AMANDA'S' POV

"We have heard about the progress of Pallapora's town redevelopment program , that really created an urge in us to do business with you", Mr Reynolds smiled as Mr Henry praised him.

He tightened his tie "I am glad you liked my work . I make sure to do it with perfection every time ", his lips gave birth to a small smile and he continued "I went through the town and I am quite convinced by its ethereal beauty"

"That's really a compliment for this small city ", Mr Henry along with his group of associates started discussing about the do's and don't of the project . I wasn't really interested in their crappy business talks so I decided to make the most of my time aka stare at the guy I was crushing on.

Every time I had an eye contact with him , I'd focus my attention towards the wall which was behind him. Maybe I should tell him about my feelings or maybe I shouldn't. There was a tsunami of mixed thoughts which were confusing my already confused mind.

"Miss Waters, what is your opinion regarding this topic?", Mr Reynolds cocked his brow as he looked straight in my eyes.

I wasn't really focusing at the question at first place so I had a blank expression plus I couldn't ask him to pardon the sentence "Whatever your opinion is", I felt it the most relevant answer at the moment. I knew it was very dumb of me.

On hearing some people giggle I glanced at them , they stopped the very moment when they analyzed me eyeing them. I frowned at my own stupidity.

I attentively heard the rest of the discussion and even asked relevant questions so as to cover up from my previous blonde behavior.

"So , we can wrap up the work by tomorrow afternoon and leave instinctively then ", Mr Reynolds sighed . A part of me was happy to leave the place as it had been troublesome for me since we initiated the journey but the other part was sad because I was actually enjoying my time with Mr Reynolds.

"I am sorry but I guess you'll have to re-schedule the whole back-to-home plan", Cody interrupted .

"Yes, we have a special masquerade ball arranged for tomorrow night . We are celebrating our hotel's 100th anniversary and we'll be honored if you could enlighten us with your presence ", Mr Henry sounded so pushy .

"I'll be delighted to attend the same", Mr Reynolds accepted his invitation . I stood at one corner simply playing with my hair as no one really included me in their conversation.

People started leaving the conference room one by one. I followed Mr Reynolds while he exited . We didn't talk, just walked . Leading our path he strolled towards a place which wasn't our room.

"Hey wait--", I tried stopping him .

"Yes ?"

"Where are we heading to ?", I questioned as I matched his speed . He halted for a while and paid attention to my dress before answering.

"The garden"

"The garden?", I was bewildered as he definitely didn't seem the type of guy to relax in the garden.

"Why? Am I not allowed there?" he interrogated.

"Of course you are", I let him take the head again . I tried to avoid the thumping noise my sandal made on interaction with the floor.

On reaching the garden he settled himself on the bench so I took the seat next to him . The place was the most liveliest throughout . Small kids were playing around, oldies had their whole different laughter club . I knew as I read the board which was placed in the area they sat.

Sunlight was dim , the breeze was cold . I tried not to react to it . "I wish I could go back to my childhood", I looked at those kids who played and laughed carelessly.

" I am better like this", I knew he had a rough history . I knew some part of it but I never tried digging out the whole story .

"Did you just say better? Better which is the comparative form of good ? ", I tried amusing him by mixing brows. I changed the topic because whenever the topic of childhood popped in , his face turned low and disconsolate . I shouldn't have started the topic at first place.

He chuckled on my statement but didn't answer. No one among us spoke for a while, silence spoke . "When I first met you ", I interrogated the silence.

"Mmhmm?", he inquired .

"I thought you were a bad man , you aren't actually . You try to be hard. I don't know why ", I shrugged "But you're a good man Mr Reynolds , to be precise you're one of the best man I have ever met", I confessed a part of my feelings.

"I am not very close to or acquainted with good . I -I ", he stammered like he wanted to say me something.

"You?" I tried asking him.

"Nothing", he cut my sentence . What was it though? I knew that this was one of his statements I had to enter in my book of 'unanswered questions'

"Okay", I didn't engulf him into the topic as it was irrelevant. I was well aware of his stubborn nature.

"hey there love-birds", Cody sauntered towards us with a man who held him by his waist . I could figure it easily that they were into each other. To be honest their pair looked cute, very cute.

"I see ha", I winked at Cody . He blushed at my expression and introduced us with the man he accompanied.

"Meet David, my boyfriend", I stood up and hugged David in a friendly way . Mr Reynolds shook his hands without burdening his sitting position. Cody's eyes twinkled with joy in finding his partner.

I pointed towards the vacant chairs which were close to our bench "have a seat ", I smiled at them . They rested themselves on the seats . I peeped at their fingers which were laced with each other "Awe you guys are really cute", I complimented them.

"Says the girl from the cutest couple "', a quick smile escaped my lips. I tried to hide it as I looked away. Realizing our distance , Mr Reynolds shifted himself closer to me. Our arms touched which allowed a shiver to pass through my spine.

