Declan tightly clenched the phone in his hand,as he states at his soon to be bride's picture.

Not just any picture

But that of her kissing him, Aaron. The eldest of Reed sons.

He could tell it was a recent one, clicked in the streets of Miami. On the very day, he couldn't contact her. Her phone being lost, the explanation she gave him.

How badly he wanted to confront her, to ask her the truth.

To hear her say it was not true.

A picture photoshopped perhaps?

But one look at those lowered eyes and streaming tears. And he knew, it wasn't that simple as it seemed.

She did indeed looked guilty.

What a shameless girl.

Did she really? And that also with Reed's eldest son?

She looked so innocent though!

This is rediculuous! Why are we even attending this function?

Declan clenches his fists. He didn't needed to hear everyone's more bullsh*t now.

He could see , how their words were affecting her.

They were no one to judge her and point fingers at her, when he himself didn't say a word to her.

He wanted his answers and he will get them from her.

But not like this.

Mrs Reed was fuming with anger. To be honest, he has never seen a women of her composure and class, loose her temper before.

But again ,this was not just trivial matter.

It was a matter of someone's future. Of Ezra's life.

"Ezra child. Don't be afraid. Calm down. "

"Come on stop crying. We are here."

Mr Reed was still taking the situation calmly. Rubbing Ezra's shoulder. But it seemed no one could console her.

She has already taken the blame.

Standing there since last 10 minutes. Staring at the floor blankly with tears streaming down her eyes.

Giving no justification. No reasons.

Nothing. Except silence.

Neil stood beside Declan. Trying to explain him.

"Dec man. Trust me. Our Ezra is not like that. And with bro? Never! They both can't even stand in a room for 5 minutes without fighting. Aaron doesn't even like her.he really hates her.....there has to be a mistake."

Declan just placed his hand on Neil's shoulder. Trying to calm him down.

"Relax. Don't worry."

He says, giving him a curt nod. To make Neil sigh. While Declan looks back at Ezra again.

Hate? Fights? Well, he wouldn't be surprised because he knew sometimes things are not what they always look like.

He needs to wait. To be patient. And let Ezra explain.

Everyone's focus shifts to the figure that enters the hall casually as if nothing has happened. That usual cold look on his face plastered, along with few traces of irritation this time.

"Aaron! What is the meaning of this!"

It was Mrs Reed that started. And Aaron just clenches his fist. Looking at Ezra, to find her eyes fixed at the floor instead.

"Don't look at her. Look at me Aaron. I am asking you something! What's this?"

She asks. Showing him the picture. And he casually looks at it, to just shrug.

"Calm down mom. It's just a casual kiss. What else?"

Aaron's answer made Mrs Reed to fume. As she throws aside her phone, to step closer to him.

"A casual kiss huh?"

Aaron nods, trying to play cool. Hiding the avalanche of emotions building inside him.

"Yaa. Just caught up in the moment. It's not her mistake though. I initiated it."

*Smack*

The sound of a tight slap echoes around in the now empty hallway. As all guests were asked to leave early.

Clenching his fist. Aaron's doesn't dare to say anything. Letting the stinging pain to settle down.

This was the first time his mother has slapped him , but he couldn't blame her.

He deserved this.

"Rose calm down..."

"Mrs Rose we can discuss. It's fine"

Declan's mother says. Interrupting in between. But Rose's eyes were still set on Aaron's. She was not going to stop just here.

"Caught up in the moment? Is this all a god damned joke to you!"

"When you already knew she is engaged to another man! Such shamelessness Aaron? I am really ashamed to call you my son today!"

He still doesn't say anything. Accepting each and everything coming his way.

"Seeing you ..I feel disgusted. Oh lords...this was not the son I raised! A man who takes advantage of a women..."

"Disgusting."

Ezra's eyes shoot up at the words. Her heart protesting as she sees him taking all the blame of that kiss.

When she somewhere in her heart knew, she herself was equally at fault.

That it was not a forced one, rather a mutual one.

A kiss of lust, admiration, thankfulness ,later regret and now?

Shame

"Calm down Rose. Let's sit and discuss."

Drake tries, but Rose just places down his hand. Moving her head in a no.

"What's there to discuss now Drake. Mr and Mrs Lewis. We are really sorry for this. I seek forgiveness on behalf of my son. But you can trust my word."

"Ezra is the most beautiful, innocent and precious child I have ever seen. I can assure you, it was not her mistake."

"Mrs Reed. Please. We understand. You don't need to worry. I guess, we should leave the decison on our children only.'

"It's their life after all." . . .

Mrs Reed nods, to only turn around to look at Aaron. Who has not lifted up his eyes, since the slap.

"Drake please...take him away from my eyes. I can't. I just can't bear to see his face..."

Aaron's didn't had to be told twice. Closing his eyes, he does everything in his control to stop those tears.

And turn his back on them.

Walking out ,with everyone looking at him going. But not doing anything to stop him.

.....

"I wish to talk to her"

Drake says, and everyone nods. Letting him follow Ezra to her room.

She cleans her tears, seeing him standing there on the threshold. To only move aside. Allowing him to enter.

"Are you fine?"

He asks offering her a glass of water. And she takes it, settling down on the bed. Her fingers trembling as Declan tries to calm her.

"Calm down Bella. No one will say anything to you."

Yet,what she spoke next. Made his next words to die down. Looking at her teary eyes, he now realised she was not worried about them and their ceremony.

But about him.

