Ib awoke from yet another nightmare. The same as the last two nights. She awoke to Garry's gentle voice calming her, assuring her everything would be okay. She was glad he was here with her.

It was Saturday morning, and Ib climbed into the shower yet again before drying her hair and then pinning it up loosely. She pulled on denim jeans and a white t-shirt patterned in blue roses. She placed the locket around her neck, grabbed a blue bag and inserting the usual items; blue purse, red rose, handkerchief, lighter, car keys and apartment keys. She checked everything and nodded, walking out of the apartment.

"You can turn back if you want, you know. There's still time."

"But I promised."

"Ib, he's a creep. He's a pervert. He tried to kiss you and then twisted the truth about why he did that. He's a sick, twisted freak. You should stop seeing him!"

"Garry, I promised, alright?" She shouted in her mind.

"Alright, alright. But it doesn't stop him being a manipulative little sod."

"What do you mean by manipulative?"

"Ib, I heard him talk to his father," he said softly. He decided she had to know. "About arranging a matchmaking session with you. He said if your father didn't accept, he'd bring down the company."

"That's just silly. They rely on us. We have two other companies wanting to join with ous, but the contract between our families makes it so we cannot do so. If they break it, we can take them to court, and then just join with another company."

"So… there'd be no danger in them bankrupting your family?"

"No."

"So, you wouldn't marry him to save your family?"

"What? No! My father wants me to marry for love, though my family would disagree. It was a promise I gave him."

"I see. But he still seems to want you. He might go to greater lengths."

"I'll be fine. You worry too much."

"Meh."


Garry, deep down inside, felt himself relax in absolute relief. He couldn't use the arranged marriage plan against her, and she wouldn't marry him out of love.

Haha, I win.


She met him at the coffee shop they arranged to meet at. They drank tea and hot chocolate, warming up their cold hands before taking a trip to the local museum. She gazed for hours at the art section, and, seeing a piece on Guertena, squealed in delight. It read;

"The Forgotten Portrait (?)

Little has been known of this portrait, except that it was one of Guertena's last works. Due to the unknown date of creation, many rumours have been whispered among the years that this piece is not by Guertena himself, but a fake. This piece was recently sold at auction for $440,000 at The Guertena Art Exhibition that closed down shortly after."

Ib smiled to herself, "wow, Garry, you're pretty popular."

"Hmph. I'm not a fake."

She giggled inside, "I know you're not Garry. Don't listen to the mean historians!"

"I won't," he said back, a tone of amusement evident in his voice.

"You really like that portrait don't you?" he said, grinning.

"I love it! It's my most treasured possession!"

"It is?"

"Yes! I'd do anything for it. I mean, I've treasured it throughout my whole life. That was why I was so eager to buy it."

"I see!" Kane said; a tone of interest in his voice. He then looked at her, smiling kindly. "It's getting late, shall we go back to your apartment?"

"Sure. I have a pizza I could put in the oven for us!"

"Sounds nice."

"Are you sure about this Ib? Remember what happened last time he was in the apartment?"

"You worry way too much," Ib said, countering him. She heard an impatient sound before all was silent yet again.


They arrived into her apartment, and as Ib switched on the light, she heard the door click and something fast and blurry fly towards her face. It hit her, and she stumbled back, falling over the few steps that separated the hallway to the living room.

"IB!"

"I tried to be nice," Kane said, his voice full of annoyance. "I tried to give you the chance to marry me from love, and the chance of one that was arranged. But, you've left me no choice."

Ib's eyes widened in fear, crawling backwards as he advanced towards her, eyes blazing.

"My mother died cursing my name. Died cursing the son that was too weak for her family. My family were always feminist, the women were always in charge. She said if I married a perfect heir, then she would be proud of me. She would love me. And then I found you. Your looks, your manners, your grace and etiquette. You even play the violin, for Pete's sake. You're just perfect."

"Ib, run!"

"I'm not about to let you slip away when it's so easy to get you," he continued, his voice dark. "I'm not going to let you run off and marry this 'Garry' fellow you talk so much about. I don't care about your happiness. I've had enough of women trampling all over me."

He was right in front of Ib now, who crawled back into the wall. She had nowhere left to go. He gave her a twisted smile. "And now I'm going to be the one in charge."

Ib tried to cry for help as he drove his foot into her stomach. She gasped, clutching herself before he clawed for her and she rolled to the side. Instead, he grabbed her bag, shaking out the contents, his eyes resting on Garry's silver lighter.

"Don't touch that!" She screamed.

"Don't worry about it Ib, just get out of there!"

"Not without you!"

He smiled, tilting his head as he flicked up the lighter, a small spark igniting a flame on top. He smirked, glancing toward the portrait.

"Your most prized possession, hm? Let's see how damn reluctant you are to obey me as you watch it burn."


He changed direction to Garry's frame, the flame becoming close. Garry could feel the heat on the glass as he pounded frantically against it, screaming Ib's name.


Suddenly, a figure out of nowhere slammed into Kane, the lighter flying from his hands and hitting a wooden statue, inspired by Guertena. It set alight, and Ib noticed this through hazy eyes. It took a lot out of her, hitting into Kane like that. She felt herself being lifted by her arms, and then she felt a strong hand slam into her cheek, sending her spinning and then falling to the ground,

"IB! IB! IB GET UP AND RUN, DAMNIT!"

Ib began to crawl to the portrait as the flames grew, becoming ever closer to Garry. Kane chased after her, and she rolled onto her back, sending her leg into his groin area. He howled in pain, dropping to his knees and Ib rolled onto hers, standing up and darting for Garry. She grabbed the portrait, ignoring Garry's protests. As she dashed for the exit, Kane grabbed her ankle, and she fell, hitting her head on the coffee table. She kicked her other leg out, hitting his face and he let go. She stumbled up, dazed, and ran for the nearest door. The spare bedroom. She bolted the lock she had tried to take out weeks ago, and she was thankful se didn't. She slid against the wall opposite the room, struggling to stay alert.

"Ib, you're hurt. Oh God, you're bleeding."

"Garry, I'm fine, hush."

"Ib, there's smoke filling the room."

"I know."

"Kane is hammering on the door. It's not strong. He'll easily break through and get you."

"I know."

"Ib! You need to get out!"

"I'm not letting him save me," Ib whispered. "I'm not letting him touch me again. You were right Garry, I'm sorry, so sorry I didn't listen to you."

"It doesn't matter, forget about it. I admit I was jealous."

"Jealous?" She said, a soft smile stretching across her lips.

"Mhm, yes I was je—Ib?"

Ib had started to struggle to breathe as smoke poured into the room at an incredible rate. Dents appeared in the door as Kane smashed against them coughing and chuckling, "you have to come out some time soon if you want to live, Ib!"

She ignored him, her eyes beginning to droop closed.

"Hey, hey! Ib! No! Open your eyes."

They were too heavy for her fragile eyes. She closed them, felt darkness surrounding her.

"Ib, stay with me!"

The door smashed open. Kane darted forwards, just as Ib felt herself being grabbed and pulled into the portrait. Kane grabbed her ankle and was pulled forward also. Then, Ib's world became dark as she felt her consciousness leave her.


A/N: Thanks for the support and reviews guys! really brightens up my day!

Sorry if there are any errors. I was tired while proof reading this.

Don't know how many chapters I'll do, probably anything from thirteen to fifteen. I don't know. I'll see how it plans out. I have more plans for this story, including a sequel and whatnot. Meh. Depends what reception this story gets as a whole!

I'll shut up now!

The next chapter will be up soon!