Chapter 40

Gifting Love

Iris's heart fluttered at his sweet angelic face.

He beamed with happiness. A true genuine smile settled on his face that was smart and innocent.

He pulled her into a hug and pressed his lips to hers for a kiss.

Their lips met, tongues swirled, butterflies dancing giving her tingles all over the body.

My first kiss after I became an actress!

I should enjoy it right!

Iris tried, honestly did till she realized he was restlessly trying to part her lips with his tongue seeking for entrance.

Iris was delaying it.

She was trying to live for the moment; enjoy this lingering passionate kiss as it let the flow of vibrations down her spine.

But somewhere something was disturbing. There was a pit feeling making her stomach crumble, yelling at her, 'This is wrong. This is not meant to be.'

Her love for Edwin was restricting her to go ahead in this relationship.

'Hmmmph... I haven't yet walked out of that first love of mine.'

Frustrated she pulled him with locks of his hair bringing him still closer and kissed him hard and violent.

No! No emotions attached, no fireworks, no crackers only lust, a hunger that any body would desire for, but not with him....

He moaned with the urgency of the kiss as he continued exploring her mouth with his tongue dancing inside.

Soon Iris was pushed to a wall as his hands found their way to the interior of her shirt and spaces his fingers brushed between the skin and the elastic of her bra.

Iris strongly suppressed the urge to push him back.

Though he never forced her into this but it felt like it was back to being Rosie.

That thought; that feeling elated sudden energy added with guilt and Iris pushed him hard, very hard to make him tumble on his feet.

His face was so full of desire seconds ago now showed a frown as he looked at her quizzically.

Iris was scared nervous as she played with my fingers wondering, "how I would answer his set of questions?"

She had just admitted or accepted his proposal then why was she rejecting him physically.

The answer to which was unknown to me. "Sorry Iris apologized "Sometimes life confuses you so much that you are at complete loss of words" she moved two spaces backward from him "my... my actions, I am sorry about ..." she sighed.

She watched him dumbstruck coming towards her.

Her heart beats fastened, not for the love for him but fear...

'Shit! I am scared of one of my friends, one who just proposed me and I accepted immediately.'

Goddammit! It was Aaron, my one and only best friend.

Aaron covered the distance between them in three strides and Iris kept looking down at her silver strappy heels worried about his next action.

Iris swallowed the bile in her throat as he cupped her face in his hands, his browns looking intently.

He wiped her lips with his thumb which were still wet, probably a bit sore too but her throat was dry completely.

His touch was doing something to that her body enjoyed but her soul hated.

"Sorry!" he murmured then looking guilty in other direction, hiding his emotional eyes from her he said, "I never wanted to force myself on you"

The hurt and pain on his face made Iris's heart clench. I cared for him deep in my heart.

"No. You didn't" Iris whispered and was about to kiss him back though every inch and ell of her conscience was yelling not to do it but still she tried to overcome her own fear.

Iris merged her fingers in his messy uncombed curly hair and pulled him.

His tall silhouette towered over her but he bent a little to give her a clear view of his pinkish chocolate lips.

They were tempting!

Really hot. sexy and welcoming too.

Iris moved forward for a repeat session but was stopped in mid way with the buzzing of her private phone.

Aaron pulled away cursing something under his breath.

This was Iris's private number, a very personal and confidential number which was only accessible to her father, brother, Aaron and the security chief.

If this phone rings that means the matter was really serious and needs immediate attention. The other mobile was handed over by Aaron to one of her guards who was now seated in the limousine outside.

"Yes" Iris asked without checking the caller id.

"Ma'am M/s. Stella wants to meet you immediately and she wanted to take a VIP appointment for the same."

"Heavens!!! Betray" Iris blurted "she never needs an appointment at any point of time to see me."

But the fact that started bothering her was the reason for her sudden arrival and the urgency of the meet.

She should have mailed her if she had any intentions to come to Los Angeles.

-------

Though her back was facing Iris but she carried the same elegant poise with her blond hair dancing at the rim of her shoulders as she stood under the blower of the conditioning of her huge living room.

