Shaun and I didn't speak much as we drove to the party. He dropped me at my house and went away. Something in me said that I can trust him and something else said I can't. So, right now, I have left the little debate on the side of my brain and decided to move on and face the day. It's close to being dark and I am sure, when dark falls, something equally dark will begin. 

As I walked into the thickly packed hall, everyone turned to me. My insides were jingling like crazy but keeping on a poker face, I moved forward as if I was the damn queen. In a way, I am indeed the queen but that doesn't mean queens are free of emotions. Isn't that right? Even a queen will feel emotional downpour and I am sure, they will also cry whenever they want to. It's not about being strong always, duh!

However, I dearly wish if people would just stop staring at me as if I was a priced painting that they are all willing to purchase. Now, that I reached at the end of the hall, I was nervously squirming wondering what should I do now. Should I walk further to the stairway or kitchen or just stand there?

Mentally debating, I decided to turn around and face the crowd. Thankfully, the crowd decided to quit looking at me and got indulged in the conversations and whatever they were doing earlier.

Standing still, doing nothing is not in my dictionary and now being forced to do what I hate, just makes me want to do something in spite of it. When I looked forward from the large French windows showing me to the side garden, my heart stuck in my throat and it drummed in my ears like I was hearing an elephant marathon.

Well, you might have guessed it right... I saw a man. Not any man, he was beautiful, handsome and looking exactly like a human freaking model. Alright! I should really stop swallowing and smile. And that's what I did. I smiled nervously.

He came and shook hands with me formally but the other guy with him just hugged me as if he and I were greatest friends. In fact, he was... but, I shouldn't admit that easily to him, should I? It's Pete for crying out loud; his ego level would only burst. I pushed him a little away and freakishly smiled at him.

"Missed you bestie..." he said as he wiped imaginary tears away.

I rolled my eyes at him and Seb too looked away with a frown. Ooh, what is wrong with him? "You just saw her in the morning." Seb playfully chastised Pete with a shove to his forehead.

Pete feigned hurt and said, "Well, yeah, it was in the morning and now it's the evening..." he then looked at me, and... I know the look... he was about to say something oh not so disgusting innuendo. "Oh my; you look absolutely ravenous... can I have you for my main course?"

Seb choked on the drink he was sipping while I burst out laughing. Good thing we were in the corner and people started to move towards the food aisle; otherwise, I wouldn't be the best host for their party if I am laughing really unladylike.

"Sorry Pete, I am not seasoned yet for the dinner." Seb looked absolutely horrified by my reply since he was not at all expecting with my lameness.

"Too bad, because I was preparing my fork and spoons real good," Pete whispered to me but loud enough for Seb to hear and let me tell you; his face, Seb's face, was priceless. He looked away, anywhere but at me and I dearly wanted to pinch his cheeks for the cuteness. With a laugh I said,

"Too bad, since I am not a 'dish holder'," I answered to Pete with my eyes on Seb.

"Alright, stop you two. This is outright disgusting!" Seb said, enough with all the stupid talk.

"This girl's good... Seb, I tell you!" Pete exclaimed.

"What was disgusting Seb? Because I don't know what you are talking about." I said innocently.

"I need a refill," Seb exclaimed and vanished with pink tinted ears. Pete and I laughed.

"So... innocent..." Pete mused. And I laughed again.

Now the party has got some colors. But, in my life, would everything stay for so long? Nope! Tom came out from nowhere; in fact, he came from amidst the crowd and asked me for the first dance. Reluctantly, I agreed. The lights dimmed down and the drapes got pulled. It was then I realize the night was already here. The moon shone through the large French windows and I just can't stop marvel at the beauty. My sweet birthday came around the full moon, is that a good sign or a bad sign. A classic symphony started to play and Tom beautifully swayed me to the center. Sam was still missing, might I add.

"Are we under an understanding?"

"I was always right Tom; no one can trust anyone!"

"Now, that is a joke... I trust you!"

"Yea, until you get the map, I believe. Then what? Kill me?!"

