Emma made her way through the bustling crowd of the party. Her floor length blue dress was strapless and hugged her figure in a marvelous way. She could sense heads turning towards her but surprisingly she didn't feel nervous. Maybe it was Evan's revelation, that hit to the center of her heart had probably managed to numb her for good.

Two bars were set at two ends of the huge hall to manage the liquor thirsty stampede of youth.

Emma pushed passed the swaying sweaty bodies of the drunk party animals who were already out of their senses and made her way to one of the bars. The sexy looking bartender's both hands were busy wooing the people surrounding the counter with his technics and skills with the bottles and quenching their demands by handing them shots after shots of colorful liquids. Half of the people were already wasted around. So many pairs of so called lovers were making out in various dark corners.

When finally the bartender got the opportunity to look at her, well he looked at her up and down smiling brilliantly.

"Two shots of tequila." She ordered in a low voice.

This was the first time Emma would be consuming alcohol, she had seen Evan and his friends getting wasted with those. She had heard their conversation of how this liquid heaven could make you forget of everything. She wanted to forget tonight, she wanted to try make all this pain let go, because her heart knew how long she had been holding her broken pieces together and she just physically couldn't anymore.

Two pegs were slammed before her by the smiling bartender.

"Here you go...", he sang rhythmically with the beat that the DJ was playing right then and strolled to the other side to attend the desperate others.

Emma first sipped it carefully, it felt stinky making her to almost puke but the next moment she threw it down her throat in one go and tightly closed her eyes. The liquid burned through her throat and stomach proudly announcing its arrival to her system.

It was wrong, so wrong what she heard, because it didn't feel like she was forgetting anything. She felt her emotions coming very close to surface now.

What if what Evan said were true, what if she was truly the reason why their mother was dead. It was indeed true that if she weren't born their mother would have not died through childbirth. She had watched her dad suffering each and every moment in the absence of his life partner.

Without pondering over what would be benefits of getting drunk anymore, Emma downed the second one too, in one go. Now the burning in her throat and stomach became pleasureful. It was making her thoughts going blur. Maybe if she swallowed some more of this magical water, she would be able to find the desired outcome.

"Four more."

Her voice came out croaked, when she turned to see the bartender raising a brow towards her, she felt the whole hall was spinning a little. How did that happen?

She downed the first one and squeezed the lemon upon her tongue, that helped to keep it encaged in her stomach and control the spinning a little. Well, not for too long.

It was her fault, mom had died because of her. Evan had been hurting because of her. Her own elder brother who was supposed to love her, protect her had been feeling nothing but hate for her. What had she done to deserve this!

She downed the second one and was going to the third when a big hand upon her shoulder made her to snap up her head towards the intruder. The hurried movement of her head made the spinning sensation to return again now added with a churning to puke, she swore there was seriously something going wrong in her stomach otherwise why would it gurgle silently like that.

"I can't believe this. The Emma! The goody two shoes is getting drunk over here!!"

She squinted her eyes to see who it was, he seemed familiar. Yes, he was a member of the popular gang, one of the bullies. The way he was checking her out made bile rise up in her throat, seriously not helping with all the recent misconducts in her stomach.

"And you look damn hot hun..."

The drawling words trailed off as Emma brushed away his hand from her shoulder and stood up to leave, to go away from this disgusting piece of shit. But he held her wrist immediately making her stop in her way. The next second she felt his alcoholic breath fanning over her shoulder as he whispered in her ear.

"You know, my girlfriend couldn't make it to the party tonight. So why don't we have some fun."

He suggested boldly or rather just stated it. Emma tried freeing her wrist from his grip.

"Go find someone else, Jerk." She spat out.

Was it the alcohol talking or all the out of the edge mental pain, Emma wondered. Emma's eyes fell across his shoulder to the other corner of the hall. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest at the sight. There, in a red love seat, Brandan was sitting with Melissa leaning into his arms. With a smug look Melissa said something in Brandan's ear caressing his hair with her perfectly manicured fingers while Brandan threw back his head and laughed.

Emma's heart stopped beating for a long second after which it suddenly started its rhythmic pace only to make sure she heard clearly its music of breaking. Brandan leaned down his head when Melissa lifted her chin up, eagerly meeting his awaiting lips. Emma couldn't even master up the strength to push back the tears that made their appearance through her eyes. She couldn't even look away as the two of them kissed.

She didn't realize when she was dragged into the dance floor, she just stumbled across the crowd like a lifeless statue. It was when she felt herself smack against someone's body and hands surrounding her waist, she felt a jolt of panic run up her spine. Emma lifted her eyes up to see two disgusting lust filled eyes looking back at her and she never felt so scared ever before.

Scared and agitated Emma pushed at his chest trying to get away but he was stronger.

"Let go, you moron!" She thrashed and sobbed. Not just this helpless situation but all the hurt she had been bearing in her broken heart, twisted in her guts with animosity.

A dark chuckle, that was what she got as reply before the grip around her waist tightened and a set of rough lips touched her neck nibbling and sucking on her skin roughly. Panic filled her whole being as she was losing all hope to save herself from this molestation.

