Chapter Twenty Two

He brought her into the room. He kindly put her on the bed as he'd break her. She didn't want to trust any of the stories right now they had created. That man in the cell might be a bad person. He and his brothers! Were they saints? She couldn't trust them without having any proof which assured her that they were not evil. She thought of the movement when Angelina said, ' He's worse than the mafia. ' What could be the meaning of that? She had seen a little piece of it. Overthinking befuddled her. Her head started pounding again. She pressed her head in her palms.
" Are you alright? " His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She stared up at him. He put a bucket of water on the marble floor. He held her feet.
" W what are you doing? " she asked loudly.
" You'll see," he said and put her feet in lukewarm water. He gently started to wash her feet. He removed the dirt from her feet. He was softly touching her skin as he'd hurt her.
Astonishingly, she was gawking at him. She couldn't trust her eyes. She saw him some minutes ago, shooting his men over a small mistake. She knew being careless in her job wasn't a good sign. Her mouth gaped. She forgot the blink thing.
When he was sure it was clean. He wrapped her feet in a grey towel, " You're staring Mrs Roselyn Liam Rodriguez. " He stunned her with the name he recently used for her and his adorable smile.
" I'm sorry. " She whispered.
" I'm kidding, babe. " He straightened up. He placed his hand behind her head and kissed her forehead.
The maid came into the room and went away with the bucket. In the meantime, the doctor entered the room. It was the third time her cut bled. The doctor gave them the prescription.
" You're not putting your feet on the ground and going out of this room until it heals properly. " He commanded her.
" Yes. " She whispered.
He warned all maids and guards that he didn't want any mistakes. If it happened again. They would kick out.
It forced her to think, was he really that person who he was trying to show? Or something big and dangerous was waiting for her? She could not trust him, not after whatever incident occurred this afternoon. She looked at his face again to read his face or eyes. She was searching for some clue which could tell her, she was wrong and he was telling the truth.
She was feeling strange. It was not only fear and terror. It was something else also which she was feeling for him. Her unknown side and feelings, it wanted him to be a perfect dream boy of her dreams and her real life. She wanted to be happy with him. But why would she want this? She was unfamiliar with this surge of emotions. But she was sure, ' he loves her. '
His phone rang making her shiver.
" Hey, relax. It was my phone. " He said and answered the call.
She could only pass him a small smile.
After ending the call, " I've to go to attend a meeting. No more sneaking. I'll know this. " He smirked.
" Okay. " She whispered, hanging her head.
" Rest. " He said, putting his hand on her cheek.
She felt the heat in her heart. Again, an unknown feeling engulfed her.
He patted her cheek softly and smiled. He left her alone with her strange feelings for him. It was perplexing her. Resting her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes. She instantly fell asleep because of the dose of medicine.
❁
She woke up hugging the pillow next to her. She heard a noise behind her and turned to see. Liam was shifting her dresses to and fro. His back was to her. She watched out of the window. The rising sun was smiling at her, bringing a new day.
' How can I sleep for the entire half-day and whole night? She thought.
" Good morning. " She said to him.
He whirled and paced toward her. He softly embraced her face in his hands and kissed her on the top of her nose. She smiled.
" Very good morning. " He smiled back, " Get ready. We're going out. " He said.
" Out? Where? You said I can't go. " she asked nervously.
" I've changed my mind. You would like to see our office, I thought," he said.
' It was a great opportunity to go out. It had been many days since I went out for long time.
" Okay. " She cheerfully replied.
He picked a light coffee-brown colour gown for her. He gave it to her. She inspected the dress. The strips were thick. She didn't like it under the chest part.
" I don't like it. " She said.
" But I like it. " He raised his eyebrows.
She wanted to argue with him that she did not like the under chest part of the dress as there were holes according to her which was a part of this designer dress and a design to show her waist. She got up and headed toward the washroom.
" You need help? " He asked.
" No, I'll manage. " She said. He nodded slightly.
