Nathan's POV

"Amelia. Come inside now!"
This woman has lost it. She has been doing this for as long as I know and she still doesn't know how to do it.
Suddenly the thought of Ananya doing the same task crossed my mind. She was a smart girl and that reflected in the work she did.

"Yes Nathan. You need me? I was out for a coffee." That woman entered my office without even knocking. Only I am to be blamed. I gave her too much of leverage while trying to irritate Ananya.

Why do I keep thinking of her? She cheated on me and I can still not get her out of my mind. I tried to focus on the present.
"Why were the clauses I asked for not added to the contract?"
I questioned.

"Oopsie! I guess it skipped my mind. You know when you terminated me for a day I lost my mojo."
I already regret calling her back. Her ego has inflated like a big air balloon and need to show her, her true place.

"Amelia! Enough of your mojo crap. I can't take it anymore. Either you start delivering or it won't take me a minute to throw you out again."

"Oh baby. You will throw me out? What?  To call me back again? You need me Nathan amd not the other way round."
No one speaks to me like that. No one!

"Get out Amelia. And this time you are not coming back."
I was furious.

"Oh really. I knew you would do something like that today. After all, Ananya is marrying Lexstur boy in 2 days. One thing I don't understand, if you loved her so much why did you let her go?"
Her words pierced my heart like a dagger. She was marrying Alex.

"You didn't know? Strange. Do you need someone to take care of you?"
Amelia brushed her fingers against my cheeks.
"Get out you whore. I don't want to see you again."
I banged my fist on the table. Terrified, she left the room immediately.

She was marrying Alex. What a whore? Tried selling herself to me using the baby. And now trapped the Lexsturs.

I just closed my eyes and rested my head on the chair as the memories of the past flooded my mind and the scent of betrayal filled my heart.

***********************************
Ananya's POV

It was Friday. And I haven't met Alex in past 3 days. Sunday was chosen for marriage and everybody was so busy with the preparations. Mrs.Lexstur was busy with the invitations, decorations, food and what not. What was Alex busy with that he hadn't had time to even see me?
Will this marriage cause me to lose my best friend? I spent sleepless nights wondering how this was going to change everything. Or will it all still be the same?

"Hey Ananya, you wedding dress is here. And its as beautiful as we imagined it to be. You will need to try it on once to see if its fits perfectly. You know, marriage is not an everyday thing. It has all got to be perfect."
Renee, Alex's first cousin was made in charge of my shopping.
The house was filled with guests. Many family and friends were staying at the The Palace but the selected close ones joined us at the Lexstur Mansion.

I was almost every moment surrounded by Alex's cousins. Everyone wanted to know about how Alex proposed to me. But Mrs.Lexstur saved me from these questions. She told them to ask that question to their brother.
But where the hell was Alex.

Today they had planned a bachelorette party. They knew I didn't drink but they insisted to give them a chance to drink.
Katherine was going to join us for the party. Alex's Grandmaa insisted we invite her too. It was on her importune that Katherine was one of the designated bridesmaid. Renee was the maid of honour and the organiser of our little party.
Mrs.Lexstur insisted we be back by midnight and noone but me seemed happy about it.

"Come on Ananya, just hold my hand walk." Renee guided me to the venue with my eyes blindfolded.
When we finally reached inside she unfolded my blinds and I was knocked dead with amusement. This was my first time being inside a strip club, being part of a Bachelorette party and cherry of the cake would be, being the Bride in that party!
I was made to wear a crown, which made me laugh a little. Like a private joke on my origins. There was also a sash which was white with 'Bride to be' written in red. It kinda matched with the pretty red dress that Renee selected for me.
Music was loud and everybody was drinking. Renee followed Mrs.Lexstur's instructions well and no one forced me to even touch a drink.
Our party was organised in an area separated from the rest of the club. However, the only way in or out was through the main club area.
The party went on and on.  I would be lying if I said I was not enjoying myself. I liked Alex's cousins and I could tell they felt the same for me. Katherine couldn't join us formulating health reasons. I wondered if she was with Alex.

I must say I was apprehensive about the party but now tha I was here I was glad we did that. It diverted my mind from all the skepticism of the future.

All girls were still busy taking shots. No one even ate the cake that I was made to cut or rather made to eat directly with ny mouth. It was a cake in the shape of a penis and it was one of the objects in today's party that shaped like it.
They were cracking jokes about how my honeymoon would be, and for once I liked all the attention.
There were different games they organised and the male stripper too joined the show but seeing me feel a little too awkward, Renee cancelled it.
Games however went on and on and apart from me everyone made it a point to drink, no matter who won or lost.

