Damn, this time I got sooo many AH-MAZING out-of-the-world reviews. I couldn't thank you all enough. Thank you soooo much. You all make me very happy. Some of you really struck my heart with your amazing reviews. I feel flattered and special. =D

I don't remember who but someone said something about making this into a book and publishing it. *sigh* if only it were that easy. But it's a book on fanfic none-the-less. =P

I know I suck at updates but its sooo busy since the past few days, final transcript exams are on my head and with all the council meetings and all the politics that comes with it drives me crazy.

I thought I will update as many stories I can tonight though I should be finishing the worksheet which was supposed to be a class test but since I had a clash with another class I left early with it. I should've completed it sooner since I gotta give it tomorrow but... Fanfiction has been sort of boring, so here you go. =/

believe that this is the first time I'm updating after I shifted to my very own house. Packing and unpacking sucked but it was worth it. Yet it took me a while to get settled and get time to write . =P

Thank u all who added my story in their favorite list or story alert and me in their favorite author or author alert. AND for praising my work soooo much! =D

DISCLAIMER: I OWN THIS STORYS PLOT AND CHARACTERS.

The welcome gift.

A week has passed and David hasn't come yet. I got news today from my parents that he's returning today and I'm super excited. This week, thank God passed without a hitch and nothing much happened. Thanks to my friends who are leaving today.

David had mentioned how he didn't like me being close to Daniel so now I had kept my distance in David's absence. I knew that Daniel was suspicious about something but I couldn't care less.

The weather was so good today, it probably will rain. Oh well. During this week I had a lot of time to think about everything and I couldn't help my thoughts that always drifted back to David.

All this time I felt.. anxious, depressed, worried and confused. Most of all I sort of missed him. Could it be I was falling for him? I don't know. Maybe. Yes? Could someone fall for someone in a few days? Well, it has been a month now.. but I don't know. I'm different. I've never been in such a situation. I've always been so guarded when it comes to my emotions and feelings. Maybe David made me slip it off finally. Maybe he broke through my shell.

I think this is good, I mean we are getting married.

Anyways I knew he had an effect on me cause the minute he was mentioned to me, my heart skipped a beat and my whole world disappeared.

And right now I couldn't wait for him to come home.

I was wearing a plain white V-neck shirt with shorts. Happy, jolly and enjoying the weather, I walked towards the horse stable. My friends tagged along.

"Guys, I want you to meet Sly before you leave" I smiled and waved at him.

"He's mine and David's" I patted him

They were all mesmerized by its beauty. I smiled content with their reaction.

I hoped onto the fence as always.

After half an hour of chit chat, it was time for them to leave.

We were saying our goodbyes and about to leave when Daniel said "you guys go on and get the entire luggage in the car, we'll be right behind you."

They all looked wary but left.

He walked toward me. What was going on? I'm sure he wanted to ask me why I've been ignoring him. He didn't say anything and just stared at me so I started by saying "What?"

"Why have you been ignoring me?"

See, I told you. Now I'm gonna play the total denial card.

"Me? Umm.. No I haven't. What makes you say that?"

"The fact that you're so distant from me! You don't even let me stand next to you! Why are you doing this? Did someone say something to you? Huh?" he was shouting now.

He grabbed my arm and shoved me hard against him.

"Let go of me!" I said loudly.

Why was he being so difficult?

"I won't until you tell me what you're hiding!"

I didn't like where this was going "I'm not hiding anything!" I shouted.

"Yes you are!" he shouted back.

"No I'm not!"

He groaned loudly and before I knew it, he kissed me. What the hell?

I hit him as hard as I could but apparently not hard enough cause he didn't budge from his position.

I froze and waited till he was done, anger filled me up. I couldn't believe that my first kiss ever had been with him! For God sake! I treated him like family. I was saving everything for my someone special. Who now was going to be David.

When he let go of me I slapped him on his face as hard as I could.

He seemed surprised and I went on and said; "you disgust me!" I was going to walk away when he grabbed my arm again.

I tried my best to make him let me go but I couldn't and he said "Please just hear me out."

I stopped and said sternly and trying to pull of David deadly voice "you have exactly two minutes"

He nodded and started "I'm in love with you and I've always been in love with you from the minute I met you."

I was shocked though I should've seen it coming.

"Why?" I mumbled unable to get my mind to work.

