Elena's POV:

I took the glass of champagne from the waiter and made my way towards the man, who had decided to empty every single bottle of alcohol available in the bar.

"Look who has graced us with their presence, " I said standing beside him–close enough to smell his enchanting cologne with the hint of scotch.

"Did you really think I would miss the opportunity of seeing my best friend getting life-sentenced?" He said taking another swig of the scotch.

"But I thought you were here for the free whiskey," I mumbled.

His green eyes finally landed on me and he looked at the champagne glass in my hand with the frown.

"Are you even old enough to drink, princess?" Jake said, his voice suddenly sounded huskier.
​
The grip of my hand tightened around the glass that I was holding in a desperate attempt to stop myself from hugging him.

I didn't know why I'd always loved hearing this endearment from him. Whenever he called me a princess, it gave me shivers.

"I am old enough to decide when to stop," I said snatching his whiskey glass from his hand and placing it on the counter.

My eyes searched his face to find any traces of old Jake—one who would always laugh and make jokes to entertain us.

I recalled asking him why he makes people laugh. He told me it's better to make people laugh then make them cry.

The Jake Carter, my brother's best friend— and the first guy that I had a crush on was nothing like the man standing before me. This man looked hollow from inside, his eyes held the tales of suffering, and the smirk plastered on his face was telling me that he was mocking his fate in his head.  But one thing didn't change and that was his handsome face. The boyish charm of his age was gone, replaced by the five o'clock shadow on his face.

He looked as attractive as before—or perhaps even more. The fitted black tux and lose black tie around his neck was making him look hotter than any other man in the wedding.

I noticed earlier how some of the females were eyeing him but they didn't dare to approach him because he hadn't left the bar since he arrived.

I wish I had my camera with me and I could take his pictures without him knowing.

I knew he was coming here to attend the wedding because he would never dare to miss his best friend's wedding.

"How life has been for the past six years?" I asked him.

"Cruel," he replied, stretching his hand to take the glass of whiskey.

I slapped his hand away and he gave me an amused look.

"Then you should change the way you're living," I said.

"It's not that easy, Elena," he said tilting his face the other way to hide the painful look on his face.

My heart dropped in my stomach seeing the grief on his face.

"When did I say it's easy? But you can always take another chance with life," I said, leaning closer to him.

"What if I don't want to take another chance?" Jake said, looking straight into my eyes.

I felt like his eyes were talking to my soul, begging me to help him out. I'd never felt that before, it was a connection between him and me.

He turned to leave, but Noah made an announcement that it was time for the newlyweds first dance.

Everyone stopped and stared at the couple swaying on Ed Sheeran's song "Thinking Out Loud".

Jake paused and stared at his best friend dancing in the arms of the love of his life. He gazed at them with longing eyes.

He was distracted and I took that as a chance to hold his hand in mine, entwining our fingers together.

He didn't let go of my hand while he stared at Brandon and Madeline.They both looked happy and truly in love with each other. When they stopped dancing my brother invited other guests to join them. I saw my dad taking my mom's hand and walking towards the dance floor. I smiled at how happy my parents seemed.

Noah took Alyssa's hand and lead her to the dance floor. I could see how shy she the blush on Alyssa's face when my brother started to swaying. He mumbled something in her ear that made her hide her face on his chest.

"I need to leave," Jake mumbled in my ear.

I gulped trying to control the urge to never let him go.

"Will you dance with me before escaping again for six years?" I asked.

"Elena," My name from his mouth made my legs weak. I didn't know if dancing was a great idea.

"One dance is not going to hurt you. Who knows when we will meet again?" I said with the shrug.

He shook his head at me with the broad smile on his face.

"You are still as demanding as you were six years ago and you know I can't say no when it comes to you," Jake said taking my hand and leading me towards the dance floor.

I placed my hands on his shoulder and he put his hands on my waist, holding me close. Everything around me blurred when we started to sway, he was the only one I could see. My eyes were fixed on his face, memorizing his features to dream about them later.

I leaned closer to his ear and whispered. "You still haven't learned how to say no to me and it means my puppy face is still working."

"It's working pretty well, you didn't even have to make one," he said in amusement.

"Aren't you hilarious as always?" I said dryly which made him smirk.

We sway on the music, enjoying the few moments of silence with each other.

"When are you leaving this time?" I asked him.

"I am staying here for a few months. Mr. Carter's office needs some attention," Jake replied.

My heart started to beat rapidly in excitement. I couldn't believe he was staying here.

"Will you be staying at your house?" I asked him.

"Yes, even though I don't want to stay there."

A couple bumped on my shoulder pressing me against his chest. His hand slipped from my waist and rested on my lower back. The butterflies exploded in my stomach when he grabbed me instead of pushing me away. His fingers brushed on my delicate skin because my dress was backless making me shiver.

Before I could relish in the feeling of his skin touching me he removed his hand with an unsettled look on his face.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

I felt stupid for not believing my twin brother when he said Jake had no idea about my feelings for him. Now I had to admit that for once in my entire existence, my stupid twin was right about something.

