"You were chasing it blindly, oblivious of everything

Running, stumbling , weeping in the desire to get that one thing.

Unknown of the one, standing behind you.Drenched in the rain.

Holding an umbrella , to give you respite ,despite her pains."

             .......................

They walk in ,with the staff at their leads. Taking in their luggage.

Vivian's footsteps stop suddenly. Looking at the big doors. Breathing heavily.

She has met her in law's only few times, but now. It was time to finally be welcomed to the family.

To Ethan's family which was now hers as well.

The word 'family' has only given her pains in the past. Loosing her mother, suffering through her step father Roman and Aliza's hatred.

Clenching her fists,she feels nostalgic and anxious about this. To be only surprised by warm fingers sliding in her palms.
Interlocking her fingers with them.

"They love you already."

Ethan says, looking down at her and she just nods. Trying to pull her hand out of his grip, to only have him tighten his grip.

Looking in front, he pulls her along.
With hands intervened.

They enter to only have Ella rush in with a bright smile on her face. Opening her arms,she engulfs Ethan in a long hug, making Vivian stand there awkwardly.

"Oh my boy. I have missed you so much!"

"Mom!Ehhh are you planning to kill me?"

He says,as she holds him in a tight grip to only have her hold his ear.

"Owwww Mom! I am not a kid anymore!"

A chuckle leaves Vivian's lips and that's when Elle's eyes land on her. A soft smile escaping her lips.

Vivian sobers up, cleaning her throat and bowing.

"Good...good Evening Ma'am."

Before she knows, Ella pulls her up. Hugging her. Making Vivian's eyes to widen.
The hug...it felt like her mother's.

Warm and loving.

It's been so long since she has been hugged like this...it feels like home.

And Vivian can't help smile. Hugging her back.

"Vivian my daughter! Drop this formality!"

She nods, to only have Elle hold her face in her palms, admiring her.

" I am your mother dear. Call me mom from now on! "

Vivian again nods, lowering her eyes in shyness.

"Oh gosh my daughter is so beautiful!"

And that's when Elle places a tender kiss on Vivian's forehead, making Vivian's heart to beat rapidly in her chest.

"Tha..thank you"

She says making Elle to chuckle. Pulling her for a side hig, Elle looks at Ethan

"How did my stupid boy got so lucky to have you?"

Vivian blushes, to only have Ethan tilt his head to a side, and hold up his hands in surprise.

"Mom!"

"It's all because of this boy that I was seperated from my daughter for 4 months! Mom I need independence! Mom...me and my wife need our personal space...Mom I am busy in my work..we can't come for the dinner!"

Smacking Ethan's head, Elle scolds him.

"Owww it hurts!"

"It should! You should be punished for keeping my lovely daughter away from me!"

Vivian was smiling and blushing both. Already loving her mother in law.

The word 'mom' sounding foreign.

Leaving him , Elle comes. Interlocking her arm with Vivian's.

"Come Vivian. Let me show you around our house! Oh gosh! I am so excited that you are here!"

She says, pulling her along when a voice makes their footsteps stop.

"Let her breath UD. You are scaring her."

Elle clenches her fist hearing that voice... breathing heavily.
UD stands for her old nickname, that he used to call her.
How witty of him to call her Ugly Duckling without anyone knowing it.

Turning around, she fumes at him.

"I am not! Tell him Vivian!"

Vivian looks between the couple, to see them exchanging a heated stare.
Smiling ,she rubs her neck awkwardly.

"I...um....Hi Dad"

She says awkwardly instead, making Ashton's eyes to shift towards her. His cold fascade dropping as he approaches her.

Placing his hand on her head, anf smiling down at her.

"Hi my beautiful daughter. How are you?"

He was no where like the scary Ashton Lockwood that the tabloids potrayed. He seemed so loving and gentle.

Nodding she smiles.

"I...I am good. "

"It's good to see both of you back here."

"Yaa totally! Thank God you are here or I was going mad with your father's anger tantrums! "

"We didn't fight for 2 days Elle. Isn't that a record?'

"You were scolding me just now Ethan! "

"I was just saying the truth UD"

He says emphasizing on the last letters. Making her step closer to him.

"Don't start with that stupid nickname!"

"Why ?"

"Does it bother you? UD!"

"I said stop!"

"UD...do you know what it stands for Vivian?"

She moves her head in a no, not knowing how to respond to it.

"Ugl-"

"I am going to kill you!"

Elle scream, placing her palms on his mouth. Almost pushing him back to make them land on the sofa set behind.

Vivian looks at the fighting couple in surprise, while Ethan stands there awkwardly.
Rubbing his neck.

"Ehh...come Vivian..I will show you around."

He says pulling Vivian along, who still stares at the couple over her shoulders.

"Are...are they fighting? Shouldn't we stop-"

"They are just messing around with each other. They are always like this."

And Vivian smiles, not able to stop it.

"They are cute."

And Ethan just rolls his eyes at her.

"More of a crazy"

They walk down the halls and Ethan for a change tell her the details. From the kitchen to all the rooms. He shares with her his beautiful memories.

To only stop in front of a closed door.
Making Ethan's expression to change suddenly.

"What's in there Ethan?"

Vivian asks out of curiosity. Holding the handle, when he holds her wrist stopping her.

"Nothing. Let's go to the next."

"But the door is so different from the others! The room must be super beautiful-'

"I said No Vivian! You are not to enter this room!"

His nearly screams at her, making her flinch and her fingers to retreat.

She stares at her, surprised at his sudden change in behaviour.
He was behaving so sweetly few minutes ago, what's with this sudden change.

"Not now nor ever! Just stay away from here!"

Tears sting her eyes as he tries to tower over her by moving closer. Pushing his chest, she screams at him.

