1 month later:"Sir, when are you leaving? Everyone has left already. It's almost 8 pm! " Hearing the hesitant voice Adrian looked up at the person. Erik, his PA was standing in front of him." Oh, it's 8! I even forgot to check the time. Did Andrew leave already?"" Yes sir, a while ago". He replied." Ok. You may leave."" But sir…." Erik tried to protest hesitantly." Erik, leave. It's the weekend. Go enjoy yourself. I am almost done. Will leave within 10 minutes." He ordered." Ok, sir." Smiling at Adrian politely he left.……..Shutting down the laptop Adrian sighed and leaned back in the chair, letting his body be relaxed. For the last month, the work pressure was getting too much. Their company was about to finalize a deal with a foreign company. If it had been confirmed, Johnson Industry would be one of the top most companies in the Country. And he was making sure that they would confirm the deal.Rubbing his temples he took a deep breath. It's the weekend already. After that
" Jane, come come! " Kathy welcomed her, giving her a warm smile. Jane smiled in return and took a seat beside Brirney." What's going on? Anything serious? I mean all of you are sitting together." She asked curiously." No "." Yes".Britney and her aunt both ended up saying it at the same time. Jane looked suspiciously at both of them.Soon Mary, her aunt, realized they couldn't let her know about this. It was supposed to be a surprise. Smiling awkwardly at Jane she mumbled _" We were just talking about you. I mean it's already 9.30 but you still didn't come so I was just concerned. I was about to call you ". She looked at Jane expecting her to buy her excuses. She felt bad for her. The girl hardly went out. She told her that after coaching she would go to dinner with her friends. She was happy that Jane was finally opening up to people again and making friends. But in the rush that was the only lie she could come up with. Shefali made it in mind that next week after her birthd
A WHILE AGO:Entering the bathroom Adrian stood under the shower. Brushing his hair with fingers he stood under the shower and closed his eyes, waiting for the water to drench him completely. He badly needed that to calm his mind down. But nothing came out except the sound of the air trapped inside the pipeline. Knitting the eyebrows together he tapped the shower and twisted the handle in both ways but nothing happened.Adrian punched the wall with full force, frustrated. Nothing was going on in his favor. It seemed like everyone and everything was plotting against him. Coming out of the bath chamber he closed the glass door with full force. Peeping in the corridor he found no one there. Without minding to put more clothes he went towards the common bathroom in a towel, covering his lower abdomen.PRESENT:Entering the bathroom Adrian was about to go straight to the shower but stopped seeing someone in front of the mirror. Feeling his presence at the same time she turned back to onl
" Sissy ". Turning back, both of them saw Liam and Aria standing there, watching them with amused eyes.Jane quickly pushed him aside and got out of his embrace as soon as his hold on her wrist got loose." Liam, Aria, what are you doing here?" She asked nervously. She was so thankful that both of them came to get her out of the devil's clutch but embarrassed that they saw her with him." Mummy sent us to get you," Aria replied to her. Her eyes drifting between Adrian and Jane." Ok, Aria. Can you please tell your mom to come here?" Jane asked pleadingly. She won't be able to go in front of everyone like this." Ok, I am telling her." Both of them left the place giggling.Without giving him another look Jane came out of the washroom.Turning the shower off Adrian waited for one whole minute before coming out.He didn't really plan for any of these to happen but it somehow ended up better than he expected. Only if the kids won't have interrupted him! He could have lost his chance to
" Leo." Hearing the voice all of them turned back. Adrian saw Mary, Leo's Mom standing there. Her face was gleaming with the excitement of meeting her son probably after months.Adrian shared a civilized relationship with him as he was their neighbor. Both of their mothers were friends for a long time.He recognized him as soon as he saw his face. For a moment he felt at ease realizing he was her uncle's son, but then an unsettling feeling was back as he remembered immediately they weren't blood-related. He was her father's friend's son. The realization only made him more restless even if possible.Her expression made it clear how much she was comfortable with them. The realization that he wasn't a part of her comfort circle made him clench his jaw. Generally, he loved to see her smile. The way her lips curl slightly upwards making her look even more radiant. But now her laughing felt like a thorn prickling his skin.He was standing there for a while but none of them even spared a g
Sunlight peeking through the curtain fell upon Adrian's face, disturbing his peaceful sleep.He stirred a little, blinking a couple of times as he tried to adjust his vision. Stretching both of his hands upwards he turned to his other side just to find an unfamiliar figure beside him, wrapped around the duvet.In a moment realization hit him like a truck. Jolting up he sat back straight. But suddenly felt someone was hammering inside his head. Clutching his hair with fingers he let out a loud groan to tolerate the unbearable pain. God hangover! What did he do last night? He dashed out of his home and went straight to the bar. Then he drank like it was the end of the world. The girl came to him, talked, and he left with her. Then?"Jane, wasn't she here? Was I just hallucinating? Shit! How drunk was I?" I didn't end up doing something he would regret, right? But why did it feel like she actually was here?" He couldn't even remember anything properly.Only the girl beside her can answe
