Ch-22 ★Kiss of life

[Aulaura]

I looked over to Jay, who sat beside me- dangerously silent- his hands gripping the steering-wheel tightly, veins protruding outwards. He drove my black Mercedes, zooming through the traffic, overtaking one car after another. At this rate he will get us into an accident. I understood now why he insisted on driving us to my dad's office. He wanted a way to vent out the anger that was boiling inside him.

"Aren't you going to ask me why we're going to my dad's office?"

He stiffened- clenching his jaw- then glanced at me. The expression on his face caught me off-guard. He looked so torn like there was something he wanted to say but he couldn't. After a moment of hesitation, he turned his attention back to the road.

"No, I'm not," He sighed. "Does it even matter?"

I frowned. My heart falling to the pit of my stomach- a strange nauseate feeling took control of me -he wasn't happy and neither was I. "Why? Why do you say that?"

"You own me. You can do whatever you want and I can't argue with it"

Feeling at a loss of words, I stared down at my empty lap- my fingers intermingling with the lace of my white cardigan.

"We're going to tell my parents about this marriage before they find out from someone else,"

He took a sharp turn, jolting me in my seat, the belt dug into my neck. My eyes found their way to his face. He didn't look angry like I expected him to be.

He was smiling, his lips curved into the thinnest of smiles. "Let's get this show on the road,"

Is it me? Or He is better an actor than gave him credit for.

~*~*~

Innovation Headquarters, London

Out of all of the things in my unexpected life, there was one thing I certainly expected and that was my father's uncontainable fury and my mother's shocked disappointment.

But life surprised me again but this is time I was pleasantly surprised.

We walked into my father's sparely decorated office, the pale walls staring at me-almost repulsively. In a quick second, Jay hand was wrapped around mine- a firm expression on his face as he strode beside, unafraid. He was confusing me. I know shouldn't be surprised after all he's doing job. I cringed at the word.

Mom and dad were sitting by on the leather couches- apparently they were a new addition to dad's office because I had never seen it there before. That was not all that had changed, the blinds were parted letting all the light flow into the room. Mom was laughing- so freely- something I hadn't seen since forever while dad just watched her with a smile on his face.

I almost felt flabbergasted, watching them here, together and more than that they were happy. My eyes took everything in, memorizing the scene in front of me.

For a moment, I wanted to run away like always. I couldn't hurt them right now like this.

I wasn't ready for this. I shouldn't have done this. I shouldn't have married Jay. This isn't right.

My hand left Jay's hand. He stared at me, his eyebrows drawled together in confusion. "Everything alright?" He spoke loud enough for mom and dad to hear.

Their eyes snapped in our direction.

"Crap," I muttered under my breath.

"Aulaura," Dad came up to me, fixing his coat with mom following his lead. "What brings you here?"

"Charles," Mom laughed, her grey eyes looking so lively. "Aulaura doesn't need a reason to visit us,"

"Right," Dad grinned back, his once icy blue eyes melting away with tinges of warmth.

Were these two really my parents? Jay watched me with caution, his stubborn hands gripped mine. He knew something was wrong. Was it that obvious? Or was it obvious just to him?

He knew me so well- almost made me think he cared for me. Of course he didn't though.

"I came here for a reason," I replied, my voice shaky. I have to do this. It's better if they find out now.

"Oh, okay dear what is it?" mom asked, her eyes briefly glancing at our entwined hands.

I couldn't say it. My throat felt dry and patchy. My tongue felt like it weigh thousand pounds.

"Mr. and Mrs. Grey, Aulaura and I have gotten married," Jay's voice echoed through the room.

My pulse elevated as blood rushed to my face. I waited for the shouts. I waited for the displeased looks. I scanned my father's face for anger but there was none.

Mom looked a bit taken aback. "Aura, my daughter is married?"

"We meant to ask for permission but everything happened so quickly," Jay tried covering for the mess I had made.

"What was the rush, Aura? You should have asked us. It's not like we were going to say no," Mom asked a hint of suspicion with hidden worry laced her voice.

"Mom, I'm sorry. It just happened-"

Dad stopped me- he stared at mom- giving her a pointed look. "Amanda, the deed is already done no need to fret over it,"

"But Charles our daughter-"

"Is old enough to make her own decision," Dad cut in, smiling- not a trace of anger on face.

