Wolf under an oak tree.

It's been almost a week since I last saw Sparkle, and yeah, I love him for some reason, I had this nagging feeling at the back of my mind, that Sparkle might have gotten hurt fighting with the other wolf, but my heart says otherwise.

“Aunty Ilis! Aunty Ilis!” Beatrice came barreling into my room, wearing a purple ball gown with a cute tiara on her head.

“Slow down, cupcake! What is the rush?” I stood up from my bed and kneeled beside her, waiting for a reply, and after a few more deep breaths, she spoke.

“Your prince charming is waiting for you downstairs.” my heart started palpitating, and I felt the room spinning, black dots appearing in the corner of my eyes.

“Princess, where are you? Your prince charming is here?” that sinister voice made chills run down my spine, and I backed up farther into the closet that I was hiding, hoping that he doesn't find me there, but looks like luck is not on my side again.

The closet door abruptly opened, and Alan stood there reeking with the smell of alcohol and cigarette. His eyes wandered around the closet before they landed on me, and that is when I knew, that I am not going to get out of this alive.

“Oh, you are here! I have been looking for you everywhere.” he grabbed my upper arm and pulled me outside, and threw me to the wall like I was a sack of potatoes.

“A...Al...Alan, please! Let me go. I...I don't want to see your face again.” before I could pledge again, he slapped me across the face, which caused a temporary ringing in my left ear, and that is when I realized again how strong he was.

“How could you complain about your boyfriend to the police, you bi**h!” he yelled before kicking me. And I prayed to all the Gods up there, to save me from this monster.

“Aunty Ilis, What happened? Why are you cwying?” Beatrice kept shaking my shoulder, bringing me back from that dark corner that was a part of my life.

“Nothing cupcake, I think something got into my eyes.” I forced a smile and wiped my face before getting up from the floor.

“So, did you show Walter the living room?” I asked her, and she nodded her head, and then I started to climb down the stairs. I didn't know why, but I felt my heart race and the butterflies, which were dormant for a very long time, started creating havoc inside my stomach again.

When I entered the living room, I saw that Walter has brought his best friend along with him today. “Hello, Walter.” I greeted him, and he gave me the biggest goofy smile, before walking over and hugging me and I hugged him back, returning my greeting and I heard someone growl in the background.

“How is my darling, today?”

“I am doing great,” I replied before turning towards Jace.

“Hi, Walter informed me last night that you agreed to help me, and thank you so much for that, Jace.”

“It’s my pleasure, Iris. And besides, since I am the person who has designed all the houses in this town, it is only right if I design yours too,” he said, and I nodded my head, mesmerized by the velvet voice that he has that can turn any girl into a puddle.

How can such a handsome guy be single?

But I quickly erased those thoughts from my brain because I have already sworn an oath to myself, that I would stay away from Jace Emerson because I don't want history to repeat. And I know that Walter is trying to flirt with me, but I know that he just wants a friendship and nothing serious, in the other hand, Jace looks like he has an entirely different idea.

“Thank you so much once, again,” I said, and he nodded his head.

“So darling, why the sudden change of mind to building a house here?” Walter asked.

“I don't know, I just felt like I want to have a house here,” I said, shuddering my shoulder.

Honestly speaking, I don't even know where that idea came from, but as soon as I had that thought, I wanted to make it a reality. Because just thinking of having my own house in this tranquil place, makes my heart swell with warmth and an unknown emotion.

“So Iris, you are serious that you just got this idea of building a house, overnight?” Walter asked me for the nth time, and I nodded my head.

“I still can't believe it.”

“Well, I guess, you will have to accept the reality sooner or later, right,” I replied, but I can still see that Walter wasn't believing a word that I was saying.

“Maybe,” he said.

“So, did you see any properties to buy yet?” Jace asked, and I nodded my head and passed him my phone with the few houses that I saw for sale.

“I was thinking of taking you two to all the properties and deciding which one to buy,” I said, and Jace nodded his head and returned my phone.

“So, what are we waiting for, let's go,” Walter said, and I walked them towards the foyer before yelling out to my brother that I am leaving.

“I will come in my car, and I guess you guys can follow me in yours,” I said, and Walter nodded his head before moving towards a Porsche, which most likely would be Jace’s car because I know that Walter doesn't like small cars, his words not mine.

I quickly got inside my car and kept my handbag in the passenger seat, and tried to start the car, and even after several tries, the car didn't start at all.

The car was working just fine this morning, then what happened now?

I tried a few more times before getting out to check the engine.

“Hey, is everything alright?” Walter yelled from Jace’s car, and I gave him a thumb’s up before going to the front to check the engine.