"I wish you disappear from my life." That's the last thing she'd said to Roman Godfrey. That's the last thing he'd heard from her and maybe, that's the last time they'd ever see each other again.

She broke Roman's heart, so he went on a mad-dog drive and mixed alcohol with narcotics. Hit his car on a fallen tree trunk and vandalised the White Tower until, he passed out and went into a coma.

But before he did any of that, he'd send her a voice note. He was weeping when he told her:
I'm sorry Chantel but I'm ugly. I'm an ugly person.
I've an ugliness that's impossible to love.

No! She refused to belief it. Roman Godfrey can't leave her like that, a part of her always knew he'd come back, fight for her. She hated the prideful side of him, that always wanted to control people and do whatever he liked. The side of him that just toyed around with feelings. The cold heartless side of him that had no remorse.

But now, she missed every part of him, even the darkness in him. Every little crack made him who he was. Will she ever see him again? She has to. Roman can't leave her like that, he'd promised he'd be there for her forever.

"We're in this together."

"It'll always be you and me, Chantel, always."

"No one will ever come in between us."

"You'll never have to chase home."

Everything went dark for Chantel Channing.

Chantel knew she'd be with Roman for better or for worse. It'll be probably be worse. She knew that, the day she met him.

She was at Pennsylmania with Zach, riding the carousel. 'Until I found her' by Stephan Sanchez was playing in the background. When she caught the sharp gaze of an extremely breathtaking, tall boy, holding a cone of ice-cream that was miserably melting away. A tall mysterious figure appeared next to him holding a red ballon, back then she didn't know it was Shelley but Roman had whispered something to his sister and she'd gazed at Chantel as well. Do I know them? Zach excused himself to make a call as they got down from the carousel.

The gorgeous young man walked upto her, like he owned the goddamn place. "You look lonely sweetheart," his voice as smooth as silk. The first thing that captivated her was his distinctive scent of spicy and woody oud wood. She wanted to inhale him as a whole.

Chantel was taken a back by his boldness. "I've a date," she responded.

"You can have a date and still be lonely," he smirked flirtatiously. Is he for real, Chantel couldn't believe what she was hearing. She tried to walk away but he stepped on her way. "Come on," he offered his hand.

"Excuse me?" She looked up at him in utter disbelief.

Zach appeared, "hey Roman."

"Do you know this guy?" Chantel asked her boyfriend in surprise.

"Yeah," he nodded. "He's Roman Godfrey."

That's when she realised he was Roman Godfrey the heir of the multi billion dollar Godfrey empire. No wonder, he's so cocky.

Roman gestured the tall girl, she walked towards them, making a thumping sound. "This is my younger sister Shelley," Roman introduced her to Chantel.

"Hi, Shelley." Chantel stretched her hand forward to shake Shelley's. "I'm Chantel."

The girl hesitantly picked up her tablet and typed something, that moment Chantel saw the bandages. "Nice to meet you." The mechanical voice responded.

Chantel felt an arm around her shoulder, and to her bewilderment it was Roman's. She felt a shiver down her spine. "My sister said she loves your hair colour, it brings out your eyes." His voice almost hypnotic.

"Thank you," Chantel said through gritted teeth stepping away from his long arm.

But before she could completely move away from him, he grabbed hold of her forearm. "Shelley wants a partner to go inside the haunted house."

"What?" Chantel spluttered.

"Mmm, you guys go ahead." Zach said scratching his head. "I've to go and check on grams, she's not picking up my calls."

Patty Dearing was down with the flu, so Zach was a bit worried about his grandmother.

"Zac..." Chantel mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I know how much you wanted to ride the Ferris wheel but duty calls." He looked at her, "but Roman and Shelley can take you."

"Yep, I'll you on the ride of your life." A devilish smirk appeared on Roman's face.

Before Chantel could decline. She saw the luminous glow on Shelley's face, it was something she'd never seen before and it touched her. That was the moment she knew, she'd love Shelley.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Zach gave her a quick peck on the cheek as he left.

Chantel watched him disappear into the crowd. Shit! What have she gotten herself into?

