IN THE WORLD OF LOVE

IS THAT A YES??

My worries were long forgotten, I would have died just by listening to that sexy voice. That thick accent. O, My God. How can men sound so sexy?

At the end of the phone was, Simon. I would recognize that voice even in my dreams. The voice that I wished to hear, all these years. I heard it in my dream even. There was no way I would not recognize it.

lovely.

lovely is what he used to call me, before i......

"I see, I still have that effect on you," he said in his thick voice. I swear, I could see him smirking.

"How does it feel, to have you at my feet again? helpless. huh?" he said again. as I said before, he would surely enjoy this.

"No words again, dear. or you are just quite shocked hearing the news? " He continued. Yes, I am shocked. Hearing him call me by my nickname he gave. It was almost like he was mocking me. After all these years I have never heard from him, after that event full night. Neither did I contact him nor did he in these years. Well, I did stalk him on social media, read all of his articles, seeing his photos, secretly. But he doesn't need to know all that. All of a sudden he calls me, to what? mock me? calling me helpless. Of course, he would enjoy my misery. I shouldn't have expected better,

"Cut the crap out. And tell me, are you done mocking me? or is there something left to tell? " I said.

"Oh, I see the timid shy girl, got a tongue after all" he mocked me again. I can't act weak now, I repeated.

Before I could say something, he said,

"Now, you listen carefully. I'll give you an address. Meet me there at 7. And wear something nice and casual, unlike you, I have a reputation to uphold. "

"what makes you think, that I will come, Simon? Can't you see, I am not interested to marry you"

"oh! what makes you think that I will not make sure, that you will come. You might have forgotten, who I am " he let out a small laugh. And cut the call. Surprisingly, calm. The Simon I used to know, wouldn't have acted so calm. More like, he would have been angry and threatened me.

True to his words, he messaged me the address. After, seeing the address, he send a photo. In the photo, was a file, more like a document. It said: The deal. And I read it

There was even two, signature both them, which I recognised very well. One, because would do it for the petty permissions in the school. And another was his. Simons. This led me to another thousand questions. Surely, I underestimated him. He did have leverage over me. I knew that I had to go. He said that he would explain it to me. One thing I know one thing about Simon is that he is noble, true to his words.

_____________________

As he said, I was wearing a white tank top, paired with blue jeans and a grey overcoat. Waiting, at the restaurant for him. Not just any restaurant, Our restaurant. Where we used to come for our meetups, as "casuals friends" back then.

I knew what he was up to. He even booked the table, where we used to sit. When I complained about it, the waiter said that I should be seated, here only.

All the memories rushed in. Like the days, where we used to sit and laugh for no reason. likes the days, where I was angry or sad, he would make it vanish like it was nothing. Or the days, where we would sit and say nothing but it was peaceful and quiet, and we would understand each other. Where we would console each other. We were regular customers, every staff member here knew us.

Back then, it was a very small scale business restaurant. Now here we are. I remembered it all like it was yesterday. Simon was rubbing it on my face. Trying to make me feel, embarrassed. what I did was wrong, but I had no choice. I had to do it. A lone tear escaped my eye.

"Ma'am here, your usual" A waiter said, breaking the chain of my thoughts. it was a margarita, my all-time favourite here.

"Umm, no thanks. I didn't order anything just yet," I requested him. But I knew who did.

"No, ma'am, you didn't. But Mr Clifford said you need to be served, as soon as you come," The waiter said. And I said oh. Roaming my eyes around, I noticed that there is no one around. It was all empty. Did he? Of course, he would.

"Oh, ok. Well, then I would like a vodka, please. And take this back would you" I requested the waiter. The waiter was about to say something. A voice interrupted...... Oh great

" That won't be necessary. The Girl here would like Margarita, "Simon said to him in a cold voice. Ahh, he always likes to make dramatic entries. He was clad in Professional, attire. The same old, Black suit. But God, he did look too hot. He always manages to pull off the attire, he wears. He took his seat. His was face was bored, tried and always expressionless. Taking me in, there was a flicker of emotion. But that

too passed.

"Hi, let's discuss shall we, " He said. Does he think that I want to be here too? With HIM.

"You say, after all, YOU want to marry me," I retorted. There were no pleasantries passed between us. Was I supposed to?

