Chapter 9

The very next day, her parents left and went back, wishing her a new beginning. She changed herself into something formal, probably a silk blouse with beige pants and blazer.

And she was soon off to her studio. She was greeted by Stella who had her very professional smile as usual.

"Oh my god! I was just thinking about you! Where did you disappeared mam, we were so worried. Thank god you didn't had any new orders pending just before your wedding or we would have able to do anything without you" Stella exclaimed at once she entered the studio.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I just don't know where I just landed. But it feels great to be back. I missed you too and I hope you guys had been working behind me" she inquired that if there were any new orders or clients who showed up.

"Yeah! Miss Elizabeth's dress was delivered on time and she was very pleased. Sent a gift for you too. And we have received 3 more orders for that chiffon signature sleeve gown. Your 4 regular clients also showed up for you but I told them to see on Monday as you were no available" she read everything from the notepad she had been writing on everything.

"That's hell lot of work! Let's get started but first my coffee!" She waved her off and went inside to meet the girls.

Soon Stella delivered her the regular cappuccino she always had.

"Thanks" she hummed between taking a look at the beautiful gowns.

*

Soon after packing, she went for lunch in afternoon at the nearest cafe. She ordered her regular pizza and sat down by with window.  

She was sipping on her coffee while waiting for the food when a waiter came to her and passed her a note.

She took the note and surprisingly searched for the man who sent her. The waiter disappeared into the kitchen and she roamed her eyes around everywhere but she didn't found the sender. 

She opened the note and read the lines which were written in a clean handwriting.

"Hello Veronica! How you doin? I didn't sent you white roses because I didn't wanted to scare you. But if possible I want to meet you. If it's a positive response then return the note to waiter"

It read. 

And once again she looked around to find Carter. 

But she couldn't figure him out.

After a moment waiter returned with her food and unknowingly she returned the note to him. 

The waiter took it and again went inside.

After a moment when she was eating her second slice of pizza, a man came and sat down, opposite to her. 

She looked at him in astonishment and was shook when she recognized that it was actually Carter. 

The same man who kidnapped her and haunted her dreams for about a month now. The man who tore off the dress from her body and held her captive for a week.

Also he showed you the reality of Jon and he's incredibly handsome too, her mind out of nowhere added and she mentally cursed herself for thinking like that.

He smiled a little on her battle with her own thoughts.

"So how have you been?" He asked her as she forgot to eat the pizza which was awaiting her.

"I'm perfectly fine" she told him and continued eating her food.

"I see, and what about your wedding then?" He was teasing her and she knew it.

"It's cancelled" she replied shortly.

"Then you're single at the moment?" He asked again making her choke on her own food. 

As she coughed badly, he passed her a glass of water.

She took it hurriedly and gulped down as if she was dependent on it.

"My name is Carter and I'm a business man, owning bunch of multinational companies. People work under me and I'm among the top riches in Italy. I first saw you in Paris when there was a fashion show at Eiffel tower. I followed you here and now I'm in front of you" his unnecessary explanation made her gawk at him with questionable eyes.

"I'm sorry?" She could only mutter out two words because she didn't get any of it.

"I gave you an explanation because the next thing I'm going to ask might blow your mind" he reasoned.

"And what is that?" She asked curiously, trying to hint his next move.  

"Let's get married" he announced, it was not even a question but a blunt statement which gave her jitters.

And this time her fork fell from her hand and onto the floor. She mentally cursed herself for being so clumsy.

He stood up from her place and moved towards her. In order to dodge him and act like she was not interested, she leaned down to pick the fork but little did she know, he sat down on her level. So close to her face, he missed her fingers and picked the metal utensil, placing it on the table. 

She smelled so good, he thought in admiration. 

She was so lost in his handsome features and feeling things due to the proximity between them. 

His hot breath washed over her cheek when he got up and she felt so sweaty at the moment. 

He was seducing her and she was already seduced.

He came back and sat in his place, but she couldn't lift her eyes again with shame. 

She kept munching her food as if he was not even there.

Carter remained silent, he knew that must be in shock due to his direct announcement and she's not gonna reply now. 

She finished her food in such awkward situation and waved the waiter to bring the bill.

He picked up the tissue from the table and leaned closer to her, wiping her lip with the tissue. It took a while to remove the cheese off her lip, and all the while she looked at him, dazzled by his move.

"I hope you don't mind it" he asked her as he retreated his hand back.

She blinked twice and took out her debit card to pay as the waiter interrupted in and she was very much thankful. 

Grabbing her phone and bag from the table, she got up and started to leave the restaurant, heading towards the exit. She completely ignored his presence and he actually smirked in response.

He followed her outside. Walking beside her left shoulder, he stuffed his hands inside his black leather jacket.

She looked over and stopped in her tracks when she found that he was following her.

"Why are you following me?" She asked him with a straight face.

"Because you didn't answer my question" he replied in the same tone.

"What do you think I should reply? You've told me about yourself but do you think it's enough to marry you? I don't even know you how can I just marry someone who's in love with me?" She sounded logical but he was not ready accept it.

"Then get to know me and marry me. Because I'm only gonna marry you and that too very soon" he ignored her expressions and her resistance, and instead he leaned in to kiss her lips. 

Pressing his lips against hers, as he held her from her both shoulders, keeping her in place and close to himself. 

She couldn't respond, neither resist but his hold was too strong. 

She tried to wriggle but she couldn't leap away. 

But the thing which bugged her was that he didn't try to force himself in and pulled away really soon.

"See you tomorrow " he told her and went away as a Bentley stopped by the road and a driver came out and opened the door for him.

He sat in and went off, leaving her hypnotized.

She barely pulled herself together and started walking hurriedly in direction if her studio. She was feeling very unusual as if he casted a spell on her.

Is she really going to let him marry her?

She didn't know but everything was so blurry right now. He was demanding and dominating. The way he said really made her believe that he was very much serious about her. But the most tingling part was that she should be scared of her, after he boldly told her that he going to claim her. 

But instead she was feeling the opposite. She was actually turned on by his words. He might be dangerous but it sounded exciting to her and couldn't shook off the feeling of his kiss. 

Although it tasted deprived of emotions but she didn't wanted to think about it. 

She was imagining everything that a girl expects from a guy. Although her half mind was very much not in favour of her likeness.

It kept striking her that she should avoid him. She can't marry someone who make her feel butterflies in stomach. He seemed so deep and dark, as if he was some really mysterious and unknown man, giving her bad vibes. 

But she was really not thinking about it.