ELARA POV

"Don't you dare think that just because we're married, you have the right or any kind of authority to stop me or say any fucking thing to me. You're nobody to me. I give a damn about you and what you think. STAY AWAY FROM ME YOU BITCH!"

Still in shock that he actually had pulled a gun on me, I stayed rooted at my place while he walked away. Finally recovering from what has just transpired and wiping the unwanted tears from my face, I walk back inside. Thankfully, I spot a waiter.

"Excuse me.. Can you guide me to my room, please? I'm kind of lost." I say, trying to sound normal as I give him the room's card.

While the waiter gives me a surprised look and replies. "Sure, ma'am. This way." He says while showing the way as I follow him.

" Hmmm. Are you okay, ma'am?" He says.

" Yes, I'm perfectly fine." I lie.

He just nods, clearly not convinced, as we reach the room. After thanking him, I enter the room. As I switch the lights, I see one beautiful honeymoon suite. Decorated with flowers, candles, and all the lovey-dovey stuff for newlywedded ones. But as I face the mirror, I look at myself in horror.

Now I realize why that waiter had a surprised look. Because right now I'm looking like hell.

My lipstick is all smeared up all over my lips and cheeks, and the tears have messed up all my makeup.

I take a pair of leggings and a T-shirt from my suitcase, which is already in the room, and go to the washroom to remove the makeup and the gown.

After some minutes, I come back. Still no trace of my Hus... Of that man... Where the hell is he?? Well... We need to talk. We seriously need to talk. What he did was wrong. And he should realize that.

First, I need to calm myself. I go to the balcony for some fresh air.. The view from the balcony is beautiful, at 4 in the morning, with the lights still on and the sun starting to rise. I spot a wooden table and its matching chairs on the balcony. I sit on one of the chairs in the balcony waiting for him. But defeated by fatigue, I don't know when my eyes get heavy and I fall asleep there itself.

As the rays of the sun fall on my eyes, my sleep gets disturbed.

Okay, I get it. It's morning. But I don't want to get up right now...

I turn around to escape it, but fall hard on my left side.

As I feel my hand aching, I slowly open my eyes. The memories of last night hit me, I stand up quickly, but to my bad luck, a sharp pain hits my back. Regretting that quick action, I sit back on the chair and wait for the pain to calm down. As I feel better as time passes, I go into the room. The sheets are messed up. So he did return after I fell asleep, he also slept on the bed, and he didn't even bother to wake me up. He left me out there sleeping on that wooden chair. Still feeling a little pain in my back and hand, I'm about to move towards the washroom to freshen up when my eyes fall on the side table of the bed.

There's a tray of food there. I go near it and see that there are sandwiches, a glass of juice, a cup of coffee, apparently very strong since it's smelling like that, some cookies with a beautiful bunch of red flowers, as well as a piece of paper on the side. I pick up the paper and read.

" I know that the way I behaved lastly has hurt you a lot. And I am sorry.. I swear I am really very very sorry.. I am ashamed of that. I promise that this will not happen again. I was already tense, and I said all those things out of anger. I didn't mean any of them. I really want to make up for that.. So hurry up.. I'm waiting for you at the back of the hotel near the beach area. I have a small surprise for you. Come fast.

Love You

And sorry, Nick."

"What? Love!? So does this mean that he realizes that he was wrong last night? And he left such a sweet message. That's so sweet of him.

I said so many things to him last night out of anger. I called him a beast. Why do I get angry when I know that I can't handle myself? Maybe even he's like me. Says things that we don't really mean when angry, and once calm, regret the same previous actions.

Well, if he wants to make up and say sorry for what happened yesterday, then I should move ahead and say sorry for my behavior as well. Let's get ready and go, Elara." I think as I play with the flowers happily.

I open my suitcase and take the white dress that is on top, so as not to waste any time deciding what to wear. Not wasting any more time, I get ready and head towards the instructed area.

