chapter 17

The temperature in California had dropped to a record low this year and the clothes Aliza was putting on did little justice to her trembles accompanied with the heavy downpour. She had forgotten her long coat in her quarter while re-reaching the office in a hurry. A sleek black Lamborghini Urus rushed through the gateway but Aliza stood rooted to her feet. It was a do or die situation to her.Aliza felt humiliation and shame for her helplessness.  Guarding her last ounce of courage she yelled to the passenger window at the back of the car. "Sir I am not disloyal, I did not commit the breach." The car shifted its path and went away from beside her in full speed splashing the muddy flashes of water on her already wet dress.The next moment a white van stops a few feet away from beside her and two men in blue walk towards her. "You're under arrest Miss Aliza Stelwart for committing breach of contract in divulging secret information about The Richmond Industries to foreign firms."Handcuffs go attached to her wrists as she thought in distress. My life is destroyed and am caught for the pilferage I shouldn't have done. But Alas it was too late for the culpable acceptance.Aliza wasn't intent to avenge her hurtfulness on Charles.She didn't indulge in taking revenge upon him.On the contraryAliza was a woman with the most balanced mind. She respected and  supported Charles suffering towards her.But then....why did she steal from him?******The night Charles couldn't sleep. It was a punishment he levied on her or it was the retribution he awarded to himself, he did not know.Love has different shades and the most chastising among is pain. He loved her. He loved Aliza Stelwart without knowing who actually she was.The next day morning he called his lawyer to get the bail papers ready for Aliza. He ordered his security to follow her from the moment she is released from the prison and brief him of her every minute details.After Aliza was released she did not go to her uncle's house. On the contrary she walked to the hospital and the news came to Charles as a shock. In spite of everything she did to him Charles cursed himself for still holding affection for her in some corner of his heart. Aliza Stelwart is a bitter pill in Charles Rodriguez's life which he can neither swallow nor throw out."Give me the details of everything the doctor says to her." He commanded his security with panic racing in his heart. "Yes sir" came a firm reply from the other end. Half an hour later Aliza walked out of the hospital exit in panic and was suddenly hit by a car. It was an open hit and run case on the busy road.Her body flew in air bumping on the wind shield and collapsed to the ground in a jerk with blood running in streams from all over the body. The  medical team immediately responded to the emergency and rushed to the spot. A senior Gray haired doctor came forward and examined the pulse. He looked around the people gathered and voiced to no one in particular. "Is there someone related to this lady?" The security head of Charles walked forward pushing himself from the crowd.The doctor shook his head looking at him. "I'm sorry to say but she is no more."****Charles picked the call hurriedly before the second ring. "Yes what happened to her?" He asked in worry. "Sir I am sorry to say but madam Aliza is no more." The head security Anime called in defeated tone. "Do not talk nonsense. Are you drunk?" Charles yelled on the phone.Anime ignored the voice of his boss. He knew Charles was out of control and for many more years to come he would. What happened was disastrous but he was sorry, he couldn't help the situation.  "Sir, the accident happened five minutes ago in front of the hospital. A car hit madam and fled away. I think it was a murder rather than an accident." He spoke bewailed lamenting for the loss of his boss. "You need to come and register to take the custody of the body.""You bastard, do not speak another word. You're are drunk and fired." Charles snarled on the phone and walked out of his office room in shivering steps.Dhak-dhak.....dhak-dhak it was the beat of his heart that could be heard even up to his ears as he neared the accident spot. Charles kneeled beside the body taking short heavy breaths. His hands quavered in turning the face of Aliza towards him which was to the other side and then there was loud yelp followed by a bullet scream.Love is blind and foolish.Our heart always doesn't love the right person.Not all unions are made in heaven and bound to be fairy tales.Forced - the painful saga of love and hurt.  To be continued.....