The weeks after the ball were chaotic.

When the news of our engagement reached the media, it was in every news article the following day. It was the headline of every gossiping site and show. It was even publicized on my university's blog.

It was crazy.

Thankfully, it was currently our Christmas break. I didn't have to get out of the house every day like I usually do. Dad and Alec hired a bunch of bodyguards to make sure that no one from the media would be able to get close to our house and invade my privacy. Dustyn spent every chance he had in our house, bonding with me.

The more I spent time with him, the more I saw the change in the way he looks at me. I never noticed it before. But I often caught him staring at me with a smile and adoration shining in his eyes. He never says anything when I catch him. He just smiles even more and engages me with a conversation.

Christmas came. Dustyn decided to invite my family to their house to celebrate. He said, and I quote, "This would be good for mom." Contrary to what he thinks, I think his mom got angrier when we did have Christmas dinner together.

During dinner, she would find a way to criticize my every move. Every word I said, she turned against me. Dad and Alec weren't all too happy about that. However, Amelia was too happy to agree with Dustyn's mom. It was a stressful dinner for me. When we were done, I ran out of the house and into our car and waited for my family.

Dustyn apologized profusely for his mother's actions. He didn't let the night pass without the knowledge that I truly forgive him.

We didn't see each other again until New Year's Eve. This time, however, he chose to spend it with me. Just him and me. And a couple of our bodyguards.

It was ten in the evening, December thirty-one. I was reading one of my all-time favorite books, The Perks of Being A Wallflower when Alec told me to get dressed. I looked up from my book and tilted my head at him. I was genuinely confused.

"Are we going somewhere?" I asked him, still not standing up from my comfortable seat on our living room couch. Amelia went home to her hometown, alone. Dad didn't want to spend the New Year with her after the stunt she pulled on Christmas dinner.

Alec nodded. "You are. Dustyn is taking you out." He declared while typing profusely on his phone. "Go on now baby girl. He'll be here any minute."

Scratching my head in annoyance, I closed the book and went up to get dressed. I chose a simple champagne-colored dress with long sleeves. Picking up a black pair of boots with heels, I strapped them to my feet. Knowing the number of people outside and being completely clueless as to where Dy is planning to take me, I decided to put my long hair up in a ponytail. Lastly, I grabbed a thick coat and went downstairs.

I was not going to freeze to death this winter.

I found Alec in our living room, still focused on his phone. He seems frustrated as he sighs constantly while typing fast. Out of curiosity, I walked closer to him and carefully leaned on his back.

"Is that Rory?" I asked him in wonder as I saw just a heart shaped emoji as the person's name. It was honestly corny for him to do that. I feel like my brother is going through his teenage years because of a woman. It was extremely weird.

With eyes wide open, he turns to me. He recovers quickly and locks. his phone. "None of your business."

"It better be Rory," I said, rolling my eyes at him. "Or she can kiss your ass goodbye," I said, not liking the thought that Alec would be with anyone other than Rory.

"Tamara, you shouldn't talk to Alec that way," Dad said, reprimanding me for my behavior as he descended the stairs. "Invite Aurora over tonight, Alec." He orders Alec.

I turn to my brother with a smirk. "Yea, Alec. Invite Rory."

"She's probably busy." He said and looked away from us. He opens the television to stare at it.

"Alec," Dad said in a warning tone and sent a wink my way. Like me, Dad likes Aurora a lot.

I hide my amusement as Alec grumbles but dials someone on his phone, Rory I hope. He waits for a few seconds for the person to pick-up. Then, he talks in a gibberish manner before suddenly shouting. "Dad invited you for New Year's eve!!"

"Sir, Mr. Dustyn Franco is here." Emil, one of the bodyguards stationed on the front door informed us.

"Thank you," I said with a smile and picked up my coat and phone. "We're going out Dad," I told him, dropping a kiss on his cheek.

He smiles gently at me. "I know, honey. Now, be careful and make sure you wear your coat if you're going to stay outside for too long."

