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"So the King kissed the princess. And claimed her as his in front of the entire Kingdom."

"Making it a happily ever after."

I finished the story to look at the children's faces. Small smiles lingering on their lips.

Closing the story book, I fold my arms, giving them my full attention.

"So anyone who wants to tell me, what's the moral of this story?"

Majority of the eyes lower down. Not willing. Except for few who eagerly raised their hands.

"Miss Ezra! Me! Please!"

One of the girls, almost pleads. Her eyes shining with excitement and I didn't had it in me to say no to her.

"Yes Venessa."

Getting up on her seat. She gulps to begin.

"The story tells us Mrs Ezra...that when we truly want something...even the gods bend to our whims to give it to us"

"The King....he truly loved the princess. And his true love kiss even brought her back from death."

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"The journey is difficult Mrs Ezra. The king had to cross so many obstacles, but it didn't stop him."

I just stare at the girl ,lost in my thoughts. Was it true in real life? Do we really get what we truly wish for? The King didn't admitted defeat, then why was I giving up so easily ?

"Perseverance and hardwork, can move rocks Mrs Ezra. And this was just love."

How true. Why was I giving up then? No ..I have to try. I have to win his love.

A smile makes it's way on my face as I nod at her. The gloominess from the morning event fading away, filling me with determination.

"Excellent Venessa. That's...just perfect"

Everyone claps for her and she sits down. Her words still lingering in my mind.

Even kids can enlighten us sometimes.

The classes progress after it, yet her words. They got rooted inside me. And I knew, I had to try harder.

And I will.

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I come back to a silent Villa with no one there. Not that anyone besides us was living here.

In comparison to the Reed Estate, it will get lonely here.

Placing down my bag, I went directly to the kitchen. Searching for something to eat, to only settle with a glass of milk and cookie.

When the bell rang.

Opening the door, I was in for a surprise when I saw Stel standing there. With a bouquet of flower in her hands.

"Surprise!"

"Stel? Wow!"

"I missed you so much bestie!"

She says pulling me for a hug and I hug her back. Taking her inside.

"Reed Estate has got so boring without you! And it's not just me !"

I smile. Offering her water, to only see her push it aside. Moving towards the bar.

"Oh come on my goody two shoes! It's evening already! Let's start the party!"

"But Stel it's-"

I wanted to stop her. Telling her not to touch anything that belongs to Aaron. But then I remembered, it's applicable only for me.  Not on guests.

Filling herself a glass of whisky, she takes a sip raising her brow.

"So?"

She asks and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"So?"

"Ezra! I am asking about last night girl! How was it?"

I just shrug my shoulders, chucking a glass of water.

"What about it?"

She gives me a duh look , like I have grown two horns to only roll her eyes, moving closer to me.

"The Sex Ezra! How was it?"

My eyes widen and I was going to spit out the water. To only control. Letting it irritate my wind pipe instead.

Coughing, I try to get back my breath. Looking at Stel .

"Ho...w can you ask-"

"Oh shut up! I just hope you didn't ask him anything stupid. Did you enjoyed it?"

A blush rises up my cheek and I get up. Picking up the vegetables, to wash them. Trying to show her I am busy.

But I couldn't lie, can I?

What if she doubts something is wrong.

"He must have been gentle. Or one can't walk for hours , yet look at you. Just yesterday you got married, and today you got back to your job."

I was too lost. Afraid, anxious, confused.

"Stel come on. Stop"

"Ezra girl! How can I! The way he kissed you yesterday? Damn girl! You are so lucky!"

If only she knew, the kind of arrangement we had.

If only she knew, it was just a show to fool them.

And he acted well.

"Okay fine! Don't tell me all the details. Just one"

"Did you tell him you are a virgin? How did he react?"

My hand stop on the chopping counter. To knife in my hand stood still as I gulp.

Not knowing how to answer this.

My mouth running dry as I felt sweat running down my forehead.

"I ...he....."

I couldn't form words. Anxious. When I head a heavy voice, from behind Stel. That made both of us to freeze.

"The happiest man alive."

There he was, walking towards us with long confident steps. A business suit hugging his frame perfectly and those emotionless grey eyes same as usual.

Set on me, directly.

Making me gulp.

Stel get's up from her seat in attention. Surprises by his entry. His answer making a small chuckle to escape her lips which she manages to control

Aware of Aaron's cold persona and domineering personally.

"Aa-...aron? We were just talking casually...hi"

Stel stutters and Aaron diverts his eyes from mine to settle in hers, but only for a second.

Nodding at her, he acknowledges her hi. To again look back at me.

All the way stepping towards me.

I avoid his gaze, turning my back on him. Trying to continue cutting the vegetables when I suddenly feel a heavy presence behind me.

His heavenly select evaded my senses and I freeze.

Why was he still coming here?

Next I know ,I find his hands trailing up my waist. And the knife in my hands stops right there.

Placing his face in the crook of my neck from behind. He whispers, loud enough for Stel to hear.

"I missed you, kitten"

I was standing there like a statue. My heart thudding in my chest.

To only feel his hot breath on my neck. His nose caressing it to end with a small peck on my collarbone.

And I would be lying if I say, I didn't bite my lip to suppress a moan.

It's just acting Ezra! Stop being affected.

