Everyone deserves a love story

Chapter - 7

Both Liam and Ivana's eyes trailed Matt and their gazes collided. Ivana felt that it is no use of hiding and going away. So, she went near him and sat on the stool where Matt was sitting a while ago.

"Heard what we talked?" Liam asked as he poured a drink for both.

"Hmm." Ivana hummed.

"Not that I didn't want to tell you about it. It is just something I badly want to forget yet I can't." Liam said to her.

"You loved her?" Ivana asked him.

She knew that both of them were not interested in this marriage and because of the pressure given by their family, they married. Both understood each other's predicament and so they remained friends.

To Ivana's question, Liam just smiled.

"Natasha…" He stuttered.

"You can tell me Liam. I won't judge you. I am all yours to hear you out." Ivana comforted him.

"She was my first love and my only regret in this lifetime."

"Past Love and Only Regret?" Ivana asked in confusion. She wasn't able to understand the last few words of his.

"Hmm…" Liam continued.

"It has been few years since the incident had happened but still fresh in my heart Ivana. Even if anything changes between us, like suddenly one day, we feel that we're more than friends, I cannot love you the way I loved her. You cannot replace her place in my heart. I'm sorry for that in advance."

"No Liam. Everyone loves each and every person in a different way. I don't feel hurt when you said this. Everyone deserved to be loved and you deserve it too."

"No… I don't even deserve to live more so to love."

"Liam…"

"No Ivana, you don't know anything. Once you get to know about it, you will not sit here and talk with me. You would probably pour that drink on my face and curse me away."

Liam said and stood at the bar.

"Let it be at the past Ivana. I think it would be best for everyone."

Liam said and left the place.

Ivana looked at the man ascending the stairs. She poured herself a drink and sat in silence.

Ever since she had met and married Liam, she knew that he is a man full of stories. She didn't love him but as the time went by, she didn't know since when she has started to fall in love with this man. But she felt she is falling very hard. Really hard.

After some time, she went back to their room. She saw the man standing in the balcony watching the sky. She went and stood beside him silently. Liam felt her presence but said nothing. Neither spoke a single word for a long time until Liam broke the silence.

"Natasha is the eldest daughter of Norman Smith." Liam started.

"Norman Smith… The prime minister?" Ivana asked.

"Hmm… At that time, he was a governor and a social activist. Natasha was a fresh graduate who applied at Carter Industries for a job. I was then working in the company as the Head of the Marketing Department. The company was expanding and the workload increased. I was in need of an assistant and so I informed the HR department about it. Thus, came in Natasha."

Liam paused. Ivana looked at him. As the moon light fell on his face, it looked more attractive. She wanted to kiss that sharp chiselled jaw but held herself in. This is the first time that they had such a personal talk.

"She was such a sweet, smart and innocent girl, and crafty too. She is intelligent and funny. From the day she joined in as my assistant, I felt that she is like my lucky charm. Whatever deals I need to finalize, everything was successful. I was successful."

Liam took a breath.

"But it seems like I was her Grim Reaper taking her to hell." His eyes became wet.

"You don't need to say it Liam. It's alright." Ivana held his shoulders and comforted him.

"Nothing was right then Ivana. If only I had my feelings towards her buried in my heart, she would have been alive, safe and sound. She would have got herself a man who deserves her, married and been happy." Liam said grievingly.

"Have been alive? Is she…?" Ivana trailed before Liam cut her mid-way.

"She is dead. And I killed her." Liam breathed out the last part.

Ivana was shocked.

"What do you mean by you killed her Liam?" She asked him.

"I am the reason for her death. I killed her indirectly. And the worst part is, I couldn't even save her when she died right in front of my eyes." Liam cried.

Ivana hugged him tight and patted his back.

"Don't cry Liam."

She felt her tears falling right through her eyes. She held him in her arms and comforted him.

"You don't need to say anything further Liam. I trust you. You must have been in such a situation that you could not even handle yourselves well. Don't worry. Natasha would have forgiven you." Ivana said.

"And that's why I hate myself more. She forgave me when she died Ivana. She forgave me for everything I did to her." Liam hugged her tight and cried.

Hearing him cry, Ivana felt so sad. The young and competent man in the business world who has shaken the roots of many in a few years he took over the position of CEO is actually crying in her arms like a child for being incompetent.

She rubbed his back softly and slowly removed him from her arms. She then held his face and said, "Don't go hard on yourself Liam. Natasha would have understood everything that happened. Don't feel like she is dead. She is alive, here." She said while pointing his heart.