Hey you lovely people!! Here's another update.... I know, don't look at me like that!! I do take a lot of time to update!! I really apologise!! But I was kind of busy!! I mean a lot! And I don't like to keep you people waiting!!

Also that I put up the cast for the characters playing an important role in the book!!

And also that I changed the first two chapters of the book a little! So go! Check upon that also!!

Any ways!! I don't want to drag it much more! So here it is!!!

******

When I entered my house, I found Jacob staring at me with a blank expression. All the happiness I felt for the events of today's dinner, were all flushed deep inside my mind. I really didn't know how to respond or react to this situation. So I just kept quiet and started to head towards my bedroom. 

When I was going, Jacob held my hand and pinned me to the wall and KISSED me!! Yep!! He kissed me fiercely.... He was hurting me! He also smelled like he was drunk. Then I pushed him away from me. Then snapped "What the hell is wrong with you?? Have you gone crazy? Why did you drink??"

He stood there silently. I really felt disgusted with him and started to walk back to my room, when Jacob finally said "yes!"

I stopped on my way and turned around to look at him. His gaze was fixed to the floor. "Yes Amanda!! I've gone crazy! Crazy in love with you!!" He said finally lifting his gaze to look into my eyes!! I froze to one spot."You heard me right Amanda!! I love you!" He said.

You love me Jacob!! Oh god!!

Rubecca was right!! I've got three men on my tail! One says he likes me! One says he loves me!! And the one whom I feel attracted and it looks as if even he is!! God! Help me and my life!!

I kept silent for that while, when Jacob continued. "I loved you since we were just kids! I love you now and will love you for ever!!" He said. "I want you to be with me.  My reason to come back here was only to meet you and confess my love to you." He said lifting his gaze to meet mine. A small smile lingering on his face.

I suddenly felt a stone stuck in my throat, making breathing a difficult task for me. I swallowed hard but my throat felt dry. I wanted to say something to him but there were no words forming in my brain and coming out of my mouth. So I did something I've been doing for so long in my life. I ran away from my problems. I just ran inside my room and then inside my washroom to wash my face.

I splattered water on my face hardly so that I could think straight. I held my forehead with my hand. I really didn't know what to do.  I didn't mean to walk away on him like that but I didn't really think straight.

I took a dry towel and patted my face dry with it. I walked out of the washrodom, changed into more comfortable clothes and just jumped into my bed.

I really didn't know that Jacob felt something as strong as love about me. And I even didn't mean to even give him slightest of the signals which would give him wrong hints about me. I really don't know what made him think like that.

But Jacob was drunk while he said that he loved me. May be he was not in his senses?

But then people speak truth when they are drunk. They leave their hearts open out in front of every one.

I wanted to share this with someone. But Eve was out with Jack on a trip and may be that they are not coming anytime back soon. Ugh!! I really have to figure out what I will have to do.

So I finally drifted off to sleep.

*****

Next morning when I woke up, I found Jacob sitting on the floor in my bedroom. His head on the side of my bed, sleeping while his hands holding mine. His face looked so innocent. But I just pulled my hand back with a jerk which got him wide awake.

He got up from there. I saw every where except his eyes. I didn't want to look into those pair of eyes right now.

"Amanda??" He called out gently. "Look at me."

I just sighed and looked at him. His face held an expression of regret. His eyes held a storm deep inside. This sight of him made my mouth shut. I really had no words to say out.

He then sat on my bed in front of me. I folded my legs to give him place to sit. He took one of my hands in his. "Amanda, I didn't mean to hurt you last night. I was drunk and lost all my senses. I'm really sorry." He said with an apologetic look on his face. I felt pity on him.

"It's okay Jacob. I got it that you were drunk yesterday." I said with a normal voice. "But what made you drink?" I asked innocently.

I sensed his jaw clenched. His hands folding into fists. He closed his eyes as if trying to calm himself down. He then sighed out loud. "When you opened the door when I came, I was left awestruck to see you. You looked so beautiful. But then that Mike guy came and took you away with him. I didn't want you to go with him. I wasn't in my best moods when I came back. So when you were gone I got the drinks". He said with anger clear in his voice.

He paused for a moment to look at me. I kept silent for him to continue. He understood it and continued. "Then when you returned back, I saw you both kiss..." he clenched his teeth on the mention of it. "It was enough for my blood to boil up. So when you came back I kissed you too." He said.

"But why did you feel angry?" I asked as innocently as possible.

"Because I love you!" He said looking straight into my eyes. I now had a blank expression on my face. I felt that the breath in my heart was stopped all of a sudden.

"You were not joking yesterday?!?!" I blurted out when I got my senses back.

