@@@@@@@@Authors Note@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Hey Guys.. I'm back with another twisted story with essence of my crazy imagination and I would love to have your support again like I have always had..

Please let me know what you guys think and most importantly, share and vote for the chapter.

Picture of Beautiful 'Naina Nanda' on the right - check it out!

Enjoy! :)

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Years of love, followed by heartache.

Those are the years that define me.

Those are the years that know-

love's eternity is you.

In silence I watched the rain drops slip past my window creating tiny ornaments of crystal. I smiled as my finger traced a watery trail down the cold glass but then it gradually disappeared and became one with the rest.

Again I smiled, breathing a sigh, which formed a small patch of mist on the window. Then I wrote the letter G and drew a heart around it. But soon the letter began to evaporate. As I stared closely, the G soon faded into a 'C'

Then the loud whistle of the pressure cooker brought me to reality.

After wiping away the mist, I ran toward the kitchen. I popped open the lid and tasted the soup. Hmm! Hot and spicy--just the way he liked it. Now all I needed for our cozy candlelight dinner was to prepare the salad. I felt happier once I had cut up the carrots, two cucumbers, and peeled the onion. Just as I was arranging the last few pieces of onions around the plate, I heard his car pull into the garage.

"He's here!" I smiled brightly. Having wiped off my hands with a towel, I rushed to the door to welcome him home. Gaurav Nanda, my husband and the other half of my life, stood before my eyes with his everyday office clothes half soaked.

"Whats with this bloody rain all of a sudden!" The man had changed so much in the past six months since he had been appointed as the Research scientist at Laviosa Mineral company. As he stepped into the house, his angry, abrupt tone brought me to tears.

"Hey, why are you crying?" He could be so demanding.

"No, I was just.."

Once again, he interrupted me. I had gotten used to this in the past few days.

"Nevermind, get ready, we're going out!"

"Go-going out? But, Gaurav, dinner's ready, I've prepared everything you love the most." He just sighed as he took out his overcoat and stared at me

"You know I love your cooking, Naina , I always do! But today's special for me. Wouldn't you like to know?" Was I supposed to know the answer already? His anxiety suggested I should have.

I thought that I knew this guy! At this point, I wasn't even sure I knew much about us

"I..thought it would be special for both of us," I mumbled, lowering my eyes in defeat

"Oh, god, Naina! It's special for you too but not as much as it is for me.."

I was even more confused. Now even I wanted to know what had happened. Were we moving back to India, I thought?

"Naina, I've worked really hard for this, all those hours and days I spent in this strenuous job are finally paying off, Naina! I just got promoted to Senior Head Scientist. Now I will head up my own research team. I'll earn more now because I'll be directly responsible for the quality development in the company. Isn't that incredibly amazing, Naina?" His eyes shined with pride in his achievement.

Now I couldn't hold back a genuine, happy smile for him.

"And what's more amazing is that the company's owner, Mr. Laviosa, just came back from Italy. He's throwing a big bash in my honor at his mansion. So you-Mrs. Nanda--are cordially invited as well." He flicked his eyebrows with pride at me.

"Its very good news. I'll call Kiran right away and tell her." He caught my hand before I could reach for the phone.

"Naina, that can wait because you need to change clothes. After all, I can't be late for my own party!"

Things were different now. It was all about him, not us anymore..

Yet being the sensible and trustworthy wife of his, I agreed with a nod.

"I'll just put away the food and get dressed then. But at least could you try the soup I made." He shrugged his shoulders.

"All right, just go change, and wear that pink saree I bought for you few days back. It's time that they get to see the beauty of this brainiac. They won't be able to take their eyes off you!" He half smirked with pride as he made himself comfortable in a dining chair. I then, carefully served him the soup.

"But Gaurav, that saree's blouse, you know how it is. It's too revealing. I shouldn't wear that at such an important event of yours," I said in protest. I then put away unused dishes and stored leftover food in the fridge.

"Naina, that saree is meant for you. When I saw it on display in that Indian store, I literally pictured you wearing it. And, believe me, it only reveals what's priceless which is your beauty." He chuckled a bit and then finished his soup while I just stood there watching him.

Thoughts rushed through my head. If I'm priceless, shouldn't you treasure me? Instead you market me as one of your achievements too.

"Naina, you'll get all the time that you need to think in the car. Just get dressed, please!" His voice shattered my thoughts into tiny shards of doubt that ate at my soul. Wasn't this my life too? Can I destroy it by expecting more than I already have?

I'm not happy. Not near as much as I should have. Life's not a fairytale, and the sooner I realise this ugly fact, the easier it makes to accept things as they are. "Yeah, I'll just.. go change."

