''Luke, stop'' I exclaimed bursting into a fit of giggles. He smirked and stopped tickling me for a moment.

''No, can do babe'' he replied in his deep husky voice leaning closer. My heartbeat accelerated; I didn't understand what the most popular guy in the Uni saw in me, and I didn't understand why he would ever date someone as boring as me in the first place; he could have any girl he wanted, hell, they literally worship the ground he walks on, but he chose me, the quiet boring girl, and I was glad.

I gulped when I saw his eyes dropped on my lips, he smirked wider leaning closer.

''Calm down'' he whispered, his lips inches away from mine. I felt as if my heart will come out of my chest, it was beating that rapidly. His breath fanned my lips while his gorgeous hazel eyes fell on mine.

I let out a shuddering breath.

''We don't have to do anything if you don't want'' He whispered, his eyes moving from my eyes to my lips.

His statement warmed my heart because I could see the lust and desire swirling in his eyes.

''I want to'' I whispered back and stood on my toes, encircling my arms on his neck. I closed my eyes and leaned in, inhaling his manly scent while his soft lips met mine.

~~~

The chilly wind blew making me shiver. The stars in the sky glimmered while the half-moon smiled. I stood on the balcony; to spend some time alone, to think about everything that happened inside. Or process with whom I just met.

No matter how many times my mind screamed that he cheated on me; my heart didn't care, it just ached.

I believed in him, I trusted him, only for him to stab me in my back. And now he was here, for reasons I don't know why. He still looked gorgeous, he still young and handsome, he still looked like the man I once adored but that was all in the past.

''It's cold here'' a chilly voice gravely muttered standing beside me. I knew who it was and I didn't have the power of being surprised to see him standing beside me, as if everything was fine.

''I know'' I replied looking ahead. The leaves were falling from the trees; caressing the ground. When something as strong as a tree cannot hold a leaf how can a man hold his life?

''It's cold yet beautiful out here'' he muttered. I nodded. The trees were decorated with fairy lights giving them life while small balls of golden light covered the arena.

The sound of the wind echoed, while we stood there in silence.

Silence is something I wanted, in my bustling loud life of mine, silence is something I rarely got.

''He's your ex'' he whispered, it was not a question, it was a statement. I raised my head to look at him, only to see he was staring ahead. He wore a black Gucci suit with his hair styled back. Something within me warmed with him standing beside me.

But how did he know?

I don't think it came to any surprise that people come to know somehow what's going on in my life.

''He is'' I removed my gaze from him and stared at the tree, at how the leaves were falling out of it.

''What happened?''

''He cheated''

He didn't say anything else nor did I. it's as if we were alone but we were not.

''Our kiss'' he started and my gaze went back to him, only to see him already staring at me. His ocean blue eyes were darker, something changed in them, and I couldn't decipher what.

''Can we-''

''Yeah, we can gladly forget that'' he cut me off with an emotionless face. It felt as if someone clenched my heart, I gulped and nodded nonetheless. I wanted to tell him, we can talk about that later but he had no interest in that, surely he had more colorful nights to fulfill his mind with something else, why would a kiss bother him, right?

As much as it's hard admitting it out loud, a part of me liked him, a part of me liked being held as if I needed to be protected, and a part of me liked being desired, by him.

But it was only for that moment. The moment which will never be repeated.

''How did you know'' I asked bringing my gaze back to the tree.

''He's my cousin'' he replied gravely.

I didn't bother to hide the shock in my face; I didn't know if the universe playing a joke with me or my fate was just laughable.

''Your cousin'' I nodded. It was too much to take in.

And how ironic, the two men I liked ended up being a family. My life is just hilarious, why wouldn't it be, I couldn't even control my heart it just ended up beating for the cousin, who was on top of that my brother's best friend.

We remained quiet we didn't say anything else, we just stood there, immersed in our thoughts.

Do you know what's the beauty of night? It brings out the light in the darkness; the thousand stars in the dark hue, the moon's light.

''Elli''

My body froze. The name I had heard so many times, echoed in my ears once again. I didn't want to turn around but I knew I had to. I couldn't run, not anymore. I needed to face this and close this chapter for all and for good.

''Luke'' I replied nodding my head, I was glad my voice was strong and not weak. His eyes moved to the man standing beside me.

''Sebastian?'' He voiced out his confusion, moving his eyes for me to him with his eyebrows furrowed.

''What are you doing here?'' He asked straightening himself and looked at Sebastian.

''I was just leaving, I came here to get some air'' Sebastian said nonchalantly and walked off. I kept staring at his retreating figure and thought about how much of an asshole and a heartless bastard he was.

A mockery of my situation.

They were brothers, after all. One broke my heart by squishing it in his hands while the other just shot and killed the breaths left in it.

I stared at the Hazel-eyed boy, who once warmth my heart, but now filled me with loathing.

''Elli-'' I stopped showing my palm and received my ringing phone.

''Hello''

''Where are you?'' Jacob uttered. I cleared my throat.

''I was just coming, I was in the washroom'' I lied.

''Okay come fast, the CEO will be starting his speech'' with that he hung up.

I looked at the man standing in front of me. He was still staring at me through his hazel eyes and as usual patiently waiting. I never understood how someone as perfect as him would ever have flaws, well, that's cleared that there is no human being without flaws and that none is perfect.

''We can talk later if we ever do'' I stated and started walking out but before I could take another step, a hand enclosed my arms. I stiffened, something about that touch didn't feel right at all and you know what's weird he used to always hold my arms or me, so why did his touch feel so foreign?

I yanked my arms off his hold. My anger simmered in my veins, I didn't want to give him a reaction. Eliciting a reaction meant I cared, which I did not.

''Let me go, Luke. I have wasted enough time for a lifetime on you, I cannot afford more. I have a job that's waiting for me'' I calmly replied yet fire burned in my eyes.

Without looking back at him, I walked off.

Strolling through the glass doors I was quickly greeted with the scent of rich perfumes. Everyone was scattered while the throng of people I was searching for, was standing in a group. With a wide smile on my face and hiding any ounce of sadness in my eyes, I walked towards them.

Thank god for waterproof makeup, otherwise only I know I would have looked like a witch.

''Hey!'' Jen softly called out, immediately standing beside me when I neared the group.

''Hey,'' I smiled. She furrowed her eyebrows and swept her eyes in my face for any sort of expression.

''Are you fine?'' She asked lowering her voice.

''I am'' I nodded with a smile.

Across us, Maver was talking with a group of men but I noticed how often he would glance at me. I nodded meeting his eyes he did the same with a small smile.

Mave moved his body towards us and stood beside me. Just before he could open his mouth, Jacob stood in the podium and announced,

''Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention and invite on stage the new CEO of Henderson Inc. who would be continuing the legacy of the Henderson's'' Jacob smiled in the mic.

Everyone clapped but no one from the crowd made any move.

Suddenly someone did and walked on the stage, while everyone boisterously clapped. My breath hitched while bile rose in the pit of my stomach.

No way.

This is not happening.

Tell me is a bloody disgusting joke the universe is playing with me.

''And ladies gentlemen, please may I have a round of applause for our new CEO, Mr. Luke Miller Henderson!''