Vivian's POV

I can do this.

"Ready to go?" Sebastian asks, bringing me back to the current situation.

We were standing in front of Mr Jackson's mansion, my arm linked with Sebastian's. We were a little late due to my extended shopping, but that was just to annoy Sebastian.

"Let's go." I speak. My voice was void of any emotions, my face betraying nothing about what's going on in my mind.

We walk inside and Mrs Jackson greeted us, with a smile on her face.

"Good evening. It is such a pleasure you joined us today dear." She says in her not so natural tone.

"When does this party get over?" I ask her, rather rudely if I say so. A look of hurt passes her eyes but it was fake. I know Mrs Jackson, and just how well she masters the art of faking.

"It just started, stay for as long as you want." She said, then noticed Sebastian. "It's a pleasure to see you here." She turns and leaves.

I look at Sebastian with a confused look. "Why did she say that?" I ask him.

"No idea." He replies, looking around. I look at the arrangements made by Mr and Mrs Jackson. They had decorated the hall in white and gold. That was our family color in a way.

The place was full of people, most of whom I knew. I spot Mr Jackson talking to a man. Wait, I know that man. Gabriel Quinn, father of Jason. They were a little away from us, so I lead Sebastian away from where they stood.

"If you want to leave, tell me anytime." Sebastian said, his voice low. I nod and spot Bennet coming towards us.

"Hey. You here?" He asked, shocked that I attended this.

"Nope. This is just a dream." I speak, a small smile on my face.

"I was right then, I am just daydreaming again." He says, jokingly. "I will be back soon, no idea where Kelly went." He mutters the last part and leaves, before giving a nod to Sebastian.

I look at Sebastian and ask him the question that has been on my mind since sometime, "What did you mean by being exclusively yours?" 

"I was wondering when you'd ask." He mutters, "It means, till the time we are together, you cannot date anyone else, nor can you have any one night stands, my ego issues. But you surely can talk to any guy, I wouldn't mind. Unless I hate them. In return, I too will be totally devoted to your cause ." He explains.

"So, no flirting either?" 

"Not in front of an audience."

"This year is our last, the finals will come up soon, till then can we extend the deal?" 

"You mean till June?" 

"Yes."

"6 months?"

"Yes."

"Okay." 

"I suppose we can leave in the next hour, till then let's pretend we would rather be somewhere else." I tell. My heels were hurting my feet, I clearly bought a wrong size. Nothing can be done now. 

"You do realize that you started your year by fainting?" He asks out of the blues.

"My sort of amusement." I reply with a small smile. His hand in mine provided me warmth. The hall was full of lights, but not the bright ones. Oh no, that would be a disgrace to the Jackson family. We enjoyed pale lights. 

"They are coming our way." Sebastian speaks and I look up. Mr Jackson and Gabriel Quinn are coming our way.

"Vivian, are you enjoying?" Mr Jackson asks. 

"I was, before you came." I sigh.

"Vivian, you look quite beautiful tonight." Gabriel complements. I was very close with him when I was young. He was always good to me but after what happened, he showed how he actually was.

"I already know."

"How's college going?" He asks, another attempt on making me talk nicely. When will he ever give up. When will all of them give up on the idea of me being like them. Fake.

"Alright."

"And is this your boyfriend?" He asks, looking at Sebastian.

"I don't see how it affects you." I reply.

"Gabriel Quinn." He offers his hand. 

"Sebastian." Sebastian take his hand for a brief second, gives it a firm shake and drops it. His hand leaves mine and goes around my waist.

"Gabriel, Wane just came in, we should be there." Mr Jackson says and turns away. 

"I hope you are getting along well with Jason now. He was looking for you." Gabriel says and leaves.

He is here.
He is here.
He is here.
He is here.

"Sebastian, I want to leave. Please." I take in a deep breath to calm myself. I can't have a panic attack here. 

This house. He is here.

"Come." He guides me out, but we are stopped in the middle. 

"Where are you going? Vivian stay for some time." Mrs Jackson speaks. 

"We are leaving." Sebastian answers, in a don't-mess-with-me tone. But I was too busy to even notice. I can't have a panic attack here. 

Get him away. I need to run. I need to run away.

I took fast sharp intakes of air. Calm down, everything is fine.

I need to run.

I feel myself being led out, when a voice stops us again.

"Leaving without meeting me?" I freeze. 

Run away!

"Leave us, Quinn." Sebastian speaks and starts leading me away. I didn't dare look back. 

I took in deep breaths, I couldn't feel the air, I felt like I was chocking. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't feel anything.

"Vivian." I heard a voice call out from not so far away. It was very close to me yet so far away. "Breath. You can do this. Breath." 

I hold onto whoever this person was. I felt arms around me.

"My purse....medicine." I blurt out. 

Run away. Run away. Run away.

I lost the feel of the arms around me and I fell, clutching onto my chest. I am fed something and am forcefully made to swallow them. 

RUN AWAY VIVIAN!

Slowly, I get my senses back. I see the worried face of Sebastian right in front of mine. I take a deep breath, running a hand through my open hair. His hand comes up and his thumb slides from under my eyes, wiping away the tears I didn't know leaked. I was on the road, the car next to me, and Sebastian too. 

We stay like that for a few minutes. Him, because he was scared that the previous episode would occur again, and me because I was exhausted.

"I'm sorry." I apologize and get up. He follows and I sit in the car.

"There's nothing to be sorry about." He says, after taking the driver's seat. Taking out his blue suit coat, he passes it to me.  "Sleep , it will take us some time before we reach your dorm." He lifts his and moves back the hair on my forehead. 

"Thank you for helping me." I was ashamed that I let myself be that weak person again. 

"Be ready tomorrow morning, we have another deed to complete." He says. 

I knew he was trying to change the topic and I was glad for the distraction. I pull the coat closer around me. I take out another medicine bottle from my purse and take one sleeping pill. It will keep me sleepy for an hour or two. 

I fall into a dreamless, dark sleep, with the smell of his cologne, and the faint music from the car. I was grateful to have him help me, at a time when I couldn't help myself.

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A/N: My summer vacations start on 14th July and before that I have exams. So this will be the last update till then.

A belated Eid Mubarak to all of you whoa re celebrating.

Here's Sebastian for the event.

Love, Milk
xoxo