Chapter 02

“Mr Daud,” The voice that came out from behind him was covered with a layer of slight concern. But standing in front, the restless but still the someone who retained a charm that drew everyone towards him, did not move an inch. He stood there like a rock and was eagerly looking for someone around him. 

The unknown man, who wore confusion as a facial expression, approached Christian and stood straight before continuing, “Mr Daud, you should be inside. Your parents and Mr Smith are waiting for you at the dining table.” 

Christian turned to glance at the old man whose confusion was now no more masked on his face. He was normal, though he wanted to know why Christian was looking this worried. But he did not step ahead to ask about it, he stepped ahead to clear something else, “And sir, please consider it important. The man whom you pushed is now grumbling nonsense. He’s saying that you came to see someone important outside. Someone whom we don’t know.” 

A bitter frown dominated his face as soon as he heard the old man. His brow cocked and his head slanted as he gave the old man a sharp glare because he understood the gesture he wanted to point out. His jaw was already clenched and fury was boiling inside him. 

But in spite of all this, the old man standing in front of him boldly answered his sharp gaze. He knew that his master was angry, but the need to be silent may have been too heavy. He needed to complete himself if he did not want his master to get into trouble. 

“And you would not want that because of that someone, there should be any harm to your reputation which is everything for all of us. Sir, such spicy talks spread like fire in a forest.” 

Even after hearing this, Christian did not seem to pay any attention to this matter. He rolled her eyes because the truth and integrity he saw in the old man’s dim blue eyes worried him. Everything that came out of his experienced tongue was true. If people did not even know about the person for whom Christian had pushed someone while looking, those people could have made a mess of the small matter by making some dirty guesses. 

“If you go inside and join your family, I promise that all these rumours will be erased from here as soon as you come out.” He assured with a blink. Christian nodded and moved to leave, without sparing a single glance at the old man who stared at him until he disappeared into the huge building. There was a slight glint of worry and unhappiness in his eyes. Seeing Christian, it was clear that he was lost in someone else’s thoughts. But knowing about such ups and downs in the life of a well-known person takes a lot of interest and then the public does not care if it is ruining someone’s life too. He needed to save his master from this. 

~♪

As soon as he stepped into that beautiful and glowing environment, he attracted everyone’s eyes towards him. As if the radiance itself was coming, the aura seemed hotter than hell and the radiance seemed falling from heaven. His sharp gaze only held a few people sitting together at a table, chirping as they held a conversation which was not related to business at all. 

Gabriella bit her bottom lip as she stared at him. Stared at him. And stared at him with her mouth agape. Her eyes were as if dreaming about something when they got a soft view of the most handsome man for her. She sighed and leaned her face in her palm, not letting her eyes leave him. 

“Chris, you’re back!” His mother chirped, chocolate eyes holding a lot of admiration for her dear son. 

“Where were you, Chris?” His father asked, frowning a bit. He saw his son moving towards his mother as he leaned down to hug her lightly and get a kiss on his cheek. It was his habit. 

“Outside, dad. You know… I don’t like being among a lot of people!” He answered, his tone turning bitter when he eyed Gabriella’s father who smirked in reply. 

“Hm, but you should know your presence was a must here!” Sanam — his father as if scolded him lightly but the lightness in his tone gave a hint that he was not angry at all. He could not be angry at such a special moment. 

“I know, dad, and I’m sorry,” he sighed as he took a seat next to his mother and the other side was occupied by his fiancee — Gabriella. Sanam averted his gaze from his son because he looked tense and he knew he was tense because he did not want to marry Gabriella. But he was sure that even if it seemed hard to Christian, he was going to be okay with the passing of time. 

Gabriella inhaled the mint and sandalwood fragrance that wrapped her beloved fiance. A mist of madness as if covered her senses and she found herself smiling lovingly when he sat beside her. Though that ruthless man did not pay any attention to that lovesick girl, she could feel his powerful intoxicating manly scent embracing her and she could feel it touching her. 

“Well, I and your father were talking only about the main venue!” Gabriella’s father beamed with joy and Christian could not help but roll his eyes. Did he not get any topic other than marriage? He grumbled inside, looking away from the old cunning man. 

“Yes! Why don’t we get married in Milan? I’d love to be there with you!” 

He did not reply. The waiters came to the table and served them. That was a good distraction. Christian watched them serving because it seemed a better option than listening to the families talking about his marriage in which he was not interested at all.

“Yes, of course, the destination is very nice!” His mother also agreed. 

“My lovely daughter is fond of European countries!” 

“Oh hey! Everything without us, huh?” Abigail also joined her family, taking seats beside them after they greeted each other. 

“How could we? Look, your tables are already arranged!” Gabriella giggled after she pulled herself away from the hug. 

“Aww, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, I love you!” She laughed as the members around them admired their bond and Christian was the only one there who did not find curiosity there in between. 

“But you didn’t delay at all. We were just discussing where to get married!” 

“Oh! What are the options then?” 

“Milan, mother-in-law said Santorini and father-in-law said Rajasthan!” 

“Cool! But to be honest, all the choices are good!” 

“Mamma, I’ll also go with you!” 

That’s how the wedding discussion continued. In the beginning, every word was entering Christian’s ears, but as they progressed ahead of the talks, his ears diverted their attention from there. 

He stopped hearing everything. Everyone was talking while eating and before eating, they also praised God, Christian also joined them, but as if his hunger was over after he was done saying grace. His throat was constricted and he did not feel hunger at all. Once again her thoughts started to settle in his mind and he started getting restless. Don’t know where she went, that was the only thought in his mind. 

