny of them.¡± I throw my head back andugh ¡°I don¡¯t think I deserve every penny dad because if I do she doesn¡¯t have to let me go through all of these. I think she wants me to suffer, she doesn¡¯t trust me enough. She thinks I might just throw all her assets to a pothole. She still thinks I¡¯m irresponsible, she¡¯s still ming me for what happened to me three years ago.¡± I shake my head, my lips start to tremble. Dad grabs my arms, he looks at me directly in my eyes ¡°Pumpkin, she knew you well. She wants you to concentrate on your studies and follow your dreams. She knew if she¡¯ll let me handle your trust fund I will pamper you and she wants you to grow up well into a responsible woman. You¡¯ll be busy managing your money, how will you concentrate at school? What about your MBA? You will thank her soon sweetheart trusts me. I can still spoil you through without touching your money and your assets, you know that. I¡¯m already managing your shares in ourpany. Think of it that you¡¯re investing your money from your mom in Hughes.¡± I flinch ¡°Yeah, investing myself too by selling my soul to the devil. Oh my god I¡¯m like a whore. We have our ownpany dad and I think we¡¯re far from bankruptcy. Why mom leave everything with him? What¡¯s with Sebastian that mom trusted him so much? What did she saw in him? Mom trusted him over me.¡± I take a deep breath and blink back my tears. ¡°Stop saying like that Abbygail and watch yournguage young woman, you¡¯ve been swearing too much, and stop looking little of yourself, you¡¯re far from broken. You¡¯re a strong young woman who has huge dreams. You¡¯re a survivor. Don¡¯t forget that. I¡¯m so proud of you. I and your mom love you so much, don¡¯t ever doubt that.¡± Dad looks annoyed. I sniff and wipe my tears dry. ¡°I need some air dad, I need to get out from here. I need to process all of this.¡± I face thewyer who stayed silent after he read the will thoroughly. I ask for the copy. I walk out from dad¡¯s office without looking back. I dial Drew and take a deep breath. ¡°Abby, how did the will go?¡± ¡°Very bad, I think I¡¯m gonna sick, where are you by the way?¡± ¡°I¡¯m out, Your dad asks me toe to his main office. What do you mean by very bad? how bad the very bad you¡¯re saying?¡± ¡°I have three conditions to meet before I¡¯ll have all mom¡¯s assets and that is even after three years. I guess she wants me to finish my MBA but it¡¯s not all that, the worst part is I have to marry someone within one month after her death. I mean I really have no choice, otherwise, I¡¯ll lose everything of mom¡¯s.¡± ¡°Wow, so you¡¯re getting married, huh? She knew that you¡¯ll do everything for her. That is not bad Abby, You can have a marriage of convenience.¡± ¡°Marriage? seriously? Mom can just keep the money in the bank until it reaches three years if doesn¡¯t want me to touch them. Why she has to let me marry him of all the people?¡± ¡°Wait, did I miss something? You mean that man is the representative too?¡± ¡°Yeah, he is and not mom¡¯swyer. Everything will be transferred to him after our marriage.¡± ¡°Wow! Who is he, Abby?¡± I blow an exasperated sigh ¡°Sebastian Asshole Christopher Hughes III, himself.¡± I say gritting my teeth ¡°Whoa! really?¡± Heughs. Why is heughing? What¡¯s so funny? I¡¯m so annoyed ¡°Really, you¡¯reughing when I¡¯m here wanting to pull my hair out? seriously? you¡¯re an ass too Andrew.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry sweetie but your mom really has taste in choosing a man for you. I¡¯ve no doubt.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Well, first He¡¯s well educated, a family friend, good looking young man, extremely rich, confident, he maybe a yboy but he is smart and protective. A man like him can keep you safe, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll not harm you, you¡¯ll not have problem filing for divorce after three years.¡± ¡°And why not?¡± I¡¯m confused ¡°Because a man like him doesn¡¯t do rtionship, it means he¡¯ll not fall for you. He¡¯ll just screw around.¡± I feel sad at what Drew said. Well, It¡¯ll be easy if he¡¯ll agree at least we¡¯re both not into a rtionship, but many things happen within three years. We could...Ugh! It¡¯s hopeless ¡°Can¡¯t I at least choose once? at least a man, do I really have a bad taste in men, well I don¡¯t know, yet. But they always controlled me, tell me what to do. I love them both but this? this is too much. I¡¯m already adult for God sake, yet they treated me like I¡¯m eight years old.¡± ¡°Sweetie, I know, you have to understand that if something will happen to you again, your dad will be miserable, you¡¯re only he has right now. If something will happen to him, how about you? you¡¯ll be alone? How about thepany? What will happen? do you think you can trust all the people here working under your dad¡¯s wing? Do you think you can manage by yourself and just listen to their advice? I don¡¯t think so. You might be smart and brilliant but it¡¯s differently dealing with real business or running a billion dorpany with lesser experience. You still have lots of things to learn and experience. You need someone like Seb.¡± I feel relieved ¡°You can¡¯t at least cheer me up by saying ¡°he is not good for you or yeah he¡¯s an ass, you shouldn¡¯t marry him¡± I can¡¯t believe you.¡± ¡°Hey, I¡¯m your best friend for a reason. I¡¯m where I know what¡¯s best for you.¡± ¡°Come home when you¡¯re done. I need movie marathon and some ice cream.¡± ¡°Be home soon Sweetie. love you.¡± ¡°Waiting, love you too. Bye¡± I look at the copy onest time. Now I have the copy, I know what to do next. I take a deep breath To face the devil himself. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!