"What the hell, Liara? What was all that?" Anthony strode towards my desk but l kept staring at Zearo's retreating figure after that smug act of him embarrassing me.

"What was what?" I urged, confused. As my mind was mush.

"He can never be your husband. When did you marry him? I mean, what is all this? I'm clueless." His voice came out stressed. It disturbed him, I could tell.

"Anthony, please sit," I swear, I couldn't be as gentle as I was now. I didn't wish to lose my friends and didn't prefer to disclose the truth about Zearo either.

"Look, it was just in a moment that we tried out luck alright. We are married, and we were going to surprise you all by tomorrow as Dima is turning 50 years old." I paused, allowing him to absorb whatever I was trying to explain.

"You just married a random guy, Liara. I was thinking to do a background check on him but hesitated as Emma would have killed me if she'd learned about it." My heart skipped a beat when he shared his thoughts. Taking steady steps towards him, I placed my hands on his to show that I appreciated his determination.

"Look, he is my husband now okay, and I will appreciate it if my personal choices won't be questioned. Please respect him as he is family now." He stared at me for some time and slid his palms away from my hold with an exhale when Aria and Emma entered my cabin.

"This conversation is not over. I'm bothered about your safety." He responded and dashed towards the exit without glancing back.

"Uh, what's wrong with him? He's been sceptical throughout the day." Aria asked no one in particular. Emma eyed at me and then shrugged it off and went to pop a Champagne bottle as if we aren't even existing in the room.

"What happened at the meeting?" Not indulging in the discussion anymore, I dove into my work mode.

"The D'Lukas were overjoyed that you've taken over the company. Many retrieved their resignation letters as partners. The major problem at hand is the Andersons family. Suzanne, the wife of Gabriel Anderson, holds the second-largest amount of shares after you. And she has the consent of other shareholders. It will be very difficult to mould them the way we prefer." Aria concluded her survey with a deep sigh.

"Whatever the hurdles are, I'm sure Liara will cross all of them." Winking at me, she handed a glass of champagne to Aria and black coffee to me.

"I'm glad that you know I don't drink."

"I wouldn't waste these precious babies by offering them to tasteless people either." She announced with a smirk on her face and settled on the couch at the other side of my cabin.

*********

After a long tiring day, I stretched my body, freeing the stressed nerves. Slowly my hands landed on my lips and unconsciously his face popped up in front of me. A small smile appeared on my face, unknowingly reminiscing his lips on mine.

"What are you smiling at?" I halted with the abrupt intrusion.

"No, nothing." My eyes landed on the papers on the table, and I started arranging them accordingly.

"Liara, I'm concerned about you." Emma Watson will never keep quiet.

With a heavy sigh, I rose from my chair and drove my body towards her. "Emma Watson, let me do what I think is good for the moment. I'd appreciate it if you'd support me instead of making it even harder for me than it already is." I said, as calmly as probable.

"Did you look at his past tho?" She inquired.

"Aren't you both friends? Because last time I checked you were so into him that-" I tried making our conversation lighter, but she stopped me mid-sentence.

"No! stop right there! We just have a common friend and we both were helping him. As simple as that! Now answer me, please," her expression from being carefree to serious changed so quickly.

"Of course I did. You need not be worried. Everything is fine." I extended my hand to her.

"Want to help me out with planning Dima's birthday?" She instantly grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the elevator and then to the parking lot while constantly blabbering about the plans for our Dima's birthday.

This is what I desire in my life. Happy family and pleasant working environment.

*****

"We have fifteen minutes until Dima comes back home from the theatres," I reported excitedly yet nervously. We sent, or rather I could say forcefully carried Dima out with her known friends who had the job of keeping her out of the house so we could decorate it for her birthday. It was almost a quarter to twelve. She must be home any minute.

"Ladies, the cake is ready, and I saw a car stopping at the entrance." Keryl who just flew back from Austria announced after hiding the cake in the hallway. Keryl sought everything possible to mend the crack that established in our relationship. I admire her for that, but once crack developed cannot be fully mended, though I was more than ready to work on it.