With her huge bank balance, success in her profession she picked a bigger house so that her father could travel freely in his wheel chair which he no longer needed as he could walk on his own.

Stella was shifting places holding her tiny clutch in her one hand. Her beautiful white ballerina shoes complimented her toned legs.

Iris stood besides her white couch wondering how to address her 'Mrs.Parker, Stella or..' When she suddenly turned around.

Iris looked at her dreary face before she pulled her into a hug.

Iris did not notice her taking those quick five steps towards her as she was busy observing her ocean blue orbs in the pool of red, her eyes being sore as if she was crying.

May be she was tired of the long journey. I was taking in her beauty in Edwin's perspective, curved nose, milky white face with high cheek bones, naturally blushing pink and dazzling blues that he wanted to drown in.

Iris loved Edwin

She missed him

Invisibly he was always present around her. Seeing beautiful and gorgeous Stella around had only provoked the sharp pain of something missing.

But as in present, she hugged her back honestly.

Stella stayed glued to the hug for a longer time than essential.

Iri's heart beats fastened to that.

She know it was too early to decipher the negatives so she tried to convince herself that the bond created between them was the only reason that she missed her enough to make her travel her seven hours journey all the way to Los Angeles and that too without any prior intimation.

Does this make any kind of sense?....

"Stella" Iris called slowly as she still clung to me, her face finding rest on her shoulder.

Stella inhaled deeply before looking at her.

'Something is awfully wrong....' Iris deduced.

Stella tried to compose herself greeting a "hi" in her sobbed voice.

"Long time" she continued with a closed smile, her smile not reaching her eyes "no mails, calls, texts...... I missed you"

Iris was nervously choking on her own saliva, her lips going dry wondering what to answer that 'calling you was difficult because I wanted to ask about Edwin every time.

Is he alright?

Is he happy?

Does he miss me?

Does he still move his hands around his neck when he is nervous?

Does he share things with you like he'd share with me? Did he ever take my name; even if it was a mistake?

Does he still eat choco- chip cookie with his coffee?

Is he still toned with his sculpted abs or has he developed some pot belly?'

These and so many questions

Iris was curious to know about him.

Though she had been following him on google, twitter, Instagram and everywhere possible, he is a celebrity after all and is covered by media for sure.

She also had the knowledge that the happiest couple of the economic sector was planning a baby.

So sudden arrival of Stella here is making me curious more and less happy.

It's not like she ain't glad to have her here.

Of course she is.

Iris liked her the very day she met her and since their kidnapping episode she realized that she was an amazing person both inside and outside.

"Edwin needs you" Stella blurted out.

As much happy and excited Iris could be to hear those words but she wasn't,

She was rather confused, more than that worried with the pale and sad looks of Stella.

The smile was gone now and the expression on her face that she indeed found it utmost difficult to utter those words.

"He has you." Iris murmured softly "you are all that he needs"

"How long?.....," Stella spoke more to herself.

Iris did not like the sound of it and pretended not to hear that statement.

"Did he cheat?..." Iris stopped when these words left her mouth. How could Edwin ever cheat Stella?

Stella however answered chuckling then swallowing her own chuckle "Cheat. He can never cheat on me. He likes me and loves me even when I am in worst of my dresses. When I have my hair all over on my face, he doesn't even try to put those tangly locks behind, he loves me with them." Stella was smiling reminiscing her memories "When I wake up in the morning, my eyes screwed, face like a raw pumpkin, he still compliments me on my beauty. When my legs aren't waxed for months together he still doesn't mind caressing them with his fingers. When I am not feeling too good, he skips his work and stays back home to cheer me up, taking me for an outing or simply for a movie. He can never cheat" Stella paused "destiny has cheated both of us..."

Iris was trying to soak all the words that she was saying trying to gauge the very reason of Stella's arrival when...

"Are you happy Iris?" Stella asked all of a sudden.

"What kind of a question is that?" Iris framed another question to that.

"I know I am sounding obnoxious." Stella said fiddling with her hands looking anywhere but Iris.

"You need to sit and relax" Iris said and pulled her to couch of the living room.

Stella was lost in her own thoughts fighting with something as Iris could see the hot liquid resting on the rim of her eyes and then being swallowed internally.

