1 Month Later

"The new acquisition has made the companies net profit to rise drastically."

"And even the shares rose 5% over the past month. Various FII's are looking eager for an increase in the market share. And overall, we can say."

"That this quarter was a bumper! A round of applause for all your efforts in making this company successful."

Claps echo in the board room. With everyone having smile on their faces, except for one.

Aaron Reed.

Staring into nothingness. He was looking lost in his thoughts. His reasons unknown to everyone.

"Mr Aaron Reed. Our new CEO is one of the main reasons behind this success."

"Mr Reed. Would you like to say something?"

The speaker asks. To only see Aaron still lost. A paper weight held in his hands as his eyes were concentrating on a pen on his desk.

"Mr Reed!"

The speaker speaks again. Bringing Aaron out of his thoughts. No one has ever seen him before like this.

He was a workaholic.

He uses to sleep ,eat and live in his office.

But recently his behaviour changed.

If he was cold before, he was colder now.

He looked preoccupied with something else all the time.

Looking back at everyone. He gets up, buttoning his coat. Nodding at everyone with his face devoid of any emotion.

"Good everyone. Keep it up."

That's all he said, excusing himself. Leaving the board meeting, making everyone lower their eyes. Not daring

Walking through his office building, the staff greets him but he doesn't pay heed. Not even replying.

Opening his office door, he rushes in ,to settle on his chair.

Leaning back on the chair he runs his hands through his hair.

"Damn! What's wrong with me!"

He talks to himself. EZra's smiling face coming in front of his eyes, increasing the heaviness in his chest.

How he missed seeing that smile.

How he missed her stupid words.

How he missed the breakfast she made and that coffee?

His taste buds were yearning for it.

Yes, you guessed it right.

She wasn't talking to him, let alone talking, she wasn't even looking at him. It's been 1 months and one could say directly, that she didn't give a damn about him.

He wanted this.

Right?

Then why was he feeling like this.

Maybe because of that smile on her lips when on the dining table, she chats with someone on her phone.

Not caring to make his food or even serve it to him.

When she smiles at everything, except when she looks at him.

Damn! It was a torture.

He was even forgetting her voice and that scent of hers with time.

How it felt to touch her, to kiss that lips she was nibbling in nervousness.

His thoughts are interrupted by a message on his number again. And as soon as he reads it.

His anger sky rockets, making him clench his fist.

"Mrs Reed is still in the physiotherapy session Sir. Has been 4 hours"

Fuc*! What are they doing in so long!

These sessions are getting on his nerves!

Ezra's growing closeness to that doctor of hers was not settling well with him.

She was fine now.

She didn't needed a physiotherapist.

Why was she even visiting him?

Wasting his money on those sessions.

But wait, when was she even taking his money?

He gave her his gold card. Asking her to use it whenever she needs to and look at her, she didn't even spent a penny.

Going to that school to earn few dollars , working her ass off half of the day.

And even extra classes since last few days.

Stupid.

His thoughts were not coming to rest. No way near. When he hears a knock at his door and urges the person to come in.

"Sir. Yesterday a letter came by your name. Here."

Aaron nod at him. Asking him to place it on his table and the person leaves.

Thinking it to be a business letter, he opens it casually.

To only go still when instead he found pictures inside.

With brows furrowed and eyes narrowed. He takes out the first picture.

And everything seemed to go still for a second.

Ezra's half lower face comes in his vision and as he pulls out the picture more.

Her lower body....naked body becomes visible.

And that was not it.A man's naked front was pressed to her chest, hiding her blossoms.His back towards the camera.... concealing the person's identity.

Aaron's grip on the envelope tightens.

Each and every cell in his body resisting, begging to be released.

As he slowly brings out the entire photo. And he found something drop in his heart.

She...she was under him...laying on a bed. While his hands rested on his waist.

Touching what belonged to him.

He wanted to believe the photo was photoshopped. He wanted to trust her.

But he has seen her, entirely in the shower.

He could recognise ,her everything.

And that was her.

He flips the photo to the next. And the trust he proclaimed, wavered.

It was a picture clicked in a park. She was smiling, hugging a person. And the picture was again the person's back.

He flips to the next and his heart drops again, his heart thudding.

She was again naked, laying on her back. Her face covered by her hair. As the person kissed the mole on her back, he was himself very well acquainted off.

And that was it.

The last clue, the last straw.

Clenching the pictures tightly, he puts them back in the envelope , slipping it into his coat pockets.

Walking out of the office.

"Sir! You have a meeting-"

"Cancel it"

Dismissing the staff waiting for his instructions or signs on various projects. He walks out , taking the car keys from his Valey.

The beast inside him rising , clawing for release.

And he restrained it.

But for how long, even he couldn't tell it.

......

Ezra's pov

"Okay 1, 2 and.......3 go!!"

I exclaim looking at the excited kids. Jumping and following Will. Imagine a physiotherapist like him dancing with the kids.

I couldn't help smile.

He tries to move his waist, like a belly dancer. Following one of the kids and I literally fall down laughing, damn he is so funny.

He looks constipated.

Begging me to be saved.

Will. He is the same stranger who saved me that night. And we were no longer strangers now. We have grown close, as friends now.

We grew close with the physiotherapy sessions and all thanks to him, I feel perfect now.

Both physically and emotionally.

He is a physiotherapist but I bet he can be a perfect psychologist.

I mean it's like he can read my mind.

It feels like I know him since ages.

He is funny, intelligent and very helping. Imagine my surprise when he offered me his clinic room to carry out this extra class for these kids?

I couldn't be more thankful.

He is really generous.

