Chapter 11: Nothing Serious

After he left, I started exploring the place. That extraordinary penthouse’s floor was approximately 8,255 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms as well as a separate library, a billiard room & a terrace that provides the breathtaking view of skyscrapers & the metropolitan city down there from this height. The expansive penthouse was evoking an ambiance of luxury with breathtakingly sensational views from the soaring tower that took in the entire city below. From the Hudson to the East river, from the Bronx to Brooklyn, from Central Park to the Atlantic Ocean, the penthouse offered unique panoramic New York City views at a height which I hadn’t seen before. I was sure that this penthouse was supposedly at 80th floor as this floor was accessed by a private elevator.

I enjoyed the beautiful scenery for sometime and then went to the room which I slept in to unpack some of my things and also to get a refreshing bath. When I entered the room, I heard my phone’s ringing and I went to pick up the call. I saw the caller ID and it took me a moment to decide about accepting the call. I answered it. “What do you want?” I bluntly asked without any greeting.

“Isa, I was sickly worried for you. You’re not at home and you were also not answering my calls. Where are you?” Jan’s bombarded me with questions.

“It’s none of your concern as you have already done your assignment, I guess. Now, I don’t need your shadow looming over me.” I replied back sternly and he sighed at the other end.

“So, you’re with him now, huh?!” He demanded and my blood boiled.

“None of your business, Jan. I’m tired of being a victim so stop it!” I said tiredly.

“Isa, I care about you, that’s why I’m asking. Nothing is important to me more than your safety & happiness.” He pleaded.

“I don’t believe you.” I uttered nonchalantly & then hung up. Then I switched off my phone to get rid of his stubborn ass.

Right now, I want nothing but a relaxing bath in the master bathroom to soothe my exhausted heart, mind & body!

+

I was reading “Pride & Prejudice” by Jane Austen in the library, when Alexander returned. He searched me & when he found me, I was curled on the couch facing the wide glass window with a book in my hand, he came behind me & leaned in so that he could kiss my forehead.

“Found you, dolcezza (sweetness)!” He rasped in his sexy, deep voice which sends chills to my core normally, but right now I wasn’t in the mood.

“Congratulations!” I replied sarcastically without giving him much attention. He stood there silently for some moment, contemplating what to do but then he leaned in again and pecked my cheek, lovingly.

“Thanks. What did you do all day, without me?” He asked carefully and I rolled my eyes.

“Ohh pardon, I nearly forgot that I am in your billions worthy penthouse.” I spit out and his brows knitted together in confusion.

“Isabella, did something serious happen in my absence, which I should know about?” He asked, concern would be evident on his face if I dared to look at him which I didn’t. I opened my mouth to reply something sarcastic when the bell rang that notified someone’s arrival through the private elevator. Alexander pulled away and sighed.

“I should go and check who’s this. Stay here! We’ll talk later okay!” Then he left while I muttered ‘asshole’ under my breath and then try to concentrate on the page I was reading previously but it happened to be useless so I cursed and stood up from my seat, put the book on its rightful place in the bookshelf, then came out of the library despite of Alexander’s command, just to come face-to-face with none other than Mr.John Dream.

“Isabella?!” He was looking at me with shock while my face was picturing the utter bewilderment.

“Hello!” I greeted him awkwardly and he smiled back forcibly after recovering from the initial shock.

“Hey, Isabella. I didn’t know you & Alex knew each other that closely.” His tone was not accusing but his statement surely was. I inwardly flinched at the accusation.

“You’re…. misunderstanding the situation.” I tried to explain but Alexander showed up behind him & glared at me.

“Johnny boy, come back & sit there. I’ll explain everything to you.” He gestured towards the living room couch & John obeyed. We both followed him & I sat down against him while Alexander chose to sit beside him. John & I, both waited for Alexander to start.

“Actually, we both knew each other from the beginning of her company as we worked together on a project in the start & then our ways were parted. But then we met again in Italy & dated for some time for a change, then I broke up with her due to some personal reasons & she returned back here. I recently moved back here after 4 years & met her accidentally a couple of times. My rivals thought that she was something closer to me so they chose to threaten her, she called me & then I took her in for her protection. Now I hope you understood the whole scenario of her, being here?” He explained everything to John, leaving out some of the details & I was okay with it.

“Oh-okay. So, it’s nothing serious going on between you two, right?” John asked & we both nodded in agreement. He sighed in relief.

“Thank the lord because I’m dying to make her my girlfriend.” John winked at me & I blushed while Alexander’s hands balled into fist.

“Watch out, boy!” He can’t help but give him a warning look.

“Whoa! Calm down lover boy, I was just joking.” John chuckled while pretending to be afraid of his warning. And this made me laugh too.

“Don’t worry John. He’s always like that. I have already gotten used to it.” I smiled at John while Alexander narrowed his eyes at me.

“Now I am getting frustrated so change the topic.” He announced & we both burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” He asked angrily and it took us some time to be sober up again.

“Nothing. Anyway, I apologize to you too that I didn’t tell you about this before. I’m really sorry if you feel bad.” I was honestly feeling ashamed & embarrassed in front of him. He chuckled softly and then shook his head.

“I didn’t feel bad at all. I am just feeling hungry as you’re looking absolutely ravishing my dear!” He winked at me and I palmed my face while Alexander growled like a beast. And I heard John laughing again.

“Can you stop flirting with her?” Alexander asked with gritted teeth.

“Why? You said for yourself that there’s nothing serious going on between you two.” I know John was teasing him but Alexander was already getting angry & that’s not good so I interrupted.

“John! I made my famous cupcakes. Do you wanna taste them?” And he smiled at me, then nodded in response. I stood up and went to the kitchen. I brought out the chocolate & vanilla flavor cupcakes I baked earlier before Alexander’s arrival.

When I returned back to the room, Alexander was talking to someone on the phone at the other corner while John was looking through some fashion magazines which were laying previously on the table. When he saw me, he helped me settle beside him with the tray of sweet contents & then he picked up one chocolate cupcake.

“You’re not going to poison me right?!” He teased me & I chuckled.

“We have to work together in the near future so I don’t have a plan to go to the prison yet.” I replied back with a wink & he laughed. Then he took a bite & just hummed. I looked up at him expectantly.

“You’re so sweet, my lady. Just like this amazing dessert.” He responded with closed eyes, after a moment & I squealed with joy.

“Thank you, John! That means a lot.” I said to him, with a shy, grateful smile. He opened his eyes & looked at me.

"You, mean a lot!” He replied back with such intensity that I could not help but blushed and looked away. Someone cleared his throat and we both startled by it as we forgot about Alexander, completely.

“I hope you both didn’t forget that I’m here!” He commented sarcastically & I rolled my eyes.

“Stop whining & start acting as an adult.” I told him & then stood up after placing the tray on the table. John was looking at me with appreciation and it’s certainly not comfortable.

“I..uh... I’m going to get some sleep. You guys enjoy, goodnight!” I waved at John & he smiled at me widely. When I turned around to leave, Alexander pulled me to him & kissed me hotly in front of John. A traitorous moan escaped from my swollen lips while Alexander groaned with lust. He made-out with me for a while & then pulled away slightly. I gasped for much needed air & he kissed my forehead then rasped hotly in my ear: “Goodnight, baby!”