Bright lights and flashes surrounded Adelaide and her family. The Callahans stood elegantly behind the red ribbon, gleaming silver scissor in Mr. Callahan's hand as everyone waited for the opening of the new amusement park their company had built.

She stood beside her parents, the girl who would give up just about anything to get away from there with a smile plastered on her seemingly flawless face. The smile, however, was forced as she started to feel pain in her legs from standing too long in a pair of Louboutin high heels.

"Welcome everyone to the grand opening of our amusement park. This amusement park would not have been built if it wasn't for the quick thinking of my employees and the hard work of the builders." Mr. Callahan said and with a chuckle he added, "It took a long time to build too, if I must say, and even longer to discuss the ideas for the wonderful rides that appear before you. But here we all are, at the grand opening of this magnificent outcome of a project. This is one of my greatest investments, and I have to confess that I did not do this alone. For that, I thank everyone who helped my share holders and I make this project come to life." Her father nodded his head over to a man in a suit and tie, standing on the sidelines with a body guard right next to him. "Now, may I present to you.." He trailed off, wanting to add more suspense to his speech. "The Manhattan Middle!"

The people clapped and cheered, journalists and photographers flashed their cameras at her father as he cut the rope, successfully opening the park to the citizens of Manhattan.

Her family moved to the side, letting the crowd of people move to the ticket area and buy their way to be able to enter the new amusement park. A smile found its way to Adelaide's face as she watched a little girl, no older than 8 years old, tug at what seems to be her older sister, dragging her to the front, excitement evident on her face.

Breaking her focus, her mother called her over. Complying, she walked towards her.

"Adelaide," she said.

"Yes, Mother?"

"Your new maid, Garah." She motioned to the young girl, who seemed only a few years older than Adelaide herself, wore a maid's uniform and stood firmly behind her mother, her head looking down at the ground. Adelaide recognized the girl as the one who knocked on her door a few days ago, stopping the boy in her room from going any further.

"Good Morning, Ms. Callahan," she spoke softly while she curtsied.

Adelaide smiled at her, thinking of thanking her later on.

"Your Father and I have things to do, stay around the area with your maid." Adelaide nodded and was about to say her goodbyes to her mother when she grabbed her wrist, with a little too much force.

"Don't do anything to embarrass our family name, Adelaide. I saw that dreadful bruise on your neck-" Adelaide let out an inaudible gasp only she could hear, her hand involuntarily touching the spot on her neck. "Don't be a whore, Adelaide." With that, her mother left her daughter standing there. Frozen on the spot with what she had said.

"Are you okay, Ms?" Her maid asked. Shaking her head, she let out a sigh turning to the side so she can face her.

"I am, don't worry if my mother or father talk to me like that. They just want me to be a person who can live up to the Callahan name, I just-I just make mistakes time and time again." She told her maid, her voice getting softer with each word she spoke. Staring at the entrance, she crossed her arms over one another.

"Garah, right?" Adelaide asked, the girl nodded.

"That's my last name, Ms. My first is Ivory," she told her.

"Alright, Ivory, let's go inside the amusement park, shall we?" The youngest Callahan told her new maid with a fake smile.

Adelaide and Ivory made there way inside the amusement park, not needing a ticket to enter as she was a Callahan. The two of them walked around, observing and watching as people of all ages as they lined up for the rides and enjoyed themselves.

Adelaide's heart skipped a beat at the sweet smell of cotton candy under her nose, the carnival flags waving with her brown hair. Her eyes lit up as they walk, she didn't understand why but seeing the little kids run around made her happy or maybe it was just the change of scenery that made her excited.

"Having fun, Ms.?" Ivory asked, she carried the few bags of cotton candy Adelaide bought as they stopped to sit in the side benches.

"Yes, actually. We haven't rode on any rides but I like the energy of this place, everyone seems so happy," she replied.

