3. Would be fiance

Amayra

"Ma'am", Lily exclaimed as she ran after me. I ran faster towards the mansion, handing over my purse and cellphone to Lily.

"Where were you? Chief was so tensed the whole night for you"

"Oh, God! Lily, I know this. You don't need to rant this on my face", I shrugged, stepping inside as the guards bowed to me.

"I'm sorry, ma'am", she muttered. I didn't know how dada was gonna react. He would kill me today.

As I reached inside, I found the mansion beautifully decorated. Dada had assigned more than a hundred workers to decorate the whole mansion. Eveline and Mark were checking on the workers and handling the decoration. They were the chief servants, according to them as they had been living here for two long decades. I had also seen them from childhood. I could see some piles of flowers and gifts at every corner of the hall.

Dada was nowhere to be seen. Though my head was pounding and I needed a strong coffee or anything, I chose to meet Dada first. I strived to go to his room but got interrupted.

"Amayra!", Dhruv snapped from behind. I didn't turn back to him and rolled my eyes, curling my forehead. "Thank God! You're finally here", Dhruv, my twenty years old brother reached me out and grabbed my arm. I looked at him, being irked and shrugged off.

"Yeah", I muffled. "Where would I go, Dhruv? You should have some common sense. I'd be coming back to my house, no?", I raised my eyebrows.

"I know", he panicked. "But dada was worried"

"I know and I'll handle him. You don't need to worry about that. I was just going"

"He is not at home", Dhruv grumbled. "He has gone to find you"

"Fuck!", I hit on my head. "Dada goes crazy sometimes"

"And what about you?", Dhruv scoffed. "Did you even check your phone? Today is your engagement. Why doesn't he get worried?"

"Oh shut up, Dhruv", I yelled and looked around immediately, finding all the workers and servants staring at me. I lowered my voice and glared at him again. "Listen, don't act like you know better than me, got it? You're still so young and you behave like you're my elder brother", I grumbled as he gazed at me.

I couldn't stand him at all since he became dada's third eye to watch over me all the time. He was not like this before. We were too close until I got into college. Then, everything changed. He became a bodyguard, nagging me all the time.

"Because he is more mature than you, Amu", a thunderous voice echoed into the hall as everyone became tight-lipped at once.

The place which was so chaotic has become a graveyard. I could sense the intensity of dada's anger through his voice.

Gathering a lot of courage, I turned back to him. My body got cold-blooded in no moment. It was not like I was afraid of him and he was cruel. However, at that time I was at a fault. That's why I was too much nervous.

I looked at him with my shaking gaze. He was standing at the door with his men who worked as his guards. Dada's eyes glimmered, eyebrows swirled and cheekbones raised as he clenched his jaw. His wrath was visible to me. I gulped, thinking about last night. He shouldn't get to know what I did. I wiped my sweat, rubbing my palm on the neck.

"Dada", I mumbled in a jiggling voice.

He took big steps and reached me, keeping his gaze on me.

"Where the hell were you?", he shouted at me again, this time louder than before. I almost fainted. He had never been so angry with me.

"Dada, I... I thought... I should spend some time with my friends. So, I drank a bit more than every time. I didn't know when I got unconscious", I lied to him, avoiding eye contact.

"Don't lie, Amu. Your trembling voice and drooped gaze are enough for me to know that you're lying. You were not with your friends. Do you think I didn't interrogate them? I'm coming from there. I have met your every friend", he grumbled, leaving me in surprise.

Did he meet my friends? Did they spit something? Well, my friends didn't know that I had slept with a stranger. They had left me there.

"They were the ones to leave me alone", I shouted back, throwing my hands, looking at dada finally since I was not at fault at this. "When I was talking to you, they suddenly disappeared. I looked for them for so long. But I didn't find them"

"That's why I tell you not to hang out with your friends all the time? Which bride gets missing a day before her marriage?", he grumbled.

Even in his 70s, he was still robust and dominating. My dada was ruling on the patronage of Albania as the most powerful businessman though I knew the secrets behind his success that it was all his black money, I still supported him as he is the only person who loves me so much.

"I'm sorry, dada", I gasped, dropping my gaze. I didn't want to argue with him anymore. I was already feeling guilty for breaking his trust, although I didn't regret sleeping with that man.

Fuck! That guy! I couldn't even erase his thoughts from my mind. He was so amazing, so gentle while fucking. I had always thought that men would go crazy and lose their control if women spread their legs for them and they just jump over the women. But that guy changed the whole perspective which I had about men all my life. He might have woken up now. Would he be looking for me? Would he try to remember the night we had or it would be just a one night stand for him?

"Leave this now", dada shrugged as I came back to reality. What was I doing? I was thinking about him on the day of my engagement. It was just a one night stand. That's it. I shouldn't be thinking about him now. There was nothing between us except for lust.