"Shall we love?" Roman offered her his arm.

Chantel glared at Roman, then turned her attention back to Shelley with a smile and said. "Let's head to the haunted house."

Shelley nodded excitingly.

The haunted house experience turned into a not so scary experience for them because the staffs who'd dressed up as scary monsters and ghosts were scared of Shelley's daunting size instead, Chantel really had her fill of laughs and Shelly enjoyed her company as well. When they got out of the house, Roman was waiting for them smoking a foul cigarette that made him look unbearably hot. She could just watch him whole day and night, do his thing.

As Shelley left to play a ball games with a park personnel whom she'd known over the years. Roman called Chantel to ride the Ferris wheel. The last place she wanted to be was on the Ferris wheel with someone she could barely keep her eyes off—but she came all the way to ride the new and updated version of the Ferris wheel so why not?

They took their respective seats on the ride, Roman was being overly comfortable. She'd never met someone like him before, but she'd never met an actual real life multi-billionaire until now.

"I've never seen you in Hemlock Grove," he said as he pulled out two pieces of cigarettes and offered her one. "Are you new to town?"

"No." She responded, and shook her head. "I don't smoke."

"Peachy," he smiled to himself as he pressed a cigarette to his lips, smoking makes a person lips dry and dark but Roman's lips were the opposite of dry or dark. They were so pouty, pink and perfect that even she was envious of them. "Are you homeschooled?" He dug deeper into his pocket searching for the lighter.

"No." She replied, trying to scoot as far as she could from him.

"Were you born here?" He questioned, lighting his lighter.

"Yes." She answered.

Roman inhaled deeply and made smoke rings. It amazes her how people can actually do that, even though she disliked smokers. "Do you only answer in a yes or a no?" He turned to her, they were sited so closely that she could make out the colour of his spellbinding eyes—hazel and green. They were the most beautiful pair of eyes, she'd ever seen. He must be a vampire.

Chantel brushed off her thoughts and asked annoyingly. "Is a cigarette always pressed to your lips?"

"You want to press something else to these lips," he licked his perfect pink lips, "you're most welcome."

"Are you for real?" She huffed a breath of disbelief.

"You can find out," he winked. There, she'd never seen such an alluring wink. She should totally stop drooling over, everything he does.

"I'd rather choke." She wrinkled her nose.

"I can give you something to choke on." A smug smirk appeared on his face.

"I'll push you down the wheel," she threatened.

"You will miss me, when I'm gone." He said easily.

"You wish Rome," she rolled her eyes.

"What did you just call me?" He exclaimed.

"Jerk!" She noted.

What the fuck! Did she just call him Rome? She wanted to get the hell down from the Ferris wheel and distance herself from him as soon as she can. He was fucking up her mind.

But then Roman Godfrey was right, she did fucking miss him when he was gone.

When the seventeen year old awoke, she found herself in an unfamiliar environment. Only to realise she was at the hospital. Hospital? The last thing she recalled was Letha's call and she—playing Roman's voice note.

"Honey," Susan's weary expression brightened as she saw her daughter opening her eyes.

The first thing Chantel said was his name, "Rome. I need to see him."

A shadow passed Susan's face. "You had an emotional breakdown." Her mother took her hand, "you need to rest."

"I need to see him," the young girl pushed herself up from the bed. "Now!"

Dr Norman Godfrey walked in with a smile on his face, "someone's awake."

Chantel turned to him, "I need to see Rome."

"I don't think_" before Susan could complete her sentence, Norman said thoughtfully. "You will dear, but first we need to run some tests."

Chantel nodded obligingly.

After the tests and medications, Susan drove her daughter to the manor. Her mother wasn't happy with Chantel's decision but she knew—she couldn't stop her daughter and if Susan forbade Chantel to see Roman at a time like this, the relationship between the mother and the daughter would only turn sour.

"Can you drive any faster?" Chantel said impatiently as they entered the property.

"Honey," her mother scolded. "Calm down, we're almost there."

Before her mother could park the car, she was already opening the door and sprinting towards the manor. Chantel was well aware that she was still wearing the ugly ass hospital gown and her hair a mess but she really didn't have time to care about it.

