Thank you for the review, eva505 :)

One month later

AJ walked to the mini kitchen at Phil and Amy's shop, feeling bored now that she already done her classworks. There, she saw Amy put frostings on the recently cooled batch of cupcakes that the woman made at noon. AJ approached her and when Amy noticed her presence, she welcomed her with a smile.

"Hey there, AJ", she smiled before focusing on her cupcakes once again.

AJ felt quite funny to see someone as intimidating looking as Amy was good with baking. She knew she had a good heart too, along with her husband. They were like the close friends she never had since they always talked about their lives. If AJ could, she also wanted to tell them about her marriage but because she promised not to tell anyone, she had no choice but to exclude that one from their chats.

"Smells and looks good, Amy", AJ beamed, her lips pointing to the savoury treats in front of her.

Amy giggled being complimented. "You can take a bite if you want to"

AJ took one of the cupcakes in her hand and she studied the cutesy detail of it before she remembered something.

"Amy, do you mind if I bring this home with me?", she asked but her eyes remained on the cupcake.

"You like sugary things, huh?", she teased the young lady, making her crept a small smile on her lips.

"No. Actually, it's Colby's birthday today and I want to at least greet him with a cake, or even a cupcake if it matters"

Amy made a questioning look, wondering if she just heard AJ right. Realising that AJ was now looking at her for her expression, she shook her head and explained, "I'm not trying to burst your bubble or something, but the whole town knows Colby only celebrates with his gang. And from what I see, you're just a distant cousin to him"

Immediately after AJ heard her, her shoulder slumped in disappointment as she sighed deeply, "I know, but at least I want to show him I don't want any trouble with him. If he hates it, then what can I do? At least I've tried, right?"

"I guess... you do have a point though", Amy nodded before she put away the piping bag in the sink. She turned to AJ again, while peeking outside, "Phil's done with his customer yet?"

"Nope, he's still downstairs and he told me to finish the up some past year questions", AJ answered with a cheeky grin.

Amy scoffed, putting her hands on her hips and pretended to be mad, "Then what are you doing here interrupting me in the kitchen?"

"It's because I've done all of them about", AJ shrugged before looking at her wrist watch, "...twenty minutes ago"

"You're quite a brainy girl, aren't you?", Amy supported her chins on the palms of her hands that were resting on the counter.

"I wasn't labelled as a geek or nerd at my previous school for nothing"

AJ was sitting alone on the couch in the living room, waiting for her husband to come home. The only companion she had 3 a.m. in the morning was the cupcake she brought home with her that night. It was for Colby's 18th birthday and although she knew it was far from his usual taste, she wanted to impress him at least.

That wait she did was nerve-wrecking for her. Her legs getting restless and shaking on the floor didn't ease her nervousness too. At times, she would also yawn several times but she rather waited for him, even when she had a slight clue it would turn unlovely. For a month, despite Colby's attitude towards her, AJ felt drawn closer to him. People would call her crazy for it but those moments she was awake at dawn while he was peacefully sleeping made her heart skipped several beats.

Several times she stole the chances just to watch him and she would also take the opportunities to caress his face and stroke his hairs when he was in deep slumber, that's how crazy she was. She wished he would be as peaceful not only in his sleep, but also when he was awake. She wished Colby would talk and treat her nicely. Deep inside her heart, she wished Colby would have that slight spark like she felt when they were in their bedroom. But in the end, she knew it wasn't possible. He hated her and he already had a lucky girlfriend.

Her thoughts were shut completely when she heard a struggling clicks of key entering the lock several times. She knew it was him. Grabbing the cupcake, she walked to the door and opened it. She tried to smile without getting scared.

"Happy birthday!", she spoke while extending her arms, showing him the cupcake but instead of getting a 'Thank You!', she was met with a quite serious weight collapsing onto her petite body, making her to drop the cupcake in the process.

