"Em, remember whatever happen. We are always with you in your every decision", Peter confessed.  

"Thank-" Emily cut by angry Tyler.

"What do you mean Man! She can't marry him!! She have to do something she can't marry him. No she can't", Tyler said, more like to himself. 

'Emily understood what he meant but choose to ignored it, not wanting to spoiled their friendship, and her already ruined mood'

" You are crazy Tyler, don't you know what threat he poses!" Rose scolded him.

"It's all her fault! You are his sister. You knew about him, why didn't you tell us about him before",Tyler snapped pointing at Ashley,

Emily glared him

"Stop with your nonsense Man!, you know about this whole shitty situation but still talking rubbish... It's not her fault and you know that, stop taking out your frustration she is not your damn outlet!", Emily bellowed, irked by his unnatural behaviour, raising day by day, showcasing his true color.

Tyler clenched his jaw embarrassed.

Ashley watched Emily surprised,
Her heart burst into joy.

'Finally, a true friend, the one who support you, speak for you... The one who don't give a damn about your family, your cast, color... A soft- hearted human being... A caring person. She is the one... I am so gratefulto have such a humble friend', Ashley thought as tears blurred her view.

Tyler clenched his jaw regretting his outburst,

'Now they all think of me as a mad man', he thought.

" I am sorry, you already upset with the whole situation, I don't want to upset you more... I was just got angry...", Tyler apologised.

"Apologise to her not to me, Ty ",Emily breathe out rubbing her throbbing temple, trying to eased the headache raising due to stress and lack of sleep.

Ashley looked at him, but he didn't utter a single word only glared her.

Emily rested her head on the table and closed her eyes...

" Hey, are you alright?", Ashley asked softly. 
Emily nodded, the bell rang.

Tyler left in a lightning speed,

"Weirdo", Rose grumbled.

"Em, don't you wanna go home?", Peter asked,

" You guys go... I just need some time", Emily said not lifting her head.

They all stared her worriedly.

"I'll stay, you guys go", Ashley whispered.

They nodded, and left.

Ashley sat beside her. Emily felt a weight besides her. She looked up and frowned,
" Ash, why don't you go home?"

"I can ask the same", Ashley joked shrugging.

Emily shook her head,

" I am fine... You go", Emily insisted.

Ashley arched a brow at her challenging her...

"Seriously... Just go Ash I am fine"

Ashley rolled her eyes.

Emily laughed at her, before getting up,

"Jeez!! You are such a pig-head", Emily shrieked.

" Pig- headed?? Really??", Ashley laughed fake glaring her..

They made their way outside.

Emily was about to get in her car but Ashley stopped her.
"Emily, i just wanna say something to you?"

"Shoot"

"Thanks for speaking up for me back there... And Emily, please trust me I didn't knew about my brother liking you... Trust me I am with you... I am a girl. I know how it feels when a girl force into a marriage especially... to a person she dislike... The most.", Ashley confessed dolefully,

Emily gave her droopy smile, 

"I know My Ash, it's not your fault. It's pure coincidence that, the Monster turned out to be your brother...",

Ashley smiled and hugged her... They bid bye.
Ashley made her way towards her car.

Emily hoped in her one and drove back home....

                            -----

She reached home and frowned when she noticed huge numbers of glossy black cars lined infront of her house.

She got out and made her way inside.

She walked towards the lounge and spotted a middle aged red hair lady and brunette hair old man was sitting on a sofa, talking to Amanda. James was not in sight. Their back was facing her.

'They look posh'

Amanda looked up at her,

" Look, She is here", Amanda said smilingly.

They got up and turned. She stared at the couple stunned. Especially the Lady...

'The word 'classy Lady' describe her well, Emily thought.

Her green eyes filled with motherly warm... Even Wrinkles near her eyes can't damped her iconic beauty. Her smile brighten up any room she walk in.... And her red hair are Love...

The Man besides her hold aura of Dominance and power... His steely grey eyes judging every move of her.
The same dominance and authority oozed from King too, but a little too much...
That old tall man is in fine suit, gave her tenderous smile but still intimidated her. They both were silently staring her, observing her.

She looked like a ghost, dark circles underneath her eyes, her ruffle-up open hair in every direction, wearing  her signature distressed skinny jeans, crumpled t-shirt with hoodie and worn-out converse.

Amanda noticed her uncomfortable sister, quickly came to rescue. She cleared her throat to grabbed their attention,

"She is Emily... And Emily, they are Mr. And Mrs, Vincent... King's Parents", Amanda Introduced.

She gulped.

'His parents... why they are here?'

" No need to be formal honey, My name is Nicole. Nicole Vincent, nice to meet you", Mrs, Vincent said came forward and hugged her

Emily smiled and hugged her back.

"You are very pretty daughter",  she said smilingly.

'Really? I don't think so....', Emily thought awkwardly.

" T-thank you", Emily stammered nervously.

"And Myself Leo Vincent... ",
The Old Man came forward and extended his hand and introduced himself.

  She timidly placed her small hand in his gruffy palm. He bend and placed a formal kiss on her knuckles. He straighten up,

" It feel luxurious to meet you Mr. And Mrs, Vincent", Emily stated biting her lips...

"it's Leo and Nicole to you, my sweet child", Leo corrected,

She smiled,
"Thank you..."

"So, Guys, have you met Our Emily", James said entering in the house with King.

"My Emily...", King whispered in her ear, she jumped, turned around to saw King standing behind her, was towering over her five ft five inch height. she slightly back away from him.

