Chapter ６: Betrayed.

Alex was stuck with a phone call, while Sasha focused on the house. The T.V set, home theatre and speakers were the same like before, from which they played music every morning and watched movies almost every night. Though the additions were made , like a rustic TV stand with drawers was added, Several frames with motivational and love quotes were decorated on the wall, a huge beige vase with gold borders was placed on the either sides. Exquisite gold and red artificial flowers were placed in each of them giving the place a touch of royalty. She didn't missed the prestige door that stood on the right corner, it was the door to her room. Yes Sasha and Alex were neighbors. Their apartments had a common door, that was usually locked by the owner but once they were friends, they let that door open and merged the two apartments but then that day came when Sasha had to leave this place and him.

'Today was the most awaited day of my life. Today Alex was returning from his home town. It had been 3 months since he left and today he is finally coming back. I am so happy. Rolling a red rose in my fingers, I thought of him, "He will love it."I plucked a petal. "He will hate it." and then another one went down. Like this I plucked all the petals. I felt a sudden heaviness in my chest when the last petal went off with, "He will hate it." I looked around at my efforts, a comforting smell of lavender flavored candles wafted in my nose, with a hint of rose. I made garlands of rose hanging around with streaks of LED lights, I made a rose pathway, from the doorstep to his bed. I decorated his bed with red roses reading, 'I love you' and his side table with scented candles and chocolates. Will he really hate all this?

"NO babes, he will love it." my heart whispered, "How can you believe a rose, it means nothing. And haven't you seen the love and longing for you in his heart."

"If he loved you, he would have proposed you," this time it was my mind arguing with my heart, "He wouldn't have just changed after going to his hometown."

"He is a shy person and he returned back after 3 years, he must be busy with his family, this is 20th century, will you still wait for boys to propose first? seriously?"

"No. I won't. I love him and I will let him know today. And I believe you my heart, I know he also loves me."

That day my mind kept on shouting at me that it's not what I think, that I should open my eyes and think logically, that I shouldn't expect love from anyone, it will only hurt me, but I ignored him, concentrating on my feelings for him and dreaming about us together. How much did I knew, expectations are meant to hurt and dreams are meant to be broken.

---

"Ma'am, Sir has arrived, he is in the elevator." informed the watchman, "But-"

I called off the call without letting him complete, I wish I would have heard him.

Taking a last glance at my red, fish cut gown and flowing hairs, I hid myself behind my apartment door to see his reaction. The corridor was dimly lit and I placed a note on his door mat.

I heard the elevator doors opening and my heart thumping loudly in my chest. Wearing a white polo tee, with a black leather jacket, paired with a pair of blue jeans, he stepped out of the elevator, his gray eyes, twinkling under the moonlight that came from the window, his sharp jaw had light beard on it, giving him a matured look as his disheveled hair, fell on his forehead, as always he looked breath taking. It was hard for me to control myself and not just jump on him and hug him. I just couldn't stop smiling but then something held my vision and not only my smile but ,my heart also dropped. Behind him walked a beautiful face. Her blue eyes smiling at him as she encircled her arm with him. He returned her a smile as they moved towards the apartment hand in hand. They reached the door and noticed the note. Alex picked it up and unlocked the door, His eyes were as wide as saucers and his jaw fell on the floor, he read the note and stepped back. I remained silent, trying to hold myself together. The girl furrowed her brows before snatching the note from his hand, 'Dear love. I always wanted to tell you how much I love you but words were too less to express it. Here's a surprise for you.'

She glared at Alex with a feeling of betrayal. Alex's eyes rummaged around in search of me but I hid ,myself behind, all I wanted now was to vanish from this world. 'Stop over reacting Sasha, maybe she is his relative. It's not compulsory that she must be his girlfriend or anything.' my heart murmured and I decided to believe it again but when I heard the girl speak, I felt like a spear struck my heart, killing it in an instant.

"Alex." she shut her eyes and when she opened it again she had a smile plastered on her face, "Don't tell me Alex, you planned all this to make my arrival special. I can't believe it, I didn't knew my fiancé is so romantic." she squealed and caught Alex in a bone-crashing hug.

