Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.

- Dalai Lama XIV

The whole environment in the room changed. Suddenly, it felt too warm in here.

My body squirmed, I avoided looking in his eyes while I inspected myself one last time in the mirror after the whole incident with the zipper, though he zipped me up silently later on. That damn phone!

Revolving around, I cleared my throat. "I'm ready. We should go now. It's already late."

From the corner of eyes, I saw him nodding his head but instead of walking toward the door, he stepped forward and clasped my right hand in his hand. A cold steel-like weight wrapped around my wrist and when he left my hand, I found a beautiful black and white cuff bangle. The stones over it looked like little diamonds.

My mouth parted open in astonishment. I looked up at him while holding my bangle clad wrist in front of my eyes. "Wha--?"

"It's for you." He replied, joining his hands behind him. Before I could even utter anything, he turned and walked out of my bedroom saying. "Come on, we should go now."

Since my hands were bare of any jewelries except the ring on my finger, the bangle was the perfect piece to fit with my outfit. A warm feeling crept up on me at his gift and instantly, I smiled feeling a lot better for tonight.

As long as that man was beside me, the party would pass through peacefully. Making my mind set, I followed him out of my apartment after locking it up. Taking the steps carefully, we came out of the building and again my mouth dropped open at the sight in front of me.

Looking at the man in the tuxedo to my left, I asked with a surprise tone. "You drive an Audi too?"

He merely shrugged. "Sometimes. Come on."

It was a white sleek Audi, looking quite extravagant and expensive. Since my brother-in-law, Brandon worked at an automobile company, I had a few talks with him in which he shared some of his favourite car models and this Audi was one of them. If Brandon saw it, I bet he'd be squealing like a little girl who just got her favourite doll or something.

As there was no suit clad bodyguard around the car, I got the impression that Tyler would be driving tonight and moreover it had two seats only. My ever gentleman fiancé opened the car door for me and I slipped over the leather seats as gracefully as I could though I was sure it failed. Before I could extend my hand to pull the remaining length of my dress in, Tyler lifted it in.

Blushing, I smiled at him in gratitude. Closing the door, he came around the car with powerful strides and took the driver seat. After securing ourselves in, he started the engine and put the car into gear before he zoomed the Audi on the main street.

It looked quite expensive even from the inside. I turned my head toward him and asked curiously. "Do you have any other cars like this?"

He glanced at me once before taking his attention back to the road. "As a matter of fact, I do."

I looked at my lap, fighting the unease. "So you just buy these type of cars always?"

The car picked up speed slightly but it wasn't high enough to scare me. After few moments of silence, he stated. "I buy whatever I like."

And suddenly, I wanted to get out of this car. Suddenly, the seats beneath my bottom didn't feel as comfortable as before. My hands clenched and I tried to keep my head down to hide my scowl. This was the problem with rich people. They buy these type of expensive things as if they were buying one dollar stuff.

There were many people on this world. More specifically, there were many helpless people in this city who were in need of serious money but rich people never cares unless they got something profitable in return. I felt sick and my blood boiled.

I couldn't help myself from speaking out loud with anger getting into my voice. "It doesn't hurt to be charitable sometimes."

With my words leaving my mouth, the air inside the car got thicker with tension. The speed of the car started rising and I looked at him to find him glaring at the road and his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel tight.

His hard eyes vacant of any emotion turned to me once before he once again looked ahead and said through clenched teeth. "You don't know anything."

I blinked and realised how stupid I was. He was right. I didn't know anything. Specifically, I didn't know him that much other than some here and there kind of information. I swallowed and apologised instantly. "You're right. I don't know anything. I don't know you. I'm sorry."

Even my pride didn't hurt to say those words because those were true. It just dawned on me that I didn't know my own fiancé that well. Just because some rich people were greedy and cheap didn't mean all were. How stupid was I! I closed my eyes in shame.

Here I thought I had his support tonight but after my jibe on him, he probably wanted to be as far as away from me. Suddenly, his soft voice void of any anger interrupted my pity party.

