I slightly opened my eyes and through my blurry vision, I saw tall trees looming above me like giants and bright stars twinkling in the sky. I rubbed my eyes to get a clear vision but then found myself leaning against a hard chest.

"You're awake"

I tilted my head up and saw Ian, glancing down at me, his chiseled jawline more prominent under the moonlight. He smiled and tucked a loose strand behind my ear. "You can go back to sleep if you want"

Puzzled, I sat up straight and scanned my surrounding. We were still in the woods but it was dark, the only aiding light was the moonlight falling through the canopy of trees. Crickets were chirping and fire flies had started coming out of their hidings, welcoming the darkness around us.

Darkness?

"Oh my god. Why are we still here?" I asked in a panicked tone.

"What do you mean?"

I turned to him. "Why didn't you wake me up? It's dark in the woods. What if there are wild animals here? Do you want to die while sleeping?"

Ian rolled his eyes. "There are no wild animals here"

"How do you know?"

"I lived here"

"But you moved out, long time ago"

"There are no wild animals here Hailey"

"You don't know that..." My gaze fell over his shoulder to the house where the decorations were already hung and a bright golden light gleamed through the tall windows. "What about the party? Aren't we going?"

Ian sighed and leaned his head back on the tree. "Staying here is much better than going to the party. Let's sleep here"

I looked at him as if he had grown two heads. "Sleep here with what? The snakes?" I asked in horror.

"There are no snakes-"

"Oh my god" I abruptly stood up and rolled up my sleeves, checking my arm. "What if I'm already bitten?" I gasped. "Gosh I don't want to die from a snake bite!"

Ian stared at me for a while and then started laughing.

"I'm in full panic mood. How dare you laugh?" I asked incredulously.

"Because sometimes you tend to lose a nut in your brain"

"Is this the time to make jokes? This is a life and death situation!" I searched for my phone in my pockets but it wasn't there. "I think I left my phone in your car. Can I have yours?"

Ian stood up and took his phone out of his pocket, handing it to me. I turned on the flash light and carefully took steps forward, making sure no snake was lurking around. Nature is awesome but definitely not at night.

I was moving forward very very very slowly when Ian suddenly scooped me up in his arms.

I gasped. "What are you doing?"

"It would take forever if you walk like that"

"But it's safe"

"There are no snakes here"

"Better safe than sorry"

"Again, there are no snakes here"

"Put me down"

"No"

Ian swiftly moved through the dark to the house and climbed up the staircase with me in his arms. He stepped into his room and gently set me down on the floor. "We should get ready now if we're going to party"

I looked to the door and found our luggages next to it. I walked over to it and knelt down, pulling out my floor length v-neck red dress from it.

"You change here" Ian said. "I'll go to another room"

As he went I took a quick shower and came out, changing into my red dress. I put on a light make up and was doing my hair by the time Ian came back.

I looked over my shoulder as I heard the door open and close. "Did you change?" I asked Ian as I put the finishing touch to my hair but he didn't reply.

Puzzled, I turned around to face him and he was intently staring at me "What? You don't umm...like my dress?" I asked hesitantly.

Ian still didn't reply.

"Ian"

"Mmm" He glanced up, coming out of his daze.

"Don't you like my dress? I can change-"

"No!" He said quickly. "You're beautiful" He approached me and cupped my face in his hand, trailing a finger along my jawline. "Very beautiful" He said softly and smiled. "Here I brought you something"

Ian pulled something out of his pocket but before I could see it, he turned me to face the mirror. Then his hands came around me, putting a necklace on my neck.

I gasped. "Ian, it's beautiful" I said touching the ruby pendant. "Thank you"

Ian wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the back of my head. "Anything for you"

I smiled. "Everything's set. Hope I don't get my periods to ruin the day" I shuddered even thinking about it.

Ian leaned in, whispering in his husky voice. "Want me to put a baby in you?"

My jaw dropped was an understatement. I spun around and smacked Ian's shoulder but he was too busy laughing.

"How dare you laugh?"

"Should I cry then?" He said while laughing.

"Oh my god! I can't believe you. Be happy that I didn't kill you"

Ian raised his hands up in surrender. "Okay, I'll be grateful" He teased.

