Chapter # 3

"STOP IT!! PLEASE I BEG YOU!! I WILL LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND! BUT PLEASE DON'T!!" I shouted at Jane who was standing at the edge of the roof.

"As long as they have you.. No one will be there for me. " Jane said as tears streamed down from both of our faces.

"I am here for you.. " I said holding my hands out at her while taking a step towards her.

"You are blind in the fire of success... " she hissed.

"And you are blind in the fire of envy.. Snap out of this, Jane." I said.

"It's all your fault..." She said as a final tear rolled down and she jumped out of the roof...

"JANE!! " I woke up panting heavily. Sweat rolled down from my forehead as I walked out of my room because I can't bear to be alone in that room anymore, it's breaking my every my tranquil, giving me extreme stress. I put my hand over my forehead and wiped the cold sweat form on it. My heart burst out of my chest as I felt so scared. I swallowed hard and wiped the tears that brimmed in my eyes. I shut my eyes and let out deep breaths to calm my tense form.

These nightmares are frequent as they haunt me in the worst way possible, leaving me with the inability to think nothing and feeling utterly helpless and devastating. These scars are so deep that liberating myself from this is beyond my capabilities as I am lost in these lethal apparitions.

Distraught with extreme fear and anxiety, I walked in the empty hallways as sunlight greeted me through the window. It's afternoon. I wonder when I fell asleep. Marianne left but I didn't went to my university. I sighed deeply and walked down. I ran my hand in my hair and went to the main hall only to see Ryan looking at mine, Jane and Marianne pictures. Then the truck of realization hit me that what happened just a few days ago was real and I am getting married to the person who wants to marry my sister and loves her. How ironic.

Upon seeing him, my facades came back as I walked down with my usual cold look,

"Marianne is not here Mr Knight. She left for California a few days ago."

He turned to me and smiled.

"Good Morning. I know she went. Actually, I am here to meet you. " He said. I raised my eyebrow at him and stopped in front of him.

"By the way, who's she?" He asked referring to Jane.

"She was my twin sister, Jane Morris."

"Marianne never talked about her. And what do you mean by 'Was'?"

"She died." I said coldly.

"I am sorry for your loss." He said sincerely. I just hummed in response and turned my head away.

"I guess you just woke up." He said. I looked down and saw that I am still in my pyjamas.

"I never slept in the first place." I replied. A silence fell upon us but then I asked, "What brings you here Mr Knight? "

"Actually I want to take Marianne out on a date so I need your advice about her likes and dislikes."

"Don't you know about that much?" I asked.

"She never talked about her, she always talked about you."

"Like? " I asked, intrigued.

"Your skills, fears, likes and all."

"Mr Knight don't you think you should spend this time with her and get to know her... not from me but from her. It would be better. " I said bitterly.

"She even told me you are rude." he smiled.

"I take that as a compliment. Now, please, If you excuse me, I have other things to do. You are very welcome to came all the way here for me but I am sorry I cannot help you." I said and turned to leave.

"Your behavior is hurting not only you but the ones around you too. Marianne is very worried about you. She loves you a lot." His words stopped as I moved my head to him and narrowed my eyes .

"I don't need anyone to tell me that Mr Knight and as for my behavior, you should get used to it since we are getting bound to each forever." I finished my sentence with a smirk.

"What do you mean?" He asked bewildered.

"Marriage is an eternal bond for the couple and the other people as well." I explained. He laughed a little and replied, "Your words are clever. You are right, Sister-in-Law." he said. My heart clenched when I heard it. Not because for me but for him, for deceiving him. For doing this cheap trick to him. I felt sad and compassion for him.

"Don't be too hasty to decide relations Mr Knight." I said and before he could say anything, I left.

***

'I wish we could have met.. At least once. But it seems like we are not meant to be together.. Not in this life. I am getting married.'

I put the note in my Hotel Management book. I know he only put it there so I put it here and left my classroom because I know that if I stay or watch from outside, he'll never come. Since, I don't have any friends, I decided to take a stroll around.

I came back and was about to take a step inside but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I raised my gaze and saw the topper of our University and the ruler of the heart of most girls; Jayden Roseville. His Raven hairs seemed so soft when flowing along with the wind. He took me to a corner and turned to me and looked at me with his enthralling blue orbs. His muscular form was emitting rage. My heart skipped a beat, I used to admire him from afar nothing else and used to hope that he'd never end up like me and lived a successful life. I can't believe he is in front of me, eyes narrowed and filled with fury.

"What's the meaning of this Rebecca?" He hissed.

"Are you the one who left notes in my book?" I asked, closing my arms at my chest and taking a step back.