I didn't realise I was staring at him ,when he waves his hand in front of me.

"Earth to Ez! Where are you lost?"

Getting up, I just smile at him. Moving my head in a no.

"Nothing."

"Then come save me please Ez. These kids will kill me today!"

Chuckling, I place my hand on his shoulder. Telling him I got this. Moving forward, I open my hands, asking for everyone's attention.

"Okay class. The last drill and then we leave." . . . "Let's go. 1,2 anddd 3!!!"

. . . After making sure all the kids left, I pick up my bag. Looking back at Will.

"Thanks Will. Really. I don't know what would I have done if you wouldn't be here."

He smiles, stepping closer.

"I am always here to help you, Ez. Why won't I be."

Nodding I was going to walk past him, when he clenches my wrists. Making me stop.

And I look back at him surprised.

He retreats his hand immediately, rubbing his neck in awkwardness.

"Um sorry"

"I...I just wanted to say it's late. Let me drop you."

I dismiss his request with a polite smile.

"It's fine Will. I drove here. Remember."

"Oh yah. Just be careful."

"I will be"

"Message me when you reach okay?"

And I nod.

I told you he is so thoughtful. Waving his a goodbye, I get on my car seat.

To only look at the time.

7:56 pm

Man! It's been 5 hours already! I really got late.

But still, I don't know why. I didn't wish to go back home. Not to him.

It felt suffocating.

Just looking at him does something inside me. The live I have for him is still there, you don't know how difficult it is to show that I didn't care.

To not stop him from cooking, asking him to sit. While I cook for him.

To show him that his gaze doesn't bothers when it rages havoc inside me.

To sleep alone, wishing he held me like that day. In his warm embrace.

To see those dark circles under his eyes and stop myself from asking what's troubling him.

To have him near me, to inhale his fragrance yet not touch him.

It's a torture.

But it's a requirement.

One's worth has to be earned. And that's what I am doing.

I am earning my worth by my silence.

I try to be happy in my life.

With the kids and the staff there.

Going to an orphanage,I have been visiting regularly.

With Will. With Declan visiting me sometimes and us chilling.

Going on shopping spree with Stel,with Neil complaining.

Visiting Mrs Reed. Feeling like home with her.

Ben....we have grown distant. He doesn't reply to my texts anymore. I guess he hates me now.

And why wouldn't he?

He was right that day.

I am a fool. A stupid girl really who made the biggest mistake in her life by marrying him.

The man that detests her.

But what to do? One has to live with one's choices and decisions.

And I was living with them, repenting.

My phone rings suddenly and I look at the caller to see Mrs Smith calling. She was the caretaker of the orphanage I visit weekly.

The orphanage I donate most of my time and earnings to.

Picking it up, I speak in a cheerful voice.

"Good evening Sylvia. How is everything going? Kids having a craving for an ice cream?"

I ask. As I usually go late, buying ice creams for them. However when she replies, the worry in her voice made my cheerful mood to vanish.

"Ezra....Mia..."

"Sylvia calm down. What happened?"

She was crying hysterically. Not able to say anything. And my anxiousness worsens.

"What happened to Mia Sylvia. Tell me!

"She...she is having difficulty in .. breathing Ezra. Please...I don't know what to do."

Sylvia was an old lady of 60. She couldn't handle this. Turning the car in the direction of the orphanage. I press on the accelerator.

"Hold on Sylvia. I am coming."

"Pick her up. And bring her outside. I will be there in 5" . . . I reach to to see the little girl of 6 breathing heavily. Tears streaming down her eyes as she struggled.

Getting her in the car, Sylvia and me rush to the hospital.

My worried eyes, looking at her from time to time. Her struggles aching my heart.

The little girl didn't deserve this pain.

She was too small.

To innocent.

Then why?

Rushing into the hospital. The doctor checks her vitals, stopping us.

Taking her in, telling her to stay calm. . . . "It was a severe allergic reaction. We need to run some tests, to find what it is."

"Is she fine now?"

I ask afraid. And she nods. Smiling at me.

"Good to go. You can take her after it." . . . .

We return back late. Around 1ish. Sitting beside Mia, I was running my fingers through her hair. As she slept peacefully.

Her hands holding onto me for support.

"Thank you Ezra. If you wouldn't have come on time. I can't even imag-"

"Shh Sylvia. Don't say such things. They all are my family. Why wouldn't I have come."

Kissing ,Mia's hand. I get up. I wanted to stay here, but I knew I had to return.

Not that he will be awake waiting for me, or would care.

But I still knew I had to.

Telling Sylvia to call me if she needs me. I kiss Mia's forehead. To sadly smile and leave. . . . I open the main door with the spare key kept under the doormat. Locking it, I remove my shoes.

Rubbing my forehead.

Damn! Don't tell me another headache is on the flare. I hate them.

It was dark inside as usual.

And I already knew, he must be asleep in his room .

His strict workaholic routine still remains and he never compromises on it with sleep as late as 10 pm at max.

Sighing.

I was going to climb up the stairs and walk towards my room.

When I hear a voice behind me ,that made my footsteps to seize.

My heart thumping in my chest. . . .

"Where are you coming from so late, Mrs Ezra Reed?"

And I gulp, turning around to look at him.

Sitting there on the sofa , with one leg placed on the other. And aura domineering and deadly.

Was him. My husband.

His business suit still on,his tie loosely hanging in his neck. A bottle of whiskey in front of him and a half filled glass placed on his lips.

As he stares at me, with cold emotionless eyes.

Void of any human emotion.

Red and deadly.

And I suddenly felt my feet turn cold and my mind glowing blank.

As I stutter , blinking.

"A- Aron?"