Chapter Twenty

She was taking her unsteady steps on the stairs. She was holding the railing firmly in one hand and with second she was holding a void glass and climbing down the stairs. Her eyes were closed and she was putting her steps forward randomly. She put her feet on the edge and stumbled. Two hands hold her, " What are you doing here at this time of night? " A female voice scolded her.
" Lana, " She said and managed a smile on her lips, eyes still closed.
" How could you walk randomly? Your eyes are shut. You'll fall. " Lana said in her concerned tone.
" I'm watching through the cracks of my eyes. They are open, perhaps you can't see. " She told her a lie.
" What are you doing here, by the way? " Lana asked and gripped her upper arm, guiding her down the stairs.
" I'm looking for the kitchen. I want water. " She said, bringing out the empty glass in front of her.
She was walking blindly and Lana was leading her to the kitchen, " Sit here. " Lana led her on the couch.
She leaned her head, still holding glass. When Lana gave her glass of water. She finally opened her eyes and immediately bottomed it up.
" Thank you, Lana. You are my only friend here. " She smiled and hugged her. She wanted to tell her that she was blessed to have her as a friend in this hell.
Okay! It's not hell anymore.
" No, Thank you, Mia. You did a miracle in my life. I was really getting depressed with the changing behavior of Michail and you sorted it out easily. " Lana said, embracing her back.
She fully unfurled her eyes and sighted. Lana was looking doleful. She withdrew her arms, " What happened? " she asked concernedly.
" I'm sorry whatever happened in the club. He shouldn't do this. " Lana sadly replied.
" Why are you feeling sorry? That wasn't your fault. It scared me for a while that Ethan would shoot him. " She said while thinking that her body trembled.
" Me also. It scared me like hell. I'm sorry he should not do this? " Lana apologized again.
She straightened on the couch and gazed at her face. Her eyes were swollen and face gloomy, " Are you okay? Did Michail and you... um do you wanna say something. I'm always here with you. " She put her hand on her shoulder.
Lana looked at her, " He's my brother. " She said.
" What? The guy in the club! " She shouted in her astonishment.
" Yes, " Lana nodded.
Her mouth remained slightly opened, " That's why Ethan didn't shoot him. " She asked.
" Yes, Did he hurt you? I've seen Ethan with Kattie. He didn't care for her as he does for you. I saw him pinning you with his stare when you were dancing and all boys were drooling over you. He was waiting for them to make a tiny mistake which would give Ethan an opportunity to shoot them all. " Lana said.
She was wondering to think, when he told her again that she belonged to him. His eyes were beseeching but expressions were dangerous. Obviously, he would care for her, she was his wife. He had told this to her himself. But she was hoping his care would be real as this is the first step toward love.
' Don't think too much Mia! There is no place for love in his life. ' She told herself.
" Did you talk to him, um… your brother? " She asked.
" Martino, um no. Mick doesn't like this as my family compelled me to leave him. They still want this. " Lana replied.
" Why don't they like Michail? If he has mended his ways and has changed his habits for you. No one can love you more than he does. Michael loves you. " She told her.
" Actually! Martino wants to meet me. I've to go tomorrow as they had seen him. Mick wouldn't allow me to go anywhere. But if you'd be with me. He can allow it. " Lana held her hand in her hands with hoping eyes.
She could comprehend her situation. At least they wanted Lana back. Her brother himself hurtled her in this hell. But she was glad and relieved about one thing. Ethan was keeping his all promises and at every step he was trying to be a good and perfect husband except his one promise. By the time, she wasn't minding it. She began to like this relationship of hers with him. She glanced at Lana's face. She was looking at her with beseeching eyes, " Okay, but what would we do with Tim? " She bit her lips.
" My bodyguard would handle him. He had helped me before. Don't worry. " Lana smiled.
" Alright, " She deflated, " I should go. Morning, you have to come to wake me up. if I could not make it myself. " She said and pushed herself up.
" Sure, see you in the morning. " Lana smiled.
" Yeah! " She sauntered toward the stairs.
" Do you need help I mean ... stairs. " She pointed at the stairs.
" No, I'm full awake now. " she shrugged her shoulders and ascended the stairs.
Stepping ahead at the bed, she glanced and found it empty. Her heart skipped a beat.
' Didn't he hear us talk? ' she thought.
She didn't want to confront him and his questions. She lifted her knee to climb in the bed. He halted her immediately and whirled her to face her, " Where were you? " He demanded her.
" Water. " She immediately replied to him.
" That was right next to you on the table. " He said beckoning with his eyes.
She dashed her eyes and found a glass jag lying on the nightstand, " I didn't see it. " She meekly replied to him.
He settled on the mattress and extended his hand toward her, " Ethan I want to sleep. " She told him. Genuinely, he didn't force himself but after her denial he didn't remove his hand. Tears were prickling to seep. Reluctantly, she put her hand in his warm hand.
Tugging her close, he embraced her. He guided her head to his chest and placed a kiss on her forehead, " Good night, " He whispered.
She looked up at him with misty eyes. She was astonished. When he did not say anything. She rested her head back on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. When she felt another peck on her forehead. She smiled. She could hear his heartbeat. She inhaled his scent and let the dark engulf her.