"You're happy right?"

Diana smiled at her brother who had always gone out , far and beyond to see her happy. Even now, he had her hand in his as the both of them looked over the crowd.

Diana leaned her weight against him, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Happy is such a small word for what I feel now, Max. I have you and him by my side. .what more can a girl ask for?" She sighed , watching the love of her life mingle with the guests.

"As long as you're happy, D. .as long as you're safe. Nothing matters much." He replied , his heart at peace.

His sister was finally happy again. It had been so long since the last time he saw twinkle in her eyes. Carelessness in her. He could see how Jake brought out the laughter and giggles from her.

She never giggled with him, he thought with a tender smile on his face. .

Guess his sister would never know how much he loved him. . speaking of love, his eyes searched the crowd for the one familiar face who had everything to do with his heart.

"I know who you're looking for." Diana teased , now straightening up.

"Glad to know." He said absently , not finding Emma. He left her there on the floor as he congratulated Diana. Maximus frowned at how she had reacted to Jake. .as if. .she knew him—

Maximus shook those thoughts away. Right now, he really needed to talk to her.

He had to!

Funny, how he missed her although he just left her. .

He missed her mouth more, Maximus grinned devilishly.

The passionate moment they had shared had him open up the top buttons of his dress shirt. The heat was getting to him. .but the AC was on full blast.

She was the culprit behind it.

Igniting him and leaving him all alone to suffer. .

Emma seemed to have surrendered all her secrets when his mouth covered hers. She didn't hesitate in returning the kiss. Her sweet sighs had him want her more. .

Shit! He needed to see her. .

No more games. No more hide and seek...

He wanted to be straight out.

Ask her out.

And do. . . stuff to her.

××××××××××××

Emma slipped into the empty room, her nerves tightening as she tried to tell herself. .it was going to be okay!

How did he find her? How did he trapped Diana?

What about mom?!

White hot terror ran up and down her spine. Her breaths turned sharp . . everything attacked her at the same time. .

Jake.

Diana.

Maximus.

She held her head.

What was she going to do?! How is she going to keep everyone safe? How the hell is she supposed to ask Diana to ditch him—

"Found you."

Emma whipped around , her eyes widening at the sight of him. Dressed in a three piece designer , he grinned at her.

"Long time no see. .I missed you, Em." He said in a gentle voice while taking a step towards her.

"Don't you dare. ." Emma warned getting back up, her heart yammering against her chest.

It was starting all over again. .

Jake gave her a cool look from top to bottom.

"You look. .hot. I'm giving you five stars on that. At least the dumb bitch has good choice." He said with a slight sneer.

Dropping the Mr nice mask.

Revealing his true self.

"You have no right to talk about her!" Emma bit back .

Jake smiled , a wolfish smile, as he took another step towards her . . watching her pupil dilating with fear. Seeing her look around helplessly.

How he missed that look on her face! The help me face. .

"I had to leave your mother for Diana. Divorce her. Oh don't give me that look for Pete's sake! I got tired of pleasing her wrinkly ass. She's fine if that's what you want to know. Also I have every right to talk about Diana." He raised his ring finger in glee.

She's fine.

Mom is fine.

Emma felt the courage get back in her . Her eyes blazing at him.

"How can you destroy lives?! How can you play with Diana?! All this for ...what?!"

She turned breathless with anger. Disgusted.

The second she blinked, he moved like a snake! Snatching her by the wrist—Emma gasped colliding with his hard body. Her wrists pinned to his chest as she tried to struggle.

×××××××××××××

"She's in Diana's room."

A maid informed him as she bowed and left.

Maximus suddenly felt unsure. And it was such a foreign thing for him . To feel unsure. .be hesitant. .be cautious. .

He moved his hand in his hair, ruffling them in waves .

A small smile played on his full lips as he watched the door.

"So this is it huh?" He said to himself. "She's the one." Maximus grinned and then shaking his head at his thoughts he moved..

His hand wrapped around the bolt and—

He halted because the door was already slightly open. A crack through which he could see—

Curious, he peered in.

××××××××××××

"This engagement is nothing but a fuckery, Emma! I love you! You're the only one I have ever thought about! It doesn't matter if I'm with Diana or a dog! I think of you. ."

Emma's back was to the door as she tried to pull back but his vice like grip didn't let her breath or budge.

Jake pulled back, his hands leaving her wrists and cupping her face in a harsh manner. Forcing her to look at him.

"Why can't you see what I did what I'm doing for you? I promise you I'm a changed man now. I don't need Diana or anyone. .I only want you. ."

Emma shivered at his vile touch.

"If you don't want to be with her why don't you leave her?!! Why play ?!! Why Jake?!!"

×××××××××××××

The fragile world he had build came crashing down at hearing her speak bitterly.

Cold dread filled his insides.

At knowing what had been happening behind their backs. .

Green eyes watched them in each other arms. A hole opened up in his heart, swallowing all the love eagerly and leaving nothing but misery behind. Maximus raised his hand, clutching at the fabric of his shirt right over his heart. .

He was burning.

Alive.

Maximus couldn't help but stumble back. Not at all believing his ears. .not at all knowing what was happening inside him? So long he had believed every woman to be like his mother and she . .Emma changed that.

With her innocent eyes and pure soul she had changed the direction of his thoughts to the point he didn't recognize his old self. .

All this time. .she had been playing along with him. . using his feelings against him.

Every step he took seemed so heavy. .

So heavy as if shackled to the ground.

The sudden suffocation had him take off his jacket as he tried to breath .

"If you don't want to be with her why don't you leave her?!! Why play ?!! Why Jake?!!"

He swallowed hard.

His green eyes turned ice cold.

He clenched his fists.

I love Diana more than anything in this world. To be honest, she's my entire world.

Jake's voice echoed around him.

Maximus shut his eyes. An image of Emma wrapped in Jake's arms presented itself , forcing him to open his eyes back.

Emma. .

The one person he trusted the most had gone back and plunge a knife in his back.

The person he loved the most—

He loved her. .

He loved her and she killed him.

××××××××××××××