CHAPTER 6.

Adnan's P.O.V

A thud followed after a loud sigh when I rested my expensive watch and wallet on the table. The whole damn mansion was drenched in darkness and I didn't want to turn on the lights. Because it feels wrong, seeing she was facing the darkness in her whole damn life.

I have thrown my tired body on the couch, along with my head back. Looking at the ceiling pointlessly.

My mind again, slowly, neatly, shifted back to the woman.

She wasn't just a woman.

She was a miracle in my life.

She was fragile.

I did everything wrong, from start to end it's not the end but I somehow know-I'll end everything wrong.

The only thing I know is that.

SHE WAS MINE.

SHE IS MINE.

SHE WILL REMAIN MINE.

That's the fact she needs to accept. I know everything about her, her past, her present and I'm creating her future too. Her life has belonged to me since I first laid my eyes on her.

She was fire yet ice.

I'm her prey. I'm burning for her. My heart is burning. My mind is foggy.

Again the scene of me being slapped by her turns green. My wounds open again.

My ego was hurt. She was innocent of making this mistake.

I'm angry with myself for being so reckless. One day she will be mine then for what I'm eager for so much and it's not like she will hug me after being hugged.

I deserve the slap.

But still, somewhere embers peppered my heart in rage. She slapped me.

She will pay for it.

She better be prepared.

" Oh! Jeez. " I looked at Alvord who just entered the mansion - f**king my house- and dramatically flinched. " You're looking like a ghost, bro. " He rolled his eyes entering the hall, avoiding my glance.

" Who gives you permission to enter my property? " I growled but he was already making himself feel at home. Sitting on the sofa next to me, sliding down with a calm face.

" I don't need it. " He waved his hand in lazy manners, my blood boiled but he was like this. Nothing can make him serious.

" By the way, you went after her again? " Maybe he can be?

He raised his brown and firm expression. Alvord was the only one who knew about my obsession with MY CUPCAKE. I gave him a curt nod and he shivered as he could practically see what must happen.

" Are you f**king her? " He asked with a bothered and pitiful face. His concern for my cupcake didn't please me. He somehow saw my stone expression but he glared back.

" No. But one day I'll. So hard that you hear her scream at the end of the town's sector. " He again groaned in disgust with the same expression.

" Don't you think you're doing something wrong with her? " It sounds more like a statement than a question, " I shrugged.

" Let me take care of her and you mind your own business. Why not try bringing your brain back to your career? How long has it been since you last time held the brush? Mr. Alvord Qin. " I mocked his name. Reminding him he was the damn son of Qin, who was born a painter but he wasn't as amazing as his ancestors. He always gets annoyed hearing his surname, even though he hates it when people call him Mr. Qin. It was a burden for him to be the son of a famous painter because everyone expects you to be as perfect as your ancestors.

It's like a curse for him.

He turned his face directly looking at the room where I painted. The unfinished painting was covered with a transparent sheet. The canvas was normal size but anyone could take a glimpse of it.

" You're processing and it's enough. I don't need to find a company and those damn complicated management. You own an art gallery. You'll display my art. " He smirked while leaning on the sofa.

" I won't display any crap in my gallery. Don't even dream about it. If the painting is worth the place in my gallery I'll give you honor but with your trash art...Just don't. " I let out a huff and he seemed upset but let it go.

There was a long pause when he asked shifting the topic back to my cupcake.

This brat!

" I did, as you asked. The landlord will throw her luggage out of her house by tomorrow and the legal note for breaking the bakery is also ready. But are you sure? I mean, there's no need to be that cruel. " He narrowed his eyes but I shut him up.

" Just do as I ask other things I'll handle and don't worry I won't break down the bakery. I love that shop too. She needs to be afraid of me. That's it. " He sighed seeing my smirk which was indeed evil.

Not his problem. I look horrible even with my smirk.

