HI, MOTHER.

"Get a grip, Eisley! We are getting married, I made you a promise, right? A deal? I am not one to go back on my promises!"

Eisley looked away. It wasn't because of the wedding. "It isn't because of the wedding," she said faintly. Her chest heaved. "I wasn't crying because of the wedding, I trust you, Irwin."

"So why?" He asked, looking down at her with emotions.

"Because—" she sighed heavily, Irwin let go of her wrist, and she took a step backwards. "My friends contacted me," her eyes went misty. "All this while Magnus never allowed me to meet them, so I lost contact, they contacted me, they want to see me, and someone also called saying they have news about my mother. I haven't seen her in five years, I don't know what I'll do or say if I see her,"

"Wait a minute. Who contacted you?"

"I don't know, it was a random call," her eyes wandered around the room.

Irwin took a step backwards, nodding gently. "Goodnight then,"

Eisley looked at him. His handsome face was closed down, looking grim. Thick silence ensued in the room, Eisley stared at him a little dazed by his actions and words.

"I thought–"

"I'll leave you to sleep. We are leaving early tomorrow," Irwin strolled closer, kissed her on her forehead, and in seconds, he disappeared.

Shock kept her motionless, her brows furrowed. He had left her to mull over his last sentence. She thought he was going to listen, but why did he suddenly look so cold?

The following morning. They arrived at Irwin's mansion in Paris. Robert helped Eisley out of the helicopter while she tried to talk to Irwin throughout the journey he made it impossible, occupying himself with work.

As they arrived at the mansion. Three cars awaited them, Eisley looked around, confused as to why there were so many cars, but everyone seemed to be busy.

Her hands clasped around her purse as she stood by the cars. Irwin stood far away talking to one of the guards.

Robert walked closer to her. "Miss Mercer, Mr Kent would like you to sort the wedding preparations."

"Why are you telling me? Why isn't he the one informing me?"

Robert lowered his head. "I know this is out of my place, but don't you think you're being too demanding, Mr Kent is only giving you what you need, and you don't have anything to offer, I think you should be more submissive,"

Eisley's brows raised, and her lips tightened. "Someone would think you're on my side, Robert, "

"I am. My apologies!" Robert spat

"Is something wrong?" Irwin's voice sounded smooth from behind.

Robert stared at Eisley, waiting for her to say something, but she stared back. He bowed, "Mr Kent, have—"

"Nothing really, Robert was just informing me about the wedding plans," Eisley said.

"Alright, if you need anything, let Robert or Grace know. Oh, here," he pushed a black card into her palm.

"What's this?" Eisley asked. Irwin looked at Robert.

"A black card lets you shop for anything you need," her jaw dropped, staring at the card.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Because in a week, you'll be a Kent," he said, and Eisley smiled, blushing. "I won't be home early. Don't wait for me,"

Eisley watched him get into the car, her cheeks reddened by his little affections. It was hard to remember when last she felt the way.

The car drove off, and a tall, dark-haired man stood in front of her. Eisley's smile disappeared, and she turned away, heading into the mansion.

Before she arrived at her room, a message came in. Eisley fumbled her bag, searching for it. It was from an unknown number.

"Save it, I'll text you here from now. And the man probably beside you is your personal guard and driver. If you want to go anywhere, it's safer to go with him,"

Eisley's smile whined further across her face. Her heart was unable to stop racing. She quickly grabbed her clothing. "It doesn't make any difference. He doesn't love you, remember! It's just a deal. It's just a deal,"

Eisley bit her lips, staring at the mirror. She had a ring on her finger, a diamond ring now. It wasn't the faded iron Magnus had given her. But the details of that night with Irwin played like a favourite memory. She could still feel his hands over her body, her heart raced even further, and her cheeks flushed red. She took careful breaths, but it was impossible to calm her roaring heart, her legs arched, and suddenly, the room became too small for her.

"Eisley," she tapped her face, and there was burning. "Get it together. It's nothing but an act. it's all an act," her breath increased.

"Eisley?" She recalled Irwin's voice that night. The way he called her made her heart totally confused. "You're fucking mine,"

Eisley rushed took off her small cross bag, stormed into the bathroom, washing her face. Once she was done, she stared at herself in the mirror.

"Get a grip, get it together, you only let Magnus watch. That was the only reason you've achieved that. Now, the next step," she panted, agreeing with herself.