"Yes, daddy." I walked closer to the door. "Bye Alec!" I shout to Alec who is still on the phone, his eyebrow creased together in complete annoyance. Emil opens the door for me.

There, Dustyn's car was waiting. The driver's seat opened and Dy's figure emerged. I couldn't help the smile that found its way on my lips as I looked at him. Dressed in casual jeans and a long-sleeved black sweater. His hair is combed back and he looks as handsome as he always does.

"Dy!" I said in glee. I haven't seen him since the diner since he had to go to Asia to oversee a business conflict of some sort. Without another thought, I ran into his arms.

I sighed contentedly as his warm arms wrapped around my waist. He pulls me closer to him and sighs. I can feel my heartbeat increase or maybe it was both of our hearts. But at that moment, I couldn't think of anyone else to spend this evening with.

"You missed me, shortcake?" He asked me softly while his arms were still around me. I nodded my head that was on his chest. "Words, shortcake."

Pulling away, I look deep into his eyes. "I did. I missed you, Dy."

A satisfied smile pulls at his lips. "I missed you too. Let's go?" I nodded my head and he guided me around to the passenger seat. He opens the door for me, like a gentleman, and closes it right after. I sigh in relief at the warm air inside the car. I'm not gonna lie, it was cold outside.

"Where are we going?" I asked him as soon as he settled into the driver seat. He turns to me with a smile and drives out of our driveway. "Well?"

He chuckles. "So impatient. We're going to a party. Vero and Mark's."

My eyes widened in excitement. I haven't seen both of them since the engagement and charity ball. Although Dy left Vero in N.Y., she was busy helping the VP run the company under direct orders from Dy. I missed both of them, especially Mark. He's fun.

"Excited?" He asked me as we smoothly exited the city proper.

I nod my head. "Very!"

He laughs at my excitement. "Good. Some of our friends would be there. I think I invited Alec and Rory but they both declined."

"Alec doesn't do parties." I retorted.

He casts a glance at me and laughs. "Rory was the bait." I smile at that. Rory loves to party. I guess it was one of the big differences between Alce and her.

"Alright. We're here." He announced.

My eyes went wide with how loud and packed the place was already. I can hear the music pumping inside and I can see the people dancing wildly. "Wow."

"I know. They throw a good party." Dy said and exited the car. He walks around to my side and opens my door. "Now. Don't drink too much and try not to leave my side." He reminded me as he helped me get down from his car.

I nod my head, agreeing with him that too much alcohol would not be a good way to welcome a New Year. Besides, I didn't want a repeat of the last party I went to. I still have the memories from that and it was embarrassing. I don't think I was ready to be part of an embarrassing rumor mill when I got back to school.

As soon as we stepped on the front porch, the door opened and Veronica came out with a huge smile on her face. She opened her arms wide and engulfed me in a hug. Seeing her flustered face, I knew she probably had been drinking for a while. New Year is only one hour and a half away now. I guess the party has been going on for a while.

"Mara! I'm so glad you're here." She exclaims and releases me from her tight hug. She turns to Dustyn and slaps his shoulder, hard. "You better behave yourself and stay away from Stella."

Dustyn rolls his eyes at her. "Stop muttering nonsense and let us in. You're going to freeze us all to death." he reminded her before taking my hand and leading the way inside the couple's house.

Once we were in, we were immediately surrounded by the loud music I heard from the outside. It was so loud, the only thing I could hear was the music and nothing more. I can even feel the thumping on my ears because of it. Beside us, Vero spoke but I didn't hear a thing. I saw on my peripheral that Dy leaned in before I heard his voice whisper directly to my ear.

"Don't let go of my hand, shortcake. Vero's taking us to Mark." He warned. His warm breath made me shiver as it hit my neck. I could only nod my head at him.