Currently, I am at the back of the hotel. It has this view of the sea and the sky with the bright sun shining; it looks even more beautiful. I walk on the sand, trying to see where he is as I feel the soft winds hitting my face. As I walk a short distance, I stand in surprise. This part of the beach has been beautifully decorated with red roses, red balloons in heart shape, and simple long pieces of cloth in red and white combination hanging around with a table and chairs in the middle.

All of it is looking absolutely eye-pleasing and romantic. As I pick up the red rose and balloon near my feet, my thoughts are overwhelmed.

Oh my god. He did. All of this. For me!?

Wow. It's sooo beautiful. Thank you, Leonardo...

Thank you for being the first one to make me feel so special. I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you what all of this means to me! Thank you!

"Who the hell are you? And what are you doing here?" My thoughts get disturbed as I hear a voice shout at me.

I turn back to a lady coming towards dressed in a sexy designer dress, blonde hair, and high heels.

High heels! Who the hell wears heels to the beach! That too on the sand!

"I asked Who are you?" She says again as she pushes me back roughly, and I fall on the sand. Pain hits my back again due to the impact. As I struggle to get up, I retort back at her.

"Enough. How dare you? I'm waiting for my hus.." I don't get the chance to finish my sentence as she rushes past me, shouting happily

" Amore....... " She runs and hugs a guy, but as she's moving a lot, I can't see that man's face. Then she pulls him in for a kiss. I can see that they are kissing very passionately, hence they must definitely be lovers. But as the guy's face comes in front of me, I look at them horrified.

Leonardo.

Yes.. It's Leonardo.

Kissing that blonde in front of me.

I watch them in shock while they are still kissing. Not even 24 hours we've been married and this man is already... I know that this is a forced marriage.

But.. At least have some respect for it. Yesterday he promised to be loyal to me and our wedding, and today...

They finally break the kiss and notice me. The blonde says again in an irritated way,

"You're still here. Get out of here. I have booked this entire part of the hotel for us today. So out of here." I hear her as I look directly in Leonardo's eyes.

No emotion at all. No guilt. No regret. No surprise. No nothing.

He doesn't even try to give me an explanation. He just ignores me completely.

"Are you deaf or what? Can't you hear what I said!?" She shouts again, causing me to finally recover from what I just realized.

"Give her time to understand what's happening, Nilda. After all, she must be shocked seeing the man she married yesterday kissing another woman openly 1 day later." He says with a smirk while Nilda's facial expression changes from irritated to angry and disgusted. She's currently looking at me with anger in her eyes. She marches towards me, still very much angry.

Before I realize what she's gonna do/say, I fall again as she slaps me hard. Very hard.

And then I feel her hand grasping my hair roughly as she yells in my ears,

"All of this happened because of you. We fought because of you, imbecile. Because of you and your father's business, I cannot marry Leonardo. Because of you both, we almost broke up. And don't think that just because Leonardo married you, you can boss me or anyone else like his wife. That right belongs to me. And only me. Get that straight in your head! And now get the fuck out of here before I call the security to throw you out." Nilda says as she leaves my hair and goes towards Leonardo. Not knowing what to do more, I just get up and walk out of there without turning around.

I finally reach the room, as I enter it, I go to the mirror, and I look at myself. Not able to control myself anymore, I start laughing out loud. I keep laughing till tears start flowing out of my eyes, and crying replaces the previous laughter as I collapse.

No Leonardo. It's not your fault. It's again my fault..

Actually, it's always been my fault.

I thought you left that note for me. But seems like the note was for you instead.

How? How the hell did I even think that I could be happy for once?

So many times life taught me this lesson, yet each time I keep the hope alive that maybe even I can have a normal, happy life. And each time I've hurt myself only.

Why do I not accept it once and for all that happiness, love, care, and concern are not for me?

First, Father left me. The society didn't leave any stone unturned to make Maa realize that she was wrong in trusting and marrying a stranger. And also that I was mistaken and a burden on my Maa. Though Maa didn't say anything like that ever, I could hear the neighbors say from time to time that Maa had a very difficult time raising me.

Yet we were very happy and content with each other despite being poor. Then Maa also left me.

