She loves him more than us...

The Pain she was feeling was not imaginable for her either. That's why her eyes and heart betrayed her mercilessly. She was still staring at the five star restaurant but she turned her look back to the table in front of her when she heard the giggle of someone. There she saw a woman laughing and hitting her husband playfully who was bearing the slap with a smile on his face but his hands were wrapped around his little son who was resting in his lap.

For a second Janet felt a pang of jealousy in her heart. Maybe that woman didn't have money like her but still she had something that Janet didn't and what she was longing for.

-” Such a sweet family.. I will pray to God to keep your family happy like this. “ Janet talked to herself.

She wiped the tears rolling down from her eyes and got up from the seat realising there is no need to stay here.

-” Dear, why are you leaving..? You still didn't eat your food. Where is Dylan..? “ The old man noticed Janet leaving the restaurant.

-” He called me a moment ago and told me he was stuck in traffic. So I thought about postponing the dinner to another day. “ Janet smiled at the old man and paid the money.

-” Why are you paying the money when you don't have anything..? No.. I can't take this.. “ The old man shook his head

-” Then take it for Noah. Buy him some good clothes and tell him that I will arrange a new school for him. Bye grandpa.. “ Janet smiled at the old man and his wife.

-” Sometimes I feel like she is in pain, Like her eyes wanted to tell A story… “ the old man said while looking at the leaving figure of Janet.

-” Then you should check your eyes. Tell me why you feel so… ? She has money and a good husband. She has everything that a woman wishes for. Then why would she be in pain… ? You are crazy. “

-” Yeah.. Maybe you are right. I'm Just over-thinking.. “ The old man supported his wife and got busy with their business again…

While Janet was resting her body by leaning her back to the car seat and Mark looked at Janet through the rear view mirror as he could sense something was bothering her.

-” Stop looking at me, Mark. I'm fine. “ Janet said with her closed eyes.

-” Sorry ma'am.. “ Mark apologised in embarrassment. He thought she was already asleep.

-” It's okay.. And take me to my parent's home. “ Janet

-” Sure ma'am.. “ Mark took a U-turn and drove off to Janet’s home.

After a drive of twenty minutes their car stopped at a residential area. Janet got out of the car and walked to a two storied house. She looked at the name board hanging on the gate…

//~~~Mr.Victor Ezekiel (Chief manager of XY bank)

~~~ Mrs.Emma Ezekiel ( professor AB university) ///

Janet opened the gate and looked at the small garden which was full of different flowers and plants. Her parents loved gardening, especially her dad. She and her dad used to garden on the weekends. She took a deep breath while standing in the garden as the memory of her past flashed in her mind.

~~~~~~ Glimpse of past ~~~~~~

Janet and Dylan directly came to Janet's home after getting rejected by his family and her parents; Victor and Emma were sitting on the couch opposite to them.

-” Dad, please tell me something. “ Janet called her dad who was still looking down with deep thoughts.

-” Honey.. “ Emma touched his shoulder to get him back to reality. Victor looked at his daughter and the boy whom she claimed as her love and said..

-” Princess, think again. It may be an infatuation, nothing else. It happens at your age. “

-” Dad, even you are not sure. But I'm sure that it's not any infatuation. I really love him. We really really love each other.” Janet said in a soft voice but her voice was filled with confidence.

Victor looked at his daughter for sometime. He knew his daughter loved the boy named Dylan. She was always well planned about her career and love was never in her dictionary until she got settled in her career. And still if she falls in love with someone then it only means his daughter loves Dylan crazily and she could see the same love in him.

Janet Was trying her best to convince her parents because they never said no to her any wish and wants. That's why she told Dylan confidently that her parents will agree for their relationship.

-” You never told me about this princess. I was more like a friend rather than father to you. Aren't I..? “ Victor

-” Dad I… “

Janet was searching for some words but couldn't find anything. She could see the pain in her dad’s eyes for hiding the truth from him. But she just wanted to reveal their relationship after getting settled in their respective careers but the sudden marriage proposal between Dylan and Alice ruined their every plan.

-” Okay princess, I can understand you. But marriage..? Not now. Just settle down in your career before getting married and then you both can marry each other. After all, both of you are nothing but a big zero now. What you only have is a degree from a top university, nothing else. “ Victor finally said.

-” Sir, I know what you want to say. But we can't wait for long because of My family.. They won't let me free and they Will try every means to get me married to Alice. They know Jane is my weakness and they will try to hurt her. So please… Please agree for our marriage. “ Dylan said in a calm voice but coldness was still evident in his face.

Victor wondered why his princess loved a cold man like Dylan but Victor didn't know that he(Dylan) was a complete stranger and sweet person when he was with his princess. Victor came out from his trace and shook his head.