Author's P.O.V

" What postmortem report says? '' Zain's senior asked me to cross the station's main gate. He was matching his senior's steps before replying. " Nothing much. The murder occurs at midnight approx. 2 O'clock a.m. Forensics say whoever did this, tortured the victim before slitting his throat. Moreover, besides the cuts, the victim's nails had been plucked out and his face was brutally ruined. Most importantly, one organ is missing. '' Zain explained before taking a long breath, the sun shone brightly over their heads and the bright new day was peeking from the curtains.

" Interesting. It seems like a case of irreconcilability. " The senior officer furrowed before adding. " Anything else? Did you find it in the postmortem report? "

Zain nodded first before answering. " We found chemicals on the victim's body. "

" What type of chemicals? " The senior lit up his cigarette.

" The chemicals which mostly occur in colors...." He is cut off by an officer. The junior salute before throwing a bomb over their heads. " Another body is found near the lake. "

Dianna's P.O.V

A sob left my mouth hearing the crashing sound of glass. My everything has been thrown away by the landlord. He was shouting in my face, embarrassing me in front of the whole town.

I just wrapped myself in my own protective arms.

My lips were wobbling and my head was low. I was scared to even raise my face. My all luggage was probably on the street but all I cared about was the voice that was echoing in my ears along with the landlord.

" How can you do this? "

" Don't you have shame? "

" You disappoint us, Dianna. Why didn't you die after your birth? "

" You're nothing but a stain for this family. "

Suddenly all my emotions came out as trauma. I screamed covering my ears. " Eden will never be disappointed. " I called his name, " Eden will never be disappointed. " That was the line I kept chanting under my breath whenever I needed to soothe myself.

The same line I kept chanting since I fell in love with him.

" You don't need to be someone who is not you. I'll never be disappointed. You're Dianna and I'm in love with this girl. Your Eden will never be disappointed. "

I nodded to myself, remembering his words. I was so busy myself when I heard someone calling my name. " Dianna. " It was a voice I was always scared of but this time it sounds the most oddly comforting voice after Eden.

" Dianna. " A hand grabbed my hands which were covering my ears. Tears rolled down my cheeks and chin when my trembling lips chanted those words again.

" Eden...Eden will never be disappointed. " My mind was still foggy, I hardly heard his voice and a muffled sound of weeping. It was the landlord who was groaning.

" Hey! Open your eyes and take a deep breath. Dianna. " I practically heard his cracking sound which was surprisingly full of worries.

I open my eyes but the view was still the same. Pitch dark.

I breathed out chanting another time. " Eden...Eden. " I couldn't complete it and broke into tears but I heard a gritting sound and the grip over my shoulder was tightened.

" Just take a breath. Relax. " I heard his tone which was back to cold. I obeyed because it was good for me.

A couple of times later I was back to my senses but the words were still ringing in my mind instead of lips. A sigh drew by him whose name I was scared to even take over my lips.

He backed off but in mini seconds I heard a bang sound along with a scream. The chatting sound was numbing in my ears and I remember, I was standing in the middle of the street with my luggage on the ground.

" My luggage. " I bend on my knees searching for the bags. Even my hands meet a few feet- obvious this town and its love for drama.

I was searching for my bags madly not thinking twice if I seemed like a mad woman. All I wanted was my bag, it carries a huge part of my life. I can't lose it.

I can't.

I cried hitting my palms on the ground, taking Allah's name. My eyes were hurting with my cruelty but my heart was bleeding and I needed to take care of it first.

" Dianna. " I heard Adnan call my name, as someone fell on the ground with a thud. " Hey! What are you doing? " Panic rose in his voice as I heard his approaching steps.

" My...My bag. My luggage. I can't find it. " I still cried while searching for the leather bag and suitcase.

" Stop it. Here it's. I got your luggage. Now stand up. " He yelled, yet it was full of worries.

I stood up, spreading my arms as I walked in his direction. " Where is it? " Eagerness was the last straw of patience. But instead, I felt a death grip around my forearm and I was being dragged somewhere.