"Then Mr. Callahan did well then," uttered the maid. Adelaide's smile formed into a frown with her statement, her father's intentions wasn't to bring happiness to Manhattan but to invest in a business he knows would bring him a lot of money.

"I'm sorry, did what I said upset you, Ms. Callahan?"

Adelaide shook her head, closing her eyes for a brief second and plastering another smile to form while facing to the side so she can look at Ivory eye to eye.

"No, you didn't. I'm just glad I didn't have to attend another one of those formal events," she confessed, rubbing the sides of her ankles as the pain that she felt a while ago was back again. Looking back up, before she could even utter another word, Adelaide saw him.

It was the boy that violated her, the very same one that made her skin crawl, and the only one who was the cause of the dark purple bruise that had formed on the side of her neck. Her mouth suddenly went dry, the hairs on the back of her neck rising. She stood up quickly, her maid followed behind her as she walked.

"Where are we going?" The girl asked.

"I just saw someone that I had no intention of meeting." In her head, she wanted to say that he was more than just someone she didn't like but it was unnecessary to say.

Ivory looked back, trying to see who affected Ms. Callahan. She blinked when she spotted the boy that was up in her room. With a knowing look on her face, she tapped on Adelaide's shoulder and pointed to the ride that had a tunnel, one that could make the boy not see her. Adelaide nodded and followed her, making their way to the line as the young heiress tried her best to keep her breathing in tact.

Unfortunately, Adelaide panicked when she watched Ivory leave the line, leave her side. She had to use the bathroom, she said and Adelaide didn't want to go back out in the open just incase she gets spotted.

"Are you alone, miss?" the ride attendant asked. Adelaide snapped out of her daze and watched the empty boat pass by.

"Huh?"

"This ride is for two people," the man said, gesturing to the seats for two. "If you want we could find another single rider." Adelaide shook her head. The more time she stays hidden, the least likely the boy could see her again.

"Well, if it isn't a brunette haired angel," a deep voice said from the sidelines.

She dismissed the boy's voice, thinking it was for another lady in line.

The boy chuckled and she felt a poke at her side. Frowning, she turned and wanted to tell him how poking was not a proper thing to do especially if you do it to a stranger, but stopped.

His piercing blue eyes cut the words she was supposed to speak out.

"It's a shock to see you again," he told her and flashed one of his silly, dimpled grins. Adelaide swore to herself, she was dreaming. How could they have met again? Flashes of those eyes at the party made her arms wrap around her waist.

"I-uh." She sucked in a breath. "You still remember me?"

"Of course I do. A beauty like yourself shouldn't be forgotten." He scrunched his eyebrows, making his eyes squint a little. "Adelaide, right?"

She nodded. "Um, you haven't told me your name?"

"I told you if we meet again." He ducked under the ropes that were meant to keep the line intact and stood beside her, winking at the people at the back who groaned, mumbling profanities under their breath. "And since you're alone, I might as well join you in this..." He looked at the sign that was covered in black and white stripes. "Back to the past?"

"It's uh - a themed tunnel ride that would have pictures of the old Manhattan and other various places," she muttered quietly, eyes not bothering to meet his. She was still in shock for one of both things; one being the chances of them meeting again after their brief introduction and two, the chances of her being remembered.

"Miss, I have found-" The attendant had shock in his eyes as he took in the site of the boy beside her, he bit his lip as he stared. "Guess you found someone, here." He took them to the small boat fit for two, his eyes still locked on this mysterious guy.

She felt him lean close to her ear as they both sat on the boat, his breath on her neck made goosebumps appear on her skin.

"Enjoy the ride, sweetheart," the attendant said. A soft click of a button later, the boat moved forward into the stream at an incredibly slow speed while they were both engulf in darkness.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" she heard him mutter in a low voice.

"No."

"You can hold my hand if you're afraid," he offered, she felt his hand graze hers as they continued to move in the darkness. He bumped her hand very lightly a few times and it made her place her hands on her lap.

"I don't even know your name yet."