"Honey... ugh! You wound me. I won't kill you, no. you are like a daughter I never had! I will take you under my wing."

"And make me someone like my mother?"

"Probably; you are the best student I have ever had."

I didn't have anything for that. Student! Ha! I am not even his pumpkin now. Why does something like this always happen to the person who only sees the best in every worst situation? I looked at him, deep and hard and my guts screamed at me... "Didn't we say, he was trouble, He wasn't your uncle?" and I couldn't agree more.

Truth is I really felt his protectiveness and possessiveness odd; but, I always used to brush it off believing- that is what our loved ones do. However, this truth of trust issues just slammed in like a sledgehammer onto my brain and I kept on searching on his face for some sort of remorse, guilt or any such emotions. I was desperately searching for something to believe that this is all a lie and that the real culprit is still hanging in the shadows. Alas! I am still clutching onto hope that isn't even there.

"And Lillian, don't take this personal, it was all because of your mother!"

Saying that the song ended and he gracefully ended the dance by kissing on my hands. He walked back, facing me and then with a smile, he disappeared into the applauding crowd. Seb, watching my shocked and sad expression came to take my hand for the second dance and like a mannequin, I moved along with the beat with Seb. I didn't even remember agreeing to dance with him.

"Are you alright?" Seb asked me with so many emotions painted on his face that it was hard for me to stop my tears from falling. I just need someone in this world to rely on. It is not true that a person can hold on to the burden of their sorrow alone and especially a woman. No woman can go through something so drastic... all alone. She may not need the company of a man, but she needs someone. Even if Seb was not my ray of hope at this time of the day, I momentarily made him my statue of strength.

He held me close to his chest as I sniffled, trying my best to not cry and mess up my makeup in front of all these people.

"You wanna go from here?" he asked softly to my head and I just nodded yes, as my reply.

Slowly, he walked me out from the crowd, away from the mansion, away from the water fountain, away from the peering eyes; to the good old oak tree. As I registered where I was, I simply fell down to the biggest root and hugged my knees to my chest. Soon after, I just let it all go; while Seb remained quiet. His soft intake of fresh air was the only calming voice that I accepted in the chaos to feel calm.

"I never knew my life would be this mess," I said sobbing loudly with snot bubbling out of my nose. Gross! I know, but can you cry a good heartfelt cry without being a leaking mannequin. Come on, stories like on the silver screen doesn't exist. A real cry is messy.

"I just wanted a normal life with a normal happy loving family. Not a family with too many secrets, not a family which treated you like shit, not a family who see you as a living fuc*ing disgrace to them... I just wanted a normal happy childhood, teenage life, fall in love, have some fun and then boring adulthood and then die with few grandchildren and pets. I never was this cold persona of who I am, who I was... I had dreams... and it all got shattered because of someone else's fault." I sobbed really hard. I practically made myself a fool in front of a complete stranger. Think about it! Seb is still a stranger. Pete is still a stranger. But, forgetting all my self-taught classes about my own rules; I lamented to him on my birthday, sitting under the gleaming moon.

I once again dug my head into my knees and sobbed.

After what felt like hours, I just sat there and stared into eternity. It was half dark because of the full moon, so the place was kind of magical. A slight touch of my hands grabbed me back to reality and I just gasped aloud feeling scared. But the 'shush' from his lips soothed me instantly. He pulled me to his shoulders and I laid there for a while but then my feminine side screamed to be independent and that is what I became. I pulled from him and said, "I am fine now. I am totally fine. It was just all too much for me to take in. but, I am fine now."

He smiled and got up. That is when I remembered, the mysterious guy saying he will be there for me under the oak exactly at twelve o clock and I asked Seb what time it was, and precisely it was midnight. I didn't say anything to Seb, however, I waited a while for the mysterious man to show up.

"Did you read my card?" his voice sliced through my distorted mind and it took a while for me to register what it meant.

"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't get time to read them."

"It's fine."

"I will go get it," I said.

