" Those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty in mud.

And learn to live in the very darkness of coal. That could kill them one day.

Are the one's who actually find diamonds"

- suzangill

.......

A Silence stretches in the hallroom of the Reed estate. As everyone sits around.

Sipping their tea.

Feeling intimidated by the person sitting with them, who hasn't said a words since he has come. With one leg over the other. Posture relaxed and eyes assessing.

He was looking around as if searching for something.

" Mr Richardson. You should have told me. I would have come to meet you."

Silence. He doesn't answer. Yet again. Sipping from the cup in his hands.

"You must be here because of that latest deal.I apologise on my son's absence. I-"

Albert silences him by showing him his hand. Looking up at Mr Reed finally.

" It's not about business."

That's all he said. Suddenly getting up from his seat.Looking at the wall which had their family pictures. Approaching it.

His eyes scanning them till they finally settles at one.

It was a picture of her being barely 10 years old. Sitting beside two boys. With one standing behind her.

The Reed boys.Perhaps.

A wide smile on her lips showing her two broken front teeth. And he couldn't help smile seeing her engaging one.

Picking up the photo frame ,he traces his fingers on her face.

Feeling something rising in his chest. To only realize it to be what they call.

Longing.

Really long, nostalgic and heartbreaking longing of a father for his daughter. Who has since last 25 years lived a life full of regret of not being able to save his daughter.

Trying not get carried away in emotions.He speaks up. Asking.

" You have a beautiful family Mrs Reed. I must say you are blessed."

Mrs Reed wanted to laugh at this. The word being 'was'. Hers was a happy family until recently when everything got shattered.

" Tha-nk you Mr Richardson"

Was all she answers. And Albert nods. Placing back the photo frame to approach and sit back on his seat.

His posture straight. Telling he was ready for it.

" If you don't mind me asking is that girl in the picture your daughter?"

Mrs Reed was surprised. Why would he be asking about Ezra? The dots were not joining.

" Yes. She is way more than my daughter Mr Richardson."

" She is my Ezra."

She speaks. Looking back into his eyes and he folds his hands, placing them on his thighs. To lean back on the seat and raise his brow to ask next.

" Biologically?"

And that's when her throat runs dry. She looks at Mr Reed. Who was as confused at her.

" We are sorry. We don't understand.What are you trying to ask Mr Richardson?

Mr Reed asks interrupting but Albert's eyes remain fixed at Mrs Reed.

" There is no resemblance. You don't look like her biological mother."

He says suddenly getting up. Approaching her and everyone stands up as well. Perplexed as to what was going on here.

Suddenly feeling angry at someone questioning her motherhood. Mrs Reed speaks. Clenching her fists.

" It doesn't matter. Ezra is my daughter! I am her mother!"

Albert just stares. Not saying anything. Seeing Mrs Reed getting riled up at the topic.

And he knew then. His guess could be true.

He was indeed at the right place. In front of right people.

Taking out his phone from his pocket. He presses some buttons. To only extent his hand , urging Mrs Reed to take it.

"I am afraid it does matter Mrs Reed. Because this is who she looks like."

Mrs Reed's quivering hands hold the phone. To only have her go still.

As she looks at a young women in her late 20's

Smiling in the picture.

Those calm innocent brown eyes, the shape of her face, that nose, hair. It was completely the same!

The women in the photo was without a doubt a replica of Ezra.

It was too much to be a co incidence.

Or could it be?

" H...how is this possible?"

Mrs Reed's hands move up to cover her mouth in disbelief. As everyone else rushes forward to see the picture. Their hearts thudding.

No one could refute it. It was evident.

" It was clicked when she was pregnant with our child"

Albert says staring at the picture. With a sad smile on his lips.

" The last picture I took" . . . .

" Of my wife. Aarya Richardson."

Gasps follow. As no one was able to believe it. Looking at Mr Albert blankly Mrs Reed's speaks with anxiousness.

" Y- our wife?"

And Albert nods. Switching of the screen. To sigh. Placing the phone back in his pocket.

A look of deep agony covered his features as he completes.