People gasp and laugh in excitement but I screamed at him. " Leave me. I said, leave me. " I heard an odd opening sound and I cried struggling hard but it turned into a gasp when I was thrown inside something. It was a car. A thud blasted beside me and I flinched.

My cries were still loud, I didn't stop when I heard the trunk open behind me, nor when I heard a thud a while later.

I just cried. And cried.

I heard the sound of the opening of the door. A fruity and expensive scent filled my nostrils even though the car was already smelling this way but after his entrance, it turned even stronger and fresh.

That's all I could get.

I used to smell. Feel. Hear. Because unfortunately, my eyes can't see.

That's all Dianna could get.

With a loud thud, the door of the car was shut and I held my breath. His shaky and heavy breaths were making me more nervous.

I heard a typing sound and a faint bell ringing and I heard a clunk sound like someone just picked up the call.

This happens.

" I'll f**k you on my way back. B**tard. " My eyes turned to widen and my hands went to the door to open it.

" You. Sit like a good girl or you'll be the first. " My blood froze in my veins, stiff at my place, meanwhile he groaned at the call. " You said, you will take care of it. But guess what? Alvord, you're even more useless than people think. "

I didn't hear the other side's defensive words but the next thing he said, I was furrowed. " The landlord was yelling at her. Is that what I told you to do? Couldn't you ask him to be polite? Now, he's nearly dead in the middle of the street. Best of luck with the new mess. " With that, he may have thrown his phone on the dashboard.

" It was you who did this all. " I was certainly sure, I had doubts but now it's crystal clear. He was the mastermind in this filthy game.

Yesterday Auntie received a note from a builder about the bakery shop. She was shocked and hurt after hearing the shop was under the builder's care and it'll be broken in dust soon. Amy and I were sad for her but Amy was even more because she couldn't do anything and was facing her own problem. Her father was jobless now and her home was suffering. I kind of knew it was the reason she ran off home last time. We were still trying to figure out what was happening.

Early this morning I found my landlord, he just gave me enough time to let me pack my bags and throw them out of the house.

" Yes. " I gritted my teeth hearing his confident and unbothered voice like it was just a mere dusty matter.

" How...How can you do this to all of us? " I barked where he was sitting and in the meantime I felt the car start moving. A wave of anxiety hit my heart but I was in a rage, I needed answers.

" Why did you do this? " I sobbed, but he remained silent. I bet he didn't even look my way. " I'm asking you, Mr. Adnan? Why are you making my life hell? " At last I yelled with such force that my eyes got shut in the process.

" F**king hell! " He shouted, probably rubbing his ear, the car got disbalanced. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt and it caused me to hit my head on the window.

Thanks to Allah, he controls it before we can have any accidents. This town was already hard to drive and as far as I guessed he was driving out of the town as I could practically feel the car going up, climbing to the road of the valley.

I swallowed.

He just saved us or else Allah knew where we would be along with the car. At the end of the cliff or crashing like a mess against a tree.

" Shit. " He cursed hearing my hiss. " Are you okay? " He asked, somehow he sounded worried but yet it was in a cold tone.

" Just drop me nearby. " I spoke touching the place where I got hit. Luckily it was swollen but not cut.

" In your dreams. " He whispered, coming back to his real self.

" Stop the car. " I ordered, but he didn't obey. Of course who was I to order him? But at the same time who was he to take me wherever he wanted?

" I see. You started to give orders to me. " I heard a chuckle. " I wonder how you will order me on the bed too. But for your information, I'm dominant. " My face heated up, his vulgar talk was too much for me.

How can he even talk to a woman like this?

I was so embarrassed it took me a long pause to gather myself and ask him. If he had some shame? But he said in amusement. " What? Are you already starting to imagine me dominating you? "

" Shut up. " I shouted at the top of my lungs. Shame and embarrassment were keeping me in a small cage as I wrapped myself. He was stiff too, with my sudden burst.

" Just leave me alone. " I dipped my head with my arms around myself. My voice was low but sharp enough to reach his ears. An irritating sigh left his mouth.

