chapter 22

Charles returned to California desolated. His beautiful thoughts shattered after he heard the word 'son ' come out of Aliza's lips. How could she move on this fast with already a son in her way? Was she cheating on him? Did she ever think of him after leaving? Was he the only one among them to fall in love and suffer? Why did she cheat upon him (her fiance) for Larry who was just an acquaintance for her?Charles wanted to ask her about the list of all these questions that created a turmoil in his mind but as soon as the word 'son' fell out of Aliza's lips, everything shattered around him and his mind went blank after that.Outwardly he was a man with every happiness in the world and dreams fulfilled but the world did not know his heart was like a barren land with no single plant to fruit. With an empty soul and zero happiness in his life Charles diverted all his energy only on business.  He worked hard night and day and the Richmond Industries which was already #1 in United States turned out to be #1 company in the world.Within a year its turnover became ten times more and now the Richmonds are the leading manufacturers starting with a range of products from electronics, kitchen appliances, pharmaceuticals and clothing apart from owning a series of pubs, hotels and casinos across various cities and nations.Charles never wanted to abuse sex but Aliza and her betrayal changed him for worst. He slept without filters with various woman searching for the peace he long desired. But all his sexual endeavors gave him only bodily gratification and with no mental tranquility. His heart belonged only to Aliza. He fell empty without her and he knew it would stay empty for the rest of his life.*****Aliza sees the next day's headlines on the newspaper. The young entrepreneur rules the world with different shades finally exposed in him. Well all of us thought he is a serious young businessman but he has shadows of romantic hero too. Below was a sexy picture of Charles with his muscular, alluring body posing before the beach only in his boxers along with a group of bikini clad models. The picture was taken in a photo shoot for Richmond Industries where the company spreads its wings in swim wear too.  Aliza saw Charles everyday in the news paper breaking headlines with his business accomplishments. What is the inside of Charles Rodriguez, the most successful business tycoon of the decade - An insight. It was an interview published by Forbes a weak ago. But when the magazine asked him about his love life or his plans to marry, he had no words to say and there was always a new model hanging beside him. Seems like our hot billionaire has no plans to marry yet. The anchor quipped during the interview and Charles evaded the guesture with just a sentence - next question please.An year ago since the day Charles left her and after knowing she has a son his behavior completely changed towards women. The man who saw a lady next to his mother or sister saw them today as pleasure objects and the only person responsible for that was Aliza Stelwart. She ruined him for her own baseless conclusions. ****"Son, how long will you sit deserted like this in the bar? Come out and talk to people. Its our anniversary today. Won't you give me and your mama the happiness by staying sober least for today?" Allen asked Charles with a cyclone of misery in his heart for his son's unquenchable grief. Allen and his wife Arinna want to see their son settled with a happy family and kids but with each passing day their hopes only shattered for more. It was like God never wanted to grant happiness to their son.Arianna cried boundless for her Charles's doomed fate. Allen and Arianna did a lot of charity attended many religious sermons praying God to grant their son serenity in his heart.  "Dad please go away I do not want to talk to anyone. You asked me to come to the anniversary party and so I did." Charles spoke emptying the contents in his glass. "Samuel, make me one more drink." He tipped his finger to the bar attender in informing about his order.Allen sorrowfully observed his son's already dropping eyes. "Mr and Mrs Radisson have come here with a marriage proposal of their daughter with you. Amara is a charming bubbly girl who had completed her masters in Business Administration. She presently assists her father Felix in business. She has come to the party too. You can talk to her if you want to...." Allen trailed off understanding his son's unresponsive behavior.Six months later....."Oh baby where are you going, it is Sunday. Are you going to work even today?" Amara asks groggily getting up from the bed and pecks the lips of Charles covering her naked chest.  "Amara you wanted to go for the shopping, you can go." Charles gets up from the bed pushing away the sheets on him. "Here is the card. Spend as much you like but do not disturb me." He tells her in a warning and was about to walk to the washroom exposing his inviting nude physique but Amara stops him.She pulls him down to the bed and invades him with kisses. After several rounds of earth shattering orgasms both Charles and Amara walk out of the bed to take a warm relaxing shower. "Baby I'm waiting since last five months for our engagement to happen. How much more time do you require to get over that witch? She has given you nothing but a heart break but still you continue to love her." Amara complains."Amara please not that topic again. I loved Aliza and I need time to get over her." Charles replied tiredly setting his tie before going for work. "You have been saying the same sentence since last four months." Amara speaks hinting irritation. The reality was that Charles wouldn't ever recollect from the memories of Aliza. She was his first love and only love. What he has with Amara is only satisfaction of physical needs. She can never take the place of Aliza.A corner of his heart still bleeds for her. No matter how much he tries to get over her he lands more into thinking about her. The next day morning Charles was waiting for a conference call with the shareholders of his company. Before the meeting he wanted to relax for a few seconds and his gaze fell on the coffee mug Aliza gifted to him more than two years ago that still stays with him as her painful remembrance. Memories of her again flashed in his head but this time he was adamant and fierce."Jack I need all the details of Aliza's family, where she lives, her husband's name, where does he work including the details of the kid. I need every minute detail from what she does in the morning soon after she gets up to the time she closes her eyes for sleep." Charles tells his investigation agent firm and professional. Lighting a cigarette he puffs smoke out of the window and rather declares to himself. It's time to pay back Ms Stelwart. You need to pay me with every penny on the suffering I underwent. You saw the good side of me all this time but now onwards you will only see the wickedity in me.******It broke her heart to million pieces realizing the fact but Aliza couldn't accept Charles in her life. For a man who had slaughtered many homes, shattered many people's lives - how can he bring light in her life?Those silent walls in the house will scream to her when she builds her flowery life from the blood money and curses of several people. How can she be happy with a beautiful home, loving kids and husband earning the malediction of several humans crying over her husband's fury. Their painful cries will ring in her ears like a torture in a cell. No. She couldn't lead a happy life with such a man even though both of them love each other very much.******The next day in the morning before Charles reached his table a file was placed on his desk. As soon as he opens the file there was a huge photo of Aliza inside it and Charles had a cocky grin seeing it and turns the next page which had all the details of her excluding the information about her spouse.What the heck! Charles called Jack to his office immediately and found out to his utter surprise that there never existed a man in Aliza's life in the last two years she led away from him. She stayed with an old lady serving her as her nurse and after some time a son was born. Charles was spell shocked learning the information. Was the kid his, or she already had physical connections with some one else before him?  Charles's heart was beating fast against his rib cage and he asked Jack about the age of kid. "Sir I do not know the age but I will find out...."The remaining part of the sentence went unheard to Charles's ears as his vision falls at something ahead which spinned his life to an ultimatum.