" It didn't happen at first sight.

It didn't happen overnight.

It took years to fall so deeply in love with you.

And I am sure it will take years more .

To fall out of it and find my original self that got lost somewhere in finding you."

- Ezra

......

" Damn Aaron! Are you crazy?"

Andriana exclaims. Looking at him all bloody. With cuts and bruises on his face. Standing outside her door.

He doesn't bother to reply. Moving past her inside. To lay on her bed.

Groaning.

" Chill babe. It's fine."

Her anxious eyes look at him from top to bottom. He is fuc*ed in every sense a man could be.

And she felt guilt hit her. She is the reason behind this. She made him this by changing his medicine.

She had become selfish.

Opening the drawer. She takes out his tablets. Placing it on her palms.Filling a glass of water. She approaches him.

" Here. Get up and take these"

He lifts his arm. Which was placed on his eyes. To look at her. Ignoring her.

" I don't need them. Just let me sleep"

" No Aaron! This is not done!"

He doesn't reply. Turning around to place his cheek on the pillow. Closing his eyes.

" Aaron!"

No reply.

" Aaron! I am talking to you!"

Her screams make no effect on him and she just sighs. Placing down the medicine to pick up the first aid box. Applying medicine on a cotton dub. She sits beside him.

Moving aside his long hair from his face. To apply medicine on his cuts.

He doesn't flinch. As the medicine stings. With eyes closed one would think he was asleep. When he wasn't.

" You refuse to let me cure you like old times. We haven't slept together even once since last 7 months since you came to me."

" And instead. You have found this underground fighting thing as your vent out."

" This isn't done Aaron."

" Why are you doing this?"

He opens his eyes. Looking up at her. As she continues to clean his blood.

" You wanted to marry me. And I promised it to you."

" What happened now? Are you also giving up on the broken man that I have become?"

He scoffs and her eyes soften. As she moves her head in a no. Caressing his cheek with her fingers.

" Never Aaron. I would never give up on you. It's just that...I...I want the old Aaron back. The one before that girl came."

" I miss your old self."

And he smiles. Moving aside her hand. To sit up. Taking the anticeptic from her hands to apply on his wounds directly without even diluting.

And she flinches. Her eyes teary.

" The old Aaron died long ago Andriana. And the one in front of you? Is the only thing remaining of me."

" If you can take me as I am. Good. Or I would fuc*ing leave you as we-"

She places her palms on his lips. Silencing him. Forbidding him to continue what he was trying to say.

"No. Don't even say that Aaron. Please"

She moves forward to hug him. While he doesn't hug her back. Clenching his fist beside him.

" I just need you. It's fine if you don't want to sleep with me till it's officially over with you and Ezra."

" I won't force you."

He still doesn't hug her back. Just remains like that. As she presses her cheek on his chest. Listening to his chaotic heart beat, thinking this to be the perfect opportunity to ask him this.

" Umm if you don't mind me asking Aaron."

" When you came to know that Ezra is the sole heir of Uncle Albert's vast empire. Didn't you wanted to amend your bond?"

He pulls back from her. Furrowing his brows.

And she immediately shows him her hand. Chuckling, covering up her words.

" Don't get me wrong. What I mean to say is that any other man out there will be lucky to marry Ezra."

" And would have tried to stay with her. After all all her estates and properties are her husband's as well"

" You never thought of staying married to her because of this reason?"

His expression was indecipherable as he stares at her. To blankly answer.

" No"

" No? But why Aaron?"

He clenches his fist but replies rather calmly.

" I have enough with myself. I won't fuc*ing marry someone just for the sake of their money."

" This thought itself is rediculuous"

She holds his hands. Stopping him. Making him sit on the bed.

Almost pleading him with those beautiful eyes that looked so sincere. So understandable.

" No Aaron please atleast listen first. Suppose this. That you stay married to Ezra and we get the power of attorney papers fraudently signed by her. Once done. You divorce her and come back to me."

" And we both with be the most richest power couple in this world! Can you believe it!"

She expected him to atleast show a little excitement at the thought. But he wasn't thrilled. On the contrary he looked enraged.

Making her smile to drop.

" Aaron? I am sorr-"

He doesn't let her complete. Getting up abruptly to pick up the car keys.

" Aaron! Babe! Why are you leaving? What happened? Wait for me!"

He doesn't reply nor does he wait. Banging the door shut after him. He slides into the car seat starting the ignition.

" Aaron!"

She comes out , screaming after him but his muscle car was already skidding on the dark gravel.

Speeding away with clouds of smoke lingering behind. And she couldn't help stomp her heel.

Holding her hair in her hands. Cursing.

" Fuc* dammit!"

.....

His car came to a halt outside a club that has opened recently. And he couldn't help recheck the location in his gps.

To make sure she was here.

Looking around he found the atmosphere to not be her type. And he suddenly feels his heart racing.

What was she doing here at this hour?

Does she even know how dangerous it is for her?

