Mona got handed another stack of cash and a bag full of food. She smiled at her provider as he stood at the door while she settled it down inside.

"Thanks Mihai, for all your help." She smiled as she spoke in their shared language. She then pulled him into a hug and squeezed him tight.

"No problem Mona, anything for my next door best friend," Mihai said and made her laugh lightly at the reference to their childhood. She sighed with bliss and placed her head upon his shoulder. She really missed having a friend like him, since he was the only one she had.

He wore a leather jacket about the same height as her. His hands were tucked inside his pockets. He had a sharp jawline, with a light beard and black, tousled hair with most of it hidden behind a hood.

"I just can't believe I'm seeing you now after twelve years," Mihai said and pulled her away to get a good look. His eyes roamed down her body and back up to her blushing face.

"I missed you so much when you had to move," he admitted, "it meant I couldn't run over to your house in the morning so that we can cause trouble in the town."

"Me too. I felt like I wouldn't be able to find another friend like you," Mona said silently. Her eyes started tearing up, but she hastily wiped them away. "Although I did get one, but then I ruined it," she muttered.

"Hm, yeah because we were really close. But I still remember your dad never letting you have dinner with us even though he kept saying 'next time.'"

"Oh yeah, sorry about that. I don't know why he was like that but hey, at least we can do something like now," she said with a modest smile of nervousness.

"Yeah because you have a family now isn't it?"

"Yeah I do." Mona moved out of the way a little to show the kids on the floor, playing with marbles. Although it was primarily Raidan and Rina, as Elisa and Axel had their knees tucked in, shaking and endless tears running down their faces. They wanted to cry but Electra glared at them across the room like a devil who will eat them at any second.

"Are all of them yours?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Um no... my ones are sitting on the left."

"Oh okay, they are really cute. You've done well with them."

"Thanks, I try. It's been hard the past few years, especially in the beginning." She wearily sighed and swept a strand of hair behind her ear while leaning on the doorframe.

"Was that after your husband died?"

"Yeah," she mumbled and kept rubbing her eyes, restraining the tears.

"Oh, I'm really sorry about that Mona." Mihai's voice quietened and got serious for a minute.

"It's okay, it's fine, I'm fine." She tried smiling but it broke away easily and little trickles soaked her cheeks.

"Anyway, I brought something for you that might cheer you up." He bent down and got out something from the bag. It was a white box and Mona could see a speck of chocolate peeking through the seal on top.

Mona stared at it with wonder and opened it. She gasped in delight and covered her mouth. There were rows filled with layered chocolate cakes that were neatly cut into squares with a small swirl on top.

"Amandină, remember when I always took a piece for you when my grandma made them?"

"Yes! Yes!" She exclaimed and her heart beat with joy. "I missed these so much."

She remembered the sweetness of the rum-soaked, caramel syrup creaming down her throat at every delicious bite of the distinct layers of chocolate deliciousness.

"Thanks so much Mihai, I really missed this," she said, her eyes watering with happiness.

"Your welcome, I just thought it would be nice to make you this to remind you of home."

"It really did..."

"Anyway, I'll be going now, let me know if you need anything," Mihai said.

"Alright, see you." She watched him walk down the gloomy hall and closed the door. She carried the tray to the kids and set it down.

"Here's some cake," she said. Raidan and Rina abandoned their game and started taking pieces. She glanced over at the other two who hadn't moved from the floor.

"Don't you two want any cake?"

They still didn't move so Mona acquired some pieces for herself and left the tray there. She went into the bedroom and grabbed a blanket. She delivered it to them and covered them with it. Her kids stroked Elisa and Axel's heads and tried to share her piece, but they wouldn't budge.

Mona sighed and took more pieces before leaving them alone. She went back to her room and sat on the bed. She devoured the cake like a mouse but the frosting got smeared on her lips. But she didn't care, she adored the nostalgic taste of the caramel and the chocolate buttercream. The only thing that was missing was the thin piece of chocolate cut like a diamond that resembled a pearl.

She laid on the bed as she licked the last bit of chocolate on her fingers. She leaned over the bed and got out a knife that she had kept under there. She held it above to let it shine in the light. Her reflection looked like a shadow of the past. Her younger self reflected in Xavier's blue eyes as she felt his body slowly pushing her against her a table.

Her breasts heaved inside her crop top as they were squeezed by Xavier as he smothered her with kisses. His whole body leaned against her petite figure as they were inside his apartment with the blinds closed.

"Mmm," Xavier deeply purred like a tiger over his prey. "You are so beautiful my buttercup..." His coarse voice made her body shudder as she felt a hot tinge of electricity run through her.

He thumbed her blushing cheeks. His fierce blue eyes staring intensely into hers, slowing down her breathing as he brushed a strand away from her face. "You look prettier like this."

"Really? You think so?" An innocent smile graced her face and made it look rosier.. "My dad said the same thing, but I didn't really believe him." She hid it away by pulling her top over her face.

