Chapter 21

Part 20

"All this time I was waiting for you like a mad.. And you just forgot me so easily.. " Steve woke up with the words ringing in his mind.. He groaned and rubbed his head which hurt due to lack of sleep.. He hardly slept through the night.. His mind kept reeling back to her face.. Her words.. Her words kept haunting him all the night.

Scowling he got up from the bed and freshened up.. Dragging on his clothes he made his way out of the room.. As he walked outside the hallway his eyes went to the corner room at the end of hallway.. No way Steve.. No need to go and look for her.. His mind warned him.. Still he found himself making his way to the room.. Hesitantly he stared down at the door knob. What if she was already awake and gone downstairs for breakfast.. Or rather not.. His lips thinned recalling she was their captive.. He frowned deeply as he turned the door knob..

The damned door was not even locked..

Swearing under his breath he opened the room and peeked inside.. His eyes regarded it in displeasure realizing how small the room was.. The room was dimmed.. His eyes caught the figure which was lying on the bed.. Still sleeping.. He took a ragged breath and couldn't look away from her.. She looked beautiful lying there.. But so fragile and innocent..

Emotions !! Damn emotions were raising in heart.. Steve swore.. This wasn't supposed to happen.. He had no feelings.. He would never have..

With a disgusted look he turned around to leave when a movement caught his eyes.. Small hands came on Ms.Shilpa's tummy and gripped in tight.. Shilpa groaned in discomfort still asleep.. Then a small head came on view with a sunny smile.. His heart jolted instantly.. The smile threw him off..

Arav stared at him curious.. Steve stared back at him but with more of discomfort.. Suddenly the baby's eyes lit in delight.. He gripped on his mother's stomach and tried to get up.. But off balance his stumbled back.. That's when Steve realized he was near the edge of the bed..

Instantly he headed towards him and pulled him up.. He stared at Arive while he gave him a big grin..

"What is this boy.. " Steve shook his head in wonder.. "You look hell a lot like me.. "

Arav gurgled and tried to get close to him.. Steve stiffened and tried to keep his distance.. But Arav was clingy.. He sighed as he placed his head on his shoulder and cooed.. Steve felt a chill run down his spine.. Hidden emotions kept raising in his heart.. This wasn't supposed to happen right.. He wasn't supposed to have all this feelings.. But holding the kid close to him.. He felt a protective urge build inside him..

And for the first time in his life he felt…. Safe..

Shilpa's moan brought him back to the world.. Instantly he put back Arav on the bed beside his mother.. Arav pouted his lips and him and started to hit his hand on his mother's chest.. Shilpa groaned and opened his eyes regarding his son..

"Arav… You are energetic this morning darling.. " Shilpa gave him a sunny smile which made Arav laugh…

Steve was once again thrown off guard with her beautiful smile.. He was mesmerized seeing the bond between them.. Who were this two people.. evoking emotions out of his cold heart..

Shilpa gasped in surprise as she saw Steve who stood close to them.. "How did you get inside..??"

Steve gave a cold smile "Don't you have enough sense to lock the room before you sleep..?"

"Ohhh " Shilpa flushed in embarrassment.. "I must have forgotten.."

"Just don't make it a habit.. " Steve muttered "You cant trust people around here.. "

"You mean people like you.. ? " Shilpa toss back with a glare..

Steve clenched his jaw and started to leave.. "Get out of the bed and come down for breakfast.. "

"Wait ! " Shilpa called for him..

He stilled and turned back to her dispassionately.. "What "

"Can you wait with Arav for a while.. " She requested softly.. "I need to freshen up.."

Steve hesitated.. "Give him some toy.. "

"Ohh its your child for godsake.. " Shilpa taunted him angrily.. "Fine if you don't want to stay leave.. " Shilpa handed Arav his favorite toy and got up from the bed.. Without a backward glance she stormed inside the washroom while Steve stood glaring at her..

His eyes went back to the baby who was now once again staring at him curiously.. And then he tossed away his favorite toy and held his hands high to him…

"What.. " Steve stood confused for a while.. That's when he realized he was asking him to take him in his arms..

"Oh no no.. I don't think so dude.. " Steve muttered heading to the door..

