LOVE HURTS (Will BE PUBLISHED SOON)

LOTS OF ERRORS........UNEDITED Chapter 1CHAPTER 1 Isabelle *** This was an important day for me, and I would do everything in my power to make it successful. That was why I had been running from one place to another to check all the decorations in this bag hall. Few strands had made their way out of my ponytail, tickling my face which was irritating me, but I didn’t have any time to re-do my pony. I was that busy. Right now, I looked like a rag doll and no one would say that I was an heir of a multi-billion dollar empire. I checked the projector like nth time as there was going to be a new product reveal in this party. This as all on my shoulders and I had to represent my team. Making any mistake would not look good on our image and this event had to be perfect. When I was satisfied that everything was perfect I left the hall and entered the elevator to go to my room which I had already booked in this hotel. All my stuff was here, and I had an hour to get ready. I was nervous the whole time. The nervousness wasn’t new but the level of it that I had been experiencing today was extremely higher than before. My instincts were telling me that something would go wrong tonight and I hated feeling like that, but I had no control over how I was feeling. I wished there had been a switch to control the way one felt. Within one hour I got ready and I looked at myself in this long mirror. I looked presentable in this maroon dress and the light make-up gave me a nice look. Taking my silver clutch, I left my hotel room. When I entered the hall, there were some guests. My assistant and another member from the team had welcomed them and I made my way to them. “Jennica, is everything okay?” I asked my assistant, who was also the one person behind the design of the product. “Yeah! Isabelle. Everything is fine and you’re being too nervous today. Are you okay?” “I’m fine. It’s just that this project is important. I can’t afford any slip up or mistake.” “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. We have cross-checked everything. When are the Kingstons coming here?” “They should be here by now. They could reach anytime.” I straightened and welcomed another guest with a polite smile. My father and Jake Kingston were friends in college and they started their tech company together which had become one of the leading tech companies in the world, generating nearly thirty billion dollars worth sales for the past four years. “What my swell little daughter is thinking with a frown on her face.” I looked up at the smiling face of Jake Kingston. He was like a father to me. This family had done so much for me after the death of my father six years ago. They were my family now and the love I had received from them was unexplainable. “She is just too workaholic like you,” Annie Kingston, uncle Jake’s wife said while shaking her head. She stepped closer and gave me a hug. “You look so stunning, Isa.” “Thanks, aunt Annie. And you have already stolen the show in this beautiful golden gown of yours.” I smiled at her. “By the way, where are Alice and June?” “Thanks, baby. I don’t know where these two devils are?” “We are behind you, mom. And this is very unfair that you call us devils.” Both the girls step forward and they gave me side hugs. They both were like younger sisters to me. “When there is any party or an event, you both turn into devils. Oh god! The amount of time you take to get ready is beyond my understanding.” “Mom, it’s all Alice’s fault. She takes so much time to get ready. I was ready in twenty minutes but then she wasn’t happy with my pony and she spent another twenty minutes on my hairstyle and after that, she took two hours to get ready.” Fourteen years old June gave a mischievous smile to her elder sister who was a month shy away from turning eighteen. “Haha! Very funny, June. The way you’re looking right now is because of me. Thank me later,” Alice flipped her hair back in a dramatic gesture, a small smile playing on her lips. “I was ready to come here in my cute bunny pajamas.” June shrugged nonchalantly. She was adorable in every way. “And by the way, the only reason I came here is food. Tell me where the food is.” She looked around, looking for the food. By now so many guests had arrived and I welcome some of them before uncle Jake called me to join him in a discussion with some investors. After about an hour of socializing, it was time for the unveiling of the new smartphone and tablet. Three members of the team who were behind the idea and design of this product stepped on the stage to start the presentation. They had asked me to give the presentation but it was not right. I believed they should present this and they must get the credit and praise for their Effie. However, I stood on the stage with them for the support but it was their show to shine. Jennica cracked a joke on dead battery excuse and the crowd erupted in laughter, even I couldn’t hold in my smile. I was so engrossed in the presentation that everything faded in the background. Then Peter called me to say the final words, and I walked in the center of the stage and started my small speech, thanking everyone who believed in our vision and worked hard to make this project possible giving credit to everyone who worked day and night making sure every step of the process was error-free. The cameras flashed and this whole product launch had been recorded for the later broadcast. I smiled for the cameras and looked around in the crowd finding familiar faces beaming with pride. I giggled when I saw June waving a hand that had a chicken wing. She loved her food so much. Someone stepped closer to her from behind, and I looked up to see who it was. My smile died down when I saw who patted