"I see you maintain a lot of distance when in public", Cody shrugged as he giggled .

"We're just a very very introverted couple ", he curled his hands around my waist . His proximity towards my body made me believe in butterflies. Oh my Lady Gaga, they definitely existed.

I chuckled as I rubbed the back of his hand "True ", I agreed to his sentence "lets go baby ", he pecked my cheek unexpectedly turning my natural blusher on. Why were his actions so unanticipated, I pouted as we walked towards our room.

I placed the tub of chocolate ice-cream on my lap and turned on NetFlix. I entertained myself with adventure movies back to back till night, his attention was focused towards the laptop . I did check on him at regular intervals .

After having dinner I made myself comfortable on the couch as it was my turn tonight . I was alarmed from my sleep when I heard loud footsteps.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw the man in agitation. I yelled out of my lungs on recognizing the figure, I at once uplifted myself.

James pounced on me with all his might , he had a revolver in his hand . He kept it on my head as he yanked the top of mine furiously. "Mr. Reynolds, wake up", I screamed.

"Hola bitch ", he punched me in my stomach.

"Mr. Reynoldsssss", I shrieked again. "Aarooooooooon , wake up", my voice was louder this time. On sensing the consternation of my loud pitched voice he woke up and came towards me , his eyes were filled with dismay .

"So let's kill Mr Reynolds first ", he smirked as he pointed the revolver towards him . I tried punching him but my push didn't affect him a lot . He threw me on the couch when I tried pushing the revolver away from his hands.

When I saw him triggering the revolver I stood on my feet hurriedly and ran towards him "Aarooooooooon", I shouted.

I felt a continuous slow tap on my cheek , I opened my eyes realizing that it was a dream . I wiped off the sweat from my forehead . That dream felt so real and horrid.

I could literally hear the thumping of my heart , I took deep breaths to calm myself down . I had my fingers intertwined with Mr. Reynolds's. He sat next to me on the couch and rubbed my back unceasingly with his other hand. I placed my temple on his forehead and found peace.

"you okay?" he interrogated slowly as he wiped of the tears and gently stroked my cheeks with the back of his hand.

I am now", I tried controlling my tears but I couldn't. I held him tight and refused to let him go away. He didn't fail to solace me.

"I saw James ", I took a deep breath "What if the dream comes true ?", I looked at him as tears rolled through my eyes constantly.

"It won't. Shush", he kept his fingers on my lips "Sleep on the bed, I'll take-over the couch", he helped me stand up and walked me till the bed. After assuring that I laid comfortably he covered my body with the blanket.

The filthy dream kept replaying in my mind again and again . Our fingers were yet intertwined and I denied to let go off it . "don't go", I pulled him through his hand.

"I won't ever ", he sat on the bed as he patted my forehead whilst tucking away the baby hair . I sighed as I felt safe because he was around.

"You can have the bed's other half ", I interrupted the silence , my voice shivered as I was yet in shock . He straightened his legs on agreeing to my proposal.

I closed my eyes as an attempt to sleep, I felt a smooth touch on my forehead . He kissed me , he thought I was unconscious or unaware. He didn't know that I wad yet awake. I tried avoiding all the negativity and bad thoughts. I couldn't sleep so I just kept my eyes closed and relaxed.

Mr Reynolds had his hands on my stomach , he didn't keep them intentionally . I knew because when I cornered my eyes I saw him busy sleeping . I placed my hands on him and consoled myself through his presence.

On slowly opening my eyes in the morning , I perceived that my head rested on his shoulder while my right hand sheltered itself on his chest . He had his left hand on my waist and his right on my shoulder. I gave my body a bit push to untangle myself from the cuddling position.

I couldn't, I had to wake him up for that. He slept peacefully and I didn't really intend to wake him up. I gawked at his exceptionally alluring face for a while, he was flawless and I wanted him all by myself.

Yes, I wanted him. There was no denying in it .

Maybe I should confess about my feelings to him, even if he doesn't reciprocates it . I was ready for the heart-ache even at the cost of rejection . I didn't really want to keep my feelings to myself . It's not necessary that when you give love, you get it back. Sometimes fate and destiny doesn't intends to bring people together but that shouldn't stop you from loving someone.

Chuck Bass once said 'You don't give up on people you love' and I was a firm believer in it. I refused to give up on the fact that I loved him. Tenderly, dearly and totally.

Today , at the masquerade ball I'll say my heart out . It would be easier because we'd have our masks on so it won't be much of a difficult task. A quick blush took birth on my face as I virtually pictured out the scenario.

When he opened his eyes, he was startled as my nose touched his chin. He let go off me slowly, I refused to make any eye contact as I was already embarrassed for pulling him in the bed with me. I marched towards the washroom and didn't turn behind even for once.

*************

Vote! comment! Share!