Half lying on the couch Adrian was lost in his world. His face maintained a blank expression as he was staring into space. At a distance, his family was gossiping with each other and the sound of their laughter was filling the living room from time to time. Some of their words hit his ears but not his mind which was an absolute mess. However, he had no interest in their topic either." Do you want to go to the club today?" Hearing his best friend Adrian looked up. Samuel was standing in front of him, looking at him with curious eyes. " No," Adrian replied shortly." Of course." He snorted. He already got to know what happened last night. Adrian told him everything except the fact that he imagined her to be someone else. What could he have possibly said? That he was so angry after seeing her with that filth, he lost control over his mind? That he drank to a point when he started hallucinating her? Did these things happen when you were attracted to someone? Was infatuation meant
" I told you a couple of times that I don't like to be touched. How many more times do I have to repeat myself? " Jane asked him sternly. Careful so that her inner turmoil didn't get expressed.Listening to her words Adrian clenched his jaw and roughly yanked her wrist to come face to face with her. Encircling one of his arms around her waist he pressed her front with his. As soon as her soft petite frame came in contact with his stone hard one, she winced a little. With his other hand, Adrian held her jaw so tightly that her lips puckered out. " tsk! tsk! Such a double standard behavior my feisty cat! Wasn't you throwing yourself into that filth on every little chance you got? Then why are the rules only for me? Hmm?" Adrian whispered like talking to a kid. Jane was taken aback. She couldn't even make sense of anything that he was saying." What the hell are you talking about?!". She uttered those words with difficulty as the pressure on her jaw kept increasing. Adrian snickered
“ I RAPED HER.” The room was so quiet it felt like time itself had stopped. Adrian’s voice broke the silence again, trembling and choking.“ I... I was just six years old,” he began, his eyes staring at some invisible point in the air. “Outside my school one day, I found a pretty little kitten. So small, so innocent… like a tiny snowball. I loved her so much... too much.” He gulped, his hands clenching tightly, “I’d feed her every day. But when I tried to hold it… it would just run away. One week passed... two weeks... but still, it wouldn’t come near me.” His voice grew weaker as he spoke,“ One day… out of anger, I slapped her away refusing to feed. And then I came home and cried to Mom hard… so, so hard. I didn't eat that night. The next morning when I woke up... the kitten was beside my bed.” He looked toward his mother now, his eyes glossy with tears. “I was so happy, Mom… I was so… so happy that you brought it for me. I hugged her, loved her, tried to take care of her”.His v
“ Mr. Adrian Alan Johnson, you are under arrest. You need to come with us, please.” One of the officers said with a bit of hesitation. “ What? Why officer?” Samuel asked, he almost couldn't believe his ears. The officer looked at both of their faces before speaking again. “ Mr. White complained about you in the police station. He said you…,” he stopped for a bit, “ that you misbehaved with her daughter, tried to molest her.” The officer completed his words looking at Adrian to get a reaction. But to everyone’s surprise, Adrian was still looking blankly at him, as if lost in his own world. Seeing that Adrian wasn't telling anything Samuel again decided to speak, “ but…” “ I am sorry sir, we can't do anything about this. Mr. Andrew Johnson also went to the station along with Mr. White.” The officer said and waited for them to speak. The shock was visible on Samuel’s face. He didn't know what to say anymore.In the middle of all these, Adrian suddenly decided to speak, “ Let's go
PAST CONTINUES _____When they arrived home, Jane's father shoved her inside and slammed the door, locking her in her room. She heard her mother's hurried steps coming closer, and then muffled voices through the door as her father explained everything he thought had happened. Soon, her mother's voice pierced through, furious and hurt. Moments later, the door flew open, and her mother's face was red with anger."What did you do, Jane! You've tarnished our family name. All the respect that your father earned through the years, you ruined it all." her mother shouted, her voice sharp and loud. "Do you know what people will say now, huh? A good, religious Christian girl would never do something like this. Never!" She raised her hand and slapped Jane, the sharp sting ringing in her ears, then hit her again, harder.Jane stood there, numb. She barely felt the slaps, barely registered her mother's words. She just stared blankly, her mind empty.The next day was her birthday. All Jane did was