That's when he saw the baby's lips tremble.. His eyes fill with tears.. Before he could cry he took Arav in his arms and stared at him..

"Boy.. You do emotional blackmail just like your mother.. "

"Just eat your breakfast will you.. " Steve muttered angrily as he glared at Shilpa who kept looking around nervously..

In the restaurant of the cruise, they were seated together for breakfast.. He could easily feel David and other's eyes on them. But choose to ignore.. He knew if Ms.Shilpa was down to have breakfast on her own. They were going to make it hard time for her..

"I cant.. " Shilpa muttered in a strain voice.. "They are staring at us angrily.. "

"Ignore them will you.. " Steve replied coolly… "And your son, he is getting himself a new facial.."

Shilpa gasped as she realized Arav was rubbing the baby pudding on his face.. She took it out from his hand and scolded him lightly.. "That is not eating young man.. You were supposed to eat your pudding.."

Arav pouted his lips and gargled as if replying back to her.. Steve felt his lips twitch seeing that..

"Steve! " David called him from the back table.. " Come here will you.. "

Steve didn't bother replying.. Instead he busied reading the newspaper while drinking his black coffee..

"Don't you eat ? " He heard the question come from her.. He put down his newspaper and narrowed his eyes.. "I don't need heavy breakfast.. "

"Breakfast is the most important meal.. " Shilpa glared at him..

"Stop telling me things.. You are not my mother.. " He glared back at her..

"That's right.. " She muttered.. "Because I am your wife.. "

"MY WHAT !!! " Steve put down his coffee and stared at her stunned.. His swore realizing he had drawn every attention on them.. Gritting his teeth he leaned towards her and muttered angrily.. "Don't speak nonsense infront of me.. "

"Whatever " She busied herself in her breakfast which irritated him more..

"Ya right whatever.. Now reply me why the hell you said such thing.. Explain yourself will you.." He spoke once again his anger rising..

"I am not speaking to you until you speak to me normally.. " Shilpa shot back getting up from her seat..

"Finish your breakfast.. " Steve spoke in a warning tone..

"My appetite just lost.. " She replied and took Arav from his seat and walked out of the restaurant..

"What stop this one would be ? " Steve questioned Robin as the cruise made its way to the jetty..

"Venice " Robin murmured softly.. "Our clients would join us from this destination.."

"Hmm.. " Steve replied distractedly.. "I don't know why but I am not fully sure about this deal.."

"But all the arrangements have been made.. " Robin spoke quickly.. "We cant back out.. The deal is almost finalized.."

"I do understand that.. " He gritted his teeth.. "But I am still not sure.. "

"What are you saying Steve.. " David joined him "I hope you are not backing out from the deal.."

"I am not " Steve protested.. He hesitated for a while before speaking.. "Anyways let it be.."

David clenched his fist as Steve walked away from them..

"He has doubts.. " Robin pointed out quietly..

"Oh Really.. " David spoke sarcastically.. "Let him have then.. But I won't let him stop this deal from happening.. "

"I have a feeling he suspects we are hiding something.. " Robin spoke hesitating..

"As I said.. " David murmured.. "Let him be in doubt. But No one can now stop this deal from happening.. Just wait and watch"

"You need some clothes.. " Steve muttered as he drag Shilpa to the streets of Venice..

"I have clothes.. " Shilpa objected instantly while clutching Arav close..

Steve glanced down at her body in distaste.. "You look like a dying old bat.. You need to have clean clothes.. " He glanced down at Arav.. "And so does the boy.. "

Shilpa frowned at him for a while absorbing his talk.. And then she surprised him with a big smile which made his heartbeat rise..

"Arav.. Papa is going to get new clothes for you.. "She told the baby happily while making her way into the store..

Steve matched her pace.. "How many times I have to tell you he is not my son.. "

"Too bad for you he is.. " She muttered angrily heading inside the store..

Steve huffed and followed her inside..

1 Hour Later :

"This is absurd.. " Steve muttered angrily.. "You spent a full hour and still you cant choose a dress for yourself.."

"You are wrong mister.. " Shilpa shot him back.. " I have bought enough dresses whatelse you think I need.."

"I told you to get yourself good clothes.. Not some maid dresses ! "He bit out frustrated..