"What are you making for me tonight? I am famished today."

"I...j...UST...baked.....veget...ables...I...was not sure...if you will....have...it..."

I stutter. Pathetically. But I can't be blamed. He was too close. His touch taunting and his heavy breaths on my neck, a torture.

"Why wouldn't I have it ,kitten? When these hands-"

He says, trailing his right hand lower on my arm. To settle on my clenched fists  which held the knife.Making me drop it.

Settling his fingers on top of mine. He interlocked them and I just stare at our hands.

Mine were too small compared to his, but they felt like the perfect fit.

My ice cold fingers, getting thawed in the confinement of his warm ones.

"- made it especially for me?"

Next what happened? I didn't expected even in my dreams. Pulling up our interlocked  hand, he places a tender featherly kiss on my knuckles.

And my body melts right there.

The chaos in my stomach worsening and my heart, thudding.

"Aww isn't this a sweet moment!"

Proclaimed Stel, to be followed by chuckles and laughs. And I was surprised to see Neil, Ben and Mrs Reed there. Staring at us.

So that was it huh? Just a show.

"Mom?"

Aaron exclaims , acting as if he wasn't aware of their presence. When we both knew , this was just a pretence.

Stepping back, he shows as if nothing happened.

To only have Mrs Reed to approach me. Opening her arms for a hug.

"Ezra. It's only been a day and we all were already missing you."

I hug her back. Feeling like home. However every time I see her, I get reminded of mom.

Of not agreeing to her choice. Of not marrying Declan.

And marrying him instead.

I look up to see Aaron stand there awkwardly. Neil hit's his shoulder to which he gives a small smile.

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The evening progresses like this, with everyone laughing and enjoying except for one person.

Ben.

He may be here. But it looks like he didn't wanted to. He wasn't there in the wedding, he hasn't been replying to my messages lately.

What's wrong with him?

Everyone was rejoicing in the lobby,when he gets up excusing himself. Going to the balcony, when I decided to follow him.

Standing there, he was busy staring at the vast garden below.

A glass of beer in his hands.

"Ben?"

I say, stepping closer. Having him turn around to look at me in surprise. Covering it up almost immediately.

"Cupcake? What are you doing here?"

He asks, looking back in front. Avoiding my stare.

"What's the meaning of this Ben? Where are you lost?"

"You weren't there in the wedding, you aren't replying to my messages. Are you mad at me? Did...did I do something to hurt you?"

He clenches his fist. The usual smile on his face missing, to be replaced with a distant look as he looks at me.

"Yes. You really did something bad to hurt me Cupcake."

I gulp. Feeling a pang in my chest. To see him step closer to me.

My heart racing , looking into his cold eyes.

What happened to him? I don't remember doing anything intentionally to hurt him.

And that's when I follow his eyes to see them fixed on my neck. And his eyebrows furrow more, the coldness in his eyes worsening.

Sh**!

Don't tell me Aaron has left a new hickey, the one's he left last night were well concealed by me.

"He is having his way with you cupcake. But you are too stupid to realise it."

I look at him in confusion. Creases appearing on my forehead.

"What do you even mean by that? We...we are marri-"

"He doesn't give a damn Ezra! Why don't you understand!"

Holding my forearm. He jerks it, making my eyes to widen.

"You are not making sense Ben. I think you are drunk"

He chuckles. Looking at me in disbelief. To scoff, tightening his grip on my wrist.

"I am drunk? You are fuc*ing out of your senses Cupcake! What were you even thinking proclaiming your love for a person like him and then getting married to him!"

"I never considered you to be that type Ezra. Never! I wouldn't have thought you would be that desperate."

" I thought you knew your self worth. I thought you were different.......that you had some fuc*ing self respect dammit!

Tears sting my eyes as I look at him in disbelief. My blood running cold and my senses going numb.

"You turned out to be no different Ezra. Now live your life as his fuc*ing who**! Warming his bed when he wouldn't give you anything in return."

"My brother doesn't give a fuc* for feelings. He didn't came for father.... family means nothing to him.. And you think he will care for you?"

"A girl he considers as a filthy and goes around announcing as an Orphan?"

"Best of luck Ezra. Living your entire life in this delusion.But remember what I say."

"No matter how much love one gives, a stone hearted person like him would never reciprocate. Never."

He turns around to leave. And the first teardrop leaves my eyes. My heart beating frantically in my chest.

"And yes-"

He looks over his shoulder. To give me a smile of mockery. Dissapointement and pity evident.

"Congratulations for your marriage in hell"

I wanted to stop him. To tell him he was wrong. I have seen Aaron's soft side. He had feelings , he wasn't heartless.

But my words stop when I look up to see Aaron standing there with an emotionless face. His eyes set on Ben, who walks beside him, hitting his shoulder.

Not saying a word.

He was here all the time? Listening? Then why didn't he stop Ben? Why didn't he refute, argue and stand beside me.

Proving Ben's words to be wrong.

Or was it true?

No! I have seen him care for me! He isn't heartless! Even he has feelings.

Ben leaves, leaving Aaron and me alone.

And for the first time in life, his silence was aggravating me more. I wanted to come and hug me and say Ben was wrong.

Even if it was a lie.

I wanted him to try.

But he didn't. Not caring to give any explanation.

And my heart drops at that instant.