I want to dedicate this chapter to teddydock for her cute comments! 

keep commenting guys! i know i haven't replied in the previous chapter but i have read all of them.

BRACE YOURSELF GUYS!

IT IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN AND DRAMA!

AREESHA'S POV:

I clean the counter with the cloth and started refilling the sugar jars of the tables, it was nine in the evening and there were few customers left in the café, I had already served them their food and now I took a seat near the counter and doing small chores, Mrs. Shahzaib was sitting right next to me, talking about some random things and I share my new innovative ideas for the strawberry shortcake recipe.

"Who is that guy? He is standing there for last three hours watching us, I am getting suspicious of him, Honey, and do you know him? He looks a bit familiar," Mrs. Shahzaib asked, looking outside the café through the glass window,

"I think I have seen him before," Mr. Shahzaib said, watching outside, I sighed and glanced back at him who was leaning to his car, hands folded on his chest, emphasizing his well-built body, he was wearing one of his navy blue suits, he smiled when our eyes met, I ignore him again, like I was trying my best to ignore all the chocolate boxes, flowers, gifts, adorable stuffed teddy bears and cards I have been receiving since last week and don't forget those hundreds of text messages, he has sent to me.

"OH my, that's Maaz Jaferi!" Mr. Shahzaib exclaimed excitedly,

"Who?" Mrs. Shahzaib asked,

"Don't you remember sweetheart the youngest business tycoon, you read his interview a few days ago, you were truly impressed by him," Mr. Shahzaib said,

"Oh, Yes, well, I didn't expect to see him personally, he looks much younger and strikingly handsome in person, The pictures don't do justice to his looks, but why he is standing out there, is he waiting for someone?" she asked again, seems to be totally impressed with him.

"I am going to check on those cupcakes," I said, getting up from my place and proceeded towards the kitchen, when we heard a bell ringing indicating the arrival of a new customer, I turned around and saw him entering the café,

"Hello, Assalam O Alikum," he greeted as he walks near Mr. and Mrs. Shahzaib,

"Walikum as Salam, I am totally honored to have you here, I cannot believe it you are here in my café," Mrs. Shahzaib said, getting up from her seat,

"Oh, Please, Ma'am, the honor is all mine, please take a seat," he said, and briefly glance at me,

"So, Mr. Jaferi, what can I get you?" Mr. Shahzaib asked,

"My wife please," he replied, watching me intently, they both looked at him bewildered by his words,

"I am sorry, what?" Mr. Shahzaib asked, after a long pause, but before he could say anything else, I interrupted,

"Uncle, I need your help in here, please," I said to Mr. Shahzaib, he turns around facing me,

"I will be there in a while dear," he said, getting back his attention to Maaz,

"Well, I am here to take my wife for a dinner, can I take her?" he asked again, they both looked at each other,

"I am sorry Mr. Jaferi, but I don't know what you are talking about," Mr. Shahzaib said, Maaz look back at me,

"I am talking about her," he said, motioning towards me, they both turn to me with wide eyes,

"You are married to Maaz Jaferi?" Mrs. Shahzaib asked,

"You didn't tell them, that you are married?" Maaz asked before I could answer Mrs. Shahzaib,

"No, I told them, that I am married," I replied, wiping sweat from my palms,

"Yes, I remember, you told me when I asked your consent for my nephew's proposal, he was so into you," Mrs. Shahzaib says, "He was heartbroken after listening to that news though," she continued,

Nervously, I glanced up to Maaz, who was glaring me with his hands balled into tight fist, that his knuckles turned white, I gulp harder and took a few steps ahead,

"Look, I still have my wedding ring," I said, holding my hand in the air, showing him my ring,

"Oh, but you didn't tell me that you were married to him, you just told me that you are married and your husband lives overseas," Mrs. Shahzaib said,

Maaz took few steps closer to me with a smile playing on his lips, I still cannot understand his mood swings, he acts as an angry young man in one moment and in the next, he is a very different person.