Iris intercom the kitchen staff to get some tea.

Iris knew she takes tea nowadays for that seems to be a good option for expectant mothers other than the coffee so she is getting used to the taste.

Another information that Iris had googled.

"Stella" Iris forwarded the hot tea, steam rising from the transparent mug supported with steel handle.

She had spaced out since the time she seated on the couch probably trying to phrase words that she wanted to speak.

One thing was sure that she wasn't here for a friendly meet. There was something stronger and dreadier that has taken all her senses away.

She lifted the mug with gratitude and took the sip from the mug immediately making a grimaced face for she burnt her tongue.

Failing to notice that the tea was hot, she took a big sip; obviously she was starving.

Iris did not offer but picked the cookie from the plate and handed it over to her to have it.

She took it absent mindedly and took a bite.

"Is everything okay?" Iris asked though she was assured by now that she wasn't here for pleasantries.

Stella put the mug down, shredded the tit-bits of cookies from her hand as a kind of habit and held both her hands together.

"Can you come with me?" It was not a question but a pleading request.

"I know you are successful, one of the most liked female actresses of Hollywood with highest fan following. I know I am being selfish." It was obvious he'd cry any moment "I know I shouldn't have asked you that. I know you have your set of priorities. I know you would be thinking that I have gone insane. I know....." Stella continued blabbering before Iris stopped her.

"Breath Stella. I am not the one to judge you." Iris said to comfort her.

Traces of helplessness were all over her face. Stella tried to smile but couldn't. She tried to keep a mask, mask of being fine but failed miserably.

"Willyoumarryedwin" she finally managed to utter the dreading words all of a sudden.

Iris's mouth was hanging open wondering, "I am dreaming? I am hallucinating?'

I am daydreaming.....

No the beautiful lady in front of me is not Stella. It's only an imagination...

"Have you lost your mind?" Iris shouted remembering how madly Edwin was in love with Stella? How he is incomplete without her!

"You love Edwin... Right.. You still do." It was more of question than a statement

"Stella" Iris was left speechless.

"It's in the darkness of your pupils. It's in the charm of your face with mere hearing his name." She said, her voice now sobbed.

"Stella. Please you are scaring me." Iris said pulling her to make an eye contact with her.

"No I am scared" she now lost her grip on her emotions making her sob bitterly.

Iris's heart melted at her loss of her confidence, the elated beautiful face was now crumpled and she was begging her to take away the love of her life.

She indeed loved him.

Iris could read it from her eyes, the way she looked at Edwin, the jealousy she displayed or even if she didn't she was not the kind to give away a perfect husband like Edwin for any damn reason in the world.

It can never be a short fight between a husband and wife that made her to come all the way to me. There was something worst that was about to come and that suspense was eating Iris up.

"Please" Stella hissed "Edwin needs you. Nobody else can help him. I cannot trust anybody else for him. I want to gift my love to you because I know you will handle him with care and your unbiased love."

"You don't know what you are saying." Iris nodded her head "He IS your husband." she paused "And he loves you. Damn! He'd love you to his grave."

"Iris...." Stella stopped violently holding my wrist tight enough to hurt me. "Don't use that thing for Edwin."

Iris was scared of her sudden feisty behavior but next moment she softened holding her hand softly and caressing her lovingly being apologetic for what she'd done.

Iris was feeling dizzy or rather felt guilty about what she said or wait....

Stella she was making her feel guilty.

"Stella please you are confusing me. Please I beg come to the point." Iris said, tears brimming her eyes showing my confusion.

"You love Edwin and you can accept him. I can trust you...only you with him." She persisted.

"But he loves you. Are you getting insane?" Iris asked frustrated.

"Yes I am getting insane." She affirmed.

"Stella please sit." risI hugged her again. She couldn't stand her pained face

"I am dying Iris. I am dying." She spoke with breaking but clear voice.

Iris was shocked.

Bile sized of an orange stuck in Iris's throat and I choked. I stared at her pale face. Complete loss of words and stoned eyes, Iris stared at her non-blinking, 'this couldn't be true' she repeated in her head.

