Amanda's Pov

I pinned the extra strands of my hair and completed my bun. Aaron aka Mr. Reynolds was helpful as he helped me wear the dress, but, I had to do the walking in the extra long gown all by myself. I kissed him a while back. I could yet feel his taste. It felt like, everything which felt broken, was glued with his touch, his kiss.

I loved him so much and I was ready to do anything which could guarantee his safety. I locked my phone and dumped it on my bed. Maybe, I shouldn't have hallucinated in front of him. It would've definitely given him a clue that something wrong was up, which I was hiding from him.

Well, something wrong was definitely up. I breathed in and out, in order to calm myself down but no breathing exercises could lead me to serenity. A single text from a specific person spoiled my mood for the party Aaron threw for me. The text read: Submit yourself to me, or surrender him to the Almighty. See you at 8:45 sharp near the main gate, don't dare discuss about it with anyone. Do as said, or else wait for the consequences.

I've made a mistake earlier and I can't do it all over again. Last time, I tried being smart and ended up being kidnapped. But, considering the fact that James was very dangerous, I couldn't just ignore his message. I just had to think about a witty way to get through this situation. I couldn't let Mr. Reynolds know any of it because he'd not just react but overreact.

After colouring my lips a shade of red, I highlighted my cheeks, lashed some mascara, wore my favourite heels, took possession of my clutch, and exited the room. The hallway was quite silent as there was no one but me. I turned around, because I felt someone was following me. I turned around, but to my discontent there was no one. An innumerable amount of negative questions raced in my mind, they all began with James and ended with him, too.

"Surprise", I gasped when I heard a whisper, I turned around that instinct to identify the person who scared the shit out of me. Somewhere, a part of me prayed and hoped for anyone who was other than James.

After recognizing that specific person, I punched him on his stomach "Damn, you scared me", Francis grinned like an idiot. I sighed as I punched him again.

"Easy", he stepped in closer "Calm down. What's wrong Ammie?" he questioned arching his brows. I couldn't think of a truthful answer because if I spilled the truth to him, there was a possibility that he'd speak about it with Aaron. Plus, James already warned me to keep it to myself, I couldn't say or talk about it, at least not openly.

"Fine, don't talk about it. I'll escort you", Francis wrapped his hand around my back and walked by my side. His company felt like an ointment to my wound. We took the elevator as it was really difficult for me to walk because of the length of the gown. I did quick breathing exercises to act normal.

When we exited the elevator, people cheered once again when they look at me. Some even applauded. I didn't know them. They kind of looked like paid audiences. I smiled looking at them, not anyone precisely in their eyes. Aaron marched towards me, propelled his hand, I locked his hands with mine firmly. Each word from James's text revolved around my mind.

I didn't know where we were heading to so I just matched steps with Mr. Reynolds. I mean Aaron. It's really difficult to give up on some habits. "I didn't get to compliment you", he whispered in my ears. His lips touched my earlobe. I looked at him, rolled my eyes, and replied "I know that I look different. Thank you"

He chuckled, maintained his touch over me, pulled me closer, and complimented "I meant beautiful this time". I blushed and distanced myself away from him. He smiled displaying his dimples on the either side of his cheek. I could drown in them and forget about every problem I faced. We finally halted after completing our walk. It felt like we were walking on the ramp, and we were the centre of attraction, well, considering the fact, that it was my party, we were. But, it always was weird to walk in front of too many people. Even in flat shoes, I'd roll on the floor. To my content, I had him by my side this time.

A huge cake, with my picture on it was placed on a decorated table. I smiled looking at the creativity. I mouthed him a 'thank you' again before I took charge of the knife. The crowd cheered and applauded whilst lip syncing the birthday song which was played. I intertwined my hands with Aaron's and allowed him to catch the knife with me.

"No, it's your birthday", he objected.

