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Gradually her lips stopped moving over mine, my eyebrows scrunched in confusion at her sudden stillness so I opened my eyes, separating from her only to have her fall leisurely over me, her body limp in my arms. I gently caressed her cheek trying to get a reaction from her.

"Bella?" And sure enough, she nestled her head more into my neck, her slow breath flowing on my shoulder blades through my shirt, a smile automatically reached my lips at her innocent expression but it was gone as soon as I remembered her dreadful situation. I knew she was behaving weird in her engagement but I didn't anticipate it to be this worse.

Carrying her up I stood to my full height, her delicate body in my hold was just too much for me, this woman just somehow made her way to my heart without even trying. Anyhow grabbing her clutch I walked out of the huge balcony doors, my manager and employee hurried to us upon noticing us out so early.

"Sir, what happened?" One of them asked worriedly.

"Is Ms Rajput alright?" My manager asked.

"It's nothing, can you carry this for me?" I gestured Shana's clutch barely hanging in my fingers, the waiter from earlier precipitously helped me, I thanked them for preparing all this on such short notice, it wouldn't have worked out if it wasn't for them.

"What about the fireworks Mr Marino?" My manager asked again confusedly and I smiled while glancing at Shana soundly sleeping.

"That can wait." I walked in the direction of the elevator, leaving them behind to follow, my heart was thudding in my chest, she was so cute while sleeping, her sweet rosy smell somehow got even more alluring over time, I wasn't one to lose control easily but this woman would be the end of me.

Gently carrying her to my car, I placed her in the passenger's seat, carefully strapping her up before taking the rose bouquet and her clutch from my employee who was helping me carry it, this whole date was confidential between a few of my restaurant's employees and I wanted it to be that way, I wanted Shana to be as comfortable as she could be with me and I was sure she was fed up with all the scandals she has seen in the past few weeks.

I plopped them in the backseat before slipping into the driver's seat, I was a little confused about where I should take her but I decided to take her back to Mr King's penthouse because he would go ballistic for finding her if I wouldn't and I want her to have a good rest after tonight, she needs it. And it's only a matter of time before I get her out of there.

Pulling up on the road I kept a decent speed, careful not to wake her up, her head was dropped on the seat comfortably, my smile just wouldn't go away, it felt good to be the one taking care of her. It took us twenty minutes to reach back, smoothly pulling up to Mr king's building I stopped the car, silently getting out I rushed to her side.

Unlocking her door and opening her seatbelt, she was in a deep sleep due to the alcohol in her system, I frowned upon remembering that she ate a little and only drank, sighing I leaned down to pick her up, she involuntarily laced her arms behind my neck, giving me the required uplift, I saw his bodyguard again so I decided to call him for help.

"Would you mind carrying her clutch and bouquet for me?!" I semi yelled to him, he was at a distance in his car, spying on us, it was too obvious with his car constantly following us around. I didn't wait for his answer, already knowing he would take some time to interpret that his cover was blown.

Shutting the car door with my foot I carried her to the entrance and straight to the elevators of the building, pressing the buttons to the topmost floor I waited with her in my embrace, she was too light with feathery skin, wherever my hands touched her bare skin, jolts of anxiety spread through my body, my body was tense due to her small frame, she was too innocent for being in this reality.

The sound of the elevators door pulled me out of the trance, snapping out of my reverie I stepped out with her, the bodyguards still lining up in front of the door, they had a little weird expression on their faces, ignoring their expression I gestured one of them to open the door for me, he did.

I stepped inside, the door closed behind me, the warm light enveloping the lavish penthouse, I readjusted Shana before striding inside, my scrutiny was diverted to the floor the moment I heard grating sound beneath my feet, there were glass shards all around.

I stepped ahead only to come into what once was a living room but now every single thing in the room was broken, smashed into walls and floors, I carefully searched for Xavier but he wasn't in there. If someone was barefoot they would have cut themselves, it was like a tornado hit the room in the past two hours.

Sounds of footsteps diverted my gaze to the staircase, xavier was coming down with a look of worry and seriousness itched to his face, his hands covered in several bandages, he was shirtless with his hairs wet and that only meant he took a shower recently, It was evident and apparent that this all was his doing.

I kept my footing stern, anticipating any kind of reaction from him and I didn't want Shana to get hurt from anything, he stepped closer to us silently, trying to make fewer sounds, his hands gently adjusting the hair strands away from her face. I amazedly stared at him taking everything maturely rather than conceding idiotically.

"What happened to her?" He mumbled uneasily, slowly caressing her hairs in my hold, I glanced down at Shana.

"She had a little too much wine," I answered attentively, still not believing his future actions.

What shocked me, even more, was that his eyes were blood-red with distress polling in them, he gently tried to take her away from me but my hands tightened subconsciously on her, I promised to protect her. His body tensed at my defiance, he defeatedly stared at me, his eyes holding anguish and plea in them.

