LEERA POV

"Won't you even come back to Georgia to celebrate Christmas with us, sweetheart?" My mother asked over the phone call anticipating I would say yes. "I don't know yet, mum. Levi and Aria wants me to visit New York in christmas too and here I'm stuffed alone in California. Its been almost a month and I'm frustrated of this solitary life. I'm so desperate to meet everyone of you but I'm so busy that I don't even know if I'll be able to celebrate Christmas with you guys" I frowned in sadness.

"Sweetheart, don't be sad. It's all fine trust me. If you can't come here we'll visit there. But this Christmas we'll spent together" my heart lighted up with rejoice. "Really! When are you guys visiting me??" My voice echoed with excitement.

"Depends on your father dear" my heart blended in hopelessness, making me give off a despairing little shrug. My dad is always too busy even if he tries his best to makeout time for me most of the time he just couldn't and that's always what has been happening since childhood. "Oohh.... " my smile stretched downwards. "Ah Leera! I said we'll spend this christmas together that's it. You don't worry" mother assured.

"It's getting late. Don't stay up too long. Goodnight my baby" Mom's voice could itself radiate light of hope and love. It's just too enchanting and pleasing to me just like any other child in this world would feel the exact same about their mother.

"You know I ain't your baby anymore. Your lovely daughter Elle is your baby and you love her more than me" I whined jokingly. "Come on Leera. You are grown up now. Stop enving your sister. I love you two equally" She half laughed and continued "okay goodnight now, my beloved daughter"

"Huh where is my kiss? You always give kisses to Elle before she sleeps" I muttered frowning, complaining like a child cause I always love being childish with her. She instantly blew me a lot of kisses over the phone and small laughter merged out my mouth.

"Now sleep!" She affirmed strictly this time. "Okay okay! Thanks my fairy. Love you. Tell dad and Elle I miss them" I said clinging to my blanket, laying on my bed. "Your fairy loves you more. Your dad and Elle can't wait to see you again" she replied and I could already feel the pain suffocating me once again.

"I'll see you guys soon. Goodnight mum" "Goodnight. Dont stay up late, it's bad for your health and you are already passing through a tiring stage of life" It was an advise but sounded more like a command the way she spoke. I hummed in response and then our one hour conversation finally came to an end.

A part of me felt alive again and another part felt as if something is throttling me with agony. Never in my life I felt this susceptible and unprotected, staying all by my own.

It's been a month in california but even after that I couldn't adapt properly here. It was different in New York. I had my acquaintances along with friends there but I literally have no one here. Everytime I tried to befriend someone or get aquitanced to someone I couldn't the way I could before only because of one fear which was, what if they had to endure from something that they weren't supposed to only because of me?

His words echoed in my head over and over. "You will think twice before speaking to any person here, to befriend anyone in this city, to go anywhere, to even take any step for anything."

My soul lacked the peace that it craved.

Thinking about everything the ache afflicted me again, I struggled off everything forcefully from my head and closed my eyes.

...............

Grabbing my bag and white apron I was about to open the main door of my house when I heard a dog barking. Opening it I saw a cute puppy infront of my door. It was median in size and black-tan in colour. By the amount of knowledge I had about dogs because I love pets so freaking much, I knew it was pomeranian. Too cute and adorable.

I leaned down on my knees and ran my hand over it's fluffy, flurry body. He calmed feeling my touch. Staring at me with black doves eyes which held tenderness as he barked again.

I smiled ruffling him "Hey buddy". He responded with another bark making me chuckle. Then I noticed the collar chain that rested around his neck and it had a steel bone shaped tag with it, there was something texted on it.

"Casper" I uttered the words which were engraved on the bone shaped tag which appeared to be the name of this adorable dog.

"So your name is casper" Endearing him I took him in my arms and he seemed friendly too as he responded to me licking my hand making me cackle.