"No, it truly is fine. See, it might sound odd but Pete said Tom was planning something and that you are to come with me to the car Pete have parked backside. He will be joining you... now! Here this is his message." Just as he finished saying, there was a message and it was indeed from the gross Pete. The time read twelve o three.

I looked at him taken aback. I cannot believe this. Seb was with me all the while because he didn't want me to escape. Not because he cared. He is the traitor. How can I be easily fooled like this? Where are my stupid instincts to judge a man? I was perfectly capable of finding the man's thoughts by reading his face. But, now, I am not able to read anyone.

Trust no one! Stephen's voice mingled with mine and it echoed in a loop, "Trust no one!"

I ran.

I ran to the direction of the mansion and Seb was just behind me. I was a good runner, thanks to my trusty legs but that doesn't mean I can outrun a man. I was near to the fountain when I hit something hard and fell down; just because I did a stupid thing to turn and look where Seb was. He was nowhere to be found. As I looked up, sitting on my butt, I saw Stephen looking at me.

"Lilly, where did you vanish too... and from whom are you running away from?"

I didn't answer him. Since I need to reach my home and then get my bike. I can't afford to believe anyone at this moment and get stuck.

"No, no, no... you are not going to that house. Tom is waiting for you there, you fool!"

"I can't trust anyone. I don't trust you too."

He looked hurt at my comment but he chose to ignore it and said, "Listen to me. It's understandable that you can't trust anyone now, but you have to trust me on this one. Tom is waiting for you there and once you enter that house you can't escape. So, please... wait by the oak and I will come pick you up."

I looked earnestly into his eyes and judging by my instincts, I can't find anything. Blame my clouded thoughts and powers. I sniffed and decided to wait by the oak. Since either Stephen will be there or mysterious man.

Waiting by the oak, I removed my gown and stood there in my sports bra and black leggings. Even though it was not that cold; I was shivering badly. Maybe it's because of my anxiety or must be because of... I didn't get to finish my thought since I heard a ruffle and I saw him emerging from the darkness.

A hooded figure with the same built as that mystery man. I looked closely and indeed it was the same mask as of that day. I crossed my arms and rubbed it on each other's biceps. He just came next to me and stood there. Ever so lightly, he removed his mask and I gasped feeling smaller and smaller in this big world. It seems like I can't trust my own eyes now.

The moment of truth; at least one of it, because the man whom I fell for within one kiss, the man who rescued me, saved me from his boss, the man who had dreams and the man who promised will come to my aid; is in fact, Sebastian himself who indeed kept to his word and is now standing in front of me. No wonder why I had this connection with Seb. Oh my God! Didn't I kiss him? Wasn't he the same one who saw me cry on both occasions? So, he was indeed saying the truth that Pete was waiting for me. Damn right, Pete! He was associated with this man. So, indeed it was Seb who gave Pete the note and I like a fool befriended him.

Oh dear lord! How much more can I take?

Should I wait for Stephen?

"I am sorry, I had to lie and keep on with the lie for all these time. Don't say a word to Pete. He knows nothing." Sebastian said. So, the mysterious guy was indeed this hulk of a fashion man. My life is sweetly twisted. Why, oh why?

He removed his jacket and gave it to me seeing that I am so cold and slightly shivering. Reluctantly I wore it and felt warm. I didn't try to inhale the scent since I guess that is going to be gross. 

I didn't say anything to which he was fine but then he said something shocking, I was forced to comply with his plan to know whom I should really believe... 

Consequently, I was on top of the oak, clearly obscured by the help of some thick branch and leaves. Seb was some branches away from me to give me my personal space, I guess. Whatever! I was waiting for Stephen to come.

And he did come. I looked closely at his silhouette just to make sure; well, it was indeed him. He looked here and there then, he looked up to the tree, but thank God it was dark and he didn't light up a flashlight.

Afterward, like Seb suggested, I waited for a phone call or someone to come. Well, there was no ringtone but, Stephen picked up his phone and said after a pause, "She's gone!"

______________________ 

Wait and see for the twist of events! 

For the twist of the story... 

You won't see anything coming! :D 

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