IN THE WORLD OF LOVE

THE DARK ALLEY.

FEAR. fear is what she felt, her heart beating faster than ever. An adrenaline rush passed through her. She gripped the paper tightly and hid it behind her. Sweat beads formed on her forehead.

Although feeling a little scared, she was determined not to show it through her body language. People in these situations act fast and here I am, standing so rigidly, she thought.

"What are you doing here Serena?" Alexander asked. He was in his usual work attire. A hand on the doorknob and another, messaging his temples. He singed, rather tired. He looked at Serena, who was trying so hard not to look so scared. He internally laughed.

He asked again "what are you doing here Serena?

He was clad in 3 piece crisp ironed suit. His face was emotionless as always. A person who has 4 children, he sure did not look like one. His looks simply did not give it away. His hand was on the doorknob and the other now, in his pocket. His one eyebrow raised, as he inquires her again.

Gathering her thoughts together, with much-needed confidence she simply answered, "Here to talk to you,"

For a moment, Alexander did not speak anything but then said, "You should not be here unless I tell you to. Get out," Gesturing her to go. His posture, very calm.

"No, I won't. Not until you tell me everything," She said, folding her hands on her chest, shrugging. The paper was still in her hands.

Again, very calmly and silently he tilted his head. Gesturing her again to go out. Serena was adamant, so, she stood her ground.

Tension, thick in the air, though afraid she did not move.

As stubborn as ever. Alexander thought.

"Fine," He said, opening his blazer buttons. Closing the door rather loudly. Indicating to Serena that he was irritated. But she could care less as long as she get the answers.

Both of them, getting comfortable on respective seats. None initiated the conversation first. She could breathe the tension present in the air. Heaving a sign. She simply asked, "why,"

Tapping his fingers on the wooden table, he answered her question rather than leaving it hanging,

"I was in huge debt. And a very important deal hanging. To ensure the deals with my company I had to do pay off the debts. Unless I couldn't, the parties were not agreeing. As for the depts, they go as deep as you could think. And in time of need, my old companion stepped up, asking for a favour, of course, so we thought why don't we make the situation a win-win for both of us. So Simon agreed to help me in exchange for your marriage with him. And I agreed,"

"I still don't get it, why me?" Serena asked.

And alexander without a thought answered,

"I don't know,"

"At what cost, all of a sudden he couldn't just have to marry me? It's not just that reason is it ?" Serena asked.

"Simon wanted his part of share the from company. The will, He wanted to claim it. To do that, he had to ensure he has a family first. Or a wife for that matter. And after marrying you, he gets the will and 20% share from my company," Alexander said.

Serena laughed, hysterically. A dry laugh.

"So, you both use me as a means to get out of your problems. Should have guessed father, money matters to you the most," She said mockingly.

Alexander singed, messaging his temples.

"look....." His words were left unsaid, as Serena continued.

"Don't you see I paying the price? You both used me as an object to get out of your petty problems. I don't want to marry now, not ever. You knew what happened in the past, still, you decided my fate and you still have an explanation. Why out of all people I should understand and agree to it. Why not the other two? I am left hanging in the air," She shouted. Taking out all of the anger that has been building inside her for weeks. To her, this was all selfish. But neither she could not refuse her father. He was all she has after her mother. For all she knew, her mother loved her father very much. Serena just loves her father too much to leave him in his times of need. But right now she just wants to say everything she feels. To be a child throwing tantrums.

To say, Alexander was astonished was an understatement. He understands what might be feeling but he was left with no choice. Though he may not talk to them often, she was still his daughter. The last thing he has from the woman he loved. His daughter.

And to protect her, he will do everything.

The last thing he said was, "Trust me,"

"Trust you? where has that ever gotten me. Serena scoffed.

"Please," He said, taking her hand in his. Something shone in his eyes. Serena could see it. That something gave her some comfort. With a lot more to say and yet nothing, at the same time. she left With a defeated sign.

She still had the letter. Before moving with the day, she hid it safely and went to have breakfast.

After all the drama, She needed it.

...............................…........

