8th October 2014;

The sky was clouded and the sun was sleepy. Chattering noises could be heard from a distance. Blocking them, she sat on the bench outside staring at the shimmering fountain. Sighing every now and then, lost deeply in her own thoughts and shivering from the cold breeze, she enjoyed the smell of roses and the dancing of the leafy trees. Time went by quickly and gracefully without her realizing.

The moon shone upon her soft skin so brightly merging and fighting with the artificial lights in a deadly competition. He seems to be winning. No need to question his invincibility and perfection. The stars just watched and encouraged the perfect full moon as the clouds tried to hide him selfishly from the world.

The black strapless gown she wore complimented her body and showed her figure perfectly. Her hair, falling loosely to her waist, framed her delicate face as it danced like the flickering flame of a candle to the beat of the wind. She hugged herself and inhaled deeply the voluptuous smell of her surroundings that lingered in the air.

The night was absolutely breath-taking. It felt so peaceful and natural in here. The bugs collaborated with the rustle of the trees and played a soothing symphony in the background. She was raised to appreciate all the little things, the silence and the simplicity.

This place felt so much better than the party inside where everything felt so fake and suffocating: laughing noises, cups clattering, heels clacking, chattering, obnoxious music, judgmental people...

She sighed and closed her eyes. This place felt magical. It was so quiet and "people-free". If only there was fairy dust..., she thought.

She kept her eyes closed even as she felt something being slipped on her shoulders and another weight settling down next to her on the bench, thinking it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, again. Because, that's how real her imagination can get sometimes.

Then, her eyes fluttered open in realization. Frowning, she looked at the leather jacket, touching it lightly with her hands as it helped her tame the goosebumps. Is it real?, she pondered running her fingers gently on the fabric confirming her thoughts. "It's cold." A man spoke softly.

She turned her head slightly and tilted it to the side, blinking. Black jeans, black shirt and brown worn-out boots. He sure isn't here for the party, she concluded. Snapping back, she realized he'd just asked her something. "Huh?" She frowned.

"I said, what's a beautiful lady doing out here, alone at night." He smiled and her gaze moved from his capturing blue eyes to his lips. He was handsome. Light beard, sharp jaw and smooth nose. She glanced at his brown ruffled hair and stopped herself at the thought of reaching out and brushing it for he caught her staring. She'd have blushed if he didn't smirk. Besides, her face was numb from the cold weather.

"Fresh air," she replied curtly looking back at the fountain. Short and sufficient, she thought. He hummed and turned his head as well. She could see him from the corner of her eye. She felt violated. It was her fountain and she came here first. How dare he invade her 'personal space'? She's never been a sociable person.

"Who are you?" She added, without looking at him, before stopping herself as a couple of minutes passed with her struggling and failing to ignore his presence. She came here to think. Not that she was thinking. She was daydreaming. She had quite an imagination but found nothing to do with it but to live in it for a while. She'd go there as a refugee and find herself the queen.

She regretted her question as soon as his mouth curved perfectly into a smirk, again. She hardly restrained herself from rearranging his beautiful face. It's only been two minutes and she's already developed some sort of resentment towards him. The jacket!, she remembered. She jumped to her feet and handed it to him. "Thanks," she forced a smile and made sure he noticed that it was fake and forced. He grasped her wrist lightly as she turned to leave. If 'him' sitting next to her was a violation, then this should be considered a crime.

"Don't." And if it wasn't for the desperation she detected in his tone, she wouldn't have stopped. Confused, she turned back. His eyes were pleading. "I'm Aidan." He smiled. "Take it. You can give it back another time." She didn't have time to question him as he stood up when she wouldn't budge and urged her back, wrapping her again in the warmth of that damn jacket.

"It's okay, really. Thanks." She tried taking it off again. "I'm just, uh, gonna go..." Her words trailed off as he closed his hands over hers, stopping her.

"I insist," he wasn't taking no for an answer. Scowling at him, she shrugged off his hands and put the jacket back on, heaving a sigh.

"Well, if you insist." She replied rolling her eyes. He had to suppress his laugh for he didn't want her to change her mind and leave.

"Where are you going anyway? Back?" He asked not wanting to disturb her evening any further. "To the party, I mean."

"Nope. Over there." She shook her head, bringing her lips into a thin line, and gestured to an opposite bench while dangling her legs. "Was gonna sit there." He glanced at the bench and chuckled deeply at her childishness.

"You're quite something, aren't you?" His blue eyes twinkled looking into her.

"Well, yeah. If you put it like that..." she sighed in defeat and found herself smiling as well, enjoying whatever this was. "I'm Rho, by the way."

And, they shook hands.

Half an hour later, they were cracking with laughter over a totally lame joke, which they, in a way, found extremely hilarious.

"Well, Rho, you didn't tell me why you're out here by yourself." Aidan asked her after they finally recovered from their outburst.

"Neither did you. What brought you here anyway?"

"What I meant is that you're not dressed for this kind of party." She added quickly when he shifted uncomfortably next to her, and then relaxed when he chuckled.

"Yeah, you've got a point. Let's just say, I happen to be here at the right place in the wrong outfit." He replied smiling. "You?"

"Let's just say, I simply didn't like it in there." She shrugged. She wasn't going to strangle him for answers. Their paths crossed, that's right. But that doesn't mean that they became one.

"That's a first."

"What do you mean?" Her brows were knitted lightly.

"I mean, look at all this. Some girls are dreaming to attend such a party. Yet, here you are. Outside sitting on a bench with this, if I may say, astonishing dress, surrounded by bugs and talking with a stranger, that might be a murderer who is now planning for a way to kill you and thinking for places as to where to burry you." He grinned.

