Kaden

　　3 Years From Now.

　　I stamped the last document on the desk before arranging it into the folder and adding it to the stack of documents at the edge of my table. I put the stamp back in it's place and I dropped my pen in the pen case.

　　I stood up and pushed my chair under my desk. I looked at the wristwatch on my left wrist and saw that I still had time to get ready quick. I picked up my jacket hung on my chair and I placed it on my shoulder before picking my briefcase and walking out of the office.

　　I walked into the elevator and waited as it took me the ground floor and hissed open.

　　"Good evening." I nodded at the secretary as I passed her desk and I walked towards the door..

　　"Kaden! Kaden!" I stopped walking as I heard the familiar voice of my best friend, Ralph behind me.

　　I turned around to see him run out of the elevator towards me.

　　"Hey buddy," he said, and stopped to catch his breath.

　　"My car's at the mechanic so I'll have to catch a ride in your car to the gala," he said and I smiled.

　　"That's what happens when you let your girlfriend demand the world from and let her have it," I said sarcastically with a smile and I continued walking out if the company's building.

　　"Really Ralph, you've got to leave Stephanie," I said as we both walked out of the building.

　　"I love Steph and you know it," Ralph retorted and I shrugged.

　　"Okay, I'm going home to change first," I said and faced Ralph, looking at what he was wearing. He was dressed in a white and blue check shirt and a blank pant.

　　"Are you going to the an important company event dressed like that?" I raised an eyebrow and he shook his head.

　　"Of course not. I'll borrow one of your clothes since we're stopping at your house," Ralph said and I shook my head, sighing. I took out my keys from my pocket as we got to my car. I opened the car and climbed in, starting the car as Ralph climbed in next to me.

　　***

　　I slowly brought the car to a halt as I parked in the parking lot of the hotel. Ralph climbed out of the car first and I retrieved my keys from the car before climbing out. Ralph and I and stopped by my house and changed before coming here.

　　I was wearing a white tuxedo while Ralph chose a blue suit. I and Ralph walked towards the hotel that Starnex Ltd had booked solely for the day.

　　This gala was a big deal as we would be making a major agreement with one of America's largest company, Empire Consolidated. I looked forward to seeing one particular person the most.

　　"Welcome sirs," the guards at the door greeted before opening the door to let us into the hall. The hall was filled with several people, many of them I recognized as staffs at the headquarter.

　　"I need a drink."

　　***

　　"You should have seen how they all teased me," Natalie smiled. The music had started and I placed my hand on her shoulder, using my other hand to grab her by the waist.

　　"I kissed you in your office. It's Laura's fault for bursting in like that," I chuckled we danced to the slow classic music playing.

　　A phone began to ring and Natalie I took my hand off Natalie as she reached into her purse to grab her phone.

　　She looked at the screen as if she was reading a message and she looked up.

　　"I'll be back, Mr. Golf wants to see me," she said and I nodded, watching as she walked away. I looked sideways as I noticed a woman standing at the bar. I noticed that she had been staring at me since I got here. I got curious about what she wanted and I decided to go to her.

　　"Hi." I pulled up a seat next to her and sat down.

　　"Hi." She replied nervously with her eyes literally glued to my face. It felt awkward and I looked away.

　　"Is there something you want?" I asked, being intentionally direct.

　　"Yes. I mean no! Sorry, Kaden, I think I don't know what I'm even saying," she said and chuckled. She called me by my name.

　　"How do you know my name?" I asked and she shook her head.

　　"I asked. I'm Karen," she said with her voice breaking. She seemed nervous and emotional.

　　"Do I know you somewhere?" I asked, but she shook her head.

　　"No, you don't."

　　***

　　Presently.

　　I watched as the grave was completely dug. I wrapped my hand around Karen's shoulder as she cried. I looked at the left where Lycian stood. I could see him trying to hold himself together even as

　　Stella was standing with Lucas next to him.

　　We found her unconscious in her room later and Garr used a spell to wake up. Draco was safe, but it hurt that Jordan had to sacrifice his life to save him.

　　His coffin was slowly lowered into the floor by Roderigo and Nate and I patted Karen's shoulder as she cried even more.

　　The grave was covered up with sand and Karen cried even louder.

　　"No no. Jordan. No." She sobbed and tried to rush forward, but her dad pulled her back and he pulled her close so she could lean on his shoulder. .

　　This was the first time I would see her dad and it unfortunately, it was under this sad circumstance.

　　Lucas and Stella stepped forward and they placed roses on the grave before walking back.

　　I made a telepathic connection to Nate who was holding the bouquet of roses and he walked towards us. I picked up one and I walked forward, gently placing the rose on the grave.

　　This was a huge loss, but I knew that this wasn't the end of it. The attempts on Draco's life would never stop and we had to get ready.