Chapter 9 Chapter-9

We all taken aback by that word. People inside the room started to gossip around, making this as a fish market. Janice! But she told that she is interested on him. Then why she did this? I stayed on the floor and let the Aaron to take the stage.

Chris is completely pissed off by this statement. He asked him in a stone cold voice, "Now could you tell all, what happened there?"

Gerald gulped hard. Whole room became pin drop silence. They all waited with an eager face for what he gonna say, he answered in a trembling voice, "I..I..asked him to punch him. At first he was hesitant, but I insisted him. So...so..he did that..that punch didn't even hurted me".

Chris stood up buttoning his blazer, "Well, this is everything, I wanted to say" he jumped out of the stage and rushed outside furiously.

Everyone called his name for further questions, but he swiftly moved out of the room.

Aaron continued, "This is what we people do. Don't judge anyone before knowing the whole story. You can see with your own eyes how much he was upset about this. So please I beg you, before throwing some dirt or mistakes on someone. Try to read both sides. This Gerald's fake tears made you to believe innocent a guilty" he stopped letting out a breath.

One of the reporters stood up, "Well you can't blame us whole. Because the footage was real and he is here to apologise" he shrugged.

"That's because you pushed him to that state" Aaron tried to put some sense in them.

God! I frowned. This people won't change. Beth and Chuck took Aaron's side. They started to defend him. I came out of the room and searched him. He is nowhere to be seen. I dialled his number, he didn't answer. Where did he go?

After few seconds, a message popped up from him,"Roof".

I rushed to the lift and pressed roof button. After few seconds, it opened with a pinging sound.

I came out, my eyes immediately spotted him. He was standing near the parapet wall from few distance apart straight to the elevator. His hands were tucked in his pocket and showed his back. He restlessly shifted his weight from one leg to another.

I neared him slowly, "Hey, you okay?"

He didn't reply. So, I waited till he can speak. But time passed, he didn't opened his mouth. I tried again, "Umm...Chris you ok?"

"...."

"Well, atleast one thing is good. You are free from the accusation".

Now he crossed his arms and sighed, "At what cost?" Finally he spoke.

I too never expected this from Janice, "I..don't know what to say about that".

"Well, I know" he stopped me, "That because of my ruthless behaviour" his voice sounded with guilty.

After few second, he replied, "Chuck was right. I shouldn't treated every woman as same and Janice is one of them".

I understood what he meant.

"I cannot blame her".

"No" I stopped him there, "You should blame her. She have no right to do this to you. What really happened between you two? Last time, when I met her she said that she was rooting for you".

He smirked a bit, "Partially. She wanted a relationship with me for publicity. I refused and scolded her for that. So, I think this is for revenge".

My eyes widened in shock, "She is chameleon. Don't tell her that she is your friend, she is selfish".

"Kind of everyone I have with me" he shrugged, "No one supported me with this issue. Cause they also believed this as true and didn't want to jeopardize their career for me" his voice added a pinch of sadness, "But now after seeing this interview, suddenly everyone started to support me and enquiring I'm okay or not. I think I never had a true friend".

He stopped a bit and looked me deeply, "Until a month ago" he smiled, "Thanks for trusting me. It's a new thing for me" his voice sounded full of gratitude.

I smiled.

"How you caught him?"

"From the beginning onwards, I had a doubt on him. Don't know why, a gut. When I saw the video again, I saw him signalling someone. It's clearly for a second, but I noticed it. I became more suspicious, my friend Aaron's uncle was sergeant in that precinct. So, we requested him to enquire about this. He found his bank account with 50k he never had this amount in his life. We bought him to enquiry we threatened what will happen to him if he foul play in this. After 6 hours of struggle he finally gave up".

His eyes glassened for a second, "Again thanks for this".

"Chris please..don't repeat it. I firmly believe no innocent should be punished. I did my duty. If you do that again, I'll slash your throat".

"Are you threatening, Mr. Steve Pine?" he cocked his eye brows.

I placed my hands on the head, "Oops! Completely forgot about that".

He chuckled showing his teeth, his eyes became small and showed wrinkles around them, which showed him beautiful. He stopped after a second "But I'm serious now. Tell me what you want?"

"No Chris, it's not like a give one buy one thing. Don't.." I warned him.

"No..No..I'm not repaying it" he bit his lips and shaked his head firmly, "It's my treat for you that I came out of this. So tell me what you need?"

I gave a thought for minutes and asked him, "Umm..It may sound bad..don't think I'm intruding..but..."

