No, it is not another day yet.

It is still my first day in hell.

I am still in Virginia.

Let me correct myself. I am still sitting in Virginia's largest hotel's biggest suite's toilet seat.

Yeah, toilet seat. I know it's.....weird?

But I didn't have any other place. Ace is asleep on the comfortable bed, and I don't have any place else to crash. Okay, let me cut the crap - I am thinking, very hard. And this bathroom was the quietest place in this suite and also the view I am getting is awesome. I am dressed in my night wear, which consists of black yoga pants and an oversized T shirt.

Should I go?

---------------

"This is such a bad idea." I muttered to myself.

Nevertheless, I continued walking and as I looked back, I realized that I had left the hotel street. I was on my way to my destination at 1 in the morning. I had sneaked out of the suite successfully and managed to not wake Ace up, but that doesn't really explain the reason why  I am sweating. 

Maybe because it's July and I am in Virginia.

Or maybe because I just snuck out like a thief.

Or maybe because I am about to face the worst of my nightmares.

Reasons are many, solutions are none. Woah, nice one Eva.

Richmond(where I am right now aka where our hotel is) to Petersburg(My destination), is a journey of half an hour. I can't walk and go-

"What the hell are you doing here?" Came the deep voice, sending chills in my spine.

Damn it.

I turned around wishing that I was just hallucinating and he was not actually here - but wishes and me have a bad relationship. Thus when I turned around, I came face to face with Mr. Apathetic's frowning face.

"Uhh...just..just..snea-...I mean stuttering...no no..tak..ing..a walk..d.o..wn the road, I guess." I stuttered so badly. 

"Who goes for walking at one in the morning, huh?" He asked logically.

"Okay fine. I want to go to Petersburg now. Will you take me?" I asked irritated.

Please say no. Be your Mr. Apathetic-usual self. 

Please say no. Be your Mr. Apathetic-usual self.

Please say no. Be your Mr. Apathetic-usual self.

Please say no. Be your Mr. Apat-

"Fine, Wait. I will get my fucking car." He said gritting his teeth.

"Fuck you." I shouted pulling my hear. 

Ace looked at me in surprise, opened his mouth and closed it - unable to say anything, and then shook his head in disbelief.

"Crazy." He muttered and turned around walking back towards the hotel, I assume to get the car.

"Did he follow me?" I muttered to myself standing in the middle of the deserted street. I might be about three or four minutes away from the hotel. 

"What would I say if he asks Why I want to go there?" I asked to myself.

After five minutes of waiting and overthinking, I saw a black Audi coming towards me. I didn't have to think twice before knowing that it was Ace only. I climbed onto the front seat and tied the seat belt, as soon as the car stopped. I opened the window of the car as I sniffed the fresh air which was flipping and un-flipping my open hair. I sighed in relaxation as I rested my head on my arms which was resting on the open  window.

We reached there in half an hour or so and I directed Ace to the house in the neighborhood, where I wanted to go. Soon, It was like I was back in time because mostly everything was same as it was before. And then, I saw it. I told Ace to stop the car and he did. He was oddly acting like he....cared?

I kept that for another day, as took a deep breath and stepped out of the car facing the house that had so many memories, most of which I didn't want to remember. But there was one thing in this haunting, creepy, and sad house which I wanted so badly. Something which was worth coming here and letting those memories resurface.

A tear ran down my cheeks before I realized it. Yeah, this house has an old habit of making me cry. I closed my eyes and composed myself to enter the house. 

"Stay here. I will be back soon. Or if you want, you can head back. I can come back by myself also." I said but I wanted him to stay. How ironic, half an hour ago I wanted nothing more than to be left alone. 

"I'll stay." He said and somehow I knew he would. I know he hated me with all his strength and wanted to get rid of me. And the feelings were mutual. But I can't ignore the fact that he never misbehaved with me or left me to die. Instead he has only saved me multiple time, yeah we can neglect the fact that he was the reason I got into trouble many times. But he never forced himself on me or hate me enough to let me drown in the pool or let me get hurt. He was definitely not nice to me but he wasn't cruel to me. He had reasons to hate me(which I guess I would never know) but he never turned his back on me when I needed his help desperately. He is always there for his family. He never lets them down. He may have a rocky relationship with John, but he would do anything for Jennifer. 

