The Couple

Celia

Last night, he left after the dinner as he needed to be home, so J or grandma won't doubt him. He left his shirt from the other night. I slept wearing nothing but his shirt, it was calming and relaxing.

I woke up late next morning, damn, I need to work out my routine and sleeping pattern. I don't have time for making breakfast or having it. So I stopped by a café for take away my strong latte without cream on the way to office. There was when I saw him and was shocked. How can he be here?

I left the café in hurry and asked Jeanne to meet at the restaurant for dinner. Although, I want to see her right now but I prefer to meet at the dinner so I won't miss office as I don't want to mess with Harris after the other night. I don't even how he is doing after that beating, he was punched too much by that unreasonable boyfriend of mine.

I went in the office and got to know that Harris met an accident Saturday night and is hospitalised. He won't be coming to office for a next few days. That means I am safe till then and can work peacefully. Since, everyone knows he met accident, I don't have to answer any ridiculous question.

But now my concern is Jeanne and her safety. He is in town, I don't know how did he get here and what he wants. Should I tell Chris? Or wait till I talk to Jeanne about this? Back in New York she refused to file any case against that man or take any action.

If she refuses this time, I will inform Chris and let him handle the matter my way which means he can't kill that guy.

After getting my work done for today, I went to the restaurant to meet J there. She was already there talking to someone over the phone.

"I know, I can take care of myself. I am not a kid anymore whom you need to look after." And hung up the phone after the person said something to her.

"I think someone is in danger for annoying my wolf girl."

"So, the vampire girl is finally here." And we hugged. She always liked Werewolf stories and series while I always choose Vampire series. It was our thing which we only shared when we are alone. "Lets order first before you explode." And she called out for a waitress and we gave our orders.

"It was Greg, I assume."

"Yes, I slipped out of office without telling anyone. I just informed Mary, I won't be home for dinner. So, he was just trying to give me a piece of his asshole mind which I obviously don't need." "You both are good now? I mean, are things working out or same."

"I don't know, he is great when we're alone. I like him and how he treats me but when I realise what he did in past I just want him away from me."

"Done in past. Did he hurt you? Or cheat you? Does your family know?"

"He broke my heart back in highschool. I was before the arrangement. And no one knows what happened back then, I never told anyone."

"Why don't you just break the arrangement? Why you brothers who love you so much and will go to any extent to make happy don't do anything?" I taunted, I wanted to do more. I want to tell Chris how unhappy his sister is this arrangement.

"I can't, I don't want to." The waitress came back with our orders and wished us bon appetite. We ate in silence for some time until she broke it. Luckily, she spoke or I didn't know what to say now when she doesn't want to broke off the arrangement herself but I can help her to make the things better.

"Can we please change the topic? I don't want to talk about him."

"Fine but you know you can't run away from it and you always have me", I reached out across the squeezed her hand a bit to tell her I really am and she smiled in response. She is really a baby who needs to be taken care of.

"Well what did you want to talk about?"

"Yeah, I forgot... look I know you didn't want any mess back in New York but I think it is enough and you should file a complaint against Sean."

"Sean???" hearing his name she frowned and then got relaxed as she heard me telling her. I am confused shouldn't she be afraid of that creepy guy who followed her here from New York.

"Yeah, just this morning I saw your creepy neighbour here. You never told him to back off or took any action against him. Look what happened."

"Relax, Celia..."

"How can I relax? My bestie is in danger how do I relax, you're insane. Don't tell me even now you won't do anything about him." I didn't realise your volume and throwing my hands on the table loudly grabbed some attention from other guests here.

"We're sorry, please continue." And she apologized to everyone while giving an apologetic smile and then gave a cold stare. I can't understand what's wrong with this girl. How can she be so calm now? No worries, I will talk to Chris about it and get it fixed.

"Lower your volume, girl. And we don't need to do anything about him. He lives here, its his hometown too."

"What? That means he followed you from here to New York and came back after you. Are you insane? He stalked you for this long and you're not doing anything about it. Does he knows about your arrangement with Greg? Does Greg knows about him? Doe..."

"Calm down, Celia. Sean works at my brother's company. He was sent off by Broda to protect me. He wasn't stalking me, he was just doing his work."

"What? Chris...tian send him to follow you around, for what? To protect you from what?"

"As if I know. Why you think he disappeared on the last week in New York?"

"Because Greg was already there for you."

"Exactly." My boyfriend is crazy, appointing someone to follow you around is normal thing for him. You go far and he will sent someone to keep an eye on you.

"Well, so basically Sean wasn't a danger to you but protecting you. But from what?"