He passed me his phone and urged me to look into it. Confused, I looked. After reading it through. Looked at him with a blank face. I was shocked, would be an understatement.

I did not know, that he would be like my father. So all of this was for money? Would he too marry me because of my status? Because it would cause him the benefit, Just because us marring? I was shocked but I did not show it.

"Do you think that us marrying is the solution? If so, then the why me?" I said and leaned back into the chair, folding my hands.

"Yes, it is the perfect deal, that I could find. It's a win-win for both of us. Plus we would take a divorce any time. It's just for the company, and no I would like to marry you only," He said. How can one take marriage as a Joke? No, I don't want this from my life. Divorce any time we want?. I want a perfect love story. I don't want to play a game.

"What? noo! I am not going to marry you, either now or any other day. I am not going to marry you just to get divorced after. It may not mean anything to you but it means something to me," I said. I was frustrated, I want to find love in my life. Marry him and have a future. Begin with, I... I don't want a life like him. My father.

"Oh, lovely! You don't always get anything you want in life, If you have a problem, we will change the clause. That way, you don't have to divorce me We'll stay forever. I don't have a problem with it, " Simon answered. Not once he did lose his calm. He was so gathered.

"Simon, I am NOT going to. And I never will. This is not what I want from my life. My choices and preferences are different. There are many other girls to fill your requirements," my voice breaking at the end. I don't know why I feel like crying. Maybe because I didn't expect this from him.

People can change. And he did too, I was just too blind to see it. I expected a lot from him and this was not one of them. It was not like I know him on daily basis. I was just too

surprised. Moreover the fact that SIMON could do this.

Guess, it was all just about money. I had money enough in my life. The one thing I couldn't have is people, living like a normal girl with loving parents and a best friend and a perfect boyfriend. But I did not have it all. Expect my sister like a Best friend. Why does money have to be the main solution?

There was a long silence between us, no one uttered a word. Just gazing into the space. After a moment, The waiter came and asked for orders. I didn't have an appetite, so I went for a salad and my drink was yet to be touched. If I am to survive this night, with him, I need to drink. Whereas, on the other hand, Simon order himself a steak and a glass of champagne.

Our food arrived and without any word, we dig into the food, taking a sip now and then. More like, I was just drinking and playing with my food. Never once I glanced at him, but I could feel his gaze on me. Burning holes into my head.

"Eat" he ordered. And I did.

After we were finished, instead of a bill, he pointed at the menu and whispered something. The waiter nodded and went off.

He then turned to me and said.

"Serena, I am not going apologize. All I am saying is, you are a daughter and you have to fulfil your duty towards your father. It's time to pay back for all he has done for you. And again if you are not going to agree, then I will you have thrown out of college. And no other college is going to take you in until I say so. Meaning I have the key to your future. By hook or crook, you are going to marry me. And if you don't. Your dreams are just dreams," He threatened me in low voice. I knew he could do that, but I am not going down without a fight.

" You can't do that, it's my last year "

"You know I own this city. There is no way until you marry me. So it's better to put your strong face down, " He answered in a final tone.

I kept quiet. Because I know he is right. He can do all of that But I can't marry him, not because of money. I do want to marry him. But out love. Not because of this stupid deal. No, one asked me what I want. It's always been that way. This is just another futile fight. And I am too tired of fighting all alone. So did just that.

"Ok" that's what my next word was.

"Good, My mother will be there tomorrow, at your doorstep, for shopping and stuff and after that, in the evening you meet me. I'll text you the details," He said smiling. A fake one.

I just nodded, tears were forming. But I did not let them fall. I need to face this cruelty. This world...... Simon, I need to face Simon.

He paid the bill. I still don't know what he said to the waiter earlier. And then led me to the car. Like gentlemen, he opened the door.

The whole ride was silent. And soon I was at my home. I looked at him, with longing. My gaze held so many emotions. Just I was about to go out. He said

"It's good to see at my feet again. It feels nice to have you any mercy. Good night lovely" mocked me again. I said nothing again and went away. I knew what he meant.

He hates me I was sure of it. I don't know what he getting at. But knowing that he was going to enjoy every bit of his game.

Guess I am going to marry and get divorced, all in a matter of months. I guess.