I sit by the pool, watching everyone celebrating over the barbeque, music, and drinks. Even though I anticipated a quiet evening, my peers' minds seem to have been set way before this day. In the end, I gave in, letting the party take place right outside the house and sparkly decors covering all the plants in the compound.

A splash of water disrupts my reverie. It's Jake's friends in the swimming pool, and another one is laughing heartily while taking a video of the others. I smile gently, checking my silent phone to see if I got any call or text from anyone, hopefully Adrian who said he'd be here.

"Ara, there's a call for you." Anna Lucia, my Mexican housekeeper, brings me the telephone.

It's strange because I hardly receive calls through the home line. I sit up straight as the old lady nears the sun lounge, still in her gray dress and white flats.

"Who is it?" I take it, my face frowning quizzically at her.

"She didn't say her name," she replies.

I place the phone in my ear before muttering, "Hello?"

No one responds, but I can hear someone's breath. A frown deepens on my face as I gaze up at Anna.

"Hello?" I repeat, and still no one answers except the faint breath of someone. Impatiently, I snap, "Are you going to talk or what? You're the one who called and yet—"

The line dies, cutting me off.

"What?" Anna asks me.

I huff, annoyed. "Nothing. It was probably a prank because she wasn't talking. Here, take it back."

"That's weird. She said she wants to talk to you and it sounded very important."

"Well, some people are crazy out there," I reply, inflicting a peal of small laughter on us both until Anna Lucia takes her leave.

Sighing, I get up and join the others. Isla is still enchanted by the two puddles in a pink basket that were anonymously sent by someone as a graduation gift. I'm not sure why such a present, but I recall crying for puppies when I was little. I couldn't get one though because my mom was allergic to pets.

Gentle horn blare from the entranceway. Everyone's attention shifts and a white SUV slowly arrives in the front yard. A thump in my heart tells me it's Adrian, and luckily it's just him taking off the car about a minute later. I swallow a breath, taking his presence rather maturely despite the grand disquietude running through me.

"Good evening," he greets everyone.

Sally lowers her glass of mimosa, almost choking on the drink. "Adrian?" she blurts out.

Adrian smiles bashfully at her. "Sally. I believe that's you."

"Absolutely. The one and only." She grins, subtly giving me a look of mischief.

They exchange pleasantries, and it's the first time they're having a proper introduction. Aside from Aunt Lara and a few relatives from Sally's side, mostly ladies and children, I don't have many guests over for the occasion. It's a private party, and if it weren't for them, I'd be with my siblings only.

"I know you!" Isla chirps in, gazing up at Adrian with a half-smiling face.

"Do you, now?" He lifts her in response, his smile ever radiant and jolly. "I think I know you, too. And you've got big now!"

Isla giggles. "Are you the one who sent the puppies?" she asks him.

"Puppies?" Adrian frowns, a bit confused. Isla bobs her head. "Um, no. As much as I'd love to take credit for putting that pretty smile on your face, I'm afraid I wasn't the one who sent them."

"Oh, okay." Isla seems indisposed, her eyes staring at our young distant cousins playing with the brown and white poodles on the couch. "Can we keep them, Ara?" she asks me.

I sigh. I don't know who sent them, but they're unmistakably addressed to me, which means they're mine.

So I end up replying, "Of course we can. We'll take them to a vet tomorrow."

"Yay!" she squeals, making everyone laugh—including Adrian who's still my center of undivided attention. "You're Ara's boyfriend, right?" she asks him the same question she did the first time she was with him, her eyes squinted as though she's collecting her fading memories of him.

Adrian's answer seems to be anticipated by almost everyone, including myself. And the question that comes to mind is what are we now if he's here once again? I want to believe that I'm the reason why he's back in Las Vegas, but protecting my heart from ache keeps me at bay.

Smiling, he looks at me. With our eyes, we share a short, meaningful moment that feels like a mirror of what's inside both of us. All the anger congealed inside my heart begins to melt as his irises glow like a candle in the dark, bringing a glint of light into my benighted world.

Quite gently, he mutters, "I'll have to ask her first. Only God knows if she'll ever allow me to be her boyfriend or more."

"Awww!" The girls howl.

Or more? I think I just blushed, but I don't allow it to prevail. He's always great with words, but this time it'll take more than that to enlighten me about his return and whatnot.