"Where did he go Declan. Last time he went out like this? He...he almost ended up locked up in Jail."

He goes silent. Not knowing what to say.

He can understand. She cares for almost everyone. Her heart is too gentle, sensitive and loving.

But could it be more than it for him.

"He is a grown up man Ezra. I am sure he will be fine. Don't worry."

She was still lost in thoughts. Moving her head in a no.

"He is so bad at expressing himself Declan! You know when we were kids, he wouldn't stop those bullies from troubling me , but once a boy wanted to borrow a pencil from me?"

"And he literally broke all my pencils so that no one can ask me again for a pencil!"

"He...is so bipolar"

Declan just smiles. Tilting his head to a side, to note her expression clearly. And he found it.

The thing he was searching for.

She liked him.

"Mrs Reed. Said so much to him...he must be so hurt. And he took all the blame! How stupid of him-"

Declan stops her inbetween. Placing his palms on her cheek, making her look at him.

"He didn't kiss you forcefully. Did he?"

He asks and her eyes widen. Tears already struggling to be stopped at the brim of her eyes.

"The truth Ezra"

And that's when she gulps to move her head in a no. Looking back at him.

"No Dec. He didn't. I...I wanted to tell you about it but...but I thought you will be angry at me..you should be of course. I did it behind your bac-"

"Shhhh"

He doesn't let her complete. Making those teary eyes to meet his understanding ones again.

"Tell me truthfully Bella. Do you love him?"

Her heart thumps in her chest. As she looks from his one eyes to another.

"It doesn't matter. He doesn't feel the same. He would never love m-"

"I asked, do you love him Ezra?"

And she knew then. That this man with her, will understand her. No matter what. Nodding, she finally let's it out.

"I do."

His hand drops from her cheeks, to only have her hold it back in her hands. Almost pleading him.

"But I am sure I will forget loving him Dec. I will teach my heart to forget him."

"I promise to try my best to love you...and I know. One day I will love you."

"Please don't say no to this engagement. Mom...mom wanted me to marry you and I trust her. I trust you."

"Any girl will be lucky to have you."

He continues too look at her. To only smile.

Holding up her hands to kiss them. Making her look at him in surprise.

"Why didn't you told me this earlier Ezra? "

She lowers her eyes. Making him move up her chin.

"You know Ezra. What is the difference between the lucky ones and the happy ones in this world?

She moves her head in a no. And he nods. Moving up his hands to next cup her face and clean her tears.

"Lucky ones are those who get whatever they dream for , over just a wishful thinking."

"And the happy ones are those who work each and everyday of their lives , to make their dream come true and find happiness ultimately after knowing it's worth."

"I don't understand"

"My Bella. If he doesn't love you, then earn it. Show him. Tell him. Fight for him."

"It's rare to find someone who we love so much. And it's ever rare to have them love us back."

"But are you really going to give it away, without a try?"

"Be the happy one Ezra"

"This fight for love is yours. And if you believe in yourself."

"Nothing is impossible"

She looks in a deep thought. To finally look up at him. With that broad smile back on her lips.

And before he knows, she jumps on him. Hugging him so tightly ,that he chuckles at her.

"Easy Bella. Now we don't want you to kill me in happiness, do we?"

"I don't know how I got so lucky to have found you"

He runs circles on her back. Chuckling. Trying to hide that sad smile ,while speaking in her ears.

"Likewise."

"Now enough of this. And give me that beautiful smile. That I have missed seeing?"

She chuckles. Pulling back from him.

"Yes. That's like my Bella now."

Her smiles get wider as he just stares at her. Wondering how lucky that Aaron is to have someone like her love him.

If only someone would have loved him like that? He wouldn't have let them go, no matter what.

Pushing aside the thoughts, he pulls her up from the bed.

"Come"

"Where?"

She asks,confused. And his reply made her eyes to widen and heart to thud loudly again.

"To proclaim your undying love for that luck* bastard"

"No...I won't"

And he smirks. Pulling her forcefully out of the comforter.

"Oh Bella. You will. And that also now."

. . .

"Excuse me everyone. Ezra has something to say to you."

Everyone stops talking to look back at Declan and Ezra. Giving her encouraging smiles, they urge her to say it.

"Yes my child. What's it?"

Mrs Reed says. And out of habit. Ezra rubs her neck.

"Umm actually. I wanted to say that what happened today...umm.."

Ben, Neil ,Stel, Mr and Mrs Reed and Lewis. All give her their full attention.

Making her more nervous.

"Don't worry about it. I will make sure Aaron personally comes and apolog-"

"No Mrs Reed"

She cocks her bow in confusion.

"No? But Ezra, this boy is seriously crossing all his limits. I will not tolerate such mistakes-"

"If was not a mistake Rose"

The gentle tap on her shoulder encouraged her and she let's it out finally.

"Aaron may have initiated it, but I responded to him."

"He didn't do anything wrong."

"I...I have feelings for him"

Everyone stills. And some even had their mouths open.Till Ezra, takes a deep breath. Announcing confidently.

"I love Aaron"

And that was it. Neil spits out the water he was drinking. Stel barely blinks. While Ben's spoon drops on the plate.

Mrs and Mr Reed look at each other. To look back at her.

And she nods. Confirming it.

"I apologise for not telling you this earlier."

"But I love your son Mr and Mrs Reed. Loved him since the 4 th grade when I didn't even knew what love was, and still love him"

"Defiantly yet . . . .

"Uncontrollably "