"Casperrr? Finally found you" came in my sight an unfamiliar girl who seemed to be of my age, climbing off the stairs exhausted as if she has been running for long. "This dog is yours? I saw him infront of my door so i couldn't hold myself from adoring him. You might be searching for him." I muttered with a gentle smile, indicating that lady who I thought to be the owner of this dog.

"Oh no the dog is not mine. It's my boss's and that's why I was freaking out. All of a sudden he disappeared and I have been looking for him for an hour. If I couldn't find him I would have surely been a deadmeat by today" she said holding on her chest, breathing loudly. "Your boss seems to love his dog too much" I affirmed still holding Casper in my arms. "More than you can ever imagine" she said promisingly.

"By the way I'm Leera" I introduced myself. "I'm Gianna. Nice to meet you" A gentle grin tucked in her face as she spoke. "Do you live here" I questioned. "No but I stay here all day. I'm one of the housekeeper of boss and the caretaker of his dog. Our boss is a busy man, so I take care of his dog basically" she replied and I nodded.

"Come on casper. Let's go home. Finally I'm saved from getting killed by your daddy" she extended her hands to take casper but he started to bark.

"Damn are you mad at me? I have literally been searching for you like a thirty crow searching for water" she made a frowning face and I chuckled at her words.

"No problem, I'll carry him. Lead the way" I muttered and then we took the elevator. It stopped at the toppest floor.

"He is new here so causing a little trouble to adjust with the place I guess" Gianna spoke up again breaking the silence. "Huh?" I asked confused. "Casper wasn't here at first and same for me. Recently we shifted in California as sir will be here for a long time as much as I know but he keeps travelling and always so busy. So Casper is entirely my duty" I muttered a small "oohh"

"Where are you from?" I quired again and she instantly responded "New york. I worked for sir there and now I have to transfer here in California as he shifted here" "Oh goodness really? I'm from New York too" I exclaimed with a surprising smile. "That's great! We have a lot to share then" she muttered with enthusiasm.

"Ooh damn Imma go. My boss was in New york for a couple of days in between. Last night he returned. So I really need to be really cautious from now on. Thank god he was sleeping while I was looking for Casper if he knew I almost lost him I wouldn't see the sun rising next morning" Gianna let out a deep sigh. "Jeez. Take a chill pill. You already found Casper" I reminded her with a slow laughter.

"I know but you know the stress. Oh how would you know you never met my boss" she barged her forehead with her hand and continued "he's literally so terrifying when someone does something wrong even if it's unintentional, that I can't describe and I don't even want to think about it"

I bited my lip thinking what kinda man her boss could be and the way she was describing him I imagined him to be a tough man.

We were at the entrance and then stopped just infront of the door.

"Alright alright! You're literally stressing yourself out. Go inside and relax" I handed her Casper with the last endearing stroke over his flurry head. "You are right. See you around, Leera. Pleasure to meet you" she bade goodbye and left after I did the same.

I turned over my heels and walked towards the elevator but halted on my way when I felt something under my feet. I looked down and found a collar chain laying on the floor exactly same as the one I saw around Casper's neck.

I lifted it up and saw it was actually the one casper was wearing, possibly fell down as the hook seemed to be broken and nobody realized when it fell.

Should I go and give it back? Then my eyes caught the time on my wrist watch. "Holy jesus! It's lateee." I rolled my eyes knowing I need to face Dr. Diana's displeasurable retort again as if I'm a pain in her ass and anyway she disapproved and looked down at me for literally every single small to smallest mistake I make.

Shoving the collar chain in my bag I rushed from there keeping it in mind that I'll return it when I come back from work.

..................

On my way coming back from hospital I mended the collar chain in a shop as the hook was broken. What's the fact of returning the broken collar chain when it won't be of any use, so I thought why don't I myself mend it and then return so Casper can wear it after.

Coming back home I changed and ate something light, then decided to go and give the thing back. Standing at the entrance I rang the bell, holding the small packed collar chain of the adorable dog Casper. I straightened by back when someone opened the door and it appeared to be a mid-aged lady.