Another loud sob escaped her lips, it got lost in the crazily loud music across the hall. Coming to the party was a bad idea, her brain screamed at her maddeningly.

Suddenly Emma felt all his forceful touches all over her body leave as that pathetic excuse of a man was pulled away off her with a yank.

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Sitting in the love seat, with Melissa surrounding her toothpick like arms around him like a proper snake made Brandan squirm. A broad smile was pasted across his face though, no one wanted a plastic barbie to begin whining just because their boyfriend was not smiling. He couldn't wait to untangle himself from her.

It turned out that the lingerie trick had worked just fine, as planned. Melissa was putty into his hands yet once again. But things that followed were not how he had planned. While sexual relief could be found in Melissa's body (thankfully), he had yet to find some mental peace. Images of Emma in light of fire in Bernis, her kind act in the mall and at the back of their college building, her laughter and her tears... everything seemed to be making a tidal waves inside his head, all the time.

He was so disturbed with his new weird, sick self that he couldn't even join the bully group yesterday morning. And when by the end of the day Melissa had once again surrounded Emma with her pack of cackling minions, Brandan had to practically storm away from the scene. The scene that he had encouraged Melissa to begin which he knew would break Emma some more. But he was yet to locate the reason why he couldn't bear to stay and see the scene unfold.

Brandan sighed and light scratches of Melissa's long fingernails behind his ear made him come back to the present. He flicked Melissa's hand away.

"Don't scratch me like I'm your dog." Brandan narrowed his eyes at Melissa. He was getting pissed at her ways, and he was getting pissed so bad.

Immediately, Melissa's lips were pressed into a thin line.

Go ahead, get mad again. One more lingerie would be enough to get you back, bit**. Brandan looked away carelessly.

He was already quite wasted and the effect of all the consumed alcohol had started to show, all thanks to the call of bottoms up from one of his friends right after he set foot in the party. But still he felt a little thirsty, maybe a beer or two wouldn't do any bad. Come on, it was his motto to not leave a party till he was completely drunk. Thinking this, his eyes wandered to the bar across the hall, he saw a very attractive figure leaning against the counter, drinking away like she had just went through a nasty break up.

Her floor length dress was kissing the tiled floor sensually. Her curvy figure, dark brown hair... well, he noticed how her shining hair and silky skin looked so similar, like he had seen them before, like he had known her before.

Brandan felt it difficult to tear his eyes off of her. Melissa was blabbering some nonsense in her nagging voice but all his senses were calling out for the girl over there. Who the hell was she?

Then he watched one of his friends approach her, or was he trying to molest her? Then, the girl turned around, he saw her face and his breath got stuck in his throat. Damn it! it was Emma. But how? She looked different, and damn, she looked hot.

And so beautiful, his fool of a mind sitting upstairs added while at the same time, downstairs, his heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.

Brandan decided it was all the drinks in his system talking. In order to clear his head he forced himself to look away from her and at the plastic model sitting beside him. Melissa kept talking about all the rubbish things mostly self-praising indirectly. Done being mad? That soon! Brandan wondered why he was dating this girl? then he remembered, yes - because she was really good in the bedroom but it had also crashed for some unknown reason recently, so he started thinking about the most suitable and safe way to end things with her. He would have to throw a nice diamond necklace at her and she would be happy, hopefully. No crying, no complaining, no fussing over silly promises and expectations. Yep, a necklace would have to do. After all, which girl doesn't like jewelleries?

A voice in the back of his head said - Emma.

Brandan had been starting to notice that Emma was indeed not a gold-digger according to his assumption. Undoubtedly, she was a nerd, but there was something so unique about her, something so unusual. Scarcely, that unusual seemed to make him curious. Added to that was the moments he had seen her being so kind with people, even animals around. But that didn't mean he had backed off of his decision, of his determination to ward off the so called bride his father had chosen for him. This damned arranged marriage had to stop. So, of course, the bullying sessions in the college continued like always. But apparently, their college days had come to an end too. What now?

Brandan couldn't think anymore as Melissa leaned down and whispered something in his ear. Melissa sometimes seemed so funny, or maybe it was the alcohol, he didn't care though. He let himself laugh throwing his head back while pushing all the other thoughts of certain people in the back of his mind.

He was curious about Emma but that didn't mean that he was ready to explore her in some other way. Emma was the commitment type, not a girl getting fucked around. And more than that, she was the college nerd. And Brandan had a reputation to save. His friends wouldn't approve of her, even worse, they would laugh at him. Brandan couldn't let that happen. Right now here was Melissa in front of him, a hot and willing girl and like a perfect player he would take the advantage, even if that was for the last time. He would be getting rid of this girlfriend soon.

He leaned down towards Melissa and she met his lips eagerly. As his tongue collided with hers, he heard a moan escape her throat. It was so inaudible in the heavy music but they were so close, pasted against each other. Panting, Brandan ripped away his mouth from hers, it didn't feel right. Damn! Once again, for some reason, for some weird - unknown reason, kissing Melissa seemed anything but right.