" you scared her Son...", Nicole scolded.

"I am not scaring her, Mother... I only tell a truth..", King replied,

She shuddered at his words,

She felt his eyes on her.

But She kept her gaze on Nicole,
Too scared to met his eyes

" Come, let sit", Amanda stated.
They all made their way towards the lounge. Amanda and James sat on the sofa infront of Nicole and Leo, While Emily was about to sat beside Amanda,
far away from King who sat besides his Father, but Nicole stopped her by saying,
"Come here, Daughter sit with me",

she nodded and made her way towards her, Mentally praying not to tripped due to King's unbreakable gaze on her movement.
 
She sat beside her, carefully peaked at King through her long lashes, 
He casually sitting at the sofa. He was looking like a fashion plate in his off-duty look wearing a white t-shirt, black pant with leather jacket on, spicing his look more with his gorgeous hair tied in a neat bun...
A complete badass bad boy look...

"What are you studying, Child", Leo asked,

" I studied M.A in humanities. Now I am doing a teaching course", Emily answered.

"So you want to be a teacher...?", Nicole asked.

She nodded

" any specific subject teacher?"

"I can teach any subject but if you ask me it would be sociology or arts", Emily replied.

"Unique.", King mumbled.

She blushed.

" Ashley talk about you so much and whatever she says is so true...", Nicole admitted

"I just hope, she tells you good about me", Emily said, meekly

Nicole laughed.

" she only talks sweet about you honey...", Nicole replied

" She is such a good liar... Isn't she?", Emily joked.

They chuckled at her cuteness.

" Son, I am so impressed with your choice... She is beautiful. inside and out." Nicole praised,

"Same here", Leo admitted,

"James and Amanda, We are satisfy with King's choice... They are perfect match for each other... So, what do you think about Engagement?", Nicole asked turning to the Davis couple.

Emily eyes widened at her question,

'Engagement??!!'

She looked at king who already watching her emotionless.

She averted her gaze.

"We don't have any problem as along as Emily agree", Amanda replied.

Engagement? No why it's so so soon...
I don't want to engage with this man...
Why he is doing this to me? That's why he is here so he trap me in his cage forever in the name of pure ritual like  engagement, marriag-'

" Emily?"

She jumped into reality, her contact broke when a warm hand place on her shoulder she looked at Nicole worriedly.

"What happen honey you seems so paled and worried?. do you have any problem...", Nicole asked softly,

Her eyes met his, he might be looked dead silent, emotionless but his eyes spoke volume... warning her not to denied

She gulped.

Nicole looked at King, and then turned to Emily, she placed her hand under her chin Emily looked at her.

" Honey, Are you afraid of him... Look at me do you have any problem just tell me", Nicole asked softly.

She took a deep breath, to gained some courage,
"No, I don't have any problem...", she breath out.
Tears began forming in her eyes but she blinked them away,
Forcing a heavy-hearted smile.

Nicole gave her warm smile And kissed her forehead.

" Now, tell me you two what's the perfect date for the engagement", Leo asked

"What about next week?", James said shrugging,

" Perfect...", Nicole beamed,

Amanda got up and left before saying,

"I'll bring sweets"

She came back with sweets they all shared sweet except Men.
Nicole hugged Amanda and Emily, congratulating them.
 
"We should go now", Leo said getting up,

"please stay a little more",  Amanda insisted.

" Oh honey, Not today maybe next time, beside we have to do lots of preparation for ceremony" Nicole said.

They nodded and made their way towards the door.

"Emily go and lead them to their car", Amanda whispered in her ear.

She mentally groaned,

if I argue, Amanda will get worried thinking that I am not happy with this marriage chaos... Why its so hard to pretend to be okay when you are not okay!!', she frustrately thought

She followed them outside,

"Take care of your self kid", Leo said.
the couple bid her bye and hoped inside and drove away.

She quickly turned about to went inside ignoring King but he grabbed her hand pulled her to himself. She gasped when she collided with his hard chest.

" where do you think you are going?", he asked with a smirk playing on his lips

"Let me go... Someone will come... Now you get what you wanted... What do you want from me now huh!?",
Emily said wiggling in his iron grip around her she tried to pushed his chest but it won't budge,

" I don't want anything from you... I just want you...", he whispered

She stopped struggling and glared him.
he was watching her with amused expression, his smile died when he noticed glossiness in her grassy green orbs as fresh tears appeared in her eyes.

"Why are you crying love... I don't like to see you cry...", he whispered softly tried to wiped her tears with one hand. But she pushed him away with her full strength, he stumbled backward surprised.

" Stop showing me your fake love... Stop asking me this stupid question!! You are the reason of my tears!!", She lashed out as tears rapidly falling down on her cheeks. She roughly wiped them away.

His anger spiked, he gripped fist full of her hair, her neck arched backward as a pearcing pain surged in her scalp, she tried to loosened his grip with her hand, she hissed as the pain increased. His face now inches away from her, their heavy breathing colliding with each other.

"How dare you disrespect my Love by calling it fake huh!!", He growled,

She forgot to breath when she noticed the change of his eyes color, the blue colour of his orbs now became a hue in the grey storm...

"If you ever dare to raise your voice to me again... I'll rip that tongue off!!! Control this sassy mouth of yours... Or it is going to cost you very dearly... You will only regret ", he snarled.

" Am I understood?", he asked in a menacing tone.

She nodded terribly shaking...

He smirked at her submission

" See you at the ceremony, My Love..."