But! But he was the first guy in my life. No matter how we messed up, he was the first. Dang! Amayra just stop! I scolded myself. I was not gonna think about him afterwards.

"Go and fix yourself", dada ordered me. "Lily", he called the youngest maid of our mansion and my closest friend.

"Yes, Chief", Lily rushed to him and stopped a foot away, lowering her gaze.

"Take her and prepare her well for the engagement ceremony. She isn't even looking like a bride", dada shrugged.

"I'm sorry dada. I promise it won't be happening again", I muttered like a culprit.

"You need to be with me to repeat this mistake. Hopefully, it's your last mistake in this house", I sensed his voice breaking and looked at him. He had a painful smile on his face which weakened me, wondering about my farewell.

"Dada", I clamour, digging myself in his arms. "I'll miss you"

"I know", he tried to be stable. He wasn't good at showing his emotions but I knew that he was broken from inside too. "Okay, enough of all this", he broke the hug and cupped my face. "My princess should look like a queen today. Got it, Lily?"

"Yes, chief", she mumbled. "Come, ma'am"

Lily held me to head towards my room.

Dada had asked me to look like a queen today. However, I never looked like a queen. I was the boss, the boss of my life. I didn't believe that I could ever be a delicate queen of some powerful king who would just wait for her husband, produce children for him and pass the whole life giving him physical pleasure.

I wanted to hold the sword and stand by him whenever he would need me, in fact, even if he wouldn't need me.

At that moment, I didn't even know how my husband would be. Everytime I tried to assume something optimistic, I ended up reminding myself that he was a gangsta and he would have no respect for women. Besides, he might treat women like shit.

Yes, I was being too judgemental to the guy I was going to get married to. However, what could anyone expect from a girl like me who always loved to be independent and kept herself away from all the immoral things.

"Ma'am, please take a bath first. I'll be calling the beauticians then", Lily said.

"Ugh! Lily, we are in my room now. Don't be so formal", I stepped inside my sweet lavishing room.

Dada had already overloaded the room with a bunch of things. I didn't even know what they were called. My room was always tidy. Its theme is ebony black and orange. I didn't know why I chose orange to pair with black but it didn't look too bad. On the walls, there were a lot of posters for my idols, all those female wrestlers whom I adored and endorsed as my mentors. There were also some pictures of male wrestlers and at the right corner, there was a shelf with all the medals I achieved from my childhood to now.

I walked towards the shelf and halted by it, glancing at my achievements. I hoped to take them with me. No one could stop me from taking my things and if my husband showed any problem with it, I'll not wait to break his neck.

I looked around my room again. It didn't even look like a girl's room. It would be a little tough for me to act like a typical girl at my wedding. I couldn't even blush. But I blushed before that man!

Heck! Now, stop Amayra. Enough of your shit. I scolded myself again for thinking about him.

"Amu", Lily held my shoulder from behind when I was staring at my medals and belts. I came to my senses. "I know you're not so happy with this marriage. Why don't you ask Chief to stop this?"

"Huh! No. There's nothing like that, Lily", I turned to her, smiling sarcastically. "I have no problem with this marriage. I'm just afraid of being disappointed. You know I'm not like other girls. I always wanted a few qualities in my husband. I don't wanna hurt myself after getting freed from illusion"

As I complete, Lily nuzzled my back and made me sit on the bed.

"You're exhausted now. Don't think about all this", she touched my chin. "Go and take a bath. Then have some rest before the chaos starts", she told me and gave me the towel.

I half-smiled and took the towel, then got inside the bathroom. I peeled off my dress and touched my body gently, looking at the mirror. I could still feel the presence of him. It was just sex and it affected me so much just because I had never experienced this in my life and he was the one who made it more special by handling me so politely. I smiled, thinking about him for once, then turned the shower on.

With the cold water splashing on my body, I closed my eyes and wiped off the aroma of him from my body. No matter how much effective he was to me, I wouldn't be cheating on my fiancee after this engagement.

*

By the evening, I was called downstairs for the engagement ceremony. There was a group of stylist and beautician in my room, almost filling the whole place. My neat and clean room was a mess at that moment which freaked me out.

Finally, after I'm done with the typical rituals of getting ready as a bride, I gaped at myself through the mirror. My jaw dropped, discovering myself in an unexpected version. I had worn a carmine red off-shoulder gown with a heavy diamond necklace which felt like a rope to death around my neck. If I was not wrong, it was sent by my would-be fiancee. The whole set of jewellery had a pair of diamond bracelet and earrings too. I strictly avoided other things and put on a modest bracelet on my wrist. The light make-up was okay too.

Thankfully, dada had no calls on it and the stylists took my orders seriously.

"Everything is done, I hope", Lily held my shoulders and looked at me from head to toe, then smiled. "You're looking so beautiful. I'm sure that you're gonna crash that person who crashes the whole Albania into his fist", she teased and I tried to smile. Nonetheless, I was not expecting anything like that.