Olivia Godfrey was at the double doors, wearing a white jump suit, as poised as always but Chantel saw the heaviness in her eyes for the very first time. And there she realised Olivia Godfrey do have a heart when it comes to her precious son Roman.

"Darling," she looked at Chantel in disbelief. "Are you okay?" She examined Chantel, "I didn't know you were at the hospital."

"I'm fine, Mrs Godfrey." Chantel cut to the chase. "Where's Rome?"

Susan walked upto them. "Mrs Godfrey, my daughter wants to see your son."

"Mrs Channing, how unfortunate that we've been meeting at an hour like this," Olivia crossed her arms. "Is your daughter, alright?"

"She had an emotional breakdown," Susan said crossly. "But she's too damn stubborn, you see."

Chantel tapped her feet impatiently. She'd no time for small talks.

"Teenagers," Olivia huffed, and tossed her raven hair behind. "I know exactly what you mean. I've two of my own."

"Mrs Godfrey," Chantel patience was at an end. "Can I see Rome, please."

"Of course darling, he's at Shelley's room." Olivia informed. Chantel didn't waste a single second as she made her way up the spiralling staircase.

"Honey," Susan yelled. "Slow down."

"Rome..." she whispered as she entered the pink bedroom, the beeping sound of the monitor was the only response. Chantel stood besides him. Unable to move or react, she'd never ever seen Roman this way and she never thought she'd.

"I brought him back from the hospital because the first thing I wanted him to feel when he wakes up, was the warmth of the sun on his face." Olivia said as she and Susan walked into the room together. "It'll be a pleasant feeling. He'll wonder that he ever felt ill. Perhaps there'll be a song of a bird, a mourning dove. I saw a pair just yesterday. They haven't all gone yet." She continued.

Olivia gently took Chantel's hand on hers and said. "Strength and sorrow, give no thus to those you love the most."

Chantel was surprised by the sudden show of emotions from the cold hearted queen but she gave her a small nod. The stunning woman let go of her hand and walked out of the room.

Chantel slowly reached for Roman's hand. She'd been angry at him for the things he did but now—the ache for him was stronger than her anger. She want to speak of something not dead or divine. She wanted him to live. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Honey," Susan put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's my fault mom," she sniffed wiping her tear. "It's all my fault."

Her mother said. "Johann told me that, he had a number of drugs in his system and was causing a scene at the institute so he had to sedate Roman."

Chantel's voice heavy. "I shouldn't have..."

"I didn't want this for you honey," Susan let out a frustrating sigh. "I told you to stay away from Roman. I had warned you—he's spoilt, he does whatever he wants...drugs, alcohol, girls and he's dragging you down."

"Mom!" Chantel clenched her jaws. "You don't know Rome like I do."

"I am your mother," she muttered. "I know things, you don't."

Chantel couldn't stand it anymore and she didn't have it in her to quarrel with her mother, she just wanted to be left alone with Roman. "Just leave." She told Susan.

"What?" Susan shuddered.

"I said, leave." Chantel repeated none too gently.

"Honey," her mother squeezed her shoulder.

"Rome needs me, and I'm not going to walk away from him." Chantel said pushing back the tears, forming in her eyes.

Susan examined Chantel for a long moment and said. "What do you want honey?"

She sniffed, "I just want to be left alone."

"Okay," her mother agreed hesitantly. "I'll drive back home and bring a change of clothes, okay?"

She nodded. "Thanks mom."

Her mother placed a soft kiss of her forehead as she left the room.

Chantel squeezed Roman's hand gently and said, "you're not an ugly person Rome, you're beautiful."

"I have an ugliness that's impossible to love." Roman's voice ringing in her head.

She looked down on the beautiful boy, who looked no less then a prince from the fairy tales she'd read as a child but here—the prince had fallen into a deep slumber instead of the princess and in real life—true love kiss doesn't work.

"Come back Rome. I can't lose you, not now, not ever." She prayed.

Of all the people her heart could have chosen, it decided on a boy who didn't have enough room in his heart to love someone like her.