She was leaning on the sofa, bored with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in another.

Her eyes casually flipping through the pages to stop at the front page.
And she spots out the coffee in shock.

"What the fuc-"

Composing herself ,she looks around to see that thankfully there was no one there except for that little devil Blaze, sitting in a corner.

Tilting his head to a side and staring at her like she has grown two heads.

Keeping the cup down, she stares at the news with her eyes wide in shock.

Her pictures was there on the front page.

The pictures of the shoot that day...their wedding and some others which were taken  randomly.

She grabs the remote and puts on a news channel , to only get up from her seat and stare at the lady blankly.

"The youngest billionaire in town , the only heir of Lockwood industries. Ethan Lockwood ties knots with a sansational beauty."

"Mrs Vivian Lockwood. His beautiful wife is none other than the step child of the infamous business tycoon Roman Klein."

"Sources say both newly weds were seen getting cozy in a photoshoot few days back in Miami ."

"However what is beyond anyone's understanding is that why someone as beautiful as Vivian Klein was kept in shadows all these years."

"Why no one knew Roman Klein had a step daughter."

"Why she worked in Ashelle Empire as an employee of Lockwood's."

"Was it to keep the affair secret?"

"Since how long have been these two dating?"

"Was it done as a business deal to save Klein's Empire from going bankrupt .Or was it a love affair between them?"

"We hope the questions get answered soon. As both Lockwood's and Klein's have refused to speak on the topic.
Avoiding limelight like always."

"We will get back to you when we get another hot news on the newly weds."

"As of now let's go to the next news-"

What the hell is this? She knew the media will know about it, but she also hoped Ethan will keep it to the minimum.

What it they investigate on her past and come to know of her being a convict of murder.

What if everyone comes to know about her case?

No...they can't...she will be ruined completely if it happens.

She will have to talk to him about this when he comes back...he will have to take care if this....he promised he would.

.
.
.
.
.
Ethan loosens his tie and discards it, tired of the days affairs.
Slumping on the sofa, he closes his eyes to only have Blaze join him.

Patting his head, the Rottweiler purrs at him and he chuckles.
Kissing it to only have him join in on his lap.

And Ethan just sighs.

His tired eyes look around to find someone, to only stop at the back of a person working in the kitchen.

Smirking ,he makes his way towards her.

She was busy cooking something and he couldn't help  love the aroma of the delicious dish his wife was making.

Well, it was a surprise.

Because the Vivian he knew couldn't even boil water on the stove.

Leaning on the threshold, he just stares at his back.
Call him a perv but he couldn't help admire those curves.

She is definitely something to make the entire media go crazy after her like that.

And if it wasn't for his tight security, the reporters would have definitely entered his house to interview her or just get a glimpse of her.

She has got fame overnight.

From being a nobody to the daughter and wife of two most powerful figures in the country.

Blaze stares at his owner with a perplexed look, jealous of him giving his attention to someone else.

Going towards her, he growls at her and she stops to look down at him.
His sharp teeth scaring her and she bravely lifts a spatula , pointing it to him.

"Stop scaring me you dog! Shuuuu goo! Go!! Come on!! Go!"

Ethan holds in a chuckle. She looked so cute. Acting all fierce infront of him and scared of Blaze.

Taking the corner of her dress in his teeth, he starts pulling her and she shrieks.
Lifting up her hands , surrendering.

" It's my favourite dress you dog! Leave it! "

Her raised voice made the animal pull on it more vigorously and she screams.

"Ahhh! Leave it!!!!"

A tug of war was going on between the two and Ethan couldn't help this time.

He chuckles.

And that's when her eyes move up to look at him.

Surprised.

"You are making it worse by screaming at him."

Placing down the spatula, she places her hands on her waist. Narrowing her eyes at him.

"Oh really? Then why don't you call your dog to you."

"I am sure he likes the company of likes of him."

Ethan didn't mind her. Instead he again chuckles. Making Vivian wonder what was with his mood today.

He wasn't his grumpy self today.

"Did you just called me a dog,my dear wife?"

She groans rolling her eyes at him, pulling the hem of her dress again. To only make a tearing sound and next she knows, her favourite dress gets torn from its hem.

Ethan again chuckled and Blaze comes back to his owner, wagging his tail and dropping the torn cloth near his feet.

Like he has done something to impress his master.

"Stupid dog!"

Vivian screams from behind and Ethan just pat's his head.
To only realize that Blaze must be hungry.

Opening the cabin, he takes out the dog food. To be only stopped by Vivian's voice.

"I have given him his food already."

He stares at her for few seconds. She pretends that she hates Blaze yet she takes care of him.

Interesting.

"The food has been prepared. Freshen up and I will set the table."

He couldn't understand her. She was so dense, closed and complex now.
The maids were at a holiday today and he could have managed it by ordering from outside.

Yet, she prepares the dinner for them.

He merely nods, walking out of the kitchen. But not before looking back at her one more time.

Beads of sweat move down her temple and she cleans it with her dresses shoulder.
With eyes looking too focussed at kneading of the dough, he couldn't help smile.