"Awww.... You still have the ring! I am so grateful," he said, putting his hand on his chest, I glared at him,

"Well, she is your wife, why do you need our permission? You can take her anywhere you want," Mr. Shahzaib said,

"I am so happy to know that our Areesha is married to such a loving person," Mr. Shahzaib said, watching me tenderly and put his hand on my head, I coughed listening to him, Maaz laugh briefly,

"You are the first person, Sir, to say that I am a loving person, Tabloids say something opposite," he said,

"I don't care what the tabloids say about you, but the way you look at her is the same look I give to the love of my life," Mr. Shahzaib said, they both laughed,

"I am so happy for you Areesha and why are you standing there, go and have fun with him, after all, your husband has come back after a very long time, you should have taken a day off," She said, wiping tears from her eyes,

"No, how can I leave early, there are many customers to tend to and my shift is not going to end till 10," I replied to her, they all look around the café,

"There is only one family sitting out there in the corner," Maaz, says pointing at them,

"Nonsense, you are going with him and I am not going to hear anything from you," Mrs. Shahzaib said, I tried to protest against her wish, but they both did not listen to me and push me towards the small room at the back.

With a deep sigh, I looked back at Maaz, he winked at me, I got in the room, picked all my things from the corner, said goodbye to them, and took back door to exit, Maaz was still walking behind me.

"My car is parked there," he said, motioning to the other side of the road, but I ignored and keep walking,

"Areesha! Where do you think you are going?" he asked, stopping me by holding me from my elbow.

"I am going home, I don't want to go anywhere with you, I want to sleep," I said, pulling my hands from his grip, he knitted his brows,

"What? It's too early to go to sleep, Come on, let's go for a dinner, please, I want to talk to you," he said, glancing at his watch,

"Why don't you understand that I don't want to go with you, I don't want you back in my life," I said, stressed out with all these weird feelings and took a step backwards, creating a space between us, I don't know why whenever I am with him I lose my composure, all I want is to wrap my arms around him and stay forever in his arms, but a part of me want to run a million miles away from him,

He stared at me briefly narrowing his eyes at me and took a step forward raising his hand in the air, I flinched and closed my eyes scared of his anger.

I felt his finger caressing my jaw, intending me to open my eyes; I slowly open my eyes to see him watching me with pain and regret in his eyes,

"I will never lay a single finger on you Areesha, I may be a monster for others, but I cannot imagine to hurt you, I will prefer to die first before thinking to harm you," he said, cupping my cheek with one of his hand and look into my eyes, we stay there standing close to each other, when I averted my gaze from his eyes and shook my head,

"Please, Maaz, just give me some time," I said, lowering my eyes to the ground, but I could still feel his eyes on me,

"It's been two freaking years Areesha and you need more time?" he asked with a little bit of anger lacing from his words,

"I know, but... look, I.... I don't know what to do, please Maaz," I said, twisting my fingers and started walking, he started walking beside me,

"Okay, but at least come with me, I will drop you back at your place, it's going to rain soon," he said, watching the sky, I looked up at the sky, he was right, it was going to rain soon, it's been raining for last two weeks.

"Thank you, but I am okay on my own," I said,

"No, you are not," he said, stopping me again, I glanced up to the sky again and extended my hand to him, "Let's walk," I suggested, he smiled, and hold my hand entwined his fingers with mine and kissed the back of my hand, I felt that same weird feeling again with his touch, but I didn't pull away this time, we started walking quietly on the road,

"Retreat guys, not today, you can take your leave," he said through his Bluetooth and smiled listening to someone on the other side,

"What was that about?" I asked,

"Nothing, just planned something earlier, but cancel it for today," he answered, shrugging his shoulders casually, the rest of the walk went talking about some little things, the rain just started as we enter the building, he smirks looking at the security guard who was watching him and stood up straight as he saw Maaz, he escorted me to my apartment, I unlocked the door and entered,

"Thank you," I said, leaning on the door,

"Won't you invite me in?" he asked, running his hands through his hairs,

"You want to come in?" I asked, "Yeah, sure I would love to have a coffee with you," he said, coming closer and pushed the door open for him to get inside, he entered, brushing our shoulders, I turn around, he has already taken his jacket off and was folding his sleeves up to his elbows,

"I don't have a coffee, would you like to have some tea?" I asked, walking to the kitchen and flip open the lights,

"Sure! I will have anything, only to be with you for a while," he answered, as he looks around to the paintings on the wall,