“Chris?” He blinked in realization and turned to look at the person. His mother stared at him and he stayed silent until she murmured, “What are you thinking about, my son?” 

“Uh…” he looked around and none of them was staring at him, making him realize that his mother was the only one who noticed that he was not mentally present there. He sighed and looked back at his mother before mumbling, “Nothing, mom. I’m just worried.” 

She smiled sweetly. “It’s okay, dear. You’re going to be a wonderful husband and then a father! Don’t worry too much!” She patted his shoulder and then his cheek. “Now, please eat? I don’t want you to go to bed empty stomach,” she whispered sweetly and he nodded, doing what his mother said. 

~⁠♪

After having dinner, he went to a higher floor of the hotel and stood near the railing of the terrace side. Being away from his family was never his habit, but today his restlessness had left him nowhere. He was longing to see her face just once. 

Did she reach home safely? But how did she come here? He had not called her. He wanted to keep her away from all this because she was really aloof from them all — his family, Gabriella’s family, his business team, his environment, every fucking thing! 

While on the one hand, his own family used to push him towards never-ending sorrow and regret, on the other hand, she used to push him into a nap of peace. Being close to her was like a gust of sweet breeze. She is his sunshine. Light of his life. 

He sucked in the intoxicating substance and then let the smoke leave his mouth as he parted his lips, facing the dark sky, his eyes closed, imagining her pretty face with that charming smile. 

But today he could not see that smile on her lips and those sparkles in her eyes. She looked very sad today. Don’t know why, but until he would see her, he was not going to find peace. 

If he could not get out of there, he could at least call Rebecca and ask her about Hazel. 

Has she eaten yet or not? Is she in good health? When did she reach home? Has she slept yet or not? Many such questions were running through his mind. He needed to calm down otherwise. 

He shook his head lightly and held the cigarette between his fingers. He blew the smoke before he pulled out his mobile and dialled Marcus’ number. It rang for a long time but he did not answer. He then tried on Rebecca’s, but before he could hear the ring, a touch was felt on his shoulder which made him halt and put the mobile back into the pocket of his trousers.

He slightly turned to look at the person and found Gabriella.

He frowned, asking, “What are you doing here?” in his bitter tone which showed that he did not want to get disturbed by anyone at that time. 

She smiled, her glossy lips spreading but he did not seem to notice them. Only she knew how deeply and badly she wanted him to notice her because everything she did was for him. Only for him. She just wanted him to look at her. Just one glance. And for that, she was even ready to sacrifice her life. 

“Um… aren’t you alone? Wanted someone’s appearance near you?” She asked, nervous because he could deny it easily — he had done it multiple times. 

She gulped slightly when he narrowed his eyes at her. Her hand did not give up on his shoulder. Shoulders that she yearned to touch, and hold whenever he was with her in a bed, pounding into her mercilessly.

“And why would I need that?” He muttered, stepping back. She could see that he still did not get used to her touch. He still despised it. That sole thing saddened her for a moment but there was anger burning inside her more than sadness. She could not stand him going away from her. 

“Listen, Gabby, fucking leave me alone!” He gritted out, blinking as he delivered those words. Seeing this, she could also guess that he, too, was trying to calm his anger. 

“You have gained nothing by doing all this — especially me! Don’t follow me everywhere! I’m tired of bearing this shit!” 

Her jaw clenched and her fists tightened. Her chest heaved up as she took a deep breath before yelling, “Leave you? Are you fucking insane? That’s impossible, Chris! I’ve loved you like crazy! I’m insane for you, can’t you see?” 

Just like her, now even Christian’s anger knocked on his head but he did not want to do something wrong to her. He has stopped himself so far that he should not beat any woman badly in anger, and he would try the same thing in future also. 

“Stop yelling, Gabby!” 

“And why would I do that, huh? You have to listen to me!” 

“Hearing your voice, someone else may also come here,” he said and finally turned his body as well. He put the cigarette between his lips and sucked it in before blowing the smoke. The bitter ash-like odour spread around once again which did not bother her at all. 

She scoffed and held his face to turn it to face her. She held the cigarette between her fingers before taking it away and firing, “I don’t care about others, got it? Few people come or the whole fucking world, I won’t stop calling you mine in front of anyone!” 

She put the cigarette between her lips and drew the harmful smoke, closing her eyes and then discarding it. 

He watched her doing so, lava eyes glaring down at her as if drilling holes. His burning eyes were narrowed and only a few words escaped his throat, “You’re crazy!” 

“Only for you, Chris! You have made me so crazy for you that I am ready to cross every limit to get you. I can die for you!” She smoked once again and then threw the cigarette away. She crushed it under her shoe while looking at him as she continued, “I have absorbed you in such a way that I am nothing in myself. Agar tumhe kho diya to mera wajood hi mit jayega!” 

He could see the madness in her eyes. There was no peace in her, but the passion to destroy everything was riding on her. She indeed looked crazy. So crazy that she could even kill someone for him. But still, Christian could not care less. He stubbornly looked away and she chuckled humorlessly. 

“So now, keep this thing in your smart head and be ready for our destination wedding, dear soon-to-be husband!” She leaned in to kiss his cheek and then patted it before leaving. 

With that frustration, he watched her leave from the huge corridor, mumbling a song which could reach him in that pin-drop silence. 

“Got me lookin’ so crazy right now, your love’s got me lookin’ so crazy right now…”