I sat there smiling as Cheryl, Renee's younger sister stood there blowing condom balloons and bursted them by sitting on them.
I suddenly felt my phone buzz. The music was very loud so I excused myself and left the party area to go out and take the call.
As I was walking towards the door smiling, my feet froze on the spot. I thought I saw someone. Those eyes! I could never forget those eyes. But when I turned around there was no one. I brushed the thought off. The phone was still buzzing. It was Alex. So he finally got the time to call.
"Hello." He said.
I picked the call but did not answer.
He giggled at the other end.
"Princess. Talk to me. I am sorry."

"Why call now? I am in a party. And you are disturbing me."

"Oh really? I thought Cinderella was suppose to be back by midnight."

"No. I am having fun. I am not coming back."

"Hey Princess, come out of the club. I am waiting for you. I will be your ride home. Let the girls enjoy. They will be back later."

"No. I am not going anywhere with you."
I smiled to myself as I rested my back on the lobby wall.

"Please sweetheart. I have to show you something. Come out dear. I have seen you since three days. Can't take it anymore."
"Alright. But you will have to say sorry 10 times."

"I will say it a 100 times. Come out now."

I was happy with the thought of meeting Alex after 3 days. I cut the call and turned around to enter the Club again when I bumped into someone and the phone fell from my hand.

"Oops, I am sorry." Without looking at that person I bent down to pick my phone. As I stood up I felt two hands holding my hands tightly and I was pushed against the wall.
I got scared and the phone fell again. But before I could do anything, I was completely in the grip of that man.
I looked up and saw those eyes digging through mine.
My breath stuck inside my chest and that night flashed in front of my eyes.
"Nathan, let me go."

"'Bride to be'? Why did you do this to me Ananya? I loved you with all my heart." I struggled to let myself loose. But my efforts went in vain.

"Nathan. Stop or I will shout."

"What have I done to you? Why did you punish me like this.?"

I finally gave up my struggle fearing harm to my babies.
I gave in to his power.

He brought his face near mine. It stunk of alcohol. I closed my eyes.
"I am ready to marry you."
I opened my eyes as these worda echoed in my heart. I was dumbstruck.
"Just confess to me that you cheated on me and this baby is Alex's. And I would happily accept this bastard child as my own and you will be my bride. I just want the truth from you."
He spat these words on my face.
His closeness made me feel sick. There was no one in the lobby who could help me.
My cries for help would be left unheard due to the loud music.
"Nathan, this would be the last time I would be telling you this. And I am not lying."
I looked into his eyes,as deep as I could, hoping to find one glimpse of the love we shared some weeks ago.

"I never cheated on you. And these babies are yours. I never for once lied to you when I said I loved you." I pleaded my case.
But before he could say anything, Renee came out and seeing me in that state quickly came to my rescue.
She pulled Nathan back and pushed him hard. He fell on the ground.
I breathed heavily feeling my heart beat again.
She hugged me. "Are you alright? Did this moron trouble you? I wondered where you were. Thank god I came at the right time."
She patted my back and asked me come out with her for fresh air.
Nathan sat there looking at me with raging eyes as I walked out.

I suddenly felt sick and ran out to throw up. Alex was waiting outside and he ran towards me.
Renee who was standing beside me, looked worried.
"Alex, there was this guy who cornered Ananya as she was coming out. I pushed him hard. But she is in a state of shock I guess. Good you are here."

"Go get water from my car." I heard Alex.
He quickly came up to me and held my hair back.
"Its ok Ananya. You will feel better in a minute. I have your medicines. Come lets get you to the car."
He wrapped his around my waist as I laid my head on his shoulder.

"Alex. Here water. I would have punched that man." Renee handed me the water. And Alex made me sit in the car.

"Where is he? Come with me Renee. Ananya wait here in the car."
I jumped out of the car and held Alex's hand.
"No. Don't leave me Alex. Please stay."
He looked at me and seeing my state stayed back.

"Renee, take care of everyone here. You see him, call the manager and complain. He knows me. He would help. Don't wander around alone, anyone of you. And be home soon. I am not feeling right."

"Yes big brother. Don't worry. We will be fine. And I will get everyone home soon. Take care of your bride."