Without a word I went into our bedroom and looked for the pink saree in my closet. It hung next to the cotton yellow embroidered suit I had worn on Baisakhi. That day Gaurav worked late, and I went to the Gurudwara with Kiran's family instead. Then I touched the soft silk fabric of the rich coloured pink saree.

It's delicate color was soothing to the eyes. What was discomforting was that its blue blouse had a knot and its sleeveless design left my back completely exposed. I worried a little as I held it up to me in front of the mirror. But my husband's wish was my command. That's what I had been made to believe all these years.

At last I put on the saree with the matching blue earrings

In haste I put up my shoulder-length hair into a messy bun. Then I placed a shining bindi in the center of my forehead. In the mirror I saw an unsure woman, who still hoped to rediscover the man she had once fallen in love with. Was it too much to question my inner self?

"Naina hurry up, would you? It's about time to go!" Gaurav hollered. That caused me to hurry dressing so fast that I failed to notice a few things missing in my rush downstairs. But Gaurav wasn't one to complain ever about how I looked.

"I wasn't wrong to say the saree was meant for you, it looks far better than I imagined." How I blushed as I reached out with care to fix his tie. My beauty was about to had claim on its first victim of the night.

"After all, if it's my husband's choice, it couldn't have been less than perfect." But he ignored my cheerful, sexy smile and stepped aside.

"Exactly so, let's not waste anymore time than we already have, shall we?" He picked up his overcoat and headed out, leaving me standing.

What wrong had I done to deserve such arrogance? My thoughts were so unsettled now, I stepped out of the house and joined Gaurav waiting for me in the car.

As the rain subsided and the stars replaced the clouds, it wasn't just the wind that chilled me as I got into the car. Gaurav started the engine and pulled onto the driveway. While Gaurav's eyes kept us on a steady course toward the party, it wasn't clear where our marriage was heading. We may have been arm's length from one another, but our hearts were becoming miles apart.

As invisible as I was to Gaurav, the cool breeze on my skin made me wish we'd keep driving forever. How often were we under this roof after our marriage. Was it once or twice? We had been out once or twice but never just for ourselves. The best I could do was make the most of our time together at his office party--no matter what happened. All I was supposed to do now was have patience and trust in whatever he did.

At least I could make him proud of our relationship. Somehow I managed a smile at that thought as I rested my back against the seat.

"Here we are at last," Gaurav smiled but showed impatience. There I was-staring at a metallic Giant Gate entrance. Brilliant marble statues in amazing detail stood tall and mighty by the entrance. I couldn't take my eyes off of them.

"Mr. Nanda..Gaurav Nanda, I'm here with my wife." A security guard dressed in well tailored brown suit gave us a grim look as he took Gaurav's signature on a sheet that he held in his hand.

"Open the gates!" he then, shouted at the other fellow in the security booth. Big metallic doors began their slow swing to allow us entrance.

"You may enter, Sir. Have a pleasant evening."

Gaurav gave him a courteous smile and drove inside while I just sat there admiring the beautiful place ahead.

The massive mansion seemed more like a castle surrounded by a widespread, colorful garden. Its mezmerizing lights illuminated our path as we drove closer. It felt like I was dreaming, my eyes capturing something I hadn't seen all my life.

"Royally rich and a lover of fine arts.. Who wouldn't want to live a stinking rich life like his?" It took but a few greed-filled words of Gaurav to make me understand why he had been working so hard from the very beginning.

He stopped the car near the marbled steps leading towards the mansion.

A beautiful sculptured fountain gurgled merrily before us with water overflowing from the little cherub pots. Gaurav handed over the car keys to the valet, who then drove our car further ahead and disappeared from our view.

"Don't worry, he'll park our car safely somewhere..come on."

For a moment I was in doubt because I had never seen such a car service, but Gaurav was more accustomed to such privileges. So I just smiled in agreement and followed him inside the mansion.

"Good evening, Sir." A dignified old man in a well-fitted black tuxedo smiled. "Everyone's been waiting for you in the hall--especially Mr Laviosa. Please follow me." He then showed us the way.

The interior of the mansion was even more much spectacular. It had the tallest crown-molded ceiling and a huge, bewitching chandelier dangling above a wide, spacious area. Its spic-and-span ceramic floor reflected diligence care. Two spiral staircases went up to the second floor.

The décor was beyond pricey. Paintings large and small were displayed over velvet-curtained walls. We entered the hall area filled with people in expensive party suits and gowns. Some were holding champagne glasses, perhaps discussing "important" matters among themselves. On the dance floor graceful partners made elegant moves to beautiful bewitching music.