"Anthony must have had a hard time keeping Dima abroad from home." Mia giggled. Anthony escorted Dima after I asked him to. Keeping Dima away from home is a challenging task, I must tell you.

"Shush now, turn off the lights and take your position, girls!" Keryl clapped and turned off the nearby lights. One by one, all the lights of the hall were turned off. Dima wasn't aware that I'm home as I informed her I had late-night meetings.

*****

The heels clicked against the floor giving an airy effect to our surroundings mixed with the ticking of the clock making us aware of the time. "Oh my goodness, did I forget to keep the lights on before leaving? This house is so dark!" She exclaimed, and we chuckled. Slowly, I retreated from my hidden position to switch on the lights.

The clock struck twelve, and I illuminated the entire house, switching on all the lights at once, and all of us cheered and shouted "Happy Birthday!"

"Ah!!! Oh my God! Princess!" Dima shrieked because of the sudden noise. She placed her palms on her chest to steady her breath. Her eyes searched my figure first out of all of us. I kept staring at this gorgeous woman with simple clothes, nothing fancy but the heart of gold.

"I.. I'm... Thank you!" She said to no one in particular and stood rooted at the entrance. I rushed towards her and hugged her tightly, whispering all the good wishes in her ears. I felt so peaceful in the arms of this lady.

"Dima! Happy birthday!" Mia, Anthony and Emma wished in unison breaking my train of thoughts. Soon Keryl followed suit. I kept retracting and allowing them space to chatter.

Wiping the tears away, I held the cake from the kitchen and headed out, only to see that all of them were tightly hugging Dima at once. I couldn't help but a small smile appeared on my face. This is the family, the reason I've had to stoop so low.

These past few days were a complete disaster, and I was the sole reason for my peoples suffering.

"Liara! Where is Zearo? Is he back home?" As I entered the room, the very first question that was thrown my way was about him.

I noticed as, after Dima's question, the room went into complete silence. Every human present in the room looked at me as if I've grown horns.

"Uh"

"He had some work, so had to fly to Florida. He will be back shortly, Dima." Anthony answered her but never took his eyes off me.

"How did he know where is Zearo?" I wondered, and I have to admit that I was thankful that he saved me from spouting another lie.

"Oh poor boy, he is so hardworking. Princess, make a list of his favourite dishes and hand it over to me later so I'd cook them for him when he comes back." Dima beamed with happiness when she asked about him.

"Oh, come on, Dima! Today is your birthday. Look at this magnificent cake we brought for you." Mia hurdled the cake stand near Dima, Emma following suit.

I wish she'd always be this cheerful. Shortly after, the celebration took off amazingly and Dima was beaming the entire time. I've rarely seen her so delighted.

When all were too involved not to notice my absence, I dragged Anthony to the corner.

"I asked you to respect my decision, but you are spying on my husband now?" I was angry, yes, but troubled too. I was bothered about my people being hurt for whatever Zearo was up to. And I also had to keep my word of staying away from his personal life.

"I am your bodyguard and now that he is your husband, I have to take care of his safety as well. He is with the Cop so I guess he is safe. I had to know where he was headed." Anthony justified his deed, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I... I appreciate that you do your work diligently, but Anthony, Zearo doesn't like to be constantly followed. So can you do that for me? And second, he informed me he was going to go out. So you have nothing to worry about alright." Another lie my inner self mocked me. I tried convincing him by keeping a straight and confident face as I worked hard not to cringe by fisting my hands.

"Liara! Come and dance. Why are you standing over there?!" Keryl struggled to drag me to dance, but I slipped past them all to my study room.

"Mom, I am not sure whether what I did is right or wrong. To be honest, this was the first decision that I took from the heart instead of using my brain. I hope I'm not losing the battle this time." I kept staring at the huge painting of my mom and my grandma. The only place where I find peace.

"You see mom, I was thinking about letting my soul free from this body as I had nothing else to achieve in this world other than constant hurdles and enemies. But then when I realized that some people depend on me for their happiness, I just couldn't fail them." I sighed.

These words were more to awaken me than to confess to my mom. I drew my attention towards the moon glowing in the sky between all the stars.

****†****†****†*****†****

"So, Gentlemen, I would like to conclude by saying that I would never disappoint you all and this project will increase our equity share in the market. Thank you."