-” I can't let you get married now. You both just graduated. How are you both gonna survive..? With our money..? “ asked Victor.

-” Come on Victor, what we have is only for our daughter. “ Emma said to ease the tension in the atmosphere.

-” No aunty and uncle, with all respect I don't need your money to take care of my jane. I will work hard and will always keep her happy. “

-” So you are stubborn. Aren't you.. ? “ Victor asked, more like a shout.

Even though he said so, he can't see his only daughter suffer in her life. But he can't let them marry at a young age. They need to learn a lot about real life before getting married and starting a life and most importantly they need to settle down in their career.

-” Sorry if you felt so uncle. But I'm not being stubborn. I just stated the truth. We only want your consent and blessings for our marriage.

-” Then you won't get my consent for the marriage. “ Victor shouted. Emma patted his shoulder to calm him down.

-” Dad, please.. Please believe in the selection of your princess.. Please dad.. I can't live without him. If we don't get married soon his family will separate us.. “

-” Then let them separate you. I will find a better man for you unlike this cold boy “ Victor looked at Dylan in anger because silently his daughter was choosing her love over her parents.

But Dylan's face became even more darker and cold when Victor said he would find another man for his jane. He wrapped his hands around her shoulder and pulled her close to him.

-” She is mine.. Only mine.. You can't take her away from me and not even my family. “ Dylan gritted his teeth.

-” See, he is so possessive, princess he will never keep you happy.”

-” Dad, no one can make me happier than him. I Know he is a little possessive but not to that extent and I could see love in those possessiveness too. “ Janet supported Dylan.

-'' Princess, if he could leave his family with whom he lived for twenty two years then he can leave you too. “ Victor again said.

Dylan was now fuming in anger but maintained his composure as he was the father of his girlfriend.

-” He will never leave me dad.. “ Janet assured her dad.

-” Then leave us princess. Leave us because you are not believing your dad who was always your best friend and mentor but here you are believing this man whom you met just five years ago. “

-'' Dad it's not like that… you are not trying to get to know him. He is not like what he seems. He may look cold and arrogant but he is the most caring and kind person I have ever seen. I just found another you in him, Dad.. “ Janet bursted into tears.

-” He is like me… ? Bullshit…!! princess I don't have anything much to say. Choose between us and this boy whom you claimed to love. “

-” Dad, please.. At least you don't put forward any conditions like his family. “ Janet pleaded.

-” We are doing it for your good princess. He is not the right one for you. He will never make you happy. His love will fade away gradually because it's just an infatuation.”

-” Please dad.. Please. I can understand that you don't want to support our relationship but at least don't lower our love to a mere infatuation. “ Janet said with a stern voice.

-” Then you are free to leave this home, princess.. “ Victor said without any emotion in his face.

-” Yes dad.. I will. I was a fool to believe that you will support us and will Understand your princess. I was so confident over my parents and I said you will grant my every wish. But they can't give me the most treasured happiness of mine, my Lan… “

-” Yes we won't. Because he is not the right one for you… “

-” Victor, stop it.. She is our daughter. “ Emma tried to coax her husband. She knew he loved their daughter more than she did.

-” Then she should listen to us, Emma. But she is adamant and she loves him more than us. “ Victor said but his eyes showed pain.

-” I love you and him equally Dad.. “Janet cried loudly.

-” Then choose us and leave this emotionless man.. “

Janet looked at her Dad as if she was looking at a stranger. It was her Dad who always made her happy and never let a teardrop appear on her eyes. Who is always treated as his princess.. It was her same Dad who did everything only to bring a smile on her face.

-” I'm sorry Dad.. I'm sorry mom.. But I can't leave him. He left everything for me.. His family, his rights and his comfortable life. I can't be a selfish woman Dad.. Please forgive your princess.. I will wait for the day when you will forgive me… And please bless us for our marriage. “

Saying Janet got up from the couch followed by Dylan. Emma came forward and hugged her daughter…

-” Don't be sad my princess.. You know na, your Dad is stubborn but I will talk to your Dad. He can't be angry with his princess for a long time. “

-” Thank you mom.. And please forgive me.. Forgive me for breaking your dreams about my marriage.. “ Janet whispered.

-” We will be happy in your happiness princess. “ Emma caressed her daughter’s back and looked at Dylan.

-” Take care of my daughter, Dylan. Even though she is not as rich as you, we always treated her as our princess. We never let her suffer for anything. We always fulfilled her wish before she demand it. “

-” Don't worry aunty. If she is your princess then she is my queen. I will always keep her happy.. “ Dylan assured Emma.

