The day began with the blooming of the sun. Like a flower-bud in soft, cotton clouds. It was Saturday morning. The skyscrapers of California stood tall like mighty giants, and people began with their usual daily activities. One would be proud of how beautiful the city has developed. I was with Drake Benson, my date.

Among the tall buildings on Broadway road, we stopped at one with glassy frames at the front, making the building looking more appealing.

On me was a black, transparent Diana gown, black wedge booties and my usual jadeite bangle. Drake had a dark Grey shirt, black jeans and black leather jacket. The slim silver necklace hanging on his neck made him look way younger. I wasn't looking bad either.

As Drake and I got to the restaurant, he pulled out the door for me to get in, like a perfect gentleman that he is. I walked in while he followed. It's been ages since I last visited a restaurant with a man by my side. My eyes strolled around the exquisite place. A couple of customers seated were in pairs and one would guess they were also on a date. The lights and flowers hanging from corner to corner made the place look heavenly.

"Wow, I never knew this place was so beautiful." I told him as we took seats facing each other.

"Yes." he replied to me. "Many reviewers say it's the right place for couples. And that if they're already in a relationship, they will love each other even more."

"Amazing." I confirmed.

A server brought us the menu, and we placed an order. In no time, she served me fruit pizza and Drake spaghetti and sauce as required. Water and champagne complement the dish on the table.

"So now that we're here. Tell me about you, Alexa." Drake brought up.

"I'm a successful businesswoman and a mother of one." I looked into his handsome face, trying my best to keep on the smile.

"Yes, I already know that. Tell me more." Drake pressed, taking a sip of water from the glass cup.

Thinking about it, my mind went completely blank. Like an empty page, too blank to be read.

"My son also owns his own company. Uh... This isn't going well, I guess." I chewed on the pizza.

"You can tell that yourself. I think you already know me than I know you, but what's most important here is understanding." his slim lips pressed together in a smile and I joined him.

We started eating; I took a bite from a piece of the pizza while Drake deepened his fork onto the plate of spaghetti. I don't know, but it was a little rough. He won't ask me a question for a while, so I ate. Why I want this relationship badly is that I want to live a normal life. And like Doctor Groff would say, move on instead of dwelling on the past.

"Truth is, some stories are bigger and scarier to talk about, so we just have to forget them. I believe you are a very interesting person to be with. My life has been a boring one. I mean; it's all about my companies and Xavier. Nothing fun, nothing interesting. Tell me more about yourself." I inquired after eating till my fill.

"What do you want to know about?"

"Your previous marriage?"

"My previous marriage..."Drake emphasized. "Her name was Diane. Beautiful and smart, just like you. She also had a pretty smile."

He said it and his eyes clouded as if close to tears. "She passed away."

"How was your relationship with her like? I bet it was beautiful." I mumbled softly.

"Yes, it was. Love is a beautiful thing. We met young. Diane and I got married immediately after high-school. Our parents supported our marriage though it was kinda difficult because we had to work and school at the same time. She studied nursing while I went to engineering school." He said it and his eyes clouded as if close to tears. "Things started changing when we got a little matured and had Cassandra."

"How did it change?" my eyes furred while I paid a listening ear.

"She was seeing someone else. He was a senior doctor in the hospital she worked with, and they spent time during shifts. When I realized she was pregnant with him, I confronted her and we had fights. Diane wanted to leave me, then she got sick."

"Oh, I never knew you had gone through something like this. Its sad... Did you stay with her?"

"She had wanted a divorce a couple of months before she got diagnosed with lung cancer." Drake closed his eyes and rolled it in the tunnel of hurting memories. "It was bad, though. Knowing she wouldn't live long enough to birth the child. Her plan was to divorce me and get married to the doctor but... Diane couldn't go back to him so, I spent the last days, showering her with love and affection. Until the end."

"Heartbreaking indeed. You have really gone through so much. When did you grief? I mean, your wife cheated on you. Did you forgive her completely?" I gently placed my hand on him while I asked him.

"I haven't been with any other woman since she passed away. It's been difficult and anytime I try to, I end up pushing them away. I only tied it once, though. It didn't work."

It must be very hard to trust someone properly again.

"Yeah, I have a problem with trust. Diane affected me wholly, but I want to try. I want to trust again." His eyes focused on mine and I knew that one thing Drake wanted from me was sincerity.

"Alexa..." he sighed. "There's a question I want to ask. But I need you to be earnest about me."

"Okay, sure." I replied him, feeling a burning sensation in my heart.

I don't know what he's about to ask but... What if I don't have an answer for it? Would he still look at me the same way?

"People call you Mrs. Torres." he said and our eyes met. "Have you ever been married?"

"No, I haven't." I replied him, earnestly.

"Then why are you using that title?"

"I don't know... To cover up, I guess. To avoid questions."

"I never knew. I just wondered why. So if we get married, would you love to change your last name to Alexa Benson?"

"Probably, why not?" I smiled and leaned closer. "It would be Alexa Torres Benson."

"You're incredible, Alexa. I still love you in respective of whatever your choices are." Drake kissed my cheek and hugged me.

My gaze settled on his emerald eyes, eyes that reminded me of Alexander Torres, the man that brought me to wealth, but I dare not bring up that name and story. He might find out that I'm not Torres real daughter and I have a lost memory for my past. I know gradually, I would overcome this.

