An Inevitable Fate?

That didn't stop him from reaching her. Rachel took a step back.

"Don't play a nice guy here. You must be happy right now seeing me in the miserable state. Good for you, your dream came true. I won't be marrying anyone, happy?"

"Let's go back."

"I want too, but, I have lost my rights. All because of you."

Tears started to fill her eyes again. Then she remembered the time where a few bunches of women had spoken about her during the banquet.

She laughed out.

"Back at the banquet, you asked me why I was crying. You want me to tell? Hah, people were saying how I became from Ms. Rachel to Rachel Stein. They said now I am about to become Mrs. Darren. But guess what? Now, I will be rumored to become Mrs. Lee. Isn't it funny?"

Though she was laughing, the bitterness could be heard in her voice.

Aaron was boiling with anger. How dare they? He wanted to snap their necks right then and there.

Rachel took a deep breath before putting a fake smile.

"Okay, now that you have achieved what you wanted, you can stop this drama. I'm sick of you."

"Drama?"

"Yes, all of your I'm-in-deeply-and-madly-love-with-you drama. You can stop now."

Aaron couldn't believe what she was telling.

'All this time, she thought I was putting on a show?'

"You are stupid, do you know that?"

"Yes, indeed. I was stupid enough to make a promise back then. I was stupid enough to believe that you wouldn't play with me. I'm still stupid to believe that you will stop everything this instant."

Her voice trailed off at the end.

"I was right! You are stupid if you think I will stop this. You were in my past, present and you will be in the future in my life. No one can change this."

His tone contained danger.

Tears finally slipped from her eyes.

Past? Her past was dead. Present? She was paying her debts. Now, the future? She wouldn't dare to wish for anything.

"We are not meant to be together. There is nothing that can hold us together in the future. I am done in this lifetime. I have already caused enough pain for my parents. As of now, they might not wish to see me as well. I don't want them to hate me further. You are young and you will find a better woman in your life. Don't waste your time on this widow-unlucky-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a hand gripped tightly against her dry throat. He didn't apply great pressure but it was enough to choke her. He starred at her eyes, their noses being millimeter apart.

"Save your so-called-speech to someone else. There's no future for us? You must be blind. I can see a damn bright future with you and our children in our own little world. You don't get to say who I love or not. Understand?"

He was gritting his teeth in anger.

"Lea... leave... me...alone." Rachel choked on her words.

"Not in this lifetime!"

He unexpectedly pressed his lips on hers. He deepened the kiss as he slowly released his hands. Her lips tasted sweet despite tears on them. He slowly nibbled on her lips, moving from lower lips to upper lips.

After a few seconds, he pulled back from her lips. All the while kissing, Rachel hadn't moved a single muscle of her lips. She stood there, gritting her teeth and clenching the fists tightly.

Tears were still visible but the sadness was replaced with pure hatred and disgust.

Seeing her face, Aaron's heart turned cold. He c.a.r.e.s.sed her neck which had turned pale due to his strong grip.

Behind them, footsteps were getting closer.

"Take care."

He gave one last stroke on to her neck and left.

'Why am I still alive after all this humiliation?'

She rubbed her lips forcefully before putting a smile for her friend's sake. By now, the fake smile had become the most demanding accessory to her.

"Thank god, we found you!"

Crysta came to Rachel, panting. She had never run so much in her entire lifetime.

"What are you doing here?"

Rachel's eyes widened seeing Darren.

"I... I came out to get some fresh air."

Crysta rolled her eyes. Her friend was the worst lier on this earth.

Seeing that are-you-kidding-me look on Darren's face, Rachel felt guilty.

"I'm sorry. Something happened and I had to leave."

"We all know what is that 'something'! She must have lost her goddamned mind to speak to you like that. If I were you, I would have beaten her to death. What an ungrateful brat!"

"Crysta, stop it! She was right. It was my fault anyway."

"Right my ass! I should beat you up first!"

She was not sure why she was still friends with this woman.

"Will you both stop?"

Darren had enough.