Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ouch! My body huts a lot, especially my shoulder. That annoying sound doesn't help too! I opened my eyes painfully to look at a white world and a worried Gouenji. Am I in heaven? Oh wait? How many times had I been in this situation? I am in the hospital again? I am getting sick of hospitals.

Congratulations on ending in hospital again! Is it the third time? When will you visit again?

"Astrea!" Gouenji asked and I could feel him him squeezing my hand lightly in a comfortable way.

"What happened this time?" I croaked groaning.

Hearing me croak like a frog Gouenji gave me a glass of fresh of water from the bed side.

"Are you fine?" I have a feeling that I have been asked this question already.

"Yes, I am but my body and shoul........" shoulder? Then I had a flash of memories of what happened. Dannon! I sat up quickly or rather tried to because as soon as there was a movement and that too a sudden one, a pain shot through my entire shoulder making me bite my lip hard in pain. That hurts, very much. I am very sensitive to pain and why wouldn't a bullet wound cause pain. I held back as much as I can but I still shouted in pain.

"What were you trying to do getting up suddenly like that?" Gouenji scolded me like a kid worrying and pushing me back again but I held him his hand stopping him.

"Dannon." I wheezed.

"I already told you he's fine. Stop putting stress on your body." Gouenji shouted quite angry at my resistance. "He is fine. Don't you think you can trust me. You should have come back and told me what happened instead of following him like a stupid and getting yourself shot. You did the same thing before and tried to sell your body and now you followed him without thinking. What's happening in that little brain of yours? Why can't you think for once? Why do you have to do things recklessly? Why do you make it your mission to worry me?"

"But Dannon..."

"Don't you dare to try saying that you did it because of Dannon. I found him in not more than ten minutes. If only you trusted me a little more. Before when he blackmailed with my dad's company didn't we get it back in a month?"

"But it was a life this time." I said in a whisper.

"So what? If I can't find him in such a time then why call me prodigy or Mr.Hope who gives hope in hopeless situation. I can't believe that you went willingly with him! Why can't you trust me a little more. Could be that you wanted to go with him and that's why you went him. If that is it you could have just told so without making me worry." He said getting angry and banged the table at the end. I know that he doesn't mean any harm or intend to hurt me with those words. He is just worried about and he doesn't know what to do. He already saw me in the hospital twice back and one time it was a similar reason and this topped the other two. One is an accident and the other a rape attempt now it's like a combination, a rape and murder attempt. I think it gets better every time.

"I am sorr.." But before I could complete I saw my mom and dad at the door and I think it is pretty obvious that they heard the entire conversation from their shocked and furious faces. Gouenji turned around seeing my dumbstruck expression.

"Get out!" My mom said in a very calm voice but I know that she is anything but that. I know that she is a very sweet mom but once she gets angry I can guarantee that even a ghost haunting you won't scare you anymore. She can be that scary and me being the only child and that too at an old age she spoiled me like anything and anyone even showing a little inkling to trouble she will see the end of them. I don't think I like where this going.

"But...." Gouenji started squirming a little. Oh! That's a first time seeing him like that.

"Don't say anything. You said this happened once before and I can't believe we, her parents weren't informed about it." 

Oops! That was my mistake!

"That was m......" I started but cut off by my mom.

"You don't talk." She shouted at me making me gulp and sit quiet.

"I already told you I am leaving my daughter in your hands when you asked us to have my daughter in your house. I believed you and left her in your hands but you couldn't keep that trust. You failed me." I don't think that is the job of a boss. What she says is more likely to be said to a boyfriend, not my boss. "And what? You are scolding my daughter in return, blaming her and what not? What do you mean by saying that my daughter followed him willingly? I don't know what happened but I am damn sure that she did nothing wrong. She will never do anything wrong."

"Yes. I kn......"

"Don't even say a word. And you have the guts to say that she is your fiancee. Do you know what news are being printed and what photos are being published? Now how can she find someone to date now?"

"That is not necessary."

"I told you to shut it! Just leave now. Thank you for taking care of my daughter until now. Now you can leave and never approach my daughter again. Making my daughter stay with you is a mistake. I thought even though you are rich you would protect my daughter and take care of her but I return to find her with a bullet wound. That's enough. I have seen enough. You can leave." My mom said fuming now and majority of what she said doesn't make sense to me. There is no mistake of Gouenji in any of this. If anything I am the wrong one here. But there is one thing she said right. I need to stay away from them. I do nothing but bring trouble. Last time it was the company and now it is Dannon. I bring bad luck with me everywhere and being with me they are suffering the consequences. I need  to stay away from them. They deserve some peace of heart. I need to stay away. 