I switched off the camera, shutting the video conference with the D'Lukas. It's been an entire week of the crazy drive to the remaking of D'Lukas and Anderson and Co. Though Andersons didn't make my task easy, but, D'Lukas directors were highly supportive.

"Ma'am, we have a visitor." Aria broke my train of thoughts with a grin on her face.

"Okay, let him in and clear my schedule for the day." Taking a deep audible breath I moved past my table towards the door curious why she was smiling but passed it.

"How ya doing, young lady? Hope nothing is serious? Because you never ask my presence until it's serious." Brian barges into my office and takes his seat.

He is a very handsome guy. Tan skin, taller than me and heavy built. Not as handsome as Zearo but he would definitely be at par with Anthony.

Uh! What the hell is wrong with me! I screamed internally and looked at him clearing my throat.

He is one of my friends who is rarely in touch with me. He is a master detective and Vikrant was hell-bent on calling him when I sought him to inquire about what Zearo was in search of these years shielding his identity.

"I am confiding on you for something truly personal to me." I spoke directly, getting to the point. I promised Zearo to track down what he could not in these two years. And I knew how to keep my promise, even if he didn't show his face or contact me for over a week now.

Dima had been pestering me about him and I had very little to offer her as I didn't hear from him since the day he signed the contract. My mind had been undoubtedly stupid to think that he is a man of his words. He claimed he will be back today, so I have been praying that he would stand by his words.

"What is it, Miss?" Brian's voice broke my train of thoughts.

"Find the whereabouts of someone. Her name is Isabella Rafael. She has been missing for twenty years. I have little information about her but got a picture that old." I pulled out an old photo of her and handed it over to Brian.

"Hmm, it'd take time though because you helped little with the information hon." Brian confessed, and I knew it'd take time. "Be absolutely discreet, Brian. She is no normal person." I cautioned him that followed with a questioning look from his side.

"What is it you are covering, Liara?" His anxious tone made me helpless, and I had to tell him the truth.

"Oh, my goodness! You..you are! Fuck! You are married to Alfredo? I've gathered so much about him! You... I... Hell Liara, you are playing with fire!" He shrieked, making me wince.

I had an inkling that he might have heard about Zearo, so I didn't pry further. "Keep it to yourself because no one except Vikrant and you know about this. It's for one year only and I'm sure after I hear from you I will end it instantly." I said more to myself.

He makes me a "are you crazy" look that earned a glare from me. He raised his hands as surrendering.

"I will take my leave now. And be careful." He warned, and he had that distant look in his eyes that told me it's more to what he is showing on his face.

As soon as he left my cabin, Anthony walked in with a pissed look. "You realize how inaccessible you have been these past days? What's going on?" I asked disturbed as he had distanced himself from me and talked very less, let alone a smile on his face.

"It's.. nothing." He whispered, but his eyes spoke volumes.

"What is it, Anthony?" I asked him as I am fed up with his being so distant.

He gave me one long stare and unlocked his phone, handing it over to me.

"Have a look."

"What are you---" I swallowed my words when I saw pictures of Zearo and a brunette whose face is hidden. They are both hugging in the middle of a crowded area, which I don't recognize where. My heart started hammering so hard that I doubt Anthony could hear it.

"I requested you to stay away from him, Anthony." My voice betrayed me as it cracked a little. I took a deep breath, composing myself for what is following suit.

"Oh, so now you are angry at me and not at your so-called husband?" His eyes held so extreme anger.

"I don't like to repeat myself. But you've got to stay away from him." I deadpanned,my heart shattered with the look on his face.

"I know what I have done, Anthony. Just believe me, okay? I'm happy with him. I will talk to him about this and I assure you he is a nice man. Give him some time to adjust, okay?" My voice, much calmer than before, but the pain in my heart never subdues.

"I always root for your happiness Liara and I believe you. But just be careful alright?"

"Uh-huh. Just take me home now. I'm done with today's work and I didn't bring my car." My shoulders slumped as the image of him and the brunette crossed my mind.

"It's only been a week and I'm already regretting my decision," I mumbled to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose.

******************************

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