"You are a born artist Areesha, do you know that?" he said, watching my paintings, I smiled and pour the tea into the cups,

"Why don't you pursue your career in it?" he asked, taking the cup from my hand, I shook my head, "No, I don't want that, I just paint as a hobby, it helps me to relieve the stress," I told him and sit next to him on the couch,

"Why do you have baby stuff in your house?" he asked,

"Oh, that's for Hadi," I replied, "the boy lives next to your apartment with his single mama?" he asked, I nodded,

"How do you know about Nazish?" I asked,

"Well, I know a lot about the people living in this building, after all, I couldn't endanger your safety," he said leaning back on the couch making himself comfortable,

"What? But, how?" I asked,

"I own this building," he replied, casually,

"What? No, you don't own this building, Ehteshaam Bhai told me this is one of the buildings you don't own in the city or have any shares with the owner, do you have any idea how hard it was for me to find a better place where you don't have your men or links with the owners," I said, putting down the cup on the table, he laughed,

"Yeah, I can imagine that, but now I own this whole apartment complex, I just bought it last week, when I learned that, you live here," he replied, I watch him with wide eyes, this man is insane!

"It's getting dark, I think you should go now," I said, watching outside the window, it was raining heavily now,
"Okay, but I will be back," he said, getting up from his place and picked up his jacket and leaned closer to me and gently kissed my cheek,

"Be safe and take care of yourself, love," he said and walked away, leaving me still on the couch, I was totally not expecting that kiss from him.

It took me a few minutes to overcome from his kiss as I got that sensation again all over my body, I closed the door and locked all the windows and lie on the couch with a tub of ice cream and started watching "A walk to remember" and cries my eyes out in the end, I don't know why, but I have been watching similar movies lately like, The notebook, Fault in our stars, The last song, The best of me etc.

I turned off the screen and lay there watching the rain and cringe every time when I hear the loud sound of thunder, I stood up from my place, put on my shoes and walked out of my house, I glanced at the clock in the lobby, it was 11 already, but I decided to go out, I pulled my coat closer as the cold raindrops started drenching me, I walked through the side road and headed towards the bridge over the river a little bit far from my place, when I reached there it was all dark and quiet, only the sound of rain and thunder could be heard, I took a deep breath in and climb a step on the reling, looking down at the high flow of river,

"What the hell!" I heard a loud voice making me jump out of my skin,

"Don't you dare move from there! Are you trying to commit suicide?" I heard same voice from my side, I glanced up and saw him standing there watching me angry, I was so engrossed in watching the river that I didn't hear the sound of his car nor his steps,

"Don't be a fool Areesha, just get down from there carefully," he said, taking steps towards me,

"I am not trying to kill myself, I just wanted to see the river," I said, getting down from there and push my wet hairs back,

"Are you insane? Who in the hell does that in this rainstorm! Do you have any idea how dangerous it was?" he asked, angrily and hold me from my shoulders, inspecting me for any injury, "Are you hurt?" he asked again,

"No, I am fine," I replied, and again move towards the railing to see the river down there,

"How did you get here?" I asked,

"I saw you leaving your apartment through the cameras and my men told me, where you were going," he replied, I narrow my eyes at him, oh no, he didn't!

"You bugged my apartment!" I asked,

"Yeah, why won't I do that, I have watched your every move since last week," he said, why he always thinks that he owns everything and can do whatever he wants, he just invaded into my privacy!

"Why did you do that?" I asked him getting mad at his behavior, "Because I wanted to assure your safety and wanted to see you 24/7 whenever I want," he replied like it was not a big deal, I looked at him angrily,

"I just can not understand you! You are way too much possessive and overprotective, why can't you leave me alone?" I asked,

"You know very well, I can't do that after waiting for freaking two years and you want more time from me? It is not going to happen," he said, I glared at him,

"You are coming with me and I am not listening to any excuses from now on," he said pulling me with him,

"No, I told you earlier, I don't want to go with you!" I said stubbornly, I won't give up so easily, he let out an audible breath and close his eyes for a brief moment,

"Okay, I will do anything for you, just name it, I want you to forgive me Areesha, I have learned my lesson now and I promise nothing will happen again," he said,

"Anything?" I asked, lifting my brow, thinking about something,

"Yes, anything, just name it, a world tour? Nice vacations in Bora Bora, a royal suite in Ceasar's palace, just tell me," he said impatiently, I shook my head, "No, nothing like that,"

"Okay, then," I said and took off my wedding ring from my finger and show it to him, "See," I asked, he looked at me puzzled, I lifted my hand holding the ring and throw it into the river, he watched me with wide eyes and says,

"What the...

