“So… How do you feel?” Rachel asked Sarah as they moved towards their room.

They had their dinner with Liam, after he came uninvited. Sarah is so confused with everything happening with her that she didn't pay much heed to his talks. But that wasn't a problem. He didn't say anything important.

“I.. I don't know…” She replied with a sigh.

“I think I didn't feel anything. Like, anything...!” She completed, frustration clear in her voice.

They entered their room and Sarah jumped on the bed without changing.

“What is happening with me?! Why me only?” She cried in irritation.

Rachel gave her sympathetic look and went towards the dressing table.

“He is coming to the cruise party too. Get to know him there. That's what you wanted, no?” Rachel spoke taking off whatever minimal makeup she wore.

“Yeah… But…” She trailed off.

“But what Sarah?” Rachel asked, turning to her.

“Amm.. nothing.” She replied short and walked towards the washroom.

The fact was, she wasn't confused. Actually, she didn't want to acknowledge things going in front of her eyes. Why? To get her life going the perfect way it was going.

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For once. Just once, she didn't want to think about this marriage thing now. This topic has turned her life a chaotic mess.

"I am going to reception for a minute Sarah..." Rachel said, as she moved towards the door.

Sarah just waved her hand at her and continued to give final touch ups to her make up.

She just wants to have some fun at this party. Use this opportunity as a stress buster. But look at her luck, even there she will have to meet Mr. Late Liam.

He stood her up, disrespected her time and feelings and he gets a chance, while Adrian doesn't. That one question keep gnawing at her heart. Was she doing right by both of them and herself?

She sighed and closed her make up kit. She heard a knock and rolled her eyes.

"Why she has to knock when she has the key?" She grumbled and got up to open the door.

There he was. Looking more handsome than she first meet him. Adrian.

"Hi!" He gave her cute boyish grin.

His kids are gonna be very cute by God! What the hell I am thinking?

"What do you want?" She asked rudely, setting her gaze behind him.

"Bad manners Sarah. You should atleast invite me in, no?"

"No." He sighed.

"I just wanted to give you this." He pulled a box from his inside coat pocket.

It looked like a box of some exquisite pen. Was he gifting her pen?

He opened it, only for her find an elegant pendant.

Wow. She gasped.

"Why.. I can't take this. I am sorry."

She denied now matter how high her temptation was. What else option she has? Accept it and lead him on? Or be a bitch by taking it and rejecting him? She should not give into her temptation.

"Sarah... Last night, I was out, looking around. The moment I saw this, I knew it is made for you. Please take it."
And please take me too...

She gulped. First her temptation and now his pleadings. She can resist her temptation but not his pleadings.

"How do you always know?" She asked tying her hands on her chest.

He grinned.

"When it comes to you, I just know. I have never been like this before."

"Yeah. Slowly descending into madness." She walked near her vanity, allowing him in.

"If you think that I will ask you to accept me with this gift, then no. I just wanted to gift you something."

She frowned at him, turning back.

"I don't believe you."

"Oh. That you never do. You are going for the party na? Please wear this. It will go with your dress."

Then she looked at herself in the mirror. He was right. He lied to her na? Made her feel like a fool for not knowing how his supposed date look? So... Let's be the bitch.

He forwarded the box and she took it.

"Don't blackmail me later on." She said sternly, taking out the pendant.

She tried to wear it but her open hairstyle made it difficult for her. He stepped ahead silently offering his help, making her look at him through mirror.

"Allow me..." He said, gently taking the pendant from her hands.

What a gentleman. And there is that stupid Liam.

She slowly gathered her hairs bringing them on her one side, allowing him to put it on her. He clasped it slowly without any touching and stepped back immediately. Boy! He knew his boundaries.

Her heart fluttered at his simple gesture. He was going round and round for her to say yes. He could have easily grasped the opportunity to tease her but no, he didn't.

"Thank you..." She whispered, her cheeks turning pink.

"Thank you for accepting it."

She smiled in return.

"You look like you are ready to leave. Want me to drop you?"

"You say as if you yourself aren't a tourist here..." She said making him chuckle.

Her phone rang breaking their sweet bubble.

"Yeah Rachel. At reception? Okay." She talked on phone as he waited for her patiently.

"I have to leave." She said while picking up her clutch and keeping her phone in it.

"Ah.. ya. Sure. Bye." He said and left her room.

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"Ma'am, there is a call for room 309. You are from room 309, right?"

Oh.. so she is the know-it-all receptionist that Sarah talked about. Rachel rolled her eyes and nodded. The receptionist forwarded her the receiver and she took it.

"Hello..."

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU NOT PICKING UP MY CALLS RACHEL!!"

She had to take the receiver away from her ear for a second.

"What do you want?" She asked annoyed.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WHAT I WANT? I AM DYING HERE TO KNOW HOW ARE YOU THERE!"

"Stop shouting, will you?" She said in a hushed angry tone.

She can hear him sigh on the other side.

"Rachel, you called and then you didn't speak anything and hung up on me. Was I supposed not to worry?" He asked in irritation.

"I didn't know what to talk to you then." She said in a whisper.

He sighed heavily.

"Rachel.... Let's go."

She heard Sarah walking towards her all ready for the cruise party.

"I will talk to you later Ethan." She said in hushed tone.

"But Rachel-" The call was already cut.

"Who was it?" Sarah asked curiously.

"Your idiot of a brother." Rachel grumbled and walked out with Sarah following her.

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