• T H I R T Y - S I X •

Xavier rounded the car near the cafe they first met and saw Gracy already present. His happiness had no bounds finally the end was near. He parked the car and rushed towards her instantly pulling her in a bone-crushing hug. She was startled by the sudden hug. She pushed him a little not making him offended and it hit his senses, he quickly let go of her waist and apologized to which she smiled.

"Let's sit and talk" she suggested and he nodded. They were a comfortable silence between them. Gracy felt Xavier was not a person who would judge her for what she does. It was out of choice for her but even if it was her choice he wouldn't judge her. While Xavier had a little sympathy towards Gracy no wonder the women had curves at all the right places but he didn't think about her in that way. She was a nice person full of pain and agony just like Natalia. He wished all this ends soon and Gracy can start a new fresh start without the fear of being sold and live a normal life.

"You got everything?" he asked and she nodded

"I would need a little protection because there are CCTV camera's in my house and sooner then later my mom will get to know I stole a few of her important things"

"Don't worry I've made the arrangements"

"Before you do anything with the evidence just make sure there aren't CCTV files with my mom"

"Why something important"

"If she is in danger she will try and pull other people into it too. She has a video of Ashton coming to our house and buying Nate in Million Dollars"

"That's problematic"

"I have that video with me now but my mom always have a backup and even the bank statements that show Ashton's transfer of amounts every month"

"It's more complicated than I thought"

"If you can con people than I can arrange an entry in my house" she gave an idea and he smiled

"Evidence please' he bowed in front of her jokingly and she laughed. she handed him all the things she stole from her mother's safe. Everything she did was at the cost of her freedom and all she wanted was freedom.

New York

Austin gave all the documents and the memory card to his friends. Aaron was the first to hug him followed by Allen and Ashton. The four of them had a group hug and boosted Austin's morale while they knew he'll be broken, Victor was his father no matter what.

"Let's see if there is an update on your father's whereabouts," Allen said and bought Ashton's laptop

"You cleared all the listening machines," Ashton asked and Aaron nodded in affirmative.

"I have bought new phones so don't use the old ones they still have bugs" he removed new phones from his bag and handed over to the boys "change the sim card" he passed the new phone to each and every one of them and they changed their sim from the old cellphone to new.

Allen darted his eyes on the laptop noticed movement in it "I think Victor Reynold came," Allen said and turned the laptop to where Ashton and the boys were seated. He sat with them and watched the live update of Victor's whereabouts.

'Recorder Playing'

"Yes don't worry everything is under control," he said on the phone and sat on his chair playing with the calendar kept in front of him on the table. Austin hated his father, the man was laughing as if he did nothing. He was under so much mess that even if he tried to get way there was no chance

"I should have killed her with Nicholas if you hadn't stopped me that time for your greed" he spoke to someone on the phone but the truth he spoke was heartbreaking for them. wasn't Nicholas a son to him? for the first question occurred in everyone's brain. They all were best friends since childhood. They were family to each other. How could he?

"Natalia will die today itself on the bus I have planted the bomb don't worry" he chuckled "I have the right to kill her, she is my daughter if I can give birth, of course, I can kill her too," he said in a deadly serious tone. "Ashton is making everything difficult. She is always under the protection but this time I'll make sure she dies"

The boys were surprised would be an understatement they couldn't believe their own ears this was completely a cross connection no one even thought of this. They thought Veronica might be blood-related to victor but this was complete opposite it was something nobody had ever dreamed of. The most person out of everyone who was shocked and surprised was Austin. He for a minute thought Victor Reynolds was never his father. It was as if all his life he was a stranger to him. He didn't know this man. If Natalia's mother was cruel then Victor Reynold was just the same. They were like a match made in heaven. He was traumatized with the sudden revelation of truth. The criminal was right in front of them and yet no one ever imagined it.

"This isn't the time to be shocked" Ashton barked "Bring the car I'll call Cedric"

Allen rushed out of the hospital for the car while Ashton informed Cedric about everything and asked him to stop the bus and send him the address most important to find the bomb and save Natalia. His heart was eating up he couldn't bear if something happened to his women he will kill everyone. Natalia was his heartbeat he might die without her. How can destiny be so cruel to him? At last when everything was going smoothly then why Natalia's life has to be in danger. All sorts of thought were running in his brain he needed to see her, touch her, feel her, his heart won't be at ease until and unless with his own eyes he won't see her.

