10 Theo

Theo's confrontation took Ashton by surprise. "What do you mean? I don't speak gibberish, speak human, my brother." Ashton trying to outsmart Theo. He wants to be certain what the man in front of him knows.

Theo cringed at Ashton's words. He knows it is fake, just like his relationship with Cara. "I know you don't love Cara. We all know you're gay and you don't need to hide it. Just give Cara back to us and let's just forget about everything. Don't use your power and wealth to brainwash Cara." He said without batting an eyelid.

Ashton laughed hysterically after Theo's rant. It relieved him that Theo is still clueless about him and Cara. "Nice try, bro." Ashton stood up and went beside Cara. He placed his hand over her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "No one can stop our marriage, not even you." He smirked at Cara and chuckled. "Let's just say Cara and I are destined to be together."

Theo pulled Cara away from Ashton. He glared at her like a big brother reprimanding his little sister. "Cara, please. What are you doing? I know you like him, but really?" He glanced in Ashton's direction and tried to drag Cara outside the office. "Let's talk outside." He said with authority.

Cara removed Theo's hand from her arm and walked back beside Ashton. "Ashton and I, we belong to each other. Whatever you want to say, you can say it now." Cara squeezed Ashton's hand with affirmation.

Ashton looked at Cara and kissed her forehead. "I trust you, babe. It's okay if you want to talk to him. I'll just stay nearby." He said in a soft voice filled with affection.

Cara nodded and faced Theo. "What do you want to talk about?" She said coldly. Cara wanted Theo to feel her indifference towards him. Even if deep inside, she longs for him like how she did for the last five years of her life. She knows that; it would be best for her to stay away from Theo and his kind.

Theo held her hand. "Let's go somewhere private." Theo led Cara out of Ashton's office.

"Why don't we just sit here and talk?" Cara insisted, knowing she can't go far from Ashton.

"Cara, please." Theo begged Cara. Usually, this begging face of Theo would warrant him anything he begs for. Cara is that weak for him; too weak.

"Please understand, Theo. I am sure there are eyes outside, waiting for me to make a mistake. I don't want Ashton to be affected." She said convincingly and pointed at the couch a few meters away from Ashton's desk.

As if on cue, Ashton went back to his desk and pretended to mind his own business while Cara and Theo are having a heart to heart talk.

Theo quietly sat on the couch as Cara sat beside him. He gently gathered Cara's hand and held them tight, like he longed to be with Cara for the longest time.

Cara could not understand her emotions. She wanted to feel Theo's attention and affection this way, however; she knows that there is no point in showing him how she really feels. Their love story has ended even before it started.

Cara smiled faintly at Theo. "Thank you for looking after me like the real big brother you are. But, honestly, Theo; this is the happiest I've been since I can remember."

Theo nodded and placed Cara's hand against his face. "I was watching you two all day. I saw you went to that posh shop in the luxury district. Is that what makes you happy now?" Theo's voice almost cracked as he tries to confront Cara.

"Do you honestly think I am that type of woman?" Cara's voice rose, as she did not like how Theo thought of her. She pulled her hand away from Theo.

"No, absolutely not! That's why I think what you two have is fake. You are not a superficial woman, Cara." Theo tried his best to settle down Cara.

"Please stop stalking us, Theo. Don't let our relationship turn sour because of this. Can't you just be happy for me, this time?" Cara warned Theo.

"I'm sorry Cara. You know how much I love you…" Theo said without hesitation.

Cara's eyes widened with what Theo said.

"I mean dad and me; we love you… Like our own." Theo clarified.

Cara nodded and muttered. "I know, I know that very well. That's why I am here now with Ashton."

"Huh? What did you just say?" Theo urged Cara to explain what she just said.

"I mean. You two taught me well, that's why I am here with Ashton. Because, I know I deserve a man like him. No less." Cara is aware of how to hit Theo's ego.

She went in right for the kill. Theo's insecurity; his wealth and status in the society are his weakness. Men like him are often labeled as a nuisance and sluggish and ambitionless. On the other hand; women like her swoon over rugged men like him.

"I respect your decision, Cara. He can give you the life we can never offer you. I sincerely hope and pray that he makes you the happiest woman every single day." Theo took a deep breath before he stood up and went for the door.

Cara could not gather herself to bring Theo to the door. She lowered her head and waited for Theo to go out the door.

She heard Ashton's footsteps drawing near her. He was a true gentleman. He even opened the door for Theo. Ashton tapped Theo's shoulders and in all sincerity he said; "I know how much she means to you. Don't worry, I will take care of her."

Theo nodded his head, and without a word left Ashton and Cara.

Ashton whispered to Cara. "How could you be so heartless and go straight to the gut and be strikingly gorgeous at the same time?" He looked disgruntled at his own words and covered his mouth. Cara's new spell on him still hasn't sunk in him that well.

"You don't know how much this situation pains me. They are my family and now it feels like I am abandoning them." Cara blurted out.

Ashton sat on his desk and cupped his chin.

"Well, love, in case you forgot. You really should avoid them at all costs; because, hmm you know they hunt your kind." Ashton reminded Cara of the current circumstances.

Cara slouched on the couch and blew out her cheeks. "I know, and it sucks."

***

Theo walked away from Ashton's building with his heart shattered. Cara is marrying

Ashton soon and he still cannot gather his courage to tell Cara how he really feels. He opted to walk to the tattoo shop he works for. He wants to tire himself to stop thinking about Cara, even just tonight.

"She transformed into a lady in such a short period. If not Ashton, I'm sure there would be other men who would fall head over heels for her." Ashton mumbled as he walked with his head down.

"Her eyes are beautiful; she finally decided to get rid of those hideous glasses." He added, thinking how Cara's bluish gray eyes pierced to his being when she said she deserves better. He could not agree more. A meager man like him could not even afford a pleasant home for himself.

"Thud,"

"Ouch." The woman hissed and dusted her palms.

Theo accidentally bumped into a woman. The woman fell off balanced; Theo instantly helped the woman to stand up. He extended his hand to her.

"I'm sorry Miss. I'm a bit spaced out, I did not see you." Theo said in a sincere tone.

"It's okay, it's not like you did it on purpose." The woman responded. The woman looked at him; she smiled as acceptance for his apology. Theo took a deep breath and fell on his back when he saw the woman's eyes.

"What the!" Theo picked himself up and dashed as fast as he could. Their shop is two blocks away, but he arrived there in no time. His heart is still in panic as he pounded hard on the door of the shop. It was locked. It is unusual, they never locked this door before during business hours.

"Bren! Chuck!" Theo shouted as he banged on the door.

Bren opened the door of the shop, and what Theo saw inside puzzled him even more.

"What's happening here? Who are these people?" Theo's questions piled one after another.

Their shop was packed with men he knew and some he never seen before. Their serious faces sent him chills.

"Son, sit down. I will tell you everything about it." His dad, Thomas, appeared and walked towards him.

"You guys are freaking me out right now, not to mention how freaked out I was at the woman I saw earlier." Theo said to his father.

He tapped Theo's shoulders. "Did her eyes suddenly turned white?" His question shook Theo to his core.