"Ana, just tell me" he closed his eyes ensuring.

"Chris by heart you are true gentleman but why..you want to lead this life with girls? I mean..why you are punishing yourself? Just give up that life".

His smile vanished and anger glowed in his eyes. Uh-oh..I think you Provoked him Ana! Surely you crossed the line. I made my heart strong for what he gonna say.

"You are wrong. I'm not punishing me. I'm punishing them" his voice replied calmly.

"Huh..what?"

He took a deep breath and replied, "When I was 16, I fell in love with this girl, Jessica Ebi. We both were madly in love with each other. We had a five year steady strong relationship..but.." he stopped there and flinched for a second, "She ended it all of sudden when he saw another man, Justin Berke".

Omg! Is he talking about the famous couple of Hollywood, "Are you..umm...talking about...umm..umm"

He air quoted with both his hands, "Yeah..the powerful couple of Hollywood" he rolled his eyes, "That day, I started to treat girls badly and the women's I met were clearly drawn to my status rather than to me. It fuelled my hate more. So, I completely became rude to them, had this bad hookups and one night stands".

"You cannot punish everyone for her. She is happy with her life, having two kids with her husband. No, I'm not wrong. You are punishing yourself for what she did to you. This is not good way to vent out the anger. Look where this brought you".

"You are right, I shouldn't do this anymore. I'll change myself".

"Deal?" I stretched my hand.

He shaked it and unexpectedly he pulled me closer to him. I was inch away from his chest. He leaned adjusting himself to my height and kept his chin on my shoulder.

My hear beat raced out of my chest. I felt his heat around me, his hand is still holding mine. Mine became super chill and tensed inside his strong big hand. He slowly very slowly replied in a sweet and calm voice, "Deal".

That single word sent thousand volts of electricity towards my feet and it buckled under my weight. Hair on my body stood erect due to adrenaline. He removed his chin from my shoulder and gave me deep intense look from top to bottom. He was arguing with himself whether to move away from me or to close the gap further. Well, I don't mind with the second option, shit! Ana! I cursed myself. Don't let him to control you.

His phone rang, disturbing the moment. We came back to the world and moved away. He attended it excusing me.

I looked him, he answered wiping his pink lips. This grey suit with a black stripped tie and neatly combed slicked back hair made him sexy and hot. He was in a relationship for five years. I knew it! As I predicted someone tried to be with him. Well her bad luck.

"Ana, it's Chuck..he and Aaron are waiting downstairs. We need to go down".

"Sure".

We entered the elevator button asking, "Why you send Aaron to the stage? I mean you may did that".

"Umm..I..I..kinda..have stage fear" I tried to convince him.

Three days later,

Media and people apologized Chris for their behaviour. Janice is proved guilty and sentenced 6 months prison with a fine for defamation. She became topic all over the country. People are still searching why she did this to him.

Aaron's speech inspired many. Now people know that there is magazine called New Era. Again it proved me, if we follow the honest path, it will give you success than you imagine. It may be slow, but it'll never fail you.

I was in my apartment, editing the article send by Jamie. I heard the door bell. I checked the time, it showed 11 PM. Who is here at this time? I came out of my room and reached the door. I viewed thorough peephole, it's Chris.

I opened it, he stood unsteadily and smiled looking at me, "Hey! my dear lovable Ana" Alcohol smell lived in his breath.

"Chris, are you drunk?"

12 hours before,

Chuck waited in visiting room inside the jail. Janice came in her orange jumpsuit and took seat opposite of him.

When he ensured no one is hearing them he bursted immediately, "Janice, what the hell? Why the fuck you did this?"

"I was loosing my flims and I wanted to something, I thought this will bring me to the light..but it back fired".

"Well, how this will brings you the light?"

"I thought to start campaign for Gerald and support him till the end. But, that stupid magazine girl interfered. If she didn't, it would worked out...ugh...I hate her".

"This is entirely your fault. I'm here to say that you are not in that plan anymore".

"Wait! Why?"

"Because of your childish behaviour. I asked you to wait. But, you idiot!" he scolded her, "Even I was ready to seek permission from boss. But.." he sighed, "So, enjoy your time in Jail" he stood up to leave.

"Wait! What if I say this to others?" She crossed her arms, "I mean this little plan of your boss. So, bail me out or else I'll ruin it".

"Oh! Darling! You and me both know that no gonna believe the words anymore which comes out of your crappy mouth. Rot in jail, bye".

"But no! I can't stay here..please..let me out..help me" she shouted loudly.

Chuck walked away ignoring that.