Third person's pov
"Once I walked towards you, not with love but tears.
You stood waiting for me not with love but desire to possess"
Elijah read the note he found on the side of the bed which was occupied by his doe not hours before. He chuckled, recalling what his doe asked last night. She demanded him to obey and not interfere with whatever she is doing. All he needs to do is sit back and solve the puzzles given to him. How childish! But adorable. He grinned getting up from the bed, already understanding where the place is. His doe being missing is expected. According to her, he has to find where she is. Silly girl!
Elijah looked around the place for his doe who was nowhere around. Turning around in a circle he glanced at the walls which were once decorated, the hall filled with his people and family and the alter where he stood. He occupied the same place where he waited for his doe almost three months ago. He smiled reminiscing the moment bitterly. He didn't like that during the time his head was only filled with owning and claiming his doe.
Suddenly music filled the grand hall. He identified it as lover by Taylor Swift. Turning around, his eyes fell on the threshold of the aisle where his doe stood with hands hidden behind the back. She was wearing a halter neckline white chiffon dress reaching up to the knees. Her hairs open and tugged behind the ears styled in a delicate twist upfront.
Simple yet elegant. So beautiful. His heart sped up with mouth opening in awe. His mind blurted out, angel. His angel.
With each step she took toward him, his heart beat louder and faster. Do men feel butterflies? He doesn't know about others but watching his doe walking down the same aisle with eyes filled with love and joy made thousands of butterflies occupy the gut. The feeling of heavy fluttering in his stomach became known. His face broke into a huge smile. Finally, his doe reached him. Without wasting a second, he held her hand pulling their body together.
"Doe--"
"Shhhh. Don't say anything, my prince. Let me speak first"
Meera cut him off. Bringing the hand from behind the back, she presented the red rose to him. Grinning like a fool, he took it as well as kissed her hand affectionately. Blushing, she looked into his loving emerald orbs.
"My Eli, every step taken towards you is filled with love and I promise you today that my heart will only be yours forever"
Elijah pulled her towards his arms and kissed her softly, heart overflowing with love. He couldn't put forward how happy he is at the recreation of their union; from forceful to willing.
"Let's dance, my prince?"
With one hand holding her waist and the other the hand, they started dancing slowly. Looking each other in the eyes, they kissed here and there. Twirling her in circles, they both giggled in joy. Getting lost in each other, they danced to their heart's content.
An employee of the wedding venue approached the dancing couple looking visibly nervous, afraid to offend the powerful business tycoon.
"Excuse me, Sir and Mam, but the time you booked is over. If you want, we can make further arrangements for--"
"Don't you know--"
"Eli, don't. And thank you for allowing me the time from your already booked appointments. I appreciate your work. We will leave now"
Meera dragged Elijah out of the great hall before he could protest and dig out the grave of the poor man who sighed in relief at their departure.
Meera and Elijah were laughing while running out of the wedding hall like mischievous kids. Out on the streets, they huffed out breaths looking at each other. Bursting out in laughter, they closed the distance between them.
"What was all that about doe? "
"I could afford only an hour of the wedding hall my prince"
"You are Meera Elijah Mancini, wife of the richest man. You can have anything you want--"
"That still is your money"
"But doe--"
"No. No. No. Not today. It's our date. My treat. So let's explore New York City. I haven't seen anything. Will you show me around my prince? "
Hand in hand, they roamed the streets of New York City. From times square to central park, from the Empire State Building to the statue of liberty, they explored the magnificent city travelling not in lavish cars but in subways. Meera wanted him to enjoy the simple life she is accustomed to and see her world. Clicking pictures and eating street food with reluctant Elijah who for her sake did everything forgetting his etiquette and sophisticated lifestyle, she took him shopping.
With night falling, she took him on a horsecart ride. Leaning her head on his shoulder, they both enjoyed each other's company and watched the peaceful scenery.
"I have never been this happier"
Confessed Elijah. Raising her head, Meera smiled softly. Understanding shining in her eyes, she kissed his cheek lovingly.
"I didn't know I would see a day where my lover would spend money on me"
"Is that a compliment or boasting, Mr. Mancini? "
Laughing Elijah pecked her forehead and pulled her more to his side. Meera was awestruck seeing his beautiful face adorned with deep dimples which came out like once in a blue moon. Her Eli rarely smiles. Well, she is going to change that.
"Neither my naughty doe. I was expressing how I have never been on receiving end. And getting pampered by my doe has been a wonderful feeling that I feel like, should I resign and let you take care of me? "
"I am flattered Mr. Mancini that I could meet your standard. And oh my! Me taking care of you? No, no. Let everything be as it is. No need to resign"
Pinching her chin between the index finger and thumb he brought their faces inches away and smiled at his beautiful doe.