"Because I can be myself when I am with you. Because you make me feel like, like I have never felt before. Because I can tell you anything, and you won't be shocked. Because your undying faith is what keeps the flame out of love alive. You and me together, we can make magic. We're a perfect match. Thinking of you, fills me with a wonderful feeling. Your love gives me the feeling, that the best is still ahead. You never give up on me, and that's what keeps me going. You are simply irresistible. I love you because you bring the best out of me. Your terrific sense of humor. Every time I look at you, my heart misses a beat. You're the one who holds the key to my heart. You always say what I need to hear. You are perfect. You have taught me the true meaning of love. Love is, what you mean to me - and you mean everything. You are my theme for a dream. I have had the time of my life and I owe it all to you. When I look into your eyes, I can see your heart. Your love, for me is a natural anti-depressant. I love to hear your voice. My love for you has helped me to rediscover myself. It's an effective anti-dote to despair. I would love to wake up with you always by my side, through thick and thin...It makes my days better just thinking about it. You always make me feel that you are by my side no matter what. I love that feeling of being secure when you wrap your arms around me. I love the way you keep your cool when I do something stupid. Just being with you feels like I can defy the whole world. You mean the world to me. I like your small gestures that speak volumes about how much you care. I love the way you treasure the gifts that I gave you. I love the way you patch up with me after a tumultuous fight-"

"Shut up"

That was a lot of stuff he loved about me. I had to shut him up when I saw him reach into his back pocket and hold tightly onto a small velvet box.

He raised a hand to comfort me but I slapped it away saying "just leave"

"Lizz don't do this" he whispered.

"DON'T DO THIS! WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, I DON'T WANT YOU AND YOUR FILTHY HANDS ANYWHERE NEAR ME! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS! EVERYTHING I DID WAS BECAUSE I FELT YOU WERE FAMILY!" I was furious. How dare he? How could he?

A little calmer I said "You confused my concern for you with love."

Once again my world has turned upside down. Daniel, who I had always relied on, cared for, was now talking an absurd language that I didn't understand. He was a friend and that was all

"I trusted you, I cared for you, how could you do this to me? You know I'm getting married, how could you?" I shoved him.

"I always thought you were going to be mine, I never anticipated that you would end up marrying someone else. I thought maybe it's not too late-"

"Well it is! Now leave!"

"I'm sorry" he whispered. He pulled his hand near my face to rub my cheek but I pulled back and he dropped his hand down. "I'm so sorry that I can't help but love you. I wish you were mine to keep. I've had this since the minute I realized I was in love with you"

He opened the velvet box he was holding. It was a beautiful diamond ring. "But of course it can never match that" he pointed to my engagement ring.

He looked so hurt that I wished I could take my words back but I wouldn't. We were over. God! I felt heart broken again! How would I make it through this? I could see his eyes holding unshed tears.

He turned around and made his way to the car waiting for him.

It was like a piece of my heart was leaving with Daniel. The only guy who ever understood me and who had a great hand in my day to day well being was now leaving me broken.

I watched as he disappeared from my view.

I fell down on my knees and started crying.

Why was this happening to me? Why now?

I couldn't believe it. My only best friend had said something that I never could have predicted. You know, the funny thing is, that if he would have said all this a month ago I wouldn't have minded but he said it now. Which made everything a lot worse. It felt like I was torn between two men. I felt like I was betraying David, my future husband. This couldn't be happening.

As if to portray my mood the sky above started to weep and so did I.

The freezing water pricked my skin but I did not care. The icy wind thrust hard against my body but I did not care.

I sat there. Unable to think anymore, unable to move.

I don't know how long I sat in the rain, probably seven hours? All I knew was that darkness had enveloped me.

I felt horrible, hell, I felt disgusted. Probably all this was my fault. I was full of pity for Daniel. I didn't want to do it but I had to. It was for the best. If I hadn't have done it, things would've ended pretty nasty. I knew him well.

Sadness.

If it wasn't for him I would've died long time back. I owed my life to him. And this is the only thing I have given him; sorrow.

No one knew better than me how a person's life could be changed in a matter of minutes. Mine had changed twice now.

My happiness felt this morning had been changed to despair.

My biggest fear was of being heartbroken again, yet, I had been one all over again.

I had broken all ties with reality and totally lost my mind. I kept crying.

Poor Daniel, he only had me as family. His parents died a long time back leaving him with an aunt that was always drunk or too out of her mind to help him with anything other than finance.

We bonded pretty well since we could relate to each other. He was an orphan.. So was I at that time.

David's POV.

6 days, 144 hours, 8640 minutes and 518400 seconds have passed.

I'm finally going home tomorrow.

I'm finally going to see her.

I missed her so much that I was worried to go home and see her lying dead as the others had been.

But I had to keep faith in everybody else for her safety. Which, lets just say I'm not very comfortable with. I don't trust anyone. Especially since the killer is from the family.

The last day with her was perfect.

Her carefree laugh, her happy and glowing face. How her hair was falling in her face when the wind blew and the way her artistic hands pushed them back. The way her brown eyes danced in the sunlight taking a shade of honey instead. Her pale yet perfect face. Her lips, oh her lips.

