chapter 24

Steven remain silent and noticed her. The suddenly he stood up. "ill make sure to not bring it up again" saying this he walked away but stopped in the middle. He turned around to face her. "and you look extremely pretty today" he complimented with a plain face. Shivers ran all over her body. Am I hearing correctly? She asked her subconscious. 'oh come on, he just complimented don't fall for him. But he was looking handsome too' her subconscious replied.

The wedding ended at 5 pm and she didn't get to face Steven again. For which she was thankful. She returned home and slept all day. In morning she was fresh to go to office. The day was beautiful, cloudy weather and cold wind blowing giving shivers. Stella was very happy, and glad that finally he understood her and will not bother her again. Now she can live her life peacefully without fearing him. But a thunderstorm was already formed and was on it's way....

She reached office and opened her computer and started working. But after a while she realized that people around her were digging holes into her body with their unusual staring. She lifted her face to look at them, but didn't understood. Soon the whispers grew aloud and she realized that something was wrong. But only with her? She couldn't get it, what was this all about, that she don't know. Suddenly Steven's secretary arrived and told Stella to see CEO at his office. She immediately got up and head to his office. As she entered, she met with his back. He didn't turn around. She took baby steps and stood near his table. "you asked for me Mr. Steven? She asked politely begging inside that there could be nothing wrong again. He turned around in rage and threw a newspaper with full force on the table in front of her. She got afraid and stepped back. "what the hell is this Stella?" he asked while placing his both hands on the table and staring her with bloodshot eyes. She immediately picked up the newspaper to read. 'what is this now? Oh Allah please help me!" She pleaded inside. As her eyes read the first bold headline, she felt that she was about to die. Her eyes ran to the picture and she wished the earth could open and take her inside in the depth, where she don't have to face this.

"Mr. Steven of McKesson was found in affair with his employee, and it is believed that she's the same girl with which he was found before in a hotel room" and there was a picture of Stella and Steven in his office, which was edited like they were kissing. She didn't found any place to bury her face and get lost from this world. Her eyes were wide in shock and her blood was flushed from her face. In shock she put her hand on her mouth to control her whimpers while her tears ran down her cheeks. Seeing this Steven realized that she might not be the one who published. "did you do it?" he asked in stern voice. She didn't replied for a moment. "how can I do this to myself?" she said like she was telling herself. "or you did it? In order to avenge me?" she shouted. "are you for real? Do you even know, how much this article has ruined my image in the country. I cannot even look in the eye of my opponents" he shouted back in disbelief at her words.

She threw the newspaper on the floor and ran out of the office. As she reached her department, everybody looked at her while saying ugly things. 'I cannot believe she can have affair with boss' 'how can she seduce him?' 'maybe it was a long affair, that's why she took job in this company' 'she looks so religious from her appearance, can't believe she can do such things', whispers echoing in her mind, she thought her head will burst. She took her bag and ran out of the office. Instead of going home she went to a park. Because she was afraid to face Fatima and her family. She sat in park on a lonely bench and cried her heart out. 'oh Allah please help me through this, please help me to bear this pain, I cannot take this. Please help me' she wished inside her heart. 'oh Allah please save me, save my dignity and respect, please help me this time' she thought she will have to die to end it. She couldn't bear her respect and dignity being shattered into tiny pieces that she will never be able to collect. She missed her parents, she thought that what would have happen to them if they ever get to see this. She thank God that they were not here anymore, and they don't have to face such shame of her daughter. Her hands and feet got cold, nearly freezing. Her tears dried on her face and she started to shiver. She didn't realize for how much long she sat there. It was evening when she finally stood up to return home.

As she reached home, she saw a car parked at her door. She didn't recognize it. She moved forward towards her House. As she was about to reach door, Steven got out of car. He stood in front of her. "where have you been? I'm waiting here since 3 hours." He asked in light voice. She remained silent, while looking down. He couldn't take her silence anymore, he lightly put his hand on her forehead to check. She was cold as ice. "my goodness, you're freezing." As he said he took off his coat at once and gently covered her. She was moved by his act.