But Father brought me back into his life. Again, I thought that maybe now life is getting better, but it only gets worse.

That Jennifer left no stone unturned to make my life miserable, while Father said nothing.

Then Bunny came into my life, and the first time I held him was such a precious moment, yet Jennifer could not let that happen; she kept him away from me.

Till we discovered the medical condition of his legs. And it didn't take Jennifer a single moment to announce that she no longer wanted a handicapped child. And I had to fight both her and Father to convince them otherwise.

And Bunny's responsibility became mine. Being an 18-year-old at that time, I faced a lot of problems raising him, but Bunny was and is the only family that I'm left with. And I will not let anyone take him away from me ever.

And now. History repeated itself, last night you said clearly that I am no one to you, yet this morning I thought..

But thank you for reminding me that this wedding is just a business deal for you. I will not lose my focus again. Now my priority will be only Bunny.

And as far as you are concerned, Mr Leonardo Lorenzo, I will not let you treat me like you and that girl did today again. You want it or not, I am your wife, and you're stuck with me.

So, Nilda or no Nilda, I will make sure that you understand what the term Wedding really means.

I tell myself, determined to make him realize that he's wrong. And trust me, he will realize that.

LEONARDO POV

"How dare she come here! Who the hell does she think she is? She spoiled our moment. Amore.... How are we gonna tolerate her? I already can't stand her." Nilda says as she hugs me.

"Just ignore her. She's not worth our time." I say short and straight.

" You're right, Nick baby. Instead, let's enjoy ourselves. And I am sorry for overreacting when I got the news of your wedding from Roman. I said so many things both to you and him." I just nod at her as she pulls me towards her and kisses me again.

*

ELARA POV

LATER THAT DAY

As my phone rings, I take it and see a private number calling. Who's this now? I pick it up, thinking just in case something serious happened. As I press the answer button, I hear, "Heyy, new sis. What's up? How's the honeymoon going?"

" Roman?"

"Yes."

" Where did you get my number from?" I ask, all confused as I walk towards the balcony.

" Well. Just think that I have some really good contacts due to our business. Anyways, sooo how's everything going?" He asks as I stay quiet for a few seconds, not knowing what to say.

" Well.. All's okay." I say I'm not willing to let anyone know what really happened.

" Really! So where's Nick? I called him and he didn't answer."

Okay. Now I need some guidance. Following the scene of the morning, I didn't see him again. So what do I say now?

Think Elara. Think hard. And quick.

"Hmmm.. He went to get ice cream. Actually, I am having a very bad craving for ice cream. And his phone is dead, I think. Maybe that's why he didn't pick up your call." I say, trying to sound as confident as possible.

"Elara.." He says softly. "I'm sorry for his behavior.. I don't know what he did or said to you, but I know something did happen. When I called him, he did pick up the call and sounded a little abnormal. That's why I called you to ensure that you are okay. I know he's a hard man to live with, but trust me, it's not his wish. It's just that business made him like this. And I truly believe that you can change him. So please do not give up on him." He says in a calm tone, touching me.

"Don't worry about that, Roman.. I will not leave him under any circumstances. Even if he wants to. And don't worry about me. I'm fine." I say, after I don't have much of a choice here.

"You know what.. I really like the determination in your voice. " I hear the sound of the door opening from the phone, silence for a few seconds, then Roman continues, "Okay. I have a surprise for you. And trust me, you're gonna like it. "

Surprise! What kind of? Please, I don't want any more..

Surprises always turn out to be Shocks for me.

I'm about to ask him when I hear a voice chirping loudly from the phone.

" Heyyy Diiiiii.... "

" Bunny! Is that you?" I ask all excited.

"Yups Diiii. Guess what!"

"What baby?"

" Rommy is taking me with him this weekend to his home as you both are holidaying away."

" Rommmy? You mean Roman! "

" Yupsss. He said I can call him Rommy if I let him call me Bunny. You don't have any problem with that, right? " Bunny asks, cleverly sounding innocent.

