Two months later

ANNA'S POV

"Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to myself.
Happy birthday to me".

Blowing off the candles I looked down at the mini cake and forced myself to smile.

Another birthday by myself. I lifter my head and glanced at the frame of my parents hanging on the wall of my bedroom. " I miss you". I whispered. This is my fifteenth birthday without them but this time knowing they were killed. It was better to not know the truth.

The vibration of my mobile pulled my attention towards it. Luca! I took a deep breath before picking it up as I was in the urge to cry. " Hey ". I said biting my lower lip trying to sound stable yet my voice cracked at the end.

" Happy 19th Birthday, my doll. Wishing you a very very very happy and healthy life ahead. God bless you with all the happiness you deserve, my princess ". Luca's cheerful voice brighten up my mood a little.

" Thank you, Luca ". I replied relaxing my tensed shoulders.

" I'm so sorry, I wouldn't be able to meet you tomorrow but wish you the very best luck in advance. I know that client gonna love your management". He encouraged.

" I hope so ". I said looking down at my fingers.

" Keep on hoping, my flower. You deserve this whole world, moon, Jupiter, Pluto, universe..."

I finally laughed. I bet no one can have a friend like him. We talked for a while and he successfully encouraged me for tomorrow, for which I have been working my ass off.

A few days ago Mr. Gonzalez called me to his office and told me that a guy wants to arrange a candlelight dinner date for someone in Plaza Hotel. And he wants the same person to arrange it who managed everything at Won's birthday.

Right. That's me.

I sighed lying on my bed and trying to sleep as I have to wake up early tomorrow because there are still many things left to arrange.

Next evening

I turned off all the lights of the hotel and exhaled out all the air from my lungs. Crossing my fingers I nervously turned around without opening my eyes, where I have been lighting up thousands of thick candles for the last one hours, by myself as all the others waiters are on holiday because that client wanted to have privacy. And as I had arranged everything Mr. Gonzalez told me to stay for his service.

I opened one of my eyes but the other one automatically opened wide along with my mouth. My eyes grinned in happiness as it was looking exactly as I expected.

All the tables were removed out except for one at the center. Rose petals and candles were all over the floor. The combination of red petals and the golden light of candles was looking just amazing.

But I still felt nervous. Hope he'll like it. I haven't met him but whoever the client is, is so in love plus insanely rich. And the girl for whom he has done all this has another level of luck.

After about half an hour a man walked inside and sat on a chair in front of the only table in the huge hallway. I wasn't able to see his face as all the lights were off. Only the golden lights of the candles were the source.

Confidence. Confidence.

I tapped my palm on my chest to encourage myself as the nervousness got the best of me. I released a long breath before taking a glass of water in the tray and made my way towards him.

The clicking sounds of my heels were echoing as there was a pin drop silence.

He was wearing a black suit with a pair of black leather shoes. His back was facing me but he seemed a little familiar.

As I approached him my eyes landed on his veiny hand that was resting on the table. He had a bracelet on his wrist that made my feet freeze. The same bracelet I handed to Aiden and told him to give it to Tan on his birthday.

"T-Tan?". I unknowingly uttered.

He turned to look up with a smile. Candlelight was highlighting his perfect facial features.

I haven't seen him since the last time he dropped me back at my apartment and uncaged me. When he said our paths will be separate he meant it. He never came in my direction. He didn't show himself. Then why is he here again? What he wants now? Haven't he has destroyed me enough?

I stared at him until he broke the silence. " It's been a while".

My lips parted. How casually he said that. Like nothing had happened before. He must be here to drag me into his missions again. He'll manipulate me and I'll be broken at the end.

Getting a grip on myself I placed the tray in front of him on the table and joined my palms together in front of my face. He frowned at my sudden act.

" Can you see this?" I asked showing my joined palms. " For God's sake, if you are here for some kind of revenge you want to take from any of your enemies and you need me for that, then please leave. Also, I don't have anything left that you'll blackmail me with. I'm not that childish Anna anymore who was simping over you and was ready to do whatever you wanted, like a fool". Stating that I turned to walk inside but he caught my wrist and stood up.

He pulled me a little closer towards him making me look up at him. He still had a small smile on his face. " But I want you to simp over me again. You have messed up my feelings a long ago. I tried to avoid you. I tried to forget these eyes but no. Thoughts of someone else's approaching you never failed to make me lose my mind ". My eyes widen at his words. What does he mean? " I was emotionless after the death of my mother but it was you who made me feel something. I didn't know what it was but your eyes, your voice, everything about you, felt so addictive. I started stalking you. At a point, I thought of asking you out but I was afraid to drag you into my bloody world. B-but that's what I did. I-"

" You used me". I cut him off in between his sentence. "You used me as a stair to climb up to your target without caring how many times you had crushed me beneath your feet. You used my innocence. You used a girl knowing she was weak to decline you". I wiped my tears with the back of my palm. Didn't realise when I even started crying. I need to be strong. At least in front of him. " No, I won't let it happen. I won't let you in again. I won't repeat the same mistake. I know you'll show me your real self after you'll be done with me".

