IV. June 13th, 1989

The next day, Emmett proposed we go into the city and check it out. Of course, with guards.

We had a blast.

Emmett covered everything from the snacks to the shopping spree. I hate myself for not enjoying Emmett's generosity. It felt weird using someone else money so I had to cry to my parents and beg them to cover for me. I know my parents' money isn't my money, but they're still my parents. They're still mommy and daddy.

Emmett can be my daddy later when he proposes.

"How do you do it?" Gwen asked.

I take a bite of the yogurt, "Do what?"

"Be so positive."

I chuckle, "Me? Positive?"

What crack is she on?

Asena nods.

I grabbed the pina colada and sipped on it, "To be positive, you have to make yourself believe you're positive." Drizzle a little bit of alcohol on top of that bullshit and you got a recipe for happiness.

After the yogurt, we went to a jewelry shop. I nearly vomited blood when I saw the prices. I think that's the end goal of the Immortals. They want me to die from looking at the outrageous prices.

One of the ladies stands in front of me with a crazy smile, "May I help you?"

I turn back to see Asena and Gwen looking at a necklace. This morning, before Emmett recommended we go out, he told Asena that there was a ball in the royal palace. I'm under the assumption he wanted us to go along or else he wouldn't have said it in front of Gwen and me.

Bennett isn't lying when he says perhaps.

Since our clothes are for commoners, we need new ones. I mean, he didn't say that but he was implying it.

"Asena," Emmett walked into the store.

"Emmett."

When our eyes made contact he greeted me with a head nod and I returned his greeting with my own. Afterward, he supported Asena in choosing a new necklace. I raised a brow when I saw Emmett wrap his arm around Asena's waist.

That's a bit creepy, considering how he's her uncle.

"Pardon," the jeweler says, "Would you like to try the item on?"

I stare at the bracelet. There's no way I can afford the item. "Sure." Window shopping isn't illegal.

She grabbed the bracelet from the glass and clipped it on my wrist. It was fucking beautiful.

I know I'm not supposed to be an ungrateful human, and I know I have alot in comparison to others but I should have this bracelet in my life.

"That's cute," Gwen says.

I glance at her, "I know." I exhaled sadly before looking around, "Where are they?"

"They went upstairs. Emmett thinks the jewelry here isn't good enough." I look down at the bracelet in my hand, "What?!"

"I'm going with them. Coming?"

I turned back, "I'm going to stay here a little longer." Maybe, call and beg Steven for money.

"One of the guards is going to be with you," Gwen said.

I nod absentmindedly.

"Don't leave without him."

I nod again.

When Gwen left, I leaned against the glass and stared at the bracelet. I'm offended that Emmett thinks the jewelry here isn't good enough.

"I'll take that."

That voice sounds familiar.

My eyes move to the right to a pair of large rough hands, lean but muscular tanned arms, a white t-shirt, slender neck, sharp jawline, plump lips, and finally grey eyes.

Really deep grey eyes.

His eyes met mine and he smiled.

The jeweler grabbed the necklace from inside the glass and showed it to him. He tilted his head, "What do you think?"

I look behind me. Is he talking to me? "It's nice?"

"I'll take it."

The jeweler nodded and went to wrap the item. His eyes scatter to my wrist, "May I?"

"What?"

He pointed at my wrist.

"Oh! Sure." I try to take off the bracelet. It's not like I can buy it.

"It's okay." His hand rests above mine, and steadily he holds it.

Ba-dump.

His thumb ran over the bracelet, "I'll take this too," he said.

"Of course," the jeweler says. She extends out her hands and moves mine away from the man. When she unclips the bracelet, I run my hand over my wrist.

I wanted to enjoy how it looked a bit longer.

But, I'm not a paying customer so I don't have the right to complain even though what the man did was a bit rude.

"What are your thoughts on the ring?"

I look in front of me - no one.

I look behind me - no one.

Is he still talking to me?

"I'm sorry, but are you talking to me?"

He looked around the empty jewelry store and smiled again.

Ba-dump.

"Who else?"

I look around the case, "I guess that one is nice. I mean, it matches the necklace and bracelet-" that you rudely pry off my wrist. That bracelet was made for me dammit!

His smile only widened, "I'll take that one."

"For a girlfriend...or wife?" I asked.

He leaned downward, and his muscles only grew, "For a promise."

"Nice." I nod, "Lucky girl."

"Mind helping me with earrings?"

"Sure." I smack my lips. I guess I can give out some kindness today. I looked around the case, and oddly, the man kept his eyes on me.

The longer he looked at me, the harder it got to breathe

I squeeze my thighs to fight back the disgusting thoughts.

Such as, him pinning me against the glass case.

What's wrong with me?

First, Asena's uncle, and now, this random sexy stranger with a lover?