"It's alright. You didn't know."

Opening my eyes, I looked at him shaking my head. "No, I shouldn't have said---"

"I said its alright. Now drop it, Claire." He cut me off with a sharp look that immediately had my lips clamped together.

After that we kept to our thoughts but I badly wanted ask him about himself. I wanted to know him. What did he like? What he didn't? What did he do in his past time? And how did he use his money to help the people in need? Except, me ofcourse!

I started squirming in my seat, glancing at him once or twice but then he caught my eyes then sighed as if he knew what was going through my mind.

"Every month..." He started with a quick glance at me. "..several cheques from my company goes to some of the old age homes, orphanages and animal shelters around the city. Sometimes even from my personal account."

Maybe it was my imagination but I think I saw a smile on his face. How could I even think that this man wouldn't be a charitable one?

Our eyes met through the dark surrounding. I was sure my eyes were filled with admiration and respect for him and I didn't even try to hide it.

"Sometimes my company throws some Charity Galas. I can take you there someday." He informed me.

I smiled at him. "I'd like that."

He nodded and we turned our heads. My one looking out the window. His one attentive to the busy street before us.

With a soft music playing around us, we reached our destination in 15 minutes. I swallowed nervously when I saw people with cameras standing before the door of the building. This time they would get a perfect view of my face. This time when they posted something, it wouldn't be a side pic or just a head down picture of mine. This time I would be with Tyler side by side, holding my head held high, posing for them. Could I do it?

A warm hand placed over my arm taking my attention away from those people to the man sitting by my side.

"Relax. Everything will be alright." He said softly, even though there was no smile on his face, his eyes gave away a comforting glow along with his soothing voice.

I pointed my shaking thump over the glass and whispered warily. "There are so many."

His fingers left my arm and intertwined with my fingers, squeezing them. "I know and there will be more inside." He looked out then at my widened eyes. "I'll be with you every step of the way, Claire. Just trust me."

Immediately, my body felt relaxed. He would be with me. I had nothing to worry. I nodded at him and sent a small smile toward him. After squeezing my fingers one more time, he opened his side of the door and instantly, the noise of the people and other vehicles reached my ears making the heavy feeling come up again.

Tyler. Just think about him. Think about his words.

My side of the door opened and I thought it would be Tyler but no, it was Simon. How did he get here and where was Tyler? My eyes searched around and then a hand -clad with a Cartier brand watch- came in front me. My eyes travelled from the hand to its owner and a pair of tender grey eyes urged me to place my hand over the extended palm.

Smiling, I lifted myself off the seat and out the car. At once, we were bombarded with questions thrown at us from both side of the reporters who were held by ropes. I felt like I was walking to a movie premiere as I saw the red carpet beneath my heels. My confidence didn't break down. I gripped my hand over his arm and head held high, I walked ahead with him; sometimes posing for a picture. But my nerves were gone for sure and it was all because of the powerful man beside me.

After entering the building, the manager showed us to the door of the ballroom where the party was held. When the manager moved forward to open the door, Tyler stopped him and I looked at him with questioning eyes.

His eyes met mine. "Ready?"

This man was really one in a million. Even though at first meeting I thought of him as a slimy arrogant bastard, gradually the days spent with him changed my opinion of him. Beneath all those hard, arrogant, rude exterior, there was a caring man who would do anything for the people close to him.

I smiled at him and replied with a light tone. "Ready."

He gestured toward the manager to open the door. With the thought that now I was one of those close people, I stepped forward.

When the sound of the big oak door opening reached everyone, the large room fell into silence and then a clap sounded from somewhere, and many more joined it making a great applause for us as we walked further into the room.

A couple came forward from the crowd of people. The woman was petite dressed in a royal blue dress, looking very beautiful for a woman in her age. She looked to be in her fifties and had a kind face. The man though had a long height, towering over Tyler even. He had the facial features like Tyler even and on closer inspection, I noticed his eyes were brown and not grey. His face was set in a neutral expression. The woman had the grey eyes, dark brown hair which were the same as my fiancé and immediately, I knew they were my future mother and father-in-law.

