Chapter 2 - ENGAGEMENT

"Wait! What? Are you crazy?" I snatched my hand away from him and crossed my arms. I don't know how I managed to composed myself. With my head up high, I asked him.

"Oh I thought you knew since you insisted that I tell you now. Anyway, you heard me right, after college, we'll get married so from today onwards, you are my fiancé." Luke said it without any hesitation. It seems to me that this is just a joke to him.

"Is it amusing to you to make fun of other people? I  don't know what you're talking about and even if its true, I don't want to be your fiancé. I hate you and all those people behind this!" I yelled at him so everyone who's watching us can hear it. I turned around and walked away. I don't want to hear any word from Luke. I run inside the school and went straight to the rooftop. I'm annoyed. No, I'm mad at him. It doesn't seem that he's joking and I'm mad at my parents for not consulting me first. I want to scream but my voice won't come out. I can't breathe! Oh no! It's happening again.

"Alora! Listen to me! Can we talk about this first?" I didn't notice he followed me here. I turned around and looked at him. He looks worried? I can't tell. My chest hurts and I can't seem to focus. My vision is getting blurry.

"Luke, can we - can we talk some other time? I, I need some air. My chest its.." Luke didn't care and continued talking while crossing a few steps closer to me. I raised my left hand to stop him from getting closer. My right hand is in my chest. I noticed the ring on my finger when I raised my left hand. I didn't realize that I wasn't able to remove it. Again, my chest hurts The ring seems another prison to me and I will never escape from it. Before  I knew it, I'm already crying. A silent cry. My chest hurts because of all the emotions that I cannot put into words. I can't breathe. I held my chest tighter as the pain becomes stronger.

"Alora, I want to make it clear that I didn't plan to tell it to you in front of so many people but you insisted. I want to seriously talk to you about it alone. But..." Luke stopped when he noticed that I am holding my chest and suddenly dropped my knees on the ground. I was having cold sweat and my chest seems very tight.

"Alora! What's wrong? What's happening?" Luke crossed the space between us and got down to his knees as he grabbed my shoulders.

"I, I can't breathe! It's happening again! Save me! Save me!" I don't want him to see me like this. I don't want anyone to see this side of me. A helpless child. Who would have thought that Alora Smith, the one they call the Ice Princess, has this vulnerable side? But right now, I can't focus on getting back on my feet, I needed someone to help me and Luke just happened to be there.

"Alora, I'm here. Breathe baby, come on! You can do this." Luke's soft voice is soothing to my ear as he caress my back, I felt safe. No! It can't be. No one can save me. No one can understand me because no one cares. My heart started pounding and again my chest became more painful. My breathing became more frequent and I can't even speak. Luke grabbed my face and run his fingers in my cheeks and then my lower lip.

"Alora, please come back to me." Luke whispered softly before putting his lips into mine. Luke's lips tastes sweet like honey. He slowly moved his lips and I didn't realize that I already closed my eyes giving him a signal that I didn't resist. Luke put his right arms around my waist as he kisses me softly and passionately. I held my chest again but the pain wasn't there anymore. What's this feeling? Excitement? No, it can't be. This is my first kiss so the feeling is new to me. When Luke released my lips, he still seems worried. I can see his face clearly now and my breathing went back to normal.

"Alora, are you okay now? What happened?" Luke asked with a worried face. I'm not sure if what I'm seeing this side of him is true or it's just a way of him to get to me.

"It's a panic attack. I've had it since primary school. It's no big deal. Thank you for helping me. So can you let go of me now?" I realized he's still holding me and his face is very close. I know I'm blushing but I can't show this guy that I'm affected by his kiss. Luke released me and helped me stand up.

"I don't think its not a big deal, Alora. What if I didn't chase you? What if I didn't came here? What will happen to you? Let's go see the school doctor." Luke was about to grab my hand again but I was fast enough to avoid it.

"No! I don't want to see any doctor. I don't want anyone to know about this. So can you just keep quiet about this? If you didn't push my limits, it will not happen in the first place. I told you I don't want to talk to you and needed some air but you insisted. And besides, if you didn't see me, I will just pass out and will wake up like nothing happened." I hated explaining myself to him but I felt like he needed an answer. And I know Luke will not stop until he get what he needs. I looked at his face and I was shocked. His eyes seems sad. Why? Is he having pity on me?

"Don't look at me like that. Don't pity me. The last thing I want from you is pity. Just go to class Luke and leave me alone." I continued. Luke sighed.

"Alora, I'm your fiancé now. Everything that will happen to you is now my business. I can't just ignore it. I don't want to force you to talk about what happened earlier, I won't force you to go see the doctor and I won't tell anyone about this. But in one condition.

I frowned and looked directly to his eyes. I can see that his determined about this and won't stop until I say yes. "Okay, what is it?" I said.

Luke smiled showing his pearly white teeth. Yes, he's hotter when he's smiling. Wait. What am I thinking right now? This is not the right time for this.

"Attend our engagement tonight and accept me as your fiancé."