I must have a thing for forbidden romance.

"This one is nice," I said.

"I'll take that one too," he responded without looking.

My brows furrow together, "I'm sorry." I lean against the glass with one arm, "But, shouldn't you go shopping with someone who knows this girl a bit more?"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why should I ask someone who knows her, when she's here?"

I look around the empty store. My eyes went back to his, and I took a few blinks, "There's only us."

He maintains his smile.

I notice the jeweler and gasp. Of course. "You like the jeweler?"

Out of the blue, the man burst out laughing. With each ticking second, my face grew redder. Why do I feel embarrassed?

I looked at the exit for my guard, but he wasn't there. I thought Gwen said they left one for me.

After the laughter dies down, he sighs and smiles softly, "You're still the same."

"What?" I step back, "Do I know you?"

I would've remembered someone as gorgeous as him.

The man smiles before he reaches for me. When I flinch, his smile disappears for a moment, "Please," he says softly.

My fingers curled inward, and I exhaled softly. When he moved his hand closer, this time, I didn't flinch.

He places his cold hand on my cheek, "What are you doing here?" He whispers.

On vacation?

With my besties?

Potentially get murdered by one of my bestie long lost uncle?

"Um- wishing I can afford these things."

He sighs, "You're so silly."

I'm the silly one?

The man placed his other hand on my cheek and ran his thumbs across it, "College has been rough, hasn't it?"

"I guess?"

"Medical school after summer?"

My eyes widened, but it never left him, "Yes?"

Is this sexy stranger my stalker?

"You're confused."

Who would be in this situation?

I laugh awkwardly, "I don't think I'm the confused one here," I said.

The jeweler placed down an open box of the jewelry I selected earlier. With one bow, she left the room and went to the back room.

I'm a bit more nervous now.

"Your heart is beating terribly fast," he said.

"You're not going to kidnap me or anything right?"

"Not without your permission."

I laugh anxiously.

The man grabbed the bracelet and wrapped it around my wrist, "Now, let's hope this is enough for you to forgive me."

"Forgive you?" I question.

The man covered my eyes with his hand, "Mira. It's been a while."

Pardon?

"You're even more beautiful than the last time we saw each other. Do you remember? It was your 21st birthday. You went to the club to celebrate your first drink with your friends. You were, in this gorgeous pink dress and had the most beautiful smile on your face-"

Memories of vivid lights came dancing into me, and I could hear music in the distance.

It's interesting really.

How the brain has so much to offer, but at the same time, limits us so much. I guess that way, we can deal with memories - good or bad - much easier.

It was my 21st birthday, and I went to the clubs with my friends. I took my first shot in front of them and perhaps started my addiction to cocktails there.

My first glass of cocktail was brought by-

Who was it brought by?

"It's my birthday."

He smiled, "Your birthday?"

"Yeah."

"Mind if I buy the birthday girl a drink?"

I remember my friends were plaster-faced, but I was somehow still at the bar with this stranger. The music drowned out, and I could only hear and see him. He grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. In the dimmed hallway, his hands were on my waist. He lowered his head, and with his lips barely a few millimeters from mine, he whispered: "Happy birthday Mira."

One step after another, I found myself under his spell. Soon, clothes were on the floor, but I wasn't. My legs were firmly attached to his waist. When we landed on the bed, I could hear the sound of a belt unbuckling.

The morning was bright, and I saw myself on his lap. My head was on his shoulder and his hand was tangled in mine. He kisses my head, "Do you like it?"

My hand lifts into the air, and the pink diamond ring bathe in the sunlight. "I love it."

I heard a loud sound from behind and I looked back to see fireworks, close and personal. The wind brushes against my skin, and I turn back to see a couple resting on top of the roof. Their legs were tangled alongside their hands, "Happy New Year."

When I blinked, it was snowing outside the large window. I can hear a laugh in the distance. I turned back and saw myself running down the endless hallway. Behind me was the same man. He had a large smile as he chased after me, "Come back here!"

When he caught up to me, he lifted me from the ground and kissed me against the wall, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Mira."

The memories return one by one, but not all of them are happy ones.

"Mira!" He grabbed my hand and blocked me from my path.

"I can't do it," I cried. "I can't do this anymore."

He holds my red cheeks, "I'm sorry."

I shake my head, "Don't go. Please, don't go." I wrapped my arms around him, "Please. Stay with me.'

The happy and sad memories come with a cost - my sanity. The happy memories come as a friend; bright and happy.

Beautiful flowers, and broad smiles.

But, the sad ones, come in exact opposites.

Broken heart, and dried tears.

The tear dripped down my cheek, and with a shivering lip, I tried to say something; anything, but nothing came out.

When I opened my eyes, I could see his sad but relieved grey ones.

"Hey there, Mira."

"Lucian."