Chapter 16

The next day

▫️Stella's POV...

For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone had truly looked out for me. Christian saved me—Christian Knight, of all people—and the weight of that realization melted something inside me I didn’t know still existed. I couldn’t hold back my emotions. Without thinking, I ran towards living room, here he is , I threw my arms around him, holding on tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered softly. It wasn’t much, but it carried the depth of everything I couldn’t say.

Christian stood like a rude. "Anderson… get off before I drop you. That's why I'm not kind to anyone or else you girls couldn't hold youself. Such a wild." he muttered, but his voice lacked its usual sharp edge.

I stepped back quickly, embarrassed, yet for some reason, I couldn’t stop smiling. But I have to talk back.

I said, "There it is. The real you. I was wondering when the jerk would show up again."

He chuckled over this and said, "I see you are fine now."

For the rest of the day, I felt lighter. I spent time with Ava, MJ, and even Nick. Liam is mostly busy with work rather than gossips.

Ava teased me, MJ cracked jokes, and for once, I let myself be part of the group instead of standing at the edges. That evening, I deactivated my old phone and got a new number.

New life. New people. Maybe this time, it’ll be different.

▫️Christian's POV...

Everything was finally under control. Stella was safe, she wasn’t running away, and on top of that, she was under my favor now. I didn’t mind; it gave me a strange sense of satisfaction to know she owed me something. I have a girlfriend without having a girlfriend .

But, of course, life couldn’t let me have peace.

Then my phone buzzed, and I saw Dad’s name flash on the screen. Great.

"Yeah, Dad?" I said as I answered.

"Is everything settled with the deal?"

"Yeah. Weapons will arrive next week. Everything’s solid."

"Good," he said, then paused. "And Stella? She’s back?"

I frowned. "Yeah. She’s here with me. Why do you keep asking about her?"

Before I could get an answer, my mom’s voice replaced his. "Chris honey! Is it true?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Is what true, Mom?"

"That you and your friends are ....gay!"

I nearly dropped the phone. "What? Why are you obsessed with calling me gay? You have already met my girlfriend."

"Apparently, ever since MJ proposed to Ava—oh, it was so romantic, by the way—there’s been a rumor that you, nick and Liam ,  you know are gay and  you doing threesomes together. So you should get married soon to stop this bullshit."

I stood up so fast the couch creaked. "Who the hell in the underworld has time to come up with this kind of creep talk? That’s insane! Utter nonsense. Or is it you both?"

Mom sighed. "No my son. I understand your frustration but some people gossip about the ones in limelight. But understand one thing, It's really better to be in a realtionship with a girl rather than a bo.... "

I screamed in crying tone, " Mom please don't complete the sentence and I'm telling you for the 1000th time I... We. are. not. gayyy...."

"Okay,  calm down. I was just telling you the previous rumour.", mom said.

Dad said then," So regarding ava and MJ... "

I sighed, sinking back into the chair. "Yeah, they are. He proposed to her three weeks ago, and they’ve been all over each other since."

Dad chuckled. "Good. That’s one less burden for me."

"What?"

"Well, since MJ is practically my son, the pressure of producing an heir isn’t all on you anymore."

I groaned. "Can we not talk about producing heirs right now? Also when are you announcing me as heir I already got a girlfriend."

But Dad wasn’t done. "On your wedding day. I’ll even give you the family emblem as your wedding gift."

"What is it with you people and my wedding? I'm done with your double standards. Now you are saying I have to get married then you will say child first. "

Dad said," I promise on your wedding day."

"I'll think about it dad. "

As soon as I ended the call, my mind was clear—I need to convince Stella to marry me. She has no one to turn to, nowhere to go. I don’t like her, not even a little, but marrying her can get me what I want—the position. The power that comes with it.

And after that? If she wants a divorce, fine. I’ll give it to her.

But convincing her won’t be easy. She’s stubborn, and I know she won’t just agree. If talking doesn’t work, I have my own ways to make it happen. I don’t lose—ever.

With this thought, I made my way to the living room.

---

There is chaos—again.

Ava and MJ were practically glued together, whispering and laughing like love-struck fools.

Nick and Liam were somewhere out, probably having their own fun.

Meanwhile, Stella was sitting by herself, feet up on coffee table, scrolling through her phone.

I walked over, plopping down on the seat next to her and said teasingly, "So, Pig… how much did you miss me while you were gone?"

Stella didn’t even look up and said, "I cried myself to sleep every night. It was tragic."

I with mocking concern said, "You poor little thing. I can’t imagine life without me either."

Stella finally looked up, deadpan and said, "I can. It’s peaceful."

" Correction -Its boring. You’re just in denial." I said with a smirk.

"Oh, absolutely not. You are not interesting. You’re the headache, Knight. Walking, talking migraine." Stella said while making faces.

"You’re like a mosquito. Annoying, persistent, and impossible to ignore." I snapped back.

"A mosquito? Seriously?" She retarded.

"Absolutely. You buzz around, get on my nerves, and somehow make me want to smack you."

"Wow, chris you’re on fire today."

"It’s called talent. I’ve had practice dealing with people like you."

"People like me? I’m one of a kind, sweetheart."

"If by ‘one of a kind,’ you mean irritating, then yes. You’re unique."

"Careful, Christian.  You’re starting to sound obsessed."

"Obsessed? Oh no, baby.  I’m just keeping my survival skills sharp. You’re like a crash course in how not to lose my mind."

"And yet, here you are, still sitting near me."

" So you can get a little bit limelight too."

" I don't need a bit , I already am highlighted. "

" Okay, if you’re the highlight, then what’s the lowlight?"

"Every time you open your mouth."

"Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious. You’re like a walking headache with expensive shoes."

"And you’re like a stray cat I can’t get rid of."

"Careful, Knight. I bite. You should be scared. I have claws, too."

"Claws? You mean those chipped nails you call a manicure?"

"Excuse me, this is ‘artistic minimalism.’ It’s trendy."

"Yeah? Trendy where? A kindergarten art class?"

"You’re just jealous because I don’t need expensive suits to look good."

"It’s not my fault I was born with class."

"You were born with something, but it’s not class."

"And what’s that supposed to mean?"

"It means your charm levels are negative. I’d rather talk to a brick wall. It’s quieter and more interesting."

" Denial. Just admit it you like my company. "

" Your company makes me appreciate silence even more."

"You’ve got a smart mouth, Anderson."

"Someone has to make up for your lack of wit, Knight."

"Unbelievable."

"Admit it. I’m growing on you."

"Like mold. Definitely like mold."

"Mold’s persistent, Knight. You can’t get rid of it."

"Neither can you get rid of me, baby." I said with a wink.

With this she wrinkled her nose and stand up and went in her room. Irritated by me.

Peace. Mission successfully failed. Passed.

"I found out she’s fine and mentally stable unlike previous days. If she agrees , that's good. If she disagrees, I can force her now. I’ll talk to her tonight. Let's see what   my sweetheart says." I thought with a smirk.