Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 84

Michael laughed, but it was a laugh that didn't encourage you to join in. "We've patched things up now. Anyway, when Mum left me and Emerson at the age of fourteen, she told us quietly all the time that we should find true love. That we should look for that person who could love us wholly.

"She always told us that if we ever find that certain someone, we should never do anything to let them go, because the person you love is someone worthy of being loved by you and you being loved in return."

I noticed Michael's eyes were searching mine -- those silvery depths slightly glossier than before. "But I now realize that when you love someone -- when you truly love someone -- you should let them go when that person doesn't want you back after doing something so wrong and stupid. And that's what I'm doing. I'm letting you go, if that's what you want, Keller."

Before I could speak and tell him that yes, he was a jerk and that he hurt me so bad but I still love him, he stood up from the box he was sitting on and looked around the room.

"Grandmama," he said wearily, "I know you heard what I said. Every word. I'm done. Let Keller and me out of this room. I'm tired of your schemes. Please, just do it."

When there was no sound, Michael groaned and snapped, "Let us go, now."

Silence.

"For God's sake, let us out!"

As if they knew what would end up all along, I heard the doorknob rattle. Michael came toward me and extended his hand for me to grab. I looked at it and let him help me up.

When the door finally opened, and Fred, Viv, and Emerson were in the doorway, looking sad and guilty, they parted quietly to let Michael and me through.

I stared at the open doorway, at my three best friends.

Michael looked away from me, waiting patiently for me to go first. My lips shook, but I knew what I wanted to do.

I placed my hand on the knob and banged the door shut, this time locking it from the inside. I turned to face Michael, who had shock written all over his handsome face.

"I can't believe you're giving up so quickly!" I yelled at him. I poked his chest. Hard. "I can't believe that you're just going to give me up that easily. You didn't even let me have any say!" I hissed.

"But I thought --"

"I don't care what you think right now," I bit off. "What about me? Do I have any say in all this? No? Well, you're wrong," I said through gritted teeth. "I still love you, Michael. Does that not have any meaning to you? I love you."

I punched his arm. I was so angry and offended that when I zoomed my face toward Michael, I began to sneeze.

On Michael's collar.

Crap. Was I allergic to my own partner?

I began sneezing again. But when I stopped, I saw Michael staring at me, a curved grin plastered on his face. He looked happy yet surprised.

"You forgive me?" he asked in bewilderment.

"Of course I do! Don't you forgive what I did?" I snapped, challenging him. Michael laughed and nodded his assent. "Good. But it's going to take a while to forgive you about that offending thing you were planning on doing a while ago. I can't believe you were going to give me up!"

Michael began laughing.

"Stop laughing," I mumbled, crossing my arms.

It's great, isn't it?

Here lies Keller Blakely, who was going to be Lady Keller Cutting, Marchioness of Sterling, but died because her supposedly future husband is an idiot, gave her a fatal migraine, and his grandmother is batty.

-From the imagined grave of Keller Blakely

One year later

The Country Seat of the Duke of Rossington

Kent, England

Day One

Four days. Four days before the wedding. Four days before the damn wedding and, already, I was thinking of becoming a runaway bride. Great.

Well, how was it going to be my fault, when my fiancé went missing and his grandmother kept bossing me around like I was the freaking wedding planner?

"Keller, I thought you called Sylvia Weinstock? She's the cake diva of the celebrities, you know. We must have her!" and "Are you daft, girl? I told you to call the florist seven times! What is wrong with you?" and "We need to have Valentino personally make some adjustments to your gown. Call him, why don't you? Michael has his number, I believe. Oh wait! I have his number in my phone book; kindly bring it to me, would you? It's in my room..."

And that was two months ago. Of course, event planner extraordinaire, Sasha Souza, took care of everything. I may have had a little say on that because I desperately Googled for wedding planners and she seemed to be on top. I knew Lady C wouldn't allow just any unknown wedding planner, so she was perfect.