" What is stopping you from bearing me? Huh? Anyway, you have to bear me for your whole damn life. It's your future. I'm your future. " My heart clenched at his cold words.

" No. I would rather die...."

" You better keep those words in your mouth. Cupcake. Because even death can't take you from me. Your life is mine. " He indeed smirked, fortunately, I couldn't see that ugly smirk of his.

" Go to hell. "

" If you come along with me, then why not? " A cold finger brushed my cheek and it felt like a current, I backed off but where could I go from the car?

He chuckled.

" Get used to it. Cupcake. You're going to be mine by hook or crook. " Again a chuckle.

It wasn't mocking. It was like a promise. A promise. Somehow I could sense he was a man of his word.

It was indeed bad for me.

" My husband. " She whispered, lowering her head.

" Your husband? But it's going to take a long time. Until then will you remain like this? Without being touched? " He asked, clenching his fists because they were eager to touch her red and soft cheeks.

" I have to and I want to. I can't disappoint him. " She murmured, walking backward but was pulled by him, holding her by the hem of her baggy shirt. A strong splashing sound echoed as he pulled her back.

If she wants then he'll respect her wish.

" But I want to be your first. " She choked her saliva, jerking his hands off of her but stiff at his completion. " And last. " She clutched her hijab tightly when he left her shirt.

Their hearts were beating in sync and a cold breeze passed them. A shiver ran down her spine as his heated body was back from her making sounds beneath his feet, creating waves.

" And if it means touching as a husband I won't mind. " Thunderclaps hit her ears and she remained statue at her place. " I think, I...I'm in love with you. Dianna. "

He confessed in his soft and warm voice. A crack started healing in her heart which was caused by her family. She always used to think she wasn't good to be loved by someone. That's what she heard from the bullies at school and her father at home. It was the first time when someone confessed to being in love with her.

She was feeling overwhelmed by it but knew it wasn't good.

Nothing was right.

She shook her head in no, making him furrow. " We can't...We can't be together. We've no future. Eden. " Her heart was tearing apart saying those words.

She was eighteen still and it felt like she was a kid curling in her blanket.

Helpless to even breathe without being hurt.

" What's wrong now? Is it wrong to even love someone? " She shook her head at his cracking voice, she could practically hear a thud from his heart as his voice was wobbling.

" I'm Muslim. " She said, trying to explain to him but she was herself confused.

" So what? Dianna. I don't have any objection, I still love you. Muslim or Christian. It doesn't matter. " He said, full of hope.

" You're not understanding. In Islam, you've to change your religion to marry me and we...we're not even older to get married. " She shrugged, rubbing her arms. Chills were piercing in her bones due to her standing in the water.

" We're eighteen plus. It's legal to get married and about changing my religion..." He paused, making her furrow. " I won't mind it either if it means you'll be mine. "

It was a new feeling she was facing. As a young girl, she was craving pure love and his voice was full of purity. It sounds like his voice was created by Allah just to melt in her ears.

" Dianna. I love you. " He said, seeing her stiff. He took a step closer to her figure and held the hem of her shirt instead of her hand. " Be mine. I'll fight with everyone to be with you just to say you do love me. " She guess, the sudden emotion was going to burst into her heart.

She was merely breathing when felt him close, not too much to disrespect her wish.

" Just say, you love me back. " It was pleading or actually begging, she doesn't know. An ember of excitement peppered and those words were wearing to break onto her lips. Like they were waiting for years to come out as confession but she couldn't. It was wrong. Even standing here alone with him is wrong.

She clutches her shirt too tight it hurts, her skin turns white as she runs out of oxygen. She breathed, In and Out but it didn't help to soothe. She needed to process the conditions she was facing.

She was scared to even whisper those words and regret them later.

She felt at ease at the time of being blind because the heat of hope was rapidly crawling on her body if she could see then definitely fall to her knees.

" Dianna. " It was a soft whisper but the hidden begging was undoubtedly visible.

