Lightning flashed across the sky as the rain pounded on. It was a stormy night and somewhere in a secluded area was a luxurious villa that looked abandoned from its exterior view. But right in this villa, a young lad could be seen in the living room, seated on a couch with a pillow on his laps which he rested his hands on. With the dim lightning in the living room, he focused on the show that played off on the television.From the lifeless looks of some of the characters in the show, it was evident that he was watching a horror drama. His attention was so keen that he didn’t notice someone walk up to him. All he felt at first was the cold breath at his neck, making the hair on his body stand. But right before he could regain his composure, he felt a pair of cold hands snake up to his shoulders which made him flinched hard, jumping out of the couch as he screamed at the top of his lungs. The lights in the room all came on, brightening the room with their full intensity. The lad turn

Author's POV“Where’s she?”This was the first thing Ryan said the moment Nathaniel opened the door. “How did you get here?” The boy wondered.“Can I see her?” Ryan stressed, ignoring his question.“I’m sorry, no!” Nate answered and tried to shut the door.“Don’t you dare!” “Ryan Anderson,” Samantha called from within the house. “Threatening or snapping at the child won’t get you anywhere near me.”Ryan sighed and rubbed his temple. Ever since he met Samantha, it has been from one issue to the other. He was just there, at Samantha’s place, to get things over with. He was tired of the ups and downs and really wanted to be free from the Gray’s unending schemes.“It’s bad enough that I have to deal with several attacks yearly. Now, I have to deal with being called a molester. What more damage do you intend to wreck, Samantha Gray?” Samantha shut her eyes at his words. She understood the fact that series of news had been circulating about him that are really bad for his reputation, but

46The moment Ryan left Samantha’s house, she couldn’t keep herself calm. Guilt ate her up as she accepted the fact that Ryan was not wrong about anything. She was in fact the one to make amends and becoming Ryan’s pretend bride wouldn’t be bad in any way. She liked him at least, even though she wasn’t meant to. As Samantha sat in silence in the living room, she could feel Nathaniel’s intense gaze on her. She knew he would give her another earful. Sometimes, she wondered whether or not she was the older one or Nate.“Just say it.” She sighed and sat back, shutting her eyes. “I already had enough today but I certainly do not mind listening to you top it up.”“Why are you bent on ignoring your heart, sis?” Nathaniel asked instead. “It’s obvious, even to the blind, that you like him. You might not notice but the way you try hard to push him away just screams one thing to me.”“What?”“Samantha Emilia Gray is in love with Ryan Robin Anderson.”“Nate…”“I advise you move closer to him rat