Iris felt sorry for Stella, she deserved to live, she deserves to have a family with Edwin, have his babies, smile with them...

More than that Edwin needs Stella, she is his support system, his breathing mechanism, his heart, his soul, his reason for existence.

And what has Stella done to deserve this?... She was the best person Iris had seen on earth.

A deadly combination of being a millionaire and still down to earth, caring, considerate...Perfect wife, good friend and an amazing person externally and internally.

"I am dying Iris. I have cancer. Edwin... He will be broken and this time his heart would not only break into innumerable pieces but also they'd be scattered so far and wide that it would be difficult to put them together." Stella's words piercing into her ears burning a hole into her heart with a pre heated dagger.

"Difficult or impossible... I cannot decide." Stella gave her set of presumptions.

"Stella... Please ... Stop.... You are going to be fine....

Science has advanced today. Every disease has a cure. So whatever germ..cell whatever f###king you name it. We will have a treatment and you are going to be fine." Iris tried to convince her.

Stella chuckled humorlessly "I have googled and sorted all the details that confirmed my short-lived journey of life."

"no.. No..No." Iris turned into denial.

"Will you come with me?" Stella asked expectantly.

"How is that going to help?" Iris spoke helplessly "whether I tell him or You inform him would hardly make a difference. It would hurt him equally bad."

"And if you are there with us, it would hurt me a little less." Stella said taking a deep sigh.

"I .... Me... How can I ease your pain?" Iris asked confused

"You love Edwin and once I am gone I will be assured that you wi...lll..." her stammering depicted how difficult it was for her "Take good care of him and lov....e him." Stella stopped, her words shouting honesty and concern for Edwin.

"Are you trying to say...." Iris yelled at Stella.

"YES you decipher it right. I want you both to be together, even happily married and live happily ever after" Stella said each and every syllable with utmost conviction.

"You have lost your mind." Iris yelled uncontrollably "do you remember he is your husband. F##k he loves you. It is never ever possible."

"May I help you ma'am" Iris's assistant Sanya arrived listening to her high pitched voice which was a rare thing in the huge house where three people lived distant with each other, Iris being busy with her work and her brother was busy trying to prove that he can do something on his own even with his physical deformities.

Her father had occupied himself with all her accountancy work and took care of the investment and property.

The three did meet occasionally especially on weekends but most of the times were busy and on their own.

"We are good and I prefer privacy. So you are done for the day" Iris dismissed Sanya from her rest of the day services.

Iris's biggest fear being the exchange of words between her and Stella should be safe from paparazzi that can pay this hyper ambitious Sanya to get any information that could fill in their headlines.

By the time Iris shifted her attention to Stella she was unwrapping a white roll of sheet as she untied the thread from it

She turned the roll of sheet into opposite direction opening it to display the canvas sheet which had painting of Stella and Edwin lovingly close to each other.

Stella turned towards her for her to look at the painting at a close proximity making her see the unseen and untold or unexplainable part of the piece of art.

The painting was beautifully gorgeous, Edwin and Stella closely hugging each other and were about to kiss each other.

And at a distance from them in misted paints or a fogged appearance was another human figure and it was Iris ...

Yes! Edwin drew me. He drew me! He drew me in one of his paintings! He misses me! Somewhere in his heart he has feelings for me!!!!...

He loves.....

Iris was in seventh heaven when realization hit her 'No he cannot love me' the excitement vanished all of a sudden like anesthesia drifted in veins to take her away from realities.

Whom was Iris fooling, he may love her or like her but Iris could never have the love that Edwin had for Stella.

"Iris, you are my only hope. You are the only one who can help Edwin, support him, and teach him to live without me. You have to show him the new horizon in which I am a blurred existence to the painting and you two are together." Stella spoke looking at the painting and visualizing actually what she was saying; not a bit of detention in her voice only sadness of departing from him.

Iris looked at her like a little kid of two years lost in the fun and fair and is not even able to communicate with anyone around that she is lost.

The child only stares at faces expectantly looking for the one identical face that would come and hug him tight erasing the memories of loneliness that had enveloped him moments ago.

"So you will come with me?...,,,," Stella asked