She stared at the mirror on her reflection. The dress was looking pretty on her. Round small holes on her waist were making a beautiful combination with a brown dress and her skin tone. She strode down the hallway. He was wearing the same coffee brown coat pants as her gown. His green eyes were highlighting in it and looking more beautiful in the brown.
He glued his eyes on her and disconnected the call. He slipped the phone into his pocket. Wrapping her waist in his arms, he put his head in the crook of her neck. She could feel his breaths brushing her skin which was making her skin goosebumps.
" You're driving me crazy. " He whispered in her ear. She skipped her heartbeat, felt heat crawling on her cheeks. Without a word, he pulled back instantly. She let out a deep breath which she was holding. He tugged her toward the dining room. She couldn't eat properly as his eyes were on her the whole time. She couldn't guess it. Was it lust or attraction in his eyes for her? She didn't dare to look at him after lowering her gaze.
" You are not eating." He said.
" I'm done. " She lied.
He studied her for a few minutes as she was an open book and he was reading it carefully. His face was impassive.
" Let's go. " He said, offering his hand.
She smiled as she was enthused to go out and put her hand in his.
His office was splendid like his mansion. All congratulated them for their wedding. It looked more like an enormous office than her family had. Then he told her the whole building was purchased by him. His face was completely different from yesterday. She liked his side more.
' Can't he be like this all the time? ' She thought.
" Why was everyone bowing their heads? " She asked.
" You don't like it. " He let out a laugh.
" No, I was wondering. You must be feeling like a king. " She bit her lip.
" There are lots of things you need to know. Wait for the exact time. " He smiled.
Slightly, she nodded her head and followed him.
She was sitting in his office. Danny came in, handing him a file. He opened the file. His smile faded from his face.
" I'll be there." He said to him,
Danny bowed his head and left.
" There are some problems. I've to go. " He said.
" Go! Where? " She asked, beholding him.
" Mexico, " He announced.
Sadness filled her heart, " When will you come back? " She asked.
" Soon." He paused.
She was waiting for him to tell her to come with him. When he didn't say anything, " Okay. " She said sadly.
" I'll drop you home. " He said, extending his hand.
She took it. Sitting in his car, she could not speak anything as she could feel her throat choking. He would know if she would speak.
'You are a stupid girl. You should be happy. You don't need to share the bed with him. You will free like a bird. Why do I want to cry? Please God! Help me.
Her inner voice reverberated in her brain.
*****
It had been two weeks. She was trying to forget all the beating and gunshots. Which she had seen in these last few days. She wanted to run away. She was also keeping the consequences in her mind. She couldn't go back to Goa. It would put them in danger. To make sure of it, she cut herself off from them, no calls, no messages. She wanted a successful plan. She didn't want to catch up. It was Friday. Her mother-in-law planned to go shopping. She picked white jeans and indigo full sleeves with a round neck top. Her untied hair was light brown and wavy. She chose the same indigo platform heels. She had radiant skin. She applied light makeup, moisture, mascara and transparent gloss. Her husband took care of her and everything she needed, although he wasn't here. She hadn't seen him for the last two weeks. After visiting his office. He packed his luggage and went when she was sleeping. He called her. She couldn't show the courage to answer it. Indeed, she could not fathom how she would talk to him? She planned to run away every night and dropped the idea in the early morning. It made her astonished that she dreamed about him and it put a smile on her face for the entire day.
She gasped and closed her eyes. She picked her phone and lit its display. His green eyes welcomed her. A smooth smile spread on her pink glossy lips. She ran her thumb on his cheek on the display. Was he actually out for his business? Was he also like Danil? She strongly believed that was the myth they told her that day. That person could be cruel and bad. Weren't they different from him?
" Rose.." Olivia called her name stepping in her room. She was in a crimson red gown and Ruby's necklace was around her neck. Her blonde hair was in a bun behind her head.
" You're looking beautiful, mom. " She smiled.
" Well! shouldn't I ask you to change?" Olivia held her by the forearm and ran her gaze from toe to head.
" It's comfortable, mom. " She flashed another smile.
" Well! You look pretty in all outfits." Olivia walked toward the closet. She plucked a rose petal colour gown for her, " Go and change. I'm waiting downstairs. " She gave her a motherly look. She could not ignore it.
