"Thanks for the ride. I'll get going now," Stella said, reaching for the door handle. Darren didn't respond verbally, only giving her a small nod. She was about to step out when he called out, his deep voice stopping her.
"Let me know when you are packed with your stuff. you'll need the car to move them home".
Stella was about to refuse but Daren didn't waited for response and said, "I will arrange it". He said it with a stern gaze, not giving her a chance to retaliate.
".....Ok, thanks " Stella said as she alighted from the car.
As she stepped out, she spotted Rika and Zack standing by her building across the road. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and crossed the street to join them.
Rika and Zack just saw Stella from accross the road getting down from the car and coming to them while crossing the road.
"Who was he?" Zack asked his hawk eyes not leaving the the car sight as it pulled away. He didn't got to see the person face properly.
He had tagged along with Rika when he heard Stella is back. Since he and Stella goes to the same college and had been friends for long he knows her most of the friends.
'My future husband' Stella said in her mind wondering what would their reaction would be if they hear it.
"Let's talk inside," she said instead, brushing past them and heading for her apartment building.
Coming to her appartment Stella unlock the passward lock and reach for the keys in her pocket as she had doubled locked it the last time she came.
Stella enter when the door swung open, Rika and Zack followed her in—and froze.
"What on earth happened here?" Zack exclaimed, taking in the disaster zone before him. "Where you playing jumanji or something?" Zack asked as he sees that the appartment was in a mess. The sofa was moved from its original place the things were tousled everywhere. Nothing was in its place.
Stella : Shut up.
Zack asked too many questions to Stella so she had him shut up or eles leave them. So, Zack not wanting to be left out stayed silent like a sulking puppy and did what was asked from him.
In the matter of time when they started cleaning, the door bell rang.
Rika who was near to the door opened it and saw Darren who has came up to give Stella her bag that she had forgotten in the car which has Rika's and Zack's gift in it.
Rika's pupils dilated looking at the new arrived person. Standing before her was a tall, well-dressed man holding a bag. His sharp features, striking eyes, and calm demeanor were instantly recognizable. He somehow look similar to the blurr photo that she had seen of Darren Milton but like in hell he will be here.
"Who are you?"
"Daren Milton"
Rika's brain froze. No way
"Who is there on the door Rika?" Stella asked. When Rika didn't respond, Stella approached the door herself. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Darren standing there.
"Wh...What are you doing here ?". Stella asked shocked to see him here. Didn't he left in his car.
"You forgot your stuff in the car". Darren said lifting up the bag a little higher.
Zack who was placing the vase on the table while his focus was on the entrancee had put the vase on the edge of the table and now it was about to fall on the ground when Darren suddenly came to the rescue and catching the vase mid-fall and setting it back on the table.
"You have fast reflex". Rika murmured, still trying to process his presence.
"Thanks. Someone had also recently said the same thing". Darren said his gaze looking at Stella.
Stella averted her eyes. She remembered that she was that someone he mentioned. She had said that to save her ugly ass.
"Let me help you". Darren said putting the vase properly.
Hearing this, the gears in Stella's head spun quickly as she cautiously said, "Don't you have a meeting to attend?". She remembered he said that to her earlier.
She was inwardly happy that it had naturally created a reason for him to not stay. She didn't know what she would say to Rika and Zack about him.
But the luck was not on her side as what Darren said proved it to be correct.
"My meeting was delayed for a few hours". He said casually, his eyes briefly meeting hers.
She would have fallen for him, if she has not known him better. But she has done a research this time. Thought the information is just the tip of the iceberg, but this time but it's true, not like the last time. She has learn from that mistake in a very horrible way.
There isn't much about his personal life on the internet but his actions are all over the media. He is the main head behind the huge success of SDM groups. His every meticulous desions has lead to its success in just few years. But at the same time there is nothing about him and thats what make everyone fear him. People fear after knowing their opponents but what if the opponents knows everything about you but you don't, that's what create true terror.
No, you don't have to. before Stella could say this Zach came to her side and interrupted, "Stella, aren't you going to introduce him?". Zach could not believe his eyes that where seeing Darren beside Stella.
"Darren Milton, Stella's Fiancee". Darren said before Stella could say anything which made her eyes wide with shocked.
The room fell silent.
Stella thought she had heard wrong but the shocked look on her friends face said that she had heard correctly.
No one said anything for the few seconds comprehending what he just mean.
'Did Stella really got her hand on jumanji game and got this man out of it.' Rika thought.
Stella blink her eyes for few time realising that he already knows about this and she was the only one in the dark. She pursed her lips and inhaled a deep breath.
"Hahaha I think there is a misunderstanding or something…." Stella force a laugh which was too awkward. "just a minute", she than excused both of them from her friends who were equally shocked by Darren's words to say anything. Now she didn't have to image what their reaction would be.
She grapes Darren by his arm and drag him a little further away from the two dumbstruck people's earshot.
"What are you even saying. I haven't agreed to it". Stella snarled at him keeping her grounds. Staring straight into his eyes. Her eyes bored into his. She had to slightly lift her head to glare at him.
"Yet". Darren said with a small grim on his face and to this a vein popped out in her neck but she still held his stare.
Stella glared at him, her jaw tightening. "You can't just go around saying stuff like that! I'm not some pawn."
Her eyes did not lower.
On the other hand he was determined on making this woman his for the rest of his life. There is no escaping now from him.
"Time will tell and I would say you are very wrong on this". Stella scoffed at him before leaving.
She turned on her heel and marched toward her bedroom leaving everyone behind. She had to somehow get out of this situation.
Rika and Zack stood there like some non-existing pillars.
Rika : why don't you come in.
Zack's eyes shoot to Rika. - Traitor was written all over his face and he shot a look at Rika.
*Flashback :
Darren watched the girl as she got out of the car.
As Darren's car drove away, he glanced at the empty passenger seat and spotted Stella's forgotten bag.
"Stop the car".Darren ordered.
"Sir I will go back and return it to Miss Stella". The driver said noticing the bag that Stella had got with her.
"No need. I will go myself". Darren said.
The driver turn the car and was soon left behind curious to know about this new young lady.