My hands loosened upon seeing his expressions, he took her from me delicately, like he was afraid that if he snapped a little too fast she would break, keeping her close to him, I felt a wave of jealousy pass through me when she trudged closer to him in her sleep, he held her firmly, turning around without acknowledging me and ascending the stairs carefully, I awkwardly stared at them, him slowly taking her away from me but I just couldn't go to snatch her away considering the chances of her getting hurt in the process.

I inhaled deeply before turning around to depart instead of seeing them together with her in his embrace, I was about to walk away when his arrogant voice as ever stopped me from doing so.

"Wait for me, Mr Marino." I stilled at my place, slowly veering to see him turning the hallway up the stairs, both of them getting out of my sight, he never glanced at me while talking.

It was silent for a while with occasional crunching sounds by my movements, I pulled my phone out of my jacket to pass my time, it was already near midnight, Luke came inside and I turned around to see him holding both her clutch and the rose bouquet, he discontentedly stared at me and them at the living room, his face masking the same expressions as mine.

After ten minutes Xavier finally came back, now dressed in a shirt, his hair drier than before. His gaze diverted between me and Luke.

"Sorry about the mess, would you mind following me to the bar?" He asked me and I nodded confusedly at him treating me respectably. He swerved to Luke, eyeing him for a while and then ordering.

"Place the clutch in her room and throw the bouquet out." Nope, not respectful at all. I saw Luke hesitantly turning around to walk away.

"She liked them." He diverted his gaze to me, not taking any time before saying once again.

"Luke I changed my mind, place them in the kitchen." Looking at me amusedly, he was fascinated by me deciphering Shana's liking.

He didn't glance my way again, ignoring me to go the bar, I followed behind him, very well knowing a conversation more like threats were in the queue, it was huge with every possible drink lining behind the counter, he poured two hard whiskeys on rocks, sliding it my way on the counter, I caught it before one more glass could shatter, this area was cleaner than the living area, he sat down on one of the seats, sipping his drink while looking at me with inquisitiveness.

"I would appreciate it in future if you try to not have your bodyguards spy on us," I said dropping my suit jacket on the counter and sitting down as well, he snickered at my statement like finding it entertaining to see me hoping for going out with her again.

"You don't trust her," I stated before I could stop myself.

"I don't trust you." He retorted instantly, glaring my way over his drink, I nodded my head in agreement.

"You shouldn't, " his glass shattered in his hand, he scoffed before pouring himself another.

"You don't understand what you're doing by doing this." He completed sipping his drink, I swirled my in my hand, not really in the mood of having a drink with him.

We were silent for a while, him gulping down his drink and I sipping on mine slowly, my mind twirling around the feeling of how her lips felt moving over my, those soft petals like lips touched to mine in need, it was unrealistic at first, I just couldn't believe it was happening, but when I did I tried to return the ferocity with all of me.

Her giggle is the sweetest sound I have ever heard, making her smile gives me a different kind of satisfaction, I just couldn't describe it but whenever I see her in pain I feel the urge to protect her. She's the one and I know it.

"I kissed her," I stated astonished, still not believing it happened, I didn't notice when I suddenly blurted it out, it wasn't anything that he didn't know but saying it to his face did bring a humongous reaction out of him.

I felt air whoosh past my face from mere centimetres followed by a crashing and shattering sound, he thrashed his whiskey glass across the room, standing at his place and heaving with so much anger prominent in his body language, he was controlling himself with the last of his patience. Luke came rushing into the room at the sound, I silently stared at him while he stared back at me in furiousness.

"You're lucky I don't want to break her heart again otherwise I would've killed you on my own." He spotted out through his clenched jaw and I unaffectedly stared at him.

"She hates you, why do you think she would get affected by you doing anything to me." He remained silent.

"I love her," I admitted the obvious, he stepped closer to me and I involuntarily did the same. I guess it's a 'man' thing, he landed a hard punch on my face, making my face twist in opposite direction, I slowly focused my gaze back on him, a smirk plastered on my face.

"You have some audacity to say that in front of me!" He growled in Luke's hold, struggling to get past him again to hit me. I smirked at him.

"No, I have guts to admit it unlike you." His face paled on me stating facts, Luke loosened his grip on him, the latter just looking at me bewildered like I just let out his small secret.

I wiped the blood off my lips, sighing and sitting down to finally have the drink he poured me, it was much needed now, he stood there not talking, not saying anything, just glaring.

"It's too obvious! Why are you even acting stunned!" I yelled back frustrated, annoyed by his act of acting like he doesn't care.

"I don't deserve her, not after what I did to her." He mumbled pathetically and I scoffed, downing one more glass of his expensive whiskey before standing up and glaring at him.

"Damn right you don't! So don't you dare come between us!" I exclaimed, banging the glass on the counter.

"And hit me again, I dare you!" I snarled again while grabbing my suit jacket and marching out of his penthouse, kid trying to scare me?! The f*ck!

I stared at Stephano carrying her so delicately, so gently that my heart twisted painfully in my chest but no matter how furious I was I couldn't find it in me to yell at him and wake her up, his hands touching her bare skin igniting jolts after jolts of jealousy pass through me, I silently descended the staircase to reach them, careful to make as fewer sounds as I could in this havoc, she was sleeping soundly in his embrace, clutching his shirt in her light grip, her small snores filling the silent room.

