I finished by putting my hair into a ponytail and curling it into waves, not that I wanted to look special for someone else – simply because I wanted to change it up. I wore a grey knit sweater and some black yoga tights with fluffy socks and uggs.

I bounced downstairs, excited to see this supposed visitor. I stopped being bubbly as soon as I saw Dominic, he was sitting at the sofa reading another book on German. Did he not have anything else he was supposed to be doing?

I wanted to go over and tell him to put the damn book down and come play with me, I wanted to give him a cuddle and make up but I couldn't, I was way too stubborn. I bet this was hurting me more than him, mainly because he probably doesn't care too much.

I sighed.

Claire emerged from the foyer, "Hurry up, you're killing me. I may be a socialist but I'm not a traffic light."

"Sorry." I replied. She pushed me to the foyer and my breath caught in my throat as I spotted him.

Brandon.

I had been talking to this suspicious man, I knew it wasn't very good of me but I wanted to make sure for myself that Amara wasn't cheating on Dominic. Though his lack of emotion, I care a lot for my brother and something like a cheating wife could be very damaging to his reputation.

This Brandon fellow was from Amara's institution, he'd been her mentor. And they'd briefly dated but called it quits the year before she escaped. I wasn't too clear on how close they were, but if it had been Brandon's job to be nice and supportive towards Amara in a place were only monsters lived – then they must be damn close. Extremely close.

Dominic's not gonna be happy about this. Figuratively speaking.

I heard the commotion but let it pass, Amara probably didn't want me involved anyway. Though I was growing annoyed at my lack of knowledge. Who was it exactly? What did they want? Where they really here to see Amara? Why had she been so happy about it?

I shook it off, focusing on this one word I just couldn't pronounce. Claire had tried helping me but she was even more hopeless than I was. I hadn't seen Leo since last night and my mother was still preparing for this amazing high tea she was hosting - Abrielle in tow.

I started trying to mouth the word. I heard a squeal from the foyer. God damn it. I tried really hard to ignore it but I wasn't stupid enough to leave myself in a position of vulnerability. In this case not allowing myself knowledge of who it was setting foot in my home. I was about to get up when Claire pushed me back down, smiling uneasily.

"What?" I eyed her. She was twiddling her fingers and looking agitated.

"Why don't we play a game?"

"No," I stood, "I'd rather go see who's at the door."

Claire placed a hand on my chest, glancing behind her. "I don't think its such a good idea. I don't think you're prepared for this in any way."

"Claire," I used a stern voice, "Move."

"Dominic," she whined, "Please trust me. You don't want to know."

"If you don't want me to see so bad. Why don't you just tell me?"

She looked down, defeated. "Amara's ex-boyfriend is here." she grew quieter, "To visit."

My jaw twitched.

---

I watched from the window of my father's office, him working quietly behind me and my gaze not removing itself from the object of its scrutiny. Amara and this Brandon were sitting in the garden, catching up. My jaw hadn't stopped twitching since Claire had informed of Brandon's importance in Amara's life. As a graduate from an institution myself, I knew what a mentor's purpose is and that meant he held great importance in Amara's heart. That pisses me off.

More anger than frustration.

"If it bothers you so," my father began to speak, "Why don't you go down there and demand he fight you. If he loses, he must leave and never attempt to contact your wife again."

I had been calling Amara my wife for a few days now, but she's not. I muttered, "She isn't my wife yet."

"Just challenge him." he repeated.

"Not everything is solved with violence father, this man is important to Amara and I will not attempt to make our relationship worse by bothering with him."

"Wise." he sighed. I snorted to myself, he just wanted a good fight.

I grew more frustrated than angry as I watched Amara laughing at the things he said, listening intently to every word to escape his lips. I was given a short break as Amara returned inside to fetch something, I watched him sitting on his lonesome. A frowned plastered on my face as he pulled out a phone and typed a message, my frown deepened as he quickly put his phone away at the sound of Amara announcing her return.

I pulled out a phone of my own and contacted Leo, who previously worked in intelligence.

"Honestly Dominic," my father sighed, "Is there really a need?"

"I'm not being unreasonable father. I am finding information to justify my future actions." I replied still watching the prick.