She looked more than beautiful tonight and he couldn't help hear his head thud in his ears.

You are something Vivian.

And I will make sure to unveil the truth you are trying to hide.

His phone rings at the very same time. And he take it out to see a call from his personal investigator.

Placing the cell to his ear, he walks out.

"Speak."

"You were right Mr Lockwood."

"The information on Vivian Klein was deliberately concealed by the prison authorities."

"She was not kept in the local jail with other prisoners.....instead she was kept in high security jail outside the country."

He clenches his fist. Taking a deep breath.

He can't believe someone will infiltrate the system to cause so much harm to her.

He hated her yes, but he didn't had it in him to sue her and take her to hell.

He couldn't hurt her.

Yes

He lied to her when he said he was the plaintiff.
He lied for her to accept the marriage proposal.

He was not.

An unknown man was, who he was trying to find.
The man he will convince to drop the case.

By bribing or doing whatever to drop the charges.

"Who was it?"

He asks to only have his grip on his cell to tighten.

"I am trying sir. But there are no trails. The person is really powerful to conceal all this."

Who is this person? And what does he want from her?

"Anything on her real father?"

He asks to have his blood run cold.

"Edward Rogers Sir."

The name is well known, but no one has seen the man. He was one of the most powerful names in the world.
Even more powerful than him or the Kleins together.

She is his daughter?

But what he came to know next , fuc*** with his brain cells completely.
Making the cell to drop from his hands.

"He is underground since a decade now but what surprised me more was that......."

"He is also the father of Sophie Rogers."

.......................................................

She places the dishes on the table, but he looked too lost to take notice of it.

His fists clenching and unclenching every few seconds.

"Ethan. What will you like?"

"Huh?"

He asks looking at her like a lost kid.To only make her repeat herself.

"It's fine. I...will serve myself. You please have your food."

She nods, not able to understand his weird behaviour.

Sitting down she starts with her food, with him taking hidden glances at her every few seconds.

She decides to break the ice finally.

" I saw the news today.....it's everywhere. I thought you said you will keep it minimal."

"I tried "

Was all he said and she tried to control her anger. What kind of a reply is this?

"You know my past is at stake here Ethan. What if they come to kn-'

"They won't"

He interrupts her again and instead asks her a question that left her gawking at him instead

"When we were young...you once said you wanted to be a model."

"Do you...still want to?"

"Modeling?"

She asks surprised and he nods. Taking out a folder and placing it beside her.

"Various companies want to make you their model after the last photoshoot. It seems you have great potential."

Her hands shake as she stares at the papers.
Her dreams were long lost to be turned into nightmares.

How can she model now?

Especially with the scar on her face? How long will she be able to hide it.

"No"

She curtly replies, pushing aside the papers to look down at her food.

He just stares not able to understand what was so wrong in it?

Was was she rejecting such a golden opportunity?

Why doesn't she want to be a model now?

"I know the past has been tough on you Vivian but you have to move forward in life. You can be a great model and achieve your dreams."

"After our divorce you can continue to work and earn well for yourself."

"What's wrong in it?"

She clenches her hands. The knife dropping on the plate to make tears well in her eyes as she stared at her filled plate.

"I don't want to."

Was all she said getting up when he decides to follow her. Holding her wrist, he stops her.

Turning her around.

"Why Vivian? Atleast try. I am sur-"

He stops seeing the tears in her eyes. His eyes softening immediately.

"I can't ! I just can't!"

She says lowly and he feels the need to console her. Holding her face in his palms, he makes her look up at him.

"You can Vivian. You are beautiful. I am sur-"

"I am not!"

"I am not the Vivian you used to know dammit !"

"I am sca-"

She stops herself.

He freezes at her outburst. Tears stream down her eyes as she closes her eyes.

"I know things happened...you suffered alot...but one should not give up in our dreams...no matter what. You can atleast try to-"

"I am done Ethan."

"Go find some other model. I said I can't do it."

He stops her, not letting her go.
Her stubbornness getting on his nerves.

"Fine. "

"But I need to know the reasons."

They both stare and she sighs, asking him directly.

"What is the definition of the word beautiful for you Ethan?

He looks at her in confusion, but still answers.

"Someone who is appealing to the eyes, someone who is flawless and stunning."

"Exactly. And you look at me Ethan."

"I a flawed in more ways you know."

"I am broken."

"I am a fucking mess dammit!"

He tries to pull her back, but she thrashes to be let go.
Leaving tears of frustration leave her eyes.

"No Vivian."

"You are not broken."

"I have seen broken things and trust me, you are far from it."

"You are strong."

"A beautiful women indeed."

She chuckles at the irony. If only he knew.
If only he could see what she covers behind her smiles and fascades.

"What meets the eyes is not always the truth Ethan."

"Even a desert looks like a sea to a wanderer "

"And even a grain of beach sand shines like diamond to a fisherman."

He furrows his eyebrows, to only have her sadly smile at him and walk away.

With her palms covering her face, and tears trailing down her face.

I am sorry Ethan.

But I am broken beyond repair.

No matter how much I try, there scars will always remain to remind me of that day.