PROLOGUE

"I won't come around anymore... Our friendship ends here. Don't try to look for me either..."

Talia practiced in her head, but no matter how many times she tried, the words sliced through her heart with more pain than the previous.

"Ethan".... his name rolled off her tongue in a gentle whisper. She watched from across the street with a heavy heart.

The last customer had just left and Ethan followed behind the lady, flipping the 'OPEN' sign around to display the 'CLOSED'.

He always stayed later, but today, they had a date....A date Talia fantasized until last night. Tears pricked her eyes, a painful lump rising in her throat. Her fingernails pierced her palms, she finally crossed the road.

The door opened, causing the bell to ring. He had his back to her when his voice rang out. "We're closed"

She didn't say a word, she just stood there taking in his figure one last time before she disappears from his life for ever.

When he didn't hear a response or atleast hear the door reopen, he turned immediately.... The look on his face melting into a smile... "Lia".

The way he always shortened her name..... How perfectly her name sounded coming from him...Talia looked away, tucking a side of her hair behind her ears as she blinked back the tears that formed.

"Hey... We said 7pm...you missed me that much" Ethan joked, his voice smooth and soothing.

"I have to return early", she replied curtly. He caught that! Of course he did! He was the only person that paid attention to her. The only person that made her believe she wasn't invisible.

His eyes narrowed in on her immediately as he began walking towards her, "Hey.... You good?"

Talia took steps backward. Should this hunk happen to as much as graze her skin lightly, everything would go wrong.

"let's talk here", she bit her lips.

"Lia...." Ethan's worried voice followed..."Something happened at home again?" he asked. His confused eyes searched hers but she mustered a smile. Her fingernails sinking even deeper into her palms, she finally held his gaze.

"I have something to say Ethan...." he cut her off with a raise of hand, swiftly closing the gap between them before she could back away again.

"I don't know what it is Lia... But let's get you brightened up first." his voice turned raspy. Her heartbeat escalated. She shuddered, a part of her wanting to give in and rest her head against his chest, but she fought it. She fought hard and tore away from him.

"I won't be coming around anymore Ethan.... Our friendship ends here. Don't try to look for me either!"

Just as she practiced! She spilled the words.

Time seemed to pause, the sound of the busy street outside faded. Ethan's face went white! His enchanting crystal ocean eyes locked her gaze. He didn't blink.

Talia didn't know how to go on from there. She didn't know if he was to respond or something. She'd never done this before! Heck! She'd never loved before!

"I..I won't..." she bit her lips. She didn't know if she was to say more. This had turned awkward than she imagined. She quickly turned to leave, but just as she grabbed the doors handle, Ethan grabbed her waist. She gasped.

She didn't hear him run after her. His hands snaked even deeper around her, her head hit his sturdy chest. He pulled her in too close she could almost become one with his skin.

"Ethan...."

"Lia..." his breathe hit her right ear. He drew in a long breathe, her scent travelling up his nostrils making him hold her even closer.

"this is not how I planned it," he murmured and spun her around to face him. A huge smile dancing on his face.

"Lia....." he repeated her name and she wanted to scream at him to stop! Stop making it harder! But Ethan wasn't done making it harder... He went on one knee...

"this.... Uhhh", he chuckled, "this was supposed to be for later... The later end of our date, but you said you have to return early, so I thought I'd just move it to the first event on my list then..." he took the box out of his back pocket.

"Ethan...." Talia's heart broke.

"Let's date!... I know... I know its been like what... Just five months...but what we have... What we share.... I'm not asking you to marry me right away Lia. All I'm asking is for you to promise me you'll be mine forever. You'll be here until I change this into a ring." He opened the mini box in his hand. It was the most beautiful thing ever! A diamond bracelet. Tears blurred her eyes.

The little girl in her wanted to burst into tears! The lover girl in her wanted to kiss those lips! Talia shook on her feet. Accepting him meant war. A war none of them would survive, but it was a war she could avoid. A trouble she could avert and protect him from. She backed away again.

"don't make this harder Ethan. I can't be with you".

She turned on her feet and pulled the door handle, walking away. Leaving him confused, broken and on his knees.

Ethan wouldn't accept that!

The woman he loved was playing pranks on him! His mind raced through everytime they'd spent together in the past week... He didn't do anything wrong. He sprang to his feet, he pulled the door open, he ran after her!

"Lia!" he grabbed her wrist. People stared. He didn't care! He wasn't seeing them! He was seeing the tears in her eyes. Of course he knew something was up! She can't do this to him! He was sure she loved him back!

"what are they making you do now?! Did they put you up to this?! Are your parents making you do this?!" his insides burned! He was ready to wreck those that made her like this! But Talia yanked her hand from him.

"stay on your lane Ethan and don't mention my parents!" she sent a harsh glare and walked away, but Ethan wasn't one to accept without a reason. He ran after again, he pulled her into a hug.

_ETHAN PLEASE!!!!_

Talia yelled inside of her! He was making things worse!

She wriggled away from him, defiling her desires and slapping him hard across the face!

"Can't you handle a fucking rejection?!"

"I don't want you Ethan! I can't do this nonsense with you! You should return that bracelet and get your money back. You need every penny right now!" she spat.

"Lia...." Ethan was relentless.

"little advice.... You shouldn't do love when you can barely feed! Focus on your cafe, and find love when you can afford one!"

"And don't you dare run after me again! Do not appear in my face else I will be suing you Ethan! I never want to see you again!" she turned and walked away. The mutterings of passerbys piercing her ears. Her tears fell freely...but she believed deep down... This was for the best.