it was another day in the whitmores home everybody went about their normal activities, sarah was on the dining table having her meal while her parents talked business with their classy friends the donovans the donovans were really close to the whitmores and they have known each other for a while now they were almost like family to them at this point they sat in their living talking business while sarah was forced to interact with their son henry, henry liked sarah and their parents were trying to push the both of them to work but sarah had only one person on her mind. Then suddenly, Sarah's dad told Sarah with a voice full of expectation that ''Henry's family has invited you over to their annual ball, which is held every year, you are going to be in attendance Sarah cleared her throat and forced a polite smile. and responded Of course, Dad Her mother noticed her countenance and added by saying Good, it is high time you stop wasting your youth on frivolous distractions. The Donovan family is a very good family. Then Sarah remained silent and continued her meal, and kept on thinking about her secret lover and the lovable moments they had shared with each other. after she had taken her meal she went back to her room after the Donovan family had taken their leave, her friend natasha was waiting for her and sarah told natasha her parents latest move of pairing her up with the henry Donovan and she kept on lamenting saying ''I cant do it i just cant'' then natasha chewed her lip torn between loyalty and fear ''then you will have to end it with Jacob before its too late'' chances of you getting busted are increasing your younger brother is watching over your every move then sarah spun on her eyes flashing with desperate conviction. ''I won't end it, I can't. Jacob is the only real thing in my life right now. Then Natasha's expression softened, but she was filled with worry. Then you need to be careful, Sarah. Promise me, if you aren't, your family will tear you apart. Downtown Jacob also had to weather his own storm he was full of rage and anger when sarah told him what her parents had done by trying to pair henry Donovan together with her he knew that it was only a matter of time before they found out about them then sarah tried to calm him down reassuring him that everything will be okay but he wasnt having any of it, later that night he went home still raging and furious and his brother had to intervene and ask him what was going on then he told his brother everything and his brother reminded him of what he was getting his hands into what could become of their family if the word of his secret relationship goes out and Jacob replied his brother grumbling ''I want sarah and thats all i know'' and i wont let anything stop me from that Daniel ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. ''God, you sound like a fool. But you are my brother; if you are determined to do this, at least keep your head down. The following days that followed were days full of tension sarahs parents watched her closely monitored her every move as well as her suspicious younger brother who always had cause for suspicion every step that she took in that house, but regardless she and her lover still found ways to rendezvous their encounters became more riskier an hour stolen at dawn in the park, a brief meeting in the shadowed alcove of the cathedral, hurried kisses in the back of the café when no one was looking each meeting only bound them tighter even as the danger grew. ''i dont like this'' natasha whispered as she caught sarah sneaking from the secret rendezvous with her lover she said it out of fear as she noticed that their meetings were becoming more frequent she went on further by telling her that she is daring fate one wrong glance one slip and it will all come crashing down sarah held unto natasha and told her that ''then let it crash'' i will rather have Jacob for a moment than henry Donovan for a lifetime''. natasha saw the seriousness in her friends voice and wanted to try and argue but deep down she knew that sarah meant every word. on the other hand Jacob was cornered by his friend joseph in the workshop he came to tell his friend about all the trending rumors people had been saying around about the possibility of henry Donovan and sarah whitmore being in a relationship, jacob was so determined in making sure that it didnt happened said to his friend that nothing on this earth will keep me away from my lover, joseph saw the intensity in his voice and consoled him saying i got your back bro nobody is stealing what rightfully belongs to you from you. The Donovan ball came, and Sarah was in attendance, and she wore a gold silk dress inspired by her mum. Her mum clearly instructed her to be in her best behavior and not to forget to put on a smile. Sarah nodded numbly, her spirit trying to fight to breathe beneath the weight of expectation. At the party, Henry was such a charming gentleman, tall and handsome; he talked at length about his ambitions, his family's wealth, his plans for expansion, and Sarah just nodded and smiled when necessary. Then, midway through the ball, Henry offered his hand to Sarah for a dance, and she agreed. The orchestra played, she felt trapped, her body moving in time with a man she didn't want, her heart straining for the one she wanted. and soon thereafter she saw who heart longed for, he was not supposed to be there but he didnt care he had to fight for the one he loved, henry kept on dancing with sarah twirled her and they held unto each other for the remainder of the dance sarah kept her gaze still on Jacob at this point it wasn't deniable anymore, that night the walls around them grew tighter the whitmores control tightened and the warnings to Jacob became louder but even as the world closed in their bond became deeper.