0°Celsius: Chapter 12

Mission to devils cave.

A heartbreak is not the end of this world.

But deception is.

A rejection can only hurt you.

But a betrayal kills you.

But you can still survive

You can survive if you freeze your heart and lock your emotions.

You can survive in the shell of a person you once were.

And today I just happened to realise how strong of a shell Andro had build around him.

As I came out of the bathroom fully soaked in water and back in my senses I was met with his presence.

Sitting on the sofa, scrolling down his phone.

‘1 month.’

He spoke without looking at me.

‘1 month you have to leave this town and never come back..all your needs will be provided with. You could find a decent job and live your own life without messing with mine…best for both of us.’

He got up to leave but I will not accept my defeat this easily.

I blocked the door stopping him.

His eyes instead of meeting mine examined my body and uncomfortably remained fixed on my wet shirt.

I blushed and folded my arms on my upper half without meeting his eyes.

‘You surely still know how to seduce a man Miss Sapphire.’

His comment offended me enough to make me look into his eyes.

Gone was the love and care he once had in his eyes.

Instead his tone was mocking and an arrogant smirk was plastered on his face.

Ignoring his comment I decided to speak my mind.

‘I will not leave…neither do I need your charity…I will die before asking you for a penny again!’

He stepped towards me making my back hit the door.

‘So much arrogance Miss Brown…It doesn’t suits a cheap sl** like you…so tell me how many men have you fuc*** since our breakup?’

His question so direct and his eyes so accusing made me loose my self control.

Without realising I slapped him so hard that I am sure my fingerprints on his cheek will be it’s evidence for next few hours.

Tears burned my eyes and my throat felt constricted.

I held the door behind for support.

Silence prevailed and I realised what I had done.

He will hate me more!

What have I done!

He will never forgive me now!

His burning eyes met mine and fear entered my system.

His hand gripped my scalp making me shriek in pain.

He kept putting more pressure on my scalp and pulling my face backwards making fresh tears escape my eyes.

‘Sto…..p it……..you…..ar…e hurting….me.’

I managed to reply but he had no intention of leaving me.

Instead his grip on my hair tightened making me wince in pain.

‘Good…..you deserve every damn bit of it and much more…’

His breath hit my chin as his next words froze me to hell.

‘Don’t test my limits to show you what kind of a beast you have made me Sapphire. I know your fears and I will not hesitate to show you nightmares in daylight…be in your limits…be a good girl and leave for good before I decide to drag you through hell.’

‘Am I clear?’

‘I SAID Am I CLEAR!!??’

His anger was not to be messed with.

I had no choice.

‘Y…es…’

I managed to reply with my broken voice.

In the next second I was released and he pushed me aside and walked out of the door.

His words and that scene from two years before pictured before me and I fell down on the floor clutching on to my hair.

Andro’s bedroom.

Day before Andro proposed Sapphire.

Loud sounds of laughter could be heard as Andro continued with his best weapon.

He laid on top of Saph and continued to tickle her so bad that tears of joy were setting on the pillow.

‘P…le….ease…hahaha……stop….And…ro….it’s….hurt…in..g’

On hearing that it was hurting her he stopped immediately…concern replacing mischief.

She looked up at him through teary eyes …

She slipped on ice few days back and suffered a back pain ,Andro feared that his actions have brought back her pain.

While she simply was referring to her hurting stomach and not her back.

‘Sorry….Saph….I didn’t realise….are you okay….’

Looking how serious he has become all of a sudden a smile escaped her lips thinking about his care and love.

Putting her weight on her elbows and pulling herself up she pecked his cheek and giggled.

‘I was joking Andro.’

A smile reappeared on his handsome face and decided to teach her a lesson.

Lowering his arms he crashed his body on top of her and captured her lips in a long dominating kiss.

Soon she replied his kiss and their night stayed young.

I was given 1 month.

1 month to stay here in his house with him as his maid/assistant and then go away from his life forever.

That would be it.