"It is. You're my birthday gift. Please", I insisted, to which he agreed. He gave support to the back of my hands, whilst slowly placing his palms on it. I could've cried that moment, realizing how perfect it was. Some moments don't last forever. That moment, I made a choice. A choice to surrender myself to James, as his threat of taking away Aaron's life disrupted the smooth functioning of my mind. I couldn't afford taking a chance.

His life meant everything to me. I could stretch my distance with him but couldn't imagine a world without him. From my experience with James in the past, I was very sure about one thing. He was very dangerous who wouldn't think twice when it came to taking someone's life.

When we finally cut the cake, I offered him the very first piece. When my eyes revolved around the crowd, I met eyes with Mom and Samarrah. I waved at them, and they did the same. Gina, Francis, Sonia, and Dan came closer to me, so I proffered the same piece to them. I took a small bite from each one's hand.

"The party just got boring. Let's hit the dance floor", Francis took charge of the mike, settled himself in the centre of the hall, and announced loudly. A lot many people gathered towards the dance floor, which threw innumerable amount of disco lights. Dan danced with Sonia, their body stuck, and so did their lips after every minute. Damn. I so wished that life was as easy as them, plain love with zero complications.

Aaron stood my side, close to the huge decorated pillar. Our arms touched, I kept silent. He did bring up some topics to talk about but I wasn't in a mood to. I looked at the time on the huge wall clock as I forgot my phone in my room. It was yet, 8:15 pm. I had half an hour. "Shall we?" Aaron propelled his hand in my direction and asked for a dance.

"I don't want to. Really, I don't. I'm sorry", I apologized looking at him. I was so engrossed in my problem earlier, that I didn't notice how perfect he looked. His black blazer complimented his white shirt. His blue eyes seem bluer in the lights. I twirled my eye balls from his hair, to his torso. If only I could make out with him through my eyes.

"Hey. What's wrong?" he questioned as he drew me towards him. His hand wrapped around my back, my hand rested on his torso.

"No-nothing", I stammered as I lied. "You look ethereal", I complimented him as an attempt to divert the topic. He pulled me more closer making our foreheads touched.

I moved backwards that instinct, and cleared my throat, as I realized that it was a public place. "I'll get myself a drink", he cornered his eyes "I mean, a soft one", I smiled. He tucked away the baby hair which rested on my face. His fingers passed a sensation in my body, and made the butterflies do a cartwheel.

"Wait", he pulled me through my wrist. I drifted in his arms, "Oh sorry" he made an apology. "It's okay", I consoled. "So.....?" I questioned.

"We don't have a picture together", I grinned, and he removed his phone from his pocket. He turned the front camera on, and took a picture of us in which our cheeks touched. His straight face was very straight in the picture as well.

"Smile", I grasped his phone from his hand and pressed my lips on his cheeks and took a picture. He kissed me in the next picture. I turned my head to look at his phone, and redirected my head towards him, that instance he slowly pecked me on my lips.

I gasped "Well, that was all of a sudden", I bit my lower lip. "Laters", I made my way towards the drink's counter as my throat was parched. I was shocked when I noticed that Gina was on the floor with Andrew, the guy she didn't even stand a minute for. Nevertheless, I was happy for her. I took a seat and ordered a coke.

When my order was served, I sipped some of it. "Happy birthday", a woman dressed in a black blazer wished me.

"Thank you so much. I'm sorry I don't recognize you", I stated the truth.

"Yeah, because I wasn't invited to this party, a friend of mine received an invitation", she sipped her drink. "I'm Evelyn. Nice to meet you", she half smiled. She was pretty, very pretty. Her wish felt real and warm, unlike some people's wish which is mere formality sake.

"Amanda"

"Amanda Waters", I continued.

"Soon to be Amanda Reynolds", she chuckled slowly.

"I like the sound of that", I replied. "I hope so", I looked down. She pushed her chair close to mine, as she placed her hands on mine and softly patted it.

She was a total stranger, but it felt like I could share my problems with her. "I've been through a lot in my life. Time passes, it always does. Life always opens doors for us, sometimes it's the devil that knocks and sometimes the angels. I don't know what your problem is or what you're going through but one thing is pretty sure. That man loves you", she pointed towards Aaron. I couldn't control but smile when my eyes located him.

