Chapter 1 Arrival

"Where is Louis, I swear I'm going to kill him if he doesn't come to pick you" Kayla yelled over the phone.

I was sitting in the waiting area at the airport waiting for Louis who was supposed to pick me up from the airport while I video called Kayla.

I chuckled at her protectiveness, she was always like this after I got bullied in third grade.

"Maybe he is busy, he will be here soon," I said, trying to defend Louis.

"He has been keeping you waiting for Two hours, what if something happens to you".

I sighed typical Kayla always being the protective one

" Kayla, I am eighteen, not eight," I said in a duh tone. " And besides he might be busy"

" He isn't even answering my calls" Kayla complained

" Stop being mama bear, I am sure he will arrive soon"

" Kayla" I heard her mum's voice from the background.

" Oh shit, I need to go, when he comes be sure to call me," Kayla said getting up from her bed and walking towards her door.

"Okay mama bear, I will, bye" I waved her

"Love you Ry" she ended the call

I sighed holding my phone down.

My name is Riley Martin and my best friend, Kayla calls me Ry, well I would say my overprotective best friends Kayla and Louis. Kayla and I have been friends since kindergarten while we met Louis in third grade. There is a reason for their over protectiveness, and it was because of an incident that happened in third grade. I was bullied because everyone thinks I am strange. I was called the blue green eyed freak, yeah my eye colour is different, my left eye is blue while the right is green.

The kids in school found it strange. I felt ostracized but I had my Louis and Kayla who were always there for me, they always told me I was special but I found out two years ago that the kids in high school were right. I was a freak.

When I clocked sixteen I killed my boyfriend and I swear it wasn't intentional, I don't even know how I burnt him to death all I know is that I had caused the fire that night. Nobody knows the truth, and I want to keep it that way.

Everyone thought It was a miracle that I wasn't burnt in the fire but I know it wasn't any sought of miracle, the kids at school were right, I was a total freak. I didn't want to tell my best friends what really happened that night, I know they were going to freak out so I kept it to myself.

I distanced myself from everyone not wanting anyone to end up like Peter, yes Peter was my boyfriend, who I unintentionally killed.

Louis and Kayla noticed how I distanced myself after the incident, they tried to get close to me but I kept pushing them away, knowing what I did, I was a murderer and have always lived with that guilt. I regretted what happened that day and his death continues to haunt me, it's a past I would like to forget so I don't want to talk about it.

Well, right now I am in Toronto, one of the biggest cities in Canada. I had been picked as an intern by one of the biggest and most famous companies. It's everyone's dream to work in the Regnant's company and I guess I am lucky.

Louis moved to Toronto a year ago and after hearing the news he was really happy knowing that he was always going to be there for me.

I have been waiting for him at the airport for two hours and it wasn't like him to be late.

"Ry" speaking of the devil, Louis was walking towards me with long strides and wearing a big smile, he was wearing an ash shirt with black trousers, he had black hair which goes with his chocolate brown eyes, Louis was every girl's dream in school, that's why I had a lot of fake friends, who only got close to me because of Louis.

Knowing Louis and I were close they wanted to be friends with me to get Louis's attention which annoyed me, they were as annoying as flies. I never really cared but Louis never paid any attention to them.

"Louis" I ran towards him and hugged him

"Hey shortie," he said, ruffling my red hair.

I playfully hit him on his shoulder "don't call me that".

I am not short, I'm five feet two inches tall and that doesn't mean I am short.

That was his nickname for me although I wasn't that short or am I?

Louis held his hand and groaned in pain "your punch has gotten stronger" he said holding my hands "have you been going to the gym"

"No I haven't and I didn't hit you hard, so stop behaving like a softie" I playfully glared at him

" You aren't the one in pain" he whimpered, still holding his shoulder.

