Dressed in an off the shoulder, long-sleeved cross over top tucked into my black skinny jeans and a pair of black heels, I step out the back door of my family home and make my way out onto the grass. My long blonde hair is out and curled and my makeup flawless, but none of that matters today.

As I stop by one of the large trees I lean against it for a moment, only a short distance away from my family and friends and I take all them in for a second. As I do, I can't help but notice how sad they all look, especially my father Andre.

I know that today is meant to be a day of memorial, but sometimes I wonder if the 'dress in all black' is a little mournful. Sure we all miss Jackson horribly, but this isn't what he would want for us, he would want the memory of his life to be a celebration, not another funeral year after year.

Today marks two years since his death; two years since he was gunned down in my family's driveway whilst returning my father's car; two years since he was taken from his wife Charlotte and their two children, Logan and Ruby.

I know my father blames himself for his death, I know it's a burden he carries on his shoulders every day and as much as we try to tell him it's not his fault, he doesn't believe it. Not only was he murdered returning my father's car, but the bullet they found in his chest also had my father's name engraved on it.

That bullet was meant for my father.

"You okay?" My cousin Amelia, or Millie as we sometimes call her, questions as she makes her way over.

My eyes look up and meet hers, she's dressed in tight black jeans, heels, and a long-sleeved chiffon top. Her long black hair is out and dead straight, minimal makeup, because she's so pretty she doesn't need it and don't even get me started on those naturally full lips, which I would kill for.

"Yeah I'm fine, everything just seems a little drab and too sad," I state aloud.

"Too sad?" Another female voice enquires from behind us, and I know who it belongs to, Ruby.

Ruby is another stunning addition to the family (in the way of a family friend), she has long, light brown hair that matches her skin tone and big green eyes the same as her brother's, and her late father Jackson. She has a very innocent look about her as well as always looking happy, except for right now, she doesn't look happy at all, she looks pissed.

I open my mouth to speak, but she starts talking right away. "Too sad? Really Bella? Of course it's sad. My father died two years ago from a bullet that was meant for your father; he's gone, he's never coming back, and that's what you have to say?"

"Ruby, I ...."

"I'm sorry that it isn't all rainbows and glitter, like everything else in your perfect life, but some of us are still hurting and some of us are still grieving," she snaps.

"Ruby, you didn't let me finish," I try to reason, in vein.

"Save it! You're a horrible person, you know that? A spoilt, entitled little cow, who gets everything she wants. You even get to keep your father, who we all know should've been in Dad's place; but hey, at least everything in your life is perfect," she walks away.

I take a deep, shaky breath and turn to Amelia, not even knowing what to say.

"Woah, what the hell was all that about?" Armani questions, as she makes her way over. Amarni is Amelia's equally stunning identical twin sister, one thing making them appear different is Marni has a sleeve of tattoos, as well as other tattoos on the side of her shoulder and chest.

"It was just a misunderstanding," Amelia tells Marni, before turning to me once again. "Don't take it to heart, she's just hurting," she rubs my arm gently.

"She's right though; the bullet was meant for my dad," I tell them sadly.

"Bella, don't talk like that; it's not your fault okay? It was at the hands of the Vipers, and your father avenged Jackson's death by killing their leader, remember? He's more than paid his debt."

"I don't think we'll ever stop paying," I speak softly. "She didn't even let me finish; what I was going to say is that we should wear color and celebrate Jackson's life for the wonderful person he was, rather than replay his funeral over and over."

"I mean I'm all for black, but you're right, it's a little drab," Marni agrees, as she looks around. "Jackson was so happy and full of life."

"I highly doubt Ruby will ever talk to me again, but thanks for letting me finish," I say, as I forcibly smile at my two cousins.

"Come on, let's go and grab a drink."

I try to get on with my afternoon as normal as possible, I talk to family members, Cobra members and friends; I share in stories and laughs and shed a few tears. I can't help but feel a pair of glaring eyes bore into me no matter where I stand, those eyes (of course) belonging to Ruby.

I down the rest of my champagne quickly and make my way over to her. "Ruby, can I talk to you for a moment please?"

"Why? So you can tell me again how this is so sad and dull? You didn't mind shedding a few alligator tears though did you?" She sneers.

"Ruby please; I honestly just meant that your Dad was such a happy and bright person, maybe next year we should wear color and treat his life as a celebration."

"Whatever," she huffs and rolls her eyes. "I know what I heard," she walks away.

I take a long deep breath and nod my head slowly. She's made it quite clear that I'm not welcome in my own backyard, so why am I still here?

...

Feeling sorry for myself, I head back inside and up to my room where I change into a short black dress, fix my hair a little and then grab my coat. I pull my phone from my bag and text a taxi to pick me up, then place my phone in my small clutch and head out the door. I stand patiently waiting for my taxi to arrive. I know exactly where I'm headed, and it's to the bar.

The taxi pulls up a few moments later and I slide into the backseat. "V please," I tell the driver with a smile, as I close the door and pull the seatbelt across my body clicking it into place.

The driver nods his head as he looks at me in his rearview mirror, then pulls out of the long driveway, headed toward the main road.

It's only a short drive (of ten minutes or so), before the Taxi pulls up out front of the club. "Twenty dollars thanks," the driver says as he holds out his hand.

I pull a fifty-dollar note from my clutch and hand it to him. "Keep the change." I open the door and slide out, closing it behind me with a soft thud.

I dust myself off quickly and head towards the doors, smiling softly at the security guard who opens them for me, allowing me in.

I look around at the rather quiet bar and check my phone for the time, it's then I realize it's only 6 PM. I'm a little early for the bar scene, but I'm here now and this is where I intend to stay.

I make my way over to the bar stools and take a seat, it's only a moment later when a male makes his way over. He's dressed in black skinny jeans and a black short-sleeved, button-up shirt with a rag over his shoulder and tattoos down both arms, his neck, and his hands. His hair is dark and slicked back, longer on the top than the sides and his eyes, are ocean blue.

"Can I get you a drink?" He questions with a small grin, clearly noticing I'm checking him out.

"Yes please, I'll start with a vodka raspberry."

"Start with? I take it you're getting ready for a big night?" He questions with a grin, as he starts getting my drink ready.

"Something like that," I shrug.

"Here," he hands me my drink. "Don't worry about payment, you look like you could use it."

"Thank you," I give him a soft smile, as I look up at him.

"Whoever he was, he's not worth it. You're far too pretty to look so sad," he speaks once more before talking away.

He thinks I'm sad over a boy? Wow, I really must really look a bad way if he thinks I'm heartbroken over a guy. Then again maybe I am heartbroken. Ruby and I have always been so close, our parents are best friends and we grew up together, I don't know my life without her and now I can't be sure she'll ever talk to me again; I've never seen her so upset and angry with someone before.

...

A few hours pass and I'm still sitting in my same position on the bar stool. So far I've had three Vodka Raspberries, but I'm far from drunk; I've been sipping away slowly as I sit, deep within my own thoughts.

"Can I get you another?" His velvet voice speaks once more.

I look up at him and nod my head. "Yeah, the same again."

He begins making it for me and hands it back.

"It's not a boy," I speak, causing his blue eyes to look my way once again. "I kind of had a misunderstanding with a very good friend of mine and now I don't know how to feel."

"So if it wasn't a boy, why isn't your boyfriend here with you?" He questions, as he hands me my drink.

"In order to have a boyfriend by your side, you'd have to have a boyfriend," I state raising a brow.

"Tell you what, my shift is over in five minutes, why don't I come and have a drink with you?"

"I'd like that," I smile up at him. 

This chapter was proof read and edited by the amazing ElleRWrites