I gulped nervously because wherever my eyes went, they saw high class gentry in exquisite appearances and accessories.

"Finally you made it!" A lean guy wearing specs but with a manly voice walked toward us. "Could have at least changed your clothes for the party, man. Looks like you couldn't wait to receive all the praises, eh?" Gaurav chuckled, and his face lit up.

"Well then, let me be the first one to congratulate you, nerdy ass!" He then hugged Gaurav and gave him an encouraging pat on the back.

"Oh, shoot! Mrs. Nanda, I didnt know you'd be coming along, but it's really good to see you too." He smiled and fixed his specs.

While I acknowledged him with a smile, more people came our way to shower Gaurav with their praises and compliments. I was polite with guests who came to meet and converse with Gaurav.

"Well, Gentlemen, it wasn't easy, but luckily I pulled it off. Now we have a roaring partnership with Titania and even Vespa. But it's thanks to all of you that.." Gaurav continued with his endless gratitude speech while I just smiled at each one like I understood everything he talked about. When I didn't at all.

How long could I keep up this pretense and act like I wasn't suffocating already in this perfect, yet grave atmosphere?

"Do you have kids?" A woman in a scrumptious dress asked all of a sudden, standing next to me holding a champagne glass.

"Uh, no, actually we don't have kids yet." I smiled but was quick to look elsewhere.

"Oh, darling, I understand. It's hard to find time for family planning when your husband has such a demanding job and now he has got promoted too, must be difficult isn't it?" I wanted to dump champagne over her unreal, painted face but neither did I have the guts nor the right to embarrass Gaurav among his colleagues by making a fast exit.

"It's not like that actually. We think there's still time while we're still young. We definitely will have 'KIDS' one day." I faked a big smile, but I longed for this party to end soon.

"Naina," Gaurav suddenly called me. "Excuse us, everyone." He was gentle to the people gathered around us.

I just followed him from behind without asking where we were headed. I just didn't fit in this world of leisure and luxury as much as Gaurav. Yet I was trying my best to appreciate it. He then stopped behind someone whose back was toward us. He was busy talking to other two men at his side. He was quite tall but more broad shouldered than Gaurav. He was the only person not intimidated by this lavish party. Why did Gaurav want his attention?

"Mr. Laviosa?" The name resounded within my head so fast that I realised he was Gaurav's boss. He turned around and his emerald green eyes met mine. They were crystal clear and beautiful. Never before had I seen such vivid , daring green eyes. Now they were fixed on me like I had just ignited them.

"Sir, this is my wife, Naina," When Gaurav spoke up, he made me blink and look away, but those eyes didn't.

"Naina, I wanted you to meet Mr. Laviosa, owner of the Laviosa Estate and me." Gaurav managed a short laugh, but his boss didn't find it funny. His eyes still remained fixed on me.

"Well, not entirely if we have to be precise." he said with an amusing smirk. His charming Italian accent was distinctive.

"It's really nice to meet you, Mr. Laviosa. I've heard a lot about you from Gaurav.." Although my smile was sincere, he kept his stare intact on me. Maybe my Indian saree was out of place in a party where Western dress was expected.

"The pleasure's all mine, but unfortunately Gaurav never told me about you. After seeing you, I know exactly why." He stood with a smirk, keeping his hands in his pockets.

"Some treasures are best kept hidden from the world because others won't treat them as you do. Am I correct, Mr. Nanda?" He turned toward Gaurav, who laughed it off in agreement while I tried to make sense of his remark.

"Thank you for organising such an amazing party, Mr. Laviosa, its really splendid!" Gaurav spoke with excitement as he looked at the other guests.

"It's nothing compared to the work you have done for my company, Mr. Nanda. You've earned all of this and my respect too." Mr. Laviosa was right. Gaurav had worked hard and stayed up late nights completing reports and what not. I was proud of how far he had come on his own.

"Come with me, Mr. Nanda. There are few delegates from Bosnia, who'd like to meet you and discuss a few things." Gaurav nodded and joined the group. All the while I just stood there, unsure of myself. Should I join the boring business talk or stay right where I was? Already I'd had enough of it with Gaurav's friends.

"You don't have to join us if you don't want to." I looked up and got entangled in those rich green eyes again. Why did they stare at me with such intensity?

"Your lips.. look thirsty." Unnerved, I took a step back clutching my saree's end. His smirk unsettled me.

"It's best to give them something refreshing to taste." He raised his hand, and the elderly man we had met on our way in, came up to us. He had a pleasant smile.

"Antonio, please escort this beautiful lady to the bar. See to it that she gets everything that pleases her heart." For a second the old man just stared at me like this was something unusual. But then he nodded with a faint smile.