" Yes. My wife who I lost in an accident 25 years ago"

"And the day it happened? "

Looking at everyone. He continues.

"My 20 days old daughter was with her."

Everyone gasps. Unable to believe this. And that's when Mrs Reed knew. She has to tell him the truth. He was no longer an outsider. He may be her Ezra's real family.

"25 years ago I found Ezra in the city center wrapped in blankets. There was no one there...it was raining profusely."

" I would have known if..her mother was there. But there was no one."

" Was it on the 24 th of December?

Albert asks with his eyes shining in hope.And Mrs Reed nods.

Making his heart to beat faster .

Could it be possible? The daughter he thought he lost was living, breathing. With him not even knowing of her existence?

While Mrs Reed was feeling to lost.Not knowing how Albert knew the date. When the realisation settles in.

Could it be that Ezra is his daughter?

And it made her literally slump down on the sofa behind in disbelief.

Tears in her eyes.

She couldn't believe this. It was almost like a dream. If it comes out to be true.

His precious Ezra wasn't thrown away near the bin by her parents.?

She was precious...way precious.

The heir of the world's largest Empire !

A true princess.

Albert himself was too happy with tears in his eyes. Clearing his throat , he speaks nodding. To bring everyone's attention. Getting up.

" We will do a DNA test to still confirm . But before that. If you allow me."

" I would like to meet her."

And they all nod. Smiles on their lips, believing this to be no less than a miracle. Their Ezra...had a family of her own.

A father who loved her more than anything.

" Ben! Go and call Ezra!"

Mr Reed asks him. And he gets up to call her when Albert stops him.

" Can I go and..tell her myself?"

He asks. Feeling fearful and anxious after a very long time. But he knew...he has to tell her. No one but he himself should do it.

" Come Mr Richardson"

Mrs Reed says. Showing him the way. As he follows her. Taking a deep breath. Preparing himself.

Mrs Reed enters the room to only see Ezra laying in the bed. Hugging her knees , asleep with the comforter on top of her.

She tries to wake her up when Albert stops her.

Telling her not to disturb her peaceful sleep. His eyes fixed at her , to only feel nostalgic.

Aarya's face flashing in front of his eyes. And he couldn't help move closer.

Crouching down to her level.

" My...dau-ghter. "

He says almost in disbelief. His fingers trembling as he places her fringe behind her ear. Moving his hand on her head in a soothing manner.

" You loo-k just li-ke her"

And that's when suddenly Bells who was sleeping beside Ezra. Wakes up in high alert seeing an intruder.

" Barrrrrrr! Bar! Barrrrr!"

Bells barks on Albert and it wakes Ezra up from her sleep. Opening her eyes, she is in for a shock to see that known face in front of her.

And she gets up immediately. While Albert didn't mind. Continuing to stare.

Looking at those anxious and confused brown orbs that were assessing the situation.

" Mr Richardson!"

She shrieks in horror. As she places a name behind the familiar face. Literally getting up from the bed and picking up Bells.

Placing her palms on Bells snout and narrowing her eyes at her, she scolds the little monster to shut it.

"I am so sorry...Bells! Shhh! "

Mrs Reed smiles from behind. Trying to calm Ezra.

" Calm down daughter. Mr Richardson is here to talk something very important with you."

" Momma? With me?"

She asks pointing a finger at herself. And Mrs Reed nods. While Albert keeps staring at her mesmerised.

My daughter...my Aarya's last reminder.

She was alive.

" Oh okay"

Ezra agrees. Looking at the man. While Mrs Reed. Takes her leave.

" You talk. I will ask someone to send something to eat."

Mrs Reed excuses herself. Leaving just Ezra and Albert alone.

They don't say anything. And Ezra rushes to pick up the clothes laying on the sofa. To only throw them inside the cupboard.

Requesting Albert.

" Please sir Mr Richardson. Have a seat. Don't mind the mess"

Rubbing her neck she speaks giving him an awkward smile.

" I happen to be an unorganised person you can say. A bad thing. I know"

" Just like her"

Albert speaks lowly to himself. Smiling after a very long time at the girl in admiration. But Ezra hears him.

And she asks. With furrowed brows.

