A year had passed since the engagement ball and it was supposedly enough time for Edward and me to move on. I was able to keep thinking of Derek for the longest time, but eventually the memories started to fade and by my 14th birthday party I was already enjoying the company of other young men when dancing. Edward was away, minding his pirate business, probably still seeking revenge on his former fioncé's murderer. Maybe that was his way of moving on, but I was left alone in that house, with no male attention, so I started enjoying having it at parties. It was nice to be noticed and wanted. Derek and Edward shouldn't have left if they wanted me to be with them.

I never understood why Derek had to go in the first place, so as the time went by I started using it as an excuse to be with others that were actually present and showed an interest. I knew I wasn't going to marry any of them, so I just had fun playing around while it lasted. I would never make it obvious, I just accepted dancing with the young boys my age and maybe some handsome older ones, I talked to them and never refused their gifts and invitations to their parties. Lilliana, the pirates' sister, used to ask me why I was around other young men and everytime I told her it was out of politeness. I made sure her parents would hear it too so I wouldn't repeat myself and create a good impression.

I never did anything romantic with any of them, I was subtle and discreet. Being able to play around and kept the fact that I was enjoying it hidden was really fun for me. They were my early teenage years and I had decided to live them, no one would imprison me within the ties of marriage as long as my best years of youth lasted: I was going to pospone it as long as I could. I used to be an obedient young lady, but since my father sold me away to some stranger and I had a taste of the pirate life and freedom in the open sea I knew I would never go back to the innocent girl I once was. I would have things my way and what's more, no one would even notice. I was going to make sure I fooled them all. It all worked just fine until Edward came back home the night I was having my 14th birthday party. While his parents were busy talking about business and Lilliana was feasting on the cupcakes and bonbons with her friends Cathy and Hellen, I was talking to some boy I had just met that night and he made a move on me. I wasn't sure about that, because anyone could see us and I didn't want to ruin my image. But on the other hand, I was curious to know what it would be like to go with the flow.

It had been a year since my last kiss with Derek, and I missed that feeling. I knew it wouldn't be the same, it couldn't be as special, but Derek wasn't there, and that cute boy was. I looked outside and mentioned to him what a quiet and beautiful garden we had outside where there was no one else. He invited me to go there and I accepted. There was no one to interrupt us out there, in the dark. Or so I thought. He leaned towards me to kiss me, but I barely felt his lips when I heard someone clearing his throat. I tured around inmediately and saw Edward standing behind me with his arms crossed. I messed up badly. The boy stepped back and rushed into the house, realizing he made a big mistake hitting on me.

- I see he knows his place now, but do you?- Edward asked.

I felt so ashamed I wasn't able to say a thing. I just froze there. I shouldn't have let myself get carried away knowing a year had passed and Edward was coming back for me.

- So this is the welcome I get from my fioncé when I come home after a year.

- I didn't know you were coming today... - I mumbled.

- It was meant to be a surprise, but I guess I'm the one that got the surprise.

He seemed disappointed. Of course he was, and he had every right to be so. What had I done? I felt so bad being caught like that. There was no excuse.

- Please forgive me, this was actually the first time I got carried away, it's been a year and I felt lonely and wanted some attention... I wasn't even sure you were coming back after a few months... It won't happen again, really- I said crying.

Edward's frown started to rise and finally he sighed.

- It wasn't fair to keep you waiting for so long, you must've thought I left you for good. I didn't send letters because I wanted to tell you about everything when I got back and have things to talk about. I guess it was a mistake. Forgive me, too- he pleaded.

- It's not...

- Please accept my apologies and this gift for your birthday.

- Only if you forgive me and believe me.

- I do forgive you, but in order to believe you, you will have to regain my trust.

- Of course, as you wish- I curtseyed as gracefully as I could, showing my regret.

He gave me the present and I started to open it. My days of fun were over.