"I love him, Mia."

Her sweet voice penetrated my ears as soon as I strode closer to her study. Dima was so concerned that Liara did not have her dinner. I couldn't help but offer to take a plate full of food to her study. I learned it was a bad idea, but I couldn't let Dima work when she was feeling unwell.

I wouldn't claim that I was eavesdropping, but I just happened to listen to something that I shouldn't have. Either way, I noticed she was assuring them that she was happy, which confused me every time. What led her to jump on a firepit just to give them short-term happiness.

But nevermind, as a stranger, I shouldn't be bothered about all this stuff. I had to struggle and get past this year, and I'd get what I've been trying so hard.

I got back around early morning today with Julie. I had to leave behind the sleeping beauty in my apartment and rush to D'Waners mansion as I already was late. I couldn't afford to go against the clauses of our contract because the result was what I was dying to find.

"That was intense." I stepped inside the study, making my presence known to Liara. Her back was facing me and as soon as she heard my voice, her body went rigid. As stiff as a coconut tree.

"Why are you here?" Her voice steady but I noticed she was angry as Dima informed me that her study was the only place in this house where she allowed no one.

"I brought you food." Slowly, I set the plate of food on the desk.

"I-"

"Before you say anything, it worried Dima that you didn't have your full. I wanted to lessen her burden, so brought it up here." I knew she'd argue, so I saved her energy and answered her unasked question.

"Oh, you worry about her?" Her tone strained.

Past few days have been a real pain in the ass. I somehow escaped Marios and took Julie with me to my apartment.

I thought running away from my former life would be stressfree and I could concentrate on the task in hand, but unfortunately and unintentionally I established a small circle of friends who got past the barrier I made.

"I don't get why you are surprised that I am concerned about Dima," I asked. I'm not heartless to people who are kind to me.

"Nevermind. Thanks for the food. You can leave." She said moving past the desk in the center of the room. The room was huge, pastel textured furniture along with the walls plain white color. A relaxed atmosphere as the air fleet past the open windows, touching the miniature plants set beautifully inside the room.

"You need something?" I was yanked from my daze when her voice invaded my ears. Scratching the back of my neck, as she caught me staring at the serine view of her study, I turned around and found her looking at my state.

"Um... Nothing?" I could sense my inner self facepalming on my stupid behavior.

I'd be damned if I didn't notice a small lift of the corner of her lips, an amused expression on her face. Her posture in the dimly lit room took my breath away as I took in her attire. Nothing exquisite, simple white shirt and grey bottom made this angel look stunningly attractive, drowning me into its parallel universe.

Her posture mirroring a huge painting of two utterly beautiful women that stood behind her, just a little distance from the table. I stared at the women in the painting. With the grace, attitude, and posture they held, it seemed that Liara was the mixture of both of them. Their smile contagious, as if reminding me that there's more to life than just tensions.

"You alright?"

"Huh?" I looked at her, then back at the portrait, and shook my head at the cloud of thoughts popping in my mind.

"I can't settle here for the night." I blurted out without even thinking for a second.

"What? Why?" She asked. Her face was void of emotions, making me wonder why'd she even consider knowing the reason when she never cared about it.

"You don't expect me to just leave my world and settle at your mansion forever now, do you?" I retorted, frustrated with the events happening in my life.

"Well, I'd like to know where are you heading. Just in case Dima comes barging into my room asking for you." She shrugged, not bothering to glance at me. Her eyes hooked on the laptop screen.

"I work in The Shimmers Night." I hesitated when I saw her freeze. The memory of her helpless state flashed in front of me. "The club opposite to-"

"I know where that is." She cut me mid-sentence. Her eyes were still fixed on the laptop. I wondered what the hell is she looking at such intently that she's even not considerate to look at me and talk for heaven's sake.

"Oh well, yeah. I work as a DJ over there and my job starts at eight o'clock in the night." I felt like I had to give her the details given the circumstances we were in.

"If it's for money, you don't have to do that shitty job. I have enough money to pay for your expenses." Is she serious? Did she just say what I heard her say?

"You have no right to decide what I should do and what I shouldn't." I asserted. Who the hell does she think she is to boss me around.

"You working there will question my decision of marrying a DJ when you'd share the limelight with me." Her voice rose, frustrating me even further.

"You should have thought this through before throwing 'contract marriage' bullshit on my face," I replied. I was never going to take her bullshit attitude.

"I was pushed to the wall! I had no other way to get out of it!" She stated through gritted teeth.

"You should have spoken to me and we would have come up with a solution instead of forcing me to sign those documents by blackmailing me." I pointed out. I knew even if I was furious, shouting at her wouldn't make this work.

"You are a stranger to me." Her tone was calmer than before. The sudden change in demeanor left me awestruck.

