d my eyes pop out. What's with the ener

nd over the table, Louisiana pulls out a handful of paper sheets from a tissue box within her reach and wedges it against Alicia's bloody knuckles. Mia also following suit, mumbles some wor

girls console her as they walk away. Their voices are barely audible now, and I

his mom threatens now they've co

feel any other emotion such as shock. At this point,

a little shaky with anger as she's pointing in their direction while the door is held open for her to leave. The room goes still, the door cr

is place," he replies in a civil tone. 'I don't need to yell to drive the point home.' "I get to decide who stays and who leaves. And Alicia? I swear to God, i

up her bag aggressively

s lining her both cheeks. The look in her eyes is that of a naïve little girl who just wants peace and unity to reign in her family. She looks up to

es, increasing the flow rate of her tears. "Should I

dle her. Hold her and wipe her tears. But unfortunately, I cannot intercede on

ll goes ahead to order meal service. It'

five-star restaurant on a chilly Valentine'

oddly skips a beat because once she steps out the door, it's going to be just me and Iv

. You don't have

I have fumes building up inside of

focus. I even note the soft clicking sound of the wheels as they roll agai

ogether. Alone. Right now, I wouldn't mind

ble because it is – grilled chicken lying beside a scrumptious-looking salad swamped with assorted vegetables. But my mood's s

ld it in

t your mom? Why would you do that?" I blurt and regret

o you

on't. I'm jus

tay?" he returns, driving the knife down the meat, the diam

. I want to tell him I couldn't care less if his mom wants him to take a

e so I think of something else and

of the blue. "Why did you agree to this w

er chunk of meat. He's chewing at me with a hint of a smile pl

got the looks, money, and fame. So ... "Why me? Just how on earth was this deal important that I had to be sacrificed for i

didn't give you off to myself and you know it. So

autiful," I murmu

ter?" he asks casually, plac

he's forgotten. "That's my name an

ipe his mouth. He's barely even touched the food.

able, make me bleed, and give me a valid reason to file an assault case. Or better still file for a divorce. He jus

ies, letting the metal clink

o go home

I'll ta

ot that nice to bundle me back to my parents simply because I'm asking for it, I know. But I just feel helpless. His family obviously do not want me

m being impossible, he must be thinking but again, I d

for my knees to face him before bending at his waist, bringing our faces way too close for my lik

I'm sorry, beautiful. There's on

ho

second to speed up the

ause I am already under his spell, I shut my eyes waiting for his lips to

asing yo

ed find a teasing smile keeping his lip

when a soft pair of lips hijack mine. My poor eyes grow into the s