My Mysterious Love For him

CHAPTER-12

ADAM

A moment is enough to tilt your world upside down.

I have read about it many times though never experienced it. And my dear god decided to give me a live example.

With one signature on a couple of documents, I have sealed my fate for unknown maize. Where I could expect nothing.

The early morning rays brushed my face, I realized entire night have passed as my gaze was fixed on nothing in particular. I pushed my body out of the bed and was feeling absolute wreck. Though I can’t let my face express it, so taking a long shower I wore clean ironed clothes and got into my routine.

The sight of food was churning my stomach, so I had orange juice and called it a breakfast. Richards were almost done with their meal, as I passed them, secretly waving at Sora. She smiled widely though it dwindled down. 'Ah, this girl was surely expert in reading people.'

Mrs. Richard diverted her attention by something, I briskly walked from there. I decided that I wouldn’t think anything about Azrael or…whatever. He confidently said, he’d arrange everything. Then it wasn’t my headache.

Tomorrow was the day, I was on the autopilot hoping from re checking with the caterers, decorators- although an expensive wedding planner was appointed but the woman was utterly unprofessional. She’d constantly switch the themes or decors. Sora was crying in her room when I arrived yesterday from Azrael… no, his office.

'Azrael was Voldemort for next twenty four hours in my life.'

Apparently, the wedding planner cancelled the pink roses as it didn’t went well with the theme. she selected on her own. Sora didn’t make any demands except for choosing her wedding outfit and pink roses in carnation arrangement she’d carry to alter.

I was so livid to see the little girl crying her heart over someone’s egoistic stupidity that I had argued with the planner. Housing staff was shocked as it could be counted on fingers the number of times I have initiated any arguments in all years of my service.

All thanks to screwing my mood by he who shall not be named.

Yeah as expected, the arrogant lady called it quits. Surprisingly everyone was actually happy except her parents of course. Needless to say, I have to face their screaming, blaming- I apologized them, as it goes took the full responsibility. I didn’t mind it at all, the constant work kept abet the brooding reality.

“Adam,” I looked behind at call my name, Jasmine was running towards me.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that every time she appears in this state, it stirred troubles for me.

“You have to come with me to see this,” saying, she clutched my arm pulling me along with her.

“What do you mean?”

I got my response glancing at rails of what looked like designer three piece suit in dust free covers, a mini arrangement of shoes, there were glass boxes of watches too? A small herd of professionally dressed group were busily conversing with each other. I retreated back with slow steps to make run out of there, my back was poked with something pointed thing.

I hissed in ache, moving on my heels, I noticed Mrs. Richard holding a fork in one hand and plate with red velvet cake in other.

“What the heck is this?” she directs her fork in their direction.

'Exactly my question.'

Forcing a smile, “I’m clueless too, Mrs. Richard.”

“It doesn’t sound convincing, Mr. Housekeeper.,” she smiles not buying my lies.

“Let’s ask them,”

I was so gone. The Voldemort chose to reveal the things without my acknowledgment and left me alone to handle the consequences.

So much for being a gentleman. I huffed to myself, gentleman my foot!

“Yes, this is Richard’s residence. I allowed your parade here assuming it was for my daughter but seeing your exhibition, it doesn’t involve any of the feminine preferences. So, who ordered you and for whom it is?”

My heart was dropping lower and lower with each passing second. Any moment they’d utter his name and reason, she’d claw me for her answers.

“I have requested them.”

His powerful voice send shivers down my spine. Great, now my body recognizes his voice before I could even glance at him.

Again dressed in his professional outfit, I wonder how such good looking, hot man would turn into dangerous beast? Saying beast might be harsh…flash of entire night of weeping cross my mind. He was rightfully a bad beast not kind of beauty with the beast.

Mrs. Richard shoves the half eaten plate in my hand, rushing on her heels to meet him.

“How are you-

Her greetings get cut off as instead of acknowledging her, he marches straight in front of me. My stupid heartbeat raises in giddiness, seriously I have to rummage ways to control my own heart. And let my mind take the lead, especially dealing with this cynical man.

He pull the plate from my hand, placing it nearby table. “Where is your phone?”

