The Clingy Fiancee

Chapter Sixteen

Neil was taking out the bags from the trunk while I was rummaging through my purse to pay the cab fare. Just when I had found the bills, the driver stuck out his head.

"Young lady," he grinned at me, "Take my word - that man is head over heels for you."

How many times was I going to get this from people? Someday I would just burst out on someone, or worse, believe everything that they said.

I handed him the money, "And how would you know that?" I asked him, amused.

"Because I could see the way he looked at you while I was driving." His gaze turned wistful and misty, "Looking at the two of you reminds me of the times when my wife and I are together . I say, girl, keep the man under lock and key. Such pure love is hard to find."

I smiled at him, letting the warm feeling swirl in my chest as I replayed his words in my head. No matter how many walls I built around my heart, that silly little thing was still too naive that it wanted to believe what everyone said.

I wished it could have been true. I wished I didn't need to be so careful while thinking about every step I was taking. I had always been the reckless one - going out on random adventures at the oddest of time with no plans beforehand. Neil had always been my planner, and he had always ensured that our trips went out smoothly.

I wish I could move with my life the same way, with the same recklessness.

"Myra, let's go." Neil said, handing me my luggage.

I sent one last smile the driver's way and then smiled back at Neil, "Yes, Neil. Let's go."

I marched towards the security check-in confidently while Neil followed me like a lost puppy. He probably knew his way, too, he just didn't know which flight we were going to board.

"Aren't we supposed to go towards the luggage check-ins?" He asked, "I'm sure the flight attendant is not going to let us in carrying all these big bags with us?" He gestured to the number of bags we were carrying.

I didn't get the time to answer his question because that was right when a team of uniformed bodyguards spotted us. Heading that little troupe was no one other than Prakash Uncle and I was surprised that he had actually managed to reach here so soon. Did that man even a get a proper night's rest?

"Myra, child..." He looked happy to see me, but trailed off when his eyes caught the sight of the man next to me, and I was afraid that his old heart would have a cardiac arrest with the way he had stopped breathing.

Prakash Uncle was practically Neil's butler. He had spent every waking moment of his employment with Neil and had developed a deep father-son bonding with him. It was evident in that man's eyes, how happy he was to see Neil healthy and alive.

And right there and then, Prakash Uncle forgot all the lessons he had received for masking indifference and let out a heavy sob, bringing Neil right into his arms. He patted his back while Neil hugged him back, feeling emotional though slightly uncomfortable because he didn't recognise the man who was hugging him.

"Neil, son..." he held him by his shoulders, "You are alive..." He then threw an accusing look towards me, "Why didn't you tell me before? I would've had made better arrangements rather than the hasty ones I made -"

"- Uh, uncle, sorry to interrupt your rant but Neil has lost a few screws."

He threw me a confused look and I flushed.

"Can I please talk to you alone for a moment?" I asked him.

He nodded and we shifted slightly away from the group. Uncle motioned the two other guards to stay by Neil's side.

"Uncle. I didn't tell you about him before because I didn't want you to go and blurt it out in front of anyone due to your excitement."

"But isn't it good news, child?" His eyes twinkled with happiness. I wouldn't put it past him to start dancing and throwing flowers everywhere like the over-dramatic man he was, "Everyone has been thinking that he is dead. Do you know the kind of effect his absence has had on the company and his other investments? Everyone needs to know that he has returned. Dear Lord, it is such a miracle." He did look like an excited child now.

"Yes, Uncle, I totally agree with you. Everyone needs to know that he is alive, but well...there is a slight complication."

"What?" He frowned.

I bit my lip, nervously, "If you haven't noticed it yet, I regret to tell you," I sighed, "That Neil doesn't remember anything?"

"What?"

"He doesn't remember anything. Not even his own name. It was something I told him just yesterday evening."

Prakash Uncle was deep in thought for a good amount of time. His excitement slowly ebbed away and in came the look that showed that deep-seated maturity in him to handle such situation without being stressed.

I felt really guilty, though. I was springing this up on the poor man without giving him time to actually process things.

Then he said, "If that is the case, I don't think the world needs to know of his well-being at the moment. His condition is too delicate and there will be people out there waiting to prey on him. Till now, I thought you were the one who now needed the extra protection, but turns out, that he would need it, too."

"Why would I need the protection?" I asked, confused.

"Didn't you hear it?" Prakash Uncle shook his head as if I was such an ignorant fool(which I totally was), "Neil had left more than half of his assets in your name. That makes you, now, one of the most powerful women in the world, and there are many people who would want you dead right now."

Wow. Isn't that exactly what I want to know? Why did Neil have to do such a stupid thing? He had a buttload of cousins, capable employees, his parents to handover his assets to. Now it seems like I have just another problem to take care of. My own f*****g life.

I made a face, "I didn't need that piece of information right now. Guess what, you'll have to add another person in my security detail."

Prakash Uncle frowned at first, and then realisation dawned on him, "I think that's smart enough. Disguising Neil as one of your bodyguards would make sure that the attention is always on you and not on him."

I nodded.

"Well now," His smile returned and he turned to look at Neil, "It's time we get him back to our homeland and help him remember each and every memory of his," And then he turned to me with a grave expression on his face, "And then I'd love to have a serious chat with you, young lady. I'd like to know about the rumours of the broken engagement in detail."

I rolled my eyes. He was so not going to get that out of me.

****************************

"Where are we heading towards?" Neil asked as we headed towards the private jet in the black, sleek car that kept us hidden from public view.

"You remember, Neil, I had told you that you are very famous?"

He nodded.

"Apparently," I said, wrinkling my nose at the sudden realisation that I was actually one of the most powerful women in the world, "I am, too. I am something of a celebrity myself. I own a private jet - the one we are going to use to return back home. The three men from earlier who have been accompanying us for a good amount of time are my trusted bodyguards. The introduction is something I'll leave up to you whenever you wish to do it. For now, the names will suffice."

Yes, I did own the private jet, now, and that realisation that I owned something so expensive was daunting. All this stuff was a huge responsibility I knew I couldn't take care of, at the time, alone.

The most valuable thing I had ever owned was Neil's heart - and I had managed to lose it quite easily.

Again, he nodded, this time slowly, as if digesting all of this was going to take a good amount of time. Luckily for him, he had nearly twelve hours or more before we reached back home.

"So...is there a chance that you knew me well because we are both famous..." He looked at me, gauging the twist in my features.

The bastard was going to do everything he could to extract as much as he could from me. Poor guy; it was never going to happen because I knew of all the tricks that were up his sleeve.

"No, Neil. I'm not going to tell you anything right now. Tell me, do you even remember a thing about me?"

He frowned, and slowly shook his head.

"Then, Neil...you will learn about everything slowly. Now you have the next twelve hours to do whatever you want. Use the time, wisely."

By wisely, I meant by not poking his nose in my business.