Adrika's POV

"Adrika we are going to meet Juro." Emma screamed.. Again.. For tenth time now.

"I know Emms.. I was there." I said while changing my dressing. The cut on my face was little healed now.

"Why aren't you excited?" She asked.

"Because you are excited enough for both of us." I said again.

"Of course.. He is Juro for God's sake. The mysterious genius devilishly hot Juro.." She said dreamily.

"I'm sorry don't you have a boyfriend.. Who happens to be my best friend? Besides you said he is a jerk." I said.

"He is a sexy jerk. There is difference." Emma said fixing her makeup. "Check if Mr. Acton send the address. I bet it will be a gun range or a high-end party or fight match. His aura is like so. Dark. Violent." She said. I did.

"Huh.." I said.

"What?"

"He is at a children's hospital." I said. She looked at me shocked.

"Really? Which one?" She asked.

"Paradise Valley children's Care." I replied.

"It's our. Our child cancer patients care. He is there. How come I don't know this." She said opening the tab. "It shows.. He is there every weekend. He requested not to make a big deal out of it."

"It changes everything you were just saying." I teased her.

"You are right. But one thing now this is no use." She gesture towards her clothes.

     We both changed into more child friendly dresses. She wore a beautiful blue one. I got myself a black one. We all started our journey to hospital. Mr. Acton was there outside waiting. He was wearing sweaters and glasses. No one would say he was one of the most successful businessman of this time. He was looking like a fashionable grandpa.

"I'm feeling like an hypocrite welcoming you to your establishment. But I am here to welcome you Adrika." He said.

"It's an honour sir." I said.

"Come on Juro is almost over."

        He said as we walk down the hall towards a big conference room. So the meeting is probably over. As we were reaching the room I could hear children. That puzzled me a lot. What were children doing in a meeting. When we go in I was astonished. All that I heard about Juro, I made an image in my mind. A no nonsense kind of guy. Quite and hardcore. Like his dressing would intimidate you. That image shattered the moment I layed eyes on him. In front of me was a guy in a simple black t-shirt and faded jeans. Undeniably handsome. But simple. You would never imagined him like this. One of the most powerful and influential person in the world in a faded jeans and black t shirt.

   Juro was standing near a make shift stage with a old-fashioned microphone and talking to the kids. They were also cheering, laughing and answering him. Clearly they were familiar and very fond of him. His voice was soft, playful and light just as it should while you are talking to children. I smiled at this goofy personality. He was playing some kind of word game with children.

"There is so many words related to Rainbow guys. Give me a good one.." He said.

"Colours" A kid said.

"Colours.. Right. Rainbow has colours. We know that. But it's so easy. Think little harder.." Juro said. I smiled.

"He is so good with kids." I said to Mr. Acton. He chuckled.

"Oh.. He love them. Every weekend he must have time for them." He stated.

"Gorgeous. That's a good one.. Thank you Seri. Extra scoop of ice cream for Seri today from me. Everyone give her a hand.. Come on." Juro said. The little girl blushed furiously as everyone clapped for her.

"Juro what's gorgeous?" A little guy asked.

"Mich.. When something is more beautiful than beautiful. We call it gorgeous." Juro explained and kids started laughing. "What.. You think Juro is lying... You wanna see something gorgeous.. Yes?.. Ok.. Turn around. " He said gesturing towards me. Everyone turned to look at me. They all gasped. Then a collective awwww... Was heard.

         I awkwardly wave at them as they were awestruck. I looked at Juro he was smiling at me. His smile had something. Something I couldn't put my finger on.

"Juro! Is she your girlfriend?" The same little girl asked. Juro smiled.

"Don't worry Seri. You are my one and only. That's Miss Adrika. She takes care of everything here. So if you wanna thank for your Saturday pastries. Thank her." Juro said. They all laughed. "Do you want Miss Adrika to join us?"

"Yes Juro..." They all yelled.

"Then you have to call her. How do you do that? Jas do you remember?" He asked. A little boy stand facing me.

"Miss Adrika.. Please.. Join us... Us... Us.." He was stuck.

"For.... " Juro prompt.

"For some talk." The kid finished.

"Very good Jas." Juro said.

