Emily was getting ready for a day out with her friends. It's been a week since all the drama of her marriage happened. Finally she was free from the messed up situation. But today, she was having a bad feeling that something unpleasant will happen... But what?. After the purposal denied, she hadn't heard from him or about him... It still scared her. 'What if it is a silence before storm... She was expecting gunshots, wild mayhem. Massacre like something but nothing happen the fear of unknown was killing her. Thats one of the reason, she wasn't going outside beside university. she came straight to home without stopping anywhere. But now, she tried to convince herself that, he might be moved on...

She sighed and made her way downstairs humming a never heard song. She stopped abruptly when she saw James and Amanda were intensely making out in the lounge unaware from Emily's presence.

She suppressed her giggle and cleared her throat looking at the ceiling. Amanda abruptly pushed James. He frowned first but when he saw Emily he understand why his wife pushed him away. 'Still shy around' He smirked and thought. They straightened their clothes.

"E-Emily! When you come honey", Amanda said nervously trying to filled the awkward silence.

" When you guys busy in..."
Emily teased trying suppressed her laughing,

"Leave it! Umm..tell me where are you going", Amanda said cutting her off.

Emily chuckled,

" I am going to grabbed some coffee with my friend at Starbucks", Emily informed

"Wow! Grab chocolate frappuccino for me too", Amanda said.

" sure" Emily said making her way towards the door.

"And yeah top it with cream, chocolate sause, buicuit bits and marsh mellows", Amanda said.

Emily nodded

" wait!"

Amanda stopped her again, she sighed and asked,
"Now what Amanda?"

"When will you come?"

"I am not sure but don't worry, I'll give enough time, guys!", Emily remarked winking.
 
Amanda eyes widened at her silly sister remark. She flushed red.

" I am so lucky to have such a understandable sister... Right Amanda", James complemented smirking.

"James!", Amanda hissed elbowed him softly.

James laughed.

Emily giggled at the two cute love birds and walked out of the house. She got inside and drives away to her destination....

She arrived at the Starbucks. She made her way insides warm, cozy  feeling welcomed her. The whole Starbucks smells of the fresh brewed coffee and baking.

'I love this smell'

She made her way to one of the table and sat down. She called Rose, after two rings she picked up.

"Hey where are you guys?"

"I am coming. Peter and Tyler are not coming" Rose informed on the phone. 

She said bye and called Ashley, She didn't pick up. She aimlessly looking around the filled but dinky cafe. She felt a surge of Anxiety, a naggy feeling in the pit of her stomach like something worst was about to happen. But couldn't put finger on it like what will happen? She rubbed her arms, tried to ease that apprehensive feeling, Even in the crowded place she felt lonel-

She pulled back to reality by the warm hand on her shoulder shaking her. She looked up and and found Rose standing with hands crossed.

"Space out again huh?", Rose teased as she sat in front of her.

  Emily laughed,

"So where you went to this time?"Rose asked

Emily frowned at her question

" Mars or Jupiter?",

Emily laughed 
and raised her both arms in a surrender way,

" guilty!"

Rose chuckled and settle down beside her.

Emily got up.
"I am going for order. tell me what do you want?", Emily asked.

" Umm A tall Vanilla latte"

"And?"

"No, only a Vanilla Latte", Rose answered

" Girl, you eat like a bird!", Emily scolded.

"You know that I maintain my diet well", Rose said.

Emily shook her head. And went towards the counter.

" A tall Vanilla latte, A venti molten hot chocolate and a chocolate croissant and a parcel of a tall cream frappaccino with topping of cream chocolate sauce, biscuit bits and some marsh mellow", Emily ordered.
The girl at the counter noted down,

"We will call you when your order get ready", she informed. Emily nodded and made her way back to her seat and sat down.

"Where is Ash?", Rose asked.

"I Don't know. I was calling her but she didn't pick up", Emily replied,

" Weird! she plans our outing"

"Maybe she gets busy with family gathering. Because she told me that her parents came for a visit yesterday" Emily answered.

Her name called. She goes for the order and come back with with huge tray.

Rose grabbed her latte. She gazed at  Emily's order,

"You eat like a horse girl But never gets fat how!", Rose shrieked  surprised.

" I don't know!! It's a blessing", Emily replied laughing.

"We will received our certificate in just some days I am so so excited", Emily chirped

" Yeah then we will apply for teaching  at any school", Rose said.

"Yeah my dream of teaching will come true... Just some more days", Emily said in a dreamy voice imagining it.

Rose hummed sharing the same enthusiasm.

They talked for hours on mundane topics while eating. They finished eating.

" You go, pay the bill, I am sitting here then we will take our leave", Rose said taking out cash from her wallet but Emily stopped her,

"Nah keep it, I will pay"

"But-", Rose protested but she shushed her.

Emily's phone rang. It's Ashley calling She picked up.

" Where the hell are you huh??" Emily asked.

"I am sorry Emily I couldn't make it but leave it. first tell me where are you now??", Ashley asked in a haste.

She sounds so worried. What happen?

" I am at starbucks but what happen you sounds so worried?", Emily queried.

"I am fine. the first thing you do is go back home now", Ashley warned.

" But why?", Emily asked bewildered.

"I don't have time for explaination. he-"

Call disconnected.

Emily tensed.

"What happen?", Rose asked looking at her frowned face.

" Ashley told me to go back home... she sounds disturbed."

"And?"

"The call Ended. I am going to pay the bill then, we will leave"

Emily made her way toward the line of only two people. After a middle aged lady moved out from the line. she quickly payed and took her parcel.

The bell jiggled as some new customer entered, The chitter-chatter stopped abruptly. Everyone became
stone-silent.