"How may I help you?" She asked raising her eyebrow as obviously I was an unknown person to her. "I'm actually looking for Gianna. If you can please call her a bit" I requested.

"Come in" she sided gesturing me to come inside. I nodded and stepped inside.

The apartment looked very huge and elegant. Everything seemed expensive, extortionate and gave off lavish vibe. Moderness and exquisiteness peaked at the toppest of designing and arrangement of stuffs here.

When we were at the lobby the lady asked me to stay and wait standing here, until she got Gianna for me.

I observed the place more gawking around when my eyes set on a precious masterpiece of an art work. Going near it I admired the beautiful, fine artwork. Then perceiving the place more I saw some more beautiful artistic works. The owner of this exquisite house oviously have a thing for art, it eventually settled inside my head.

While I was waiting, suddenly Casper showed up and as he saw me he barked and came towards me. I bended down on my knees and he instantly jumped on my lap making me giggle.

"Hey buddy! Seems like you know me very well now?" I gently stroked his head running my hand through his fluffy body and he gave me another small bark in response.

"I got something for you" putting him down I opened the packet and took out his collar chain which has his name 'Casper' engraved on the steel nametag attached to it.

I set my phone and my small purse on the floor that I bought as I need to go down to buy some necessary items after this and then opening the hook of the collar chain I slided it around Casper's neck and made him wear it again.

"Perfect" I smiled and felt as if he was smiling too. Then his eyes trailed to my purse and phone and, all of a sudden he jerked away clenching my small purse in his mouth.

"Holyy damn! Casperr!" I called him while he keeping running, going through the lobby. Grabbing my phone I ran after him. "Casper stopp!" Who knew this adorable dog will turn out to be naughty too.

Following the dog I was compelled to climb up the stairs behind him as he run upstairs since the apartment is of two storey.

Running through the corridor he finally stopped at an open place which appeared to a swimming pool area, under the dark night sky. There were a settee and an teatable where a laptop was kept open. The place is beautifully decorated with exquisite designing and green plants. Lights lighted up the place and I could see the moon slightly flashing through the clouds up the open sky.

I gulped staring at the swimming pool as casper halted close to it. Leaving my purse on the floor, he looked at my way and barked.

Shivers traveled down my nerves and spine as my sense worked up. The swimming pool. A great deal of water.

"Save meee.... save me"

Thoughts drowned my mind with panick as my eyes were fixed at the swimming pool.

I tried to blink my fear away when I heard casper bark, coming back to my conscience. Casper waging his tail kept staring at me as if he wants me to come there. I took small steps ensuring myself nothing will happen, reminding myself there is still enough space between the swimming pool and the point where my purse was laying on the floor.

Reaching there I bended down to grasped my small purse. "Casper this is so bad. I mended your collar chain and here you are being like this with me?" I patted his head. "Woof woof" I got in response. A smile made out it's way on my lips.

"Come here" I carried him in my arms and nudged my face in his flurry body. "Be a nice kid from now after if you wanna be adored by me" murmuring to him as if lecturing him with a chuckle I turned around in an attempt to leave only to cease dead in my tracts.

My body halted from moving, seeing him almost one month after, specifically here. Casper jumped off my arms making me flinch and running to him while woofing.

He stood there appealing only in his dark grey trousers, bare chested. His strong and girthy arms, and bulky body that looked more tantalizing than I ever thought it would. His sharp jawline always added to his precious face feathers. His collarbone, chest and abdominal muscles truly were attention seeking that anyone would literally crave and yearn with the desire of feeling them against their hands.

