Chapter 2:

Just the way his gaze looked me up and down made me nervous. Mary took my arm and walked me down the stairs. As we reached the last steps the heels I wasn’t used to walking in failed me horribly. I tripped. I waited for the impact of the fall but it didn’t come. I opened my eyes and found Kiro’s arms had caught me from the fall. He was smiling at me with a charming smile that I couldn’t believe.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hi,” I replied. He stood me up right and put his hand out gesturing me to put my hand in his. I did so and he swiftly kissed my hand and I blushed. Mary had stifled a giggle.

“Okay, now for a proper introduction,” Mary smiled. “Kiro this is your new fiancé Roxan and Roxan this is your new fiancé Kiro.”

“Hi,” he greeted again.

“Hi… again,” I smiled. He chuckled a bell like chuckle.

“Well we’ll leave the two of you alone. Come on guys, let’s go,” Mary said leaving with the rest of everyone.

The two of us were alone now and I had nothing to say. Nothing to talk about, everything that I’d ever learned to make small talk in school had completely gone from my mind.

“So you’re the new girl in our class, right?” he asked. I looked him in the eye having a hard time looking away.

“Ummm… yeah,” I finally spitted out.

“So how do you like our school?” he asked.

“It’s nice. A little too big for my taste, since I’ve been in public school for the past few years, but it’s nice,” I smiled.

“I saw my mom talking to you earlier at school so I already suspected you were her,” he said.

“Her?” I asked. “Oh, you mean your fiancé.”

“Yeah, my friend Dani was having a hard time believing my parents would set something like this up without even consulting me,” he said.

“I know how you feel,” I muttered.

“What?” he asked.

“Oh, I mean. One minute it’s my last day of school the next I’m on a flight to meet the man I’m supposed to marry,” I said.

“Really? Well I guess I had it easier then you,” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean all I had to do was get used to the idea. You were torn away from your friends, your family and your life. I don’t think I could’ve done that,” he said.

“Well I had to do what was best for my family,” I smiled at him.

“So there’s a reason you’re here?” he asked.

“Yeah, my family was in some… financial trouble. So your parents and my parents talked about it and this is the turn out,” I said.

“Ahh,” he sighed with realization. “So is your natural hair color black?” he asked.

“Umm, no,” I said tooken aback by the question. “It’s actually brown, why?”

“I just wanted to know,” he said.

“Okay,” I said. “Now this is going to seem kind of weird but every time I meet someone new I play this game.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“It’s 20 questions,” I said.

“Okay, well how about 10 questions. You ask 10 and I’ll ask 10,” he smiled.

“Fine, as long as I get to start,” I smiled back. “First question!” I said putting one finger in the air. “What are the types of people you like to hang out with?”

“Umm… well I like to hang out with I guess the rich kid crowd,” he said.

“Oh,” was all I could reply.

“What about you, what are the type of people you like to hang with?” he asked.

“Well, you’re going to laugh but I like to hang out with the strange people. I’ve always hung out with, as people like to call it, ‘the reject crowd,’” I said.

“Uh-huh,” he said slowly.

“Okay second question,” I said. “If you were to take a girl on a first date, where would it be?” I asked.

“I think it would be, to dinner,” he said. “Now if someone were to take you on a first date, where would you prefer to go?” he asked.

“Somewhere fun. Like go carting or something I wouldn’t have to sit uncomfortably in front of someone,” I said.

“Okay. That’s a little interesting. Usually the girls I know like to go to dinner,” he said.

“Well most of the girls I know don’t like that until the second or third date,” I smiled. “Now third question. When’s your birthday?” I asked.

“It’s June 10th,” he said. “When’s your?”

“May 10th,” I smiled.

“You’re one month older than me. That is so not fair,” he whined. It made me giggle.

“I’m going to move on before you get into a tangent. Who’s your best friend?” I asked.

“Dani,” he said. “She’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. So who’s your best friend?”

“Well you won’t know her but her name is Hannah,” I said. “She lives in the states. Ummm… question five, how do you feel about the idea of this arranged marriage?”