"Please, this way, Madam." I took a quick glance at Gaurav, but he was much too engrossed in his talks with the delegates even to look where his wife was headed. Feeling bitter, I followed behind the old man to the bar. "What would you like, madame?"

"Just water would be fine," I said smiling. How would I know what to order?

"Isn't that what we have everyday? Let me get you something better than water." Smiling, he turned to order.

"No, no! I don't drink! Water will do just fine. Thank you."

The old man just smiled. "One Shirley Temple on the rocks, please?" I didn't know what it was, but it was sure not water.

"There you go." He pushed a red-orange drink towards me, but I stared back at him with hesitation.

"Relax. It's not alcohol if that's what you're wondering. Please, enjoy." He half bowed and left me alone.

I looked at the drink and stirred it with the straw. Regardless, I was still unsure of myself until I took a sip. To my surprise, it tasted good.

I gulped it down entirely until only ice cubes remained. In an instant, I was refreshed, and my discomfort of being in this party was gone in an instant.

"How was the drink?" I looked beside me and there he stood, Gaurav's Boss leaning against the bar enjoying the view of his grand party, was he keeping an eye on me all this time, I thought curiously,

I continued to stare at his perfectly built frame, he certainly was very handsome, with his finely curved scarlet lips, his intense green eyes, his shiny black hairs. There was something unique about him that made him stand out. His strong, respectable persona set him apart from most men.

"You didn't quite like the Shirley Temple, did you?" He smirked and turned toward the bar.

"Black Russian, freddo senza ghiaccio." The bartender understood and made him his drink at once.

"You'd have to speak for me to know or is it just your husband who you're answerable to?" His creepy words shook me up. My eyes immediately searched for Gaurav but it was hard to find him amidst so many people.

"He's not here." I looked back at Gaurav's Boss as he held his black drink now.

"Where is he?" His green eyes found me amusing as he played with his drink.

"You didnt answer my question?" I asked again this time impatiently.

"Well, neither did you." He downed his drink in one swallow which made me think, what was I doing treating him like he was an ordinary person when he was my husband's employer, the person who gave Gaurav such a high post in the company deserves to be treated respectfully.

"I-I mean.. it was delicious, better than normal water infact." Hearing my fair words he suddenly began to laugh like I had cracked up a joke. It was such infectious laughter that it made me smile without even trying.

"Water? I see, so would you like to have another one?" he offered with his charming smile

"No, thank you, one was quite enough. So could you please tell where my husband is now?" His smile disappeared as soon as it had appeared, He turned back to look at the bartender.

"Mi fanno l'un l'altro." Why wasnt he answering me now? Confused, I stared at him.

He emptied his second drink in one gulp. Then he turned to face me. His unreadable expression made my heart skip a beat. In spite of my increased uneasiness, I made myself stare back into those green eyes attempting to pierce my soul.

"Dance with me." He whispered with his relentless gaze and my breath seized like I wasn't mortal anymore, why would he say such a thing?

"Dance with me, and I'll let you know." His demand made me feel that I was all that mattered to him.

"But I'm not such a good dancer, Mr Laviosa. I mean I barely.." I was honest, but my answer didn't please him at all.

"Let me teach you then." He was too confident as he reached out for me with his smooth left hand.

Why did everything about him fascinate me? He didn't give up. He just kept his hand raised in front of me. Why me? I didnt know but refusing him would mean refusing Gaurav from all that he's achieved as I had no idea where his Boss would take out this anger of declination and just one dance wouldn't harm anyone, I thought.

Assured, I slipped my hand into his. His cold smile broadened, and he looked more appealing now.

"Follow me." I couldn't ignore all the shocked faces as we proceeded toward the dance floor, They were in as much shock as I was but still I felt Gaurav's absence mattered more to me than the extraordinary looks I received from these people,

"Place your right hand above my shoulder." I watched as he stood closer, his flawless face just inches away. When I placed my slow, shaky hand above his shoulder, my fingers felt his sleek, formal attire. He had an excellent preference for expensive fabric.

"Have you ever danced like this before?" he asked, curiosity evident in his eyes, he still held my hand captive within his own, my lips couldn't move as if sealed by his dominance. I felt like a pawn in his special game.

"Glad to be your first."

Without warning, he pulled me closer, pressing his body to mine.

His fingers sensuously ran across my bare waist, I shivered under his intense scrutiny. It felt like I was unknowingly slipping away from reality, He then, made me step back and forth with the rhythm of the music and surprisingly I didnt falter.

"I must say you're quite a fast learner.." His stare was unwavering.