But the problem was that I didn’t even know what I needed from him…why I wanted to stay here in the first place.

Do I want his forgiveness…or do I want him…

A person has unwanted desire but all those can not be bought…

But I will make sure to live this 1 month as my whole life….he may become Andrea’s after 1 month but for one last time I want to be the only one for him.

You call me possessive…crazy ..or simply demanding.

But some people are just worth going crazy for.

The next day I was in office at time.

Before his arrival I placed his favourite Starbucks caramel latte on his table and arranged all his meetings.

Today’s meeting was very important as the investors will be coming.

I studied the project thoroughly and decided to arrange all the papers required.

Andro entered but he was not alone.

Andrea and Mr Reynold were accompanying him.

‘ Alessandro I may agree with your idea but we can’t forget that is not economically feasible….the cost benefit analysis clearly show that already budgeted expenditure far exceeds the cos-‘

Mr Ronald’s eyes met mine and he abruptly stopped.

Both Andrea and Andro’s eyes followed his eyes view to land on me.

‘Oh hey miss Sapphire didn’t expected to see you here…how is your ankle now?’

He approached me passing a small smile.

‘..Hello….Mr Ronald….it’s….fine..now thank you….’

He nodded and placed himself on the sofa

‘How do you know my assistant Walker?’

Andro asked with doubt clear in his eyes.

‘I just happened to be her knight in shining armour Alessandro…..anyways where was I …yes …the investors money can’t be invested in such a risky venture ….you saw our ratings right? They already dropped one notch down…we can’t afford another drop in same financial year…’

‘But Walker a steady position is no better…our investors are not risk averse…they know the pros of this idea…it has potential to generate millions…’

They engaged in their discussion and soon Andro sat on his seat.

I awkwardly stood there not understanding much of their discussion…waiting for Andro’s next order.

As soon as he sipped the latte a curse left his lips.

‘What the hell is this…!!’

It used to be his favourite…what was wrong…

‘Miss Brown who the hell told you to get me this coffee!! It tastes so sweet…..go get me a cup of black coffee… and not the machine one.’

‘Yes sir….’

I turned around and left for the kitchen on the 5 th floor.

I decided to make 3 cups of coffee.

When I entered the office again silence prevailed.

Offering Andrea and Mr Reynold coffee as well I slowly placed Andro’s coffee on his table.

He was focussed on the folder in his hands…

‘Sir….your coffee…’

‘Hmm..’

Came his reply simply ignoring me.

I decided to take my leave but Andro had no such intention.

‘Miss Sapphire I have a work for you……take this file …go to MM industries office and convince Mr Henry of attending today’s meeting…if you succeed then I may forgive you…’

I nodded and proceeded to take the file from his hand but Mr Ronald stopped me.

‘Alessandro you know what kind of a person Henry is…why are you sending her..you can send any other person?’

‘Walker I know what I am doing….trust me …she will be able to handle him….infact no one can do it better than her…’

Handle him….what were they talking about.

But Reynold was persistent….

‘Alessandro he never attends the meetings….I know he is one of our biggest investors but his reputation is known around…sending her will not do any good…’

But Andro was not ready to listen to him nor Andrea.

‘You need a special invitation? I asked you to go 10 minutes before didn’t I?’

I nodded and hurriedly got on a cab to reach my destination.

What was so dangerous about this Henry guy?

Why didn’t Ronald wanted me to meet him.

Keeping my worries aside I decided to focus on my task.

I rehearsed again and again how to impress him with our business idea even though I don’t know much about business.

Finally I reached MM building and asked for Mr Henry at the reception.

‘2 nd door to your left…he may be busy so please knock before entering…’

I nodded and proceeded towards his door.

Calming myself down I knocked on his door lightly.

No reply.

I decided to knock again a bit harder but this time I heard some noises coming from inside.

When I listened carefully I realised what was going on inside and stepped back automatically.

But as soon as I took one step back the door opened and a man with his shirts button opened and kiss marks on his neck appeared.