Before he could answer the light turned on. Looking to the left and right, both of them were shown dozens and dozens of old photographs that illustrated the old city before it was built into the modern day.

"Everything looks the same."

Adelaide shook her head, "No it isn't, look at that-" Her hands pointed to a photograph that had horses attached to carriages. "Cars were non-existent before."

She saw him roll his eyes but she didn't want to comment, their was a slight tinge of disappointment that grew in her when she saw that he wasn't even trying to glance at the photos.

"How long is this ride going to take, sweet?" he asked, one hand leaned on the side of the boat as he watched the brunette girl stare at the old photographs with awe. For him, they were all just pictures with a filter but it amused him that she was finding joy in them.

"It ends in about two minutes."

"Why are you here alone?" she asked. It ran through her head a few times when he suddenly appeared and called out to her.

"I heard about the opening and thought i'd go and why i'm alone? Sometimes alone is nice but right now, I'd really like to be your company and-" He leaned close, taking away the few inches of space they both have. "I saw you eating cotton candy. Wish I could taste it though."

Just as Adelaide's heart started beating faster at the realisation of how close they are, he leaned back to his original position.

"Why are you here alone, isn't your family here with you?" he asked. Adelaide felt a surge of panic running through her veins, she couldn't tell him. If she couldn't tell her parents, what more of this attractive guy she doesn't even know the name off.

"They have business to attend too," she replied.

"Mhm, no friends to join you-" Before he could even finish that sentence, the attendant from earlier had cut them off.

Before he could even finish that sentence, the attendant from earlier had cut them off.

"Hope you enjoy the ride." He smiled, showing him his pearly white teeth. Adelaide noticed that the boy she was with glared at the attendant making him lose the smile of his and cower away.

When they both exited the ride, Adelaide was going to start walking when he grabbed her wrist.

"You want to know my name right?" She nodded. "Come with me?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

He scoffed. "I don't see why it isn't a good idea."

"I'm sorry but I hardly know you and I don't want to waste more of your time," Adelaide muttered politely. She avoided his eyes turning him down again but honestly, she just wanted to go find Ivory.

"Then get to know me." He showed his dimpled grin and offered his hand for her to take.

Adelaide stared, taking in his appearance. Would it be so bad if she went on another ride? Ivory can look for her later right? She knows she's hiding from the boy that violated her.

"Where will we go?"

He smirked, pointing at the best attraction the amusement park had to offer. The only problem was that Adelaide wasn't too fond of heights, she didn't want to imagine what slow speed could do when you are on a very high ride.

"I'll buy you more cotton candy?"

Adelaide shook her head, but stopped when he stared at her, his blue eyes locked with hers. It made her breath hitch.

"You didn't go with me the last time. It's time you said 'yes' the second time." His voice held no trace of playfulness. His mouth curved into a tight line. Adelaide was sure he wasn't even blinking while he stared at her but the look on his face made her mutter a small "yes."

"Good, c'mon we have to line up." Gone was the seriousness as he grabbed her hand, dragging her to the line for the ferris wheel. Adelaide gulped before proceeding to follow his lead, letting him pull her.

"Is it safe?" she asked once they were both at the front of the line. Her heart felt like it transferred onto her stomach, the beating of her heart was rapid.

"Shh, calm down," he said, rubbing the sides of her arms as he noticed the state she was in.

"It'll be fun, I promise," he whispered in her ear.

Nodding her head, they both entered the ferris wheel. Adelaide felt like throwing up when it started moving, almost falling before she could sit down but he was quick to grab her and steady her, making sure she didn't fall on her face in the tiny space they were in.

"Don't fall for me yet." He winked and Adelaide's face heated up. At this, the boy chuckled and shook his head, whilst smiling at the girl who still didn't know his name.

They both sat in silence as it turned around slowly. Both of them pre-occupied with the scenery, they could see the busy streets of Manhattan as well as the people around the carnival. Adelaide smiled to herself, it was nice to see the world at a high point, even with her fear.