PAST CONTINUES ____Robert's voice thundered through the room, making them all freeze. "No," he growled, his eyes darkening. Everyone froze for a moment. "Not before I get her first." His words brought a nasty cheer from the others, filling the room with their hoots and whistles."Now that's like our big bro, " one of them jeered.Jane's chest tightened as terror washed over her. Desperation surged, and with all her strength, she shoved Robert back. He staggered, stunned for a moment, but then his eyes turned furious. He lunged forward, shoving her so hard that she stumbled, her head colliding with the edge of a table. Pain exploded through her forehead as she fell to the ground, a warm trickle of blood beginning to run down her face.“ No … no.. this… it can't be happening. I have to do something. I have to get out of here.” Jane kept repeating the words continuously in her mind. Dazed, she tried to get up, her mind spinning with fear and pain. Jane barely had time to steady herself
Jay leaned back on his couch, his voice dripped with frustration as he muttered, “Had you guys not given me that stupid challenge, I’d have never gone for someone like her. I mean, seriously! It’s been months, and we haven’t even made it to first base. I keep acting all sweet and cringe, but she keeps acting like a fucking prude!”One of his friends raised an eyebrow, smirking. “So, what’s the plan with her then?”Jay shrugged, rolling his eyes. “Honestly, I was thinking of ending this whole stupid drama. Plus it’s been way too long since I hooked up with Ivy, and I’m already bored. But now…” Jay’s gaze flicked over to Robert, who was sitting silently, a drink in his hand. “Seems like I have to tolerate her for a few more days. Right, Robert?”One of the other guys frowned, looking between Jay and Robert. “Robert? What’s he got to do with this?”Jay smirked, leaning in a little closer, “You don’t know, do you? Well, not sure what Robert saw in her but apparently, that ‘wannabe innoc
A month later, Jane made her way through the school corridor, looking for Jay. When she finally spotted him with his friends, they were all laughing and teasing him about something. “ Jay!” She called out his name, and all of them turned her way, hooting and grinning. Her face warmed, and she looked away, biting back a smile.As her eyes swept the group, she noticed Rick watching her, his gaze steady. Her smile faltered a bit as memories came rushing back. Rick’s older brother, Robert, had proposed to her last year. Jane’s stomach twisted at the thought.She remembered how uncomfortable she’d felt back then. Robert was much older than her, but he had been so persistent, refusing to accept her polite rejections. But she knew what he was really like. Robert was infamous for his gambling, drinking, and Casanova image. When he didn’t take “no” for an answer, she’d had to stand her ground. She even had to get her family involved, and finally, Robert backed off.Now, seeing Rick’s gaze m
You’re looking a bit different. Oh my gosh! Did you straighten your hair? And… is that lip gloss?” Camilla’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she studied Jane, a wide grin spreading across her face.Jane shifted uncomfortably, her fingers brushing over her hair. “I… I just thought I’d try something new,” she murmured, trying to brush it off with a weak smile.Camilla’s grin only grew as she nudged Jane playfully. “Oh, stop. Spill it, Jane! Do you think I am too dumb to not understand? All these are because of a certain someone… named… Jay Black?” Her voice dropped to a teasing whisper, eyebrows waggling.Jane’s face flushed, and she tried to deny it, but her cheeks betrayed her, turning bright red. She fiddled with her glasses, feeling her heart hammer as Camilla giggled.Just then, Jay walked over. “Jane, can you please help me wit….” as his eyes flicked to Jane, he paused mid-step. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. “Uh… you look different today, Jane,” Jay said, looking a
“You are suspended for the next one week.” Jane heard the principal’s voice roar from inside his office as she stood outside, her hands fidgeting nervously. She waited, biting her lip, feeling a twist of guilt in her stomach. Jay didn't need to be there, getting the scolding. But he had taken the blame without saying a word.Finally, the door opened, and Jay walked out. He glanced at her and Camilla, who was awkwardly standing by the wall. Camilla looked at him with guilty eyes. “Thanks for… you know, covering for me,” she blurted, looking with guilt and gratitude. “I was just trying to mix those reagents as a joke. I didn’t think—”Jay raised a hand, brushing it off. “It’s fine.”Then his eyes met Jane’s, holding her gaze for just a second. For once, Jane didn’t look away. “Thank you,” she said quietly, feeling the weight of her words.He gave her a small smile, one that was softer than anything she’d ever seen from him. Jane’s heart skipped, and for a moment, everything around the
HER PAST (CONTINUES) Jane was rushing down the hallway, trying to find her locker when she suddenly collided with someone. Her books scattered across the floor.“Hey! Can’t you watch where you’re going?” a sharp voice rang out.Startled, Jane staggered back, and when she looked up, she saw him—tall, broad-shouldered, and standing over her with a frown. His blonde hair was slightly messy. He had sharp features, a strong jawline, and striking blue eyes that looked down at her with irritation.“I—I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”The boy rolled his eyes, clearly not interested in her apology. “Whatever. Just stay out of my way next time.”Jane felt her anger rising at the rudeness in his tone. She was about to snap but stopped herself. “Look, I didn’t do it on purpose. You don’t have to be so rude.”The boy raised an eyebrow, his eyes cold, “Maybe you should pay more attention.”Jane’s cheeks flushed with frustration. “Maybe you should be less of a jerk.”The boy gave her a once-over, his l