I blink at his absurdity, patting my pockets I realize it wasn’t there.

“I might have left it in my room. Why?”

“Phones are supposed to be carried so if anyone would want to reach you conveniently. Correct your habit immediately, I don’t want a repeat of it.”

I swirl my tongue in my mouth, disliking his arrogance. He treats me like a low person throwing instructions on his will. Was he planning to think of me like this even after wedding? I’d not accept it.

For now, I don’t argue, “Okay,”

He seems satisfied, I divert my eyes tilting my head to find Mrs. Richard scooting closer to eavesdrop our conversation. Azrael instantly side step. She almost falls, quickly balancing herself. I give once over to the man, he is surely a complicated person.

'Oh, you have whole year to discover him.' I scowl at my consciousness self.

'Hopefully more.' My heart whispers.

Unbelievable! Less than twenty four hours in contract relationship with him, there were already debating inner voices chucking their unasked opinions.

Mrs. Richard chuckles unreasonably, “Mr. De Luca, you might have not heard me earlier. How are you doing and you should have informed us of your arrival so we could have welcomed you appropriately,”

“My apologies Mrs. Richard, It wasn’t my intention to come prior knowledge. I was trying to reach someone to deliver my request of arrival but they didn’t answer. So, I wanted to check upon them.”

Both of us look bewildered, I understood it was me he was calling though not his later response- to check upon me, what he means. Don’t tell me, he was presuming I’d fleet from my decision. Hmm…the idea was, darn it! Azrael would smell my intention from miles.

To think I could fool him would make me a fool. It made sense, I guess.

Mrs. Richard waves him off, “It’s alright, Mr. Deluca. We’re about to become one family so the formalities could be dropped, isn’t it? You could call my name and I could call your first name,”

'This forty nine old woman was flirting with twenty seven old man, the hell?'

“Needless, Mrs. Richard. I’m only comfortable with few people using my first name not every random person,”

‘But he asked me to address his first name since first time we met.’

A few giggles were heard, Mrs. Richard’s face was blended red with embarrassment. She restored her artificial smile, giving me pointed looks. 'Huh, what was my mistake in this?' From corner of my eyes, I caught Azrael fixed his stare on me, I shifted in my place.

“Getting back to the point, I’m here for two reasons, Mrs. Richard. The first one- there is something I want to discuss with, hopefully your entire family. If they don’t happen to be present at the moment, kindly let them know. I don’t mind waiting, just see that everyone is here within an hour,”

His cryptic yet clear demand leaves me with apprehension. Mrs. Richard manages to nod before scurrying away on her heels. In her eagerness, she forgot to ask something else.

“What is the second reason?’ I ask him directly, gaining my confidence.

He oddly seems satisfied, “As you must have figured it out already, all these arrangements are for you to select everything you’d need for our wedding tomorrow,”

I involuntarily shiver hearing him casually talking about our wedding. His voice doesn’t waver to the slightest, like our wedding was not planned just yesterday in his cabin. I could never match this man’s confidence.

Without any further arguments, I oblige him. Initially, I thought of picking uninterestedly, then I thought- this might be my last chance to relive a whole wedding ceremony. I wasn’t sure once he’d divorce me, I’d have courage, fate to experience it again. If someone magically would be desiring me, it won’t happen.

Moreover even if I chose to wear a rag, the deed was already signed and I have to get married to him next day. Then why not. I can enjoy the little things at least clothes, accessories would be of my choice. Nodding at my mindfulness, I get into action.

The employees didn’t unnecessarily questioned me, so I was having a normal shopping time. Until, I felt a warm body from behind. Ignoring him, I rubbed my chin with my forefinger glancing at two different set of watches. The first was black color belt, another was silver color.

“Let me help you,” his voice tickles my earlobe.

I shook my head but he stubbornly grasped my wrist upturning it and strapping the silver one. My gaze was following gentle movements of his thick fingers, he didn’t released my hand. Instead held my fingers, his thumb drawing circles on my wrist.

Such a simple gesture though my pulse was raised with new found warmness.

“Do you like it?”