He looked taken aback and hurt. "No! I meant what ever I said yesterday."

"B-but.. I-i don't l-l-love you" I said fidgeting with my fingers and stammering.

"So, you love that Mike guy?!?!" He said with utter disgust in his tone. His words sounded both like a question and a statement.

"No! No, I don't love him!" I exclaimed clearly amused by his words.

Some kind of relief rushed over him. But something hit him again and he looked back at me. "You don't love him? So you love someone else?" He asked again.

"Oh god! I. Don't. Love. Anybody." I said each word  utterly slow for him to understand.

He grinned at what I said. "Really!?!? That means I have a chance right?" He asked with hope clear in his eyes.

"Huh?" I asked.

Really!! You are so lame for yourself you know!!

"Please Amanda, give me a chance to win your heart. If you don't love any one, then at least give me a chance so that I can love you and for me to make you love me too" he said taking my hands in his own.

"But... " I was reasoning but he cut me short. "Please Amy, trust me. If I fail, I'll back off. But it may be that I may even win, so please" he said almost pleading.

I sighed. I have to do something. I don't want to turn him down without giving him a chance. Because he may feel bad. Shall I ask him for some time to think. Yeah! But it may be that my life may turn into a circus. I will have to deal with a lot.

I was having many thoughts in my mind for what to say. I couldn't decide any think. May be Jacob saw it and he said, "it's absolutely alright if you need time. I'm ready to give you as much time as you want. When you decide, all you have to do is come and say me. And remember that what ever your decision will be, I will support you with all my heart" he said smiling at me warmly.

I smiled faintly at him too. And then he left me alone in my room. I got up from my bed, took a shower and got ready.

After I got ready, I called mom. She picked up the phone after two rings.

"Hello Amy! What's up?" She said from the other side.

"Hey mom, I'm good. But what happen to you both. When are you planning to be back home?" I asked sounding a bit demanding. You think by yourself, how can she leave me all alone in the house with Jacob!!

"Yep, we will be back by afternoon. And we will start by half an hour later." She said sounding so excited over the phone. Thank god!!

"Really mom! Wow! That's great! Yay!" I said as I stood up from the couch I was sitting on.

"Yep. What you're doing there?" She asked.

"Nothing mom, just I was getting ready for work. Where is dad?" I asked her.

"He is gone to get the car ready for the journey. He will be back in a few." She said from the other side if the phone.

"Oh, so I'll keep going? I'm getting late" I said checking the time on the wall clock. I was actually getting late.

"Yeah sure! You carry on, bye!" She said while I could hear her smile. Wierd right? But yeah I could hear her smile.

"Bye mom, see you!" I said and hung the phone up. I then took my sling bag hung it to my shoulder and went down stairs. I was just leaving when Jacob stopped me and insisted that he would drop me off. I agreed to him as I didn't wanted to catch the bus since I was running out of time.

Jacob brought his car on my drive way. I didn't know he had a car. So out of curiosity, I asked him "you had a car? I didn't know about it!"

He just chuckled at my question "I have many more things you don't know and need to know about them." He said winking at me. I just rolled my eyes at him yet smiled a bit.

Then we got into the car and drove away. I just looked out side the window. "So?" He asked. I turned to face him. He continued "when are your mom and dad returning?"

"They will be back by afternoon today. They had gone to visit some relatives." I said with a normal voice and tone.

"Oh. So you free tonight?" He asked looking slightly at me.

"Umm... no. I will have to check upon the location for the party we have this weekend at Tayson's. So I'll be out with Mike tonight. May be I don't have any time this week." I said thinking for some free time. "Yeah, I don't have any free time this week." I said facing him a bit.

I saw that his hands were gripped tightly over the steering wheel. His knuckles turned white. I gasped a little at the realization that I said I'll be with Mike actually pissed him off. He took a deep breath and said. "Okay! But next week you have to go out with me. Alright?"

I nodded out of relief. Then soon we reached my cafe. I got down the car when I heard Jacob call my name. I turned around to face him. He just rolled down the window glass and I bent down to look at him resting my hands on the window seam.

He was just staring at me, straight in my eyes with some kind of expression which I couldn't make out clearly. "Um.. do you need anything?" I asked him. "I just wanted to say bye" He said with a faint smile plastered on his face.

"Um... okay. Bye!" I said and got back to walk. I heard him sigh. I just turned around and walked away.

When I entered the cafe, I felt it's warmth welcome me with love. I didn't even know that I would get that much of affection to this cafe when I first joined. It's been almost two and a half years since I've been working here. They of course pay me good enough to have enough of food for entire month and yet save a good amount with me. It felt really good to be here.