And when I think of these things, I begin to wonder - Is there a Ace inside Mr.  who is capable of caring or loving someone other than Jennifer? And if there is, will I ever be able to see that side of him?

I nodded in his direction giving him a small smile and then entered in the house. It was the same as I remembered. 

It was the only house in this street, maybe because of the fact that there was a cemetery nearby within a mile. For many people cemetery may seem as a depressing place but not for me. 

The house has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath cottage with front porch. The interiors were of hardwood and an enclosed rear porch was also there. The whole house was old, rusty and deserted. Of course, no one lived here. My family were the last ones  to live in this house, yeah I lived here. It was my home. No matter how much I suffered, no matter how much my mother suffered and no matter how much my father made us suffer - it was still my home.

Tears were forming in my eyes as I started getting the flashbacks. 

"You are a worthless piece of shit." 

"No one will ever love you." 

"No one wants to stay with you. You just fuck everybody's lives." 

Yeah, it was true. Of course no one stays with me. It's Jess and Jake who are a constant in my life - but I fear they would also leave me someday.

Jennifer is in my life for only one year. Then she would also leave my life. 

He was right. I just fuck everybody's life. 

I didn't even attempt to wipe my tear. It was of no use, they would cascade down again. I guess tears are also a constant in my life.  I humorlessly laughed at  the thought. 

Not wanting to spend anymore time in the house, I quickly went towards my mother's room to take the thing for which I had stepped into this house. I rummaged through stuff in her room, yeah everything was there only. No one wanted to enter this house after what happened in here, or at least what others thought happened here.

After rummaging through everything I didn't find it. Where did it go? 

And then it clicked to me, I hid it behind the photo frame. I sprinted towards the only photo frame on the walls of the room. It was picture of my mother and me, when I was 5 years old. She was beautiful. The blue eyes that I inherited from her were crystal and dazzling in the photo. Her blonde hair cascaded down till her waist, curling at the ends. She was wearing a blue dress which hugged her curves perfectly and highlighted her blue eyes. She was smiling and looking down at me while I was busy staring at the front. She told me once that I was so fascinated by the camera that wouldn't stop staring at it. I smiled at the memory.

I removed the mounted photo frame and tucked it under my arm. I then took a last look at the room and then dashed out of the house. I was crying like hell by now. My eyes must be looking terrifically red and puffy. 

With the photo frame still tucked in my hands, I climbed onto the car seat and took a deep breath when I was finally seated. I could sense Ace's burning stare on me but I didn't really cared at the moment. The memories I was having as flashbacks was overwhelmingly exhausting and painful. I was not able to control it. I needed to let it out. I needed to feel better. I didn't want to feel suffocated. Was it a bad idea to come back here?

No. I had to. I was dying to get this photo frame since the day I left this house. 

"Can..can you take me somewhere else also?"  I asked in my croaking voice.

He just nodded and started driving as I directed him.

Soon we arrived at the cemetery, the cemetery where my mother's burial was there. I took the photo with myself as I stepped out of the car. I started going but then I turned and said something to Ace which I didn't know I would ever in my life. 

"Would you like to come?" 

He was probably taken aback by my question as he blinked at me. He then shrugged and came out of the car to follow me. I smiled at how adorable he looked right now. 

We then proceeded going deeper inside the cemetery. I looked over all the gravestones and then finally found it. It was beautiful.

"Why are you-" Ace started but I cut him off.

"My mother's grave." I answered knowing his question.

"But isn't her grave in those woods...you were there that night when you ran away from the party. Jessica told me." He said.

He was not frowning at me for the first time and I was glad. It was not everyday that you see Ace being civil to you.

"It's was just something I made as her memorial because of how much I missed her. She died here only. But I never visited her actual grave before today. So thank you for getting me here, to see where my mother lies." I said truthfully.

He just nodded at me. "Why didn't you come here before?" 

I looked at him and tried to understand why he was so curious. It is so complicated and confusing. That's the whole damn thing about me and him. We both hate each other with all the power we have, we can't stand each other's presence. The thought of him being a part of my life frightens and bothers me. He hates me so much and maybe much more than I do. But at the same time, he is there for me. Willingly or unwillingly or because of Jennifer, he is there. I do not hate him as much as I hated him the first day of my marriage deal. Maybe because of the fact that I am trying to understand him. But that's very difficult when he so unpredictable and confusing.

I do not know if I wanted to answer his question, yet.