His question confuses me, if it was for his grip on my hand or the watch. I lower my gaze unable to continue looking in his sharp eyes. Remembering our surrounding, I retreat my hand from his mumbling ‘yes.’

“Glad you did, now I want to show you something else. Can I?”

My head snapped detecting sort of nervousness in his voice, he was asking not commanding me. I nod anticipating what could it be? I returned the watch to the lady, noticing they were neatly packing everything I have chosen. A fractal thought pops in my mind, how much it’d all cost him. Maybe I will have to ask or suggest I’d contribute my share.

'Hmmm, nice idea.'

He gestures me to follow him to the living area, I contemplate if sitting here would make Mrs. Richard annoyed. I never use any of the common areas unless Sora forces me to. In swiftness, my hand was pulled making me sit on the couch. I shriek little, frowning at him in accusation. He looked only bemused, plucking something from inside of his coat pocket.

I crossed my arms not paying direct attention to him. My breath caught in my throat when he forwarded a pearl white box in front of me.

“These are our wedding bands, I have custom designed them. Uhmm…please tell me if you like it or not. Don’t worry, I would change them if they are not according to your preference.”

I didn’t say anything, staring as he slowly opened it. A delicate golden-silver color band glittering with tiniest diamonds on its either side. There was something in the mid part, in daze I plucked the band. Carefully analyzing it, an intricate design was carved skillfully.

“I can’t understand the pattern?” I murmured to myself.

Though it was audible for him as he was sitting closer to me, I didn’t noticed.

He breathes a chuckle surprising me, I tilt my head to witness the rare moment. This was the first time, I have seen calmness on his face. He was smiling actually. I jerk in my place as he loops his strong arm around my shoulder, his thigh rubbing mine in the process. To complicate our position further, he clutches my hands that is holding the ring.

'Oh my spaghetti cheese balls!' I have to remind my lungs to breathe because falling unconsciousness would be downright embarrassing.

“Observe it again, I’m sure you’d recognize it.”

I stutter for few seconds then recomposing myself, I clear my throat.

“You know there is another similar ring in the box. You could make me understand from distance,”

My lame excuse only makes him amused, the whole situation was just too much to handle. I mean the impassive man of the century was expressing emotions and his muscled, warm body was teasingly touching me.

Anyways, to distract from the temptations I forced my mind to study the design. It does seem familiar, the realization knocked the air out of me. The pattern was the mini replica of birthmark on my face.

He imprinted the ugly ink- I’d be cursing nights together- on our wedding bands. My vision blurred with unshed tears, readjusting the position I glanced at him. Why? My throat refused to work any time soon.

“On our first encounter, your beautiful birthmark captivated me within seconds," He reveals bringing his face closer, caressing his fingers on left side of my face.

“Il mio fiore,” he breathes the words on my heated skin.

My eyes flutter, memorizing this moment for entire life. 'What are these feelings between us?' I swear he could hear my frenzy heartbeat.

“What the hell is going on!!!?”

The trance breaks suddenly, it takes my muddled senses several seconds to register the surroundings. I jump up on my feet, the ring accidently slipping from my fingers. Azrael reflexively catches it, securing it back in the box and putting it in his coat. Entire Richard family was standing with disbelief, appalled expressions, and few feet from us.

‘Freaking hell, they saw everything. Now, I have to face their judgmental perspective except from Sora of course. She was shocked but I was sure she wouldn’t insult me. I don’t even dare to look at Vincent. My breathing was ragged, I could feel cold spikes inside my skin.

I was not ready for them to know about my sexuality. Actually I might never be. 'Such a coward, you are.' The dark voice mocks me. A familiar hand grasp my hand, only then I see them trembling.

“This saved a lot of explanations here. He begins confidently, “Along with Sora’s and Marcus, you all are welcomed to my and Adam’s wedding. Tomorrow,”

'Wow, look at this dude explaining life altercating decisions as if discussing weather.'

The reaction is totally variant- Vincent walks out- thank god, Sora gives me confused, giddy smile, Mr. Richard grimaces and a thud follows- Mrs. Richard has fainted.

'Wonderful.'

Azrael as usual hardly blinks with a stoic expression.

My future is thrilling, maddening I could already feel the vibes.