AJ didn't fell to the floor though. She didn't know how she did it but she managed to support Colby and put him on the couch while he was mumbling words in a drunken state. She walked to the door to lock it and before she did, she knew Colby was drunk, due to the fact that his car was parked at the flower garden, ruining some of the plants on the grounds.

"You're drunk! Stay here while I go get something to clean the floor", she babbled before she started to rush to the kitchen but Colby pulled her hands to him, causing her to accidentally sit on his lap, her back pressed against his chest.

"No! You stay here!", Colby muttered under the influence as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

What he didn't know was that his gesture was making AJ's heart pumped faster and her cheeks were flushed with warmth. He snaked his arms around her waist securely, while he groggily snorted under his breath.

"Colby, I need to clean the cake up", AJ nervously spoke while trying to break his hold on her but it was only getting stronger.

"I'll lick it off the floor later", he said what he didn't have control over, making AJ to question what had he spoke. "I promise, I just want to talk to you tonight. I won't say something bad", he placed her beside him so that she would sit next to him.

His glassy eyes stared at her intensely, a crooked smile appeared on his lips. "You're cute when you looked afraid. Your eyes... I like your eyes, AJ", he groggily spoke as one of his hand was caressing her face.

She moved his hands away, "You're scaring me, Colby. Don't do this"

He waved his hands upward in defeat before he made a fake crying sound as he put the side of her head on AJ's shoulder again. Although he sounded like he made it up, AJ saw real tears coming out from his eyes.

He toned down his voice but he was sniffing through his nose. "I was ten when it happened"

"Colby, I don't think this is the right time. You're drunk", she warned him.

He in return ignored her and proceeded, "That night, dad and I were just swimming around at the pool like we always did. When dad unexpectedly climbed out, I knew something was wrong. You know why? Because he told me to hide underwater. He knew I was great at holding my breath. He said "Everything will be fine, son. Just wait here and it'll all be over. Don't ever get out from here till I tell you to do so, okay?". So I did what he told me"

"Soon enough, I saw what it seemed to be like his friend along with two built bodyguards. It didn't take me long to figure out that they were yelling at each other and then I heard gun shots, maybe twice or thrice. I was terrified to be in the water alone, at the same time thinking that it could be dad that got hit by the bullets. My question was answered though. My dad fell in the water, sinking with his unmoved body and instantly the water turned red. I was panicked and I screamed, but I forgot where I was at that time. When I woke up, the doctor told my mom I almost died from drowning. Almost! But my dad didn't make it. Shot repeatedly in the heart, how could he survive?", his voice spoke with so much hurt.

"Oh Colby", AJ sympathised him and the only thing she could do at that time was giving him a comforting side hug.

Colby lifted his head from her shoulder and turned her to face him, "Do you have any idea what could happen if I climbed out of the pool earlier? I could've save dad's life but I didn't. I should've died instead. I'm useless. I let mom down and dad must be embarrassed to admit me as his son. What can I do, AJ? It's the only thing that can make me forget about it, to be a bad guy. To be the spoiled brat that everyone hates"

She cupped his face and assured him, "I don't hate you"

"I just don't want them to pity me for my loss. I don't want to be looked as a weak kid that lost his own father because he didn't do anything. I don't want you to sympathise me like the others"

"So that's why you hate me?", she looked into his eyes for an answer.

He slightly chuckled as he wiped his tears, "Pretty much. But you're fine. Mom was right. You're strong. I treated you like dirt and you're still okay with it."

"I wanted to be a good wife for you. You're my husband now and as long as our marriage is still on, I'll treat you like one, even if you treated me the exact opposite"

"Thank you", he bowed his head down playfully.

She rubbed his back in comfort, "I'll go get some clothes for you to change".

She stood up and looked at him. For the first time in her life, she saw him not glaring or insulting at her and that made it for her. Although everything would turn normal tomorrow and he would be back to his usual way, she didn't care. At least she'd seen this side of him once and she finally knew what was bothering him all this while.

I like writing their interaction in this chapter but I like chapter 15 and 16 more. You guys could read it in the next few days. Please review, thank you.