CHAPTER 4

 LISA

“Dad, you can’t stop her from going.”

“Bruno is outside, and you know what that means, princess.” Her father turned over to me. “She has been your best friend since when again, and you actually think she would not have hurt you all this time?”

“My daughter is hurting already. Don’t make this harder for her. Get a grip on yourself and learn that life is not always black and white.”

He left, leaving both of us standing there. I had to look at Emily. He was right.

If she wanted to harm me, she would have done that a long time ago.

“Let’s go to your room. You owe me lots of explanations.”

******

I woke up when I felt the morning rays hit my eyes. Emily dragged the curtain wide open.

I slept off last night listening to Emily’s story about her world. All that it entails.

It felt surreal, but somehow I found it intriguing now. The whole discovery.

“Happy Boxing Day, best friend.” Emily dropped two wrapped boxes on the bed.

“Awwww. You got me gifts. Now I feel bad for not getting you any.”

“No, it's fine. I know how these few days have been for you,” she said, but something else caught my attention: the sadness in her eyes.

Emily is like an open book that I can easily read through. “What happened this time?”

“Ark.. He is sick.”

Oh, Ark.. Her fiancé. Or should I say mate? Now it makes sense why I have only seen his pictures all this time. I just learned yesterday that he is an Alpha of another pack.

After this whole chaos, I should probably write a book. Maybe leave my job as a fashion designer and become a full-time writer.

“You should go see him. Don’t worry about me. I will be fine.”

“Are you sure? Today is meant to be your…” she paused, scared to complete the sentence.

“Wedding. I will not cry because of Josh. Yes, I feel sad and heartbroken, but trust me, I am good. I am peckish now, let’s find something and eat.”

Breakfast was served. There was so much to eat that I thought they were expecting extra guests.

Why do I feel like Emily’s dad is staring at me? I don’t even know his name.

He just sat opposite me at the dining table as we ate in silence.

“Dad, I will be going to see Ark today. Can you please take Lisa somewhere fun? I really want her to have a fun-filled day. Please?”

I let out a scoff, hoping it was not audible. I expected him to say no immediately. “Okay, if that is what you want,” he said.

Okay… that was fast. “Thank you, Dad.”

Time flew fast, and here I was sitting quietly in his car while he drove.

I was having so many emotions at the same time. I mean, this man literally saw me naked and did things to me.

I cleared my throat to get his attention. “So, what’s your name and where are we going?”

“Zayne, and we are going somewhere that feels like Christmas.”

Was he counting his words, or does he hate talking? At least I know his name now. Finally, the car stopped at a park.

With Christmas trees and lights all over the place. So many fun activities are going on. It was snowing.

I came down and started jumping, and the loud Christmas music made it more fun. “Merry Christmas!” I screamed.

Did he just smile? Zayne was watching me play around.

I dragged him into the circle and made him jump with me. This felt so good.

“Here, have this jacket. It is very cold.” He removed his jacket and gave it to me, but I was finding it difficult to put it on because of the gloves on my hands.

“I will help you with that.” When his hands touched my neck, I felt an impulse.

What is wrong with me? “Thank you, Zayne.”

“Do you mind if I take a photo of you two? Don’t worry, it is free.” A man with a camera smiled at us, waving his camera.

Before I could say anything, Zayne drew me closer to him and asked me to pose for the camera, which I did, followed by the lens clicking.

“You both look so beautiful. Perfect couple. Merry Christmas,” the man said, handing the hard copy to Zayne.

Couple? That sounded so awkward. “You want to take a look?”

“Huh? Y… yeah, let me see.”

Zayne gave me the picture, and damn. The man was right. Picture perfect. I must confess he has one of the cutest smiles.

Does he also think I am pretty, or find me attractive? No, Lisa, don’t do that.

“You should smile more, you know. It makes you look prettier,” he said.

Oh goodness. I have never fallen so hard for a compliment. “Thank you.”

Zayne took me to another beautiful sight. Walking with him side by side felt dreamy.

He got me new clothes, mostly jackets, boots, and I picked up this short black gown. I have a thing for black.

It is safe to say I was having the best time of my life. Who would have thought my Christmas would be spent far away from family?

The ride home was not awkward this time. He played music, good Christmas songs that I jammed to, and we were finally back home.

“Thank you for today. I know none of this matters to you, but you still tagged along.”

“Someone will bring your shopping bags to you. Goodnight.”

Oops. We were back to being hostile. Just a while ago, he was acting sweet, and now… distant.

I came down from the car and went inside the house, straight to my room, and collapsed on the bed.

Today was meant to be my wedding. I could not help but think about how things were back home.

I saw a small laptop on the table and picked it up. Thank goodness it had internet. Maybe I could find a few news posts on blogs. Josh is a popular business tycoon, and I bet many blogs are interested in his wedding.

I typed his name, and a recent video he uploaded hours ago popped up.

I clicked the video and started watching. No way. He has got to be kidding me.