They come up to us and Tyler let my hand go to kiss the woman's cheeks. "Hey mom, how are you?"

She had a big bright smile on her face that looked awful similar to a certain little girl's smile. "I'm fine. Absolutely fine." She barely glanced at Tyler because her eyes were fixed upon me from the moment she saw me. "Move away, Tyler. Let me see her. Come here dear."

She out stretched her hands toward me and I stepped forward stifling a smile at Tyler's scowling face. I already liked this woman.

She hugged me tight to her bosom. I had to lean down to hug her properly. She really was a very short woman. I could already guess who didn't give the height gene to Tyler.

"You look so beautiful. I'm Helen. Tyler's mom." She introduced herself with a warm smile.

I unwrapped herself from me then did the same. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sanders. You look beautiful too. I'm Claire."

She flaked her hand and rolled her eyes. "Please call me Helen or mom. I don't mind any."

Before I could respond to her, the man with streaks of grey hairs on both side of his head stepped forward and extended his hand. "And you can call me Roger."

I shook his hand carefully. "Nice to meet you, Sir--I mean Roger."

Then his neutral expression changed to full blown smiley expression. He looked behind me at Tyler probably and pointed at me with his hand. "Son, you found yourself a beautiful one. Good, I like her already."

My cheeks turned warm and my eyes bulged out it's sockets hearing his compliment. I looked at Tyler to find him chuckling. He stepped up to his dad and hugged him from side before he took his place by my side. "It's nice to see you too, dad."

Mr. Roger Sanders laughed which had many people turned their head at us, making me lean toward the man beside me. As if feeling my discomfort, Tyler slipped his long arm around my waist.

The heat from his side relaxed me and after that many people came and introduced themselves to us, congratulating us. For few minutes, Roger took away his son to all the gentleman's side and Helen took me for a introduction to all the high society ladies. Some looked down their nose at me but I kept my smile intact.

Around that time, Lydia joined me and I gushed at her for a whole five minutes. She looked so pretty in her dark purple frock. We walked hand in hand toward Tyler when my family came through the door. They immediately joined me and I introduced them to Helen and Roger then came Tyler.

My dad stood in front of me with mom and looked at Tyler quite intriguingly. My fiancé stepped forward to shake his hand. "Hello, Sir. I'm Tyler. I hope you had a pleasant ride."

His controlled voice amazed me. There was politeness and that might had impressed my dad because he took Tyler's hand and nodded. "George Bishop." His brown eyes met mine for a sec then went back to Tyler. "That fiancé of yours is my daughter and will always be. Take good care of her."

My heart swelled up at his words. Even though Tyler was a lot more intimidating and powerful man, my dad didn't cower before him and stood up for me. Tyler stepped back at my side and laid his palm over my back touching the bare skin there. He obliged. "I will."

Those two words were so sincere that believing them wasn't hard. How did I get so lucky with him?

Since I was busy admiring the man beside me, I forgot about my whole surrounding until a little body squeezed in between us by using her little fingers to move us away from each other.

"Let me in. Let me see."

That voice. That little sweet voice I would recognise from anywhere. I looked down at the girl who made herself comfortable between her daddy and me. I smiled at her. "Lydia, there you are."

She nodded at me while grabbing my hand with her little fingers and the other free hand pointing at the onlookers in front of us. "Are they grandma and grandpa?"

Suddenly, it dawned on me that my parents were here, looking at me and Tyler then Lydia with confusing eyes. Mom stepped forward and looked at me questioningly. I swallowed nervously, trying to think of the way to uncover the truth that my fiancé had a six year old child.

I hadn't actually told them about Lydia yet. I didn't know how to tell them. Chloe told me it would be alright. My parents would be alright but my damn mind wouldn't just let me do it.