“Well, that’s a little difficult to say. I guess it depends on what’s going to happen next,” he said. “What about you? How do you feel about this situation?” he asked.

“Not sure yet. I guess I’m just going to have to get used to the idea,” I smiled. “Now, do you like living in this big house?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Doesn’t it get lonely just being you, your mom and your dad?” I said.

“Well sometimes, but usually I have people come over so it doesn’t get to lonely. But the real question is, are you going to like it?” he asked curious.

“I’ve never lived in such a big house before. It’ll be different, but you never know. This could be fun!” I said happily. “Seven, what’s your favorite holiday?”

“Well my favorite holiday would have to be… Christmas. You get presents so it’s all good,” he said with a big grin on his face. “What’s your favorite holiday?”

“Thanksgiving, it’s the time of year to eat and eat and eat and eat some more!” he laughed at my retarded way of putting it. “Okay three more questions left. What kind of parties do you like to go to?”

“The kind where my friends are. And you? What kinds of parties do you like to go to?” he asked back.

“The ones I can have fun at. Like when you can act like a total retard and it doesn’t matter for everyone else is acting like a retard with you,” I smiled. “Ninth question, what’s your favorite show?”

“My favorite show? Well I don’t watch T.V. that much so I don’t have one,” he said in deep thought. “What’s your favorite show?”

“Umm… Naruto!” I smiled. “Can’t live without your ninjas.”

“Okay, that’s a little different,” he said.

“Last question,” I paused for drama. “If you were to be able meet anyone in the world, who would it be?”

“I’m not sure, can it be someone I’ve met but would like to meet again?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Then my brother,” he said.

“You have a brother?” I half-yelled.

“Yes, but that last question was your last so you don’t get to know about it until later,” he smiled. “Now my last question is do you have anyone you would like to meet or meet again?” he asked.

“No, I think I’ve already met everyone worth meeting.” I said with assurance.

As I finished my sentence a maid had come to talk to us. “Dinner will be served in the dining room now,” she smiled and curtsied.

The two of us followed her to the dining room. It was huge, the table was very long. The distance from one end to the other was about… six meters long. He sat down on one end and the maid led me to the other. Before I sat down I looked at the length.

“You guys don’t have a shorter table?” I asked.

“I’m sorry miss this is the only dining room table in the estate,” she apologized.

“No it’s alright, it’s just long. Long enough that if you were to talk to someone it would be too difficult,” I said.

“Well, not to be rude miss but usually we don’t talk at the dinner table,” she smiled.

“Oh, okay.” I said, then sat down. Through the whole dinner, appetizer, main course, and dessert, it was quiet. No conversation what-so-ever and it was a little awkward. I was glad when it was over. We then walked into the family room where we talked a little more. Then it got late and he walked me to my room where we said our goodnights and then he left.

6:00 a.m.

It was morning yet again and I had to get up for school. Last night was different then most nights I had. And today would be a little more awkward then last night, knowing now who my fiancé is. I took my shower the night before so I didn’t need to worry about taking one this morning and was done getting ready in about twenty minutes.

I walked downstairs where Mary and Kiro were having breakfast.

“Oh, you’re finally up?” Mary asked in a teasing tone.

“Yeah, last night ended up being longer then I had expected it to be,” I smiled at her and grabbed a piece of toast from a plate.

“Well as long as you had fun,” Kiro smiled in return.

“Yeah I guess… Oh Mary I was wondering if after school today if I could go with some friends somewhere?” I asked pleadingly.

“Yeah go ahead. Just be sure to call when you plan on coming back… You do plan on coming back, right?” she said.

“Of course,” I laughed, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “Just be careful where you go.”

“Okay,” I replied walking out the door.

I was halfway down the driveway when Kiro called my name. I turned back to see him running toward me at full speed.

“Roxan, do you want a ride to school?” he asked.

“No I think I’ll walk. You know for exercise,” I said.

“Oh, well then I’ll see you at school,” he smiled.

“Yeah, see you there,” I said.

When I finally got to school Derik and the twins were standing outside the school. Right when I walked through the gates the twins smiled and skipped to my sides.