         I walked up to Juro. He stretched his hand for me to take. I looked at his hand and then to him. He was smiling yet his eyes were still. As I placed my hand on his I fell his hand vibrating. He quickly closed his fingers and pulled me to his side. For some odd reasons I couldn't take my eyes off of him. The loud cheer help us break from the zone.

"Hi.." I said softly. He nodded and gestured to sit on the stage with him.

"Are you a princess?" A little boy asked.

"Umm.. Yes. I am. But also I'm a doctor." I said.

"Where is your Tiara?" A little girl asked. I laughed.

"When I am with my friends I don't wear tiara. You know so that the people won't recognize me." I said. She giggled and said

"Like a disguise?"

"Yes like a disguise. That's a good word." I said to her.

"Juro teach that." She said sheepishly.

"Are you Juro's friend?" Seri asked.

"Umm.. " I looked at Juro. He was looking at the kids.

       What should I said to these kids about the man I just met yet felt like known for centuries. He turned to me and give a suggestive nod.

"I'm your friend." I said to the kids.

"Alright guys. Now it's snack time. Miss Adrika and I have some business. Remember the words. I'll ask again next week. Alright make a line while returning to rooms.. Bye.." Juro  said to them.

       They all awed and walked out slowly. I waited for them to leave before turning to Juro. He was watching the kids. Then he looked at me and said

"My god you are more beautiful than your pictures."

        His voice was mysterious. Without the playfulness that he used for kids it was heavy and very seductive. I was startled by his words. What would I say to that. His eyes didn't left me for a second. I saw everyone else joining. I stood up. He looked back and followed.

"Juro meet Lord Herbert. Emerald and Mr. Coleman. He is Adrika's protector." Mr. Acton introduced. Juro shook hands with the guys.

"Miss Emerald.. Acton talks about you. The most dynamic CEO out there. But I seriously didn't imagined you this beautiful." He said taking Emma's hand and placing a kiss on her fingers.

"Thank you. Aren't you a sweet talker." Emma said. Juro gave a bow.

"Then you will forgive me for saying that Miss. Adrika, you can stop anyone's breath just like that." He said turning to me.

"You can call me just Adrika, Mr. Niamh." I said. He smiled.

"Juro. Mr.Niamh was my father. And whole world calls me Juro." He said. "I don't wanna sound like a creep but can I touch you. You are just way too beautiful.. Like a dream. Unreal."

"Umm... " Again I didn't know how to answer that.

"Oh.. I'm so sorry. Lord. Herbert. You must have thinking what a jerk I am to flirt with your wife in front of you..." He said to Sky. I looked at Sky. He was shocked at the sudden attention. "BUT.. You don't seem jealous. Is it too much faith or trouble in paradise?" Juro continued.

"No.. Nothing like that. No trouble.. Just I didn't expected to meet like this with you.. So I guess I'm a little surprised." Sky said.

"Surprised. Such an curious emotion. Shocked and happiness mixed together. Tell me Lord, are you happy?" He asked.

"I don't understand. Why would not I be?" Sky asked. Oh.. God.. Why he have to be Like this. So easy to read. Juro looked at me and smiled. He also thinking the exact same thing.

"Lord Herbert I hope you are aware that psychologically when you ask a question as an answer to another question, the actual answer to that question is always negatory." Juro said. Wow.. He was a smart person.

"Juro I think we should talk about the matter in hand first. Incase I forget that in front of the vast range of questions I have to ask you." Emma said trying to avoid the tension.

"I'm sorry if I making everyone uncomfortable. It's just I don't meet people who are such well achieved personals. In fact I don't meet much people other than the kids here. Please excuse me for my poor social skills." He said.

"It's fine Juro. No harm done." Sky said. Totally didn't want to say that.

"Acton you can take Lord Herbert and Emerald here to show them the files and help them with any information they might need. If it isn't a trouble Adrika.. Can we discuss some affairs in private?" Juro said. I looked at Mads. He nodded. "He can come if he wants."

"Sure. Is Garden ok? I'm craving for some fresh air." I said.

"I'll be waiting for you at the entrance." Mads said.

          We walked to the garden. Mads stayed at a place where he can clearly see me where ever I go. After a short walk in silence I decided to break it. I looked at this mysterious man beside me. He was looking at me. As the eye contact happened he looked ahead.

