"Explain" Jeff orders, his voice is stern enough to make those bodyguards look down avoiding his gaze.
"She was talking to her friend for a while and excused herself to the restroom. But after a while we lost track of her " one of the bodyguards explained. He looks quite professional with his attire and expression yet he didn't do his job well
Jeff sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose "Did you check properly?" Both the bodyguards nod in union. Jeff looks at me , he looks clearly annoyed . I am more worried than being annoyed by the situation, I glance at the bodyguards "Search for her properly" listening to my words they start moving away
Jeff is tapping his left foot on the ground continuously "And here I thought I had the best team"
I tried calling Stella many times but her phone goes to voicemail each time. My palm is clenching around the charm in my pocket, I don't know what to do. I wanna calm down but I can't . "Are you having flashbacks like me?" Jeff breaks the silence
"I am having really bad flashbacks"
"Let's split up" Jeff walks towards the left wing of the hall whereas I am searching in the right wing. This is a huge banquet hall with 3 floors and she can be anywhere. The bodyguards have already claimed to Search for her on this floor but I want to double check
I remove my watch and tie and keep them inside my coat. Even the air is irritating me. All of this is actually giving me flashbacks of the party
2 years ago
Liam- 21 , Stella- 18
It's suffocating
Everyone is busy discussing their own matters, chatting like they don't have any problems. I don't know why I agreed to come here. It's Sebastian Miller's law firm's 20th anniversary today and he held a huge celebration for Sebastian Miller, the most ruthless lawyer who won 90% of the cases he took . He would go to the limits to win the case
I didn't know about it but Jeff dragged me here. He lied saying it's his friend's party
He is enjoying his drink standing beside me with a sly smirk on his face as he observes each and every person here. I don't know why I randomly agreed to race for him at his illegal event , I don't regret it. I enjoy it but he has too much information about me that it's quite astonishing
We didn't talk much but for the past few races he has been having small conversations with me and today randomly he invited me to a party hosted by someone I despise
"Why did you bring me here Jeff?" My jaw clenches as I notice Sebastian at a distance talking to his guest. That fake mask he wears of being a good person irritates me.
Jeff pats my shoulder opens, it makes me realize how tightly I was holding my glass "I have some good information for you" he states
I nod
He makes me turn to the right side and points at a girl standing far from the crowd. I couldn't see her face as her back was facing me. A guy approaches her and that's when she turns and her face comes in my sight
Her long golden hair falling till her waist and her bangs falling in the side of her face as she laughs softly at something the guy says. Her blue eyes sparkling as the ocean shone when the sun rays fell on waves . She is wearing a simple black dress which is styled with a pick pearl necklace
"Sebastian Miller's only daughter"
As Jeff's words fall in my ear a wave of shock takes over me. I keep staring at Sebastian's daughter, that's when my eyes drift towards the guy standing by her. He has the same blonde hair and blue eyes. I know him . It's Henry Miller, Sebastian's second son. I think he is also a lawyer
"I didn't know he had a daughter" I comment as i keep the glass aside
"Even I didn't, they held a grand birthday party for her 18th birthday a few weeks ago that's when the information came out"
Everyone knew about Sebastian's two sons but he has a daughter too? Why did he always hide her? Well now i think about it, with all the sins he committed it's better if he kept his family hidden
"But why are you telling me this?" I question him and turn to face him. Jeff's smirk is not replaced with an annoyed expression "Why? Just so you could know, do you think she would know about Martin's case? And help us?"
I Shake my head and mutter "no"
Jeff looks at me in disbelief "Why not?"
"Because it's useless. That happened years ago. People forgot about it, plus how would she even know? It's been more than 10 years, we were kids"
Jeff rolls his eyes and finishes his drink in one gulp and puts the glass away "You are right. But I just wanted you to know about her. Apparently she is also studying law"
My eyes go back towards her. She is still talking to her brother . I take a deep breath "I hope she doesn't become like her father"
He shrugs his shoulders "Only time will tell us that"
It's been an hour since we were at this anniversary celebration. Jeff is talking to someone he happens to know and I am just standing here. I tried to leave but this guy is forcing me to stay. Getting annoyed i decide to take a walk around
Jeff doesn't notice me and I walk outside from the rear exit. It leads me towards the garden , the huge mirror windows are covered with red curtains blocking the view of what's happening
A loud crashing noise catches me off guard. I unknowingly walk to see what's happening, at a distance from the building I see a few figures standing. I didn't recognise them until I reached closer
It's Sebastian's daughter
As I get nearer I see a guy holding her arm tightly and she tries to escape from his grip. Her body language seems like she is quite drunk. There's a glass that crashed in front of her feet. That's where the noise came from
"What's going on here?" I ask standing beside her. I could see her drowsiness as she is having a hard time to keep her eyes open
"Who are you?" The guy holding her asks trying to pull her closer but she resists somehow and leans towards me and glares at the guy and says "He is Asher, my friend"
Even though she is drunk she is maintaining her composure very well. Her thinking is good as she comes up with a nice idea it's clear that this guy was forcing her
"What were you trying?"