Gouenji sighed and turned to me. He looked weary and tired with bags under his eyes and his hair tousled like he messed his hair by running his hand through his hair a couple of times. He moved towards me and bent forward making me confused. I stayed put not knowing what he is trying to do. He kissed my forehead lingeringly making me close my eyes and a tear fall off with all the emotions I was feeling. I felt loved and cared with the sweet gesture he showed. "This is not over. I will come for you." He said in a whisper and kissed my cheek this time. He smiled, a  real smile.

 Then he did something I never imagined even in my dreams. "You are mine." He whispered in my ear, my heart stopped for a minute and he turned around saying sorry to my parents but my mom refused to look him and my father stared at him intensely.  He was about to go back but he turned to me again and he had a face as if contemplating something. Based on his expression he reached whatever conclusion he wanted. He moved forward and tilted his face towards me and I did the same thinking he wants to whisper something again, something important this time but a very unexpected thing happened.

It all happened in a flash that I am not sure if what I think happened or not. He lightly pecked my lips. Was I dreaming? But I can still feel the soft and tingling sensation on my lips. I touched my lips as if to prevent the sensation from escaping. That warmth, somehow familiar but at the same time so warm. So sweet and tasty unlike anything I tasted in my life. Was a kiss supposed to be like that? It feels very addictive, like I can get used to it. Before I could come out from my stupor Gouenji left, not sure when though. After he brushed his lips against mine I completely went into a daze, a dreamland. My lips unknowingly curved into a smile. I held back after realizing that.

It is not what I think. It is definitely a misunderstanding. He is just too naive and innocent. Wait, that sounds unbelievable even to me. Gouenji and naive? Anyway I am sure there is some other meaning to what he said and what he did. May be I was just day dreaming. Any way no need to brood over what he said. I decided already. I am going to leave them to be in peace. My presence only brings troubles.

Even though I think Steven changed now and won't do anything anymore there are chances that he might revert back to his old behavior or I might attract another weird person. Luckily nothing happened to Dannon this time but I am not sure what happens next. I should have left the first time itself. Who am I trying to kid, I went all holy saying I won't leave my friend even in times of difficulty when I was the one who brought that situation in the first place. 

A lot of people had to work their asses off for re-establishing the company and I am sure who Gouenji took the most impact. Though he is a master and a prodigy I am sure there is as much as he can bear. He is not a god who can bear everything. I should cut him some slack and leave him alone.  I am nothing but a burden to them. Any way what place do I have among them? They are all rich business tycoons with super good looks and super brains. I have to leave them all one day. It's not like I can stay together with them all my life. Friends leave someday so why not leave today and do them a favor.

 But why does it hurt this much? I am right, aren't I? I have to leave them. I can't stay with them forever. It was supposed to be like this from the start. If not for the accident and the truth machine, I would have never been able to meet those guys and had such a wonderful memories. That's right I had a great time and sweet memories. I won't forget them forever in my life. I will cherish them forever till the day I die. This pain in my heart will ease slowly. I will be alright. Dannon, Gouenji and everyone else are so important to me. Compared to losing them this so much better. They will be good even though I can't see them or be with them. They will be alright.

"Are you alright Destiny?" My mom said worry lacing her voice. "Seriously why was I never informed about these things. I am still your mother you know.

"Hannah. From the looks of it she woke up just now. Let her rest for a little." My dad David said. I am not that tired but I do appreciate some quiet time to grieve silently. Leaving all my dear friends, I don't like it. I still want to go back. After I am good enough I will go back to Boston to have some time to myself or else I am sure I will go back running to them. I wonder how Dannon will be without me. It's not like he needs me but I would like to think he got attached to me.

Aram and Robert are the first ones I made friends with after getting into college. I was pretty much a loner for a long time but I got acquainted with them an year before I guess. From then we talked and casually became great friends to today's level. Even if it is still trouble I would like to still keep in touch with Aram, I don't want to be away from him because as it is now I don't know when I will lose him. Come to think of it Aram was the first I made.

^Around an year back^

Class is as active as ever and I am still the loner even now. I like being lone but not being loner. Till now my childhood friend Ken was with me and as long as he with me I never cared that I never had any friends. He was enough for me and my books were my life. Later on Lilian joined filling the place of a female friend and sister. They were more than enough for me and I blame my social awkwardness on my being an only child and my parents spoiling me.