Before I could even inform them, Tyler himself pulled Lydia in front of him, holding her closely and looked dad in the eyes with pride. "This is my daughter, Lydia."

They couldn't hide their shocked eyes nor my mom could hide her gasp. I silently prayed that it wasn't a big deal for them. Looking at Tyler from the corner of my eyes, I noted his tight jaw, his hard eyes, his defensive stand. It was as if he was bracing himself for any harm that could befall Lydia. Not that I wouldn't either. My eyes sorted out the little girl who had her big innocent eyes fixed upon the grownups.

Immediately, I stepped forward and put my hand on Lydia's shoulder meeting my parents eyes. "And now mine too."

And all eyes turned to me. I was aware of Chloe smiling at me and nodding proudly with Brandon giving me thumps up from behind my parents where they stood with a squirming boy, Luke. Next, I didn't see infact I felt Tyler's eyes on me but I didn't ponder on his reaction because truth be told, Lydia became mine long ago and no one could object to that. Not even her father and definitely not my parents.

I looked at mom trying to show how much I really wanted the little girl beside me as my own child. Mom knew me. She would understand. And she did. A smile came upon her face. She looked at dad and beamed. "Looks like we have another grandchild, George."

But my dad didn't move. His eyes never left mine and I didn't drop my eyes. Suddenly, Roger stepped around us and took hold of dad's shoulder gently, turning him toward the direction of the bar to the other side. "Come on, George. Let us old folks talk for a while."

Dad didn't even protest. He walked away without a backward glance. Mom smiled and assured us. "Give him time. He'll get around soon. He loves children just like our Claire right here." She stood in front of me and palmed my left cheek with tears barely at bay in her eyes. "You look so beautiful but I must confess, this little girl looks more beautiful. Lydia, right?

She looked down at the little girl who nodded and then Tyler's mom, Helen came and joined mom. She took her toward a group of ladies and that left me, Tyler, Lydia standing before Chloe, Brandon and Luke. My sister suggested Lydia to take Luke and show him the playhouse the party had on one corner of the hall.

After they left, I turned toward Tyler. Even though he was somewhat relaxed but still the hard lines upon his face didn't go away. He wasn't pleased with dad. That much I was sure but mom was right. Dad just needed time process the information. I let my fingers slip in between his ones and squeezed them. His eyes met mine and the hard lines disappeared from his face making his face look even smoother than it was already.

Someone cleared their throat.

We snapped our head toward the front and found Chloe with a teasing grin on her face but I didn't let her get to me. So what?! This was my fiancé. I could even kiss him in front of everyone and no one could object. I could kiss him, right? Yeah, right. I could never.

Chicken.

I introduced Brandon and Chloe to Tyler. We talked for a while then they went for a drink leaving us alone. I was looking for this opportunity. To get him alone for myself. Ugh, it sounded dirty but no, my intention were quite pure.

I shook my head and before he could say anything, I spoke only one sentence assuring him, making him see that whatever others thought, they couldn't change my mind. "No matter what, she's ours."

For a moment, he only stared at me with a peculiar look then he raised his hand to my face, backing some hair behind my ear trying not to ruin my hairstyle while he was at it.

"I know." He whispered softly.

Then our bubble popped when a voice spoke out from a speaker. I looked around and found the woman in green gown who was introduced to me as Tyler's cousin from his mother's side. She was friendly. I think her name was Lily.

She was holding a microphone in her hand and standing in the middle of the vacant area which I supposed was for dancing because around that, there were round dinner tables set up. A big chandelier was upon that area. Again, I admired the beautiful decorations around the hall.

Tyler and I turned toward her completely giving her our whole attention when she smiled at everyone but had her eyes on us only. "Ladies and gentlemen, I think it's time for the couple of the night to have a dance. Don't you think?"

My body stood still at that. All eyes were on us but my eyes were on Lily who was encouraging me to come toward the dance floor. The view got blocked when a sudden body moved from my side to my front, bowing with a smirk on his beautiful face and offered his hand to me. "Would you like to dance, my lady?"