3 Chapter 1

As I stood near the stage, having a ravishing bride and her alluring groom seated on it, I couldn't resist the thought that invaded my mind: just how the life of these two people take a major turn by repeating two ordinary words; I accept.

Indeed, the arrangements had been done to perfection. Though the wedding was held in a mighty lawn rather than marquee but nevertheless, the efforts did shut the mouth of people who were ready to criticize at every point.

Tieing a bond of love and purity between two people that happen to cross each other's path at some point in their life is perhaps, the most adorable thing to witness. And to add to the already appealing sight is the slow and beautiful progression of relation and indulgence between two families. Just how the inner joy of people brings out the real colours of this unique event!

" Dinah Donovan! Is that really you?" My train of thoughts went flying away as my annoying best friend, Lydia Smith, made me almost jump out of my skin. I turned to give her a look that clearly stated honestly?

"Lets just say it's a surprise for me to see you in this kind of dress... but I do have to admit, you did justice with this lovely gown." I hugged her lightly, ignoring the fact that she just mocked me in her attempt to get a few good words out for me.

" Says the one you could sleep in those skin-tight jeans. By the way, did I mention someone appears pretty tonight? " I replied, smiling slightly over the foolish way we greet each other.

" Come on! I love jeans but nothing can complete with my pyjamas and hello kitty tank top," She fantasized, causing a smile to takeover my lips. " But quite honestly, I thought you would wear jeans here as well," Lydia giggled, clearly enjoying mocking me.

" Very funny Lydia! Sorry to crush your little bubble of thoughts, but oppose to what you think, I do have a sense of what to wear according to the occasions."

She passed me a smile before answering "Yes, yes you are very sensible! I must be hanged to death for having silly thoughts about you and your dressing sense, your highness." A sweet smile danced across her lips before she quickly rolled her eyes at me.

This was what I loved about her; her sarcastic attitude.

"That's more like it."

We have always been like that. Though we shared our bond of friendship from childhood but I can't quite put a finger on any such occasion where our meeting was composed of any cheesy greetings. Hell, we never even complimented each other in simple, clear words!

We shared some laughs and talked about things that any rational person would simply snort at, except for praising the couple seated on the stage.

" It's you next,'' Lydia giggled.

'' With yours,'' I added, a smirk forming on my lips as Lydia stood there, bewildered.

'' Don't you even think of it!'' Lydia warned, looking me in the eye.

'' Or what?'' I challenged.

''I will simply turn your beautiful white gown into dripping red.'' Wearing a sweet smile on her lips, she looked at me as if she hadn't just threatened to slaughter me!

'' Begone you evil spirit!'' I nearly shouted, waving my hands in the air like a manic. It was just a matter of seconds before we both burst out, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

As we continued with our ramblings, I was suddenly caught off guard as my eyes met with a pair of dark, dusty brown orbs. Though our contact was short, I did not fail to notice his devilish appearance.

There, a little far from the stage, stood a young man, perhaps, in his twenties dressed in a black tuxedo with his hair gelled in a neat manner, giving him a spic and span look overall. As the two guys, around his age, continued to address him, his stare remained shamelessly glued to us. As if on instinct, I turned to glance back, having the thought that I might have misunderstood him and that there must be someone else his stare refused to let go.

But No.

Behind us was a huge trunk of a tree which definitely can't be so intriguing to stare at with a deep thought running through one's mind. Need not to say, the way his eyes wandered over me, I felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Dinah?" Lydia called, pulling me out of my trance.

" Wh..what?" I looked up at her.

"Are you alright? Did you not hear me call out your name for a trillion times?" She asked, worry floating through her eyes.

"What?" I asked her, still not able to comprehend her words in my mind. " yeah sorry I just lost you in my thoughts." I chuckled, nervously.

Lydia let out a sigh before she returned her stare back at me, a hard look plastered across her features. " Spill it." She ordered with authority to her words.

The smile I held slowly vanished away. I hated the fact that she could always read me like an open book. For me, hiding my feelings was next to impossible.

" Okay... first, nothing is wrong with me. Second...it's just... do not react instantly to what I am going to tell you. Just listen and then observe. Do not act clear, got it ?" I told her.

"Okay, I am listening."

" At our right, there is a group of boys standing, dressed in black?" I asked her, focusing my gaze on her face.

" Yes..." She was about to turn when I stopped her.

" Don't... I told you do not react that fast. That way they will know we are discussing them."

" Okay... continue. "

" One of them, with dark brown hair, has been staring at us for quite some time now," I let it out, my voice lowered a notch as if we were some secret agents spying on our victims.

" Seriously Dinah? Are you kidding me?" Annoyance was clear in her voice. " Let me see." Before I could stop her, she had already turned around to watch the person with a pure look of vexation glued to her features.

" Yes, he is staring at you but so what? Don't a lot of people stare at you when you go out or elsewhere? I am surprised little things as this actually bothers you."

" But he..."