"Isn't it weird how I just met you a few weeks ago and here I am, in this small space with a stranger," Adelaide commented, a small smile playing on her lips.

He chuckled at he,. "I'm hardly a stranger now that I've spent time with you."

Adelaide shrugged. She liked this, hard to admit but she doesn't make friends because she never knows who to trust or who her parents would approve of. But with him, its different, it's like she couldn't even try to care about what they thought.

She continued the banter, the humor evident on her face. "But you were the one who forced yourself to go with me on the first and you forced me here to the seco-" She paused when the ride came to a halt, their carriage at the top of the ferris wheel, overlooking the whole city. You could see the birds flying around with one another as the people down below looked like ants. Adelaide was suddenly mesmerized.

"Beautiful," she muttered under her breath.

"You don't see a view like this often do you?"

"I've been to plenty places but it's always something too extravagant. This is all nature."

"You're a weird little rich girl," he said, causing Adelaide to frown. Weird was something she doesn't hear often, usually it's that she is a disappointment. Also, she didn't like the term rich girl, it reminded her of her parents, of how she was supposed to act like them or at least a daughter they want her to be and going on rides with strangers, and leaving her maid is something they wouldn't approve off.

"Don't frown. C'mon. Here?" He opened his arms to her and Adelaide rolled her eyes, turning her back at him.

"I'm hurt, you just rejected my hug," he said, placing his arm over his heart, faking a sad face. Adelaide laughed softly watching as the birds flew passed them. She felt him move beside her, looking out to the view as well.

"The view is beautiful but you know what?" Adelaide looked at him from the corner of her eye and she saw him staring at her, a dimpled grin on his face. "I think you're even more beautiful."

She felt her cheeks turn crimson, biting her lip from smiling.

"You're such a flirt," she mumbled. He shook his head and winked, "Only to you, sweet."

"sweet?"

"You were eating cotton candy, cotton candy is sweet," he said it like it was the smartest thing he ever thought of and Adelaide found it cute, better than those cringe worthy nicknames people give each other.

"I guess I have to find a nickname for you too," she said but then came to a realisation, she didn't even know his name yet. "I still haven't gotten your name, you know?"

"I did tell you last time, I would when I see you again, didn't I?" He smiled at her, neither of them feeling the ferris wheel come to yet another halt as it stopped at the bottom, ready for both of them to step out. He stepped out and held his hand out for Adelaide to take, she did and then both of them stood at the sidelines.

Adelaide felt her phone vibrate and she took it out, glancing at the message appearing on the screen. It was from Ivory, telling her that she's going there. Before she could reply, he took it out of her hands and typed.

"What are you typing?" she asked, trying to get her phone back. He just shook his head at her and continued. Adelaide let out a frustrated huff as he was taller than her, and she couldn't reach her cellular phone.

"There." He handed back her cellphone. "Now you know my name and number, I expect you to text or call me sometime."

Adelaide looked down at her phone, reading the name of the new contact added.

'Luke Valentine' it read.

"Luke," she read his first name out loud, looking up she was surprised to see that he had already left and that her maid was nearing her.

"Ms. Callahan, your parents have been looking for you, they're over there." Her maid pointed to the elegant looking people surrounded by other people in three pieced suits. Adelaide shook her head, whispering his name with a smile on her lips.

Ivory watched her walk to her parent's with a dreamy look on her face.

She walked closely behind Adelaide and when she looked back, she catches the boy with the piercing blue eyes leaning on a lamp post watching the rich, young heiress walk away.

The young maid rolled her eyes but she had a sly smile playing on her lips.

author's note
unedited.1k omg. thank you so much, I can never be able to accomplish this without you guys,

I hope it doesn't suck so far and that you enjoy what I have written. remember life without risks is barely
living but curiosity killed the cat.

luke, good or bad? comment below.

vote| comment| add to reading list| share

- thea