"You know that we don't know anything about each others, right?" I said.

"hmm." He nodded in response.

"Let's have a deal. In these seven days in hell, we are visiting seven different places as I saw in that pamphlet you gave me. So why can't we get to know each other a little bit? So here's what I think we should do. Every place that we visit, we will share something about ourselves. You can ask me anything and I will answer it honestly. It can be anything...secrets, pasts, experience - anything you want to ask. And similarly I will ask you a question and you will answer it correctly. It's like one place, one question thing." I said.

Ace studied me for a moment(he has been doing that a lot today) and said

"But what's the use? We will go to our separate ways once this deal of one year is over. This will only waste our time." 

I looked at him in annoyance. Here goes my attempt to know him, into the drain.

I turned away, not wanting to face him but I was stopped by a hand on my arm, which tugged me back making me face Mr. Apathetic again.

"Fine." 

Was all he said and I looked up to see his handsome face sculpted in a frown. But this time, it wasn't just the frown, it was an emotion which showed some kind of inner battle. It was as he was fighting....himself? It was as if it was taking all his strength to decide whether he should open up to me, but why is it so difficult for him to break those walls? Why is he so distant from me? Why can't he at least try to have a civil relationship with me considering the fact that we have around 9 months left for which this deal to get over. Why is he fighting?

"Why are you fighting?" I asked him.

"For the first time, I am not fighting with you ri-" I cut him off because he took my question in the wrong meaning, or at least he pretended he did.

"Not with me. Why are you fighting with yourself?" I asked reframing my question.

Mr. Apathetic looked away from me and the contemplating face was gone. "Do you want me to drop this stupid deal off right now?" He said with a threatening tone.

I put my hands up in air in a surrendering position and said "Okay okay. I am keeping shut. We will carry on with our 'Seven hell places, seven questions game.'  "  

To say I am shocked is an understatement. I had never thought that he would actually agree to this. I gave him a genuine smile and sat down in front of my mother's gravestone. I ran my fingers against the name of my mother on the gravestone.

In the loving memory of

'LILIANA JOHNS'

A beautiful soul who is a mother, wife and daughter

I didn't even get some flowers for her, I have always been troublesome for her I guess. The tears were again resurfacing on my face. She died when I was only fifteen years old and now I am twenty one years. It's been six years and I have visited her for the first time. I was suddenly feeling selfish for not coming here just because of the fact that I was scared. Scared of the memories. And soon it came crashing to me again, that day when everything got ruined. The day when many things happened. And none of them were good, everything was scary and painful - a pain which I am suffering from till today. A scar which is not visible but can be felt by me every now and then I think of it. And right now, being in the town where it all happened and in front of my mother's grave - the exhaustion was too much. 

"Why did you run from Virginia?" Ace asked me getting me out of my trance.

I looked at him to see and contemplated whether he was worth telling or not. I had no one else to share this with, no one. I had told about that day to no one, not even Jess or Jake. 

Was it worth sharing with the man who is my husband for the world? 

If I was asked this question before my answer would have been 'no', in an instant. But now now. Because at this moment I was grateful that he was there with me. It felt good to have someone with me and not being alone , like I am most of the times. So I decided to take the risk and share it.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked him.

"Yes." He said curiously.

"It all began in this town only." I started.

--Flashback--(6 years ago, Eva's home, Virginia)

"Hey mom!" I called as I entered my house when I came back to school like everyday. 

"Welcome back darling!" Came my mother's  angelic voice from the kitchen. I hopped and went towards the kitchen to tell her about my day. It was a daily routine. I wasn't that close to dad because he was mostly working, he didn't even come for meals at night. I rarely see him , so I don't think my family ever has a  normal 'family time'. I don't exactly know what he works in, but it's kind of a business contracts or something.

So it's my mother who is more of a best friend to me than those strict parents. She knows when I need a mother and when a best friend. My social life is not so great but I have quiet a few friends who are real friends, you know the normal high school life.

"So how was your day today?"  She asked me as she prepared some cheese sandwiches for me as I sat on the counter, gulping down a bottle of chilled water. 

"Oh nothing special, the normal. Except for the fact that we got to know that our English teacher is dating our economics teacher."  I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Oh, but isn't she the one who-" She was cut off by the sound of banging on the door. I looked at her and motioned her to tell that I will see it. I went and opened the door to see dad standing, and he seemed....drunk?

