Noah stormed out of the room in fury and betrayal with his hands balled into fists. Somehow, I managed to push Zen away from me and scurried after Noah. "Hey, hey! Noah-wait!"

I quickly caught his arm before he could go any further and tugged at him. A flicker of hurt passed through his face as his jaw clenched. He looked down in disgust and glared at me.

"It's not what you see, Noah--- "

"Then explain," he cut me off harshly and jerked his arm away from my grasp.

"Zen was tickling me and I-I couldn't get rid of him. I'm not going to lie about anything that happened between Zen and because nothing really happened! Maa forced us on a-a date," I said the last sentence gingerly and Noah gritted his teeth. I reached for his face and cupped his cheeks softly. "I don't love Zen, I love you Noah and I'll never stop loving you."

"Then prove it, break this ridiculous engagement with Prince Charming and come to me. Can you do that, Strawberry?" he asked intensely and my lips pursed into a thin line.

"I want to but . . . " I trailed off, I really did want to break this engagement, but my parents. They had to allow me or they might hurt anyone, especially my mother would make sure that Noah's and my life would be a living hell.

Noah ran his hand through his dark brown hair in frustration.

"Alright then, you're right Strawberry.  I can't give you those pretty dresses hanging inside that room nor can I give you this luxury that Zen can. You're a princess and you deserve to be with Prince Charming," he said in defeat and laughed bitterly which made my heart shatter into a million pieces.

Did he think that I was running after gold? I didn't want all those luxuries, I was contended. Besides, the topic of richness was never brought up before. He shouldn't be worried of this. Mum and Dad were advising me to stay away from Noah, was it because of wealth? I thought it was because of the harm I had done to Noah's father . . .

"Even if we live in a shed Noah, I will still love you. And you're my Prince Charming, my everything," I replied fervently and his deep blue eyes bore into me curiously. I lifted my heels up and stood on my toes. Wrapping my hands around his neck, I kissed him with all my heart, mind and soul.

He responded immediately by circling his arms around my waist tightly and pressing us close together. His lips moved in rhythm with mine and he tasted of sweet apples which he would have eaten before barging in the room. A warm fuzzy feeling rose in the pit of my stomach as I was lost in countless thrilling sensations.

My clothes were too tight and skinny so I could feel the heat of his body penetrating into mine and his muscles hard against my soft curves. His gentle kiss turned into urgency as he kissed me furiously, showing all his raw emotions.

Suddenly, I heard some muffled noise and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a mop like thing drop down on the floor. Noah released me and both our heads turned towards the source of the noise. One of the old maid stood there gawking at us, her eyes were wide like saucers.

Noah and I were kissing right in the middle of the corridor. I pecked at Noah's lips playfully and the old maid gasped as I stifled a giggle. I then winked at her and she blushed deeply while quickly picking the mop up and disappeared.

We were both breathless and our cheeks flushed as Noah leaned down to rest his forehead against mine. We stayed right there, staring at each other like we could fall in love all over again. He stroked my cheeks softly and I swallowed the lump formed in my throat.

"Noah, I-I want to break this engagement, but I can't. I'm
bound to--- "

"What was the use of doing all this then? You already know you're going to be with somebody else the rest of your life," he pointed out tartly and backed away.

"I-I don't know," I stuttered miserably as I couldn't form any words. He lifted my chin up and looked at me straight into my eyes like he was looking right through my soul. I was hot and burning in shame under his scrutinizing gaze.

"Tell me the reason," he demanded staunchly and continued to stare at me intently.

"I can't really, I'm sorry."

"But why? Stop hiding and lying to me. I didn't come here all the way only to witness your affair with Zen. I came here so I can understand you better, to know you more."

"I will tell you everything, but not today," I promised him, but he shook his head.

"You disappoint me, Princess Mia," he mocked me and walked away coldly, but I didn't stop him. He was right, he deserved an explaination. He deserved to be loved the way he loved me. Exasperated, I dragged my feet towards my room.

"Mia, wait right there," I heard my mum's shrill voice. I shut my eyes in irritation and my hands balled into fists. "What on earth do you think you're doing? You were supposed to be on a date with Zen and the maid caught you indulging in an indecent act with John's son right in the middle of the corridor!"

"I don't want to get stuck with another argument with your cold-hearted self. I did try on some dresses and we did have 'fun' in our little date, so I did what you told me to do," I muttered and sighed wearily.

"You can't go whoring around with anyone you want to! You're a princess and I want to get your act together. I will not tolerate--- "

"Maa, please," I said desperately as tears welled up in my eyes and she realized to let go of this topic before I would burst out.

She rubbed her forehead in annoyance, took a sharp breath and then asked, "So which dresses did you select?"

I wasn't quite pleased with the dresses I had tried on. There was nothing unique or eye-catching about them, although they were all marvellous. Then I recalled the feel of those beautiful dresses between my fingers which were designed by Willa.

"I selected Miss Willa's dresses," I stated and without waiting for her reply, I strutted in my room and slammed the door shut. I jumped in surprise when I saw Anne weeping on my bed.

"Anne, what happened? Tell me! And where is Marya? Is she in danger?" I rushed through the questions worriedly and she started crying loudly. She wiped her nose on the sheets of the bed and I noticed her eyes were puffy and red. Her mascara was all over her face and her glittery party dress was sweaty and sticking to her body. I rushed to her side and soothed her by rubbing her back.

Finally after some time, she sniffed and croaked, "L-Luke dumped me!"

"Oh, Anne! Don't you worry, we'll talk to him, okay?" I assured her and she nodded quietly. I brought a box full of tissues, berry delight ice cream and more than dozen full boxes of kitkats for the night.

It was midnight and it was the climax of the movie 'My Sister's Keeper.' The tissue box was almost empty and my entire room was filled with used tissues. Ice cream was melted and stuck on the sheets of my bed. Half-munched kitkats were still lying on the table.

The movie was so emotional. Anne had cried herself to sleep and I was still awake, rewatching the climax. I was still crying over this movie since I could connect, I was missing my sister.

* * *

I woke up due to a gentle push. A maid was smiling widely at me, flashing her white teeth. I rubbed my eyes and slowly got up. I looked at her startled since it was still dark.

"What's the time?" I asked tiredly.

"It's five am, ma'am," she whispered.

"Then why did you wake me up so early? Besides, rally is not in the morning," I murmured as I squinted my eyes at her.

"Princess Emma is back, ma'am," she announced and I blinked at her.