To keep her mind at bay, Serena decided to have a day to herself. She thought spending a day with herself was all needed right now. To clear her head from all the drama life has been throwing her way. To gather her thoughts and a break from the routine of life.

So far, after yesterday's stunt and not forgetting the scene earlier this morning, her day event was full. Well in a good way... Well so far...

She spent the day in peace. since the morning she was sitting in the library just outside the town, with a mug of hot chocolate and a romantic book in her hands. She has a ton of missed calls from Jenny. To which she guiltily ignored. She was in no mood for talking. Even her best friend. This is what she always does when she is upset. Push everyone around her away.

Currently, sitting in a Conner of the table with a small bulb illuminating over her head. She so was engrossed in the book, that she did not even notice a man in his fifties coming towards her. The librarian. He cleared his throat. And she jerked up. Taken aback.

"Yes!" She gasped, With her hand in her chest, calming her heart down.

The man had a gentle smile on his face. He had wrinkles all over his face. He was not tall, yet not short height either. He had a small moustache, his eyes blue and a considerable amount of body weight.

"Sorry, I did not mean to frighten you, dear," He apologised. His voice has a sweet yet firm touch to it.

"No, it's ok uncle Joe. Is there something I can help you with, perhaps another round of books that I can arrange accordingly on the shelves ?" She asked him politely.

"Oh, no, no dear that, you can do it tomorrow. But it's closing time now, are you coming with me or will you close the shop when you go home?" the old man asked her.

"Oh, no I will sit here for some time more. I will close the library when I am done," Serena answered him after a slight thought.

"Oh, fine then. I will head home early before my wife decides to chop off my head for coming late," he said joyfully walking out of the small shop not before leaving the keys for Serena.

As the library was located outside the city, at night time it was always so dark and quiet. But to Serena, she always found it so peaceful, with no one to disturb her. Right now, again, she was reading when she heard the door of the shop chime. Thinking it was the old man who was leaving, she let it slide.

But again she heard some hustle from behind the shelf, where she was sitting. All her senses were now alarmed. She put the book aside. There was again this soft thud. Now fully conscious of her surroundings, she moved her eyes side to side. There was no one, only her sitting in the corner of the library with a bookshelf behind her.

If uncle Joe left then who is this. He left early. She thought. She got up, but not before taking the pepper spray from her bag. What?! a girl should be prepared. Yeah As if, now she was.*eye roll*.

Tiptoeing, she reached the end of the bookshelf. Again she heard a soft thud. But now from right behind her. Her heartbeat increased, again the flow of adrenaline rush.

She did not turn her head right away. She could hear soft footsteps behind her. She tightened her grip around the small bottle. She was tensed up. Her body was stiff.

She waited and waited but nothing so.... she turned.........

Slowing opened her eyes, one at a time, she saw nothing, nada, nobody there was no one. Just her. That got her terrified. She felt as if her senses were numb and she couldn't do anything. But there was nobody, her conscious mocked. Yes, I just heard voices. She thought... she thought it was just her mind making it up. A negative point the library had, no CCTV to check if it was just her or...

So, just to be sure, she checked the library. How'd she do it, only she knows? When found nobody except her. she quickly sprinted towards her belongings, locked the shop and started walking. Just when she was near her car, She saw a black car parked at a safe distance from her. But that's not what got her scared it was a man staring at her... A man, whom she can only see his eyes from this distance. His mirror was ridden down for a very small space, for a person to see only certain things.

Are w*****d stories coming true or what, She thought.....

Everything happened so fast, she couldn't react. One minute she was near her car and in another, she was clawing and thrashing and hitting the person against her, who held her from behind with his hand on her mouth.

With her being difficult, The man took her to a dark alley nearby and jerked her against the wall. Only then, she could see his face. Her eyes met familiar olive green. With small moonlight illuminating on his face which made his eyes look a lighter shade of green.

He fixed his suit and ran his callous hand in his hair making it look more ruffled. He came near her, caressing his hand where she bit him. His dangerous slow steps towards her had her heart beating faster. like it could come out of her chest.

He smirked, his both on either side of the wall, He leaned more closely towards her. Caging her in his arms. She slowly whispered,

"Simon,"