"How long does that demon last?" I metaphorically questioned.

She gathered her hair and answered "I don't know", she shrugged "But, the demon won't last forever", she shrugged. "Is there something you want to talk about", she paused and continued "Anonymously"

"Uh-yeah", I decided to talk to her, to dump the stress. "What if someone is getting threats from someone and what if that someone's extra special someone's life is on stake", I knew that my sentence was confusing but I couldn't just fill her with perfect details. She thought for a while, like she was finding sense in my confusing sentence.

"You need to protect that special someone but you also shouldn't let him be unaware of the whole happening. Talk to Aaron", her answer was straightforward.

"How did you know?"

"Just guessed"

"Don't tell anyone about it please", I insisted her to be quiet about it.

"You have my word", she side-hugged me. "Evelyn", she turned around when some masculine voice called her from behind. I turned around too to have a look of whoever it was. She didn't look in that person's eyes, she avoided him totally, and walked by his side.

On closer observation of that man, I recognized him. "Oh, my Lord, Al" I engulfed him into a hug. He hugged me back. I didn't really expect him here, in my party. I and Alistair first met in a summer camp, in which I went with Gina. We bonded quite well with him, Gina and Alistair had their moments too. He enrolled his name in the camp to get over his breakup.

"So you're the birthday girl, on whom my friend is head over heels", he exaggerated the word 'the'.

"And you're his friend too. Such a co-incidence, by the way, that woman was with you?"

"Yeah, oh my, God, I totally forgot about her", he turned back, and tried finding her in the crowd. "Oh no, I got to find her. I messed it", he started moving away.

"She's a keeper, don't forget", I shouted from behind. He mouthed a, 'I know' and got disappeared in the crowd. Another love story was about to begin and I already shipped them as a couple. I didn't know what complications life threw at them, I just hoped that they get through it successfully. A waiter came towards me, with a tray full of different type of starters.

"I'm fine, thanks", I turned him off.

"Ma'am you'll like it", he forced me to have one.

"I said, I don't want it", I turned away. He forced me to pick one, precisely, one specific piece of a pizza. I didn't want to entertain him more, so I quickly took charge of the piece. After examining it, I felt something strange on the base, rather than the pizza's crust. A paper was glued on it. I quickly stood up, in search of that waiter, but to my discontent, my eyes couldn't locate him.

On reading the note, the floor beneath my toes seemed to shift. That's how scared I was. 'Oh sweetheart, I'll be waiting for you. Don't make it longer than 15 minutes. You'll have your birthday gift before that"

I didn't want to create a scene in front of so many people because I knew James would create a huge chaos. So, I decided to exit this party that very moment. But, first, I went in search for Aaron. I wanted to see him before making such a huge move.

After rushing around the place, I located his back. I knew it was him, he was talking with Dan. I marched towards him, his back faced me. On reaching extremely close to him, I curled my hands around his stomach, as I hugged him tightly. My left cheek rested on his back, I stayed still in that position for a while, and closed my eyes. I, on sensing a movement, pulled away.

I breathed slowly, as he turned facing me. He cupped my cheeks, and gently stroked it with his thumbs. "I love you and this feeling will always be constant", I smiled as I confessed again. My eyes watered, as the tears traveled through my cheeks. I never knew that our forever was such a short span. Surrendering self to James was a wrong decision, but I didn't know what right could be defined as. His life was my topmost priority.

Suddenly, the speakers creaked, which caught everyone's attention. The projector screen which was placed in the middle of the hall, got turned on automatically, my eyes encountered a breathtaking view. I gasped, in shame, in fear, and in humiliation.

*************

It'll get intense in the coming chapters. Stay tuned. Keep voting and commenting.❤

@anonymousbirch gets a dedication because she was the first to mention about the 'text' thing. James wasn't in the bathroom though😂 I'll dedicate you once I open my laptop.

So @followerheart made these cute covers.