Hold me

Bella is trying not to fall. Her legs are on fire and she could barely stand after kneeling for so long. She didn't eat anything or even had a drop of water to drink. Her mouth is dry and her stomach is achig with hunger cramps. She didn't eat anything since last night. It's not just her body that is aching everywhere, but her heart as well. She is not understanding what changed between her and Aiden. Belatedly she started to realise that he has been distant these past few months, but not cruel.

Aiden started ignoring her and he barely used to talk. She noticed it, and assumed that he must be preoccupied with work. But now, he assumed the worst of her and punished her for something that she didn't do. He didn't even bother to ask her what happened.

'You are freeloding and a burden to everyone'

His harsh words stung more than she thought possible. She might not have contributed financially, she never sat idle either. She used to cook and clean at Aiden's place. She used to cook his every meal and clean his laundry and the house they live in. She worked where she could. Yes, she just graduated and doesn't have a stable job yet, but she is not a burden to anyone. She paid for her expenses by working parttime when she was at school.

The events since that morning and the harsh remarks of her collegues made her heart feel heavy. Aiden's remarks and actions cut deeper than the rest. She felt lonely and sad. She doesn't want to cry and humilitate herself even more. She stumbled when her painful knees buckled underneath her and threatened to give up. Just when she thought she will fall making her day even worst, two strong arms caught her from behind.

"Thank you" she whispered and was about to leave. But the man refused to let go. Panic started to surge inside he. She is alone on the street at this hour. She was just walking without a destination in mind, as she doesn't want to go back to Aiden's place.

"You can let me go now" she whispered, hoping that this man wouldn't make it difficult for her.

"You could barely walk. Where the hell are you going alone at this time" a harsh but a very familar voice demanded.

She recognised this voice. For some odd reason, his voice and his presence made her cry. She whirled around and hugged him tightly, surprising both of them. And the damn broke. The tears she tried to hold back since that morning came back with a vengence. She started sobbing her heart out, strangely seeking his comfort. He looked a little like Aiden, but felt different. Deep down, she knows he is not her step brother, but she doesn't want to dwell into the details now. Her plate is already too full to add more into it.

Kai was stunned to say the least. He is used to people crying at his feet for his mercy, but not like this. He is stunned to realise that she is seeking comfort, and that too from the most heartless man alive.

He stood there awkwardly, unable to push her away. She looked like a lost cat. When ever he looked at her eyes, she reminds him of a cat. She has cat like eyes.

"Some one bullied you Kitten?" he guessed after a while. He even managed to pat her head awkwardly.

She sniffed and nodded into his chest.

He could't help but feel amused. She managed to kiss the devil and survived despite provoking him last night. Yet here she is, crying because someone bullied her.

"Now don't tell me you didn't give them what they deserved" he murmurred. For some reason, he didn't like the fact that she was bullied.

Her silence said it all.

"Never take anything silently. Even if you had to kill someone to teach them a lesson, then do so. I can handle the rest" he offered.

His words made her feel better. She pulled back and cracked a smile.

"KIlling someone? Don't make promises, i might actually consider your offer" she managed to joke. Her lashes are still wet and her cheeks are streaked with tears. But she didn't know that he actually meant what he said and he is a Pakhan of the Mafia.

He smirked at her cheeky reply. This is the girl he met last night.

"I never go back on my work Kitten. Now come on, let me drop you home" he offered, unable to leave her alone like this where she could get into trouble.

She agreed and followed after him.

The car ride was silent. He didn't ask her where she stays, and she didn't tell him where to take her. But when he parked his car infront of her aunt's place, her eyes teared up again. She doesn't know if her aunt thinks that she is a burden too. But she doesn't have anywhere else to go.

She remembered that she woke up here this morning, and he must have brought her here. She felt so vunarable and exposed at that moment. He looks a little like Aiden, yet feels so different.

"You are not Aiden, are you?" she asked him softly.

A mysterious smile was all he gave her in return.

She frowned, he didn't give her an answer, leaving her guessing again. In the dim light inside the car, she couldn't look at his features closely. So she couldn't tell for sure.

Just before she opened the car door to leave, she felt like hugging him again. Her heart is heavy and she needed his comforting hug, just once more. Its been a while since someone hugged her when she was not feeling well.

"Can I hug you again?" she whispered sadly.

Kai is not a hugger to begin with. He never hugged anyone, not even his mother whom he wanted to hug in the past.

"Kitten.." he trailed off. He wanted to tell her 'No'. But looking at her like that, he couldn't. She took that as a 'Yes' and hugged him tightly. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck over the console. This time, he managed to wrap his arm around her.

'What happened Kitten?' he had the urge to ask, but he suppressed it.

She pulled back and left abruptly without even turning to look at him.