He was not bad looking…instead he was handsome with his blue eyes and black hair…but the vibe he had made me fear him.

‘What!!?’

He asked in a cold voice and I found it difficult to utter a single word.

‘…Mr…Romano Rousso….send …me….I…’

Instead of looking at my face I found his scrutinizing gaze on my body.

I shifted my weight from one leg to another feeling conscious.

I was simply wearing a baby pink cardigan over a white shirt..

The pencil fit skirt was showing my figure a bit but other than that there was nothing to look at.

I was simply plain and I don’t think any guy will be interested in me.

‘Come in.’

He ordered and opened the door for me.

As I entered the first thing I saw was a very beautiful model sitting on his sofa trying to adjust her clothes.

Her hair was entangled and she smoothened them with her hand.

‘Leave’

‘But Henry we just starte-‘

‘I said leave…we will continue it later.’

She was so beautiful….I couldn’t take my eyes off her in admiration as she stared at me with hate.

She was gone closing the door behind her and making me fear the only man in the room.

He lighted a cigar and very elegantly placed it between his lips.

I silently stood there waiting for his permission to start.

I moved forward to hand him the file but he stopped me.

‘Keep standing there!’

He ordered and I froze wherever I was standing.

After 5 long minutes of getting ignored and standing like a statue he finally placed his phone down on the table and looked at me.

His look made me shiver.

Making a cloud of the cigar he got up from his seat and stood behind me…

What was this man up to…?

Next I know the puff of smoke was blown on my neck behind and my body shivered with goose bumps.

I could feel his body heat radiating in waves behind me and my mind went blank.

‘I am not interested in Alessandro’s business proposal….these projects are worthless shits for me….but you ….belle can be put to much use ….’

I turned around and glared at him with all the hate I could muster…

‘I am here for business and I will not take any other bullshit’

I don’t know how I got so much courage to speak to him like that.

But considering the fact that he disrespectful women like this boiled my blood.

‘Fierce as a tigress….hmmm I like it…hunting down a challenge has always been my passion.’

‘Mr Henry I will like to keep it straight….the proposal is not just profitable but economically viable as well…the incubator s to be installed will help us gain carbon credits. They cost millions and your company is best known to invest only in those projects which save environment…I guarantee you this investment will be one of your bests and -‘

He interrupted me in between by signalling me to stop by placing his finger on his lips.

‘I know Alessandro projects are always good…but he is not convincing enough…and I think that’s why you have been send here..’

‘He understands my demands well and you are just according to it….so get started with pleasing me and I may approve his proposal..’

I was shocked would be an understatement…Andro sent me here for this…

He wanted me to …

How could he…

I know he thinks that I am a wh*** ..but this…is just unbelievable.

‘Strip girl I don’t have whole day.’

He looked at his watch impatiently as my adrenaline pumped at full throttle.

‘Strip? Huh…for you…?’

‘You think I am a bloody sl** who will offer her most precious thing…her soul to a fuc**** bast*** like you!! No Mr Henry you are badly mistaken….other girls may kiss your feet but remember I will not hesitate to kick your manhood…’

‘How dare-‘

‘How dare you think that you will talk to me like that!! How dare you think that girls can be used according to your wishes!! You are no man Mr Henry…no man…you are a coward who can’t control himself…you are weak!!’

He still looked calm

..I don’t know how but his face was neutral to any emotions…

The nerve throbbing on his forehead and the clutching of his hands showed me how he was controlling his anger. But I knew he could not control it much longer.

Picking up the file I decided to leave before I was killed and no body found my body.

I had spoken all my mind and nothing was left.

Except leaving I guess.

My worst fear proved true …

He blocked my path and anger was evident in his eyes.

‘You can’t escape after provoking the lion belle…it’s time to face the consequences.’

My eyes widened and on seeing the fear in my eyes he simply smirked.

I will kill you Andro!! I will kill you if I come out of this building alive!!.