"Yes. I do. What do you mean by getting married?"

"You are too late to reveal yourself. Nothing can be done now."

"You are not happy with your marriage, don't you? "

"My happiness never mattered, Jayden." I said coldly, turning my head away.

"It does. To me at least. Please Rebecca, I love you." He confessed as my heart began to beat louder than any echo. My eyes widened as I stiffed, I haven't heard this word from a guy for years. I turned my head and looked at him. He was standing too close to me.

"Rebecca tell me, If you are happy, I'll leave you but if you are not then we will run away. I can take you away." His words held deep feelings he used to express in his notes. I closed my eyes as a tear threatened to fall but I didn't let it.

"Nothing.. Can be done now, Jayden." I said taking a deep breath.

"It can be. You just have to tell me and I'll take you away. I truly love you and is willing to do anything for you. Even if you told me before, I can ask my parents to ask for your hand in marriage." he said desperately. Tears brimmed in his eyes and he's dying. He is devastated.

"What is stopping you, Rebecca?" He asked. I wish I can tell you...

"Jayden.. If you came before-"

"There's still time! We can fix this. I'll take you away from every pain, where no one can hurt you. Please trust me." his words broke my demeanour. They broke everything as I burst into tears. I held his shirt and put my head on his chest. He put his hand on my back and began to rub it. I let out soft sobs to show my agony. The ravage that is killing me from inside. He cupped my cheek with his other hand and I lift my face as my teary gaze met his affectionate one.

"We can still do this. " He tried to assure me.

"I can't... " I whispered in a croaked voice.

"Why.. ?" He also whispers in the same tone.

"I have shackles around my feet." I said. He wiped my tears and leaned in.

"I will remove them." he said sternly.

"If I don't get married Marianne's secrets will be revealed, she'll be forced to quit her work. She doesn't want to marry." I said lowering my gaze.

"Marianne, the supermodel? your sister?" he asked as I nodded.

"You are sacrificing yourself for her?" he asked with pity.

"I have no choice. Papa will reveal her scars.." I said in a barely audible tone.

"Is that a father or a monster?" He asked in disgust.

"Both.. " I lowered my head, feeling ashamed. He pulled my close as my lower body met his as a gasp escaped my lips. He held my chin and forced me to look at him dead in the eyes as he asked direly,

"Do you feel anything for me?"

"Immense fondness I never felt for anyone. After Marianne, you were my only source of salvation.. " I replied honestly, staring deep into his eyes.

"Then for that sake... can you kiss me?" he asked. My eyes widened as my heart skipped a beat. I felt butterflies in my stomach as my mind began to lose it's senses. He moved closer as our lips brushed against each other and I felt heavenly calmness surging through me giving me deep satisfaction.

"You are my that desire I'll cherish deeply for as long as I am going to live... " He whispered and was about to pressed my lips upon him, 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.

"Please don't... I am about to get married. " I said sadly and even my heart is not convinced by my words. He just gave me a sorrowful smile as another cry escaped my lips.

"Hey don't cry... After this, my respect for you have grown more." He said earnestly. I lifted my gaze and met his.

"I want you to take me away but I can't, he will never let me... he'll destroy not mine but also Marianne life..." I said in a faint voice.

"Hey, don't cry. You are a strong woman. " He said and wiped my tears. I remained silent as he began to say again,

"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 cheeks.

"Our time together was brief but it was the most loved part of my life, Jayden.. Thank you. " I said looking at him. 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. He kissed my forehead and said with affection,

"I love you." 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 honour. " 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 at 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 mourn 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 still using my phone.

"I know it's hard-"

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

"I told you we can run away but no."

"Can you even face that show of defiled dignity in court again like in Egypt?" I said angrily.

"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 run far away and never return." I said, stressed. She remained silent and looked down, "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 immediately calmed down and engulfed her in a hug.

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

"And you..? " She asked.

"Please stop this. Our secrets will haunt us forever. We are nothing but puppets whose strings are attached to him. " I said, rubbing her back.

"You could have become the master of your puppet." She said.

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

"You are deliberately pushing yourself in the darkness. " She said.

"Yes! I am pushing myself, In fact I want to remain there because the darkness that fall upon the brightest sky is deadly."

"and what about the morning after that brings new hope."

"My morning got lost is someone else's night and never came back to me."

We went home as I went to Papa studies.

"Cancel this marriage, there's a guy willing to marry me." I announced.

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

"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." he said turning his attention back to his laptop.

"He wants to marry me."

"I have given my words to Mr Xavier." Father said. I opened my mouth to say so 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."

"And Marianne happiness? " I asked.

"The marriage with Ryan won't be cancelled. 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."

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...