I had kept tabs on her emotions. Here and there I would poke in to find I was not the only one missing her. She missed me too. She felt it too.

I was anxious to get back to her.

She was so innocent. She had that look in her eyes. Those captivating eyes-

"Right David?"

I looked up to my dad "Huh? What?" I said suddenly pulled out of my thoughts about her.

"Where's your head? Stop being so useless!" what an annoying thing my father was.

Such a.. sugar coated knife.

Which reminds me does Elizabeth even know what kind of a bastard he is? I doubt it. What? With the way she talks to him? I don't think she has a single clue.

Before I could reply he said irritated "And will you stop doing that?"

"Doing what?" I frowned. Realizing that this was happening in a conference room full of people.

"Tapping your foot against the floor like your impatient and uneasy. It's annoying."

Well, I don't blame him. I had been pretty useless these past days considering my head was swarmed with Elizabeth.

"Well, I am. I want to get this over and done with. It's almost been a week! We haven't come to a conclusion. I think we should go for the war thinking about the fact that the werewolves need to be put into their place. They can't go on disobeying our law which clearly states that humans must not be harmed."

"What's with your sudden passion with humans? They're nothing."

"They're your food." I stated in a deadly calm voice.

I kept telling myself this had nothing to do with my beautiful fiancée.

"Either they kill that werewolf or we attack." I said in the same tone.

"What about the war casualties?"

"We're Vampires. We don't die unless we want to. That's why my army is indestructible." I said and got up. "So it's decided. Now vote. My idea verses Dad's idea of letting the matter slide so that other species start disobeying us. Keep in mind that I'm your king in three months."

Obviously I got all votes.

Finally I'll be going home.

In an hour we had the messages delivered and they had decided to hand over that werewolf instead of a war and I was glad they did that.

This reminded me of what Elizabeth had said in the car before we went camping about the war.

Anyway, I went to bed that night, missing my angel and very tired for no reason and slept peacefully.

The next day I packed my stuff and decided to take a peek at Elizabeth's feelings again. I wonder how she would react to the news of me coming back.

She was ecstatic. Good. I smiled not caring about who was around me and who saw it.

I was happy. I was going to see my beautiful angel.

After a long 6 hours of drive I was bored. Human rides were so slow.

Home still seemed to far away.

I decided another look won't harm anyone. We're bonded anyway. My thoughts going towards her again.

The second I opened the gates her emotions flooding in me in such a rush that I had to stop the car.

She… what's wrong?

I abandoned the car and sped home.

Elizabeth's POV.

I don't know after how long but I felt a familiar presence. It was my long awaited companion.

He came over so fast my eyes couldn't catch him; he wrapped his warm coat around me and picked me up bridal style.

I wouldn't have noticed that I was trembling so much if I wasn't pressed against a stone hard sculpture. I was shivering and crying. I didn't care about anything anymore.

He tried whispering soothing words while he slowly carried me back inside but I couldn't hear them. He was looking so hot, all wet in the rain but I couldn't see him. I was being carried by him but I couldn't feel him. I felt numb. What was wrong with me?

He carried me to my room and lightly placed me on my bed. I held onto the pillow and cried. My mother came in demanding what was wrong and I screamed "GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

I threw that pillow at her and grabbed another one to cry on.

"I need help changing her cloths" I heard David murmur.

I heard a click of my door.

Next thing I knew my Mom was changing my cloths and putting me in something dry. I hit her as hard as I could, probably giving myself bruises, resisting. I just wanted to be alone. Was that too much to ask? "Just leave me alone! You've done enough to ruin my life!" I said exasperated.

I wanted to take whatever I said back but I wouldn't. She should know how I felt every fucking day of my existence and she should know that I would never forgive her for what she did to me no matter how good the things are between us or the fact that I would've never met perfect David under normal circumstances. But I will never forgive her for ruining my perfect life. Hell, right now I wished she was dead.

"I hate you! I wish u were still dead! Thank you for ruining my perfect life! I wish I wasn't born! I just want you to know that I. will.Never. Forgive. You!" I screamed and threw another pillow at her.

I was in warm dry cloths after a minute.

She left after that with a grieved and sad expression. But right now I didn't care. All I wanted was to be alone. I didn't want anyone to see me in a mess. I always, no matter what the situation, wanted to look presentable. No matter how weird that sounded. But hey, who am I kidding? I can't even think straight.

After a while David came to my side with a towel in his hand. He was trying to get my long hair to dry but I didn't want him here.

I was going crazy. Daniel just killed me after what he said. How could he just leave me? after everything we've been through. He was like family. And now he's gone. Poof. Just like that.

