She was first on hot search.

It was even much worst than when the rumors between her and 'Nathan' came up.

Different videos about her was scattered on the internet and so was various black and white contents.

She found different report videos of the situation in front of her apartment which was packed with a river of people (both reporters and script writers), with her best friend, Tin, clutching to her door.

It was horrible. Too horrible.

With this much publicity she didn't doubt that her parents will find out soon.

How will they feel?

No it's too much.

Her lips trembled slightly, fingers turning white from the tight grip she had on the laptop. Her breaths were less than gaps, nose starting to run.

She remembered the time when the rumor had just newly came out. All the assault she went through.

There was one time she was poured a bucket of milk in the middle of the street.

And there the other time at the store where the sales person (who was literally one of Nathan's die hard fan.) Refused to pack up what she had bought. And as if it wasn't enough she could hardly go out because of the judgemental look that were always sent her way.

She couldn't go a day without running into 'Nathan's' or 'Piper's' fans. A.K.A trouble.

But what did she do wrong?

They didn't even want to hear her own part of the story. They didn't even give her a chance of redemption.

'redemption.' no. She didn't do anything wrong so why should she need redemption?

They were the ones that wronged her. They were the ones who needed redemption.

They were the ones who are supposed to be going through all this hell and not her.

"I d—id nothing wr—rong." Tears spilled out of her eyes as she repeated the words like a mantra. "I—i didn't do wrong. I di—dn't do anythin—g like that."

"It wasn't..... my fault.....it––wasn't..... my fault. I––didn't do anything wrong."

A white light blocked her blurry vision, and she looked up to meet Grayson standing in front of her while handing her a white handkerchief.

"W—hy....why did you—you help me?" It was the question she wanted to ask the most. Even if she dreaded the answer, she still wanted to know.

"You looked pitiful." Grayson replied sincerely. He really had no reason to lie, and he wasn't going to either.

Never had he thought of stooping so low in all of his existence.  

"You don't even know me..." Skylar said in a muffled voice, sniffing softly. "We didn't even exchange more than a total of ten words through out high school."

"Remember that rainy Monday after school."

Grayson wrapped the white handkerchief around his index finger, dabbing on the area around her big brown eyes, which was red and swallow from the few seconds tears she cried.

How could she not remember. It was one of the few times in school Skylar got detention.

And the obvious cause was Tin who just couldn't keep her tongue in her mouth.

"You shared your umbrella with me, and also introduced yourself." Grayson said moving the handkerchief down to her flushed cheeks. "You said. 'My name is Marta Skylar' we are in the same grade. Nice sharing an umbrella with you."

Skylar heated up in remembrance. It took her a lot of contemplation and practices in her head before she managed to come up with that. And at the end it came out as horrible as ever with her stuttering and coughs. Definitely not her best moment.

"And I said I was 'Grayson Knight.' also known as the 'black knight.' and it was nice to meet you too." Grayson leaned back to regain his full height. "Thirty seven."

"Hmm..?"

"We exchanged a total of more than thirty seven words plus goodbye." Grayson stated.  "Helping you is something I want to do as a person."

"And what if what they say about me is true?" Skylar murmured softly.

"Too gutless." Grayson stated without hesitation. "If they weren't so blind, they'd see that with a glance."

Skylar stayed silent for a while, then spoke up. "Thank you. But I don't think you should help me anymore. It might affect your reputation."

Grayson picked up his laptop, walking to the full length window. "Helping you is more important–.besides, I received a call this morning."

"From who?" Skylar pushed down the lump in her throat. Hoping it wasn't who she thinks it is.

♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣

"Your parents?!!" Skylar felt different colours of dizziness hit her wave after wave.

"They want to meet you." Grayson stated. "This weekend."

"This weekend!!" Skylar's jaws hit the floor, eyes bulged out in horror. "That's––the day after tomorrow."

"Why didn't––didn't you tell them?" Skylar head gears spinned out of their working zone. "We aren't really dating. You tell them that it's just......it's just a misunderstanding."

"They won't believe a thing I say." Grayson sighed. "You will have to go."

Skylar felt her mouth run dry, head dropping down. "You––you really shouldn't be doing this."

"It's no bother." Grayson waved lazily. "Even if I publish a content that clears out relationship in this instant, my family still won't let you go."

"Is––is tha–t.....i–s that––a good thing or......a––bad thing?" Cold sweat dripped down the sides of Skylar's face. Agony written all over her flustered skin.

"A good thing." Grayson said hesitantly. Voice laced with undisguised doubt.  "I guess."

Skylar breath out in relief, completely leaning into her seat. "Can–– I go out?"

Grayson, taken aback by her question, replied some seconds later. "I am not holding you in captive Skylar."

"I know." Skylar quickly chirped in. "It's just that with all that's going on......i––i need some space to think."

"I will have Natasha escort you." Grayson nodded in understanding. "Just––be careful."

"I will." Skylar promised, eyes fixed on her fingers which danced on her lap.

"You should eat something before going too." Grayson advised. "The password is 'Knight'. Make sure to call me if you run into any trouble. 

"I will head out first."

Skylar watched his broad, muscular, back disappear before crashing on the table.

Arms folded under her head, and her eyes tightly shut. She breathed in and out in a slow pace.

Letting the cold air run through her, calming her raging nerves.

"Miss." She jolted up at the warm feeling of a hand on her shoulder. "Miss, do you want to go out now? Should I get the car ready?"

"Uhmmm....." Skylar thought about it then nodded. "I wi—ll have to make a call fi—first."

"Here." Natasha handed her a phone which wasn't her's. "Mr Grayson said you should use this for the time been. Incase there is someone that is tracking you calls."

"Oh.....that's right." Skylar pursed her lips. 

There wasn't any password, so she entered the contact app. Dialing a number from her memory.

And it was only on the fourth ring that Tin picked up.

"Hey." Skylar said briskly.

"Skylar?!! Is that you Skylar?" Tin asked skeptically. But still couldn't hide the anxiousness in her tone.

"Is there someone else you were expecting?" Skylar couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Am sorry. It's just that I keep getting different calls from you know who's." Tin cringed at her best friends tone which was exceptionally sour.

"What happened at the party––it was my fault. I am sor––"

"That's not what I want to talk about." Skylar quickly interjected. "Let's meet."

"You can come over...." Tin stopped abruptly. "No. You can't come over to my house, it might be stalked. Let's meet outside. What about at the flower tea garden. There is hardly anybody there at this time of the year."

"That would do." Skylar agreed. "See you."

"Let's go."