"Why me, when you could have danced with anyone?" The corners of his mouth tilted upward into a wide smile

"But you're not anyone, Naina."

What does that mean and who gave him the right to use my first name?

I looked away fast so he wouldn't get any wrong ideas about me.

I never wanted his attention, but I wanted to save my husband's hard-earned position.

"Gaurav's a lucky man to have you." His words didn't sound genuine.

"Even he admits that he is lucky to have you as his mentor. He really thinks very highly of you, Mr. Laviosa," I replied with honesty while my eyes searched for a a glimpse of Gaurav. How long would I have to oblige his Boss?

"And you? What do you think of me?"

My eyes widened as my heart sank to its very depths, I stared back into those green mystical orbs which indeed wanted to know but I couldn't find my voice or my senses anymore,

His hand slowly reached upto my blouse and played with its knot. Stop it, my mind cursed! My breathing became rapid and my heart raced.

He smirked pleasingly at my tormented expression.

He brought his lips closer to my ear and softly whispered "Wish you were mine than his.."

Startled by his bold, unexpected advance, my patience was all gone. I immediately pushed his hands away,

His expression hadn't changed but rest of the people were astonished by my action, I couldn't take anymore of these people suffocating me with their unpleasant stares,

Enough! Now I'd had enough of people's suffocating stares. I rushed out of the main hall squeezing my way between guests until I was outside where I could see the night sky and feel the fresh air. As I stood near the fountain to catch my breath, Suddenly a hand rested on my shoulder.

I immediately removed the hand and stepped back in fear.

"Hey, what's wrong! Why did you run off like that?" Gaurav was clueless about what had happened. Without giving a second thought, I ran into his arms.

"Whoa, Naina! What's gotten into you! We're in public, control yourself!" His rude remark made me step back from him and here I thought, I would feel safe in his arms

"Come on now, I have to get back in the party." He then without any trace of concern started climbing up the steps while I stayed behind trembling in fear.

"Where were you Gaurav? I tried to look for you but you weren't there.." I spoke disappointedly.

"Naina, I was with the Delegates, where else would I be? There was a lot of noise in the hall so we moved our discussion to the study hall upstairs but when I came back I saw you literally running out of the party, care to enlighten me what caused you to behave in such a disrespectful manner?"

Your shameless boss, I thought. If I told Gaurav everything, he wouldn't believe me because I knew more than me he had faith in his perfect boss.

"I, I want to go home, Gaurav. Please take me home." I was weary, but he just gave me a blank stare.

"Naina, We haven't even had the dinner yet and you just expect me to leave like it doesnt concern me." He gestured toward the party inside.

"I thought you'd be a part of this, be happy for me." so now I was being blamed for speaking my heart out to him.

"I have always been a part of everything you did Gaurav even if I wasn't physically present there and even today I'm here just for you but.." His numb stare disheartened me.

"Just let me know when you're done. I'll wait out here for my husband, not the scientist employed at Laviosa."

After a few seconds of silence, Gaurav left me by the fountain and joined the party inside. I sat down- drained of all my strength. Gaurav's failure to support me, his wife, was even more disturbing than what Mr. Laviosa did. Gaurav's boss was nothing like what I had expected. I could still see his piercing, fearless green eyes and feel how they preyed on me even from while I sat at a distance

I just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. It all depended on Gaurav now as I waited with patience for him. After a few minutes, he returned with a stern look, walking fast. It was obvious he wasn't happy, but somehow I was. I no longer had to stay around this place.

I could deal with his silent treatment but not the shame.

Without even asking, he had assumed that I had betrayed him. As soon as the valet handed him the car keys, we were headed away from the mansion--for good.

LAVIOSA MANSION

"Master? Master Carlo?" The butler entered a spacious room furnished in classical Corinthian décor.

"They left the party, didn't they?"

The Butler knew the low-pitched, resonant voice and looked over the balcony. There, stood the tall man under the moonlight with the drink in his hand.

"Uh, yes, Master Carlo. Mr Nanda's wife, she wasn't feeling very well. So they left in quite a hurry. He told me to inform you so. Maybe it was the drink that didnt suit her.."

The Butler then, heard a muffled laugh from his Master.

"The drink was fine Antonio. It was me that didn't suit her taste." He smirked as he took a sip of his own drink. Walking over to his loyal Butler, he patted him on the shoulder.

"Well then, I'll just alter her taste. That would make it a lot easier, wouldn't it Antonio?"

The Butler couldn't understand his Master's words but knew his smirk all too well.

"Forgive me, Master Carlo, but what would be easier?"

His Master just gave a dangerously wicked smile.

"To make her mine, of course."