I ordered another glass of cold drink. I looked down. There was no earthquake. He was still staring at me which meant I was still visible. I didn't had any memory erasing tool in my hand. Somewhere in my mind I got an instant message, "Face him!"

I was sweating. My mind was numb. No expression on my face. What should I do now? I was wondering why he's standing so quiet, not yet kicked me out of the club?

I was sipping the drink and I saw him brushing his hands from his chest to the gun tugged.

"Iva," he said in a low voice.

"Okay, I am sorry! I...I just ruined everything. Don't take out your gun. Don't kill me. Yes I am abnormal. I...I am heartily sorry!" I babbled whatever I could. I was so damn nervous. I covered my face with the glass of drink not to see his face. My eyes were tightly closed. I am so stupid! What I was trying to do? Make him feel down, look who's down now! I scolded myself inside.

"Hey stop, don't panic so much. I was just saying to stop sipping as your glass is empty. You can't sip that big ice cubes with this slim straw right?"

I opened my eyes. My gaze down at the glass. I saw the five ice cubes melting like my heart. I was so embarrassed. That time I wanted to be an ice cube for a night. This was the height of foolishness. I looked above at his face. Our eyes met. He was smiling and his eyes were tinkling. I took out my eye glasses, rubbed them with my sleeves and wore it back. No, there's not any problem with my eyes, he was actually smiling at me.

Of course I know why he's smiling. I pity smile. He was looking at me pitifully. I can definitely say that he was thinking to drop me to a mental asylum.

"I am sorry." I said pursing my lips. What else I could say at that time? I was showing off like an idiot! Why I came to this party anyway?

"Are you okay Iva?" He asked.

"Yes I am fine. Uhmm, excuse me Mr. Stryker." I moved my steps away from him as fast as I could. I went straight to the washroom. I washed my face. Sprayed deodorant. My stupidity made me sweat too much!

Adreano's POV :

Same day

I landed in the morning in New York from my business trip to Japan. I made a very big deal with them. From all the top five companies, they selected us and penned down the agreement. I knew this would happen. We have the best employees working in our company. No doubt of any failure.

"James, I am throwing a party tonight. Bring Ana along with you."

"What will Ana do in a business party?"

"Who said you this is a business party?"

"Well, you made partnership with the Japanese company yesterday. Why won't it will be a business party?"

"It seems the news broke already."

"Yeah, we are in business. Even a  deal with a sewing pin comes into everyone's ear, and you made a construction deal! It's a big news man!" He laughed.

"Yeah. Well that business party will be tomorrow. You'll get the invitation. I am giving a fun party tonight. Without any old businessmen!"

"Oh great! I'll be there!"

"Okay, see you tonight."

"Okay man."

"Uh, hey James," I said immediately before he could end the call.

"Yes Adreano?"

"Uh, what's that cookie girl name..Um, Iva. Yeah bring her too." I said. I didn't know why but I wanted to invite her.

"Iva?" His voice stated his shock.

"Hm, yes."

"Okay. You inviting Iva? Strange."

"What's strange? I can't invite her?"

"You can. But."

"But?"

"Nothing."

"Okay."

I don't know why I invited her. Maybe because in this week the thing I missed the most was the blue eyes. I don't know why. Don't have any answer.

I saw James and Ana dancing, so my eyes immediately started searching those blue eyes. My search stopped at the bar counter. She was wearing a beige dress, hair tied in a ponytail. My feet immediately moved towards the counter.

She didn't knew that I am the one who invited her. She was taunting me and showing off. The moment Ana introduced me to her, she became pale. I could see she was embarrassed. I was amused by her. I wanted to make her comfortable but she excused herself from me and was lost in the crowd.

I got busy in the party. But at the same time kept my eyes moving to find Iva. I asked Ana and she said maybe Iva is outside the club. She was getting headache.

I moved my steps to the exit and Kim popped in my way. "Get I said roughly."

"I am sorry for that day baby. Let's make it tonight." She kissed on my neck.

"Well, I am done with sluts." I moved outside.

She wasn't outside the club. The road was empty. I got worried as she was alone. Why Ana didn't came out with her? I saw a girl walking at a distant. I ran towards her. "Hey." I said taking deep breaths.

She didn't replied. Her hands were folded against her chest. Her gaze down.

"Iva?" I called again. No reply from her again.

What is she doing? Ignoring me? A while before she was talking about mannerisms and now she's not even responding. She should learn mannerisms too. I couldn't take that anymore. I stood in front of her. She stopped and raised her head. "Yes?" Her eyes were filled with tears. Her face covered with sadness.