"Well I think is a good thing Amanda. This is exactly what Aura needed. Maybe this marriage deal will make her more responsible. I hope-," Dad placed a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Young man, you will keep my daughter grounded just the way you are,"

Jay pulled out his all too dazzling smile. "Of course sir,"

"Oh my, we have to arrange a grand party," Mom nearly squealed, gripping dad's arm. The pure excitement on her face me feel warm inside. I liked seeing her happy, no, I liked seeing my parents happy. Dad laughed, looking at mom with an adoring expression.

"Definitely, after all my only daughter has gotten married,"

"It'll be magnificent. I want to make sure everyone Jay and Aulaura know comes to the party," Mom turned to face Jay, her eyes shining like the dangling topaz earrings that clung to her earlobes. "Honey, you need bring your entire family. I'm so eager to meet them,"

"Yes, I'll let them know about that," Jay smiled, half-heartedly, his brown eyes barely acknowledging what my mother said.

Mom gushed on about the arrangements; her earlier grudge seemed to have vanished into thin air. I don't what kind of power my dad held for over mom but she didn't dare to question his decision again. I guess I was glad that she didn't object. I don't know how I would have explained all that I did. Though one thing wasn't making sense how did dad accept our marriage so easily? It was like he was trying to amend for something? It reminded me of all those times when he would miss my dance recital then later on he would buy me the most expensive street-shoes and I would easily give into the small bait and forgive him.

~*~*~

Eastside, London

Jay slammed the breaks- the tires screeched against the nearly frozen road. The lights flickered off, suspending us into the darkness of the nearly freezing night. A warm bluish glow left the apartments. It looked all so tempting.

My luggage lay in the backseats. I had brought along few of my belonging since from on I would be spending most of my hours with Jay. Mom and Dad didn't fuss about it. They agreed only on one condition that I would stay with them until I finished college and took care of my responsibilities as the CEO. That meant I could only stay with Jay during the daylight hours, today being an exception since it was our first night together. But from tomorrow onwards, I would have to go home to sleep.

I reached for the door's lock but Jay's voice stopped. "I'll be heading do to the studio. I've got some pending work left there,"

I gave him a peculiar look. Work at studio when it's nearly like ten at night. "But it's so late,"

He sighed, running a hand across his tired face. "We're on a deadline to get the album out by next month,"

"Oh," Was all I could say, not really liking the idea of being alone in his apartment.

"I'll get some of the staff to carry your bags,"

"Okay," I muttered under breath. "Just trying coming back as soon as you can," I hated the desperation in my voice.

He didn't meet my eyes and just stared blankly at the road and the flickering streetlights. Few minutes later some guards came and took my bags away. I quietly got out the car. There was so much I wanted to say but I didn't know if he'd listen. I didn't know if he cared enough to listen.

The minute I got of the car, he pressed the accelerator and sped away from my sight. A single tear slid down my cheek. He thought I couldn't see. He thought that I was blinded my own happiness to notice his despair. But he was wrong. He was so damn wrong. I could see every raw ounce of hatred, sorrow in his eyes. What gave him the right to hate me for what I did? What gave him the right to be miserable?

~*~*~*~

Midnight had long passed when I woke to get a glass of water. A strange ruckus outside the door halted my breaths. He was back.

There was fumbling of keys outside the door and a couple of curse words were shouted loud enough for me to hear. I rushed to the door, taking a look through the peephole just as I had guessed it was indeed Jay. He dug through the pockets of his trousers looking for the card that unlocked the door. I think he had forgotten he had given me the card.

I turned the knob not before unlocking the smooth sliver hatches. Jay stood in the door, his mouth agape; his leather jacket was tossed on the floor beside his woodland boots. A flimsy white shirt clung to his toned frame and his left hand held a bottle of beer. I don't think he was drunk. Even though he reeked of alcohol, he looked pretty sober.

Either he had a pretty tolerance power or he was a really good actor. "Aura, What a pleasant surprise? I love how you barged into my life without my permission,"

Okay, maybe he was a bit drunk. His reasoning power was obviously close to zero because the sober Jay wouldn't talk so openly. He wouldn't talk to me so bitterly.

He pushed my shoulders, stepping inside the room. The way he walked it was hard to believe he was drunk. His legs were in perfect synch with the rest of his body.

He tossed the bottle on the floor- its shards went flying in all different directions as it crashed onto the ground.

I advanced towards him. He wasn't in his right mind. He needed me. He needed my help. Even though the fear running through my veins warned me from going any closer, I ignored its desperate warnings.