Looking around. He sees teens screaming. Drunk, falling on each other. Clinking bottles. Laughing. And he curses.

" Damn her! "

His gaze stops on a familiar car parked in the parking lot. And his grip on the steering tightens.

Stel

She has helped her escape the Richardson Estate. Where were the fuc*ing guards? How can these two stupid girls fool them?

Messaging his security team to get there as soon as possible.

He curses.

Fuc*. He didn't had time for this. He has to make sure she is safe till they arrive here atleast.

Getting out of the car. He sees the ladies at the entrance of the club turning around to look at him seductively.

Gossiping something about him amongst themselves.

But he didn't cared.

Not sparing a glance at anyone. He walks with long confident steps. Straight inside with even the bouncers making way for him.

Loud music hits him and he cringes. His mind and his thoughts were already too loud. He didn't needed a fuc*ing dj to amplify it and make it worse.

Looking around at the sweaty and crazy people. He makes his way.

His eyes searching for just one person.

He breathes heavily finding himself a corner. To look around again when his eyes stop on a women's naked back and his heart thuds in his chest.

She was sitting on one of the bar stools. Her hair moved to a side over her shoulder. Giving access to everyone's eyes of her naked back in her dress which was deep almost till her hip.

He picks up a glass from one of the waiters.

His eyes darkening as he takes his stare lower. If her naked back was bothering him. What that slit till her waist in front did, was incomprehensible.

Tightening his grip on the glass. He sees her chuckling at a joke that Stel cracked. Her laughter ringing in his ears despite the loud voices around.

She moves her head to a side. Still smiling.

And his tight grip on the glass loosens. As he sees that beautiful smile of hers.

Those brown orbs twinkling like stars. Those lips painted in a bright red colour. Highlighting the shape of those perfectly kissable lips. And her hair?

They were left open. Just like he hated them.

He liked her with tied hair. With everyone seeing his claim on her. Not as a wild drunk women easily asessible to fuc*ers out there.

His grip on the glass again tightens when she gulps the glass in her hands neat. And Stel? She encourages her to have more.

This bitc* is next. She was spoiling his innocent girl. If Neil doesn't call her back?

He will fuc*ing throw her out himself.

" Calm down babes. Sh*t! Did you had it directly? "

" Add some water atleast?"

" Naaa give it to me Stel. It's...it does something..to my throat...it burns it..I love it.....give ...more...I want more..."

Stel turns around to pick up her phone which was ringing , telling Ezra she will be back in a minute. While Ezra seemed least bothered.

Placing her stomach on the marble slab. She pushes herself further. To get hold of a whiskey bottle from the counter.

Opening it's seal to gulp it. Cleaning her dripping lips from the liquid to look around.

Swaying her body with the music.

The drink in Aaron's hand was long forgotten. She has taken his attention from everything including himself.

He sees her making way to the dance floor and that fear in his chest worsens.

His eyes looking around at any possible threat.

His heart racing.

How badly he wanted to pull her to his chest and take her somewhere safe from all this. How badly he wanted to tell her...how he truly felt.

But what use was it now?

When he can't promise her anything for a lifetime. What good are one time open promises?

He sees the men around her doing a double take. Seeing the beauty in black dancing alone. Enjoying the music.

And he felt like pulling out their eye balls for even daring to do that.

Control Aaron control!

He speaks to himself. Closing his eyes.

Seeing her from the shadows since last 7 damn months has been a torture. He knows there is security for her but still. His heart is not content till he doesn't see her safe with his own eyes.

She was loosing her balance hitting people. And Aaron gets up. Approaching her from behind.

Standing behind her. He inhales her scent after months literally and he immediately feels his senses to calm down.

Fuc*

How he has missed her peaches scent.

She was oblivious. Lost in dancing. Not aware of him standing behind her. Protecting her.

The men who were giving her looks of lust meet his cold angry orbs and gulp. Lowering their eyes.

While those who were mistakenly pretending , trying to touch her. Stand at a feets distance. Retreating.

He looks around for any threat. To find none and he couldn't help look lower at her naked back. Clenching his fist.

Why? Why was she behaving like this?

Coming to a party. Getting drunk. She hates these places...why did she came today then?

Is this how she was trying to cope up with her pain? On the outside she may try to look brave and strong but on the inside he could see her breaking.

Lost in thoughts. He didn't realise when she suddenly turns around.

Making his heart to stop.

As those innocent brown eyes lock with his and widen.

Fuc*! He can't let her see him! He had to go! How can he be so careless!

But she had already seen him. Sh*t!

He was going to turn his back on her when suddenly a grip on his wrist made him stop. And what she did next made him to stay just for few seconds more.

Chuckling seeing his face. She moves up her fingers. Tracing his forehead, his nose...to stare at his lips.

Her words slurred and body swaying.

" I....am....halluci...nating ag-ain ri-ght?"

" Y-ou are n-ot here."

She chuckles again seeing his stoic expression. Nodding to herself. Moving her head in a no.