"Shall we go now?", I asked her.

"Sure, Chief was waiting for you"

I headed towards the function hall, stepping out of my room and Lily followed me.

"Did they arrive yet?", I asked her.

"Not yet"

As I climbed down through the stairs, all the eyes flashed on me. There was almost all the business partners of dada, some lawyers I had met twice or thrice, a group of reporters taking pictures continuously and other people related to professional services. We didn't have any family members. From childhood, I only saw dada and Dhruv. He never told me about my parents or other relatives and I also didn't question him much. Lily was there with me from then. She is the daughter of dada's private clerk who is somehow related to his black business.

"Here comes my princess", Dada held my shoulder, stretching his lips into a smile as I reached him. "Remember Altaaf uncle?", he pointed a man, standing with him just to save the courtesy. He also knew that I had the least interest in his work and the people he met.

"Yeah", I lied with a smile. "Hello, uncle.

"Hello, I can't believe that you've grown up so fast", he said.

They continued talking. However, my heart was beating faster and my head was still feeling heavy. I was desperately waiting for the ceremony, maybe waiting for him. Surprisingly, I still didn't know the name of my would-be finance. Dada had talked about him a few days back. But I didn't pay any attention.

My eyes were glued to the entrance.

"Waiting desperately?", Dhruv teased me, abruptly appearing behind as I squirm with nervousness all over me.

"What the fuck, Dhruv!", thankfully I shrugged in a low tone, glaring at him. He chuckled and stood beside me.

"Into deep thoughts?", he raised his eyebrows.

"Yes. About the wedding dates. You know I have a tournament next month. I don't know which date they are gonna fix", I lied to him. I was actually thinking about my would-be fiancee.

"Stop lying. I can clearly see the desperation on your face", he giggled. I would definitely slap him hard if we were not among a bunch of guests. My glare should work then.

"Are you done?", I grumbled as he leaned to my neck.

"I had seen their cars in the parking lot. It'll take some time to settle the cars there. Your groom will be here at any moment", he whispered into my ear as my heart skipped.

He was there! Just a few minutes to go more. Damn! I was so nervous. I could feel my body getting cold, still, I was sweating, my nerves were shaking. What was happening to me? Was I feeling guilty? Was I scared?

I had never been so scared in my whole life. One night changed everything.

"Here you go, Amu. Your hottie groom is here", Dhruv teased me again but his words felt like a warning to me.

I lifted my gaze and looked at the entrance. A few guards, wearing black outfits and sunglasses entered first. They had revolvers attached to their torso. I kept my gaze firm until a tall man with a robust body, wearing a navy blue suit entered inside. I sensed like my heart had stopped beating for a minute. My eyes got stuck on his calm and cold face. His eyes were dark brown and hush which felt like I was witnessing an ocean of brown water. His cheekbones were sharp, so as his jawline, his brown lips completing the essence of his appearance.

He stood at the entrance until the reporters stopped taking his pictures. During this, he didn't look at me even for once.

"Crushed?", this time Lily snapped from behind as Dhruv laughed out, taking me out of my thoughts. I glared at Lily who was mischievously smiling at me. Both of them stood like bodyguards on both sides.

"What the problem? Why are you guys irritating me like this?", I said, being frustrated. I was already so depressed about the marriage and that one night stand. And then my so-called groom didn't even notice me properly. Wasn't I looking like a bride? He might recognize me instead of giving some damn poses to the reporters.

"Because you're the bride. And that's how brides get teased during their wedding functions", Lily said.

"True", Dhruv said.

"I'm already freaked out. Please, don't nag me more", I mumbled, looking away.

"Sorry, we distract you. Continue staring at your groom", Dhruv giggled as I immediately punched him hard and started slapping on his shoulder since I knew that my punches could hurt him.

"Didn't I tell you to shut your mouth?", I kept slapping him.

"Hello", a thick husky voice echoed behind me as I froze. I didn't want to get embarrassed. Therefore, despite being nervous I turned back and my eyes met his ones straight. Our eyes locked for the first time but instead of finding it casual or romantic, I found it strange. The only thing that came into my mind was 'Did I know him? Why was he looking so familiar to me?

As far as I could remember, I had never met him. I got numb during the eye contact and came to my senses when dada jerked me, holding my shoulder.

"Meet the most powerful industrialist of Albania and your life partner to be, Abraham Harris", dada introduced him to me while my eyes were still locked with him. Even he wasn't driving his eyes away from me. His cold gaze was making me sweat.

"Hi", I somehow mumbled and he stretched his lips at the right side as if it was sarcastic.

"And you may know her well", dada said in a cheerful voice, looking at him. "This is my only granddaughter, Amayra Mehta. Fifteen black belts in wrestling", dada said with an essence of proud in his voice.

"Who doesn't know her?", Abraham smirked at me. His brown eyes continued exploring every detail of my face. Dammit! He was looking so familiar. Where had I seen him?