I looked at them dumbfounded. Fiancé? I stared at the diamond ring in the girl's finger as well as an exquisite platinum ring shining in Alex's finger. I looked down at the red box, I had in my hand. I opened it and stared at the invaluable silver ring I bought for him. My heart crumbled in my chest, as I sniffed a sob. The ring fell from my hand, and I rushed inside my room, locking the door behind me. Never in my wildest dream had I thought he will get engaged like this. I was dreaming to be his wife, his fiance, his other half but for him I wasn't even a friend. That night, I cried till the dusk and after dusk, I left leaving all my clothes, my belongings and even my sketchbook, except my wallet. I shifted in with Shelly and never ever looked back at this house. The most ironic part was Alex never tried to reach me. He didn't cared where I went, in short he forgot me. And let me tell you, it hurts, it hurts like hell.' Sasha looked down at her fingers, suppressing the sobs. That day when Alex said he was busy with family celebrations was it his engagement? She thought before closing her eyes and burying the past in a corner of her mind.

She continued exploring the house. She saw that a book shelf was placed across the wall, with several books and art supplies decorated on it. She felt her fingers twitch, it has been a long time since she had stained her hands. She was so passionate with art before, but she have lost all her interests. She was living this life as a burden on herself. Nothing gave her happiness, sometimes she felt she could just end it up and sleep forever but then her parent's faces reminds her about her responsibilities. Being a single child, she needs to look after them the way they looked after her when she was a child.

Her eyes landed in the balcony. The walk in balcony that once used to be filled with cigarette thrash and Cola cans, now held a look of a vintage balcony. Once rugged floor was now neatly decorated with a carpet of artificial grass. A small coffee table, rounded with cushion chairs was placed in the middle. Floral plants, climbers and creepers were hanging on the side wall as well as the railing. Taller plants surrounded the sides and some mini plants were placed on the floor. A wind chime, mini frames with motivational quotes decorated the side walls of the balcony. It looked more like a mini garden.

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"Alex, don't worry." Said Mr. Wilson , Alex's lawyer over the phone. "She will be fine."

"hmm. I hope so." Alex said hoping for the best, "Do anything but please keep Sasha out of all this, I cannot let her know about this case."

Alex warned his lawyer as a feeling of angst invaded him. He didn't want to even think about the consequences, all he wish is Sasha to be safe.

"But Alex, it won't be easy. You know how powerful he is. He won't rely on the law to take his revenge. I am afraid, he might take a step on his own.." Mike stated, "? And today or tomorrow he will try to find her. "

"I know Mike. Once she is stable enough, I will take her on a vacation. This will refresh hr as well as keep him away from Sasha."

"I think that will be fine. Anyways, let's not lose hope and be confident., he is looking after Sasha. Take care of her."

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Alex made sure Sasha had her medicines, whilst Daisy placed the coffee on the centre table.

"I heard you have joined in our company as his assistant." Daisy said, trying to be as polite as possible. "That's good, but where are you staying? I mean you must rent a house nearby to be on time at work."

"Daisy, she will be staying with us." It felt like Alex threw a bomb on Daisy, she was bewildered. How much did Alex knew how tough it was for her to see Sasha with him.

"I will bring some cookies." Daisy turned towards the kitchen feeling betrayed. Alex followed her as Sasha couldn't feel worse. Why do he need to bring her here. She don't want to be here, Daisy don't want her here than why do he wants her to be here.

---

"Daisy." Alex turned her, "What is wrong with you?"

"What is wrong with me? Alex how can you bring an another girl between us."

"Daisy. You know what happened on Saturday, right? She is in danger sweet heart. All I am trying is to protect her."

"By staying with her 24/7? You gave her a job in your office so that she can be with you whole day and now you brought her home, so that she can be with you at night also?"

"Enough Daisy, she won't be living in my room, she will be living in the room next door okay?"

"The room that you always kept locked?"

He gave her a nod before turning because he don't have answers to her questions.

"I trust you more than myself Alex. Please don't break my trust." Daisy whispered.

"Come outside, I will fill in the coffee for us." Alex said leaving the broken Daisy.

WORD COUNT: 1810 words.