Emma patted on his shoulder and watched Dylan and her daughter leaving the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Janet had a smile on her face instead of tears. Even though her Dad was not happy with the marriage her mom took him with her to their marriage and blessed them. She will come home occasionally only to see her parents even though her Dad never talked to her.

Janet rang the bell and waited for someone to open the door. Few moments later a lady in her late forties opened the door.

-” Oh dear. It was you.. Come, your mom and dad are having their dinner. “ The lady said.

-” Thank you aunty.. “ Janet smiled at the lady and entered the room.

She directly walked to the dining room and saw her dad and mom smiling over something. But when Victor saw Janet the smile on his face disappeared. Janet ignored it as she was already used to it and called…

-” Dad, mom… “

-” Oh my princess is here… come, sit with mom dear.. “

Janet smiled and sat beside her mom and peeped towards her daddy who was busy chewing his food like always.

-” Did you have your dinner..? “ asked Emma.

-” No.. I wanted to eat with you. “ Janet lied to her mom.

-” Then dig in.. It's so late and why are you keeping yourself starving… “ Emma Scolded her daughter with love.

-” Will you feed me momma… ? “ Asked Janet in a low voice.

Emma shook her head at the childishness of her daughter. She may be a top notch lawyer for the world but she is still a child from inside. Emma started to feed Janet and unknowingly a teardrop escaped from Janet. Emma was startled by seeing the tears and asked…

-” What happened princess..? Why are you crying..? “ Emma was concerned about her daughter.

-” I missed this feeling. “ Janet wiped the tears and looked at her mom.

-” You made me terrified, princess. You are a wife now and still act like a child...” Emma shook her head in failure.

-” Aren't I your little princess..? You said I will always be little for you. “ Janet pouted her lips.

-” Yes.. But I thought my princess doesn't want me because Her husband keeps her as a queen. “ Emma teased her daughter unknown that she just stabbed the wound which was still alive in her daughter’s heart.

Janet stopped chewing for a second and opened her mouth wide for another bite. Her mouth was full of food and she looked like a panda with that look. But only she knew that she wanted to hide her shaky voice from her parents.

-” No… . He… kreep.. Mo.. Hippy.. “ ( he keeps me happy..)

Victor looked up at his daughter for a second. He knew his daughter more than anyone. Maybe more than she knew about herself. He could see the pain his daughter was trying to hide but he kept quiet.

-” That's good to hear. After all, my princess deserves all the happiness in the world. “ Emma caressed her hair.

After having dinner with her parents, Janet laid on her bed when Emma came inside…

-” Are you okay princess… ? “

-” Yes mom… just tired.. “

-” You look pale dear. Whatever the busy schedule you have, spend time for yourself and for your family. “

Janet rested her head on her mom’s lap and played with her fingers.

-” I know mom (in her mind : but he forgot it ). It's just yesterday, the day of the death anniversary of my son.. “

-” You should move on, princess. He was not destined to live in this world.” Emma knew what her daughter was feeling because she is also a mother.

-” I'm trying mom… “ Janet closed her eyes saying so.

-” Don't you want to coax your dad today.. ? “

Asked Emma while teasing her daughter in order to change the topic. Whenever Janet comes home she will follow her dad like a tail and Victor will ignore her if she doesn't exist.

-” I'm Sleepy mom… “

Janet lied as she knew if she met her dad she would break down in front of him. Emma massaged her head and soon Janet drifted into the valley of sleep and slept peacefully after a long time.

*******”

On the other side Dylan entered the home and couldn't find Janet anywhere. He walked to the study but still couldn't find her. When he was walking back to his room he saw Suzane.

-” Ms. Suzane, where is Jane..? “

Suzane looked at Dylan puzzled because as far as she knew Dylan and Janet were supposed to come home together after their dinner date.

-” Sir, she is with you. Don't she…? “

-” Why should she be with me… ? “ Dylan furrowed his brow.

-” Sir.. You were supposed to go for a dinner date tonight… “ Suzane replied calmly.

Dylan was shocked listening to Suzane. He completely forgot about it between today's client meeting and he even forgot to check his mobile. Dylan hurriedly checked his phone and found a message from Janet which he saw accidentantally but failed to read between his busy schedule. He reopened the message…

/// Lan, be at my favourite restaurant at seven o’clock. I will be waiting for you till you reach here.. ///

-” Shit….” Dylan cursed himself and ran out of the home.

-” You again failed her… “ Suzane sighed looking at the disappearing figure of Dylan…

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Hello my lovely readers… Some of you think that the story is going at a slow pace and Janet is suffering alot.. But just keep patience and believe your author….

And do you think what Victor said was true? And don't forget to comment….