" Dam-n Aa-ron's....gh-ost...wh-y do-nt you lea-ve me alone?"

He was too lost to say anything. She was having his dreams? He was in her mind everytime? How bad has he fuc*ed with her brain?

He could see the repercussions.

The girl was lost. Broken. Yet still surviving. Learning to live. And he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He wanted to tell her everything.

To release her of this pain.

But the pain that the truth will bring? It will be worse. It will kill her and he can't let that happen.

Never!

Her body sways again as she tries to take another sip from the drink. And Aaron just stares. Seeing her smiling at him. Finishing the bottle, she calls for a waiter. Placing or rather dropping it in his tray to focus her attention back on those grey cold eyes that have frozen her insides.

Holding his collar for support. She furrows her brows. Blinking her eyes. To speak.

" I...don't li-ke this new hair-style of yours...."

Touching his long fringes with her fingers. She cracks her neck to a side. Assessing them. To again smile.

" But you st-ill look beau-tiful"

He was too lost in those innocent eyes. Not saying anything. Afraid she will realise he was actually there and this was not a dream.

When her expression changes suddenly. That smile vanishing to be replaced with a look of pain and agony.

Her grip on his collar tightens.

" Do...do you re-ally never loved me Aaron?"

She asks. Her voice trembling. Hands moving up to have her palms cup his face. And his heart stops.

" Was it a-ll jus-t an oblig-ation? Wa-s I just a burden? A stu-pid girl wh-o lived in her wo-rld of dreams?"

" Do..you really love her?"

On seeing him not replying. Just staring. She again smiles sadly. A tear falling down her eyes, ruining her maskara.

" If yes...you s-hould have t-old m-e Aaron"

" If y-ou truly lov-ed her. I wou-ld have let y-ou go. Y-our happiness would always have mat-tered. My....my Lo-ve is selfless..."

" I ne-ver asked you to love me b-ack..."

" But this hope...you gave me..it broke me Aaron..."

" You broke me...it hurts here..it hurts so bad. "

She says clenching her fists in front of her heart. Hitting her chest softly. As another stream of tears leave her eyes.

And she lowers her head.

His breath has turned rugged. Why...why was destiny playing this game? Why?

He can't even touch her...he can't even console her when he was the reason behind everything happening to her.

Gulping. He finally speaks. Trying to tell her to take the right path now.

" Forget me doll. I am not worthy of your love."

She sobs harder. Pressing her forehead to his chest. Clenching his shirt collar tightly.

" No... don't leave me Aaron. I don't know how to love a man other than you...."

" Please no..."

Lifting up his hand. He wanted to place it on her head. But his fingers trembled. He didn't had it in him to even touch her.

Thinking his touch will taint her.

" Then start loving yourself Ezra. Know your true worth. Don't let men like me ruin you....Please."

She doesn't say anything. She feels his thudding heart in her ears. Her breathing rugged.

And emotions in chaos.

Finally daring. He holds her wrists. Lifting them up to place her hand on his head.

" Promise....me Ezra. Promise me that you will take...care of yourself when I am not there.."

" Please..."

She looks into his eyes with her teary red ones. Moving her head in a no.

" No...I..."

" Please Ezra... please...just promise. To take care of yourself. To love this selfless girl you are. To not have your happiness depend on others.

" To live your dream. To be successful in whatever you do. Please..."

She nods slightly. Making a sad smile to come on his lips after a very long time.

" I pro-mise"

These words were all he needed. To enter hell from here willingly.

Pressing her back to his chest. He feels her body warmth one last time. Her scent. Her face. Her touch. Were all going to be an unaffordable luxury from now on.

Hugging her tightly. He was as desperate as a gold fish in a leaking bag.

His eyes look around at the crowd which was oblivion to everything. When suddenly he feels a heated stare on him.

Narrowing his brows. He locates the source to only find a person with a shiny object pointed towards them. Realising what it was.

His eyes widen.

" Fuc*!"

And he immediately places his hand on her head turning them around to duck down. Making the crowd to erupt in screams as a bullet has just managed to kill a person behind.

The crowd goes crazy. Screaming. Shouting. But he remains like that.

With her pressed to his chest. Safe in his arm. Her body shivering with fear. As his arms rubbed circles on her back.

Removing his jacket. To place it on top of her head. Shielding her from the sight of blood around.

The peace was short lived. As another round of bullets being fired is heard. And Aaron sees his security tem entering. To circle them in safety.

Looking back at the attacker.

He nods at the head of security . Handing her shivering form to one of his most trusted men.

To only stand in front of her as a shield. Taking out the piston tucked in his waist.

To shoot back in defence. Making the sounds of bullets to Richochet.

" Take her away."

Was all he speaks. Looking at her shivering form one last time. His jacket on top of her head blinding her vision of everything.

" Yes Sir"

Once assured that she is safe. He gets back to his mission in hand.

Determined to catch these men that he has been trying to get hold of since last few months.

Cracking his neck. He nods at his security men.

Ready for the fight to begin.