" Eden. We can't....." Her words broke into the mid-sentence when they heard a firm tone. Like thunder.

" DIANNA. " She flinched back, maintaining even more distance from Eden even though she was decently far from him. A roar of fear sends a chill down her stomach. She faced from where she heard the loud- sounds like yelling- call of her name.

She was soaking but still, the burning gaze was making her feel heating up, " Baba-Jan. " A whisper left her mouth, evenly harkened by her father and Eden.

Her soul nearly left her body and she felt her numb body will collapse into the water any time soon. Not to mention she was still standing, her legs half dipping into the water above her knees.

" Come here. Right now. " She swallowed hearing her father's voice dripping off the venom.

" Dianna. " A small whisper of her name didn't compel her to turn back at him who was confused and worried about her. She couldn't but he could see the rage, hate, and whiff in her father's eyes. Like he could murder his own daughter.

He gulped, fear engulfing his heart just peering into Mr. Altaf's eyes.

Baby steps made a small splashing sound into the water when she approached her father, guessing his direction with her arms spreading in the air.

His heart felt a tug when she reached Mr. Altaf but he didn't come forward to hold her when she stumbled and fell on her palms.

A small call of her name left his mouth in worry but pride rolled into his heart when she stood up with an unbothered face like she was used to falling and standing on her own.

" Baba-Jan. " She called her father finally close to her father, but a heartbeat later there was dead silence except for Eden's shouting.

" DIANNA. " He ran towards them, while she was holding the place where her father just slapped her.

Her eyes widened in horror and surprise.

" How can you raise your hand on her? " He burst as soon as he was facing Mr. Altaf with a red face. His hand clenched into a fist and veins popped through his flesh.

" Stay out of it. Young boy. You don't have the right to meddle. " With that Mr. Altaf grabbed Dianna's forearm and shook her brutally. " What were you doing here? Huh? You want me to die in shame just because of your stupidity and character. " A sharp knife of words slit her heart and her stiff eyes started to watery.

" Don't talk to her like this. " Eden grabbed Mr. Altaf's hand to free her but he wasn't stronger than him. " I said, leave her. She did nothing wrong. You can't point at her character. She is innocent and moreover, she is your daughter. At least have faith in her...." He was taken aback by the sudden action, his jaw felt like broken. At the same time, he felt a rage throbbing in his heart just glaring at the man who was an innocent angel's father.

" Daughter? And faith? " A venomous laughter made Dianna's heart clench, meanwhile Eden was glaring at Mr. Altaf who added. " She always disappoints me with her blind eyes and now what faith I should have in her? She can't be my blood. " A caress of cries left her mouth but she clapped her mouth to muffle her screams. She shook her head no, it was the most hurtful words she ever heard from her father.

" Baba-Jan. I did nothing wrong. My Allah is the witness to my innocence. I did nothing wrong...." She was cut off by Mr. Altaf when he grabbed her arm even tighter.

" I won't hear your single lies, Dianna. I knew, one day you will become a shame for me as if you were not already. " He started to drag her.

" You can't take her. " Eden stood in front of him blocking the way when saw Mr. Altaf's murderous look.

" Dianna, tell him to move. You both need to take your brains on the track. Ask him to leave. " He firmly shook the statue, a visible shiver rolled into her heart and she flinched at her father's words. She didn't know where Eden was standing but shaky breaths and hopeful gaze made her guess where he was.

" Eden. Please. " She said those words as pleading, and burst into tears. She could feel the hopeful gaze he was using to see her. Only if she could see how broken he looks with red eyes. Only if she could see how wet his face and cheeks were with the tears in her worries and pain. Only if she could see.

She would never have asked him to move.

Only if she could see.

A faint sob was heard but he moved aside giving a slight glare to Mr. Altaf who didn't waste time running off along with her. His heart was breaking just watching how brutally her father was dragging her like wasn't a human.

Rage and hurt took place in his heart and he knew he would never forgive Mr. Altaf.