"Go away"

"Let's go downstairs together"

"No"

Ian chuckled and grabbed my arm, pulling me to his chest. "I'm happy that you're here Hailey" He said softly. "I wouldn't be smiling and laughing if it wasn't for you" He gave a small kiss to my nose and smiled. "Let's go now"

Ian dragged me out of the room and down the stairs to the living room and a gasp escaped my lips. The vast area was lit with a golden light, illuminating from the large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Cocktail tables were placed at a certain distance, the guests surrounding them, drinking glasses of champagne while chattering in hushed tones. Vases of red roses were kept along the walls, matching with the golden curtains covering the tall windows.

"Oh there you are" Ian's mother came runninga towards us with a huge smile on her face. She clasped Ian's hands. "Melissa's father is here. Come with me" She tried to drag him but Ian stood, rooted to his spot.

"Why on earth would I see him?"

"Because that's your future father in law"

Ian scoffed and yanked his hand from his mother. "Get out of my way"

"Ian you can't-"

"Ian" A gruff voice interrupted us. I turned and spotted a man with grey hair who looked similar in features to Melissa approaching us.

"Long time no see" He smiled but Ian kept a pocker face. "I heard that some troubles occured while I was abroad but now that I'm back I'm planning to solve them all. Hope you can detach yourself from your fling-" The old man casted me a disgusted glance. "and marry my daughter soon"

Anger seared through Ian and his jaw tightened, his fists clenching in fury.

"There's no need for that" I tensed as I heard chairman's voice behind me.

He approached us, holding a glass of champagne in his hand. "My son has already chosen himself a woman and I think we should let him be"

"Leonard!" Ian's mother warned but his father raised a hand up, cutting her off. "I don't think we should force Ian into a marriage he doesn't want. I already know it's consequences from what happened to my eldest"

I sucked in my breath and I could see Ian having a hard time controlling his rage.

"We should let him be with a woman he wants. Melissa can find another man"

"You can't do that" Melissa's father snapped. "You promised your son to my daughter"

"I promised no such thing James. You are the one who approached me with a proposal. And now I'm simply saying no" Ian's father shrugged. He then gave me a smirk and I swallowed, feeling uncomfortable.

"Anyways" Leonard raised his glass. "Hope you enjoy the party. Well I got one question for Ian-" Before he could continue, Ian pushed past them, dragging me along with him.

We walked a good distance away from them before Ian came to a halt. "I hate it here" He said through gritted teeth.

I placed a hand on his chest, giving him a worried glance. "Want me to get you a drink, to calm down perhaps?"

Ian shook his head. "I'm fine"

"Then what about a dance?"

"What?"

I nudged my chin towards the dance floor. "Some people are already dancing. Wanna join?" I extended my hand and Ian stared at it for a while before placing his hand on mine.

We walked to the dance floor and I wrapped my arms around Ian's neck, moving closer to him as the slow songs started playing. Ian smiled and circled his arms around my waist, leaning his forehead against my mine, closing his eyes. "This is good" He said.

"Mmm"

I slowly raked my fingers through his hair and Ian's chest vibrated with a soft purr. "Too good" He murmured.

I chuckled. We danced for a while in each others arms, blending to the music humming past us, soft and calming.

"I wanted to kill him for calling you like that" Ian said quietly.

"I know. But it's alright. Let's just forget about it"

Ian slowly opened his eyes and stared at me, so close, so beautiful, the blue eyes of his, raging like the sky. I could stare at it all day and never get bored of it.

"You like my eyes?" Ian asked teasingly.

I smirked. "Wanna exchange?"

Ian laughed. "Silly Hailey"

I was about to reply him when I spotted Alice walking down the staircase, dressed in a floor length black gown.

Ian noticed her too because he quickly lowered his head in guilt.

"Shall I go to her?" I asked and Ian nodded.

I released my hands from his and walked over to Alice.

She smiled upon seeing me. "You look beautiful"

"So are you" I grinned. "I didn't think you would come to the party"

"Please" She rolled her eyes. "I came for the food"

I laughed. "Then shall I escort you to the food table m'lady?"

Alice chuckled. "Of course you can"

I grinned and locked my arms with hers, taking her to the food table. Alice picked a chocolate truffle from the table and swallowed it at one go. "That one is really good"

We both were eating, devouring the sweet taste in our lips when the music suddenly stopped. Ian's father stepped on to a dais and turned to face the crowd, holding a mic.

"First of all" He spoke. "I would like to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate this special occasion with me. It's my honour to have you all here" He smiled. "As you know, six years ago something tragic happened to my family that left my heart shattered into pieces"

My gaze instantly went to Ian, who was standing at the corner and I could see the muscle in his jaw twitching as he tried to control himself.