That's not the issue now. Though I am fine and sometimes some people talk to me I am basically labelled the outcast and a loner. A nerd though my academic abilities are not so great. I want a good friend who will talk to me and give me preference. I don't care even if it is a guy at this point now. I am far too lonely. I was really wishing for a magic moment where a person notices I am alone and talks to me becoming my best friend. 

If it is a book or movie, the school's popular guy suddenly takes interest on me or a guy transfers making me friends with me but this is reality and my dreams remain dreams. I don't know what I do wrong that much that I can't interact with my peers. Then the guys in the seat before me grabbed my attention and they are also a part of the things that led to this situation. These two guys whose names I still don't know remind me of Ken and me very much making me feel down lately and I can't even contact Ken. 

Lillian, she got her own problems with a crush on her brother's friend who is a player but still Lillian continues pinning on him. I don't know what she sees in him. I basically don't know this love too. And that is also one similarity with these two guys before me and Ken and me. Like Ken insisted love existed and searched for it, this guy here had interest in love or more properly he had eyes on this shy girl Elena, I think is her name.

"What do you think?" I was drawn out from my thoughts regarding my past by these two guys. I really don't they are bothering with me. I mean I am a girl who is completely involved in books very introvert. It's not that I am anti-social, it's just I am socially awkward.

"Huh?" I asked not sure what I am supposed.

"He wants to know what do you think about him." A slightly nerdy guy appearance wise asked me indicating to his friend who is currently shirtless for some unknown reason. Nerdy guy might be nerd becasue he is straight A student and he also makes cool invention though most of the school doesn't know. It's a perk of being socially awkward. I could hear the gossip most of the times and I am observant in nature.This nerdy guy's inventions attract my attention and also the unique bond he and the currently shirtless guy has. Shirtless guy is generally sensible but as of now he has gone nuts and going extreme to impress the shy girl.

"I don't know him much." I replied shrugging remembering the question he asked.

"You don't know me?" The shirtless guy asked as if shocked that he can't believe that I don't know him.

"Do I know you?" I asked confused. "I am sorry if we did because I have a poor memory when it comes to recognizing people."

"No, you don't know him." Nerdy chuckled.

"Then why is he surprised."

"Oh! That's nothing. He is full of himself today."

"Yeah." I agreed without thinking.

"Hey! Why are you agreeing with Robert?" So the nerdy is Robert then.

I shrugged since it would be awkward to tell him that he is acting strange today because who will believe when I say I paid attention to them because they remind me of my friends? Right. No one. So better keep this mouth of mine shut.

"Any ways what do you think?" He said posing and flexing his muscles. Can I be frank and say he is behaving creepy now? I mean he has six pack and all and is definitely a handsome and hot guy. Others might have swooned at the sight but as of now all I can think is shady and may be arrogant.

"Caveman." I said without thinking again. He abruptly stopped and looked at me as if I am crazy.

"You are interesting. I am Robert and I think it would be great to make an acquaintance with you."

"I am Destiny." I replied shaking his outstretched hand.

"Wait a second here! When you see this hot and sexy body all you can say is caveman? Why?" He asked very shocked.

"Removing your shirt unnecessarily in a class, I don't know what to say that as any thing other than caveman behavior. I am sorry if you are offended by that but I do appreciate all the workout you do. I mean you had to do a lot of workout to do right? It's not a simple thing to get such a fit body with abs and muscles right? I am sure I don't have such patience." I replied smiling genuinely at him.

"You sure are a strange creature." He said putting on a shirt. Huh? I am strange? And I smiled with such sincerity at him! He doesn't deserve my smile!

"You don't know my name right?" I nodded an yes in reply.

"I am Aram." He said giving me his hand.

"I am Destiny." I replied taking his hand.

"You know when you see my six pack body you are supposed to drool over it not appreciate the effort I put in."

"But I really do appreciate your effort." I said confused.

"You really wound my ego."

"And you definitely need that." Robert replied. "You sure are going over the board sometimes and someone like her is needed to keep you on the land."

"I am not sure what you are talking about. It's just I prefer guys with shirts and looking decent."

"We are going to be great friends." Aram declared in the middle of nowhere.

"I am sure that is not how things are done."

"Nope. You are going to be my best friend." I just smiled awkwardly at him but after that both of them sandwiched me in every class and before I knew it we became thick friends along with the gang but now I am supposed to leave all of them. I love them all very much and I will definitely treasure my memories with them! No matter where I am I will never forget them not their love.

***************************************************************************************Destiny wants to stay away from master! What will happen now?Will master allow it???? Or kick her ass and bring her back? I prefer the latter! Now that would be interesting to see isn't it????