her on the shoulder. She startled and looked turned back in confusion, but then jumped in joy, wrapping her arms around that man’s waist. Why is he here? Jennica nudged me when I didn’t move to take the phone case in my hands. Those journalists had asked us to give some shots while holding the phones and tablets. I gave her a tight smile and she frowned in my direction. I tried to be carefree, but it was nearly impossible when my eyes would wander to the left where he stood with his sister. My husband, Hunter Kingston. The man who was responsible for crushing my confidence with his cruel words five years ago, the day we married. The effect of his words still made me tremble, and over the five years I had done everything in my power to avoid this man at any cost. This was the first time in five years when I had seen him face to face. I wasn’t ready for this just yet, especially when we were in public. The worst part was that his eyes were on me the whole time, cruel and intense eyes. When I stepped down, I tried to move away from everybody but it was impossible as many guests approached me and my team to congratulate. But my whole attention was on that tall, muscular man who had now started to become the center of attention as people noticed that the CEO of Kingston and Grayson Corp. was here. He met his family with a wide smile on his face— this expression was only reserved for his family. And… for everybody else, a poker face. If you were lucky, you would get an angry glare. Guess what? I was one of those lucky people. People said that he was an intelligent man with a futuristic vision, but only I knew how much venom he could spit with his words. I shook my head and walked to the bar, now was not the time to remember that evening. I ordered soda for myself, and as I was about to get my glass, June appeared at my side. “What are you drinking?” she asked. “Soda,” I replied, taking my glass from the counter. She was about to say something but then decided against it and faced the bartender. “Apple juice for me in a champagne flute, please,” she gave a beaming smile to the guy behind the counter who looked at her with a little surprised expression. Nonetheless, he followed her order and gave her her drink. As she was about to take a sip, the glass from her hands was snatched. “What the hell?” I looked up in surprise, even June had a startled expression the way he took the glass from her hand. I straightened my spine when I saw the murderous look on Hunter’s face, his eyes glaring daggers in my direction. “How irresponsible you could be? You’re letting my fourteen-year old sister drink this stuff?” he spat at me. The very first words he had spoken to me were again laced with venom just like the last time. I couldn’t react instantly as everything happened so fast. “Hunter, what’s wrong with you? It’s apple juice,” June looker up at him, scowling at her big brother. He looked down at her and frowned before looking at the glass in his hand. I looked away but it was a mistake when I noticed that even the bartender looked at us with obvious interest, and there were few waiters around us who had witnessed this ordeal. “Isa,” June was also upset and she gave me a sorry look. But it wasn’t her fault. I couldn’t take this in. I had pledged to ignore this guy and I was going to do the same even though I wanted to throw my drink on him. But I didn’t want to cause any unwanted drama when the best way of defense was ignoring him. I placed my glass back on the counter and walked away, but before that, I heard June saying, “you’re an ass, Hunter. And I’m super mad at you.” “Isa, listen to me please,” June walked to me and I slowed down. “It’s not your fault, June. Don’t feel bad for me. I just want little space,” my voice was thick. I walked away and stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the wall. I looked up at the sky which was also gloomy, matching my mood. I stood there for about fifteen minutes and I was happy that nobody came here to disturb me. Just ignore him. Inhaling a deep breath, I walked back inside the hall. The lights were dim now, and the music had started. Some couples were on the dance floor. “May I have this dance with you,” I looked to my right and I smiled at Alice who had her hand extended, waiting for my answer. “Sure.” I grabbed her hand and we walked to the dance floor. No doubt, people gave us looks but we didn’t pay them any attention. We swayed to the music. “Are you sure you want to dance with me when there are many young males who want to dance with you?” “Oh please! A cute boy tried to ask me but Hunter showed up at my side scaring that boy away. He is getting on my nerves with his behavior. He is being extra rude tonight.” I sighed and looked around but I couldn’t find him in the crowd. “Are you okay?” she asked. “Completely.” “Thank god! If you need any help in knocking some senses into my brother, count me in.” She winked at me. “Of course.” I smiled at her and then this smile died down. “What’s wrong, Isa?” she asked. “Everything. I feel guilty that because of me you and June are upset with your brother. I don’t want to be a cause of…” “Stop, Isa. You are not responsible for anything. We don’t know what has happened between you but we can judge when he becomes unnecessarily rude. Brother or not, he doesn’t have any right to treat you like that, and I’m not gonna take his side if he is like this.” Her words assured me, but that nasty feeling which nagged my brain reminding me that I was causing a rift between the siblings didn’t go away that easily. When the song ended I was in a slightly better mood. We walked away from the dance floor but our steps halted when someone blocked our way. It was none other than Hunter Kingston. “We need to talk,” he