Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 41

Derek felt detached from his routine work. His mind stuck with Iris’s thoughts and the recent attacks on her. His detective had returned without any information and his first guess was Evelyn but then she wasn’t that influential. Without money power she couldn’t do such things unless she was receiving external help. It was hard to believe since everyone feared him and couldn’t take a step against him.

He wracked his brain only to return to the same point feeling irritated. Iris didn’t show up and he wondered what has kept her, if she was fine or not.

He dialed her number but it reached her voicemail. Before he could’ve asked Aiden, his secretary Riya came in informing that Iris wouldn’t be coming this whole week and work from home since her classes has resumed.

He was surprised. Why didn’t she call him instead of Riya?

“Sir, your tickets for LA are available for tomorrow.” She said which stilled him for a minute.

He had an important meeting there but now he was hesitant to leave Iris behind, nodding lightly he gestured her to book them. He would be gone for almost a month and he hope she would be fine till then.

***

Iris’s POV

“Hey girl! Long time no see.” Erik teased me as we made our way towards the class.

After a long time, I actually loved coming back here. I was excited being around Erik and Linda.

“Erik, let’s plan a dinner.” I asked hoping he agrees because he is a damn good chef.

“Okay! But no heavy dish for you.” He reminded as I pouted.

“Pleasseee… it would be for the first and last time.” I might sound like a petulant child but he tended to ignore me.

I huffed and rushed to my class leaving him behind.

***

The day was fine except for me answering why I turned up late and how much I’ve missed. The professors handed me my work and I was driving back to Aiden’s when Erik stopped me. It was fair to stay and rest rather than doing a round-up.

I’d locked myself in my room to finish my pending work and when I left it, it was already 7 PM. Erik came rushing to me with an apron tied around his waist.

“Girl, you’re in so trouble.” He said pitying me as I tried to think what could have gone wrong.

I was about to ask when someone turned me around roughly. It stunned me, I glared at the person only to find Aiden fuming in anger.

“Hey?” was only I could’ve have come up with.

“Do you even have an idea how irresponsible you are? You’ve been a bad girl. I’m disappointed in you.” He shook his head looking down on me.

I realized that I failed to inform him where I was and he must have been calling but my cell was on silent mode. I bit my tongue and shut my eyes before slowly opening them to see Aiden glaring at me.

“Wanna join for dinner?” I tried my best to change the topic and it did.

He relaxed before nodding. “Next time, you aren’t going anywhere without my permission.” He informed me and made himself comfortable in my room.

“You can’t impose things on me Aiden. These isn't how things work.” I yelled behind but he didn’t listen.

“Did you just hear him? Has he lost his mind? I am a human and I don’t need someone’s permission to live my life my own way. Right?” I blabbered.

Here I stood pestering Erik who neglected me and proceeded with dinner. I was supposed to help him but instead I had made a mess of his kitchen. My anger vented out on the veggies meant for salads. I diced them without giving any shape and size.

Erik came and his hands settled on his hips as he gave me a hard glare. “Just leave Iris” he muttered nonchalantly and I saw the mess I created feeling sorry.

“Let me redo this.” I offered my nervous smile trying to gather the mess but he held my wrist and shook his head sighing loudly.

“Thanks but leave Iris. Food is ready and I will take over this now. Why don’t you help me in setting the table, hmm?” He asked and I gave up on it.

I was setting up the table silently when Aiden joined. I needn’t hear his voice because the way I felt my skin prick, I know whose effect it was. I chose not to turn and went ahead with the setting. He came and sneaked his arms around my waist pulling me into his chest.

My breath hitched in my throat. It warmed my heart and do tell me who doesn’t love this back hug where your partner bury his face in the crook of your neck? Well, I loved it.

He inhaled deeply as he ran his nose on my neck making my head roll back, resting on his shoulder.

“You look beautiful, Iris.” The way he said Iris was the same like before.

If I was drowning into his touch, this alerted my senses and made me snap my eyes open. I tried to move away from him but he pulled me back again, holding tighter than before.

“Please just let me hug you for a while.” The pleading voice made me re-think it.

“You are beautiful like always Iris. Your face, your silky hair and flawless skin, everything about you makes me crazy, love.” His confession held sincerity but I gulped down the sorrow forming in my heart.

I wasn’t beautiful anymore.

I remember that time when they used to force me to wear crop top. It was before he even asked my parent’s permission. When I did, Evelyn hated me even more and Aiden was speechless. Derek was stunned before asking me to change.

After we started dating, Aiden told me that my flawless skin just added to my beauty and it ignited desires which is why they asked me not to wear crop top outside or in front of any guests.

