HIM
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'But Uncle Al...I have to look into so many things. The Dubai based investors are a-' but Uncle Al quickly interrupted saying

'Its just the matter of two days Ray. Mr and Mrs Mehta are our old friends. It's their son and daughter in law. They have never been to India before. If their son is happy with our hospitality, it is definitely going to give us a weightage when we sign a deal with them. And come on Ray you'll also have a vacation!' he said but I quickly interrupted saying

'But what about Lydia ?' I asked when he said 'Dont worry Riya will take care of her!!!' to which I gulped recalling the incident which happened two years ago when Riya was chased by some roadside romeos. Luckily she escaped their hold and managed to reach Alfonso's. Thankfully Freddy was still there and his bouncers taught them a good lesson. I got to know about these assholes the next day and I made sure to teach them a lesson in my own way.

After that everyone in and around that area were in their limits with Riya however just the thought that what if Riya didn't have a pepper spray that night and what if those guys managed to catch hold of her alone brings shivers down my spine. I couldn't leave her alone, the reason why I go to Alfonso's every evening for a drink and then I get a reason to drop her home because I am drunk and during daytime I ask my cook to accompany her till she reaches Alfonso's. I made sure my cook stayed a km away from the Alfonso's club. I didn't care if it was a posh area, I was paying the rent of her apartment.

No one knows about this. Not even Cyril. It was important because I wanted someone to keep an eye on Riya. She wouldn't agree for a bodyguard, why would she? She's always been a woman of virtue. Self respect she had was the charm that attracted me towards her when I met for the first time. And doesn't matter if we have had an ugly divorce and a terrible marriage, she still holds her self respect high. Strong independent woman. The feature that still makes her so sexy.

'Ummm Uncle Al...You know Riya...I mean I know Riya is an independent working professional but you know the area she works is a posh one but has a crowd of young rich assholes who literally are on their parents money. I just...I mean...I'm...I...Ummm...'

'You are worried about her safety aren't you?' Uncle Al asked and I hummed to which he smiled saying 'Dont worry I'll make sure my boys keep an eye on her...Should that be fine with you?' and I smiled and hummed a ok. I was about to disconnect the call when he suddenly said

'Ray...You know you can't protect her always. She's no longer your wife now!'

I smiled and said 'She may not be my wife now but she is the mother of my child Uncle Al and.... nevermind' I disconnected the call as my eyes fell on the shores that carelessly threw their arms at the force of every tide. Unmoving... immobile yet soaking every hit ever since it's very existence and still waiting there for the next tide to slap on the shore.

I know Riya...my arms were never enough for you but I would still be there for you. With your knowledge... without your knowledge.

✨

I kept dialling Uncle Al as well as Riya for the nth plus one time. I didn't know why Uncle Al sent me here. There was no business meeting nothing. But Ivy's presence left me speechless as she was staying here. She told me she was here for a vacation but her room being next to mine, the waiter telling all the lunch tables were booked inspite of half the hotel being empty was strange. Although he said the resort was booked for new year party, I hardly saw any crowd. It's not like I didn't have a good time with Ivy but in the back of my head, I was always getting worried for Lydia and Fari. Somehow... Everything looked fishy.

To add on I wasn't able to talk to Uncle Al or Riya. I was worried if Riya reached home safe, if Lydia had her dinner. In eight years, it was the first time I was being away from them for more than ten hours. This was the reason why I avoided foreign trips too and even if I have to I make sure to do a wifi call once in every 2-3 hours.

'Rayyyy...try this...this crab is their speciality here itseems and this king fish-'

'Ivy please...can I just get some time alone please...I mean...I...I....can you please give me a minute!' I knew I snapped at her but I didn't care right now. I kept on dialling Riya and Uncle Al but neither of them picked, so I decided to try others numbers but when neither Fari Di nor Neha picked my call I started getting really worried.

HER
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'Alexander... he's calling everyone now...don't you think we should atleast tell him?' Fari Di said while I was serving them dinner. It was strange that she and Uncle Al had come home for dinner today. I wasn't complaining, my shift ended early and I was getting bored. Lydia had also been cranky in Ray's absence today but thanks to Uncle Al her mind was diverted and she went to bed.

'No don't!!! He'll be fine...let him spend time with Ivy.. Remember it's only Ivy who has feelings for him as of now. I won't let anyone of you force Ray into this marriage until and unless he wants it. Ivy maybe a good girl but Ray's acceptance is important.' said Uncle Al and we both nodded. I didn't know if what I did was right. But the moment Ivy confessed to me about her feelings for Ray I couldn't stop myself. I was having a weird feeling in my chest.

I didn't want to tell this to anyone. What if Ray likes her too? A weird sense of loosing a shelter if feelings were mutual for both Ivy and Ray but then I realised how would I loose something that's already not mine. That minute I decided to tell this to Uncle Al and they decided to give Ray and Ivy some isolation so they could understand each other.

'But Alexander...he sounds desperate!' said Fari Di and Uncle Al smiled saying 'Let him fight his feelings!!! He has to bring a balance in his life! What say Riya?' Uncle Al looked into my eyes and asked when I hesitantly smiled and nodded. He smiled saying

'Very well then...Riya I've drunk tonight so has Fari, I don't think we can drive tonight. I've spoken to Neha, she'll take care of kids...do you mind if we stay here tonight?' and I quickly agreed. Why would I mind. Infact I'll be more than happy. I've never stayed alone in this huge compound. Although Ray's hotel is nearby, but I was always scared of staying alone.