"I don't know, Broda never talked to me about p... these things. Even Greg is hiding something from these days. He disappeared for three days last week without telling me and still doesn't speak about it." Chris is secretive too. What the hell is going on? Can someone just tell me, since my boyfriend is involved I want to know?

"So, you don't know what this is all about? He won't tell you?"

"No, they won't. They never did and never will."

"This shit is deep. What I got myself into. Is he involved in something criminal?" I whispered, more like talking to myself.

"What? Did you say something?" She is frowning and looking at me with a doubtful look.

"Nothing..."

"Well, I wanted to talk to you myself." We both have finished our foods and I called for the bill. "Go on talk."

"Is there something going on between you and broda? You know romantically or just physically."

I spilled the water I was drinking as she asked me her doubt. I was shook my head in negation as I coughed nervously. Maybe she knows something or did he tell her and she is just messing with me? No, he was afraid himself and doubtful about telling her. Did she see us together some time but when?

"No, nothing is going on between us like that. Why do you ask such question?" I tried to laugh it out but failed, maybe I am too bad in lying.

"I felt the heat between you two and I ain't blind." She sat back in her chair and crossed her hands over chest like interrogating a culprit.

"No Jeanne, I am not having an affair with your big brother behind your back." Thankfully the waitress came to my rescue with the bill. We paid it off and went out. Thanked God in my heart that the topic came to an end but maybe I am not too lucky as she turned to face me with a serious look on her face as she is going to tell me the most important of secret of US government.

"Its good, if you're not involved with him yet and I would appreciate if that won't happen in future too."

"Why... I mean I am not involved with him but why threatening me?"

"I know my broda, he has been a player always after Olivia and will be till he finds his m... soulmate."

"Maybe I am his soulmate." I want her to accept our relationship but I can't understand why she is opposing it so hard. Is there I need to know and who the fuck is this Olivia? Does he still love her? "You're not his type, I know." Wow girl that was rude to hear my bestie tell me I am not my boyfriend's type. What is wrong with me? Why is it so hard for her to accept us as lovers? "What do you mean by that?"

"Look, I don't want you to get hurt. He will fuck and leave, maybe he genuinely likes you but sooner or later he will leave. And if not you might not like to stay later." She grabbed my hand, shook her head and smiled not a taunting but a genuine one.

What does she mean by that? Why will anyone of us will leave? Maybe it might not work out between but how can be she so sure about it? Does she think I am not right girl for his brother? But why? Did I do something wrong? No, I never did anything wrong to her or anyone. Even back in college, she always agreed with my decisions. Maybe we had visions regarding the same matter but we never had extremely contradicted to each other. She always said I am the perfect wife material but what happened now. I am hurt, she hurt me.

We said our goodbyes and left in different directions. I reached my apartment and saw Peter, our project head and Harris's friend coming out of the building. He was at the club with us other night. When he saw me coming out of my car, he changed his directions towards me. I didn't know he was there until he came to me and caged between himself and my car. I was lost in my thoughts when he stood in front of me, hovering me with us big built body. He has puffed up muscles and chest bigger than Chris but his body type never attracted me.

"So, you think you get away with it easily. Firstly, you seduced him and then got him beaten up by your boyfriend. Don't' worry you will pay for it soon." I tired pushing him off but he won't budge even a little. It feels dirty to be around him and touched by him.

"What the hell are you talking about? I never seduced him, he was the one who always wanted to hang out with me not vice versa." He pinched my face and made me look at him forcefully.

"You think I am fool. I know you bitches who first try to seduce your boss to get high and when your boyfriend knows of your filthy plans you pretend to be the victim. Don't worry honey, you and your boyfriend will pay for what they did." I stomped on his foot and let my heel give him a love bite. That pain made him leave my face and hold his leg.

"I didn't seduce him, first and I am not the one who will pay for anything, second. You heard me?" I left him there and ran to lift without looking back to him. I took a breath only after I reached to my apartment and locked it.

Should I tell Chris about it? No, he will again beat Peter until either he fell unconscious or die. I won't tell him until this matter goes out of my hand and I can't handle this guy without his help. Or I can always confine in J or Mary, they will help me surely. I decide to let the matter on hold until Harris or that Peter guy does anything else.

I couldn't sleep that night well, not because I am afraid of Harris or Peter that they will invade in my apartment and harm me but because I am hurt of what Jeanne said me. I couldn't stop thinking of what she said. And why did she say that, how can she be so sure that we will break up in the end. I decide to talk to Mary about this as I don't want to discuss this with Chris.☐☐☐