That time, it didn’t matter much but now hearing him say this hurts me. It was painful because my skin isn't flawless anymore, it has been tainted with the scars that they gave me, he gave me and if ever he sees them, it would disgust him. At least, it did to her. Time has taught her to accept them but there are times when she couldn’t help but sympathize herself.

Their aching romance was disturbed by Linda who was ready to leave but Aiden stopped her. Taking this chance, she went to the kitchen to help bring the food on the table and Erik looked a little different.

She made a mental note to talk to him later after all that’s why she decided to have this dinner idea.

“Girl, why don’t you sit and let me help?” Aiden rushed to me and forced me to sit while he took the bowls and placed it on table.

I noticed Erik appeared displeased. Aiden served me and Linda before turning to Erik who was about to snatch the spatula but Aiden was quick. When he was done serving others, Erik had relaxed. He didn’t look like a threat and it made me happy. I had filled Aiden’s plate as we shared a common conversation on the dining table.

I was too tired with all that work and felt sleepy so when I was done, I forced myself to stay awake to do the dishes. Linda helped me and we shared a hearty talk. She praised Aiden and asked me if it was okay that she wanted to date Aiden. I stopped in my track as I pondered over it.

Is that okay? I don’t want to do anything related to him but I was still attached however I try my best to remember his betrayal. I wasn’t ready to see him with another girl and it sounds selfish so I’m sorry for not being sorry.

“Oooo… I wasn’t aware that you still had feeling for him?” She asked genuinely.

“Nooo! I don’t. It’s just that… um… maybe it sounded odd and weird to see your best friend dating her fiancée. Whoever wants him can have him.” I uttered in a breath and shrugged casually.

The fear of having the same feelings for him was strong enough to not notice his presence behind. His fists balled up as he closed his eyes to divert his mind.

Whoever wants him can have him.

He never expected her to say that. For him she was exclusive and his and he wished her to return those feelings.

Fuming with anger he left knocking the flower vase on his way. Both the ladies turned to see the Godzilla exiting the apartment.

“Do you think he- he heard it all?” I asked nervously and Linda shared the same expression.

“I am afraid, yes!” Erik answered them amusingly.

“What the f**k!” Linda shouted.

Her purpose was to find her feelings and not to ruin what little they had.

Iris on the other hand, washed her hands running outside throwing the apron on her way. She went out to see his car in the driveway. She searched around but there wasn’t anyone so she decided to go backside of the apartment.

The garden behind was silent and empty and it terrified me. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean any of it. I wanted to cover up my real feelings and so… I just said that, he wasn’t supposed to listen in the first place.

I called out his name but nobody answered. I reached to the cherry blossom tree and closed my eyes. I felt strained. My eyes remained close due to the fatigue and fear of hurting him. I really didn’t want that.

“Why you came?” His sharp and demanding tone made my heart fluttered.

I happily opened my eyes only to see his fingers close to my face. He averted his gaze and cleared my forehead away from the hairs.

“You should rest. Go inside.” He demanded before turning to leave.

“Aiden!” I held his wrist with both my hands as my heart raced.

I hoped I was successful in making him understand but then again without my confession.

“I’m sorry…” I said lowly.

He turned and gave me a disdain look. “Sorry? You are sorry Iris? Huh… that’s seems fair.” He mocked piercing my heart a bit.

“Act like you still doesn’t know who I am… Act like you aren’t my Iris when I already know who you are. You want to hurt me? Well then, congratulations. You just did it.” He seethed and yanked my hands away before turning to leave.

A part of me advised to let him go, a wiser part. Another one, the selfish one asked me to run behind him and stop him.

The selfishness overtook the wisdom and I raced the distance between us embracing him tightly from the back. He stiffened before taking a deep breath.

His hands covered my hands before un-clamping them from his shirt. My heart felt like it was shattering.

Is he rejecting me? Has he decided that we were done for final?

Tears threatened to fall so I lowered my gaze. He turned around and groaned in annoyance.

“Why? Why do you have to do every f*****g thing that hurts you Iris? You should be resting but here you are running around.” His harsh voice was enough to let my tears streaming down my face.

He had never behaved this way before and everything from him disheartened me.

He lifted me up taking me by surprise as he carried me bridal style back to the apartment and into my room. I saw how Erik and Linda were stunned to see me in this position. Who wouldn’t be because I was rejecting him a few minutes back?

“You; Iris, were meant to stick around me. I ain't an object that could be thrown away to anyone that wants it for god’s sake! Dare you say that again and you won’t like the consequences.” He said sternly.

It was enough for me. I needed say many important things and in a spur of a moment, I started hitting his chest.