"My eldest son took his own life on the 28th which is tomorrow and that left a deep scar in my heart. As a father I'm still mourning for his death"

Alice scoffed. "Bullshit"

"In honour of my son, Nathan Kingston I prepared this short video" A screen came to life behind him. "displaying pictures from his childhood to his adulthood till the day he died. It's a reminder to every one of us, that no matter how much we laugh and smile there's always a torn part in ourselves-"

Before he finished his speech I saw Ian storming out of the house, clenching his fists in anger.

I wanted to go to him but Alice needed me more. I glanced at her but she was too busy drinking a whole bottle of wine.

"Alice what are you doing?" I asked in panic, trying to yank the bottle from her.

"I'm too angry now" She took a gulp. "I need something to drink" Then another. "Go to Ian. And make sure to video how pathetic he looks. He deserves that"

"But-"

"Go" She licked the wine from her lips and patted my shoulder. "It's not wise for you to stay with me because at the moment I can fucking kill someone. Go" She tilted her head back and finished the rest of the bottle.

I gaped as she took another. "Please go to bed quickly" I said and she waved a dismissive hand.

I took another worried glance at her and carefully sprinted out the door to the garden. My head turned both ways searching for Ian, then I spotted him sitting on a bench under a cherry blossom tree.

I slowly walked over to him and Ian looked over his shoulder as he felt my presence.

"Sorry for bothering you"

"It's alright. Come here" He patted next to him.

I sat down and carefully asked, "You alright?"

Ian nodded and leaned his head back on the bench, staring at the dark woods.

We sat there for a while in silence, listening to the chirping of the crickets but my mind was crowded with many questions. But I didn't dare ask them. It wasn't my place.

"You have something to ask?"

I was startled. "What?"

"Ask" Ian said softly.

I stared at him in surprise, then cleared my throat. "Earlier your father said that he knew the consequences from your brother. Does that mean that Alice's and Nathan's marriage was arranged?"

Ian sighed. "Forced to be exact"

My eyes widened but I kept quiet.

"Anymore questions?"

I glanced at him and Ian slipped a hand through mine. "It's alright. Ask"

"T-that day your father said that you're responsible for Alice's suffering. What does that mean?" I asked hesitantly. "If you don't mind me asking"

Ian smiled. "I don't mind Hailey" Then he turned his gaze back to the woods, staring at the darkness. "Alice and I had been best friends since middle school. She comes from a rich family too so our families knew each other for a very long time. Nathan had also been her friend but for her it wasn't just friendship. She was in love with him. For so many years she kept it a secret, even from me. And by the time we were in college Nathan had a solid girlfriend, Lauren White"

I nodded. I knew that name. She was Nathan Kingston's mistress.

"Those days Alice had been feeling down so I went through her stuff to find the cause. While doing so, I found a notebook she'd been writing for years. Then, like a fucking prick I read it and found out her secret. And because she's my friend I foolishly wanted to give her a happy ending" Ian let out a mock laugh at his own actions.

"Lauren wasn't from a rich family so my parents were against their relationship from the beginning. So me, who didn't think it from my brother's side, went straight to my mom and told her everything. She used this chance and forced them into an unwanted marriage. I thought it was the best for Nathan too because Alice is a good woman. I knew she would care for him and love him with all her heart so I thought Nathan was lucky. The beginning of their marriage wasn't too bad either because of their long time friendship but then Nathan got devastated and went back to-" Ian swallowed. "to Lauren and cheated on Alice"

"It's all my fault Hailey. It's all my fault. It's my fault that Nathan is dead. It's my fault that Alice is suffering. If I hadn't done that Nathan would've been happy with his girlfriend and Alice would've found a man who truly loves her. I did it Hailey. I ruined their lives" Ian looked at me with sorrowful eyes. "I did it"

Sadness surged through me listening to him blame himself. "Ian, don't blame yourself" I said softly.

"But I did it Hailey" Ian repeated. "I don't want to go back to the party. Can we go to the room?" He asked and I nodded.

We went back to his room from the staircase outside the house and Ian took a shower before me. By the time I was coming out of the bathroom Ian was already asleep on the bed.

I sighed and walked over to him, sitting down on the bed. I didn't know what to believe. Alice and Ian were saying two things. But I knew they both were suffering and it breaks my heart.

What really happened?

I let out a sigh and leaned down on the bed, pulling the covers over both of us. I gently ran my fingers through his hair and moved closer, giving a small kiss to his forehead.

Hope he sleeps well.