The past few days went by peacefully. I spent a lot of time with Daniel after work. Although I would like to say that it was against my will, I really enjoyed time with him. We would be home and talking most of the time, about his work and sometimes even about his childhood.

Daniel would ask about my day at work, but I would reply saying that it was just the usual. However tonight, Daniel insisted that I show him one of my textbooks about medicine. I refused at the start but after all the improvements we've made between us, I pulled out my textbook and let him look through it. His face brightened like a kid with candy.

We were sitting in the livingroom, as Daniel flipped through the pages often asking about a few terms that he wasn't aware of. I tried my best to explain the meanings to him and somehow he connected medical prcedures with business tactics. Soon, Brother walked in and also sat down with Daniel and looked through it as well.

" Well, lucky me. I do not have to remember all this. I do not have the brain for that. Jeez, how do you do this?" Brother asked as I smiled softly. " You should not memorise this. We have to learn it to understand better about our body and then learn how to treat it." I replied, trying to pry the book away from Daniel. He shot a playful glare at me before continuing to read.

" Oh my. Hannah, princess is that you?" A familiar voice rang across the living room. I stiffened, very visibly as Daniel and Brother looked up. I did not want to turn and face the person who has been haunting my life for several years. " Uncle..." Brother's voice had hardened, remembering what he had done to me. Daniel soon caught on, and glanced between and me.

stood in front of me, waiting for me to acknowledge . I could hear a pair of heels strutting towards us, which I presumed would be Mother. " Hannah, can you be any more impolite? He's your uncle, welcome him. Now!" She demanded, as I stood up with shaky legs to . " G-good evening, Uncle," I greeted with my voice wavering.

" Always with the formal greetings. Come here," replied before pulling me into arms. arms wound around my waist tightly and pulled me very close to . My breath had stuck in between my throat, not wanting to dislodge itself. " I have missed the lovely feeling of your body against mine..." whispered in my ear and then proceeded to let go of me. I stepped away from as discreetly as I could and felt another arm wound around my waist.

I turned my head and saw Daniel's reassuring gaze. was about to hug Brother but he stepped away from . He brushed it off and sat down, gesturing us to do so too. I was just thinking of a way to get away from the room when Mother pointed out that I should get some beverages for the guest. I nodded and almost ran out of the room and into the kitchen.

I leaned against the kitchen counter as I fought to catch my breath. All the pain and the memories were rushing back. There was a strange ringing sound in my ear as my vision started to blur. I breathed and breathed as I started to move about the kitchen, pouring some lemon tea that Daniel had made as my hands trembled. After adding a slice of lemon to each glass, I placed them onto a white tray and started to bring them out.

Pushing the tremors down, I stumbled out of the kitchen towards the living room. A few pairs of eyes lingered on me. Brother's eyes were on me, predicting the next move of everyone so that he could remove me from the situation, I think. Daniel's eyes were on me, on the standby to catch me if I suffered a panic attack in front of everyone. And eyes lingered on me with an intention I definitely did not want to know.

After handing out the tea, I stood a little farther from everyone. " Brother, I invite you to stay with us." Mother insisted, looking cheerfully at . placed the cup down and replied, " Only if Hannah's husband does not mind." gazed fixed onto me, as it raked in my body. I shuddered, as slightly as I could but I couldn't hold it in.

" Mrs Moore, actually, I don't want to seem rude but your stay here is overwelcomed. As you know, Hannah and I are not exactly newly weds. But we still do need our privacy. If you could kindly leave as soon as possible, that would be very much appreciated." Daniel spoke, before taking a sip of the tea. My eyes were not the only ones that were wide.

Mother's and Brother's were as well. looked angrily at Daniel before gaze slid to me. I immediately understood what eyes spoke. ' This is not over yet,' I took another small step behind. " What do you mean, Daniel?" Mother's voice quaked as she wringed her hands together. " What he meant is for you to pack up and get out of his house, jelly bean," deciphered for Daniel whilst Daniel just shot Mother a smile. Mother stood up urgently and walked furiously towards her room.

Silence hung around the living room. Even though my eyes wanted to dart to Daniel's, they remained fixed onto the floor. Mother walked back out with two suitcases in tow. " The both of you really are a match made in hell. An ungrateful child and an ungrateful son-in-law. Let us leave Brother. We do not have to associate with people like them," Mother informed and walked out of the room. stood up and left together with Mother, after eyeing me.

Once their presence was no longer felt in the living room, Daniel's posture softened. I placed the tray on the circle table and sat down next to Daniel. " It's ok, they are gone now. You don't have to worry. He won't be able to do anything to you while the both of us are here for you," Daniel assured as Brother nodded in agreement. The cheerful mood between us had been destroyed. We sat around for a while before Brother returned back to his room. Daniel said he had to make a few business calls.

I decided to take some fresh air so I walked to the balcony. The wind blew in one direction. I leaned against the railing as I thought about a few things. I had zoned out a little that I had not realised that Daniel was behind me. He had to grasp me shoulder slightly to get my attention. He moved to my side and wrapped his arm around my waist. " Hannah, he is not going to be able to do anything. I'm here with you, ok?" Daniel reassured me again as I laid my head on his shoulder. He chuckled a little before laying his on top of mine. " I am just being paranoid, I guess." I muttered back to him.

" Well, Matt is coming back..." Daniel paused, as I jerked my head back to look at him. " Really? Matt is coming back? I thought you said that he was taking a vacation? Are you forcing him to work? You should not-" Daniel's hand shut my mouth and he chuckled once again. " No, no. He wanted to come when I spoke to him a few days ago. When I told him you moved back in with me, he immediately wanted to return back. I managed to convince him to come tomorrow instead," Daniel informed, finally removing his hand from my mouth. I hummed slightly to acknowledge what he said and stared out to the garden view. " I got something for you..." He pulled out something from his pocket.

" It is beautiful, Daniel. Why would you waste money like this?" I gasped and looked up to see Daniel sporting a sheepish look. " Oh come on, I've never bought you anything and you scold me for buying something for you. Hmph..." he huffed and turned away from me. The urge to laugh was very strong but I just settled for a toothy smile. I gazed at the bracelet once again and ran my finger across our initials.

" Ok, ok. I am not scolding you..." I pacified him as I wrapped my arm around his. In a swift moment, he turned around and pulled me up close to his chest. As his arms wrapped around me, his humming filled warmth in my body. " Everything will be ok, don't worry," Daniel reassured once again.

Well, I hope so...