He didn't drink, it was only some wines on special occasions but never too-drunk-to-stand types. But he definitely was looking like that right now.

"Are you okay, dad?" I asked trying to help him get inside.

"Yeahhhh...I am..ha..ppppy as fuck t..oday..." He slurred as mom came out, probably hearing the commotion. She looked shocked at his appearance like me. And as I was busy looking at my mother's expression, a pushing force made me fall back down as my forehead hit the table beside me. 

"Zach!" My mother yelled at dad who had just pushed me down. Mom hurriedly came towards me and  helped me stand up. I felt something on my forehead, and that is when I realized the blood oozing out. That was the first incident which made me afraid of blood. Yeah you could imagine how hard it is for me to see blood every month.

My mother took me away from the man who was my father and cleaned my wound. Then she gave me the medicines and told to me take it while she goes and talks to dad.

And soon enough I could hear their talking in the living room, after she left me in my room. But sadly it wasn't just talking..it was much more.

The talking had slowly turned into shouting, yelling, cursing and that is when I heard the slash along with my mother's sobs filling the whole house. But the house being the only one in a mile, didn't attract anyone's attention - except me. I hurriedly cascaded down the stairs, to see what happened and the sight was something which is was vivid in my mind as it was that day. Everything in the room was lying here and there, the tables were turned, the flower vase was broken and it seemed like someone had swiped everything in anger. But the worst sight was yet to reach my eyes. And when it did, I stopped dead in my tracks. 

My mother was lying on the rugged carpet, sobbing with red bruises on her body clearly visible. Her otherwise dazzling sapphire eyes were puffed as she was crying. Her hair was messed up and she looked so broken. My heart ached seeing her like that. I felt so numb and helpless that I couldn't explain. 

Trembling, I went towards her. Dad was nowhere in sight but the open door of the house indicated that he had left. 

I bent down in front of her and when she looked at me with that broken demeanor, I wanted nothing more than to help her and make her feel better. But I didn't know what to do. 

"Did da..did he do this?" I asked still trembling, not wanting to address the man who hurt my mom as 'dad'.

"Firstly I was just scolding him for pushing you off like that. But then the topic changed and he told me that his company has been going through a financial crisis since weeks and recently the company went bankrupt. I was shocked to hear that. He then told me that he has got a new job." She started explaining, still sobbing.

"But isn't that good?" I asked confused as to why he hit her. How can he?

"His job is to take contracts....contracts to kill other people....a contract killer." She said her voice trembling.

I was shocked. Killing? He is willing to kill innocent people for money?

"He got a deal to kill someone .. for which he got an advance today. He has become a part of a gang, and he was drinking with them today. That's why he was drunk. He said he was celebrating his first pay for this job. It seemed like he was an entirely different person, not the Zach that I loved and married. His eyes were cold and inhuman when I told him that he isn't supposed to do thing like this. I tried to make him understand..but he...he started shouting at me only. When I saw that he wasn't in control, I tried to threaten him by saying that I will tell the police, but he got furious and started hi...t.. hitting m.ee. I tried to escape but he slapped me hard and said..that if I open my mouth...he would kill..kill you. " She said.

I gasped at the her. Is he so cruel? I have lived with him for 15 years but never in my life have I felt frightened or creeped out by him. We didn't have a perfect daughter and father relationship, but  he loved mom. I knew he did.

But after seeing all this, I couldn't bring myself to call him dad , father or anything like that. He had turned into my nightmare. He was the one who ruined the family that I had.

--Flashback end--

"That was the first time that hit her. But that wasn't it because after that day everything changes, we changed. After that the sufferings were unbearable and one day, he crossed every boundary...so I left." I finished still staring at my mom's name engraved.

"Did he ever..did he...do that to....you also?" He said suddenly, and I could sense his clenching jaw. He seemed angry.

"No he didn't. My mom made sure of that." I said, not saying much. 

"Why didn't you fucking report him? I thought you were those strong fierce women, never thought of you as someone who would bear anything like that silently." He said angrily.

"It was much more complicated than what you think Ace. My mother loved that man with all her heart. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, even though he started treating her like shit. Her love for her husband and her daughter were at stake. You and me could never understand why she did, what she did." I said defensively. He doesn't need to know the rest of the story. Not now at least. I am not ready yet.

"It was fucking hard for her to chose between her daughter and a bastard?" He said in a low voice and I knew he was losing it . But why was it affecting him so much?