"I feel comfortable. But sure I'm making you uncomfortable." He said.

"No.. It's just. You are hard to read. That's all I guess." I said.

"Isn't that you like in someone? That's make them interesting right? You emerge yourself to read them but you forget they are reading you too. Suddenly you make yourself so vulnerable because you know they became your necessity as you grow to fond of him." He said looking deep into my eyes.

"There was someone. You loved them." I said.

"SHE... She is something I can't live with or without." He said. "Maybe that's why I'm here. Talking to you. You are same as me. You are in that spot too. I know you don't want to live in the situation you are in."

"You don't know me." I said.

"Can be. But I know me and your eyes just has the same desperation and pain that my eyes have. That's why you cannot look away from me, I know you want to. You want so badly to hold your composer but you are failing. You are frustrated at me to have this effect on you. Can you deny it?" He said. How could he be so accurate? I shook my head. My words gave up on me a long time ago.

"I know what you are feeling. Like all the forces in this universe is pushing you to me. You so hopelessly wants to run away but instead you are getting close and close to me. Because I can feel it too." He said. My mind was shut down. I couldn't process anything. I felt like I was trapped inside my own head. And suddenly the trance was broke because he said,

"Careful Mrs. Herbert. If we move any closer it will be inappropriate for social standards."

           I realized how close we were. Our faces were inches away. I could feel his breath on my face. Now that is known as the definition of awkward. I took a step back and turned away. I felt his eyes following my actions. I cleared my throat.

"Everyone has problems in their lives." I said.

"Of course. One big one will be solved if I give you the infoinformations I have about Paradox theory." He said.

"You have that?" I asked.

"Yes. Years back I had this interest in paradox theory. One of my rare failures actually. But frankly I never left that. When I heard you inquired for this I was really happy. Because it was a chance for me to collaborate with one of the genius minds of our generation about something so fascinating. Meet him Adrika. Get what he has to offer. Then come back to me." He said.

"What tells you that I will be back? Specially after what happened?" I asked.

"Because you haven't took your hand back from mine." He said holding up my hand that he was holding all this time. I must not have noticed . Now that's arrogance. I turned to walk away.

"I have something for you." He said. I looked back to him. "You are related to queen Adrika Right? Then I have something that is more valued to you than me. Give me a discussion I'm seeking and I will give you that thing."

"What is that?" I asked. What could it be?

"You have see it to believe." He replied.

"Adrika? Are you alright?" I heard Mads's voice.

"Yah.. We should go. Find Emma and Sky. Meet me by car." I said to him without looking away from Juro.

"But Adrika.." He protested.

"Maddy.. I said go." I said turning to him. He nodded and left. I turned back to Juro.

"You were right about one thing that I have this weird feeling about you. You seem to know way too much. And I will find out why." I said. For the first time I took control in front of him. But it didn't lasted very long though.

"Thank you for sending him away. I can do this without thinking he will shoot me."

         He said as he put a strand of hair behind my left ear. Then he leaned in and kissed my cheek saying good luck Adrika. I was froze but that sure runs a creep down my spine. I felt like touched by something very dark and sinister. Surprisingly I didn't feel anger. I should have. It was wrong in so many levels. Instead I felt feat. A terrible fear rush through my body. Before I could do anything. I heard Emma's chatters.

"There they are." She said. I looked back to see everyone. I sighed in relief. I definitely didn't want to spend another second with him alone. Not untill I find out what he was.

"I told you Emerald. When two geniuses meet, It's easy for them to loose the track of time." Mr.Acton said.

"Ready Ree? Or you wanna have some more hours." Emma said.

"I wouldn't mind that. She is so fascinating. I can just talk and talk." Juro said looking at me. I again felt so vulnerable. Suddenly I felt someone's arm around me. It was Sky.

"Some other time then Juro. Rika looks really exhausted today. It's been a busy day." Sky said.

"She is. We should call it a night then Lord Herbert." Juro said.

"Please. Sky. And Mr. Acton thank you for everything." Sky said. Mr. Acton gave a curt nod.

"Good night sir.."

        I said but he placed his hand on my head with a smile. Then awkwardly retracted it. It seemed like he wanted to say a lot. But was restricting himself. We left after that.

Third person POV

"Ok.. What did you do?" Acton asked Juro the moment Adrika and Sky were out of sight.

