When did you stop loving me?
You let me down so perfectly
And you walked away so easily
Baby, tell me, when did you stop loving me?
Tell me, when did you give up on us?
Did I love too much or not enough?
And is there someone else you're thinking of?
And when did you give up on us?

- When Did You Stop Loving Me (Hunter Hayes)

Chapter 1

Pacing, Kori was pacing as she tried to wrap her mind around what had taken place. This was not the plan. There was always a plan and this was a complete disregard for the plan.

'This must be a joke.' She thought, listening to her heels click against the tile floor beneath her. 'Not here, not at something this important.'

Since their move to the states Kory's father, Lucien Anders, made it clear to his daughters that they had a checklist from birth on.

Lucien had come from Tamaran with intention. He had attended business school and had made a career out of connecting the agriculture of Tamaran and the States. The President of Tamaran was only willing to do business with a fellow Tamaran out of fear of being taken advantage of. Since then he was the go between for the fruits and legumes that were only found on Tamaran. But even with that heavy of a responsibility Lucien had his sites held elsewhere. His wife, Maiya, had been a model in Tamaran and took the States by storm. Both girls, Koriand'r and Komand'r followed in her footsteps. He had in mind for both girls to marry high on the food chain.

For Koriand'r he had in mind Richard Grayson Wayne. Lucien considered him to be an opening in getting his foot anywhere. Also Lucien was up for the perk of being able to claim him as a son-in-law.

Koriand'r conceded to the idea, with little resistance. Richard was attractive, exciting and the number one bachelor and Koriand'r would consider it a privilege to date him and be the next .

Koriand'r finally met the famous Richard Wayne at a small get together that her father had take her at that time seemed obsessed with getting Koriand'r attention. He won her over exactly one year ago at this exact event, Jump City's yearly gala. The who's of who came to see and be seen. It was considered the ultimate snob to not be invited.

Tonight, the night that she thought he would take the next step...

Flashback

Kory couldn't restrain the smile on her face. Richard had requested to speak to her privately and was leading her through the crowd.

'Is he taking me to the balcony?' She thought, allowing her mind to conjure how he was going to propose. She waited for the request to close her eyes so as not to ruin the 'surprise' but it never came, rather Richard got them as far away from the crowd as possible and into an unoccupied room.

Koriand'r glanced at her surrounds and then looked to Richard in confusion. Richard was rubbing his neck and glancing around the room.

"What's going on?" Irritation creeped into her voice.

"Kory…" He started, no longer fidging. "This past year has been amazing. You're a sweet girl. You're gorgeous, you're nice, and I mean what guy doesn't want to date a model. But I need a lot more in a relationship.I just don't think this is working out."

Koriand'r felt the hair's on her arm stand. 'This can't be happening.'

Richard took her hands into his. "It's nothing personal, but it's best if we end this now. Have a good night."

With those parting words Richard walked out of the room.

Now she was standing in a room pacing, with no engagement ring to show for it. She couldn't quite believe her ears, this must have been a joke. A prank, something that Richard thought they could laugh about later.

She started biting on her index finger nail as she waited for Richard to come back waited for someone to jump out and yelling surprise and for him to reappear with a ring and a cheesy grin. But as the time ticked by she realized that wasn't the case.

The door began to jingle and she froze, an answer to her silent prayers.

"Look I just got back into town." In waked Xavier 'Red' Wilson. "Set up the meeting for whenever he's available. I'll be free." He glanced around and caught her eyes, raising a brow as he looked around for someone else to be there.

"Ok we'll talk tomorrow." He hung up and stared at Koriand'r, taking in her emerald curve hugging dress, her hair pinned and a few strands curled and falling down her face, her look of complete anxiety and disappointment.

"You ok Kor?" He asked, looking around. "You waiting for boy wonder?"

Koriand'r stared, hearing the words but being unable to put a sentence together for a reply.

He tilted his head slightly at her silence and slowly approached her. "Kor what's going on?"

"I hate that stupid nickname." She finally responded, sounding winded even to her own ears.

Xavier stopped walking to her and snorted, a smirk appearing on his face. "Well look who can speak? Does your boyfriend know you don't like the pet name?"

Koriand'r sighed and resumed her pacing. She needed answers, she needed a plan...she needed to get out of here.

"Is that offer to hitch a ride still open?" She finally asked Xavier, looking at him as she walked back and forth, still chewing on her fingernail.

Every year, since her family had begun to attend these Gala's, Xavier would always offer a ride to ditch the party. He'd tell her that his bike was right outside and he could take her anywhere she'd ask , all she needed to do was say yes.

The first year he offered she was shocked and before she could respond she was pulled away by her father to avoid the 'troubled' boy that was only able to evade jail because of his parents and a warning that he would only ruin her reputation.

Second year he got smart and made his offer away from her parent's watchful eyes, her sister laughed and accepted his friends Jason Todd's offer, She politely declined and walked away.

Third year was the year that Richard had finally showed interest and HE declined the offer for her and pulled her away from his 'competition.'

Fourth year she got no such invite because he was nowhere to be found at the party, and a small part of her missed the lingering offer of freedom.

Fifth year was here and throwing all rationale out the door, because as life was showing even the most well laid plans weren't going to work out in her favor, she was the one to bring up the proposition.

Xavier stood and looked at her, usually Koriand'r would squirm under the scrutiny of his gaze, but today she decided to do the same.

Xavier was wearing a navy blue fitted suit with a navy blue vest beneath it, his white shirt providing a background for his emerald tie. His light brown hair was slicked down and his hazel eyes holding her gaze.

"...of course it is. All you've got to say is yes." He finally responded, his eyes showing his confusion at the out of character behavior.

But she wasn't in the mood to be interrogated, which is exactly why she needed to leave. Her parent's saw her walk away with Richard, they would expect an engagement. They would expect something she was not going to be able to give.

"My answer is yes."

Xavier nodded. "Alright Princess, follow my lead."

With that Koriand'r took a deep breath and followed him, because at this point why the hell not.