She stands there in the centre , with everyone's attention on her. Making her more conscious.

Confused. Not able to understand what to do.

Those piercing eyes of Aaron. Daring her to take another step and do any more good.

But what was the use now?

Bella has already made his office, her playground.

She sees the puppy, barking after it pees. Like she has done the biggest thing in the world.

And Exra just sighs.

" Bells"

It seems the puppy was already recognising her name. As she looks at Ezra. But does nothing to reach her.

Rushing forward. Ezra shakes her head in dissapointement. Looking into Bells eyes.

To catch hold of her.

Crouching on the carpet. She finally catches the little devil. When she found herself. Just near the feet of one of the businessman there.

His shining speckless shoes just centimetres away from where Bella just peed.

And Ezra gulps.

Oh Bell! You will get me killed today!

Holding onto now a silent Bella in her arms tightly. Ezra lifts herself up, to find the stranger's eyes already fixed at her.

The man looked powerful. Hell, his aura screamed his position. He was not an ordinary man here.

His dark brown eyes looking at her strangely.

When he suddenly , gets up from his seat. And she literally flinches moving back , making his eyes to soften.

Gasps follow and every other man in the room get's up as well.

Damn! She was right. He is the boss here.

Great Bells. You couldn't find anyone else?

" Sor-ry Sir. We didn't mean to disturb you all. I didn't realise when she ju-st entered into a sprint and I followed her -here to find you...umhh like this."

He continues to stare. And Ezra , realises more explanation was required.

The man wasn't going to buy it.

" I swear I tried to stop her Sir.....but don't let her small legs fool you! They may be small but they are way faster than they look!"

" It's not like my speed is slow. I used to come first in the entire section in the middle school! Some children even used to laugh calling me a roadrunner!"

" Isn't that hilarious?"

She says trying to lighten the mood. To only bite her lip. On looking around and realising the cold stone look on everyone's face.

Okay?

It wasn't that bad. They can atleast laugh to keep her heart.

Not that it was at any ease right now.

However, her tensed smile drops as she looks at Aaron. And his murderous look told her clearly.

Shut the fuck up Stupid girl.Don't embarress me with you.

Stop making a joke of yourself.

Yah. That's it. They are going to be his words and she immediately lowers her eyes. Feeling something sting her eyes.

She is dead.

No one is going to save her now.

" Mr Reed. Is this the kind of professionalism you have in your office? Who is this lady and a dog? Seriously?"

Taking his eyes away from Ezra's. Aaron looks at the speaker. Apologizing.

" I am really sorry for the interruption gentleman."

Leaving his seat. He starts approaching Ezra. And her heart thumps in her chest.

Sh*t!

She still hasn't cleaned up. She was still in those dirty gutter clothes.

He will humiliate her more.

Or worse throw her out.

What will he introduce me as?

A cleaning lady would hurt less or maybe a intruder?

But her fears come crashing down when instead she felt a tight grip on her waist. And she looks up surprised to see him pulling her closer to his chest.

A fake smile plastered on his lips, as he caresses her waist under his fingers.

To speak, without an ounce of hesitation.

"I am afraid she was not introduced before."

No! Aaron no! You will be embarresed more.

Her eyes plead him. But he refuses to lie to them. Speaking smoothly.

"This is Ezra Reed."

" My wife"

Those eyes of the guests that earlier had disgust and judgement widened in realisation.

While Albert? He looks up at Aaron shocked.

His eyes shifting to his hand on her waist, that blush on the girl's face very much evident.

" Greetings Mrs Reed. We are sorry. We weren't aware."

The speakers says from behind. And Ezra dismisses his apology with a soft smile.

" Oh no please Sir. Don't say sorry. When it was all my fault. I interrupted your business meeting here."

" I think I should take my leave. Now that the little troublemaker has been caught."

She she shrugging her shoulders. Referring to Bella. And one or two of them finally smile back at her.

Relieving her rampaging heart a bit.

She has taken just one step away, when the speaker stops her.

" Oh no Mrs Reed. Please. It won't be needed. We all were already leaving. Please stay. We won't like to interrupt."

Aaron clenches his other fist. Already knowing what their decision was.

In business world or rather dealings. Saying a no is not appropriate. As it ends the chances of future cooperation.

So the diplomatic way is mostly we will think about it. Or inform you in few days.

And Aaron knew already. Mr Albert's speaker was just doing it.

It was no use anyways. He can't convince them now.

" Sir Richardson. Shall we?"

The speaker asks and everyone gets ready to leave. But Albert gives no reply.

His eyes fixed on the girl in front of him.

A stranger.

Yet that face, a complete Resemblence with someone who was his world.

How could it be?

Are there really two people with same faces?

The first time he saw her eyes, he couldn't take his away from hers.

That innocence.

Even that was replica of hers.

How?

" Mr Albert!"

The speaker asks again. And he finally comes out of his thoughts.

To instead move closer to Ezra. His brown eyes taking in every curve and feature of her face.

And he moves forward his hand.

Smiling softly at the girl looking at him with those innocent brown orbs.

" Nice meeting you Ezra"

And deadly silence follows. Making all his men and even Aaron to look at him in disbelief.

He rarely talks. But smile?

The man has not smiled in years!

And now he was talking and smiling at a girl? And not only that he even offered her his hand?

Everyone was perplexed.

While Ezra's hand turn sweaty. As she returns his smile, with her own nervous one.

Rubbing her hands on her dirty clothes she was almost reluctant to touch him , finding herself to be bedraggled.

When he doesn't mind. Moving forward, grabbing her soft ones in his beg rough ones.

" Umm same here....."

Biting her lip. She speaks truthfully.

