Chapter Four

It's been a long time since she was out of breath. Without exactly knowing how to react sooner, her body went through a transfixed state. When reality hit her harder, she pulled herself out of his clutch and pushed him away with utter shock. 

What the hell is he just doing? He stared at her with a winning smirk, his face showing new emotion, he slowly caressed his wet lips and looked directly into her almond-shaped eyes.

"I failed before. But I won't let it happen again. Get ready to leave with me".

She glared at him with raising rage, he must have taken the drink wrongly. otherwise, he won't speak nonsense. She pointed her finger directly to his face and opened her mouth to give him some peace of mind, but before it, she heard the announcement calling out for him. He left from there after giving her an air kiss. 

She is in great dilemma seeing his astounding behavior. She wondered what happened to him, never in her whole life did she think that one day he would behave like this with her. 

Then Aaron's voice brought her back to sense who came looking for her. She assured him everything was okay when he noticed her strained state. She took her seat back maintaining her grace, brilliantly avoiding her overwhelmed state. She hopes to end this night soon and get back to her usual busy life. 

“Tonight is very special to me. Because I came with the woman I admire from the bottom of my heart”.

Now what is this new bomb? Aaron's speech after winning the Best Businessman of the Year did not go smoothly. Especially when it's Leo who presented the Award. He passes the dragger and glares at him hearing Aaron's speech. His face clearly showed he wasn't taking the words lightly.

“And I want her in my life to witness many of my successes. It will be a great gift to me”.

He slowly came towards her holding the mic. She got up from the seat seeing now everyone's eyes on her, her whole body got alerted sensing something big coming up. Her hands get sweaty, and she stares at Aaron with puppy eyes, begging him not to do anything. But her breath got raspy when he took out something from his blazer pocket and looked at her with intense filled eyes.

“Alina Brooke. Will you give me the honor to cherish you with every moment of my life? Will you marry me?”

Her heart beat to unusual rhythms seeing him get on his knees, holding a sparkling diamond ring in hand. It's a dream come true moment for any girl all over. It's finally happening in her life. Her eyes unknowingly reach out to Leo's side. His intense eyes burned her heart. With a spark of a moment, she forwards her hand towards him.

“Yes, I will marry you”.

Soon applause sounds arched all over the hall. Everyone shouted happily and congratulated them. Soon he slipped the ring on her left hand finger. The next moment he took her to a joyous kiss. All of them awed the couple. But one soul is burning in the fire of hell. 

He very hardly keeps himself from blasting seeing the horrifying scene in front of him. He couldn't react exactly to his emotions at this place. Soon Everyone congratulated the couple on their engagement. Aaron opened a champagne bottle and thanked everyone for the wishes. All the time Alina involves herself with mixed emotions. Her inner self wonders, does she really want this?

…

Fresh air, calming surrender somewhere helping her to relax her troubled mind. She can't bear two shocks at the same time. Already Leo's previous Behaviour has shaken her up, Now this. She gazes at the shining ring on her hand. Now she is engaged to Aaron Knight. This is something never in her mind. She wasn't sure if she was happy about it with all her heart. She let the thoughts slip away for the night, it's better to think about this later. Everyone is enjoying the after-party inside the hall, she needs this alone time for herself. She is enjoying the fresh breeze with closed eyes.

"You must be enjoying the moment a lot, aren't you?"

She jolted slightly hearing Leo's raspy voice from behind. She quickly turned and went to fall seeing him so close to her back. He looked at her with a charming smile. 

"Leo, this is not funny anymore. I don't know what happened to you suddenly. But you must stop this".

She told him with a scolding tone, she started to feel the heat again. His new avatar is something she couldn't digest well. He continuously stared at her with the same smile and slowly took a step towards her.

"I know this change of heart might surprise you. But this is true Alina. I've changed. This time for the better. And I'm looking forward to starting everything again".

His voice conveyed how serious he was about every word he said. She felt her inner self melting hearing his words. She is almost on the verge of getting fully weakened. But she reminds her mind how much she went through the past three years because of him. She couldn't bear to get another heartbreak from him.

"Our story already has its ending, Leo. It cannot be written again. You can't give me the place I expect from you, and I'm tired of being your rejected wife. I can't go through it once again".

She told him in an almost crying tone. She recalled her miserable state in the past. The way she waited for him to love her, the way she begged him to accept her as his wife. That can't be forgotten sooner. She realizes the fact she is crying when she feels him wiping the tears rolling from her eyes. He cupped her both cheeks and looked at her with full intensity.

"Alina, I know I wronged you so much in the past. I failed to cherish you when I had the chance. I can't explain the pain I'm going through because of my stupidness. Your absence made me realize how much I need you in my life". 

She was stunned hearing his words. It's been her forever dream to hear those words from his mouth. Now his eyes are expressing the feelings she's been dying to see. But it's too late now.

"It's too late Leo, I can't go back to my old self after going through huge hardship those nine months. Only I know what kind of pain I experienced after our divorce. I've already moved on. It will be better if you too forget this".

She released herself from his hold and stopped herself from getting weak. She has to be strong. At least this time. She tried to leave the scene to avoid the tension. But the next second she gasped when he pulled her by hand and locked her between his arms. Now both of them share the same rhythm of breathing. She gulped her nervousness seeing him looking at her with intoxicated eyes of his with determination. He clearly didn't take her denial well.

"I think you didn't get it properly. I'm not requesting you, Alina. I want you back and that's it" 

electric passing through her veins hearing his raspy voice. Their closeness makes her weak on their knees. She tried to come out from his hold, avoiding his intensity getting tough when breathed his hot breath on her face.

"I'm already engaged Leo, I'm going to be someone else. There's nothing I can do"

"you're wrong Alina, you can never be someone else's. Because you are mine and always going to be mine. No damn person can change that".