" Well. Since he's taking care of you and I like him too, I guess I can share you and your nickname with Roman. But make sure that you don't trouble him a lot, or else I'll be angry with you.. Okay!"

" Okay Diii.. I promise I'll be a good boy." Just as he finishes, I hear Roman say, "And I promise to spoil him in your absence."

And I hear both laughing at that, smiling at their childish antics, I say. " Okay. Okay. By the way. It's past 10. Time to go to bed, Bunny. And you too, Roman. "

Both reply at the same time. "Yes, Boss. We are off to bed now. Good night. Sweet dreams."

" Good night. Sweet dreams to you, too." I say as I hang up. I stand here looking down at the other people who are currently enjoying themselves, having a great time with friends, family, and close ones. Also reminding me that I'm not fortunate enough to be part of all that. I wipe the tear coming from my eye.

I go back into the room to find Leonardo sitting on the bed and using his phone. Not willing to have any kind of argument again, I move towards the washroom when he says. "You can fool my brother like that. But not me!"

I turn towards him, confused as he continues. "You really think I don't understand what you are trying to do. Pretending to be nice in front of Roman, hiding what happened between us. If you think that I'm gonna fall for that. Well, let me tell you that it's not happening! "

I just nod at him and continue walking to the washroom. But suddenly, he pulls me and pins me to the wall. "How dare you walk away when I'm still talking to you?"

"Really! Why does it even bother you? After all, last night you made it clear that I'm no one to you." I say, trying to get his hands off mine without any success.

"Don't you dare give me that attitude! You'd better show me respect. Otherwise, you will definitely regret it. Maybe your brother as well." He says in a dangerous tone, giving me goosebumps.

"If you're done, can I use the washroom now? " I try saying in my normal voice so as not to show how scared I am.

He leaves me, and I rush to the washroom where I wait till I calm down. I cannot show him that I'm weak. And I will not fall weak no matter what. Finally getting out of the washroom, I see him already on the bed with his pants on and shirt thrown down.

I move towards the bed to go to sleep when he says. "The bed is mine, find your own corner to sleep."

Yes, this man is not a gentleman but an asshole. Without another word, I go out back to the balcony.

Looks like this balcony is going to be my bedroom till the time we're gonna stay here.

ELARA POV

"Elaraaa. Please stop crying, Elara." I hear and feel a hand caressing my hair as my head is on the edge of the bed.

" Please don't make it hard for me. I don't want to leave you ever. But my health. It took me a long time to accept this. And now even Dad is here. You will not be alone." I look up, eyes filled with tears, only to see Maa lying on the bed, trying her best not to break down in front of me.

"Dad! Seriously dad! That man didn't even care to know how we have been living all these years without him. All these years, when he was busy with his business and his new wife. I really doubt why he even came here when you called him. You may trust him.. But I don't!" Before I can say anything more, her hand is now on my lips as she doesn't want me to continue.

" No, Elara. Don't say like that. Yesss. What your Dad did to us was wrong. Even I agree with you on that.

But he is not the only one to be blamed for the rift between us. Even I am to be blamed here."

What? Is she even to be blamed? What is she saying??

I think as I look at my mother as she struggles to sit on the bed. I help her and then wait for her to continue.

"Yes, Elara. Even I am to blame for the increased differences between the two of us. I was so carried away by the fact that he had. That... That I didn't even try to make him understand that he was wrong at that point. I didn't try even once. And I regret that.

I... I regretted not having tried all these years. Maybe if I had tried to, the situation would have been different today. Maybe you would have had your dad by your side all these years. Marriage doesn't work only because of one partner. In the same way, it doesn't break because of only one partner. He was wrong, and I should have tried guiding him to the right path instead... Instead of leaving him and returning. But by the time I realized this, it was already very late. Many years had passed, and then this happened." I look at her, still trying to gather this part of the truth behind the separation of my parents. And damn.

It is making sense.