said in his deep, intimidating voice. I looked up at him. He was at least one foot taller than me, and even three-inch heels made no difference. Alice had my hand in her grasp and he looked at our entwined hands. “No we don’t,” I said and tried to step away but he was persistent. He grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “Hunter, don’t,” Alice tried to help me but he wasn’t in the mood of listening. “Alice, it is important. Please, bunny,” he said in a pleasant tone. “Alice, it’s fine,” I said and gave her a small smile. It was enough that she stood up for me, but I also didn’t want them to get into any fight. “I’m standing right there.” She pointed to her left, telling me she’d come to my rescue if needed. “Thanks, Alli.” She walked away but before that, she gave her brother a hard glare and he rolled his eyes at her. He watched his sister leaving and I found my opportunity to go away from him. Subtly, I tried to walk away but he gripped my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I stood like a statue, waiting for him to say whatever he had to. His grip on my wrist tightened and I looked up at him. He was staring at me with that poker face of his. Stepping closer, leaning down he whispered in my ear, “dance with me.” I gasped when his breath hit my ear, and a shudder ran through my body. He knew he had charms and how to use them on women, but I wasn’t his usual women. We had a long history of hate between us. Squaring my shoulders, I moved a little back. “Neither I want to dance with you, nor I want to talk to you.” I tried to free my hand from his grasp but he was persistent. Guests who passed us gave us questioning looks. Nobody knew we were married except the Kingston family and few investors in the company. It was a well-covered secret, and I liked it just the way it was. It was easy to function every day as people didn’t know that I was married to Hunter Kingston— it spared me from endless questions and embarrassments. “Stop being difficult.” He glared at me. “No, I wouldn’t,” I replied without thinking. He narrowed his hazel green cold eyes with long and thick lashes on me. I tried to free my hand once again but I was unsuccessful. “Hunter, what is going on here?” it was his father. “Nothing dad. We were just talking,” he said nonchalantly. Uncle Jake looked at our hands and he scowled at his son. With a sigh Hunter freed my hand, and I didn’t waste any time in walking away. It was enough drama fro the day, and I had left no energy to deal with any else. So I told Alice that I was leaving the party. It was almost over, anyway. I walked down the long pathway towards the main gate where my ride had been waiting for me. Looking down on the path, watching my steps I walked carefully. But my steps halted when a hand grabbed my upper arm and pushed me back. My back collided into the wall, but this wasn’t a wall. It was Hunter, I remembered the cologne he had used. I stood there in silence, waiting for him to leave me. This all was making no sense to me. He had never initiated any move over the years. He never tried to grab my hand, nor did he had ever tried to be into my personal space but today he’d been setting new records. “Aren’t you going to look back and see who is holding you?” he said in his deep voice which had made me a mess years ago. I had always found him attractive, and I had had a crush on him until the day he married me and ruined everything. He had killed all the feelings with his cruel words. I could have expected those words from anyone else but from him…it was unbearable. I was barely eighteen and he was twenty-three that time. But after five years, so much had changed. I wasn’t that naïve girl anymore. I was more like a stone because stones don’t have feelings. I didn’t answer him. The best way of defense was not acknowledging what he had said. “Ignoring me isn’t going to help you.” He squeezed my arm little tightly, but that still couldn’t get a reaction out of me. By now I was so tired and I had just wanted to go back to my apartment and sleep. “Stop this f*****g childish tantrum, my wife. It is important what I want to discuss.” He turned me around and placing a finger under my chin he tipped my face up, but I refused to look at him. “I must say, now I understand why the men stared at you tonight,” he said but there wasn’t any anger in his tone. It was rather passive. But that got my attention, and I made the mistake of looking at him. Under moonlight, he looked handsome, and I might have given him a smile if there wasn’t so much hatred between us. “Leave me alone, Mr. Kingston,” I said, pushing him away, but he didn’t let his hold on my wrist loosened. “How could I, Mrs. Kingston? We’re married.” “Only on papers.” I glared at him but instead of giving me his usual menacing glare, he chuckled. “How long are you going to run away?” “You were the one who pushed me away after killing my feeling with so much brutality. You are the one who assumes the worst about me without hearing my side of the story,” I said in a low voice— thick with emotions and I clenched my teeth from preventing myself from crying in front of him. I had never cried in front of him and I wasn’t going to start that anytime soon. I pushed him again and this time he let me go, and I turned and walked away praying that he wouldn’t follow me now. “You can’t run away forever, Mrs, Kingston.” I didn’t stop— instead I quickened my pace and ran to my waiting car. Once I settled down in the back seat, I let the long awaiting tears fall down my eyes. I felt so alone right now. I wished my dad would have been here to help me. If he were alive, I wouldn’t have been in this mess in the first place. The day he died, I hadn’t just lost my father, I had lost my life too.