"She did chose me Ace." I muttered under my breath, making it impossible for Ace to hear.

"So did she pass away before or after you left?" He asked. 

"I left because she passed away." I said looking at the photo frame that was ducked in my arm. 

"you got this frame from the house today? was it the reason why you came here?" He asked looking at the photo.

"Yes. Yeah kind of. Actually I wanted something else." I said and started to open the screws from the back of the photo frame using my hair pin. After few seconds, the frame was separated from the photo and there it was, hidden between the two end of the frame.

My mother's necklace.

It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. The blue sapphire with silver butterfly designs pendant which was hung in the silver chair was mesmerizing. My mother used to wear it everyday and that is why it smelled like her, even now. Her strawberry perfume had a really strong fragrance which is why even after six ears, it was still the same. 

"It matches her eye....and yours too." Ace said from beside me.

"yeah it does." I said with a sad smile.

"She was really very beautiful, your mother." He said sincerely pointing towards the photo in my other hand. '

"She is the most beautiful women I have ever seen." I said proudly. I looked at Ace to see him smiling, which was rare.

"I miss her so much. Do you miss your mom?" I said.

He looked at me, sighed and then looked at the starry sky. It was going to be dawn soon. After a long time, when I thought he wouldn't answer - he said

"Yeah, I miss her. A lot." He said with a sad smile. 

"What happened?" I asked with caution.

"It was a car accident. She and dad were in the car, coming back home. They had gone for shopping for my upcoming birthday. I wasn't well so I stayed at home- Jennifer.  was with me at home, taking care of me like always. They were in the car when..the accident took place. Dad .....he died on the same place from the impact. Mom survived  but shock took over her and she became seriously ill after the accident. She also died couple of months after that. I lost them, both." He said, never making an eye contact with me. He was holding a lot of things back. But, I was too. So I didn't push him.

"How did you know-" I was cut off my Ace's impatient voice.

"You asked enough for one day. I answered one of your question because you did mine. I think it's enough for today." He said as he got up from beside me. 

I nodded in understanding.

"Thanks for sharing that with me. It means a lot to me. " I said truthfully.

He nodded and asked "It's almost dawn, we should go. we have to move today only."

"Yeah sure." I said and got up from the ground, dusting my pants.

Ace eyed my clothes and shook his head.

"yeah, I know. It's  the weirdest thing to wear in a cemetery." I said, but not embarrassed. I think I have outnumbered the times, I have made a fool of myself in front of him and hence it doesn't bother me if he sees me like this. He has seen worse.

"Umm...you start the car, I am just coming in a minute." I said.

He nodded at me and giving me a last look, left.

I turned myself again to my mother's gravestone and said

"I know I didn't tell him everything. I couldn't do that. Not yet. You are always watching me right? You know how much of chaos I have in my life right? I do not love him, I mean it isn't possible that I will ever love him and neither will he love me. We are not meant for each other. But the only reason I told him, was because he protects me. He hates me so much but he keeps me safe. He may not want to see my face , want to get rid of me or kill me with hatred but he has always protected me - like you protected me from... Zach."

"But I wasn't able to tell him about the worst part of my story.....because that year many things happened. And especially about the day when I left this town for good - the day you left me. I have secrets that I keep and he has his. I will tell him if time comes, if not then I won't."

"I miss you so much mom. I wish you were here with me right now. I wish that what happened that night didn't happen. It wouldn't have if I was not there. It is all because of me. Please forgive me mother. I love you."

"I love you and I miss you" I whispered as I hugged the photo frame and looked at her with the pendant tightly secured in my hand. It was the first time in six years that I was so close to her.......

A/N 

HOW WAS THE CHAPTER!!!!!!!?????????????? 

I wanted everything about the past in one chapter so..that's why the long chapter. We came to know a lot about Eva's past(but not all of course) and a tiny bit about Ace. 

Also, we saw a different side of Ace today. So did you like it??

It was definitely the most emotional chapter I have written in this book and of course, the LONGEST!! 

5000+ words!!!! Yayy!

p.s. it was 5000+ because this book has got 500+ reads till now!

It's not huge but it means a lot to me:)

So, silent readers thank you!

And as for the loud readers, thank for all the votes, comments and reads!

love ya alll.;_

Next chapter is coming soon..

till then,

Keep reading!