" No buts, we came here to enjoy not to get ourselves worried by a man staring at us. Better for us to go and meet the bride."

"Perhaps you are right-"

Before I could complete, she cut in, " am I not always? Now, will you kindly bestow the couple with your kind presence ?"

" Really Lydia?" I rolled my eyes as our foot advanced to the stage.

"You look mesmerizing, " I said as I bend down to give the bride a hug.

" Thank you, you look gorgeous yourself,'' she replied.

" Aahmm! got nothing for me, Dinah?" Zac, the groom, mumbled.

" Well, I suppose it's not our place to mutter out a few good words for you Zac, but I am sure Carol here, might be having tons of them," I replied, getting something close to a death glare from the bride.

" Thank you for giving me a sight to think of other than my aching lower half." Zac winked, clearly enjoying how his words carried an effect on Carol.

"Anytime, really." I hardly contained a laughter. " Now, how about you both enjoy yourself while Lydia and I meet the guests?" with that being said we walked off the stage.

"Which guests do we have to meet? We hardly know anyone here beside a few women." Lydia turned to me, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

" No one in particular. It was just an excuse, Lydia. We needed to give the couple some privacy".

" The unspoken rules!" She exasperated. " By the way, I didn't greet your father. Where is he?" Lydia asked?

My shoulder slumped at the thought of him. " Where do you think? like always father did not get the time to attend this function. Sometimes I wonder what keeps him so occupied. It's quite embarrassing that I being his daughter have no idea about his occupation."

It was true. From childhood till now, I have always been told that my father worked for an International Production company and therefore, he was mostly flying around the globe.

"You do know it" Lydia uttered, leaving a room for a counter argument.

" I don't think it is what it is," I mumbled, intensionally. " Anyways."

" Nah! Don't stress your mind! Now, where is your aunt?" Lydia placed a hand on my shoulders in reassurance.

"Oh yes, look out for the group of most elegant ladies, whose every move reflects their class and standards, the only thing which impresses her!" I bit out the last part to myself.

That was the truth, My aunt, Jamaica Adamson, father's only sister, had all her interest conceited on money and fame. Those defined the criteria of the merit on which she judged people.

"Well, I see the fanciest ladies over there. I fathom I should see if I can meet her." With that Lydia walked towards the other corner where a group of ladies stood, all dressed in graceful gowns, biting people's back, degrading some and taunting others.

Now that I was left alone, watching people chit chat, walk here and there with a glass of chilled drink, I became conscious of my surroundings. No matter how much I tried to calm my nerves, I knew I was being watched.

I could sense it.

Finally making up my mind and gathering all the courage I could, I craned my neck to see the same guy from before, walking up to me. I wasn't wrong when I said I was getting dreadful vibes from the time his gaze lingered over me.

There was something about him. He didn't seem to be someone who would attend such functions, rather someone who would prefer to be in the darkest alley with a gun and a glass of wine.

Dressed in a pitch-black suit, he appeared as walking epitome of all your parents' warnings. His looks, his moves everything sent red signals up and down my body.

As if on reflex, I lowered my gaze to the ground. My heart started to beat faster than ever. And just as the fear crept up my gut, I found my foots retreating with every step that he took.

'Just turn around and go away,'

My mind screamed. I looked up again to find no one there. Letting out a sigh of relief, I turned hastily, bumping into a rock hard chest. The sweet scent of cologne took over my nerves, making it hard for me to resist the urge to sniff into his coat.

My eyes raised a little to meet the same brown orbs. But as I looked a little closer, it dawned upon me that they weren't just any plane orbs instead, they seemed almost enchanted with the dark black streaks running through them.

" Looking for someone?" The voice brought me out of my daze. Fear for unknown crept through my bones. Words rolled off his tongue slowly and smoothly, sending chills down my spine.

''No.'' I managed to answer, backing away and then, without wasting another second, I rushed past him.

I could never forget the way the corner of his lips curved in a smirked as my shoulder brushed against his.

" Dinah, my dear, look at you! What a true beauty you are! " One of the women complimented.

" No doubts she is very pretty, but Dinah, why are you out of breath?" Another one asked, reflecting her concerns.

I offered my thanks, meekly, plastering a smile. " And I am fine.''

The woman passed me a smile before averting her gaze to Aunt Jamaica.

'' Lydia can you spare me your time?" I mouthed at her.

"Why do you look as if you just survived an apocalypse? What happened? Did you drown in your drink?" Lydia joked.

"Didn't I tell you that guy was up to something?" I started.

"Clear words?" Lydia demanded.

" He saw me standing by myself and came up to ask if I was looking for him."

"So?"

" So I said no and ran away, "I replied, truthfully.

" Dinah, look he is just attracted to you-"

"No, Lydia! He looked as if he was punishing himself to bear my presence, attraction is a far cry!"

"I'm smelling food and bad intentions. Let's eat! "

" Next time I'll leave you in the kitchen." I rolled my eyes.