On reaching him I gently moved her hairs away from her face, everytime I touch her is a living reminder of what I had to do to her, I just couldn't bear to look straight into her eyes, the same soft strands trickled under my fingertips, the same ones with which I destroyed her.

"What happened to her?" I asked subconsciously, staring at her sprawling body in his arms, she was so comfortable, so void of any trauma I gave her at the moment, I continued caressing her hair to let myself believe that she was here, she was alright and in front of me, nothing bad happened. I felt Stephano's gaze directed to her then to me.

"She had a little too much drink," he answered and I felt relieved knowing she passed out drunk instead of dizziness or any other reason, I could feel his gaze piercing through my head but I couldn't help the sting forming in my eyes, I placed my hands under her to get her from him, trying to do it gently and avoiding walking her up, I could feel her thigh holster under my palm, just as I was about to take her from him, he defied, his grip tightening on her protectively, I felt anger and helplessness surge through me at once, the anger on him for thinking he could keep me away and helplessness of not being able to do something about it.

I don't know the f*ck he saw, he loosened his grip on her for me, not trying to look for any more trouble than I already had on my plate I gently carried her in my embrace, her soft skin touching my bare chest, giving me chills from her warmth, I was little afraid she would wake up from my damp body but she snuggled closer to me, I smiled inwardly at her trudging closer to me like a baby. Not giving Stephano any mind I turned around to take her up, ascending the stairs carefully, keeping her closer to avoid her body from any kind of scraping from the mess.

I heard Stephano going but I told him to stay, I need to have a conversation with him, this isn't about me or him, it's about Shana and he doesn't know what the f*ck is he doing by doing all this. She will be under more threat than she is now.

I turned around the hallway to take her to my bedroom, I know I was being delusional and too much but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happens to her while I was this close to her. Slowly opening the door to my room I took her inside.

I laid her comfortably on the bed, her soft snores still continuing as before, her thigh holster was in full vision due to her hurled up dress, I sighed before trying to remove it, it was harder than thought, her skin was becoming red from it and I was sure she wasn't comfortable in it. After a subsequent attempt, I was able to discard it, I didn't want her to be violated on waking up so I left her in her dress, hypocrite of me I know, my hands trembled a little upon remembering the incident once again, flashes upon flashes passing in front of my eyes of my own depravities, I tried to breathe deeply but it didn't help.

Hurriedly opening up my drawer I relinquished the bottle of pills before taking one of them, giving it some time and I was scarcely back again, my heartbeat relaxed as it slowly started its numbing effect, karma has a twisted way of returning the favour, how ironic is that I couldn't touch her without having one of the episodes. Sighing I stood up from the bed, draping the comforter on her, gently removing her hair from her face.

Her beautiful eyes droopily opened in confusion, probably due to sudden noises I made, I tried to step away but she clutched my hand in her sleep.

"Stephano?" I felt a shard piercing through my heart at her calling his f*cking name with so much intricacy, I lost everything because of that f*cking day, it was all coming back to me in pieces. I was fine with her hating me if it meant keeping her safe but when I saw her seeking love in him I felt like devastating every last bit of me.

"It's me,—" I whispered, separating her hand from me and hesitantly placing a kiss on her forehead, "—sleep," departing from the room to let her have her rest.

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I stared at Stephano barging out, I wanted to f*cking kill him, he's making everything even more complicated without realising it. My blood was boiling inside my f*cking veins on watching his disrespectful behaviour towards me, he is taking advantage of me knowing I won't do anything to him as long as Shana is happy with him and he knows it very well.

He don't understand, he won't understand, not now, not ever. He isn't one trapped in the middle of an indiscretion, he isn't the one being hated by her, he isn't the one who had to see her destroying herself every day, this is all just getting more and more f*cked up.

The more I try to do everything right, it only gets more twisted.

I yanked the whiskey bottle down the counter, smashing the thousandth item in the last four hours, my living room, my dining room, and everything other than her and my room were in a mess, I felt blood trickling down my reopened wounds once again, it felt good feeling a tinge of her actual hurt.

"Do you want me to call a doctor Mr king? They look deep." I heard Luke's hesitant voice from behind me. I fisted my hands to conceal them from him.

"Throw the flowers out and I want everything replaced by tomorrow morning, before she wakes up," I said before marching away from him, of course, he was going to fail in hiding himself from Shana, what the f*ck was I even thinking?

I entered my room while trying to be silent, I kept my hands sheathe in my shirt to avoid having any bloodstains anywhere, I didn't want her to be affected by it. Slowly coming into the bathroom, she was soundly sleeping so I locked the door to avoid waking her up.

I removed my stained clothes and took a cold shower, trying to use my wounded hand as little as I can, when I was cleaned up I retrieved the first aid kit. I tried to look for another first aid kit but it was a challenge to do so downstairs. I specifically picked up a bottle of vodka for this, this is going to hurt like a m*therfucking b*tch.