I knew it was going to be a bold move but I had to do it to get the message across.

I placed his hand back on my waist and swirled my arms around his neck. He looked confused at the nearness of our bodies and it stung me to see him moving away from me.

"I think I should leave, Elena," he said.

I was so used to hearing him call me princess that my own name coming from his mouth felt strange to me.

I placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. I used to kiss him like that when we were kids and he would bring me my favorite chocolates.

Jake looked a little surprised and somewhat flustered at my actions. He opened his mouth to say something but decided to stay silent and leave.

I stared at the retreating figure of Jake, silently. Then someone tapped on my shoulder and I turned around to see Eric looking at me with the silly grin on his face.

"May I have this dance, princess?" He said taking my hand and twirling me around.

"I don't like your stupid moves, Eric. Sway your body slowly and please, try not to embarrass us in front of everyone," I said to my brother making him grin wider.

"I am not that bad of a dancer. I assure you my crush wouldn't run-off after having one dance with me," he said with the smug smile.

I glared at him and stepped on his shoe; he hissed in pain but covered it with the tight lip smile.

"He was sad, Eric. He is still mourning. I don't understand why. It has been four years."

"We both don't know how it feels when you lose the one you love most," Eric said.

"I know how it feels," I said to him.

"Listen to my advice and stay away from him or else you will end up like him—in pain," Eric said leaving me on the dance floor.

I moved away from the dance floor and stood at the far corner, thinking if Jake was worth it.

* * *

I woke up with the jolt and looked around in panic.

Was I dreaming? Did I dance with Jake at the wedding?

My eyes landed on the dress that I wore at the wedding, sitting on the chair in my room.

It was real! We danced yesterday and he was there with me. I was swaying in his arms.

I jumped with excitement and screamed with the bubbling happiness then my eyes landed on the time, it was nine in the morning.

"Why did I wake up so early?" I groaned in annoyance then an idea popped in my head.

I went into the bathroom and showered, then I dried my hair. I pulled out my jeans high-waisted shorts and paired them with white V- neck crop top, and floral kimono.

Elena's outfit

Slowly, I made my way downstairs and sneaked inside the kitchen. Everyone was tired after yesterday's wedding dinner and sleeping soundly, so there was no one in the sight. It made my work easy. I prepared pancakes and put them in a box then took out the small paper bag from the cabinet. I put the maple syrup with the box of pancakes in it. Then I opened the drawer where mom put all the keys and took out the one I needed.

I put my jacket on and sneaked out of the house. Hastily, I crossed the street and made my way towards Carter's residence which happened to be in the second street across from my house. I rang the doorbell and nervously waited for him to open the door. I was tapping my foot on the ground impatiently. I waited for a few minutes then pressed the bell again, but he didn't come out.

I brought the key that Amanda gave to my mom three years ago. After Mr. Carter's death, Mrs. Carter left this house to go on a world tour with her fiancé. She asked my mom to keep the keys to her house and check on the caretaker. They were friends, so she agreed to keep the keys while Mrs. Carter went on vacation.

I unlocked the door with those keys and went inside with my heart in my throat. I shut the door and looked around to find the house dead silent. The house seemed untouched and clean. I put the paper bag on the kitchen counter and made my way upstairs to his room.

I knew it was wrong but I was worried. He drank continuously at the wedding.

This is wrong Elena. My conscience was warning me repeatedly.

But this is Jake, he is not a stranger. I reasoned with myself.

I pushed open his bedroom door and my heart stopped beating at the sight.

His coat was on the floor along with his tie, his shirt was thrown on the chair and pants were lying on the floor at the bottom of the bed. There was an empty bottle of wine on the nightstand and the night lamp was still on. The curtains were wide open bathing the room in bright sunlight.

My eyes went to the bed where he was sleeping on his stomach; his glorious naked back was in my view.

Without thinking much, I picked up his coat, his tie, and his pants then put them on the chair. I couldn't stop gawking at him. He looked like an angel, sleeping soundly while the sunlight was falling on his skin making it glow. His lean legs were covered with a white comforter.

You should leave, Elena. You're acting like a creep, get out! My inner voice yelled at me.

He wouldn't even know that I am here. Sheesh! Let me look. I said to myself and took the step near to the bed.

My eyes landed on his sculptured face and I sucked in a sharp breath. His chestnut color hair was messy, falling on his forehead and his sharp jaw was taut. It was clear that he was dreaming about something that was making him angry. He was clenching a paper in his hand. I slowly yanked it out from his fist and looked at it. It was a picture of his girlfriend with him. He was standing with the beautiful black hair and brown color eyed girl—both of them were smiling like they were genuinely happy. My heart ached for him and her.

I always wanted him for myself but after looking at the picture, I wished that I could do something to bring her back to him. They looked perfect with each other.

I put the picture on his nightstand and placed my hand on his forehead to push his hair back. I wasn't expecting him to take hold of my wrist and pull me on the bed.

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Published: Feb/8/18

Song: Anna Clending-Invisible