He pulled me behind him as we walked through the crowd, in between the sweaty bodies on the dance floor. I watched as people started greeting him and even shouting his name as he walked by. It seemed that Dy was pretty popular with his friends and girls, as a few have already approached him. I was just thankful that he didn't do anything more than that because that would be awkward. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't know he's engaged since he did propose publicly. Finally, we made it to the other end of the room where a bar had been set-up and Mark was handing drinks left and right.

"Baby, they're here!" Vero announces and immediately walks behind the bar and kisses Mark on the lips.

Mark pulls away with a dazed look in his eyes and smiles before turning to us. "Glad you made it. Now, would you like a drink?"

"I'll just have a beer," Dy said, making me sit on the only stool available before his hands found my waist and settled there. "Nothing too strong for Mara, tho."

Mark turns to me then. "Hey, Mara. Vodka is good for you?"

I nod my head with a grin. "Thanks, Mark."

"Welcome, babe." He said, giving me a wink. Vero laughs loudly at her husband but doesn't say anything as she continues to take a sip of some kind of drink which is making her more hammered.

I laugh at him as Dy's hand on my waist pulls me closer to him. I turned to him and was surprised at him glaring at Mark. "If you call my shortcake that again, I'm going to punch you," he said to his friend angrily.

I elbow him, making his attention snap back down to me. His glaring eyes instantly soften as he looks down at me. "Be nice."

"That's right, Dust. be nice to me," Mark said, snickering as he did so. He seemed highly amused that Dy got angry at him for calling me 'babe'. "He never gets jealous before." He says again before placing a vodka in front of me and a bottle of beer for Dy.

"Shut up Mark. Before Vero loses a husband," he said threateningly. He takes a swig from his beer and places it back down on the counter.

"Don't take my baby away," Vero said with a pout and encircled her arm around Mark's neck. She's incredibly intoxicated by now. I can see the redness of her cheeks up to her neck now. She's also uncoordinated now as she stumbles around. Mark's arm circles around her waist and helps her stand straight.

"I think you're drunk, baby," Mark tells her with a laugh. Vero just stomps her feet and says no to him.

"What time did she start drinking?" I asked Mark as I continued to watch them.

"About eight? I forgot. Been partying for a while."

Just then, a beautiful blonde woman strolled up to the bar with a glass of champagne in her hand. She looks like a supermodel or someone who came out of a magazine with her poise and beauty. A smile slowly took over her face as her deep brown eyes settled on us.. or specifically on the man behind me. Without even casting a glance at me, she strolls directly to Dustyn and puts her arms around his neck like I wasn't there.

"Hey, handsome. Missed me?" she asked him. Her voice was low and sexual.

Anger spiked through me.

Throughout all this, Dustyn's hand on my waist never moved. He, however, shrugged the woman's hands off of him and guided me to stand in front of him. Blocking the woman's advances to him by using me as a shield.

I wonder how he knows her.

"Stella," he said, his voice cold and displeased with her presence. So this is the Stella, Veronica mentioned earlier. Didn't she tell Dy to behave?

She pouts at him like a little kid. "Aww. You used to call me Ella, honey."

Would I go to jail if I punched her? Her presence is starting to irritate me. I don't like the way she's talking to my fiancé.

Dustyn ignores her remark and proceeds to introduce me. "Shortcake, this is Stella, and Stella this is Tamara, my fiancée."

She looked at me and I saw her eyes turn into slits! "A little girl? Honey?" She said with malice as if my existence alone was a huge joke.

By now, Dustyn's hands were almost completely circling my waist. "Don't let her get to you shortcake." He whispered to my ear.

Oh, I won't. My hand is itching to slap the living daylights out of her as her eyes continued to rape my fiance.

"Leave them alone, Stella." Mark's deadly warning voice came from my left. And only then did I notice that the eyes of the other guests have been drawn to us. We're making a commotion.

"Whatever." She said to Mark before turning back to Dustyn. "I can make you happier honey. Call me." She said sexily to him before sneering my way and walking away.

Dustyn immediately turns me around and looks me in the eye. "You okay?"