"I don't need your opinion in fashion.. " Shilpa spoke firmly heading out of the store.. Just then her eyes came on a dress which was displayed in the corner store.. And what a dress.. The dress was all silk with a split on the right leg.. The design was spectacular.. A halter neck.. She stared at the dress wondering what the back would like.. Shilpa almost laughed on herself.. She couldn't ever imagine wearing such dress. Those were dresses made for models. A fantasy gown..

She sighed and turned around to leave, she gasped realizing Steve stood behind her staring at her with a strange expression. And then his gaze went to the dress regarding it with desire..

"So you do have a feminine touch hidden inside you.. " He murmured huskily..

Shilpa blushed and looked away from the dress.. "I was just looking at it.. I have no desire to buy it.."

Steve smirked at her with a grin.. "Liar.."

"NO I am not.. " Shilpa protested and saw him walk away.. "What !! Why are you going there.."

She stood in daze noticing him talk to the sales staff.. He wouldn't dare to buy it would he.. With Arav asleep in her arms she shifted him to the other arm.. As she started to grow impatient Steve came out.. With a bag in his hand..

"Go back and return it.. " Shilpa shouted angrily as he passed her the bag..

"Take it.. " Steve muttered in a low voice..

"I don't want it.. " Shilpa objected.. "Go and give your girlfriend in the cruise.. " She muttered angrily and walked pass him..

Steve clenched his fist.. And was ready to throw away the dress when he saw the man who stood at the other side of the road.. His eyes on Shilpa.. Unknown to the fact Shilpa kept walking.. Steve tensed as he noticed the gun on the man's hand..

And it was targeted on Ms.Shilpa..

OHH NO !

He moved fast.. Roughly he pulled her to the corner of the building.. That's when they heard the gun shot.. Which almost blinded everyone.. Shilpa gasped in horror and tightened her hold on Arav who started to cry startled with the loud noise.. Shilpa was too frightened to react. In her daze she noticed Steve run towards the man who had fired the gun.. Oh god the man had meant to kill her.. But why.. She wondered in horror.. She blinked hear tears and tried to sooth Arav who was still crying.. Just then Steve came to her cursing under his breath..

"The bas***d.. Ran off before I could find him.." He shot angrily.. And then he was beside her.. Running his hand on her arms worriedly.. "Are you hurt ?"

Shilpa stared at him.. Her heart thudding wild.. The concern in his eyes threw her off guard.. He was worried for her.. She could clearly see in his eyes.. Right now the man who stood infront of her was not Steve..

He was Armaan..

Lost in the moment she hugged him tightly.. Steve went still in her embrace and tried to pull away.. But she held him tight not letting him go.. "I was so scared.. " She muttered in a teary voice.. "For a second I thought I was ..dead.."

Steve cursed and roughly pulled away from her.. Shilpa blinked her eyes and looked at him.. She grew disappointed noticing once again he had controlled his emotions.. And right now cold eyes regarded her..

"You don't understand do you.. " He accused angrily.. "This is not your normal life.. Where you can wander around so easily without worry.. " He brought his face close.. His eyes full of dread.. "This is the dark reality Darling.. One minute you could be killed.. "

"Would that make you happy.. " She questioned softly..

"What ? " Steve pulled away taken back from her question.. And then his expression grew blank.. "I don't care.. But if you wish to stay alive.. You have to be in my terms.."

Shilpa looked away suddenly feeling exhausted.. She did understood what he was trying to say.. She needed to remember she was not in her normal life. This was a world full of gangsters..

"Take this dress.. " He spoke in a low tone.. Shilpa was too scared to argue so she took it instantly..

"Give me the baby.. You look ready to faint.. "He murmured taking Arav in his arms..

As he made his way down on the road, Shilpa realized he was holding her hand firm.. The same way he held his child close to him.. Her eyes grew teary seeing his protective mode.. A smile came on her face as she realized something very important..

Whatever happens she knew he would always protect them.. Always..

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NOTE : OMG I KNOW I AM USELESS :| So sorryyy for being inactive.. I have no excuse but i will try to write as soon i can... Love u all Do comment and share ur views about the Part and Do press the LIKE BUTTON