"Yeah, you should have your hair like that more often." He smiled broadly.

"Alright," she piped up, her whole face glowing.

"I got something for you my sweet," he said and dived into his pockets. Mona watched him with curiosity as she caught something silver between in his fingers.

"Mona," he asked. He revealed a diamond ring shimmering in the middle of the emeralds that encased it, mirroring her eyes.

"Would you like to be mine forever?" He smirked.

"Really? You want me?" Mona asked with her eyes watering.

"Of course my sweet, you're the only one I love." He chuckled deeply and outlined her lips with his finger.

"Aw! Then yes! I will be yours!" She exclaimed and snatched it out of his hands. The ring went down her finger, but it felt restrictive and snug. But she cherished it, nonetheless, because it came from Xavier.

"Thank you!" she said and leapt into his arms.

"You're welcome, my sweet." He twirled her around for a bit, and kissed her forehead before putting her down. "I just have one more question to ask if that's alright."

"What is it?" she asked and pulled down her skirt a bit.

"When is your 18th birthday? So I know when to prepare for your surprise."

"Oh it's gonna be on the 16th of next month."

"Alright. I'm going to give you the best surprise ever." He smirked down at her.

"Can I have a little hint on what it could be?" She asked and fiddled with her fingers.

"No my buttercup. You need to be a good girl and wait until I give it to you."

"Urgh fine." She rolled her eyes, making Xavier chuckle.

"It will be worth it in the end, where you and me can be together properly," he said. He tugged at her lips and gave them a little peck.

"Meh, I just hope it's good," Mona said, crossing her arms.

"It will. I promise I will get all that my baby wishes and desires," he said and picked up her hand to look at the ring. He smiled with an eerie glint in his eyes as his finger massaged around, making sure it confined her finger.

"There is also another one thing I want to ask of you," he said, his eyes drawing back up to her.

"Oh sure, what's up?"

"You love me a lot right?" he said, stepping closer to her, maintaining her focus with eye contact.

"Of course I do!" she answered confidently.

"And you don't want anyone to take me away right? Otherwise, who would be here to look out and take care of you like I do?"

"I don't want anyone taking you away from me, Xavier," she said and squeezed him tightly. "You're the only one I've got, and I don't want that to change."

"I know my buttercup." He started stroking her head as her tears dripping down his shirt. "That's why you can't say anything about us to your friends. Otherwise, you might not see me ever again."

"Why not?" she said innocently.

"Because other people may not understand the special connection we have, and will do anything in their power to stop it so best to keep quiet, okay?" He winked at her.

"Um alright." She shrugged and sat down on the table. "I don't have anyone to tell anyway," she said and rolled her head around. "But I don't really don't get it because my dad and I used to have a relationship like this and he didn't get taken away."

"What..." Xavier's mouth gaped open at her shocking words.

"Yeah, we would do things like kissing, making out and lot more!" she said casually while Xavier just stared at her, questioning if he was hearing right.

"I do miss those times because he taught me a lot of stuff when I was younger, so I became more grown-up than people around my age that lived nearby," she said proudly and put her hands on her hips. It freaked Xavier out but he didn't show it.

"One time I told my best friend one thing I learned but before I could finish, my dad came out and dragged me back inside." She started laughing to herself. "He told me never to tell anyone what I've been learning."

"Oh that's really interesting buttercup," Xavier said.

"I know. I thought I wouldn't be able to have that again, now I have you Xavier so it's fine." She shyly looked up at him and then down at her feet.

"Yeah... it's fine," he said, gradually regaining his composure, to seem unsuspicious. He cleared his throat and then placed one arm round Mona.

"Anyway, how about we get some ice cream now? I'm feeling hot now after our little session," he suggested.

"Okay! I'm just gonna get my bag." She jumped down from the table and went to collect her stuff.

Mona snapped awake as she dozed off. The sadness of her memory triggered a craving for nicotine. An overpowering urge overtook her body as it started twitching. Her breathing became strenuous with her chest tightening and she started coughing repeatedly.

She clasped her hands together and trapped them between her thighs as she stayed on the side of the bed, not daring to take the lighter out of her pocket.

She whimpered as her own desires terrified her. Her fists trembled as she longed for the relief that the nicotine brought to her tender memories. That was all in her mind and not the consequences if she stopped in her journey.

She shuddered like she was cold and kept thinking of taking it out. It was like all other thought had been wiped from her mind and that was all there is. With her twists and turns, begging herself intensely not to succumb to her desires.

She smacked her lips and sniffed hard and coughed again. Despite all this, the thought of the relief it brought stayed stuck in her mind.

So as her eyes began leaking, she thrust her face into the pillow. She was going to try sleep the craving away and also to forget about the tragic memories.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Although writing this did make me feel sick, what do you guys think?

Next chap we gonna start piecing all the clues together so stay tuned for that :DD