I enrolled myself into management department cause I literally suck at every other cultural activity. I’m only good in one thing that’s studying. So basically the only department I could take part was managerial one.

Albeit Zayden denied taking part in ramp walk, entire college voted for him and obviously Jannet was being paired with him.

I will be seeing them together as a pair now. Even though it pained my heart to watch them together I had no other choice.

I sat at one corner of the auditorium and peered at them. They really looked good together. Jannet couldn’t stop her smile the entire time. It was quite obvious that she liked Zayden and on the other hand Zayden had neutral look on his face like always if I add.

Will I ever be able to see Zayden smiling?

❃❃

I was busy looking at the decoration part and other things that I forgot to have lunch. It’s really not easy to handle so many things at once.

I walked out of auditorium, the cool air was a relief to my aching head. After taking a short walk around the place, I got back to my place only to see a coffee mug being placed on my table.

Who kept this here?

My phone buzzed.

Is this some kind of prank or what? I quickly scan the entire place to check if someone was looking at me but I found none.

I sent a reply to that message and looked around again hoping to get some clue. To my luck every other person in the auditorium was using their phones.

Wait! What?

Angel?

I decided to ignore this for now and quickly texted back.

Just as I was about reply, I was interrupted by one of the senior asking me about the light decoration. I slid my phone inside my pocket and strolled towards entrance to check the arrangements.

In the mean time, rehearsals for the ramp walk also started. One by one a guy and a girl walked on runway. Few students were sitting in front and guiding them with expressions or postures. Finally after a long wait was the most awaited walk of Zayden and Jannet.

After looking at Zayden expression I felt like laughing. It was clearly visible on his face that he was annoyed and definitely had zero interest in doing this runway walk.

“What’s this? God, you both have zero chemistry…” One person commented looking at them.

Jannet face turned pale, she gave a nervous look to Zayden which he ignored royally by shrugging his arms and taking few steps away from her.

“Well, I warned you guys I have no interest in this. You were the ones who wanted me here right? Now bare with it…” He said monotonously with a straight face.

And that was hella rude!

Nobody dared to reply or ask him anything.

“Let’s end today’s practice session.” Lecturer announced.

I opened my phone just to look if I have any message from that unknown person but there was none.

❃❃

My eyes were wide open as I peered at the ceiling remembering it’s my birthday tomorrow. I have never celebrated my birthday so I don’t know how it feels to be surprised.

Actually aunt used to surprise me a lot with her new methods of tortures but I have never experienced what it feels to be surprised and elated at the same time.

I turned my head to look at the clock which read 12.05am. I sighed wishing myself happy birthday.

Morning when I woke up I had three messages.

I walked inside the auditorium and took a seat in right corner watching the runway walk. Like yesterday Zayden looked pretty annoyed and they literally had no chemistry so Alex stepped in and replaced Zayden.

Alex and Jannet walked on ramp and Alex was very good at it. It was obvious that he is a charmer. He was smiling at every girl making them blush. When he reached the end of ramp, he winked at me with smirk laced on his face making my cheeks turn crimson red.

After an hour or so practice was done and we all were heading outside when my phone buzzed.

I froze, my breathe caught in my throat. Don’t tell me this unknown guy knows about my marriage.

There was very less chance of stranger getting to know about my marriage cause only family and close relatives were invited on my wedding.

Maybe this person doesn’t know about my marriage. He just thinks that I have crush on Zayden like every other girl of our college. Keeping this thought in my mind, I typed the reply.

My heart thumped against my ribcage. Who on earth is this person? Beads of sweat formed on my forehead thinking about future.

What if Zayden thinks I was the one who spread news about our marriage.

Who exactly is this person? But one thing is for sure — whoever this person is had attended my wedding.

Gift?

What’s going on in my life? I turned off my phone and strolled towards back gate waiting for Zayden.

After few minutes Zayden car stopped in front and Alex got down with huge smile laced on his face. He bolted towards me and pulled me into bone crushing hug.

Okay! What’s happening to everyone today?

“Happy birthday cutie…” He smiled pulling away.

“Thank you but how did you know it’s my birthday today?!” I ask out of curiosity.

Alex looked back at the car and then scratched the back of his neck smiling, “I got to know somehow. Now come fast, I’m super hungry. I want to eat your signature desert today.” He exclaimed pulling me towards the car.

Zayden was inside the car with his usual straight face. He didn’t look at me nor wished me even after knowing it’s my birthday today.

To be honest, I half expected him to at least wish me.

Chuck it! I’m not going to spoil my mood because of him today.