"Nothing yet." Juro said.

"Of course you did something. The girl was freaking out. So I'll ask once again boy, what did you do?" Acton asked with greeted teeth.

"Don't get yourself too attached Uncle. She will not be here for ever." Juro said.

"Don't spook her away." Acton said after a sigh.

In the car

          Emma was talking about her impression on Juro. How he was not like that. How she liked how sweet and awkward he was. Adrika wasn't responding to it. Mads was nodding to Emma but wasn't really listening. Sky looked little tensed. He was looking at Adrika from the rear view mirror.

"Adrika, are you ok?" Sky asked not able to suppress anymore. She looked at the rear view mirror. Then turned to Emma.

"Emms how much do you exactly know about this guy?" She asked completely ignoring Sky's question.

"Juro? Not much. No one does." Emma answered.

"Can you find out?" Adrika asked.

"With right connections. Yes. But why? Are you that interested?" She teased her.

"Hyyyy..." Sky said from the driver's seat.

"Relax. I'm talking to queen Adrika. Not YOUR Adrika...." Emma said dismissively.

"No. I do not have any interest in him." Adrika said.

"Just saying Ree. You lived your life in that universe. You bid your farewell to those relations. Now you are here. If anyway we can separate you from our Adrika, then you fell for someone. No one will blame you. You have rights to live and to be loved once again. You have rights to happiness." Emma said.

"I fell in love with the most wonderful man. I married him. He loved me like no tomorrow. I had two beautiful children. I had seven lovely boys. I had my life. There is nothing more I could possibly want that he or any man can give me. And it doesn't matter what universe it is. It can't change the fact that I am married to my husband. That I love him. May be name changed. Personality changed yet, In every possible universe, he is still my husband." Adrika said.

         Sky looked at her in the mirror. He could think how passionately she could love her husband. To him. Yet how he took all the opportunity to remind her she wasn't the one who he married. Emma looked at him from the mirror. It was more of a death glare.

"So what's the deal with Juro then?" Emma asked.

"He is off.. So much off that I feel weird. He knew a lot. And I don't like how right he was about me. My feelings. I'm vulnerable around him and I don't like that." Adrika said.

"Did he do something that I missed?" Mads asked.

"Now if I think about it, it was nothing out of ordinary... It just the way he talks, the way he looks.. The way he touched.." Adrika said clumsily massaging the back of her neck. Sky pressed the break suddenly and both men turned to look at her. She was looking way too trouble.

"Did he.." Emma asked.

"NO.. God no.. It was a kiss on the cheek.. Nothing sexual.. Just.. The feeling Emms.. The power he had over me was not natural. It creeps the shit out of me." Adrika said.

"I want everything on this man Emma. You get that. What the hell he did from the second he was born. I want everything." Sky said.

"You got it Sky." Emma said.

      Sky started driving again. They all sat in silence. Adrika was looking out of the window. Emma looked at her.

"For the record, I'm not leaving you alone with him ever again." She said holding her hand. "You are my girl. And I want you to know that I got your back. Always."

"You know Emerald you remind me of my sister. My Subhadra. You are just like her. You love like her. Tender and forgiving. I'm so lucky I got her with me as you. You maybe the best thing that happen to me here. But for your gain, don't get attached to me too much. Because we win or loose I'm not getting out of it alive." Adrika said in a stone cold voice.

"No.. No.. You can.. We will just figure a way to separate you from her.. I'm sure Leo can.." Emma said desperately. But Adrika hold her hand to stop her.

"Emma.. It's ok. I'm dead. I should have stayed dead. It's not my place. I accepted my death. But nothing will happen to her. I will make sure of it Sky. Don't worry" Adrika said. Sky looked at her in the mirror. In his head one line popped up,

"What if I want both of you alive?"

An

Ok.. So. Here is the meeting.. Tell me how it was?

Another thing I was wanting to say.. There are my readers whom we don't meet in the comment section. They read and appreciate the book. Sometimes I get to hear from them in private message. So I have this idea of having a QnA. Where I answer your questions. You can ask anything you want. About me, the book.

I have some questions from messages already... If you have any then write it in the comments of this chapter. So that it can be featured in the QnA.

That's all guys.

Please please please

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Love
Pragyna