Emily disturbed by the sudden silence. She turned around and startled when she saw who was standing in front of her... Her predator... The Devil in Suit... King Vincent staring her emotionless...

'She remember the day she met him, His same expressionless expressions, same Aura of authority.... And Her familiar fear. She regrets the day she met him.

He wouldn't do anything in public? would he??',

Emily thought trying to convinced herself. Not let the fear of this boogey man took over her.

"W-What are you d-doing here?  Emily asked with failed courage.

His expressions took ninety degree turn. A smile crept on his God like features, which made him more menacing.

" I asked, what do you want Now??!!", Emily raved, distressed by his uncanny behaviour.

He stayed un-communicative. He took few steps closer to her, she instantly backed away from him like a natural instincts. To her dismay, Her back hit the counter. He rested his both hands on either side of her on the counter behind her caging her between his arms. His face now inches away from her.

"Oh Love, you know too well why I am here... Don't you?", King teased in a deep husky voice. She shuddered, his hot breath hitting her lips, sending waves of shivers down to her spine.  Too scared to move.

She gulped and looked everywhere for help but they all stayed still in their place like cowards. His men locked down the small cafe, curtains down for no media view.

She felt so helpless.

"They are not going to help you my love or I say they can't....", He stated in a gruffy voice.
he knew what she was thinking. 

She was palpitating from his intense gaze, breathing hard.

" Please, I don't want to marry you Leav-"

His demeanor changed.

Her begging cut by the heated glare as he raised his finger, warning her to stayed quiet or she will be in a deep trouble.

"Shhhh... No more words from this pretty mouth... I am here to warn you that if you deny my marriage proposal again... I swear I will claim you the second you deny... but this time without any vows...

Terror crossed her soft features at his venomous words,

She understand what he meant

Rape.... Deflowering... No no... Please Jesus save me...'  she thought as
tears streamed down to her cheeks like an unstopable waterfall.

He felt a pang in his heart as he saw her tears but he kept the cold demeanor, 

"Now, I want you to go back home and tell your dear James brother that you say yes for the marriage and if you don't, then... Your family will face worst consequences..."

Her glossy eyes widened.

"Do you want that??
I am sure you don't want that...." He added

"Why are you d-doing this?", Emily stammered in a pure daze of fright. 

He smirked and leaned closer to her ear.

"Because you are mine...whether you like it not...",he whispered.

He moved his mouth down below the earlobe. And planted a soft kiss leisurely...
She closed her eyes shut, bitten down her trembling lips trying to stopped her shaking as his soft lips slightly touching her skin. He can heard her heavy breathing, soft whimpering and loud pounding of her heart.

He likes the reaction he gets

He lazily straightened up. Uncaged her and about to walked out, but a soft warm hands grabbed his rough one. He frowned and looked at the owner of it. He stiffed.

Emily stood there holding his hand with both of her hands.

"P-Please don't d-do this t-to me, King", Emily choked, crying, whimpereing anything that could soften his heart.

Something flashed in his cold blue eyes, but its gone as soon as it came.

she flinched as he raised his hand.
he gently wiped her tears.

She looked at him with hope brimming in her green orbs.

" Don't cry love. Take care...", with that he walked out leaving his broken Emily behind....

Rose rushed towards her as soon he left. Emily fell on her knees couldn't endured the weight of unbearable emotion. Rose crouched down and hugged her, was trying to comfort her but all in vain as she kept on crying... After, a moment, her cry died.
Rose cleaned her tears stained face  and dropped her off to her home.

Emily sat in her car staring at the distance.

"Emily?", Rose called out

"Hmm", Emily looked at her

"So, What are you gonna do... Are you gonna say yes?", Rose asked
Emily nodded.

" But-"

"I have to do... Not for me but for my family I can't risk their lives... So what if they are in Mafia. But He is the Don. that Man threatened me of Rape and to kill my Family in public... He is full of Danger. No he is the Danger..."

Rose sighed sadly.

Emily got of the car and and made her way inside.

Amanda was making Dinner.

" you are home, Em, Where is my frappuccino?", she asked busy adding olives in the salad.

"I forgot... Sorry", Emily whispered in hoarse tone.

Amanda was about to say something but stopped when she noticed her face.

Amanda came out of the kitchen to her,

" what happened Emily...", Amanda asked worriedly looking at her red face.
 
"Nothing I am fine. Can you please call brother I want to talk to you about something", Emily stated.

She nodded and went away to called his husband.

She came back with James.

"What do you want to talk kid", He asked as he plopped on the couch.

"It's a yes from me"

"On what", he asked

" On marriage with him... King Vincent" 

Amanda stared her surprised.

"Like so sudden but you denied before... Is he threatened you or force you something" Amanda asked.

"N-No noone forced me... I thought about this today. I just took decision so early... I should have think before answering", Emily lied looking down.

" cut this shit and tell me the damn truth... You don't need to be afraid from him... Honey, I will talk to him just tell me",  Amanda insisted.

"As I said earlier no one forced or scared me, it's my decision", Emily  replied.

" If you say so..."

" Is this some kind of joke to you huh? One second you denied othet second you just come and announce that you are ready to marry!", James scolded folded his hands to his chest.

Emily looked down.

"James, it's not her fault... She got scared, that's all." Amanda interjected.
James sighed.
  
"Yeah Yeah It's fine, kid, the only thing is matters that you feel contended with your decision....", James stated

'If you only knew', Emily thought.

I am so happy for you kid", he added  coming closer and planted a kiss on her forehead. She gave him a forced smile.

" if you are happy then I am happy too. And remember I am always with you", Amanda said coming closer and hugged Emily. she sniffled, nodded and hugged her back tightly...

The greatest sacrifice is when you sacrifice your happiness for the sake of FAMILY.....
(Anonymous)