“Good morning Roxan you look great this lovely morning,” they giggled at the same time.

“Right back at you,” I smiled. We finally got to Derik and he looked at me with a huge grin.

“So you coming with us tonight or what?” he asked.

“I don’t think I will,” I watched as his faced dropped. “But you guys can come with me somewhere.”

“Really? Where?” he asked his face brightening up again.

“Oh, just somewhere,” I smiled.

I then walked into the building without another word and got to class ten minutes before the bell. I sat quietly getting ready for class when a group of three girls came up to me.

“Roxan right?” one of them asked.

“Yes,” I smiled noticing one was Dani.

“Oh, so she is the one,” another girl snickered.

“Whatever are you talking about?” I asked.

“You,” Dani said bluntly. “I can’t believe the Crims would pick such a delinquent to marry their son.”

“Huh?” I asked.

“Well me Shannon and Kaitlyn were talking,” she gestured at each one. Shannon had short blonde hair and Kaitlyn had red hair. “And heard that you have been in some gang related activity.”

“Why you should it matter to you if I’ve been in some gang?” I asked with a mischievous smile. “Afraid I might hurt you?”

“You wouldn’t,” she scoffed.

“Oh you bet I would,” my grin grew larger.

“That’s it! You should have never been let into this school!” she yelled walking off.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” I yelled after her. It made me laugh that she would say something so amusing.

“What was that about?” the twins asked.

“Oh nothing,” I replied.

“Really?” Kiera asked with a smile.

“Really,” I said.

“So where are you taking us after school?” Kaylee asked.

“You’ll see,” I said when the teacher walked in calling the class to order.

Every second Kaylee, Kiera and Derik got they asked where I was going to take them after school but I wouldn’t give them an answer. All I said was that they would love it. Then school finally got out and everyone that was in the group I was taking with me showed up quickly.

“So where are we going?” Reno asked.

“Oh, you’ll see,” I smiled. “So where is the bus stop?” I asked.

“The bus stop?” they all asked jaws dropping.

“Yeah, where we’re going we won’t be back for about three hours,” I said. “It’ll take half an hour to get there and half an hour to get back. That gives us two hours to stay where we’re going.”

“Where are we going Roxan?” Derik asked demanding.

“In about forty-five minutes you’ll see,” I smiled skipping to the visible bus stop. “Hurry and we’ll make the bus that’s coming now!”

A couple of the kids decided that it might be too dangerous for them to come so they stayed behind. Like the chickens they were, so me, Derik, Kaylee, Kiera, Reno and the boy who had first pointed out Kiro to me went. I soon got to know that his name was Jack.

Everyone was very anxious to know where it was that I was going to take them and replied saying most likely they’ve already been there. Thirty minutes of the same question and we had finally gotten to our destination. It was a bakery. I walked in with a huge grin on my face.

“Hex? Xen?” I called into the shop right when I walked through the door. The rest of the crew was right behind me with questioning looks on their faces.

“We spent half an hour to come to a common folk bakery?” Derik asked.

“Of course,” I said in a tone that made it sound like it should’ve been obvious.

“Onxar! I thought that was you!” a young girl had walked out of the back of the shop.

“Xen!” I exclaimed running to her and then hugging her Xen was a gorgeous women who was about 25 and had beautiful knee length light brown hair and dark blue eyes. I was caught up in the excitement I didn’t notice the young man who had walked up behind me.

“Onxar!” I heard a voice say. Then the next thing I knew I was pulled up into a bear hug.

“Hex!... can’t… breath!...” I tried to say. Then he quickly let me go and I fell to the floor laughing.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered helping me to my feet. I gave him a warm smile then turned to everyone that had come with me. They stared at the man behind me for he was massive. About 6’7” and black hair with green eyes.

“You guys this is Jenna and Jonathon, they own the bakery. Jonathon is my older brother and Jenna is his wife,” I smiled.

“And you can’t for-” Jenna started but was interrupted.

“Auntie Roxan!” came a cry from the door.

