"Tell me."

"It's nothing."

"Will you just tell me?"

"No."

"Roy."

"Ashu."

I glared at him.

Roy handed me my mug of strong, black coffee and sat down opposite of me in the theatre room of my house.

He insisted we go out for coffee to the old 'Coffee House Of Kolkata' or CCD but I prefer home-made coffee and I wanted to have an intense chat.

I didn't forget or forgive him but logically I shouldn't be much bothered. But my heart feels cheated and hurt. Again, he didn't cheat me. We were never together on the first place.

I sipped my coffee and looked at Roy. He was staring at his coffee mug as if it was some code that might save the world from aliens and he was unable to decipher it.

"What is it?" I asked once again. I know something serious happened or else he wouldn't get hopelessly drunk that night and wouldn't do what he did.

God! I can't even think of it.

"Dad has cancer." He mumbled loud enough only for me to hear.

I internally gasped. My fingers felt numb, unable to hold the coffee mug and I looked at him with wide eyes.

I took a deep breath and put my hand on his. He visibly calmed.

The look in his eyes, the pain they held in them could cut slits in my skin. I can't see him like this. He is in so much pain and I gave him more.

I'm such a heartless woman.

He raked his hand through his hair. The pain and exhausion was evident on his face.

I got up from my chair and hugged him. He stiffened at first. I ran my fingers through his hair and he turned around in the chair. His face was pressed in my stomach and his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer.

He was breathing heavily and I tried to calm him down.

Maybe this is the reason why Mr. Singhania told Roy to prove himself? What else could it be?

"Roy?"

"Hmm?"

"Look at me."

He looked up at me with intense pain in his eyes. I was breaking inside. After seven years, my feelings are stronger for him than a metal rod. It makes me scared.

"Yeah?" He grabbed my attention.

"Do what your dad said."

"What do you mean?"

"Make him proud. Prove your worth to him." I said.

"I don't understand. Why didn't he tell me? He told me to get away from him when he needed me the most. Why did he do that?" Anger and pain and mixed emotions were eating up Roy's brain. He couldn't think straight.

"I understand, listen to me...."

He shot up from his chair and growled with anger and hurt. "No you don't fucking understand! You're not losing your father, it's me! You don't understand because you and your father weren't close, he was non-existant!"

I stiffened in my place at his harsh words. He hit me right where it hurts, unknowingly. My breath caught in my throat and I felt like I was going to choke to death.

He didn't know anything. No one knows. It's only my mother and I who faced that beast.

My father sold me off.

I immediately brushed away the painful thoughts and memories that haunt me till date. I took deep breaths and calmed myself.

"You are right." I muttered. "But this is not the time to break down." I speak to him but say to myself as well.

"I-i am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Sorry baby." He says. He looked at me and regret flashed in his eyes.

"It's okay." I let the unshed tears sunk back in my eyes. It hurts very deep. "Fulfill your father's wish, Roy. He expects that from you. Maybe, his health was the reason why he gave you a briefcase of cash and demanded to prove yourself worthy. Think about it." I finished.

"I think you're right. I didn't come across this thought before."

"Because you were messed up." I said. Roy came and hugged me tightly as if his life depended on me.

He pushed the wrong buttons. I wasn't angry at him about what he said about my father but what he said hurt me deep and opened the closed wounds deep down. Once again he hurt me but this time unknowingly.

I forced a smile and him back. "Talk to him and act normal." I advised.

"Yeah." He smiled.

----------

Parth and Annie dashed in my house through the front door. Obviously, Annie knew the entrance passcode.

"Treat her well, dude. Or else it wouldn't take me a second to kick your balls." Ann threatens Roy. I love this woman.

Roy scratched his neck and made a wierd face. "I'll treat her like my queen." My heart skipped a beat and I smiled.

"Better." Annie smirked.

Annie and Parth made themselves comfortable in my living room. Parth's hand was wrapped around Annie's waist and they smiled at each other. Pure adoration was visible in their eyes.

I was happy for them. They were made for each other. Annie's extreme madness and Parth's intelligence makes them perfect couple, total opposites.

I eyed Annie and she rolled her eyes. I chuckled.

"Okay. We have got something here." Parth said in all business like manner, keeping a file in the table.

"I name it: CLUB BRINIUS!" Annie exclaimed and Parth rolled her eyes.

"Brinius? That's not even a word." Roy and I were confused.

"She means 'Genius and Brillient'. Combine it and she calls it 'Brinius'." Parth rolled his eyes again, surely he will see things upside down soon.

"Ye babe." We all laughed at Annie's enthusiasm.

"What's this?" Roy asked pointing to the file.

"That's a follow up on Natasha. We have covered some imformation on her which we are going to need in future." Parth smirked. "It is always good to be prepared before hand."

I was totally confused and so was Roy. He looked at me with eyes full of questions.

"I don't understand." I said.

"After what you did to her..." Annie chuckled. ".... she is planning a battle against you."

"I already ruined her. What's left?" I said scrunching my eye brows. When will this woman give me some peace?

"What have you done?" Roy eyed me incredulously. I know I'm being extremely cruel with Natasha but she never gets satisfied, she always has to come back to haunt me. Always. The whole issue that happened with Roy has to do something with me. We both hate each other but this is getting out of hand.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Baby trust me, I don't give a shit about her. I just care for you and I want to make sure she doesn't hurt you." His words made my heart flutter. I like playing the angry woman with him.

"She has been thrown out once more. Ashu made her jobless and well all her bank accounts got sealed and she is currently a financial mess." Annie filled with details. I sighed, thinking that after all this she doesn't learn and leave me alone.

Guess, this isn't over.

Roy chukled. "You're amazing." He compliments and smiles.

"CEO, I found out about your ...." Parth didn't complete his sentence when I looked at him. I knew what he meant. He found out my past.

Parth did a fake salute and smiled and I knew then he would never utter a word about it.

Annie and Roy were chatting away, no one heard Parth. I am glad. I didn't want my past to destroy my present. Even the thought of it brings pain, hurt and darkness to consume me.

"Ladies, would you cook us lunch, please?" Parth asked.

"You mean Ashna, right?" Annie asked, already in a state of panic by the name of cooking. She was the worst cook in the world.

We laughed.

"Babe, I meant you as well. I'll eat whatever you cook, just try to burn it a little less." Parth said as Annie pouts her lips and he kisses her.

They are so adorable.

I looked at Roy and he was already staring at me. He flashes his million dollar smile. He took my hands and played with my fingers.

His touch gives me sparks. Last time he was so close and kissed my neck but I crave for more. I want his lips on mine. I want to savor his taste.

I'm already dreaming my future with him but I need to fight for my love.

I love him and I will fight for him.

I want my happy ending and he is my happy ending.

Roy is my happy ending.

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