" Sorry I don't know your name"

She thought her words may make him angry but instead he beams at her. Looking gracious.

" Albert. You can call me Albert"

Well, listening this his men definitely got a heart attack . As no one , not even his family calls him by his name.

" Nice to meet you Albert"

She says. And what he did next. Made her heart to stop.

Lifting up her hand ,he places a tender kiss on her knuckles.

Smiling.

" Hope to see you soon Ezra"

Looking at Aaron and nodding. He gives his goodbye. To again settle his eyes on Ezra one last time.

Turning around on his heel ,he leaves. Leaving her frozen on her spots.

The men rush out after him.

And she couldn't help wonder. Staring at his back.

" What a strange man?"

. . . . " Everyone Out!"

She is brought out of her thoughts of the old man, when she hears his low voice boom behind her.

Making each and every hair on her body to stand.

With her back still on him. She sees all the men leaving. Making dread to settle on her stomach.

Her mind screaming only one word.

Dead.

" John!!"

He screams. Next. To only have a man to rush in. Bowing at him.

" Yes Sir"

" Take the dog"

He orders. Making Ezra's grip on Bella to tighten. Turning around to look at him , she almost pleads him.

To only find him standing near the table with his palms resting on it.

Anger flaring.

" Aaron please it was just a mist-"

" JOHN! I said take the fuc*ing dog!!""

He bellowed. Making her body to tremble.

" Y-Yes S-ir"

Moving forward. He begs her with his eyes. Trying to take the dog. Whispering lowly.

" Ma'am please"

And she nods sadly. Placing the dog in his arms reluctantly. And Bella immediately starts yelping.

Her cry for Ezra. Making Ezra's heart to literally tremble.

" Now get the hell out and close the door!"

John hurries. Taking Bella away. Her yelps growing distant and Ezra couldn't stop herself.

She rushes forward to get her back when his warning made her steps to halt.

" Don't you dare Ezra!"

And that was it. She stills.

Looking at the floor. Trying to stop those tears,which were already at the blink to fall.

A deadly silence follows.

With neither of them saying anything. His heavenly breathing, the only sound audible.

" Fuc*! This meeting was so important! I can't believe it that I lost him !"

He says. Talking to himself. Slumping down on the chair. Holding his forehead in his hands.

And Ezra finally dares to look at him.

He looked devastated. It felt like he wanted to cry just like her.

But his choice was anger not teary.

That's the way to let out the heaviness building in his chest.

" Fuc*! Fuc*! Fuc*!

" It's all because of me! I shouldn't have brought you along only!"

"It would have better if you had stayed in that damned car! Atleast all this wouldn't have happened!"

" Aar-"

" Just shut up Ezra! I don't want to hear your pathetic words of sympathy now! Keep you stupid trap shut for once!"

" And road runner? What the hell were you even saying to the man!"

" Do you even know who he is?"

Ezra just bites her lip. Looking down. How would she know? It's not like she worked in his business world anymore.

" And this? Why the hell didn't you change your disgusting clothes! What will they think!"

And that's it. Ezra couldn't hear anymore. Her words truthful but harsh.

" Then...why ..w-hy did you yol-d them I am your wife. Y-ou could have sav-ed your-self from the embarresmrnt."

Her words did it. Throwing aside the contents on the table with his arm.

He roars at her. Taking long dangerous strides.

Making her take one staggering step back.

" And do what? Have them give you those looks of disgust? "

"Aaron"

She places her palms on his chest,trying to calm him. But he doesn't stop. His eyes raging as she takes another step back.

'Letting them disrespect you?"

Her back hits the wall. And her mouth runs dry. Mouth opening and closing. But no word leaves her lips.

While his gaze travels lower.

To settle on the front of her white top.

" Letting them see you like this? To put yourself on public display when you only fuc*ing belong to me?"

Her mind goes numb.

As his fingers move up to lift her wet shirt. Showing her the see through dark bra underneath.

And she curses.

Feeling too embarresed

Everyone saw me like this?

And that's when she remembers how Bella ran from the bathroom , making her slip and let the cup fall on her.

She was in a hurry to catch her, that she didn't even look at herself.

He is right.

Stupid girl.

She is really stupid.

With head lowered and face flustered. She feels too ashamed of herself. Speaking in a low voice.

" I...a-m sor'ry...I didn't realise"

She thought he will leave her. But he had sone other plans. Tightening his grip on the front of her shirt. He literally pulls her to him.

Making her front to flush against his chest.

But she refuses to look up. Closing her eyes, ready to hear every bad word coming her way.

" Your foolishness will cost me way more than 1 billion dollars Stupid girl. 1 billion. Do you know how many fuc*ing zeroes does it have? "

Nothing. She says nothing. Feeling his hot breath hit her face. Making her tremble.

" Not to forget the goodwill and name I spent years building will all be fuc*ing lost with just one damn mistake."

" So-rr-"

" Shut up! Let me complete!"

He seethes. Hitting his palms beside her head. Making her tremble more.

" This 1 million dollar, goodwill, name, status, power. I want them Ezra. I work for it. And when I loose it?"

" It makes me angry Ezra."

" But-"

She feels a soft touch on her chin. And next she knows. Her chin is held between his fingers and pushed up.

Making her teary brown eyes to meet his angry grey ones.

Her heart thumping.

As his eyes trail the tears glistering in her eyes.To return to her pleading ones.

" But not more than the anger I feel on seeing those fuc*ers eyes on you baby doll"

" Not more than the thought of someone touching you"

Her eyes widen in disbelief. Yet to digest his words.

When he shows her his anger instead, letting her know how he felt right now.

Pushing her back on the wall he crashes his lips on her.

Stealing her of her breaths, and lending her his own.

To leave her breathless, yet begging for more.