" I won't, Anna. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have dragged you-"

" Don't repeat one thing again and again Tan, that it'll lose its meaning. I don't know if you are sorry or pretending to be. Still, I'm ready to forgive you just please don't come in front of me again. Free me as you did once again. This time, for forever. I'll free you from your guilt in return". The last few words came out too weak.

" Please understand Anna. I tried everything to stay away from you but my mind is kept on thinking about you only. I drained myself into alcohol. I caged myself in my room for about a month because I don't want to hurt you again but still, here I am. One thing I understand is that no matter how much I try, you'll always be in my mind in the end because it's you I have ever loved ". He confessed so politely.

" To be honest Tan, I love you too but it's hopeless now. I would have run to you with open arms, this is how I was crazy for you but when I saw your world closely, all I was able to find there is darkness. Everything feels lifeless there. It's hard to breathe in there. We belong from two different worlds Tan, two opposite worlds".

I know he must be thinking I've become heartless. That I've become cold. But I'm just protecting my innocence. I'm just protecting my soul.

" What if I say I want to leave that filthy world, leave everything behind, and wants to come into your world. Will you forward your hand to pull me out of it. Will you guide me?". He asked in the lowest tone. His eyes pleaded. I can sense how helplessly he asked for my help but no.

" I can't". I breathed out. " My own hands are shaking. I've lost myself too. I'm still in search of myself. I still don't know my own identity. You just messed up everything".

I released myself from his grip and took some steps backward.

" I was too young to attend my parent's funeral, Tan. I was too young to face this world without any support. I was a child that was forced to grow up. I always thought it was an accident but no. It was your father. He destroyed my family. Whenever I thought about reaching out to you in these past days, their pale faces never failed to stop my feet. I know it wasn't your fault but the battle between my mind and heart is not letting me forget those bad days when I used to cry hugging my knees in a corner of that orphan house. I can't help you Tan because I'm still that little kid who is too weak to even stand for her parents' justice". My head bowed and uncontrollable tears made their way out.

"I killed him". He spoke after a brief of a moment.

My head snapped up only to see his blank eyes looking down at me. My lips parted. " You killed your f-father?". I gulped asking.

He shook his head in no. " I killed the murderer of your parents. I killed the person I promised myself to kill when I was just a child. He was my destroyer. The only relationship I had with him is that I have his blood in my veins".

My eyes softened as he kneel in front of me making me take a step backward. He grabbed both of my palms in his gently and lifted his head.

" I'm here after winning all the battles. But I'm on my knees for you. I'm ready to beg for a chance. I know my soul is too dark for you but I'm ready to change. Tell me what would I have to do. I'll become what you want me to be. Shall I become like Won?". He asked tilting his head a little. " Would you give me a little space in your world then? Will you give me a little space in your heart then? Will you...will you love me back Anna? just this once?"

Tears formed in his eyes making his dark brown orbs shine. " Please love me once again". He said above a whisper. His head bowed in the end and his shoulders started shaking. His grip loosened on my hands. Soon a crack sob left his mouth as he burst into tears.

He didn't look like the Tan I know, the mafia boss world knows. He looked so vulnerable, so broken.

I held my tears back and sat on my knees. Tilting my head I brushed his bangs from his face. He lifted his head a little. I cupped his face and wiped off his fresh tears with my thumb.

" You know, Tan? I fall for you by looking at your blank face, I got lost in these stone-cold eyes when I glanced at you for the very first time. You don't need to be like someone else. I love the way you are. And yes". I nodded with a small smile before continuing. " I'm ready to give you a chance".

As soon as I said those words he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. I also hugged him back. I felt his thumping heartbeat near my chest.

" Thank you so much, Anna". His words vibrated near my neck.

A cold wind hit on my face along with flower petals. " You arranged all these for me?" I asked looking at the decoration behind him that I completely forgot after I saw him.

He shook his head and pulled out of the hug his hand still lingered on my skin. I frowned.

" You arranged everything for us". He replied making me grin in happiness. He cupped my face with his one big palm and lean in.

I closed my eyes when his lips landed on mine. He moved them against mine softly yet passionately. I responded to his kiss hearing him mumble against my lips. " Happy birthday, Anna".