"Umm, sir what happened?"

"Uh, what are you doing here?" I asked trying to figure out why she's sad.

"I don't like loud music. I cause pain in my head."

"Should we go to the doctor?" I was worried.

"No, it's a minor headache. I have medicines with me." She took out a capsule and a small pink bottle from her brown bag and gulped the medicine.

"Should I drop you home?"

"No, I am okay." She wiped her tears.

"Let's go." I said.

"I will come back to the club after few minutes. I need some peace time. You go Mr. Stryker." She managed to fake a smile.

"We are not going to club."

"Then where are we going?"

"Far away from loud music."

We sat in the car. She sat quietly. Looking outside the window. I parked my car. We came out of the car. "Beach?" She said excitingly.

"Yes. The most peaceful place." I looked at her happy face.

We sat on the cool sand, the waves were touching our feet. The cool air was striking my senses. "Sir, I am sorry for what I did today. I mean I am really really sorry." She was parting the sand with her index finger, avoiding eye contact with me.

"It's okay Iva, I was enjoying that time." I grinned.

"Yeah, I bet you were."

"As soon as you got to know that I have invited you, your face was stoned with shock." I laughed.

"Ya, that was the most awkward situation of my life." she said shyly.

I excused from her and return back with an ice-cream. She was leaning on the sand and looked at the sky. Her eyes were tinkling and her face was shining more than the moonlight. Her lips curved making a smile.

"Why smiling?"

"You'll get to know if you'll lean down."

I leaned on the sand. The sky was clear with uncountable stars lighting.

"Look at that cloud she pointed at the sky, he's the groom and the moon she's the bride." I looked at her shockingly. I wanted to laugh. What the hell, she's joking? But there were tears collected at the corner of her eyes. I felt her seriousness. "See, the stars twinkling in joy, they are the guests." She then took a deep breath, "and the blessings, Can you feel it sir?" She sat overjoyed. I was looking at her. We had an awkward eye contact. She moved her eyes away hesitatingly.

"My dad, he used to bring me at beach every weekend in the night. He used to tell me always, that like the moon, I'll also become a bride one day, more beautiful than the moon and the groom will love more than him." Her voice was low. Her lips trembling. Tears ran down her cheeks. "He was wrong, no man can love me more than him."

From the time of my puberty till today, I have dated many girls, all they have ever talked about is Money, Sex, Designer clothes, etc. Now I was sitting beside a girl who was talking about the moon and the stars like a innocent girl. Not even bothered what I'll think about her. She's missing her dad. Not trying to impress me like other girls. A simple, innocent girl. Iva.

"Uh, Mr. Stryker it's getting late, we should go."

"Yeah." We stood up and walked towards our car.

"Mr. Stryker, thank you. After two long years I felt peace in my soul." We made an eye contact again. You are beautiful I wanted to say but remained quiet.

I noticed she was walking barefoot on the sand. In between us, there was a distance of a baby elephant. For God's sake, I am not going to eat her!

"Iva, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, you can Mr. Stryker." she smiled.

"Are you mentally ill?"

"I guess not. Why?" Her eyebrows came close to each other.

"Look at you bag." I pointed at the clown (soft toy) with his head hanging outside the bag. She burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Actually Cody gifted me this on my birthday. He's very mischievous." She tugged the clown in and zipped the bag.

"Cody? Your boyfriend?" I smirked. My heart was burning suddenly. Maybe acidity. What kind of boyfriend gifts a clown?

"No, not boyfriend. He works with me in the shop. You have seen him."

"Oh, that thin boy?"

"Yes."

We sat in the car. The burning cooled down.

"Why he gifted you such a weird thing?"

"The answer is in your question itself." She looked at me. Smiling.

"I didn't understood."

"Well, he thinks I am weird and look like a clown." She chuckled. Twisting her hairs with her fingers.

"What nonsense. Weren't you hurt?"

"No. Why I'll get hurt."

"Strange." I nodded my head in disgust.

We reached the club. Ana and James were waiting outside the club. Iva went with them. I came back to mansion.

I knocked Grandma's door.

"Come in."

I went inside. She was lying on bed reading an essay written by me when I was five years old.

"Finally, you got time to meet your old sick granny." She smiled.

"My every minute is yours Grandma." I said keeping my head in her lap. She gently massaged my head.

"Today I am happy Grandma."

"Seems you spent a great time in the club."

"Yes." I yawned. Iva's face flashed before me.

**********

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