His every tattoo flashing right infront of me. I wondered how many new tattoos he got in these years after we parted cause the last time I saw him shirtless was years ago and that time he didn't had as much as he has now. But all those menacing black inked structures carved on his thug skin appeared dangerously tempting. His one arm covered in tattoo while the other wasn't that much and a skull inked pure black rested on his upper chest which was clearly visible and some other vicious and wild stuff that didn't make any sense to me. There were some other words and terms sculpted in some language I didn't understand.

I didn't know what's exactly wrong with me. I liked tattoos but were never a tattoo fetish.

I drifted my eyes anywhere but him when I met his grey mesmerising orbs again after my eyes played over his entire body, perception reddened my face as I didn't even realize I was practically gawking him for a while.

His eyes still on me while he bended down to caress Casper's head. After a moment of silence of standing there, watching them I realized he was the owner of Casper.

I gulped realizing. I'M Currently in his house? Damn the least expected place where I ever wanted to be at.

Before I could move or run my ass off from here, he stood up straight and all mighty, shoving his tattooed arms in his trouser pockets, maintaining our eye contact while I only wanted to look elsewhere.

Casper ran off somewhere to my misfortune as if giving us some privacy that we didn't need at all. His eyes only intensified and heated up as he stared in my eyes, taking intimidating steps towards me.

I could feel my face blushing with diffidence when our last conflict came to my mind. I was naked only a damn towel draped around me but I didn't feel like this but seeing him topless I only wanted to clench my eyes shut feeling my darkest desires rising but the another dark side of me didn't want to leave the sight.

He stopped infront of me, if he takes just a step more he would be towering over my body.

"Why is everything associated with me so fond of you?" His hasky voice warmed up the cold atmosphere, I was too stunned taking his words in when he took a step making me flinch back.

"Aaron. He keeps bringing you up in every single conversation. Elena, my sister. She keeps reminding me of you as she keeps blabbering about you even if she met you only a few times. And now you're after Casper trying to steal him from me too?" His lips turned into a vigorous smirk that made him look so handsome that I didn't even want myself to admit.

"What spell did you set on them? What pill did you make them swallow?" He stepped closer holding our eye contact and I stepped back. "How will you indemnify for the amount of things you stole from me? And now you want more" His warm breath almost hitting my face, his smirk longed on his lips as he took another step.

Stepping back resulted almost falling back as I felt my feet edging the surface I wheezed up, feeling my heart beating at a fast rate. I all most thought I would be in water in the next second. I closed my eyes tight as a yell made out of my mouth when I was about to fall back the exact second but realizing the thing I expected never happened I slowly opened my eyes to see what stopped me.

His hand clinged to my hand not letting me to fall back in the swimming pool due to the tight contact his hand had around mine. His other hand still shoved inside his pocket. Even if I try I could nevef explain in words how much I felt relieved from being saved from my one fear by my other. Even if I could deal with him, I could never deal with my aquaphobia at this moment.

Looking at his cruel grin that played on his face I knew what was coming. The most unexpected thing that he saved me but the most anticipated thing after that was he actually saved me only for doing it by his own very self.

"Pleasee.. " I murmured under by breath in a requesting tone as my eyes watered with fear, pleading him to pull me back.

"sei così bella così, alla mia mercé" The words made out of his mouth and before I could comprehend anything his hand left mine letting me fall down backwards. My heart clenched so tight, enough to give me an attack as I felt my body falling down with a sound of splash following after.

I couldn't breath, feeling myself drowning in water. I'm dying. I'll die. That's all run in my head as my mind halted not able to think anything anymore. My body entirely tensed lacking air. I tried to scream and yell for help but couldn't as panick rushed through my nerves. My limbs refused to move, and I felt my head dizzy yearning for air to inhale.

A moment later I didn't fight anymore, couldn't fight anymore almost giving up. The last thing I felt was an arm wrapping around my body while I clunged my arms terrified around his neck.

"Cazzo!" the last thing my head processed into hearing was a curse which I was familiar with muttered in his deep hasky voice and then I drifted into pure darkness encaged in his arms, not feeling myself anymore..........

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Not edited.

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