My hands made contact with his shoulder the warmth sunk in. He stiffened, standing dangerously still as if my touch had turned him into ice.

Then he moved so fast that it was impossible for me to respond. My mind went blank for an instant. Jay grabbed my hand and curled his fingers around bringing me closer to him, so close that his stinging breath trickled down my face.

"What are you doing?" I gasped as I felt his arm wrap itself around my waist. The warmth from his body seeped into mine and my heart- Damn- it sped faster than any clock.

He brought his lips close to my neck, laying a soft feather kiss along it. I didn't want him to stop but I knew this was wrong. Jay obviously wasn't in his sense.

"Why?" he whispered in my ear, bringing his face next to mine- our cheeks were touching. I felt heat rush to my face. I've never been held so close and this intimately.

"Why?" He spoke again. His hands found my back and closed the distance between our bodies so I was right in his arm, being held so close that our bodies were pressed against the others.

I couldn't think properly. All my thoughts were a muddled mess. I leaned more and more into his touch.

"Why do you want me?" His lips were an inch above mine; the warm air tickled them causing these strange sensations to erupt in my spine.

I couldn't reply to that question.

"Why do you want me?" He repeated, titling his head slightly.

I gulped. I don't think he needed to know the answer to that. I won't tell him. He won't understand. I never wanted him, no, I needed him. There is no way I can imagine a life without him.

"Revenge," I lied, the lie easily slipping through my mouth. The expression on his face remained same that same serene calmness clung stubbornly to his face.

He brought his face close to mine, the gold in his eyes burned with the moonlight that seeped through the blinds. We stood in the living room- the furniture seemed like palling ghost in the lightless room.

Before my mind could process what was happening, Jay pressed his lips against mine. We molded into each other, our lips moving in perfect syn. My arms went around his neck, pulling him closer to me. I could feel my stomach churn in strange manner. My entire body felt like it was alight with a burning flame.

The ever so subtle taste of alcohol bled through his lips but that didn't stop his from tasting like my Jay. As far as I could remember this was way better than our first kiss. There was so much passion in his kiss. I couldn't help but return it.

I felt Jay's hand brush against my bare back. Instantly an electrifying pleasure soared through my body. This was crazy. I couldn't believe how strongly I was reacting to his touch.

I leaned into him. My hands running across his chest, I could feel the rapid beating of his heart. Was it for me? He deepened the kiss; his tongue ran across my lower lip. A content sigh escaped my lips.

Suddenly his entire body stiffened, Jay moved back. He stared at me- not a single ounce of emotion on his face. I felt hurt. It was like someone had taken a knife and was digging it inside my chest.

"You're lying," He spoke after a moment.

Keeping in the pain, I smiled- my lips still feeling flushed after the kiss. "Why would I?"

He grabbed my shoulder, inching his face next to mine- he titled his head to study my face. "You knew about her,"

I didn't need to think twice to know who he was talking about. Melody.

"I did," I answered truthfully. My chest aching in a strange manner. He still cared about her like hell and here I'm hoping that he would give me some amount of love.

"Then why?" He nearly yelled. Fury burned a trail across his face as his eyes smoldered dangerously. "Then why do you still want me?"

"Because I love you!" Oh no. I pressed a hand across my mouth to stop the sob from escaping. This is the last thing I wanted. I never wanted to bare out my heart to someone who didn't feel the same.

His hands left my arms. He didn't look surprised. It was like he had expected me to say those words.

Instead, he stared laughing and that tore me. "You don't love me,"

I didn't reply. Tears fell out of my eyes before I could stop them. They rolled down my face, blurring my vision.

"You love Jay Walters the Rockstar," He scoffed, shaking his head as if he had heard some old joke.

"You don't even know me. You don't even know Jay. How in the world can you love me?" It was like he was trying to convince himself rather than me.

I smiled. "I knew you enough to love you,"

I could feel my inside groan in pain. I ran away like always, knowing that if I stood there with him for a second more I would break apart. I ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

My body sunk onto the cold floors. I covered my mouth tightly with both hands as screams escaped it. The trap I had laid was choking me. I couldn't live with him or without him.

Note: This chapter was really a hard one for me. I had been working on it for like a week and finally I got over that writer's block phase and wrote this down for you guys.

The next chapter will be the turning point of this book. I think the events that are about to take place in the next chapter were one of the first ideas I had for this book, it one of the reasons why I wrote this book so far.

Please comment because I really need them. There're like the driving forces that push me to write.