Chapter 2: A drunk Itzel!

The delicious smell of butter roasted chicken hits the nostrils of Dmitri, causing his mouth to start watering. It has been a whole day of him staying in the Singh mansion now. Now, it is six in the evening and he, being the butler in this mansion, supervises the cook on what all to prepare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and lunch were just plain and boring for him as he had to do all the butler work without having anyone to motivate him. Well, by motivation, he means his Itzel! He just longs to see Itzel! And, there is still no sign of her in the whole house.

The whole afternoon, he was sneaking in and out of Mr. Singh's home office, in hopes of getting his hands on something that would be the proof if he is innocent or not. But to his bad luck, he could not find any such thing in there. Mr. Singh appears to be a real clean businessman, but he can't be so sure about him now that someone has put a hit on him, and for some serious matter. Not to say, Dmitri will keep looking into this man and will keep a close eye on his family. But for that, he needs to have everyone infront of his eyes. Mr. Singh will come back home soon. But what about Itzel? Where is she right now?

Just then, the honking and pulling off of a car is heard from the driveway of the mansion. Is it Itzel? Thinking about getting to see her in person after long two years, has his heart on a frenzy! He quickly goes out of the kitchen and stands at a distance from where he could see whoever is coming in from the front door, so as not to look desperate. He can't afford anyone to have suspicion on him!

The door is opened by the maid but the person who comes in, is not at all Itzel! A man in his early fifties, with almost white hair, comes in. It is no doubt Mr. Singh!

Mrs. Singh comes downstairs and greets her husband before asking about how his day went at work. And he, so curtly, dismisses her by saying that he has had a very rough day and is having a headache, so not to disturb him. I look at Mrs. Singh to find that her face is no longer holding that smile. With her eyes downcast, she merely nods before going back upstairs, but before telling another maid to serve him some water. What an asshole he is!

'Well, you are one to talk!' Dmitri's conscience taunts him, making him remember of the way he used to treat his wife, Itzel. Even though he had a solid reason to do all that, he can't use any of it to justify his way of treatment towards Itzel two years back. Dmitri was hell bent to not warm up to her or neither love her. Because the only thing he deserves from her is hatred! But she still managed to love his every flaw in such a way that had him thinking if what he was doing to her is right or not. But Dmitri just had to do what he did back then! For her own good!

Two years back, he had agreed on getting married to her just because her father had offered him a lavish business to take on, which he can use to hide his job and identity as a hitman. Itzel was only eighteen at that time, and still had a lot to learn. But he can't deny her nature of being so caring and loving, even to him when all he had done was giving her cold shoulders and rude attitude.

Now that Mr. Singh is back, he has the opportunity to spy on him, his calls and all. And for that, he needs to put a bug in his mobile phone. Sneakily, he goes to stand behind the couch where Mr. Singh is sitting, knowing that no one can see him doing so. Perks of being a butler in the mansion! He has long figured where are the cctv cameras placed. And while he is drinking up from the glass of water, he picks his phone from the place beside him. When he swipes it open after going back to stand at a distance, he finds that it has a lock in it. Sighing, he rubs his forehead with his thumb and index finger. Now, he has to figure this one out! After a few quick attempts, when he fails to open it, he is left no option but to leave back at its place sneakily. He would surely try to crack it later! And so, he will get some more time to spend with his Itzel!

...

Soon, dinner time rolls in. Mr. and Mrs. Singh are now seated at the dining table with their son. But what about Itzel? Will they not even wait for her to come back home? These questions are bugging Dmitri's mind continuously. And he just has to know! So, he puts another plate on the table while Mr. and Mrs. Singh give him a look of confusion and questioning. "Uh, this one is for Ms. Singh!" He tells them. Mr. Singh's expression changes to a look of displeasure. And Dmitri is quick to notice that.

"Are you new in here?" Asks Mr. Singh in a cold tone. Dmitri just nods his head at him. Diverting his attention to Mrs. Singh, he asks, "Have you not told him yet?" Dmitri looks at the both of them with a frown. What has been left to tell him now?

"Umm..I have told him!" Says Mrs. Singh and stares at Dmitri. "Mr. Taylor, have I not told you about my daughter not being here for the most of the time? And I have even told you that you don't need to know much about her preferences!"