First, I need to have a complete idea about my past and come to recovery. Waves of joy washed over me as Drake cracked up jokes. He could audition for a comedy and win because he's so good at it. Just then, I realized I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time.

When we stepped out of the restaurant, it was already sunset. Drake and I had a pleasant time together. He persuaded me to spend the night at his house, but I objected. Not yet, I don't want to. I fear giving in with Drake, even though I'm head over heels in love with him right now.

We later concluded that I would spend the night at my place and visit him the next day, which was Sunday.

Drake was a perfect gentleman. I got home just in time, so I had a refreshing shower before joining the rest of my family downstairs for dinner. Brooklyn joined Sandra in serving, which was a big step. I mean, she barely entered the kitchen. And now that she's officially Xavier's fiancee, she's trying to get nicer. Doing things she hasn't done in the last two years of their relationship.

Unlike other models who would wear a fishing-net for gown. Brooklyn had a tight-fitting waist revealing top which is her favorite. She usually wears them with pants and skirts on heels or sneakers just to complement her outfit.

We had meatloaf and maple syrup on a platter for dinner and it was fun at the dining table. With our chatting, I came to know that I now had a family. And it would be lovely to expand it, indeed. Drake and I had a phone call before I retired to bed.

~~~~

The song echoed with the waves of cold and gentle breeze. I closed my eyes from the red-filter silhouette around me while he took control of my whole body.

A soft moan slipped from his lips, and I could feel the heat forming on our bare skin. My eyes were still closed, and my legs wrapped against his muscular body.

His bold fingers grabbed my hip, and a sudden warmth crawled between my legs. Without thinking, I pulled them apart, wide open. My body lit up like New Year's and my fear mingled with his fury. My arousal tangling with his need made me salve, like the desperation to drink cold water in the desert. I nibbled softly on my lower lips.

And I know. I know that there's no more reason to fight it, whether it was Scarface or Chase.

It must be Chase, right?

This is Chase.

He gently inserted his adulthood into me, and my lips pressed together in a grip. It was just the tip. He pulled out a bit and then increased its tensity once more.

"Fu...ck." My eyes as the pressure increased. I gasped for breath, yet I still felt lightheaded.

"Fuck me." I huskily begged. Holding onto his built shoulders tighter.

He pushed and pulled through me as I moaned, grabbing a handful of his hair. Just then, my drizzly eyes lifted to his sweaty arm, and I stared at the tattoo on his arm while he fucked me hard.

'Is it my eyes or my mind? Why am I seeing Drake with a crown and scarred face instead of Chase on the tattoo on his arm? Why am I the only one groaning?'

I threw my head back, feeling his hot breath on my neck. And my eyes raised up at him. A sudden rush of blood flowed through me.

The stranger gently lifted his head from between my breast and my eyes widened, as if I just saw a ghost. Indeed, it was Drake.

Drake Benson.

My jaw dropped, baffled at the mysterious smirk that formed on his lips.

"Omg! Am... Am I d...dreaming? What's happening?" My voice said, humble and eager for his narrowed eyes that met mine. Eye to eye.

An aggressive wind whooshed through the glass windows, and it cracked all at once. I closed my eyes to avoid being hurt, but the broken glasses tore through my skin. Immediately, I curled my legs, sitting up. Scared to have given myself to him like that.

"Where... Where am I? What's happening?" I sputtered. Shifting through the hazy memories of racked headaches. I stumbled, leaning on my elbows against the bed for support. I felt immensely tired and weak. My vision was a blur again and my head spinning in circles.

The red background lights suddenly stripped off and the echoing "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" song in the background faded with the cry of the night wind. Suddenly, thunder struck through the room and everything went pitch black. My breath stopped and I swallow hard enough to pass out, but I didn't. My eyes widened at the stranger in front of me. Now his eyes were hard and narrowed. The blood staining his visage only added to the intensity of his gaze. The theme suddenly goes from romance to horror and I wondered how I even got there.

My squeaky hands ran incredulously over the wall like a lost child trying to recognize a particular house, but I just staggered. Too tired to see anything, too blind to see anything.

I tried speaking, but suddenly, the veins in my neck started strangling me. I fell back to bed, like a dead tree, fighting with it. Trying hard to speak, but it came out as a guttural cough. Difficult to swallow and breathe. My neck twitch from left to right on the rough, bloody bed as my bleeding eyes begged for redeem.

"You are stuck with me." Drake growled. His voice giving an unnerving timbre. "Now and forever."

Letting out a collection of muffled sounds, a single tear rolled from the corner of my eye. My eyes went bloodshot, strangling, throttling, trying to speak.

“Ple..ease...” I cried.

Drake stepped out of the bed while my trembling hands held my neck, as if being tied by an invisible rope. His eyes, which were emerald a minute ago, were now rubies. Red like that of a blood-thirsty vampire. His horrific eyes raked through my naked body as he put on a black, devil-like robe.

"You lied, darling. Now, you are forever stuck with me, Alexa Benson." He roared out a loud, blistering laughter that echoed along with the thunderclaps.

Instead of suppressing, the storm grew, so were the pains, causing me a feeling of suffocation and terror. I yelled out my lungs and blood squeezed out of my throat. I jerked awake with a sudden gasp of breath.

I came into the realization that... It was another nightmare for me. My quivering fingers splayed across my neck and I let out a chronic cough into reality.