Suddenly unable to breathe, Jia struggled and got bewildered. She pulled herself up with a frightened look as her eyes swept over Anthon's face. Her strength suddenly drained as she realized what had happened. She wanted to complain, but words would not come out. Jim then sat up behind her, and after a few seconds, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"Jia," his voice was hoarse and sad, "can I hold you just this once, please?"

Just this once? And not forever? What a painful statement!

Jia may not see him, but she could tell by the sorrow in his voice. She could not understand. She knew he was drunk, but there was a strong sense of purity and honesty in the way he hugged her. It seemed he had wanted her over a long time to the point of despair, yet it seemed she was just out of his grasp until she's finally within his reach.

She snapped back to reality. This was her own feeling that betrayed her, and she misconstrued it as his! How could she be so stupid and weak!

She struggled again to free herself, but he would not let her go. For how long they stayed like this, she could no longer think. She lost her strength and willpower and eventually yielded to him in full submission. Did she not dream for this moment? Did she not painfully want him likewise?

"What are you doing?" she asked painfully. Her own question seared her heart. She could have said, "Why did you leave?"

Did he ever know how hurting it was when he said he had someone else? Did he ever have any idea how painful it was to wait for nothing? And did it ever occur to him it felt so humiliating to long for someone who could never be hers?

The rain intensified, and the darkness became pitch black, but it could not vent out the darkness of her frustrations deep inside.

"Do not fool me. I know you're getting married."

He tried to open his mouth, but words never came out. And before she could say anything more, he tilted her head sideward and savagely drowned out her words in his mouth. It was beautiful! And instead of fighting back, she yielded in full surrender.

Let it be... this once! On his wedding day, this would not even be a memory. This would just be goodbye.

As their kiss deepened, his hands moved to his shoulders gently, but then it became rough and unsteady. Soon, she could hear their hearts pounding loudly as their breaths became heavier. Not long after, her skin warmed under his touch, not knowing it had slid under her clothes. She did not even notice when her bra snapped open.

She was completely in a daze and out of her mind!

As the sensation heightened, her thoughts had totally numbed. She gave in, and he took it. She took it, and he likewise gave in. The pleasure of their exchanges of giving and taking made them totally forgot the limitations they should have set.

The rain was so fierce outside. If it were not for her decision to place her tent inside a cottage, they would have been floating. The loud sound of the downpour and the lightning was deafening. The icy wind was freezing. But the heat inside the tent was wildly flaming.

When the rain finally stopped, she realized he had taken her last defense of dignity completely. The sense of belongingness engulfed her, overcoming the pain of that first experience. She was giving herself anyway to the man who owned her heart.

As they laid on each side, she came back to her senses! He was just drunk and probably unconscious of what had happened. But did he not call her name and beg awhile ago?

"Jia, tomorrow, let's do the papers. Please, marry me."

Jia did not turn to look at him, nor reply. She could not possibly ruin a home that would soon be established! She may have dreamed of having him walk at her side forever, but a precious creature's heart was already beating inside her best friend's womb!

She got too humiliated. How could he say it when his wedding was already set? When that alcohol intoxication loses its power, he would surely forget it.

And tonight would just forever be a memory...

From this moment on, this night with him would be a banner that she would erect in her heart to signify his conquest over her. She should not regret it but take it to her grave that once in her lifetime, her dream was fulfilled!