When I entered inside, I saw Rubecca tieing up her apron to her back. She looked at me and smiled. I waved at her and walked towards her.

"Good morning Rubecca!" I said smiling at her. "Morning dear! You look... you look so like you are tensed about something?" She asked looking confused when she saw my eyes.

I mean I tried my best to look cheerful but this girl... This girl understood that I was covering up something. That's why I like her a lot. She understands me really well.

I just sighed "I will lighten you up later I guess it's already time for people to come." I said glancing at the wall clock inside the cafe.

She pursed her lips thinking a little then she said, "Um... fine. But you better tell me later okay!" She said giving me warning look.

I held one of her hands to assure her that I will "for sure!" I said.

Then I heard the door bell ring I turned a little to glance at the customer. I quickly turned back to look at Rubecca as she understood what I wanted to tell her. Then we both said it out in unison, "and... get, set, time to work!" And high fived then part our ways to the work.

*****

By the time I reached home it was already 6:00 pm on the digital clock of our house. Then I smelled the similar perfume of my mother. Immediately a smile crept on my face. I made my ways to the kitchen knowing that she would be there doing something.

When I reached the kitchen, I saw my mom put something inside the fridge. So I thought to tip toe to her and scare her a bit. But before I could take a step forward, mom said "Oh tip toeing around??" And turned around with a teasing smile plastered on her face.

And I was so very shocked to know that she knew I was already there!

"How did you know that I was already here?!" I asked with fractionally wide eyes out of shock.

She chuckled at me and just turned to wash her hands in the sink. "I just made a wild guess, you know! I kind of had a feeling actually." She said with a genuine smile on her face. Oh I missed her a lot.

I just crossed the counter to walk towards her and held her to a bone crushing hug. "I missed you mom!" I wispered to her.

"I.... Can't.... breathe..." she chocked out. My eyes widened a bit and I immediately let her go. I just smiled sheepishly at her as I mumbled a 'sorry' to her. She just smiled and waved it off.

"So? Why are you early today??" Mom asked me.

"A friend of mine has a business party this weekend. And my cafe is catering the celebration of him turning the CEO of his company. So I will be going to see the location with him so I will be able to set the table." I said. She smile at me in amusement.

I frowned at her. "What?!"

"I just noticed that you speak a lot." She said smiling. Then I realised what she meant. I spoke all of that I one breath. I just sheepishly grinned at her. I then took an apple from the fruit basket and munched on it.

"Where is dad?"

"I have a good news."

Both me and mom said at a same time. We looked at each other and laughed.

"Okay mom, tell me what you were saying before." I said after sobering up.

"Okay! I have a good news for you!" She said in a really excited tone.

I looked at her in confusion. "What good news?" I asked.

"Guess what! Your dad got a job!" She said squealing happily.

"Mom tell me the news fast, I-" I was telling when my eyes got wide. I looked at her to confirm what I heard. She nodded in reply.

I squealed in joy. I was really happy. "Wow! Mom this has really made my day!" I said and hugged her tightly.

"I know dear!" She said and pulled back. "Anyways he will be back late. And even you have to go out may be, right?" She asked me. I nodded and looked at the digital wall clock of the kitchen. It was 6:25 already. My eyes got wide At that. I had almost no time to get ready.

"Okay mom, I'll keep going. I gotta get ready." I said giving her a kiss on her cheek.

"Okay Amy!" She said. I smiled at her and left.

I quickly git to my bedroom. Then I looked for something nice and simple to wear. I settled with a nice dark blue skinny jeans with a nice white sleeveless button up shirt. The shirt looked really cute. That was the reason I bought it as soon as I set my eyes on it.

I quickly got up inside the bathroom. I took a quick shower and changed into my clothes in the in-build changing room.

I then got out of the bathroom and stood in front of the full length mirror. I just blow dried my hair. Then I brushed my hair and let it fall on my shoulders. I just added a nice mascara to my lashes on my look followed by a lip gloss. I put on my wrist watch and wore my flats to be comfortable. I was satisfied with my look.

Then I thought to click a selfie. It was really a time back when I clicked a selfie for my self.

For one picture, I gave a pout. Then for another picture I just smiled. Then I was clicking a third picture, when a hand slipped around my waist. Making me jump in my place.

I turned around to look at the person. And you guessed who was it already may be, yep! He was standing there. I mean Mike!

I was so shocked to see him here. He had a smirk on his face. I was staring at him wide eyed. But I noticed that he was wearing a jeans and shirt, looking all too handsome as usual.

"You were doing something?" He asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

I just shook my head, "I was just... I was just clicking some photos." I said blushing a little and then putting the phone back in my pocket.

"So why did you stop?" He asked.

