Chapter 2

I stopped to catch my breath, at the huge black gates which led to the mansion, where my supposed engagement party was being held.

After finding out of Ace's deceit, I knew that nothing good would come out of me staying behind to watch the drama unfold itself. Running away, was the best choice, and frankly, my only choice.

"Miss!"

"Miss! Where are you headed?!"

Despite the hollers from the perplexed men by the gates, I dashed off without looking back.

Anywhere was better than here, my life had never been mine since birth. It had always revolved around this huge debt I knew nothing of. Up till now, any decision I made was to benefit everybody but myself.

The deafening sound of thunder increased here and there, sending fear through my heart. As my limbs battled against the cold wind which almost sent me flying off my feet!

The night was darker than I anticipated and the ground was still wet from the storm of yesterday. The base of my shiny silver dressed kissed the dirt, mixing with it's dark brown colour.

I didn't stop, till I reached a familiar well Ace and I used to play at, while we were still children.

The old well was situated in the middle of an old mansion, whose owner died from a mental illness. Ever since, no one had made attempts to buy the land or make some renovations.

As children, we explored the site, pretending to be adventurers, that old well had always caught our attention the most.

I ran to it and rested both my palms on it's flat surface, not minding the dust and sand that greeted me. Thick vines had grown all around it, reminding me that I was no longer that curious little girl.

And Ace, was no longer the spirited child who took me with him on his adventures.

Tears gushed from my eyes, and into the well as their cold words resounded in my head.

"What was it? What did I ever do wrong to deserve this kind of treatment?" I couldn't help but ask myself, as I stared into the dry pit in front of me.

"I want to be happy too! I don't want this life! Take it back!" I cursed in a spiteful voice, as my fingers tightened into a fist.

My voice came back to me in echoes, the well was certainly much deeper than I thought. Something that gave me a reckless idea...

I casually slipped off my glass slippers and tossed them to the grass. Then lifted my feet, one after the other unto the well, my hands gripping firmly unto the ropes used to bail water.

The sound of thunder almost caused me to loose my grip on the ropes too soon. My feet dangled lifelessly, my entire body was supported by only my hands.

"There's no point to my existence, let's see which hell is better." I took my final remark, as my petrified eyes stared at the dark empty dry well.

In the blink of an eye, I cracked a small smile, as I let go of the ropes that kept me alive, half ready to plunge into the depths of another hell that awaited me.

Little did I know, my entire life, was about to take a drastic change...

*Grip*

Instead of a spine crushing death, I felt a strong hand grip unto my left hand, suspending my entire body in the air.

I trained my distorted brown eyes away from the darkness underneath me, all the way to the source of this help. My gaze landed on an unforgiving pair of deep blue eyes, gazing intently at my body.

"Let go..." I whispered underneath my breath, not meaning a single word I said.

Suddenly, he pulled on my arm, and effortlessly drew my entire body out of the well in one swift move. And before I could blink my eyes open, I had landed against his broad shoulders, sending us both crashing to the grass.

My body landing directly on top of his, my elbows prodding at his firm upper abdomen. Both his hands snaked to my sides, firmly keeping me in place.

As I drew fresh breaths of air, still trying to take in the realisation that my life was spared, he parted his lips and spoke to me.

"How dare you try and take your life without my permission?" He so haughtily spat out, scolding me more than he was asking. I felt a shiver run through my entire body when he spoke to me.

The moon shone on the both of us, allowing my shadow cast upon his alluring features. We were both so close to one another, that our breathing aligned with one another.

I was dumbfounded by his question and it took me a moment to realise that he was in truth speaking to me.

"I don't recall needing to ask your permission to live or die." I retorted, neatly tucking away a strand of hair behind my ear.

He smiled with those blue eyes of his, sending my heart aflutter for all the wrong reasons.

"Maybe your memory is as weak as your resolve." He hastily told me, challenging me to a battle of words.

"I certainly would remember someone with a stick in the mud personality such as yours." I told him, with a cheeky smile added to it.

"All the more reason, I say there might be something wrong in your head. To think of commiting a suicide on such a beautiful night." He said, barely having any bite in his words.

"Weren't you taught that it's rude to pry into other people's business?"

"You are my business." He suddenly mentioned, throwing me off my balance with his careless words.

I parted my lips to say something in my defense, but the wind grew stronger and almost lifted up my gown. Following that heavy breeze, was the realisation that I was resting on top of a perfect stranger.

"For heaven's sake!" I cursed while standing up to leave, my eyes darted to my shoes which I had tossed away without any conscience.

I nabbed them both and held them tightly to my chest, with plans to walk back to the dinner party in my current state.

If anything, I was surely destined to face my hell here on Earth, in preparation for the one to come.

"I take it you can't sense it's going to rain." The voice of the man behind me distinctly said, stopping me in my tracks. I looked over my shoulder at him, displeased by the situation we found ourselves in.

"And you can?"

"I can smell it." His cryptic statement caused me to cock an all knowing grin at him.

"Rain isn't so sudden." I frankly told him before turnimg fully to take my leave, uncomfortable in his presence.

As though on cue, the clouds started to mock me, by pouring out sudden droplets of rain unto my black hair, down to my pale elbows.

Without having to look behind, I could imagine the wide grin on that man's face, as I had just made a complete fool out of myself.

He rested one hand on my shoulder, alerting me of his close presence. I trained my eyes to the warmth in his gaze as he stared at me with such fascination as though we had met previously.

"Shall we step inside?" His question was accompanied by his outstretched hand, suggesting we both take shelter in the abandoned mansion.

I could have declined and ran back from whence I came, or better yet, tried my chances with the well again. But for some reason, best known to the heavens, I took his offer and placed my hand in his, without hesitation.