"There is no need to scream dammit! What the fuc*'s going on with you!'

"One minute you are acting all caring and friendly and the other you are screaming at me like crazy!"

He sobers up, running his hand through his hair. Turning his back on her.

Taking a deep breath, he leaves from there.
Leaving her alone and the house tour incomplete.

She stares at the door, eager to open it and unveil it's secrets. But retreats, knowing she was in no place to do it.

These were his secrets...she has no right to interfere.

When he didn't wanted her to.

Taking a deep breath she turns around and leaves . Going towards her room ,to start with the unpacking.
.
.
.
.
.
Ethan walks down the stairs with heavy steps,away from her to only curse himself.

Why does he looses his calm when it comes to her.

Soph has betrayed you Ethan! Why the fuc* were you venting out your anger on Vivian?

The room has memories of Sophie's....it was the same room he stayed in depressing over her death for 3 years.

The same room where he even tried killing himself....the room where he bled to blame himself for not protecting her.

When she was fuc**** alive somewhere.

In what condition...he doesn't know and he still worries for her despite everything.
No matter what...he wanted his best friend breathing despite her lies.

On the other hand.

Vivian never betrayed him....she was the innocent one in this sh**!
Drugged at the party, thrown from the cliff, survived to only be held for murder.

Loosing our child, coming out of Jail to only do labour.

She has suffered the worst because of Sophie

So why am I still blaming her!

Clenching his fist, he approaches his father. It was time to find out of the truth.

Enough of this hide and seak now.

"Dad?"

Ashton turns around to face his son. His smile loosening as he sees his son's serious face.

"What's the matter?"

"I..need to talk to you regarding something. It's very important."

Ashton nods, placing his hand on Ethan's shoulder.

"Let's go to my office."

                  ......

"What the hell do you mean you were attacked Son! Why didn't you inform me?"

Ashton seeths, placing his palms on the wooden table, looking at Ethan.

"Calm down Dad. I..I am fine. They were not after me."

Ashton continues to stare and Ethan continues.

"Vivian. They were after Vivian dad."

Ashton's eyes widen and he hits his fist on the table. Cursing.

"That bastar*!"

"Please tell me what you know about Vivian's family ,dad. Why did you agreed to me marrying her and not Aliza?

"Is...is she fine?"

Ashton instead asks and Ethan nods.
Relief covering his features.

"She is not to leave this villa unguarded from now on Ethan. I want my daughter in law safe , no matter what!"

"You are to not leave her side for even a minute when outside the doors of this house. An I clear."

"Yes...yes Dad"

"Good. You may leave. I will take care of this."

"Bu-"

"I said Leave Ethan!"

Ashton screams making Ethan to lower to his eyes.

Not caring if his Son was hurt by his tone, because he knew this was important.
He was doing it for his safety alone.

Ashton never allowed Ethan to step into the dark world, hiding secrets from him and keeping him in darkness.

Because he knew one enters Mafia world with his own choice...but sadly one cannot leave it on their own will.
Once your hands get dirt, no matter how much you try , they can never be holy again.

And Ashton wanted Ethan away from even the shadows of the dark world.
He wanted him to be safe, free and independent.

Without the fear of dying the next second.

"No Dad! You have to tell me!"

"You never tell me anything Dad! This is important....she was attacked. Someone tried to kill her! Hell she didn't even kill Sophie yet she was framed and thrown behind bars!'

"I need to know Dad! Please...she is my wife."

Ashton sighs not saying anything.

"Dad please...."

"I...I have lost our child dad...I can't loose her. Please tell me!"

And that's when Ashton's eyes widen. Stepping closer to him, he holds his shoulders.

"Your child...my grand child?'

Ethan nods, a tear leaving his eyes.

"Yes Dad. She was pregnant when she was stabbed in the prison..."

"she was pregnant with my child."

Ashton's eyes widen. His hand dropping from Ethan's shoulder.

And next they know, a slap sound echoes in the silent room.

As Ethan holds his cheek, lowering his eyes in shame.

"Shame on you Son! Shame on you!"

"I am sorry dad .I was young da-"

Another slap echoes in the silent room ,as another tear leaves Ethan's eyes.
Ashton's hand clenched in fists,at his sons shameless act.

"There is no reason! No reason for your actions!"

"Own them up instead of making excuses. Beg for your mistakes...mend the girls broken heart!"

"But don't you dare say sorry for it! When you don't mean it!"

Ashton was loosing it, taking deep breaths he tried to calm himself.

"You said you left her ! You said you loved your best friend! How can you play with the girls feelings?"

"How can you leave her after using her?"

"I married her to you thinking she will be safe. I knew that she always liked you...I thought  you cared  for her aswell and you were out of your my Sophie phase. That you truly cared for her."

"But no! Dammit! What have I done!"

"I ruined the girls life further!"

Ethan gulps and that's when Ashton speaks.
Daring him.

"Trust me Son. The girl has suffered enough already and if you in anyway, contribution to her miseries?"

Stepping closer, Ashton seeths at him.

" You will see the worst side of me."

And with this Ashton leaves but not before stopping on the threshold.

"And yes, make sure your mother doesn't get to know about this."

Ethan gulps, looking at his father's angry orbs.

"Or she will break knowing the reality of the son she raised with so much love and care.'

Something burns Ethan's insides, at the thought of his mother hating him. No... anyone but not her.

Ashton leaves screaming orders at the guards,while Ethan lowers his head in shame.

He has never seen his father like this.

But he was right...if he can't give her happines, he has no right to give her pain.

He deserved hell for hurting her.

And he will get it, but only in the hands of Karma.

At the perfect time and perfect place, when one least expects it .