"Oh, I am so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Singh! I have completely forgotten! Yes, you have told me but have you not said that she comes back home at night? So, I just thought that maybe she would have dinner here, with you all." Dmitri says in an innocent tone, but at the same time trying to get most information out of them. His grey contacts flicker between Mr. and Mrs. Singh as they look at each other for a moment. The awkward silence is cut short by Mr. Singh's clearing throat.

"No, she does not have breakfast, lunch or dinner with us! So, be careful from the next time. Do not have anything prepare for her." He says curtly before getting up and leaving the dining table without having to complete his dinner before that.

"Listen, at least have your dinner!" Mrs. Singh calls him out but he does not listen and keeps going up the stairs. What is wrong with Mr. Singh? Are Itzel and him not on good terms? Seems like a lot has happened in these two years!

-----

Nearly at eight in the evening, the doorbell of the mansion chimes again. This time, Dmitri rushes out almost immediately knowing that it must be Itzel now. When the same maid opens the door, a figure comes in. Nearly stumbles in. With a whiskey bottle in one of her hands, and a sling bag in the other, she walks with wobbly feet. With a deep frown, Dmitri goes to stand near her but she does not seem to feel his presence. Too deep in her intoxication.

"Hmm..." Humming to herself a tune, she walks up to the staircase but as she is about to step on, she stumbles back and almost falls on the floor. Dmitri quickly steps ahead but before he could do something, she catches herself. Laughing to herself, she swings her sling bag and the bottle in her hands, she makes her way up the stairs. Stumbling every now and then, she keeps going on. And not being able to stop himself, Dmitri follows her upstairs. When she reaches infront of her room, she flings open the door and throws herself on her bed immediately.

"Ah!" With a loud sigh, she flexes her legs causing her two inch heels to fall off. Dmitri goes near her and sits beside her on the bed. When she feels the dip on the bed, she looks in the direction and soon, she gazes at him with squinted eyes and with a small, cute frown etched on her forehead.

"You...." She trails off in a swirling tone as she tries to sit up but again falls on the bed due to the alcohol in her system. Chuckling at her miserable attempt, Dmitri gives her his hand and when she takes it after some contemplation, he helps her to sit up on her bed. "Who...are you?" She asks in the same swirling tone. With a long sigh, Dmitri inches his hand to touch her cheek but retreats it back when she flinches away from him.

"Itzel!" He calls her out in a very soft and gentle voice causing her to look at him with her sole attention through hooded eyes. "Do you not recognize me?" He asks even if he knows the answer to it. She shakes her head vigorously with a cute look on her face making a small smile to etch across Dmitri's lips. "I am your Ruc, Itzel!" He says and it takes a few seconds for her to register what he is saying since she is not in her complete sense right now. When her eyes widen to the size of saucers, he knows that she has finally recognized him. Maybe she would not remember any of this in the morning, but that is what for the best! She does not need to be reminded of him. He has been nothing but a nightmare in her life. But what he needs right now is his solace! His salvation, who happens to be none other than Itzel Singh!

"Ruc?" She asks him for conformation and he gives it to her by nodding with a smile. "Is this how you look now, after only two years?" Itzel scrunches her nose while inspecting his features. Laughing lowly, he pulls her to his chest gently and runs his fingers through her long black hair.

"How do I look exactly?" She gulps visibly before shaking her head from side to side and tries to get away from his hold. But he does not let her go. "Itzel, I am sorry for everything I have done back then. Please, forgive me?" He says sensing her reluctance towards him. She looks up at him with her pouted lips and glossy eyes making him want to just melt in her embrace.

"You are my Ruc? Or Ruci Dmitri?" She asks him. Caressing her cheek with his knuckles, he presses his lips against her temple.

"I am your Ruc! That Ruci Dmitri is too mean to be your Ruc. Is it not?" She slowly nods her head as if in a daze. Releasing a deep and low chuckle, he wraps her in his arms tightly and she too snuggles into him more. "I missed you so much, Itzel! You can't imagine how much!" She hums at what he says.

"I missed you too, Ruc!" Her voice sounding a bit too low. So, he pulls away just slightly and looks at her to find her eyes drooping due to the intoxication. Smiling almost to himself, he lays her back down on the bed comfortably. And when he is about to get off, she grabs his collar and pulls him down again. Giving him a lazy smile, she puckers her lips out silently telling him to kiss them, and as much as he has wanted to do it since the day she has became his wife, he can't stop himself. Leaning in, he kisses her lips but she does not respond. Pulling away, he finds her fast asleep.

"Silly Itzel!" Kissing her again, he leaves her room.