"Uh... you came so-" I was saying but he cut me short.

"So? You don't have to stop. Wait let's click a selfie together. What say?" He asked looking at me.

"Um..." I was saying but he didn't let me complete. Instead, he put his hands inside my pocket by himself and pulled out my phone. I just gasped in shock at his forwardness.

He just smirked at me then looked down at the phone. Well, it was my turn to smirk now. You know, password? The code which helps you to keep your stuff private? Yep that thing.

He frowned and looked at me. I just laughed a little and then took the phone away from him. I just typed my password and clicked open the camera. I nodded at him which he took as a sign to pose and stood next to me.

He first stood next to me with his hands in his pockets. Then he wrapped his hand to my waist. I just shivered a little. Then after a few clicks he started to nuzzle my hair with his nose. This sent goosebumps throughout my body. Then I realised something.

"How did you get in?" I asked him turning around when he was about to kiss my head. I chuckled at him. He just groaned but hid it soon enough thinking that I wouldn't notice which I already did.

"Your mom let me in." He said me. A smirk on his face.

He already met my mom!

"You met my mom?!" I asked all too shocked.

He chuckled "Yep! And I must say she is really sweet" he said.

I crossed my arms over my chest pouting.

"What?" He asked confused.

"I wanted to introduce you to my mom." I said him still pouting.

"Aww.. too bad I already introduced my self." He had a smirk on his face. "Anyways, let's keep going. We're getting late." He said glancing at his wrist watch. I sighed and nodded.

We walked back to The living room. My mom was sitting on the couch doing something on her phone.

"Mom?" I called her as we reached there.

She looked up to me and smiled. "Oh hi Amy! I met your friend Mike." He said smiling at me.

I smiled at her. "Hi mom"

"Okay so you keep going. But be back before eleven or something. Don't be late." She said smiling at me. I just smiled back at her. Then we bade our byes and left.

We sat in the car and Mike Then started the ignition. The ride was silent. So I turned on the radio. It was Alan walker's Faded being played right now. I was actually obsessed with the song currently. I loved it's music and the voice of the singer. So I singed along with the song.

"You were the shadow to my light
Don't you feel us,
Another star
You fade away.

Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us
Alight.

Where are you now?

Where are you now?

Where are you now?

Was it all in my fantasy.

Where are you now?

Were you only imaginary.

Where are you now?

Atlantis....

Under the sea..

Under the sea..

Where are you now?

Another dream...

The monsters running wild inside of me..

I'm faded...

I'm faded...

So lost..

I'm faded.." I sang along when finally the song ended.

I turned to look at Mike. He was trying damn hard to hold back a laughter. I blushed out of embarrassment. He caught me composed himself.

"You sing well." He said me. I looked at him. "Yeah right! That was the reason you were trying not to laugh!" I said sarcastically.

"No! I was laughing because..." he said quickly.

"Because?" I asked looking at him.

"Because I felt it cute!" He said. I sighed.

He then stopped the car in front of his house. I turned to him and frowned.

He noticed my expression "the celebration will be at our garden." He said.

I made an 'O' with my mouth.

We then got down the car and walked to his garden. To said that the garden was big would be an understatement. It was HUGE. And I mean it. All the bushes were maintained really well.  All in all it looked really beautiful.

He showed me how and where  the entrance to the party was planned.

I took out the small note pad from my pocket and made a note that there was going to be a table at the entrance.

He showed me where the stage was going to to be set up. So I noted that there will be a table exactly opposite the stage.

The center of the garden will have the tables for the people to sit. He also said that the dinner will be planned inside the house. So the caterers will take care of that.

He also said me to add a few more table here and there in the garden area. I noted all the important points I will be needing later on. Then the most important thing that he said was that the party was going to be a contemporary themed. So I will be having to set the table accordingly.

By the time we were done, it was already 10:00 pm. So I said him to drop me back. We sat in the car and drove off.

We finally reached my home. "Bye! See you later!" I said him as I started to get down the car.

But he stopped me by hiding my hand. I turned towards him to look at him. Before I could say anything he kissed me. I kissed him back Moments later we pulled back and were breathing heavily.

We then bade our byes and I got down the car. I walked back to the door of my house, then turned around to wave at him. He smiled at me and drove off.

I sighed to my self.

This is gonna be fun!!

*****

Hello folks! How was the chapter??

I know this was a really long chapter. And I don't really know how did it go!!

So you people can share your views via comments!

So do vote and comment and share.

I know I took long to update but I was busy and this long chapter was worth waiting. Also I want to remind you all that I may not be able to update on a regular base. So  sorry!

Any ways! keep reading!

Love you all!!

Khushi jain aka khush311  <3