"Elara." I look at Maa right in her tired, sleepy eyes, which have sadness in them, and she takes hold of my hand and continues. "When you get married one day, don't make the mistakes that I did. Don't ever give up on anything... ANYTHING without trying your best. Otherwise, its regret will haunt you till the end, like mine did. Promise me, Baby."

She looks at me with a very different emotion in her eyes as she puts her hand in front of me. For the first time, I can understand what she's feeling at that moment. I look at her and then at her hand. Thinking about what she just said, I decide to place mine on hers and say. "I promise Maa. I will always try 100% at anything and any relationship before giving up."

As I say that, the lights go off and the room plunges into darkness.

"Maaaa," I scream, scared of the darkness, as I clutch her hand hard while she stays quiet. However, the lights switch on themselves a few seconds later.

Relieved that the darkness is gone, I look at my hand, which is still holding Maa's hand. And then I look at her, she's smiling at me with a tear slowly going down her cheek. I smile back at her and say. "Why are you crying, Maa?"

No reply. I wait for her to reply for some time, but she doesn't. I move to take my hand out of hers to bring her out of her thoughts, but to my surprise, her hand falls aside.

" Maa.... Maaa. " I shout, but still no answer. I saw the doctor, nurses, and Dad entering the room a few seconds later, and I shouted. I didn't realize that I had shouted that loud.

The doctor checks her while the nurse takes me aside. The doctor looks at me and Dad with sad eyes and says. "I'm sorry, she's no more."

I feel Dad's hands slowly wrapping around me, holding me back in a hug as tears roll down my face. " MAAAAAA.... "

I scream as I wake up with my hand trying to reach her. Feeling heavy sweat and tears going down, I breathe heavily, trying to calm myself down from the dream, and shivering.

Noooooo.

The biggest nightmare of my life. Which keeps going back from time to time to haunt me.

The day my life changed. The day I lost the most precious person I've ever had. The day my Maa died.

" Why the hell are you shouting at fucking 3 am? I thought that you're getting.... " I hear a voice scream.

I don't bother looking at its owner as I can feel myself still shivering.

" Are you okay? " Leonardo says as he comes in front of me and sees me. Not willing to show him that I am crying right now, I stare down at my legs.

Wiping my tears, I finally look up only to see him standing, looking at me with a gun in his hand and a different type of look on his face. Concern? Maybe.

I stare at the gun, which he soon realizes and tucks behind his pants. And he holds his hands on his chest.

"I'm sorry. I disturbed you." I say as he just looks at me.

" You okay?"

"Hmmmm. Just a nightmare. Excuse me." I say before he says anything else, and go towards the door to leave the room.

"Where are you going now?" He says as I am about to open the door.

"I need some air." I step out and walk the corridor, thinking again how those few seconds of darkness had snatched my mother from me.

Currently, I am by the poolside sitting on one of the recliners. Since the noise of the night has died, the silence and peaceful atmosphere help me calm myself. The sky is still dark, but the moon and twinkling stars are making it look beautiful.

" Why do you always do this to me, Maa? Each time I'm about to give up, you come back to remind me of that promise. At times, I feel that you somehow already knew about what was going to happen with me in the future, that's why you said all those things to me." I say loudly, looking at the stars up. All are twinkling, at times I feel that Maa has also become a star and is looking at me from here.

"Yeah, right... If you think it's easy, then let me tell you that you're completely wrong. With Mike Edward as my Father, Jennifer Edward as my stepmother, and that jerk as my Husband, life is definitely not a bed of roses. But I will not give up... At least not till I try my level best. For you. And for my Bunny. I can't let this marriage break up; he thinks that this marriage is the best thing to happen to both of us. He admires Leonardo a lot as he thinks that his new brother loves me and is a good man who will not let anyone hurt his sister. But the day he learns the truth, I don't know how he will react. And you know how protective he is towards me.

He may even blame himself. Kids.. I tell you. Cannot really predict how they'll react in different situations." I stay there for a while and then return to the room.

I open the door slowly so as not to disturb him again. I enter and see him lying on the bed with his eyes closed. I take my phone, which is on the dresser table, and head out to the balcony. Knowing that I will not be able to sleep soon, I play games.