"You keep telling yourself that." he said before answering a phone call of his own.

Leo says he won't have information on the guy until a couple months from now, which would be too late so I told him not to bother. I'd just keep a close eye on him.

"Well I'm sure she'll realise her mistake and take you back," I laughed, "Keep living life the way you are and she'll realise how much of idiot she was. You're in Italy for goodness sake!"

He chuckled, "Maybe you're right."

"I am right." I nodded.

"Amara, if I may," he looked away, "Why are you here?"

"Don't you know?" I frowned then held up my left hand smiling, "I'm getting married."

"Yes I know," he dragged, "But why are you marrying him?"

"Who Dominic?"

"Who else?" he looked at me like I was retarded. I slapped his arm.

"I -" I started but he cut me off.

"Men like Dominic Vitiello are dangerous, Amara." he held my hand in between his.

"Yes but-"

"You shouldn't stay in his life. It's not good for you." I stared at him as he played around with my ring, was he serious?

I pulled my hand from his grasp, "You don't even know him Brandon. You cannot assume that life with him isn't healthy when you have no idea what that is."

I stood at the wall just near where they sat, I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but its not like I regretted it. Claire was here too so I wouldn't be the only one to get into trouble.

"Dangerous?" she repeated, "Did you say 'dangerous'?" this time she said with more venom. "If anything you know I am dangerous, and so? What's the difference? Is life with me unhealthy?"

"No that's not what I mea-"

"Of course its not." she laughed bitterly, she continued her voice more raspy than before, "Dominic and I are the same."

She couldn't say that. It wasn't true so she couldn't say that. Her and I were drastically different. Amara had actual emotion, she had personality and she had purpose. I was made different, I have no emotion and I serve for the purpose of other's. We are very much the opposite. She cannot say she is anything like me, when she hasn't been through even half of what I've been through.

I moved from the wall, Claire watched with wide eyes and made a sad attempt at coming after me. "Dominic." she whispered hurriedly, she grabbed a hold of my arm but I shrugged it off.

I was tired. I was tired of everyone acting like they have me all figured out.

"Go home."

"Amara."

"Leave Brandon." I hugged myself, it was getting cold out here and I wanted to go back inside and make up with Dominic.

"Fine just," he huffed, "Just promise me you won't be angry next time we meet?"

"You'll be lucky if there is a next time." I glared. I honestly was deeply offended, he insulted Dominic. I couldn't stand for that, we may never be friends again but... I didn't feel empty thinking about it because - I had Dominic. Brandon didn't have any meaning to me, he lost that place in my heart when he tried to pry at a larger part of my heart. A part of my heart that had now taken over the whole thing.

Dominic had the whole thing. The whole of my heart.

---

I closed the door behind me, thankfully someone had lit the fireplace in the living room. I curled up on the sofa, I spotted the German language book on the armchair and grabbed it. I flipped through it, it was surprisingly accurate. Good to know Dominic isn't learning a load of bull. Though I doubt he could pronounce all of these words correctly.

I decided to go looking for him, I'd thought he'd be in the living room or at least return for his book but he didn't.

I knocked on Claire's door and waited for an answer, "Hey, have you seen Dominic?"

"Now is," she cleared her throat, "Not a good time."

"How come?" I questioned. She looked uneasy, she was awful at hiding things. Maybe that was the real reason no one ever told her what was going on. "Claire." I said in a warning tone.

"He's pretty mad at you."

"What?" I frowned.

"We overheard your conversation with Brandon," she looked down, "I'm sorry."

"I honestly don't care about that," I shook it off, "I want to know the reason why he's mad about it. If anything he should be mad at Brandon not me."

"I know but," she sighed, "You just pushed the wrong button thats all. You were really close to the right button but then I guess your finger got cheeky."

"I don't have time for your weird metaphors," I tried to erase the image from my mind, "Where is he?"

"Downstairs. There's a room with like a tv and stuff. I'll take you." she stood.

Claire led me downstairs to another corridor which had a bunch of other rooms that were in the same hallway, she smiled and left before I knocked on the door. If his own sister is scared to be here then I sure as hell should be.

I knocked and there was no answer. So I took it upon myself to open the door. I coughed and waved as smoke hit my face.

Was he smoking weed?