The night approached faster, and Eisley had agreed to see Magnus's mother, but she hadn't been able to talk to him.

She roamed around the room, biting her fingers. Irwjn had given her a car a week before now. She stared at the ring Irwin had given to her. The birthday party was tonight. Mrs Sawyer loved to hold her event in the night.

Her phone buzzed, and she immediately grabbed it from the table, staring at the message. Magnus had texted. He had indeed believed her.

"Miss Mercer?" Grace knocked, the door opened gently, and she walked in, holding a tray.

"Oh, Grace, can you drive?" She walked towards her speedily.

Grace darted around. "Yeah, I got my license a while before,"

"That's good," Eisley rushed back and grabbed her phone and purse, taking the black card Irwin had handed to her.

"But you have Morgan," Grace yelled, watching her gather her things.

"Who's Morgan?" Eisley asked, parking her hair in a ponytail.

"Morgan? Your driver and guard that Irwin hired for you,"

"Save it, I'll text you here from now. And the man probably beside you is your personal guard and driver. If you want to go anywhere, it's safer to go with him,"

"Right!" She yelled.

Meanwhile, at Magnus's mother's place. Magnus had invited Cecily as usual. Whenever Cecily came over, he lied that she was Eisley's friend.

"When is Eisley getting here?" Magnus' mother— Mrs Jane Sawyer asked. He nodded.

"She had a little problem on her way to the mall," His face turned red, and he looked down.

"Why didn't you come together? Don't you live together anymore?"

"We do, Mother, just wait till she gets here," Magnus said, holding his hands tightly.

"Magnus, I hope nothing is wrong. Why is Eisley's friend here before her? I hope—"

"Happy birthday, Mother!" A familiar voice interrupted, and they both turned in the direction of the voice.

Darcy Sawyer, Magnus's sister, held a cake, walking towards Jane, his mother.

"Wait! Eisley isn't here," She said and looked around. A figure walked through the entrance. Magnus smiled, seeing Eisley in a pink gown. With a man beside her, he recognised the face— Morgan, Irwin's guard— a reckless fighter, he didn't hesitate to kill when needed and had done most of Irwin's dirty deals for him. Morgan had been in jail twice for drugs and murder. He was Irwin's most trusted guard and was very loyal to him.

Eisley stepped in a champagne pink slip gown. There was a slit by both sides. The plunging neckline design revealed her clavicle, her burst almost popping out of her dress. The dress had a backless design. She wore a small heart-shaped gold earring, no necklace, and she parked her hair in a clean, low bun. Eisley finished this look with pointed-toe slingback heels.

"Hi, Mother," she said and handed her bag to Morgan.

"Oh," Jane stuttered, looking at the hefty man beside Eisley. He was the tallest at the gathering and huge. This made her a little frightened to come closer to Eisley.

Eisley looked at Morgan and giggled. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs Sawyer. This is my guard,"

Darcy pushed Magnus aside, rushing towards Eisley. She took her hands, staring at the diamond ring.

"Is-is... is this real diamond!" Darcy yelled, almost gasping for breath.

Eisley blushed, smiling. She retracted her hand from Darcy and walked to Jane.

"Happy birthday, Mother," Her voice was dangerously low. Her eyes pirecing at Jane. Jane's countenance changed, and she immediately raised her hands to hit her. Morgan stepped in, taking the slap. The force he had used to step in caused Jane to stumble back.

"Magnus! What have you done? Why did you let her get this much freedom?" Jane yelled on the floor.

Magnus nervously rushed to get his mother. He looked up at Eisley, and she rolled her eyes, stepping away.

"I knew you were aware of all the beatings and abuse, but you decided to play dumb. Isn't it like back then, the night you came over in a hurry, you watched as Magnus hit me until I passed out? I called for you, Jane. Why didn't you come to my aid?" Eisley's gaze darkened.

"How dare you, Eisley! After all my brother had done for you!" Darcy screamed, rushing to her fiercely.

Eisley walked closer to her, gawking at her. "That goes for you, you sly!" Darcy's gaze pointed downwards. "I have a very interesting story to tell you. Why don't you sit, we can discuss, and celebrate a happy birthday together," her gaze narrowed to Cecily by the corner. "That includes you, Cecily. It's story time," Eisley laugh echoed around, along with her clapping.