Chapter 17

13 0 0
                                    

"Alishba." Daniel said, desperately trying to mask his emotions.

"You called for me Sir."

"Don't say that. I am the same Dan for you whom you met at Abu Dhabi."

"No! You're Daniel. Daniel Jacob Mallick, the CEO and Chairman of Zeus, where I am a mere worker."

"Alishba, please."

"Why did you hid it from me Daniel? Do you not trust me?"

"I wanted you to love me for myself, not my status. How does it matter Alishba, you don't love me any way."

"Daniel...I .."

"Save it please. You still love Zain and your silence that day conveyed more than your words did, ever."

"Daniel...."

"What I don't understand is, why would you go ahead and get engaged to marry his brother Alishba? To punish him for what he did? Even though you love him? What sick game is this Alishba?"

"Daniel! Stop it! What are you talking about. It's like you don't know me at all."

"That's what puzzling me. How could I be so wrong about you? I thought you to be innocent and loving but.."

"That's enough Daniel. I came here to tell you something else, but I guess you don't deserve it now. And were you spying on me all along?"

He turned his eyes down.

"Oh my God" I said in disbelief. "All this while, I have been going crazy and you didn't care to even send me a message. And now, you're raising suspicion on me?"

"I didn't want to come between you and Zain again Alishba. You hurt me. I trusted you with all my heart and.." he trailed off, his voice breaking.

"Since you know so much Daniel," I said, controlling my tears, my voice thick with emotions, "then you must know that the engagement was a misunderstanding and I broke it off the very same day as soon as it happened."

Saying so, I left.

I went to my cabin and cried, not knowing whether they are tears or joy or sorrow.

I wiped my tears when I heard a knock on my door.

"Please come in"

"Hello Ma'am. Here's an invitation for you. " Glenn said, handing me over a card.

"What is it for?"

"Oh, it's a soiree Mrs Mallick holds every year. Celebrated artists, distinguished dignitaries, actors, actresses, models, businessman and women, everyone is there, you name it. Personally it's like a headhunt Mrs Mallick holds for the future Mrs Mallick, if you know what I mean." She winked. "And every year C-Sec executives of Zeus are also invited. And this year surprisingly Mr. Mallick personally asked me to make sure that you get the invitation too." she completed.

"Thank you. One tip though Ma'am, you may want to do some shopping for today evening." she smiled and turned around to leave.

"Umm, Glenn. Could you help me with that ?"

She turned to smile at me and nodded.
.
.
.
.
I entered the Four Seasons hotel wearing a champagne coloured cocktail dress and small diamond drop earrings. The bracelet Daniel gave to me in Abu Dhabi, which I now realise, was made of actual diamonds adorned my left wrist.
____________
'Remember Ma'am', I recalled Glenn's words,

"Pease call me Alishba, I am like a daughter to you."

She smiled fondly at me as the lady as the salon finished curling my hairs into soft curls.

You'll also like

          

"Mrs. Mallick is a good woman but a strict businesswoman. She usually makes sure that the entire floor Daniel Sir stays in, apart from him and the security, is booked for girls from high end families, particularly celebrity artists or powerful business empire's heir. She wants a perfect match for her son, which Daniel Sir has despised since the soiree tradition began but kept quiet for his mother's sake.

I couldn't get you a room on that floor but I got you one on the floor above.

And she is specially keen on establishing a match between Daniel Sir and Alessandra Camille, the heir to the famous hotel chain Monet Group.

You must be careful with her." she concluded.

"But why are you telling me this Glenn?"

"Well, how do I put this? Alishba. I started working for Daniel Sir when when he was only 18 years old. He's like a son to me. His agony when he came here, his affection towards you are not hidden from me. I just want him to be happy. Please do not break his heart."

"Glenn, trust me, I know it feels to have your heart broken. And that's the last thing I want to do to Daniel."
______________

"Are you going to stand there or come inside?" Yazid's voice coming from behind jolted me, bringing me out of my flashback.

"Sorry didn't see you there."

"No worries. May I?" He offered, holding his arms out for me to accompany.

"Sure. Thank you." I thanked him, holding his arms and walking inside the lavish building.

The attendant took our coats and we walked towards the terrace where the party was going on at full swing. The decoration of the place looked out of the world. Purple and golden light lit up the place like a scene from a fairytale. The round tables were covered in silk fineries. The tables and  stands were decorated with candles in glass and exotic flowers.

The entire place looked like a Page 3 set up, if not more. Fashion experts, hollywood stars, gorgeous girls and business experts could be seen everywhere. Had my situation been any different, I might've been going after them for autographs.

"So, Yazid, I guess your name is also not true?" I enquired, doubting which parts of our encounter in Abu Dhabi was true and which were not.

He laughed.

"No, it's actually Yazid."

"And you're?"

"And I am the Chief Technical Officer and Daniel's best friend."

He pulled out a chair for me and we took a seat.

"I cannot believe he lied to me, I feel like a fool." I said, my face falling.

"Actually, he never did lie...he simply hid the truth. And if you see from his viewpoint, with the experiences he had in the past, it's justified."

"He didn't even tell me his correct name and profession."

"He did in a way. His name is Dan, short for Daniel and he indeed is and F1 racer, well coupled with being the CEO."

"You won't leave justifying his actions, will you?"

He chuckled.

Everyone's attention shifted when Daniel entered the room with Mrs Mallick. People flocked to his side and started greeting him, pitching their ideas to him and trying to network with him.

But I could tell, his eyes were searching for something else, rather someone else. Once he spotted me and our eyes locked, I could see the intense emotions swirling in his eyes. He quickly masked them, replaced it with a stern and arrogant look.

He moved on with his mother to meet the guests, engaged in conversations all through the night. While I ,kept staring at him the entire night, satisfying my eyes and confirming myself that he is actually, truly present in front of me. All I wanted to do was to hold him, bring him close to me and kiss the hell out of me. It took every ounce of resistance in me not to walk to him and do exactly that.

However, he did not spare me even a single glance, as if he didn't care. Hours passed and it was almost midnight.

"Thanks for the lovely evening Alishba. I've got to go. We've an early flight to London at 5 AM today."

"We? Daniel too?"

"Yes."

"When will you both be back?

"Really does depend on the work. Atleast a couple of weeks."

My heart sank. He's leaving and I won't be able to see him or talk to him or clarify things or do anything at all for God knows how long!

"Don't worry, we'll be back soon. You can talk to him then. I am sure he's dying inside to talk to you."

"His actions doesn't exactly say that.  Thank you for keeping me company though."

"Of course." With that he left.

I looked around to see Daniel cozily dancing with Alessandra and she laughing in his ears, leaning onto him.

That was it. I couldn't hold it any longer and walked upto him.

"Excuse me, may I?"

"Sure" Alessandra muttered, confused.

I cheek-kissed him. "Thank you for the lovely evening." I whispered, my voice breaking, I barely kept myself together.

Saying my final words, I walked out of the party towards my room.

I took my heels off and sprinted in the hallway. My breath fell short and I was unable to held in my tears anymore. I stopped in the middle of my hallway, leaned on the wall and dropped to the ground, crying.

I stood up and wiped my tears. I could see a tall silhouette on the floor. I turned my face to see Daniel standing in the hallway.






Hearts in the ShadowsWhere stories live. Discover now