" Alright, mom. " she took it from her hands with a smile as she always wanted to feel motherly look for her.
" Good. " Olivia smiled and moved out of the room.
She was staring at it. She shrugged her shoulders. She rubbed her hand on the back of her neck. Unwillingly, She trod toward the washroom. She changed into it immediately. She glanced at the mirror. It was sleeveless, with a broad v-shaped neck. She couldn't understand why she was feeling weird. She loved shopping but her mind was somewhere else. Unwantedly, She paced out of the room.
" I'm ready, mom. " She plastered a smile on her face.
" Yes, I knew. This dress is made for you. " Olivia clapped her hands together. She took hold of her wrist and walked out toward her car.
Her mother in law wanted to buy her the whole shop. She denied many dresses. Luckily Olivia didn't force but she added her choice of dresses. There were a lot of bags in the last two following cars. They went to a restaurant for lunch. Her life was perfect. One special person was missing.
After lunch, She was waiting for Olivia near her mustang. Olivia was in a sweet shop. Mel was inspecting the people around her and Travis was standing next to Mel. He was squinting at Mel whenever he got an opportunity. She smiled, seeing love grown in them. She always wanted her husband to love her. Liam was more than anything. He was everything that she wanted. Something stopped her, perhaps the darkness of this Mafia world. She glanced at the ring in her hand. Her phone rang in her hand. She looked at the display. Her lips parted in a smile. She was debating whether to accept it or ignore it like she was doing this for the last two weeks. She was fighting with her unknown feelings. Reluctantly, she swiped on accepting and hoisted it to her ear. It was silent. She could hear her own breaths and her heart pounding.
" H hello. " She whispered. She was dying to hear his voice and see him. She was waiting while nibbling her lips.
Perhaps, he'll not talk. She thought to hang up.
" How are you? " His gentle voice reverberated in her ear.
Her smile broadly spread on her lips and her cheeks turned red.
" I I'm fine. Ho-w are yo u? " She was pacing.
" We can talk better if you'll....(not stutter,) "
She couldn't hear ahead as someone collided with her side. She felt a sharp pain.
" Ouch! Have you lost your eyes? '' She snapped and rubbed her free hand on her upper arm. When she brought her hand back. There was blood on her hand. A sharp squeak jumped from her lips.
Astoundingly, she stared at the man. Who was in his middle twenty? He was looking horrible and gasping for breath. There was a knife in his hand. There was crimson red on its edge. It was her blood.
He was looking at her, " I'm sorry, sorry miss. " he blabbed.
She didn't reply to him. She was amazed at what compelled him to raise a knife in his hand. He was so young.
Abruptly, he fell on the road. Blood was seeping from his leg and spilling on the black road. She squealed again and clamped her both hands on her mouth. She was tightly clenching the phone in her hand. She lifted her eyes. Olivia was standing behind him holding a gun in her hand.
" You u s shoot h him. '' her tongue was shuddering.
" What the heck were you morons doing? " Olivia shouted at the security. Her anger was scaring her.
The knife fell from his hand. The man stood up with the help of his both hands on the ground. He was stumbling. Olivia brutally slapped across the security man's face, standing near to her, " Catch him." She aggravated. Security caught him and dragged him away from her.
" Are you alright? " Olivia courteously asked her. She was inspecting the cut on her upper arm.
" L leave him. " She whispered.
" What? He attacked you." Olivia scowled.
" Not in-tentionally. He was s sorry. " She sighed.
" You need a doctor. We can discuss it later. " Olivia said and held her hand. She made her stride with her. They got in her mustang. Olivia was already on a call with the doctor. Her mother in law fished out a white handkerchief from her handbag and pressed it on her cut.
" Ouch! it's burning." She pressed her lips together to stop the tears.
" You need to be more careful when you are out," Olivia said.
She didn't reply. Olivia was the only member of the family from whom she didn't fear but not anymore. She didn't expect this side of her. Her eyes laid on the phone in her hand. Her eyes widened.