" Don't think I am going to let you off the grid because of that, you promised to pick me and it's over two hours already?" I said looking at my watch " Two hour and twenty minutes" I added

" I'm so sorry, I was busy" he begged " if you forgive me, I promise to make you your favourite crême brûlée," he said trying to coax me.

I glared at him, he knew that I can't get angry whenever crême brûlée is involved. It was my favourite and I have a sweet tooth. Louis was the only person that could make it his Aunt was French and she taught him. Since he travelled I haven't had it in a while and it was a tempting offer.

"You can bribe me with that but Kayla is really mad" I threatened him with a sheepish grin. He could bribe me but he could not easily bribe Kayla.

Louis groaned running his hand through his hair " you have to cover up for me please shortie" Louis begged "I won't live to see tomorrow if you don't help me"

I smirked "hmmm… I will think about it"

He carried my luggage " come on let's get to the car"

I smiled as I followed him towards his black SUV.

He placed my bag into the trunk of the car and was about to enter the driver's seat when he saw me still standing

"What," he asked looking at me wide eyed "did I forget something"

I pointed at the door.

"Oh…" he understood what I meant and walked towards the passenger's door to open it for me " I am not chivalrous, don't make me pretend to be one"

" Well, just take this as my way of preparing you to be one for your future girlfriend" I winked at him entering the car, " I think that's the reason you are still single" I teased him as he entered the driver's seat.

"Says the girl who isn't dating" he teased back revving the engines.

"Don't question my love life. I have a lot of admirers and I know you are one of them," I playfully said.

His face turned a light shade of pink then he scoffed "pfft, as if"

"Don't deny it, Louis, you can confess to me and maybe I might pick you" I joked

"Short girls aren't my type"

I glared at him " don't call me short, or I'm gonna hit you one more time"

"Copy that, I wouldn't want a second, bone breaking punch from you," he said and we both laughed

After driving for some time, he stopped in front of a blue house. Alighting from the car he retrieved my bags from the trunk of the car.

"Welcome to your new home shortie"

I looked around the front of the house and everything there was so likeable. The flowers were arranged at the front like a small garden. I love nature, it's nerve calming.

"My guess is you put a lot of effort into this" I turned to him with a smile

"Emphasize on the lot and effort," he said, "come on in, I am sure you would love the interior".

We walked to the front door and he used the key to open it.

Entering inside the house I was met with a wide sitting room.

The couches were arranged neatly, the wall was painted white, plain but cool.

"It gives a warm vibe"

"Wait till you see your room" he suggested.

We climbed the stairs and walked toward a brown door

" Here it is"

He opened the door and my mouth was left agape

" Wow" I was speechless. " Did you paint this yourself?" I asked him, entering the room and looking around.

" Yes" he replied

The room was what I wanted, not that I had told him what I wanted. Maybe he just guessed I would love it considering I am a nature lover.

The walls of the room were painted like a forest, and the trees, flowers, rivers, and birds were painted in detail. There was a bed at the side of the room near the wall, with a door on the other side which with no doubt led to the bathroom, the room was arranged to my taste.

"Do you like it"

"I love it, " I replied, twirling in the middle of the room.

When Louis had gotten the news about me being an intern in a company in Toronto, he suggested that I stay with him at his place.

Well, my parents allowed it, wanting him to take care of me since I was going to be a long way from home and Louis is my childhood friend. I was against it because I was scared of what happened two years ago happening again and I didn't want to be watched over. I wasn't a kid and everyone treated me as one, Kayla had convinced me and yes she is silver tongued which made me agree to the arrangements.

I love it here and it seems Louis put in a lot of effort to make me feel comfortable and his efforts weren't void, because I love it although I just got here so far it's good.

"Thank you so much, Louis, and sorry for the trouble you went through"

He ruffled my hair "it was nothing, anything for you shortie"

I smiled at him, I was already used to him treating me like his baby sister.

"Now shower up and come down for dinner, you must be famished"

"You bet I am " I replied and he left the room, closing the door behind him.