His eyes then trailed off towards the dance floor and what he saw made his blood boil in rage, an earthly amount of rage. His rubbish excuse of a friend was all over Emma and he was touching her like...

Not being able to just sit back there and watch this disgusting scene unfold anymore, Brandan sprang up to his feet. Withing minutes Brandan was standing behind the guys he called his friend, groaning he ripped the moron off of Emma and threw him across the floor. A few girls shrieked around scared, the audience stood shocked, the music had stopped immediately.

After about fifteen minutes Brandan found himself punching like a maniac on the bast***s face and kicking at his stomach. People gathered around them, some of Brandan's friends were trying desperately to move him away but it was next to impossible.

"B... Brandan!"

Emma's trembling voice made him snap out of it, Brandan looked up at Emma standing a few feet away leaning against a pillar. Her eyes still glistening, face wet with tears. Brandan looked back at the unconscious body lying sprawled across the floor.

Brandan, in his own tipsy way walked towards Emma. He held her shoulders gently.

"Emma. You alright?" He asked with concern.

For a long minute Emma just stared at him with wide eyes. Did he have any idea that he had stood up for her, for the first time? Was this a dream?

Not getting any reply Brandan shook her lightly thinking that she was traumatized or something. He took her name a few more times.

But Emma didn't want to break the spell of this moment. So she just nodded her head, pushing away from Brandan, she wobbled her way to the bar again. All this now seemed so surreal, so unreal. She had dreamt of this since a long time, she had always hoped for Brandan to show a little concern towards her, to care for her and tonight it was all suddenly happening.

Emma didn't know what to feel anymore, it was all so overwhelming that she felt that she would go insane any second.

Now, what was the reason she came to this party anyway? She couldn't recall, it must be something big. The music boomed again, the ruined atmosphere was coming back to its previous jolly state and Emma smiled at the barman as she ordered one of those magical drinks again. It was working now, she was beginning to forget even herself. It felt so exceptionally good.

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With a beer in hand Emma staggered to a bench in the loneliest corner, she felt herself being a wallflower in the party. She had gulped down half of the beer when she felt someone sitting beside her. Turning her head sideways she looked at the intruding person, again her head spun at the movement.

"Getting drunk, are we?"

Brandan asked while trying to tame back his wild spiked hair due to the earlier fight. The bouncers were managed perfectly, Brandan's surname was that much effective everywhere.

Emma didn't answer, staring at the beer bottle she went back to her thoughts of how weird this evening was getting. Brandan was talking normally to her and that was the most absurd thing of all. Probably because he was drunk.

Looking at the stage across the room Emma saw Melissa full on in party mood in the arms of some bulky man. There she would now become the center of attention here by her seductive dance, Emma rolled her eyes. Typical Melissa, the whole party was now at her mercy and looked like that bulky man was going to get lucky tonight. But then again what about Brandan? Last she heard Brandan and Melissa were dating.

"Your girlfriend is flirting over there, you should go save that man." She said and sat shocked.

It sounded hilarious to her own ears but she also feared a snap from Brandan. Never mind that fear was soon evaporated the moment she heard him chuckle. "That's okay. I am going to break it up with her tomorrow anyway. It's good that now I will be getting a good reason."

Again Emma stayed silent, why the hell was he explaining to her? It was Brandan again who broke the silence.

"What is it?" Brandan asked.

"Huh?" Confused, Emma stared at him.

Brandan paused for a moment and scrutinized Emma's face making her nervous under his gaze. The next moment he snatched the beer from her hand and gulped a big mouthful of that drink.

He asked. "You like this in a party, drinking away like you are grieving over something it's so unlike you. Anything bad happened?"

Now why would Emma share her pain with the Brandan who had never let go any chance of hurting her. But she felt herself blabbering like an absolute idiot, again getting drunk makes people do all the crazy things.

"Apparently my one only brother had been blaming me for mom's death since from forever. Just a few hours back. I got to know... "

Her voice broke and croaked as she continued, "..that .. that how much he hates me and the reason. Do you think that too?"

Emma turned to look at Brandan who was staring at her with compassion? Was it an act? But she didn't stop letting it all out anyways. She needed to lessen the hurt stabbing her insides, holding whomever it was around. By then her eyes were moist and prickling. "Did I really kill her ?? I promise I didn't. I want mom too, I want her to be in my life too. I.."

All of sudden making her gasp, she found herself in Brandan's embrace.

"No you didn't. Don't listen to him, don't beat yourself over it." His whispers into her neck sent a thousand of sparks ignite all over her body. Sharing her pain with the person she loved, getting comfort in his words and embrace, this all felt like a dream come true to her, this felt so euphoric.

Within moments she hugged him back, she needed this hug she needed him... so bad.

Brandan's warm breaths upon her shoulder, his heartbeat pounding against her chest felt so erotic.

A gush of misty wind flowed from some open window nearby, it made them shiver or was it the overwhelming sensations errupting in every inches of their skin.