When we reached home, a small aquarium with two betta fish was waiting for me. I was delighted looking at cute aquarium.

“Wow! Who brought this and kept it here?!” Alex questioned looking at Zayden.

“Um, I don’t know…” Zayden shrugged looking away.

I knew who got this for me. The boy behind the curtain — the stranger. This was the gift he was talking about. I should definitely give him some cute name.

But wait, how does he know I like fish?

Alex helped me in setting the aquarium and also kept my company when I was preparing dinner.

After the dinner, Alex went home. I was sitting in front of aquarium gazing at the beautiful fish.

How does the stranger know so many things about me? I have never told anyone about my liking towards fish nor anyone knows about my wedding.

I was pondering about stranger when a thought crossed my mind.

No one other than Zayden and Alex knows that I visit aquarium shop before going to college. Alex was present at Zayden and I's wedding which means he also knows about William.

After linking all the bits and pieces I blink my eyes muddled. Can this…Can this person be Alex?

I gasp at my new found clue. This has to be Alex because one — I don’t have his number that’s why I didn’t knew it’s him and second — he is over protective towards me. Even at the cafeteria he was the one who came behind me.

But why on earth is he hiding his identity from me? Is it because of Zayden?

I will surely find out who this person is soon. I went inside room to see Zayden already laid on bed.

Why is he sleeping so early today? He usually stays awake late. I turned off the bed light and laid on my side of bed.

I could feel him tossing and turning in bed. Something is seriously wrong with him today.

“Harriet?” his deep voice pierced my ear drum making a shiver coursed down my spine. God, his voice is so modulating.

I turn around, the only light which illuminated the room was dim light of moon which hailed from the balcony door. I couldn’t make out Zayden expression cause it was dark but his blue eyes were clearly visible to me. I could make out he wanted to say something.

“Yes, you want something?!” I ask still trying to wrap my head with the fact that Zayden did start the conversation himself.

“Nothing…” He uttered closing his eyes for a second. I look at him baffled. He heaved his eyelids displaying his blue electrifying eyes and sighed, “Happy birthday Harriet…” He mumbled and turned around with his back facing me.

The way my name rolled his lips made my stomach lurch with nervousness. A simple sentence of his was able to put my heart at ease. His voice held a sense of softness. Today almost five people wished me but only Zayden was able to make my heart race like this. It feels great to even think that THE ZAYDEN HARLEY wished me.

I blush with a huge smile laced on my face, “Thank you…” I whispered.

Right now I’m living in the moment that can’t be put into words. I’m feeling as if there is sunshine in my soul.

How can his mere one sentence make me this giddy?

❃❃

Next day we were sitting and enjoying the dance show and Zayden was busy using his phone. I’m not sure what’s in his phone that he can’t stop staring at it.

After the show, I was walking out of auditorium when suddenly someone grasped my hand making me jerk backwards.

“I have noticed that you’re quite close to that new boy… what’s his name again — Alex… Yeah, Alex…” I turn around to come face to face with one of Jannet’s cousin — Finn.

Instead of replying to his sarcastic comment I thought it’s better if I keep quiet but when he started moving closer to me, I got anxious.

“What – What do you want?!” my voice was barely audible. I was clutching my bag firmly.

“Nothing. I just want to take you on a date.” He announced smiling.

My eyes went wide. What’s wrong with him? And most importantly why me out of all the girls?

“She can’t… ” A voice interrupted. I tilt my head to look at William who was walking in our direction with his jaws tightly clenched. I sigh in relief.

Albeit William's hatred towards me, I very well know that he would never allow any guy to touch me or talk to me inappropriately.

“And who are you to decide that?” Finn asked taking a step closer to William.

Please don’t start a fight now.

“That’s none of your bloody business.” William snapped whilst holding my hand and dragging me away from Finn.

When we walked out, I saw Jannet speaking with Zayden and Alex.

I don’t know what she was speaking but all the time her eyes were glued to Zayden. Shaking his head Zayden replied something while still staring at his phone which made Jannet blush and Alex laugh.

After few more conversation Alex winked at Jannet and she just smiled… She didn’t blush! That thought did hit me hard making me gulp the huge lump formed in my throat.

“Don’t be like this Harriet, when are you going to learn how to speak up." I saw William looking at them and then at me “ Hope you will learn it before you lose everything..”

I know what he is trying to tell me. If I be quiet now it’s like I’m giving permission to Jannet to snatch my place in Zayden's life.

But do I have any other option right now? I can’t openly claim Zayden as my husband as he wants our marriage to be kept as secret for a while.

❤..