I'm never going to see him again. Oh my God. I'm never going to see him again.

I never valued him till just now when he's gone. He won't be coming back.

I started doing the same thing with him. I hit him as hard as I could with my hands and legs. "LEAVE. ME. ALONE! GET OUT!"

Next thing I knew I was pinned against the bed. David was on top of me and my arms were forced down at the side of my head.

I looked in his topaz eyes full of worry.

"I'm not leaving you." He said calmly and precisely.

That's all I needed. I gave up and cried even harder.

He let go and I tried getting up. I was extremely dizzy and David helped me up. I hugged him, held a hand full of his shirt in my fist and kept crying. I probably stained his shirt and neck with salty water but he didn't seem to mind.

I don't know when but I went to sleep in his arms.

NEXT DAY.

I woke up. My entire body hurt. My throat was sour and I couldn't move.

I felt cold.

I opened my eyes, gosh they hurt so much.

I squinted to see. David was there sitting right next to the bed on a chair. He looked so concerned. Maybe he was. His hair going in every direction, his tie hung loosely around his neck, his top buttons opened with his collar uneven and he looked as if he hadn't slept at all. Anyway, yesterdays memories flooded back, making me feel horrible, I wanted to cry but no tears came out. I was thirsty.

Realizing the drama I did yesterday I looked down and said "I'm sorry-"

"Why do you keep on apologizing?"

I looked up and said "you didn't have to see that"

"I didn't have to but I wanted to be there for you" he whispered. I had to hear really close to catch all his words.

I couldn't believe he had been so…. Kind.

"Why?"

Silence.

"Anyway, welcome home" I said smiling weakly.

He nodded.

"Not a very good welcome now was it?"

He just looked at me blankly and I looked away.

"Umm.. So how did it go? It was a meeting right?"

Silence.

So it's going to be the silence treatment now, huh?

"It's been pretty boring here." I said running a hand through my hair.

"How are you?" I said running a hand over my arm. Feeling awkward trying to make small talk when he wouldn't even say anything.

Silence.

"How are you feeling now?" said David softly as he swiftly got out of the chair he had been sitting on and came to sit on the bed next to me.

"I'm fine"

"You're running high temperature."

"Oh, no wonder why I feel so.. Weird.."

"And you said your fine"

I blushed feeling ashamed as my lie was caught.

"I'm so exhausted." I exhaled loudly.

"I can imagine, with all that.." he left the sentence hanging in the air.

"I didn't want you to see me like that" I whispered.

"Want to talk about it?" he hugged me lightly in a way that he could still look at my face.

Tears weld up in my eyes again and I bit down hard on my lips causing immense pain.

I looked down.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to" he said with lightly pulling my lower lip out from under the immense force of my teeth.

"No, you should know what happened."

"I already do" he smiled.

He knew? Did he know about the kiss?

I broke again and hugged him tightly. Why was I crying so much?

"Don't be mad at me and Daniel"

"I'm not"

"It's not his- wait what? You're not mad at us? Do you even know what happened?" I looked up at him.

I was confused.

"Yes I know. I knew it was going to happen."

"How?" I whispered looking down.

"I knew it from the minute I saw him look at you, it's a look I recognize a little too well. And the ring.. He's been carrying that for a while now. That's also why I wanted you to stay away from him.. You belong to me. With me." I didn't miss the possessive tone in his voice.

I remained silent.

I guess he knew about the kiss. I was so relieved.

He hugged me saying "it's not your fault." After a minute he added "how are you felling now?"

It was like a huge weight lifted from my chest. "Much better."

He smiled.

"Take good care of yourself now. I must go attend to my father, he's asking for me."

With that he disappeared.

I felt so much better.

Yet confused.

David was like..

He always acted like..

I mean, I don't know

Once he's all sweet, kind and affectionate and the next minute he's all cold, pompous and stoic? It's been a while since he's acted that way though but I can't forget that it's not there. I think I now know how to deal with his aggressive form. All he needs is a little love, a little care and I think I can offer him that.

It's like he's completely two different people. He's different with me but with others he's so distant and cold. I hope being together forever doesn't do that to us..

After a long time I decided to get out of bed, take a shower and get dressed. The fever really wasn't helping, I was getting bored and I didn't want to stay in bed all day sad, ominous, dejected, murky and portentous.

By the time I reached downstairs I came across a crashing sound of glasses being smashed.

CRASH CRASH CRASH

"DON'T MAKE THIS HARDER THAN IT ALREADY IS! IS THIS ABOUT THE MEETING?" I heard someone shout.

Shocked I ran towards the sound even though my body protested.

Phew, long chapter. Gotta go study now. Or sleep. ;)

Don't forget to review. =)

Love,

Zoya.