Prologue: Flashes From The Past

Ian was busy picking up his beloved Erica's favourite yellow tulips perfectly matching her cheery smile. She was like a fresh breath of air in his busy life. He wasn't the usual hard headed businessman when he was with her. She changed his dull life and filled colours in it. In their 2 year old relationship, she learnt to manage his mood swings and he learnt to love simple things. 

Erica and Ian met each other in a charity exhibition and instantly hit off. A tiny friendship blossomed into a beautiful love and soon they were a pap favourite power couple. Erica being a well-known reporter, hardly had time for herself but whenever she had time it was clearly meant for her Ian. Even after his busy day, Ian squeezed time for Erica.

It was their second year anniversary and Erica was in Wimbledon to cover an exclusive report regarding the ongoing tournaments. Ian wanted to surprise her this time and skipped all his work and ended up in Wimbledon city. He hadn't replied to any of her messages for two days to keep his plan intact. 

When he knocked on her hotel room door, he received the worst shock of his life. She was happily spending time with someone who he had literally despised all his life. Tulips in his hands were now crushed to crumbs. 

"Ian, I can explain... I just want you to hear me out " Erica spoke once she was out of her shock and finished picking up her clothes.

"Honey... Why are you panicking so much? This was bound to happen one or the other day.. Anyways Ian wouldn't mind sharing you with me. Right buddy? " Archer smirked at Ian. This wasn't the first time Archer snatched something from him. But this time it was his most precious possession.

"Archer, I could kill you in the blink of an eye. But I don't think I deserve to be a murderer for someone who doesn't deserve my love. I guess you both belong together. One who doesn't know the worth of love and another who does anything for hatred. I wish you forever togetherness" And he walked out after slamming the door. 

Tears trickled down his eyes at the betrayal. For once in his life, he thought he found his soulmate. But the betrayal he received wasn't what he expected at any point. He aimlessly walked out of the hotel, stumbling multiple times. He wanted to run away from all this chaos. He wanted to be alone. 

But before he could open his car door and get in, Erica blocked his path. "What else do you want Erica? Don't you think you and your so-called partner successfully managed to tear me apart. What else are you waiting for? " He howled. 

"Ian... I didn't want to hurt you... I didn't want things to turn out this way... I love you a lot Ian." Erica spoke in-between her sobs.

"Love?? Do you even realise what you are speaking Erica? If you were so much in love with me, I'm sure I wouldn't have found you sleeping around with Archer"

"Ian.... I didn't want to do this...

"Oh... Really... I so badly want to believe you Erica. Make me believe... Make believe that I can be a fool one more time "

"Ian... Please hear me out"

"Go on Erica. Nothing's gonna change anyways " He was sure of his decision after what he saw. 

"My career was threatened... I almost lost my job because of inside politics.. Archer saved me from my downfall.. I trusted him blindly since then... He wanted me to distract you... I was indebted Ian... I had to agree" Words couldn't walk out of her throat amidst the sobs. 

If he wasn't already broken, he was entirely ripped after hearing her words. He hated himself for trusting someone so badly, to the point he had to question his own decisions.

"So.. All these while, I was living in my own bubble with a girl who did nothing other than a perfect pretension of a loving girlfriend " He chuckled at his stupidity. 

"No Ian... I was wrong, I admit it. I tried to decline this whole arrangement once I realised what you were... I fell in love with you Ian.... I didn't want to play this game anymore... I wanted to end everything between me and Archer. But he tricked me.. I was just a pawn in this game. He said he would expose me soon and you'd never believe me. So I had to agree to whatever he said " She shed some more tears in the process of confessing everything.

"Forget all that shit Erica. Have you ever thought of letting me know about all this ? At least once in these two years? " He was literally hanging with a last thread of hope. 

"No... I didn't want to lose you Ian" and he had his answers.. 

"But you've already lost me. Have a good life Erica Martin." He walked away.

"Now that's what I call a perfect blow... You've accomplished your mission perfectly. Good job Erica" Archer spoke with a smirk. 

"How could you stoop so low, Archer? What did he even do to deserve so much pain?" She hurled as she shook him with his collar. 

"He deserves every bit of it for being the best in every bloody thing and making me look like a loser always. He deserves to lose everything in life and beg for my mercy, I'm still waiting for that day." He ripped her hands off his shirt and pushed her away.

"I won't let you have your way. I'll let him know about all your malicious plans."

"As if he'd believe you anymore!... Wake up princess.. You and Ian are already a closed chapter." 

"No.. My Ian would believe my words. I'll get my love back" She wanted to believe herself that Ian would love her even after all these. 

"Probably he would have thought of giving you a chance. But I'm afraid he may not, especially after reading this " He spoke as he flashed his phone showing her the tabloids related to her and Ian. It had all the details of her plans and all the dirty deeds of her. Now she had nowhere to go... 

"I think moving away from London and Ian would be the best solution for all these, sweetheart and yeah... today marks the end of our agreement. Goodbye Ms. Erica Martin. It was nice working with you " He walked away without even sparing a second glance. She cried and cried till everything in her broke. But now, she didn't have her Ian to comfort her. 

News channels had a new breaking news the very next day. 'Reputed reporter felt guilty for cheating on boyfriend, decides to repent by committing suicide', ' Famous reporter Erica Martin found dead in her apartment with a deathnote' and more such headlines popped up in news papers. Ian went numb after hearing the news. He literally went missing for a week, so he could avoid all the chaos happening in his life. 

He was heavily drunk when he reached home to meet his mother after a week. If everything was fine, he was thinking of introducing Erica to his mother that night, but destiny had planned something else.

"Why does love hurt so much Mom?" He cried his heart out in front of the only person who loved him immensely till now. 

"You deserve better my love. One day love will heal all these wounds even before you know" She kissed his forehead.