****

Cedric stopped the bus and informed the college authorities regarding the bomb on the bus. He made sure everyone was out of the bus especially Natalia. He started to search the bomb on the bus and found it under one of the seats. Natalia was standing with all the other students while her phone and bag were inside the bus. She wanted to inform Ashton about the sudden incident but Cedric has strictly asked not even come near the bus. She prayed for Cedric's safety the guy was paranoid related to her safety. She didn't know what in the world is happening. Ashton already has so many problems and yet another one. What is wrong with her fate always gambling with her never seen her happy. She just wanted to end everything it was becoming more and more chaotic why in the world would someone plant a bomb on the bus. Was it because of her?

She was worried about Cedric they guy has been taking care of her like a responsibility. He doesn't let her face any problem she hoped he is fine. She saw Cedric climbed down the bus with the bomb in his hand. All the students shouted and were terrified he ran away from them as far as he could Natalia ran behind him but the principal and other professors stopped her. "Mr. Cross will kill us if something happened to you," The principal said and didn't let her go. She tried to run in Cedric's direction but they didn't allow. She tried to get away from the female professor's grip but the grip tightened more and more. Their faces said they were sorry but she didn't need that. she wanted to save Cedric

She fell on the road helpless tears streaming down her eyes. She wanted Ashton she believed he will take care of everything. everything will be alright. like he says every time They all heard a loud noise in the air and saw the fire in the sky. The bomb exploded but where was Cedric. She stood up to go find him but no one let her she pleaded but the principal didn't allow

"Mr. Cross will kill me," he said again and stood there his head hung low

"Don't worry dear I've called the police and the ambulance they are on their way" One of the professors said and tried to calm her down but her insides were churning something bad had happened to Cedric. Her gut feeling said. It again rained. She hated rain it always came when she was pain or crying. Monsoon is known as the season of love yet rain always brings pain and tears in her life.

Ashton was on his way to Natalia. It was raining heavily he was driving recklessly the news on the radio said it was stormy outside. The night with heavy rain and storm brought back memories of Anna in his life. He looked towards Allen and his eyes were having the same emotion as his. He for a moment thought of stopping until the storm settles a little but then she was there alone and in danger. Austin tried to call Cedric and Natalia but couldn't reach either of them, they were all scared he'll kill, his father if something happened to Natalia.

"Ash move back I'll drive" he heard Aaron said from behind. He had eye contact with Aaron from the review mirror and agreed. Ashton rounded the car towards the corner and changed seats with Aaron. Too much was going on in his brain he needed peace and his peace was in danger. The storm settles after the long fifteen minutes of heavy rain. They soon reached the area where Natalia was there. He rushed out of the car and saw police and Ambulance. His heart dropped beat. The boys as well came out of the car and saw the scene. It was terrifying for Ashton rushing towards the scene for Natalia but a policeman stopped him

"Look sir let me go my wife's there" he tried to reason for his urgency

"I can't sir. An investigation is going on please stay here" The policemen stopped him but he insisted. The boys too insisted but they didn't allow

"I need to see my wife please" he requested more like a plead

"Sir there has been a bomb explosion please understand" the policeman tried to reason too

"Ashton...." he heard the voice that was a melody to his ears and comfort to his heart. She was alive and right there standing in front of him

He pushed the policemen and rushed towards her while the boys handled the police, on the other side she pushed everyone on her way and ran towards him. Ashton was like water to her in a deserted island and she was the last ray of hope in his darkness filled life

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him crying in his neck while he captured his waist and buried himself in her hair. At that moment, she knew she loved him. she was head over heels in love with the man. Ashton David Cross was the person her heart beats and will forever beat. He was the light in her darkened life. She'll cross mountains and oceans if, in the end, he is what she gets as a reward.

"I love you Ashton" there she said the three magical words he wanted to listen. He had died every night with the thought of she never loved him. His heart broke a million times every day with the thought of she loving Nicholas and never him. But today, he was alive again her confession was music to his ears. the music he wished to listen to all his life.

"I love you too love" he whispered and hugged her more tightly. She broke the hug the minute she saw Cedric on the stretcher. Ashton turned around and saw Cedric too.

"Aston please save him" she cried on his chest and he felt like crying too

"don't worry. everything will be alright" he hugged her combing her hair and she cried on his chest while he watched Cedric been taken in the ambulance. The boys rushed towards Natalia and hugged her. Ashton asked Allen to make sure 'Cedric has been taken care of by the world's best doctors. Give as much money they need just get the guy alive. He has Anna's heart'

A/N: Ahhhhh.... one more chapter down four more to go. I'm finally ending the book. Please let me know your views. Please Vote comment and Share. Do follow me to be updated about the next books in the series. I'll be publishing the new book in the series 'Million Dollar Chef'. Stay Tuned.