froze on the spot.

"They are back!" Ash gushes in excitement while scurrying off to meet them.

I try to control my racing heartbeat and my trembling body as I trail behind Ashley sluggishly.

Ash hugs her mom passionately the moment she steps out of the car and also gave her dad a bone-crushing hug. I immediately rush to carry their luggage while avoiding Madam Emily's gaze.

On my way back to the sitting room, I feel a hand yank me into a room in the corridor. It turns out to be Jace who pulled me into his room, he slammed the door shut and pinned me against the door.

"W-What are you doing?" I whisper in fear, this time I'm scared that his mom will find out about us. That's if she doesn't know already.

"I'm in love with you Sasha. Whatever happens, out there I promise to fight...for us." He says with all seriousness and I feel my heart clench from how much I love him even though I haven't gotten the courage to tell him yet. "But promise me that you'll also fight for us irrespective of what the consequences maybe."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I promise."

With my eyes still close, I feel his lips against mine and I opened up for him.

After Sasha set the table and serve the food, we all settled in the dining room to eat.

"So Jace tell me...have you signed the marriage proposal from the Kimberlys?" My dad asks after a few minutes of silence. Why must he start with the topic I have been avoiding?

"No," I reply with a grimace.

"You know if you want to marry that girl you have to accept the marriage contract on time because the merger between our company and theirs will be nullified by next month." My father informs me.

Even though I was eighteen when our company was merged, my dad thinks I may not be able to decide if I really want to marry Cassie or not at that time. So it was agreed that by the time I clock twenty-three and I refuse to accept the marriage contract, the merger between us will be nullified and our companies will be separated. I will be clocking twenty-three next month and I still haven't signed the marriage contract, I know that's the reason why Jane is getting desperate for me to marry Cassie. She doesn't want the merger to be nullified.

I clear my throat to tell my dad that I'm not interested in signing the marriage contract when my mom cuts in while throwing a glare at me. "You are going to get married to Cassie, right?" It was more like an order than a question.

"No," I state calmly while waiting for my mom to flare up. Well, she didn't disappoint me on that.

"What?!"

"I'm not getting married to Cassie, the merger should be nullified for all I care."

"I think Jace is old enough to decide who he wants to spend the rest of his life with." Ashley backs me up.

"Shut up Ashley." My mom gives her an intimidating glare that shut her up before turning back to face me. "Don't tell me that what Cassie told me is true?"

"What are you talking about Emmy?" My dad asks in sheer curiosity.

"Cassie told me that Jace is sleeping around with Sasha, our maid." She says in irritation and emphasizes the maid part.

My chair scrapes the floor noisily as I stand up from my seat in anger. "I'm not sleeping around with her, she is more than that to me because I love her!" I yell in frustration.

I see my mom open her mouth in shock while my dad continues to eat without saying a word.

My mom burst into laughter as if what I just said is hilarious. "Did I just hear you say that you love Sasha?"

"Yes mom, I love her and I'm not going to let you decide who I'm going to get married to like you have been making every other decision in my life." And that manages to shut her up...for a while.

"B-But... I just want the best for you and it's definitely Cassie, not Sasha. A maid for crying out loud."

"And what is wrong with a maid?" I hear my dad interfere all of a sudden.

"Marcus, what do you mean what is wrong with a maid?"

"Is that what you're trying to teach your children right now? That the poor should be discriminated against by we the rich?"

I love you so much dad, I thought with relief.

"Sit down the two of you."

I take my seat immediately while mom takes hers grudgingly.

"Do you love her Jace?" He asks with seriousness.

"Yes, dad."

"And she loves you too?"

"Yes," I reply without any hesitation. She loves me, I can see it in her eyes anytime I look into her chocolate brown orbs.

"But what if she is just a gold-digging opportunist?" My mom asks and I flare up instantly.

"She is not..."

"It's okay Jace." Dad cuts in and then he turns to face my mom. "Emmy, Sasha has been living with us for the past three years now and she has been nothing but a good girl, not only a good girl but also a smart one and you also know it. I'm giving her a chance." He says with a tone of finality.

"Whatever." My mon replies while stabbing her chicken in pent up frustration.

"Thank you, dad." I smile at him in excitement.

Finally! I look at Ash and see that she is also smiling. She winks at me and I give her a wide grin.

I feel so complete... but why do I also feel so unsettled like something big is coming our way?

I'm strolling around the school compound with Claire beside me.

"Love in the air." Claire winks at me and I bow my head slightly to let my hair cover the blush that is making its way towards my face. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks."

It was yesterday Jace's parents came back from France and unlike what I expected things as being great between Jace and me even though his mom is strongly against our relationship and she isn't you ready to accept me. She thinks that I am not good enough for Jace but I'm willing to prove her wrong.

A female freshman walks over to us. "Are you Sasha Gibbs?" She asks Claire who shakes her head no and points at me.

The girl turns to face me. "You have a visitor waiting for you at the school gate."

Who could it be? Is it Jace?

"Alright, thanks."

"You're welcome." She replies at walks away.

"Are you expecting someone?" Claire asks.

"No. I have no idea who it could be."

"Why don't you go and check? I will just grab food for the two of us at the cafeteria."

"Thanks." We both parted ways, Claire walks towards the cafeteria while I walk towards the school gate.

My eyes scan through everyone at the gate and also the cars looking for the one I may recognize. I pale visibly when I saw the devil incarnate walking out of an extremely expensive silver car and starting making her way towards me.