"Well now that you put it like that..," she grimaced, shuddering, "it sounds creepy." He watched her as she spoke, admiring her features. "And thanks. Mom forced me into it." She gestured to the dress thoughtfully then glanced up at him smiling.

"Well, your mum has one hell of a taste," he winked playfully as she slapped his arm gently.

"Where are they by the way? Did they not come with you?"

"I don't know."

"You're here by yourself? As in literally?" She had to giggle at that. He was so adorable. She internally winced at how her opinion of him changed in the span of half an hour. Stop judging people quickly. She scolded herself.

Suddenly, a figure appeared and walked toward the two of them. Aidan went all defensive as his body tensed while Rho jumped to her feet and smiled warmly.

"Uncle Tom!" She cheered and hugged him. He laughed pulling back. "I didn't see you in the party."

"I had some business to deal with. They can do nothing without me." He laughed. "So, where are your parents?" Everybody was asking about them and they were nowhere to be seen. Sighing, she rubbed her forehead settling back on the bench.

"They were supposed to be here an hour ago or so." She frowned then glanced at Aidan who was glaring at Tom. He was caught off guard when she nudged him slowly in his side. Coughing, he tried to smile.

"Maybe they got busy with something..." He offered raising his eyebrows. Just then, her dad's best friend received a text. A smile etched her way on his lips then he frowned at the screen of the phone.

Clearing his throat, he looked up at Rho his features turning into ones of disappointment. "Well, anyway," Tom brushed him off nonchalantly, "go home now I don't think they're coming." And when he noticed the fear and panic that flashed across hers face, he added. "They're fine. Your father had just texted me. I was relieved to see his name but now that he'd told that they won't make it to the party this time, I don't know what to say..." He sighed and massaged his forehead. "They're still preparing for the flight tonight and they appear to have a problem with the reservations or something like that..."

"Oh," she shook her head smiling. "Yeah, I suppose." She felt relieved because she knew her parents were so eager about this trip.

"You better go home then, kid, and help them out. We'll leave the introductions to another time."

"Yeah, sure."

"Want me to get you someone to drive you home?"

"No, thanks. It's okay. I can manage."

"Alright then," Tom winked waving goodbye at the both of them, and then walked off. "See you soon."

Tom always threw random big parties, and her parents wanted to take the opportunity to use their extravagance and success to shine the spotlight on their only daughter. The introduction was supposed to declare her as the next heir of the business and help her get acquainted to the guests as she'd have to deal with them at some point in her future life.

She was a very sheltered child, and that's putting nicely. She knew nobody at the party, making it ten times more annoying. Nobody knew who she was, making it hundred times lonelier.

Rich people only hung around other rich people that they knew. Maybe they'll gain something; money, knowledge, leverage...which would always get them more money. What's wrong with these spoilt kids always wanting more of something they already had plenty of that they don't know what to do with anyway? She'd always wondered.

She's taken more than necessary to move around them in the party and try hard to memorize their faces as she'd have to deal with them in the near future. She didn't speak to a single soul of them. They scared her.

Her father wanted her to prove to them that she's worthy even though their opinion didn't really matter because she was the only heir and they had no saying at whatever happens. But, her father wanted her to blend in and make some connections. He wanted her to take over after him when he's gone.

When he disappeared, Aidan shook his head, muttering under his breath then sighed as Rho rose to her feet again.

"Oh," he pouted, "you're not really leaving, are you?"

"Stop it," she laughed punching him in the shoulder. "I really should."

He turned to look into her twinkling hazel eyes. They seem to hold a whole universe in them.

"But do you want to?" He half smiled winking at her. She mirrored him but it spread even more and she ended up grinning. Pondering for a couple of seconds, she finally came up with an answer.

"No," she frowned slightly, surprised by her own answer, "not really," he was flattered but she was leaving anyway. "But, I really should go. My parents are probably waiting for me." She bit her bottom lip and offered him an apologetic look. He stood up and gestured to the path leading to the exit.

Walking side by side with their arms brushing, they remained silent. Suddenly, neither of them knew what to say.

"A car? Or a cab?" He finally asked as they reached the gates, breaking the bubble of silence that took over.

"A cab." She smiled.

As he helped her get one, she watched him. He was tall and fit as it was not hard to guess. She's rarely ever spoken to people, let alone handsome guys. And it's not hard as she'd always guessed it would be. Annoying and nerve-wrecking at first, but then smooth once she got to feel comfortable and ease out of the anxiety that always holds her back. Plus, he was easy to talk to.

"Finally." He sighed when a cab pulled in after what seemed like hours.

Thanking him, Rho climbed in and closed the door. The window was immediately rolled down.

"Later, Aidan." She smiled warmly at him.

"Later, Rho." He bowed his head dramatically, winking in the process.

She wanted to tell him to stop winking or his eyes would fall out. But, she didn't. She knew that they'd start laughing again and she'd climb out and sit down with him on the pavement to carry on with their silly jokes. Oh, she has plenty.

But, she wasn't feeling good for some odd reasons that have nothing to do with him. Maybe, because this is her first time to be outside on her own in this city. Waving her hand, the cab took off. She turned her head looking at Aidan, who was smiling at her, before turning back and giving the driver the address.

It was hard to convince her parents that she'd be totally fine if she just took a taxi to get her to the party, as she's yet to get her own car. Today was her twenty-first birthday and she promised them that she'd attend this party if they let her go however she wanted. They agreed.

Besides, it was also their wedding anniversary so she was promised a family trip as a birthday present. Their flight is tonight. She was anticipating it with so much relish, the destination being a surprise. She made herself comfortable, leaning back her head, and smiled to herself imagining all the fun they'd have after being away from each other for so long. Sighing, her eyes fluttered shut.

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