"Then so be it. You shouldn't have to bother about what I'm doing in my life and I'd do the same." I responded. Her silence not helping the situation.

"Look, all I have to say is stay away from my personal life and I'd gladly play my part. I talked to Dima and I guess I understand her very well. You don't have to fret about the facade." I assured her, realizing that quarreling will only worsen our situation.

"Okay. When do you think you will be back?" I raised my eyebrows at her question. As if sensing that I will not answer it, she looked up at me away from her laptop and I froze. Her ocean-blue eyes staring directly into my soul.

"I'm asking only to explain Dima. If you don't want to clarify, then it's alright. You may leave." Her furrowed brows and scrunched nose made her look even cuter.

"Okay, okay! I will be back for the breakfast." I had to check on Julie as she was restless when she didn't find me after waking up. Her nightmares gradually subduing, but still disturbing.

"Uh, alright." Again her eyes stayed fixed to the laptop. I took a deep breath, controlling my frustration. We could never have a healthy conversation, I don't know why.

Not bothering to dwell on the topic further, I turned absently from her, towards the door.

"Wait!" My steps fixed when I picked her voice. Why is this woman so weird? When I was talking to her, she never bothered glancing at me and now that I was leaving!

"What is it?" I asked turning around to face her and gritted my teeth when I found her peering at the laptop wondering whether I heard it right or my ears betrayed me.

"Tomorrow Dima organized a party to celebrate our wedding." Did I hear her right?

"What the fuck!" I exclaimed. She can't be serious.

"Don't worry, your status is completely protected, and they did not invite the paparazzin. And if you ask me, no one is going to recognize you after your makeover." Did she notice the changes? Wow.

"That's an enormous risk, Liara. You don't even have any idea what you have put yourself into." I stated. I had to keep it low until I finish my work.

"Believe me on this." She shut her laptop and took strides closer to me.

"I can't," I admitted.

"I don't know how to earn your trust. But, remember one thing that you wouldn't lose anything if they know your identity. I have too much to lose in this case." Her hands tapped on the table and then drew a file.

"I never attended parties so far, so you don't have to make yourself ready for all the events I'm invited to. Spare some time for this one as Dima was the one to organize this." Handing me the file, she turned around and got back to her work. Can this woman not rest for a second?!

Not bothering to flip the pages of the file, I exited her study. A bittersweet conversation went well with the hothead.

***†*****†****†*****†****

"I've been failing to have something actually strong." Constantly playing the music at a high pitch brought a severe headache. As soon as I reached the club, I couldn't take my eyes off Julie. She was doing pretty well and I couldn't help but wonder, this woman doesn't need anyone to take her mind away from the nightmare. This club was her life.

"Tequila on its way!" The bartender beamed with joy and handed me a shot. It felt so satisfying to my system as soon as the current flew through my veins.

"Zearo! I'm going to head home. You coming?" Julie asked.

"Yes! Be there in a minute!" I slurred after gulping down the current drink.

"Oh my God, you are drunk!" Julie snatched the liquor from me and started dragging me out of the club.

"Why do you people keep bossing me around?!" The ladies in my life are crazy! I drank too much as I felt my mind was going to explode.

"You are so heavy!" Julie huffed when she couldn't pull me out of the club.

"I can walk, woman!" I withdrew my hands from her hold and steadied my steps to show her that I'm good.

I walked past her, still wobbling. I could hear her faint voice behind me, but my mind was a frenzied mess. I wanted to lie down and just stop thinking about the shitty situation I was in.

As instantly as I unlocked my apartment, I grabbed a spare vodka bottle, Charlie stored here before we left for Florida and chugged it down hoping it would soothe my racing heart and mind.

"What is wrong with you? You have a wonderful Alcohol tolerance level, so how did you get drained and not stay sober?" Julie's concerned voice halted my action, and she yanked the bottle, yet again, from my hand. I rolled my eyes as her calm tone felt like a soothing effect to my aching heart.

It's been two years and I couldn't trace her. I couldn't believe I put my secret in a stranger's hands when I knew nothing about her.

I shook my head as I did not want to pry about it when I feel so light-headed, worried that I may blurt out something which I know I will regret later.

I pouted at her. I knew maybe I acted childishly, but I felt comfortable around her. "It's nothing!! Can't a man live a little?" As soon as words left my mouth, soft warm skin collided with my lips. The friction was enough to let my inner demon loose. The sensation was so overwhelming that I closed my eyes to enjoy the taste.

I fluttered open my eyes and stared in a complete daze at the beautiful ocean blue eyes. My vision blurry but couldn't avoid the feeling of heat rise in the pit of my stomach as I took in the taste of her lips. My mouth pried further and hands strayed around her curvy frame. Her hands caressing my body as if it owns it and did not take long when I felt my body being pushed towards my bed. 

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