“Nexen!” I called as a little boy ran into my open arms. I pulled him up into the air and kissed him on the cheek. Nexen was about five and had Jenna’s eyes and Jonathon’s hair.

“Yes, you can’t forget Benjamin,” Jenna smiled.

“Auntie Roxan, what are you doing here?” Benjamin asked.

“I go to school near here,” I replied.

“Does that mean you’re going to come see us every day?” he asked.

“Well, not every day, just the days I have a chance,” I said.

“Good then I can tell you all that has been happening lately,” he smiled. I once again looked at all my classmates standing in the doorway.

“Come in,” I said. They slowly moved in. Like they were afraid that we bite or something. Jonathon took Benjamin from my arms and sent him up stairs to his room. The others were standing looking uncomfortable, not sure of what to do.

“Onxar your friends look terrified of us,” Jenna whispered to me.

“Yeah, maybe you should say something to make them more comfortable,” I suggested to her and shrugged her shoulders.

“You guys make yourselves at home here,” Jenna smiled. The twins decided it was now a good time to be themselves.

“I’m Kaylee,” one said.

“I’m Kiera,” the other said.

“Hello Kiera and Kaylee,” Jonathon shook their hands. Then everyone else had walked up to Jenna and Jonathon introducing themselves. Soon we were all introduced and it felt as if the awkward air of a few minutes ago had evaporated.

“So what brings you to the bakery?” Jonathon asked.

“I just thought it would be nice to come and see you,” I smiled.

“I can see right through that innocent act Onxar. Tell me the truth now,” he demanded.

“Well actually I came to ask if you’ve heard the news,” I said.

“What news?” he asked.

“That I’m engaged…” I mumbled.

“Oh, that,” he said. “Yes, I have heard it. But you should know that mom and dad had a good reason for doing what they did. If they had any other choice they wouldn’t have done it.”

“I know,” I tried to smile. “But it was just a little quick. They just caught me off guard that’s all.”

“Well you know, you could just run away like I did,” he smiled.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Jenna cut in.

“Why not?” Jonathon asked her.

“Have you seen Kiro Crims?” she asked as he shook his head. “Well he’s a mighty fine delicacy if you catch my drift.”

“Yeah he is,” Reno joined in.

“But he has Dani as a friend,” Jack said. “Who would want to get in the middle of that?”

“I don’t know Jack, he is pretty cute,” Reno argued.

“I know I would try,” Jenna said.

“Excuse me?” Jonathon asked.

“I mean if I didn’t already have a husband I would try,” she quickly corrected. We all laughed at her, she smiled and then kissed him quickly on the cheek. After that Jonathon grew to become his old self.

“So what’s with the names?” Derik asked.

“What? Is Jenna not a normal name,” she asked.

“No I mean Xen and Hex?” he asked.

“Oh, that. It was Roxan’s idea,” she gestured at me.

“Really?” the group asked.

“Why?” Kaylee and Kiera asked in unison.

“Well it was back in charm school,” I started. “We had a group of friends and we were called ‘the it kids.’ Everyone wanted to be our friends because we hung out with the richest and prettiest kids in school. ‘Only the best for our group.’ Is what some of the kids would say.

“So one day we were all hanging out and I said we should all have nick names and that’s how it all came on. But in the end they ended being more like code names,” I ended with a mischievous grin.
“Code names for what?” asked Derik.

“For whatever we wanted to do and get away with,” I paused. “Well actually we got away with anything anyway… until ‘Plan Escape’ came along,” I said with a distant look thinking of what happened during that scheme.

“What happened during ‘Plan Escape?’” Reno asked curious.

“She got kicked out!” Jonathon laughed. Jenna glared daggers at him for his stupidity.

“You got kicked out of charm school?” Jack asked appalled.

“Yeah, took two years. I was so happy when I got out,” I laughed.

“Why did you want to get kicked out?” Derik asked.

“Well, I guess it just wasn’t the place I wanted to be,” I said.

“What did you do to get kicked out?” Kaylee and Kiera asked excited.

