Sofia's pov:

After our last conversation he left my apartment without saying a single word. His behaviour was weird and strange at that moment. Yeah! I know, I lied about not having a crush on him since college, but that wasn't the real problem. Something else was wrong.

The bastard didn't even hug me before leaving. I am craving for his touch, his hug, the warmth of his embrace, a desperate need of comfort which I can only get from him.

I want him very badly. I want to tie him to me forever and never let him go. A sharp knock on the door startled me. It was the peon.

"Bella Ma'am is calling you," he said.

I nodded and walked towards her cabin.

Reaching her cabin, I knocked. A voice came from inside, "Come in." I entered and saw her by the window, kissing Alexander. He had a tight hold on her waist, and she had cupped his face, lost in a passionate kiss. I didn't bother to disturb them and sat on a chair nearby.

Finally, they broke free from their kiss, and Bella greeted me, "Good morning, sweetheart."

I greeted back, "Good morning"

"I didn't know you were a car racer," Bella teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Just say you enjoyed the ride." I replied with a smirk.

"Indeed" Bella replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

"By the way," I asked, "Did you call me?"

"I called you." Alexander said, tucking his hands in his pockets.

"I'm really sorry.." he began, his voice rough with emotion.

"I know I... I overstepped by forcing a hug on you. I crossed a line but it was to make your husband jealous"

"Your sister-in-law came up with this whole thing."

"And I just did it for my brother"

"Alright, alright," I conceded, a playful glint in my eyes. "I forgive you."

Bella let out a low chuckle, a mischievous spark in her eyes. "Oh, my poor baby" she teased

Alexander rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

Just then, the peon entered. "Ma'am," he stammered, "Mr. Oberoi is here, he wants to meet you."

Butterflies erupted in my stomach the moment I heard his name. Thank God.

Bella said, "Yes, I'm coming."

I stood up, my legs suddenly feeling weak, and rushed out of Bella's cabin. I waited outside the room where he was waiting, my heart pounding against my ribs. I was too nervous to face him alone.

Finally, Bella came from behind, asking, "Girl, are you okay?" She asked with concern and amusement.

I nodded. Still nervous to speak after knowing he's here.

She entered, and I followed closely behind her. Ansh was sitting on the couch, deeply engrossed in a file. As we entered, he stood up and greeted us, his voice surprisingly cold, "Good morning."

We took our seats on another couch, right in front of him.

Then he started discussing the deal he signed with Bella, and the whole conversation was about it. He discussed it as if he was never coming back for the deal again. We exchanged some words in the discussions, but he didn't even look at me once.

Then he stood up to go. He shook his hand with Bella and was about to go out of the door when he stopped and looked behind. So he knows I'm there, good!

He said, "Sofia," and gestured me to come out.

I took a deep breath and stepped out, our gazes immediately locking. The air crackled with unspoken words as we stood there, lost in the intensity of the moment. Then, he gently kissed my forehead, a soft touch that sent shivers down my spine.

"Take care," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion.

Take care? What did that mean? Was he leaving Italy? No way! My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the turmoil inside me. I opened my mouth to speak, to demand an explanation, but he was already turning away, disappearing through the exit gate, leaving me breathless and bewildered.

I stood there, utterly bewildered, completely at a loss. He couldn't leave me like this. No way. A surge of determination coursed through me. I had to stop him. I turned and headed towards the exit gate, rushing to the elevator. I frantically pressed the button, but the elevator seemed to be taking an eternity. I couldn't afford to wait. He might already be leaving the premises. Panic started to set in, and I decided to take the stairs.

Then, a sharp, deafening gunshot echoed through the building. My blood ran cold. My heart leaped into my throat. Had something happened to him? Terror seized me. I started to run, my feet pounding against the stairs, desperate to reach him, to make sure he was alright.

After reaching the company's premises, I saw a chaotic scene unfold before my eyes. Several men were engaged in a fierce gun battle, bullets flying everywhere. Amidst the chaos, I spotted Ansh, firing back at his assailants. Thank God, his men were also there, fighting alongside him.

I rushed towards him, wanting to get him to safety. As I approached, I reached out and touched his arm from behind. He whirled around, his gun raised, his eyes wide with shock and fear.

"Fuck!" he roared, his voice raw with panic. "Get back now! Get inside!"

But I wasn't going to leave him there. "I'm not leaving you here," I said, my voice firm despite the tremor running through me. "Come on"

He shook his head violently, his gun arm flailing wildly. "Don't be stupid, Sofia! Get out of here!"

"No!" I yelled back, my voice rising above the din of the gunfire. "I'm not leaving without you!"

He swore, a string of profanities tumbling from his lips, but he couldn't deny the desperation in my eyes. He knew I wouldn't leave him.

"Alright, come on," he conceded, a grudging surrender in his voice. "But you stay behind me. Understand?"

I nodded, my eyes fixed on him, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. As we fought our way through the hail of bullets, I knew this was just the beginning of our dangerous dance.

He was holding my hand possessively and we were walking towards the building when suddenly two skilled fighters came in front of hs, blocking our way. Without wasting a second, Ansh shoved me behind him, his body instantly becoming my shield . One of the fighters punched him hard, but Ansh quickly wiped the blood from his face and punched back even harder. In a few seconds, he had knocked both fighters to the ground.

I know it wasn't the time to be impressed, but he was so incredibly skilled.

He turned to me, his eyes searching my face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice a little rough.

"Yes," I whispered, still a little shaken.

He nodded, making sure I was alright.

We were just about to enter the building when a gunshot ripped through the air. Ansh's arm jerked violently, and my eyes flew wide. "ANSH!" I screamed, fear choking my voice. But there was no sign of pain on his face, just a grim determination. He shoved me hard into the building, his body shielding me from the gunfire. He whirled around, his own gun leveled at the attacker.

But it was too late. Two more shots rang out, each one a hammer blow to my heart. Ansh staggered back, clutching his wounded arm. I saw the gun in his waistband and snatched it up, my hands trembling uncontrollably. I aimed, my breath catching in my throat, and shot the attacker right in his head, he crumpled to the ground. I had never held a gun before.

Ansh slumped against the wall, his eyes fluttering closed. My heart hammered against my ribs.

I kept his head on my lap, my hands trembling as I tried to staunch the flow of blood. Suddenly, Alexander appeared, who was also firing at the attackers, his face grim, his gun still smoking. He looked at us, his eyes widening in horror. "Fuck," he breathed, his voice raw with emotion.

With the help of his bodyguard, Alexander gently lifted Ansh and carried him to the waiting car. He then climbed in beside him, his face etched with worry. "Drive fast!" he barked at the driver, urgency lacing his voice. The car screeched away from the scene, racing towards the nearest hospital.

I was still on the ground, shaking, when Leo appeared. He hadn't been there during the attack. He helped me to my feet, his face grim. "Where is he?" he demanded, his voice rough.

"They shot him," I gasped, "Alexander took him to the hospital."

Leo swore under his breath, a low, guttural sound escaping his lips. "Come with me ," he said, his voice urgent.

He then took me in his car, and we sped towards the hospital.