I hold her arm in a light grip and pull her closer. The guy's expression turns pale as he curses under his breath in anger and strides away. I would chase him but right now helping her is more important than anything
She takes a deep breath and mutters "thank you"Â I remove my hands from her , she steps back but her legs gives up and before her knees touch the ground I hold her again wrapping my arms around her back and waist
"How much did you drink?" I ask looking at her vulnerable state
Her head is hung low as shakes her head . Her voice is coming off very low "I didn't drink , not even a drop"
I frown, I lean a bit closer to her face to observe, she doesn't smell like she had alcohol her breathing is bit shallow as i could smell her lavender scent
If she is not drunk did someone spike her drink?
Oh god
"Please excuse me" I say , she looks at me a bit confused with her hooded eyes . Before she could open her mouth I pick her up in my arms and walk towards the door
She giggles
I look down at her to see her slowly losing consciousness. This is not good , if she is unconscious I don't think I could explain to others why I am crying her like this
I move her a bit but she just snuggles and gets comfortable in my arms "Hey ! Don't fall asleep" I say a bit louder .Her eyes open a bit and she closes them again
"Okay tell me. What's your name?" I try to bring up the most random and common question. Finally she opens her eyes a bit as I enter the hallway and make her sit on a small couch placed nearby. The hallway is empty as everyone is inside
"Me? I am a star!" Her giggle echoes in the room
A chuckle escapes my mouth as I kneel in one leg in front of her . She is cute
"So star, what are you doing now a days?" I question. She leans back on the couch and says "I am studying law!"
"Are you enjoying it?"
She looks up at the ceiling and shakes her head. She fidgets with her fingers and says "I don't like it. I wanna do something else" I nod while listening to her and question "then why are you studying law?"
She looks down at her hands "Because my family wants that" her hands clenching the edge of the couch
That somehow makes me feel bad knowing that she is studying law just because her family wants what about her choice?
"I think you should do what you like" she looks up at me and nods. Her right hand goes to her neck and she rubs her neck gently. Her expression shows she feels uneasy, I could hear her breathing "something wrong?" I ask
"It's irritating" by the time she says it , she scratches her neck really hard making her pearl necklace break.The sound of the beads falling down on the floor echoes in the hallway. I try to hold a few of them
I need to bring her family. I get up and look at her , she feels quite uncomfortable on the couch struggling to breathe "I will be back. Please don't move. Okay?"
Somehow even in her uneasiness she understands and nods
I ran back inside the hall. The atmosphere is different from before. All the chattering has stopped as i could see all types of expressions on people's faces
"Where were you?" Jeff comes from behind. Before I could answer he cut me off "do you know Sebastian's daughter went missing? God! Her older brother literally caused chaos trying to look for her" that explains why everyone looks tensed
I run out again, I stop a distance from the couch. Her brothers have already found her . I sigh in relief, she is safe
Jeff chuckles "she really became the highlight of the night" he stands beside me
I open my fist and admire the two pick pearls fallen from her necklace . I smile and pray in my mind 'I hope to meet you soon star'
We met after 2 years when her tyre got punctured . It was so unexpected, I was kinda happy seeing her doing well. Especially after Ian said that she left law for fashion designing. She did follow her dream. I thought she would remember me that's why I introduced myself as Asher when we met at the mall but observing her reactions it was clear she forgot about it
I hope she doesn't remember it
"Should we go out after the exams?" Zuri suggests. We are still talking together standing near the buffet table as we continue to munch on small desserts. Her idea does sound good after the exams. I would definitely need some self time. I nod in agreement
"Great it's final then"
It's just been 5 minutes since Liam went but it feels longer. I still feel quite uneasy without him around. I look at my palm, it still was warm with his touch . It was comfortable
"Oh she's here!" Zuri's sudden reaction makes me look up. I blink not believing my eyes . Oh god am I dreaming?
I couldn't control my happiness as I notice Emily Carter at a distance from me. She is surrounded by people as she talks to them politely with a smile on her face
I am seeing my idol
I am seeing her for the first time this close
"Do you wanna meet her?" Zuri bobs her head in front of me blocking my gaze. Should I meet her? Well that's why I came here . To meet her but shall I ?