“Well, I did some pretty bad things,” I started. “Like, graffiti all over the school saying ‘Onxar rules!’ Which by then the teachers new that was my nick name. Also we tepeed the school, took forever to clean up. Then the whole ‘Masked Murderer’ thing.”

“What ‘Masked Murderer’ thing?” Reno asked.

“Roxan dressed up as the ‘Masked Murderer’ and went around, knife in hand, and pretended she was him,” Jonathon said.

“Were you?” Derik asked.

“No!” I yelled. “Why would I do something so stupid?”

“I don’t know, it was just a question,” Derik said innocently.

“Oh, okay,” I replied.

“So why did you do it?” Jack asked.

“Well there is the reason I’ve already told you and also I wanted to see the extent of how long it would take until we would get in trouble for what we were doing,” I said. “And we also sabotaged the dean’s house.”

“How did you do that?” Reno asked.

“We put a whole bunch of booby traps up,” Jenna said with a giggle.

“Yeah! Took all night just to get it set up and we put up a projector and a video saying ‘the it kids have raided your house.’ It was fun,” I smiled.

“Wow,” the crew said in unison.

“Tell them how much trouble you got in,” Jonathon said.

“A helluva a lot,” I said. “Had to clean up the whole mess and write a five page apology letter to the school, and then read it at an assembly. I was also expelled.”

“Actually she tried to run, then got caught, and then got into trouble,” Jenna smiled. I stuck my tongue out at her like a little five year old.

We spent an hour just talking about old times and all the stupid pranks I used to pull. After a couple hours it was time to leave.

“Come back again,” Jenna said hugging me. Then handing me to my brother who pulled me up into a bear hug again.

“It was good to see ya sis,” he said as I hyperventilated. He let me go and we both started laughing. We caught the bus as it was leaving and got home at 10:00 pm. I sneaked through the door as quietly as possible trying to sneak past the family room without a sound. Then a light went on.

“How was your night Roxan?” a familiar voice said from the room.

“John!” I jumped in horror.

“Come over here Roxan. I need to talk to you,” he said waving me to the empty chair. When I sat down he stared me in the eye so intently I thought I was going to pass out.

“Where have you been?” he asked patiently.

“I went to the bakery,” I said.

“The bakery?” he said as I nodded. “You’ve been at the bakery until ten o’clock at night?”

“Yes, I had some very important business to attend to,” I replied.

“Don’t lie to me Roxan,” he said sternly.

“I’m not lying. I swear I was at the bakery. It’s the J & J Bakery a half hour away,” I argued.

“Why would you be at the bakery until so late at night?” he asked raising his voice a slight.

“It’s none of your business,” I muttered.

“Look Roxan. I am a very patient man. But if you keep playing games like this I might not be so patient,” he said. “Now where were you tonight?”

“I already told you!” I yelled.

“The bakery? You expect me to believe that?” he asked.

“Yes, because that’s where I was,” I said.

“Do you want me to call your parents and ask them why you would be spending so much time at a bakery?” he asked serious.

“Please don’t!” I yelled.

“And why not?” he asked.


“I’ll tell you what you want to know if you don’t tell them, please,” I begged.

“Fine, enlighten me,” he said.

“Okay, I was at the bakery but it was my brother’s bakery. Him and his wife,” I started.

“Why would you need to hide that?” he asked.

“I’m not supposed to be seeing him,” I mumbled.

“And why not?” he said.

“Because he’s my run away brother whom my parents hate because he wasn’t the son they wanted him to be,” I said. “But he was my best friend. I couldn’t just not go and see him. And they have a son, I can’t not just go see my nephew like he’s something I can throw aside,” I paused tears starting to well up.

“I’m supposed to be his aunt and spoil him to death. But my parents said that I couldn’t go see them so I had to sneak out,” I said. “I just wanted to see them.”

“Alright Roxan, go to bed,” John said tiredly.

“What?” I asked sniffling.

“It seems like you’ve had a long night. So go get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning,” he gave me a warm smile.

“Thanks,” I smiled back heading up the stairs. I was thankful that he believed me and hoped he wouldn’t tell my parents of where I’ve been.