I decided to share bed with Lydia tonight and offered Fari Di and Uncle Al to take my room. I couldn't stop smiling seeing Lydia sleep with her arms and legs wide open. Infact nowadays she gets so tired at school that she rotates like a clock on the bed and if you are lucky you can also be awarded by a kick or two. So trying to keep my butt safe I silently took the couch in the corner of the room.

Suddenly in the middle of the night I wake up due to a sudden noise and then I notice a dark shadowed figure sitting next to Lydia. My heart drops the moment I realise I'm not dreaming and then the person stands up. My body is paralysed in fear, I want to scream but I'm unable to scream. I struggle trying to sit up but I feel like something is sitting on my chest. I wanted to scream but I'm unable to open my mouth and suddenly I feel someone tapping my cheeks and in one go I open my eyes to find a dark shadowed man in a hoodie sitting near me and I try to scream but I suddenly feel his palm on my mouth but I try to kick him with my legs and hands and the next second I feel the man hovering upon me. I want to kick the man in his nuts but listening to his voice I stop

'Riyaaaa stop it's me!!!'

And I suddenly ask 'Ray???' and the next second he switches on the night lamp next to me on the side table. And my eyes meet the most dangerous yet the most sexiest pair of eyes I had ever seen in my life.

Deeper than sea, stormier than the tsunami and dreamier than the sky. I swallow the lump stuck in my throat. I helplessly blink as he does not even care to do so and darts his gaze shooting me in my eyes reaching the doors of my heart that I had permanently closed for him. For anyone. My heart that was numb all these years started beating due to his touch.

His strong muscular body was pressed against my breasts. His one hand had slipped onto my waist and due to me resisting his touch intially my tshirt had ridden up and I could feel his big rough hands against the soft skin of my waist. My chest heaved as my body realised our proximity again after so many years. Some touches are never forgotten. His skin against mine felt so familiar. His fragrance...the unforgettable one...musk and chocolate...my favorite..

'Relax!!! It's just me...' he whispered and removed the palm with which he had covered my mouth. His strong hand against my lips had left me completely breathless. My lips parted as I tried to breath in from my mouth. His gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips and then again back to my eyes and that left my chest heaving again only for me to realise that I was just in a tshirt and nothing below it. Suddenly a memory from the past flashed

Flashback begins...

'Baby... don't take such deep breaths...you leave me breathless...' saying he pulled me closer to him as I was applying the body butter to my arms and neck.

But the next second he pulled me via my waist and my back was pressed against his front. I could already feel his erection and I took a deep breath in return he whispered into my left earlobe saying

'Told you not to...but my wife is so disobedient!!! She deserves a punishment!' and I rolled my eyes saying

'Ray please na...I'm too tired today...I had a long day at kitchen today prepping for Christmas...so nothing doing!!!' I said when he smirked like a little devil and said...

'Well then lets see if you can resist this!!!' saying he slowly started leaving wet open mouthed kisses on my neckline descending towards my chest as his one hand sneaked into my tshirt and started caressing my waist. He started drawing circles around my belly button slowly teasing and seducing me. I close my eyes enjoying the pleasure he was giving me. He's so good with his hands and his lips oh and his tongue was a treat.

Unknowingly a moan left my mouth as I helplessly wanted that hand to go down south and do wonders, I wanted those teasing wet kisses a little below my neckline but he was a jerk.

Suddenly he stops and I feel nothing against my waist and my neckline. I open my eyes and look into the mirror. He stands behind me with a smirk on my lips and I get so annoyed.

'Someone told me nothing doing!!!' and I shot him a look. I shift my gaze and say

'Ya...fine...I mean...ya... whatever... who cares!!!' to which he whispers into my right ear brushing his cold lips against my earlobe whispering

'Apparently you do!!!'

'I dont!!!'

To which he chuckles saying 'Well apparently your tshirt doesn't say the same baby!!!' and I narrow my eyebrows not understanding the comment but when I realise that I'm currently standing without a bra in just a white tshirt with goosebumps all over my body and just like his soldier gave out his condition to me... my swollen buds had given out my situation loud and clear. I blushed and pushed him away while he burst out laughing and pulled me into his arms and before I know I was thrown on the bed and then our lips and naked bodies did the talking.

Flashback ends...

'Why didn't you pick my calls?' he asked while still hovering upon me and I whispered

'You were out on a date with Ivy so I didn't want to distu-'

'Whatttt??? I was on a business tri-... hold on...How do you know about Ivy? Wait a minute firstly who told you that I had been on a date that too with Ivy?' and that's when we heard Uncle Al's voice

'Riya why is the main door left ope-...Ray you??? here???' but the moment he sees me and Ray he quickly turns around saying 'Ohhhh I'm so sorry...I'll be in the living room' and he quickly walks out of the room and both Ray and I are confused seeing his reaction but suddenly we both realise the compromising position we are in...and the next second Ray jumps out of the room and I sit up in one go realising what just happened.

Shit!!! I hope Uncle Al doesn't misunderstand. This isn't the first time Uncle Al had caught me and Ray in a compromising position but then those days were different from now. The relationship was different...We aren't the horney lovers that we were...neither are we the newly married husband and wife...We are nobody to each other.

Neither as a girlfriend nor as a wife did I feel this but today being his 'nobody' this was.... embarrassing.