" Like who Mr Richardson?

He settles down on the sofa And Ezra's keeps standing. Shifting weight from one leg to another.

" Someone very special to me"

Albert was lost. Not knowing from where to start.

Having thought of so many ways to tell her this He was tongue tied now. Afraid of how she will take this.

"Someone who I am reminded of whenever I see you."

Ezra blinks. Once, twice. Staring at the man. Not able to interpret the meaning behind his words.

To only chuckle. To dismiss him politely.

" You must be mistaken Mr Richardson. A girl like me can no way know someone of your gentry."

" I ..... I don't fit into your high class world."

" I don't even fit the Reed's. They are just too generous."

Albert's eyes soften. Seeing her talk so low about herself. That spark he saw in her eyes that day in office was missing today. She was pretending to be fine.

But failing miserably.

Her swollen eyes. Dark circles. Were not just from one night.

Something was troubling her.

And he hoped his presence can bring her out of her sorrows. He can protect her from all pains and miseries in her life.

Stepping closer to her. He looks at those down casted vulnerable eyes. Placing his hand on her shoulder. Making her look up at him surprise.

" How can you not fit in a world you were born in Ezra?"

" I really fail to understand you Mr Richardson. You are mistaken again. Mrs Reed took me in ,yaa. But May...my mom...the head maid of this mansion? I lived with her. "

" She was my mother"

Albert felt her words to be a sharp blow to his heart. A maids daughter? Is this how she grew up? Did she suffered just like him? Did it happened what he always feared?

Tears already stinging his eyes. And he couldn't take this any longer. He has to tell her.

" I was nothing Ezra...dirt as some people call them. Just a boy who used to clean shoes of pedestrians for a shining penny. Who used to find happiness in that one cent that won't buy us much but would definitely lighten up my face with a smile. Because I earned it.

I was 9 years old when I saw my father die in my arms because we didn't had money to buy his medicine. I saw my mother working as a maid. To feed our stomachs. While my brother and I used to study taking books on rent for a day."

" I wasn't like this Ezra. I made myself this. From being dirt to gold. I lived each and every second of my life, running after only one thing. Money. Because that's what life taught me"

" If you have money you can have everything. Except one."

" That one thing that she taught me when she came into my life like an angel."

" Love"

" My Aarya. I fell in love with her heart. When I saw her for the first time.When my car stopped on red lights"

" She was feeding a street dog. Which everyone was shooing away because it was covered in dirt and mud."

"She wasn't like others. She didn't mind the dirt from which I rose.And that's when I knew she was the one."

" The real gold"

Ezra was listening to his story with undivided attention. Feeling all the emotions as he spoke. Living in them.

" I married her and we were living a beautiful life....we had a beautiful daughter ..but destiny had something else in mind.

" When suddenly one day I get a call that my wife and 20 days old daughter have been in an accident..I lost her that day"

" My sunshine . My light. My gold was gone.And I have not been the same Albert Richardson after that."

Ezra's hand automatically moves up. To hold his shivering ones. Seeing tears in his eyes, she couldn't stop her own traitrous ones.

She was feeling it. She knew how it felt to loose someone. She has lived it.

" All these years I was just breathing. This heart has stopped breathing with my wife and daughter. Until that day I saw you in the office Ezra"

Albert says looking up at her and she stills.

" You look just like her Ezra. My Aarya. I think.....you are my lost daughter."

Ezra's hand drops. And she suddenly gets up. Too afraid. Too lost. Shaking her head in a no. Her heart thudding in her chest. As she moves back from him.

Making his heart to drop.

" No ...no...this can't be true. It must be a co incidence. You are mistaken Mr Richardson. I am...I am just an orphan girl.... someone lift me near a bin."

" It ...it can't be. You are wrong."

And that's when Albert shows her the picture. That he showed everyone before. Her cold hands trembling as she tightly held the phone.

Staring at the women in disbelief.

" I wish I am not wrong this time."

Albert speaks. To only see Ezra's eyes fixed on something else that no one noticed till now. Her hands tracing the women's neck in the picture.

" This ...this necklace?"