I clear my throat and he puts Isla down. I tell her to go on with her friends so I can talk to Adrian alone. Everyone snaps at me for stealing him from them, claiming I should let him celebrate with us, but my decision stands that we have to fix everything once and for all.

We go straight to the kitchen where the music isn't as loud as in the garden. My skin turns very warm, despite the cold running through me like a frosty current. After many months I can't believe I'm once again alone with this man, face to face, and he's still everything I remember.

"You're mad at me, aren't you?" he asks me.

"No, I'm delighted," I answer, my sarcasm bigger than needed. He narrows his eyes, "Of course, I'm mad!" I snap, leaning against the kitchen island with arms folded across my chest. "And you probably know why by now, since you've read every email I sent you. Which makes me wonder, is that why you're here?"

He takes his time to reply with a "Yes"

My heart shrinks and I don't know what exactly I was expecting for an answer.

"Oh, such honesty huh?" I breathe. "But well, it's exactly what we both need so we can finally kiss another episode of our miserable life and clusterfucked relationship goodbye for—" My phone buzzes in my hand.

Jacob has sent me a text, asking how the party is going. I smile and text him back, only to find Adrian staring keenly at me with wide, curious eyes.

"What?" I fire.

Nonchalantly, he shrugs.

"The guy you were with at the ceremony—are you seeing him?" he asks in a deceivingly normal tone of voice.

Is he jealous? It's hard to tell.

I sigh and throw my phone away before answering, "Not really, but we're getting to know each other."

"I see." He doesn't sound happy. "He seems to like you better than how much you let on."

I sigh again, heavily.

"I'm a free woman, Adrian, and I believe I deserve to move on after everything that happened between us. You don't get to come back and question the steps I've taken so don't give me those condescending remarks, please," I bellow.

Why did I just say this, damn it? Won't it make me look a bit desperate to get over him? Ugh, I hate the things he makes me feel every time we're together.

"You're right," he replies. "And I still believe you deserve so much better, Arabella. Even if it's him."

Okay, where is that coming from? Are we still talking about that bullshit?

Angrily, I snap, "Is that why you're here? To remind me of everything I already know?" He doesn't answer, but his chest shores on and off as if he's having a hard time controlling himself... or his rage. "Look, I know what we had was just a phase and you were very clear with me which is why I can't hold you responsible for my pain. But don't you dare tell me about what I do or don't deserve because you have no right!"

"I never meant to hurt you, Arabella," he says.

"Well, you did! You hurt me terribly, Adrian!" I retort. "But fine, I get it you never wanted a relationship with me and that's why I'm trying to accept and move on."

"I never wanted a relationship with anyone; it wasn't personal," Adrian cuts in. "

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I feel the tears burning in my eyes achingly. "Because it doesn't! All I need is the reason why you left me, and if you don't have one, then go away and stop messing with my life!"

"That was never my intention." Panic and uncertainty flood his eyes and all I see is the version of him he never allows anyone to see. Vulnerable Adrian. Sighing, he adds, "I don't know anything about loving or needing someone, Arabella, but it's as if I'm governed by all those bizarre feelings now, and drives me insane."

My heart rate changed. It beats so erratically that if my lurch.

Swiftly, Adrian clicks his tongue and takes a breath. His eyebrows harden as he shuts his eyes once then flash them open and looks at me deeply.

"To fight against it, I had to stay away because it's everything I was taught not to feel," he goes on, and it feels like a difficult confession coming from him. I hold my breath, waiting. "Love is a weakness. I was raised along the same lines for as long as I can remember. You don't need to need anyone or else they become a liability—your biggest weakness, and there was no room for weaklings where I come from. It's what I've learned thoroughly my life and having it changed by you overnight terrified me more than admitting it now."

"What are you talking about?" I whisper, my heart thrumming nervously at each beat it takes.

"I'm not the man you'd be proud of once you get to know me, Arabella," he claims. "I don't deserve you and I knew it from the moment I saw you I left so you wouldn't see the real me. I needed to spare you from my ugly truth. I didn't want you to remember me as the man who brought darkness into your life because it's exactly what I bring wherever I go—so I've heard."

I don't like the sound if it bit it makes ms more curious about him.

I am mad at him, but at the same time, the anger cannot surpass the need to understand him.

"Then try me," I say boldly, for I don't know what can be so bad to make me agree with him. "Show me the real you and let me decide because I hate it when people make choices for me, Adrian. I HATE IT! So tell me everything. Now."