Next Morning

LEONARDO POV

As my alarm goes off, my hands search the phone to turn off that annoying sound. After some minutes, the sound starts ringing again, and I finally open my eyes for a new day. Getting out of bed, I head towards the washroom where I freshen up. All dressed up in a 3-piece designer suit, I come out, and as I pick up the phone in the room to order breakfast, I hear a knock at the door.

I open the door to see a waiter already ready with breakfast. The nervous waiter greets me and rushes out of the room after keeping the tray on the table.

" Good morning. " I hear a voice. Turning towards its source, I see Elara standing with a smile at the door connecting the room to the balcony.

A few hours ago, she was crying and screaming, and now she's all smiling. How can this woman hide her feelings with such conviction? Yesterday I saw a shocked expression in her eyes, last night I saw fear in her eyes, but now it's a totally different type of feeling. They are kind and shining. But why??

What has she planned now?

If she thinks I'm gonna fall for her tricks, then she's gonna be sadly disappointed, as I already know that she married me for money. That she's just a bloody gold-digger. I know and I have seen that women like this can go to any extent for money.

But I won't let this one do anything like that.

I think as I look in her eyes. She breaks eye contact and heads towards the table where the waiter kept the tray, and she picks a cup.

" Your breakfast is ready; you should eat it before it gets cold." She says as she takes a sip from her cup while sitting on the couch. I also go and take a seat on the couch next to hers and look at the tray suspiciously. Without going round the bush, I say. " What's the catch? "

" What catch? "

" Why are you being so nice to me? What are you trying to prove? That you're a victim of the situation. That, despite knowing that I have a girlfriend, you did not overreact. That you're a great person!"

I shoot at her one after the other.

" Leonardo, calm down, man. Why are you speaking so loudly? I'm not deaf. And we can talk about all this after having breakfast, as I haven't had anything since the previous night. And also that we have our entire life ahead of us, so let's postpone this fight for some time, please." She says as she holds the cup and takes a bit of the cookie in her other hand.

I look at her, surprised. So much has happened since we got married, and here she's so cool with me. I thought that after knowing about Nilda, she would be furious and try to get lucky at convincing me for the money, but here... What the hell is going on in her mind?

She's happily having her breakfast, and I take a closer look and see a cup of coffee, from its aroma I can say that it's strong, really strong, just as I like it. Since she's busy eating, let me also do the same. If she's not worried, why should I stress myself out that much for her?

" I know things didn't start on a good note for us, but it doesn't mean that we have to go on fighting every day. I know that you don't want me as your wife. And I got that message very clearly yesterday. We don't even need to be friends. All we need is to tolerate each other so that the reason we got married is achieved. You'll have your business merger, position, success, and stuff, while I'll have my brother happy." She says as we both finish breakfast. Seeing that she finally understands her position in my life, I decide to go along,

" Look, Elara, I'll be very, very clear and straight to you. Till the time you stay out of my life, business and way, I don't have any problem with you. But if you interfere in any of these, you will be the one having problems." I say, meaning every word of what I just said.

" Okay.. Hmm. Can I ask you a favor?" She says after a pause.

That's it. Here we go. Go ahead. Ask for the money and prove that I am right about you.

I nod in a yes towards her, and she continues. "Actually, I wanted something from you."

"What?" I ask as if pretending not to be aware of her real intentions while she continues. "Can we be a... A normal.. Normal couple in front, Bunny, please? He doesn't really know the truth behind our marriage. And I don't want him to know why this wedding really happened. Please. "

What? Bunny! What about the money?

Oooo..

Now I get it. She's playing the innocence card. Let's see how long this drama will go on.

" I know. Till the time you stay within your limits, your brother will be okay and unaware of this deal. "

Getting up, I head to leave the room when she speaks again. " Leonardo.. "

I turn towards her as she looks at me and continues. " Hmmm. When are we leaving from here? "

"End of the weekend." Giving her a straight answer, I leave the room without turning back.