She stutters. And that's when she looks up at him. With tears streaming down her eyes. Her breathing heavy as she suddenly rushes towards the wardrobe. To throw out all clothes. Searching for something like crazy.

To suddenly still.

Looking back at Albert. He lifts her hand in the air. Making the necklace to drop from its thread in the air. And Albert rushes to her.

Holding the necklace in his trembling hands....there was no doubt ....it was the same necklace he gave to his Aarya on their anniversary.

It was hers.

And that's when they both didn't needed any other proof.

" Fa-ther?"

" Dau-ghter?"

The words were foreign to both their lips. But the feeling in their hearts? It was unexplainable in words and mutual. Rushing forward with tears of happiness in their eyes.

They embrace each other in a bone crushing hug, that was no more a dream now.

And the Reed's couldn't help stand at the threshold of her room and enjoy the reunion. Hugging each other and rushing in.

Celebrating the reunion of two souls who were acquainted yet never met.

Thei hearts which longed ,yet were miles apart.

Ezra was where she truly belonged.

She was finally home.

......

She stands outside the door of a pent house on the outskirts of the city. Checking her phone to see if the location was right.

Once confirmed. She takes a deep breath. Adjusting the neck and length of the dress. To finally press the bell.

She waits. Feeling nervous.

Her heels ticking against the floor. As she hears heavy footsteps approaching.

When suddenly the door is pulled open. Rattling. Making her look at that face she has missed so much since last few months.

His beard has grown longer. Eyes more deadly and cold if possible. Torso naked. Showing his abs which were more refined than before.

She bites her lip. Scrutinizing him.

When he without a warning pulls her in from her wrist. Slamming the door shut to crash his lips on her.

Not giving her even a second to breathe.

" A- Aro..n "

She moans. Circling her arms around his neck. When he literally growls at her. Breathing heavily.

" Have you forgotten the rules?"

And she gulps. Lifting up her hands from his neck to only pin them behind her back.

His hands hasty. In pushing down her dress, nearly tearing it. His next words. Making her gulp.

" You are late. I told you to be here 15 minutes ago. "

And she tries to come up with an excuse. Pushing up her chest to have it touch him more.

" Umm I couldn't believe that you call-ed me. Yet I knew. One day you...you would leave her to come to m-"

She doesn't get to complete. As his hand muffled her mouth. Making her eyes to widen.

Those stormy grey eyes stare at her with emptiness. Taste of alcohol prominent on his lips, showing he has been drinking before.

" You don't speak till I tell you to. Understood?"

She should feel offended. But she only felt more aroused under his command. Nodding like an obedient girl.

When he attacks her neck next. Leaving hickeys. Making her a trembling mess under him.

She was on new heights. With him playing with her. When suddenly he moves back from her. Making her legs to shake and eyes to cloud in blind lust. Her body begging him for a release.

" Pl-ea-"

" Kneel"

She couldn't even complete as he orders her. And she falls down. Kneeling for him.

He turns around and fill two glasses with champagne.

Approaching her to crouch at her level. Offering one to her.

" Drink. You will need it."

He says and she takes it. Gulping it in one go. And he couldn't help smirk.

Coiling his hand behind her neck to pull her more closer to him if possible. Whispering in her ear as she moans.

" You woke up this side of me" . . . . " Now you are going to be the one who tames it." . . . " Ms Andriana Richardson Smith"

Her eyes widen when she realised he has taken her full name. To only have him smash his lips on her. Making her forget everything.

Turning her to a puppet in his hands.

Which he was going to have fun playing with.

She has lighted this fire and she will be the first one to get burned in it. Before he goes and destroys everything.

He was Aaron Reed.

The hidden side of him he was always wary of, kept hidden and was himself afraid of.

Was ready to be show to others, ready to be unleashed.

He had no barriers now.

No pills.

No restraints.

Nothing to loose any more.

With his heart dead. Mind numb and emotions lost. He wasn't afraid of anything now.

And once he is done with this madness? Once he has transformed himself into the devil of hell.

He will make sure to drag all of those who did it to him, to hell aswell. Till they burn in the same fire he has burned and there is nothing left of them.

Not even their ashes in the end.