Chapter 6 6

My eyes widened as my heart skipped a beat. I felt butterflies in my stomach as my mind began to lose its senses.

"Please?" He moved closer as our lips brushed against each other and I felt heavenly calmness surging through me giving me deep satisfaction.

Yes, Yes, Yes.

"You are my desire I'll cherish deeply for as long as I am going to live. I pray for all happiness to bow before you." He whispered and was about to press my lips upon his, taking my first kiss but then my mind said,

"Don't."

I shut my eyes as my grip on his shirt tightened. I breathed out and turned my head away, rejecting it at the final second with a final tear.

"Please, don't... I-I am about to get married. " I said sadly, voice stumbling and even my heart is not convinced by my words.

"I see." He just gave me a sorrowful smile as another cry escaped my lips.

"Hey don't cry. After this, my respect for you has grown more. I can only pray that he keeps you happy, I hope he is a good man." He said earnestly. I lifted my gaze and met him.

"He is." I replied with a broken smile, not expecting I would say this.

"Glad to know. Where you go, just be happy, you will always be in my heart." He said, wiping the tear on my cheek and I melted entirely into the moment, in his emotions.

I wish time could stop.

"Rebecca, I guess our story ended before it could start. But, remember one thing, If we meet ever again, I'll be willing to take you away that time too. You have my heart." He said and kissed my forehead.

"Our time together was brief but it was the most loved part of my life, Jayden. Thank you for the notes, they mean a lot. " I murmured, looking at him with my lips curled upward but not in a smile.

He pulled me in his embrace as we remained like that for a while, his scent filled my nostrils, giving me utmost serenity.

I felt so secure in his arms, solace rushed in my every vein. I forget this kind of feeling, it is so mesmerizing, every second of it is embedded deep into my soul and is my eternal source of salvation.

We slowly pulled away as a shy smile crept upon my lips.

"I love you." He said using his most charming voice. A chuckle left my lips as I replied.

"I don't know about love but what I felt for you is surely treasured."

"It's an honor. " He said, brushing his nose against mine. A blush crept upon my cheek as I pulled away.

He chuckled and asked, "Are you gonna complete the course?"

"I won't. I'll leave Boston." I said sadly.

"I'll miss you." He said.

"Me too." I said.

I then turned my back to him and walked away without any intention of looking back...

Because I know if I stop in my tracks and turn, I'll run back to him which will be terminal for all of us...

***

I sighed deeply while using my phone, not interested in the dresses in front of me.

"Rebecca!" Marianne called me angrily.

"Tell me which one do you like?" She asked, motioning to the trail of wedding dresses.

"Do you guys have a black wedding dress? " I asked nonchalantly. They nodded and left.

"What- Black?!" she asked in disbelief.

"Marianne, do not forget how I am getting married. It's nothing but a day of mourning for me." I said taking a deep breath which left her speechless because I am right.

My words are sour but they are the actuality.

"Here you go, Ma'am. " A girl said and I replied without even looking at it,

"We will take it." Another gasp escaped Marianne lips as she said exasperated,

"At least look at it."

"It's black, right?" I asked.

"Yeah." She replied.

"Then I'll take it." I said standing up.

We left the shop and sat in the car as she complained,

"What was that?"

"I bought my sacrificial dress." I said I'm still using my phone.

"I know it's hard-"

"Hard? It's not hard. It's unbearable." I said finally, looking at her.

"Where were these words before? I told you we can run away but no." She asked but she had no idea what I went through after meeting Jayden.

"Can you even face that show of defiled dignity in court again like in Egypt? Did you ever forget Anthony? Do you think Papa will let it slide?" I said angrily, talking about her fucking dead ex-boyfriend.

"It was because of you." she said, biting her lips.

"I saved you from your fucking abusive boyfriend!" I said, raising my voice which startled her and I continued.

"And if you are ready to face it again then okay, we will part ways, I will run far away and never return." I said, stressed.

She remained silent and looked down as I told her the painful reality she tried to hide behind her flashing name.

"Tell me Marianne, if you are ready to let the world know that you killed your boyfriend and your sister who is apparently an introvert, helped you to win the case as you never got arrested for taking a life." I said in a fit of rage which caused tears to brimmed in her eyes.

"I am sorry, I.. I am so sorry." She whispered, looking down as her lips began to quiver. Ah, she can't handle a few words even.

"Oh, Marianne." I immediately calmed down and engulfed her in a hug.

"I am doing this for you. Don't ruin your life. Please. I will do anything for you." I said gently.

'I don't want you to hate me like Jane. I will always be there for you even if it means killing my heart.' This part is silent.

"And you...? " She asked.

"Please stop this. Our secrets will haunt us forever. We are nothing but puppets whose strings are attached to him. He can easily use our weakest point to stumble on the life we built." I said, rubbing her back.

"You could have become the master of your puppet. You could have stopped him. You had the authority but you-" She tried to sting my old scars but I sighed.

"Don't start with this now.. " I said, pulling away.

"You are deliberately pushing yourself in the darkness. "

"Yes. I am pushing myself. In fact I want to remain there because the darkness that falls upon the brightest sky is deadly." I scoffed, leaning back, rubbing my temples.

"And what about the morning after that brings new hope?" She asked hopefully but I said something unforeseen.

"My morning got lost is someone else's night and never came back to me." She didn't comprehend my context thankfully.

We went home as I went to Papa studies, having the closest to zero chance to convince him to give Jayden a chance. "Papa."

"Hmm?"

"Cancel this marriage, there's a guy willing to marry me. He loves me, he will do anything for me." I announced sternly but it made him laugh.

To think someone could love me is considered a joke...

"Marry you? " He asked in his usual mocking tone.

"Who is this gentleman? What does he do?" He asked, smirking, pinching my nerves.

"Tell me your answer." I said coldly.

"I don't care about that guy. You are getting married to Ryan. You could have told me about this before but nothing can be done now." He said with a shrug, turning his attention back to his laptop.

"He wants to marry me." I insisted.

"But, what I have chosen is perfect for you." He hissed, refusing to listen.

"I have given my words to Mr Xavier." Papa enunciation. I opened my mouth to say something but he continued first,

"If both of you want to get married together then I don't mind. Ryan will get the woman he wants and you will get your love. I don't have any objections then." He said with a victorious smirk and I glared at him.

"And Marianne happiness? "

"The marriage with Ryan won't be canceled. You will marry him." He declared. I cursed under my breath and turned to leave but he began to say,

"If you are thinking of running away then don't forget about Marianne because she has to bear the outcome of your action." Insensitive bastard. I thought angrily.

My walk came to a halt as I turned to him and said in disbelief,

"You truly are a bastard." I said and left.

Fate is so cruel.