"I want my ring back," I said, folding my arms over my chest,

"What?" he sounded surprised,

"Simple, I want my ring back, I will forgive you and go back only if you will get me my ring till morning," I said, he was quiet, I walked past him with a smile,

"You shouldn't have made a commitment when you can't do, my dear husband, watch your words next time," I said and wrap the scarf around my head and winked at him before heading back to my apartments, leaving him there standing in the rain.

Take that Maaz Jafferi!

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MAAZ'S POV:

I was in my office with my clients discussing the details of the blueprint of my hotel in Italy, the last week was so hectic, I have been to Australia and then Dubai to attend some meetings and now Arsal has scheduled my whole week again, I was getting impatient to meet her again, it's been so long since I last saw her, yeah, I have set cameras all over her place and watching her through my cell but that wasn't enough for me, I wanted to touch her and smell her sweet scent,

"Arsal, cancel all my schedule for tomorrow," I said to Arsal, he nodded and left the room, After the meeting I took off the suit jacket and throw myself on the couch, losing the tie around my collar, I was so exhausted now with all the workload that it started to give me this headache, I rub my temples with thumb and close my eyes.

"Sir, are you okay?" I heard Arsal,

"Yeah, just send me some coffee and close the lights on your way out," I said, holding my head,

"Anything else, sir?" he asked,

"Yeah, send me some aspirin as well," I said, dismissing him,

"Very well," he said and left. I got up and opened my laptop, I want to listen to some music, I opened my playlist and the song of Ed Sheeran started to play up, I lay back on the couch listening to him and started singing with him,

When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks

And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Oh me I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are

When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way, mm
I know you will still love me the same

'Cause honey your soul can never grow old, it's evergreen
Baby your smile's forever in my mind and memory

I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand

But baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are, oh

So baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are

Oh maybe we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are

I was enjoying the music, feeling a bit relaxed and stress free because of the work I have been doing.

I looked at the wall clock, it was 11:25 pm, two hours and twenty-five minutes till I last saw her, I enjoyed walking with her in the rain, I know how much she loves this weather, but that rain gave me the flu, I think,

After coming back from there, I went straight to my office for this meeting and now again, I want to go back to her, but I do not understand her, why she doesn't want to come back?

I got a beep from my cell phone, I picked it up and saw her leaving the apartment, I got up and called the guards, I have assigned earlier to her, to follow her, they told me was that she was heading towards the bridge. I told them to stay with her and dash out of my office and drove my car at full speed not caring a bit about this heavy rain, but when I reached there and saw her clinging to that railing, I panicked, I ran to her, I was so angry at her, why she is so careless!

Doesn't she know what would have happened if she slipped her foot by accident, doesn't she know, how clumsy she is!

I argued with her on this serious behavior, but she got mad when I told her about the cameras, which was very lame!

How in the hell she thought, I will ever leave her on her own, when I got her back after a long time, she looked angry, but I have enough of this foolishness, I hold her arm and started walking to my car, I just cannot leave her now after her irresponsible behavior, but she pulled away again, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to calm my nerves, I am starting to have that headache again, with a sigh I asked her to do anything to get her back, she eyed me sharply with a mischievous smile playing on her lips, she watched me with same evil glint in her eyes and took off her ring and throw it into the water, I was totally stunned by her actions, she asked me to get her ring back and only after that she agreed to go back with me, Damn! She played it very well,

Okay, my love, you want to play like this, so be it,
I thought and watched her retreating back. I signaled her guards to follow her and walked near the railing and climb up, watching the high flow of water due to this rainstorm, I sighed and got down from here, thinking a way to get it back on any circumstances.

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There is a lot more to come just wait for it!

I will try to update next chapter a bit soon as I am going on a road trip next week.

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Until next time!

Date:17-2-18