I look at Emily Carter again. She is still talking to them, I don't think she will be free anytime soon. It wouldn't be good to disturb her for no reason. "Who are all those people?" I ask Zuri
"Oh they are her students. You know the people who got selected by NYX. They might be talking about the next project"
"But they just launched a collection, it hasn't even been a day"
Zuri chuckles and nods "It's how they work. Fashion keeps changing with time. The trend which is famous today might just disappear tomorrow. So they have to keep up with the trend" she finishes
I keep looking towards them. All the people around her met the one who passed the NYX competition and gained their place . They deserve it and now they are talking to Emily Carter
What about me?
I am just a fashion Student with no identity. I don't even know if I will be selected among the thousands of designs submitted to them. Would a personality like her want to meet a nobody like me?
"Hello ladies" a familiar voice pulls me out of my overthinking
Ian walks up towards us and stands in the middle of me and Zuri. He greets me with a small smile and tilts his head towards Zuri and winks at her. Zuri's smile drops and she gives him a death glare
Ian looks at her with a flirtatious expression whereas Zuri is throwing daggers at him with her sharp eyes. They don't speak a word for a few seconds
Wow the tension is making me sweat. I didn't even feel this much tension while reading an enemies to lovers by how much I am feeling by looking at these two
I whisper to Zuri and excuse myself to the restroom
There are many people around as it's hard to find where the restroom might be. I ask a waiter and she informs me to go to the second floor.
There are two stairs to go upstairs, one is at the left corner and another is near the front entrance of the hall which is really far from where I am standing. I walk towards the left staircase and go upstairs to the second floor
As I reach the last stair and look down , it looks better from up here, the golden lights lighting the whole area and the red carpet spread across the floor. It gives a real palace vibes
But when I look at the second floor, the lights are quite dim. It's still luxurious but it gives me chills. I walk around searching for the restroom. The air conditioner isn't working here, yet it feels chilly.
The second floor corridor is around the banquet hall so i could still see what's happening downstairs
The other side where the right side staircase is built looks more lively from this side. Maybe the restroom is there? I walk towards the opposite side and finally see the restroom at a turn and luckily there are few ladies who are using the restroom and it's not gloomy
This place feels like the scene of a SRK's movie which Jasmine showed me
After using the restroom. I look at myself in the mirror and fix my makeup a bit. I look at myself one last time and exit the restroom and walk back towards the stairs. Liam might have come back by now
The corridor is empty again and I could only hear the sound of my heels clicking as I walk on the marble flooring. The faint voices of people can still be heard but not much
As I walked I could hear the noise of extra footsteps and they didn't sound like my heels after being confirmed that somebody was behind me . I stop my steps and take a deep breath gathering to turn around
I spin around and before I could realize I bump my head into someone . My steps stumble and move back . A deep voice cracks "What are you doing here pretty lady?" I look up to see a man in his mind 50s standing near me, too much into my personal space
"I am going back" I am in no mood to strike up this conversation, as I try to turn back he grips my forearm stopping me . I glare at his actions but he doesn't bother to let go and smirks , a really disgusting smirk
"Come on, what's the hurry? Why don't we get to know each other more?" He leans towards my face. His breath reeked of alcohol . I jerk my hand away and move back. I could see his smirk drop as a scoffs
"This is the problem with women , first they dress up like this for attention and when they get the attention they play hard to get " his tone of mockery makes me wanna punch his face, his eyes wander from my head to toe like a dog
"Mind your words , Mister" I am trying to be as patient as possible
He again grabs my forearm and pulls me closer, I try to get away but his grip just gets tighter "Okay I am warning you. Leave me or else"
"Or else what?" He keeps his other hand on my hip and squeezes me. That's it, I have lost my patience . I stamp his shoe piercing my heel into his toe , his grip loosening as he winces in pain. Well served
He glares at me getting more and more angry "You bitch-" and I slapped him hard . Using all the strength I could ever "Bloody pervert" I mutter
He holds his cheek which is red due to my slap. It looks like he will explode, he suddenly walks towards me and raises his hand to hit me. Before I could react someone pulls me back and a fist lands on that old man's nose making him fall on his ass
I gasp
Liam stands between me and that guy. His breathing was heavy. He doesn't look at me, his all attention towards the guy who was sitting on the floor with a bleeding nose
Did I just experience 'touch her,and die' trope?
ââ â â ââ â© ââ â â ââââ â â ââ â© ââ â â ââ
Author's Note
Now you all know:
⢠How Stella and Liam met
⢠Why Stella doesn't remember Liam
⢠How Liam has Stella's peral beads
⢠And why Liam introduced himself as Asher in ch-5
I was literally seeing Om Shanti om's climax scene while writing Stella's pov
(It's an India movie of srk . My favourite tooð)
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter ð
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-I noticed it's exam season so All the Best guys and prepare well â¤ï¸âð©¹. Even my exams are coming up ð