I nod my head at him. I'm just glad that she left before I lost control of my unexplainable anger. That was the first time I felt that kind of anger. The kind that made me want to kill someone just for talking and looking at my man.

My man...

A smile appeared on my face as the realization hit me. Dustyn's lips also lifted in a smile as if he was relieved that I didn't get angry because of Stella. I just had to reassure myself that he is, after all, my man.

"Let's go dance, shortcake," Dy said. His hand that was on my waist now moved to engulf my hand. I gulp the vodka before letting him pull me away.

Dustyn moves us to the middle of the makeshift dance floor without any trouble. People just parted willingly when he walked by. He gently pulled me a bit closer to him and without a second thought, I started dancing to the upbeat music.

I was thankful that she didn't ignore me after the whole Stella accident by the bar. I was scared I would have to spend the rest of the night begging for her forgiveness. I'm glad she trusted me enough not to get jealous of a woman like Stella.

Right now, I am watching Mara closely as she dances to the upbeat music that was playing throughout the house. She seems to be having fun as she joins a group of girls who are also dancing.

Then the music changed.

It was slower. Much more intimate of a song than the last one. Slowly, people without partners pulled away from the dance floor. Pulling their respective partners, the once chaotic dance floor became quiet and calm.

Before Mara could walk back to the makeshift bar, I pulled her body close to mine. Turning her around, I watch her closely as her breathing becomes shallow. I place both of her hands on my shoulders while I put both of my hands on her waist.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Mark giving me a thumbs up with Vero sleeping peacefully on his lap. I give him a small shake of my head before turning my whole attention back to the woman in my arms.

She could barely look at me. She seems to have taken interest in my chest. I can see her eyes flit everywhere but at my eyes.

"Hey," I called her attention. Softly, almost breathless. I never understood what it is about this beautiful woman that made me thirsty for her attention. Each time her gray eyes met mine, I felt like I was finally able to breathe. To experience that instant relief. "Is my chest that interesting, shortcake?"

She pats my shoulder lightly, making me chuckle, before finally... finally meeting my eyes. Her gray eyes are expressive. No matter how hard she tries to hide her emotions, her eyes are a dead giveaway to it. "I'm embarrassed."

I look at her confused. "Why? Did I do something?" She shakes her head but says nothing. "Tell me." I coax her. My thumbs made a circling motion on their respective places on her waist.

"Ilikeyou."

"What was that?"

"I said, I like you," she repeated, this time her eyes showed the confidence she lacked just seconds ago.

I stared at her intently. I couldn't find the words I wanted to say. I was in too much shock to even utter a word of how I was feeling right now. This small woman is making my heart race without even batting an eye.

She doesn't know the extent of my feelings for her. I'm glad that she has started liking me.. more than a brother. It must be a difficult shift for her. She had always looked up to me as her older brother but now, she likes me. Things are looking up with my sweet shortcake.

"Y-you don't have to say anything," she mumbles and looks away. But before she did, I saw tears threatening to spill from her beautiful gray eyes.

Before I could reply, the music stopped and everyone started counting down to welcome the coming year.

"10..."

Using one of my hands, I placed my finger on her chin and guided her eyes back to mine. Now, she's definitely on the verge of crying her eyes out because of my lack of reply. I wanted to punch myself for looking at her stupidly after she just confessed her feelings for me. "You made me speechless."

"9..."

"You're never speechless," she replied.

"8..."

I shake my head at her silliness. "Oh, shortcake, everything about you makes me speechless. Completely and utterly speechless, breathless and in love." I wanted to add that even the thought of her makes me smile when I'm too stressed. Or the smile on her face whenever we see each other, makes me feel relaxed. Like I was finally home. Everything about Mara just makes me love her more than a person is probably capable of.

"7..."

"6...."

"5..."

"4..."

"3...."

"2...."

"1..."

"Happy New year shortcake," I said. My breathing hitched as I looked at her plush lips. Without a second thought, I claimed her lips.