"You dare to refuse me, Mrs. Mancini. Do you then accept your punishment for defying me? "
"Bring it on, Mr. Mancini"
Closing the distance between them with a dazzling smile on his face, he sweetly pecked her lips. With every peck he pulled back, never kissing fully. He saw his doe chasing after his lips when he pulled back again and whined. Adorable. He chuckled when his doe huffed and opened her eyes.
"You do me dirty. This is a bad punishment. Don't talk to me"
"So you want my kisses, doe? "
Leaning on her, he whispered and nibbled the delicate ear. She trembled in pleasure. She felt his hands covering her crossed hands across the chest. Instinctively, she tilted her head giving him access to his most favorite part, her neck. The next second a sensuous shiver ran down the curve of the neck when his lips met the hot flesh and she clutched his hands closing her eyes. Kisses rained on her sensitive skin with soft nibbles.
"Do you like them? "
Barely nodding, she threw her head back when he sank his teeth into the soft spot at the junction of her shoulder and neck. Moaning helplessly, she felt an electric current when he nibbled and sucked the already love-bitten skin. She was losing her mind in the sweet pleasure.
"Do you crave them? "
She couldn't reply. Behind the closed eyes, she was seeing heaven; hairs flowing along the caressing wind, the cool evening sky providing the tinge of satisfaction in their warm embrace, and confined in her lover's arm, there's is no other place to be at. The teasing lips moved along the curve of her neck and stopped below the ear. She waited impatiently in anticipation. When nothing happened, a desperate whine left past her parted lips. The tapping of the running horse rang in her ear other than the loud beating heart.
"Stop teasing me! "
"Answer me first"
"God! Yes, I am insatiable for them"
Meera was so done with his teasing hands and lips. And having enough she confessed. She has been secretly loving his heated kisses and craving them like crazy. They felt like rain on dry land, water down a parched throat. She came alive whenever he kissed. The feeling is indescribable.
" I shouldn't keep them to me then"
Elijah turned her mouth to his and kissed her like never before as if it was the first time he tasted the exquisite pair of lips he is obsessed with. Meera was unable to keep pace with him. He was intensely moving his lips over hers in a possessive and raw kiss. Her head felt light. Continuing the kiss, she clung to him with dear life. Her soul was being wrecked by the earth-shattering kiss.
The cart came to a halt making them stop kissing. Meera felt the burn on the lips and can tell they were swollen. She blushed furiously. God! We have been kissing in the public and that too for the whole ride, she thought embarrassed.
Without a glance at him, she stepped down the cart and pulled a piece of paper out of her handbag. Turning around, she bumped into Elijah who circled his arms around her waist. Struggling, she blushed to the tips of her ear.
"Eli, leave me. People are watching"
"Do I care? Let them see who you belong to"
"Eli!! "
Meera shrieked when Elijah pulled her in a heated kiss.
"Don't ever run away from me"
"I-I wasn't"
Meera huffed out panting. Her Eli is still the possessive man. Shaking her head, she placed the note in his hand and backed away.
"No! Don't open it. Do it at home when I am not around"
"What do you mean? "
Elijah asked, his whole demeanor changing in second thinking about what his doe intended to do. Meera saw the change in behaviour and tone. She knew this was coming.
"Eli, you promised. Don't forget that"
"Never agreed for us to live separately"
Meera shuffled from foot to foot, nervousness clawing her gut suddenly.
"It's included in the game. Please do it for me"
"Where are you staying then? "
Elijah sighed clenching his jaw tight. He can't believe his doe is making him do this. Meera sighed in relief and spoke up,
"That's for me to know. Till then, see you, my prince"
She in splutter ran down the street and into the awaiting car which vanished in the ever prominent traffic. Elijah was left gaping after her. After the wonderful day they spent together, he didn't know it would have an end like this. Shaking his head, he looked at the note in his hand. Anything for his doe. But only according to him and his limits. Smirking, he went inside the car waiting for him which his doe might have sent.
"Good evening, sir"
"I want you to find something for me John"
"Of course, sir"
His assistant who was in the driver's seat replied professionally. John already had an idea of what his boss was asking for. Following Meera's order was like gambling his life, because his boss wouldn't for a second blink his eyes before taking his life if it had anything to do with his precious doe. But whatever he did is for the greater good. Hence, no harm was done. His boss and Meera are together and happy. With a final glance at his smirking boss, he drove into the traffic.
.......
"Elijah Ian Mancini! "
Meera shouted at top of her lungs unable to hold the buzzing anger from reaching the head.
"Put me down! "
Meera tried to see properly where exactly he was taking her but being upside down on his shoulder didn't help. She thought wrong when he agreed to her demands. She should have known better. He likes things according to him. And he doesn't want to live without her. Even for some days. A single night was out of the question. Finally, he pulled her down and carefully sat her on the couch of the living room in his mansion. Meera glared at him.
"What's the meaning of this, Eli? "
"What? I wanted you to be with me"
"So you would break into someone's apartment in the middle of the night? "
"That's my apartment, doe"
She took a deep breath to control the anger. She couldn't look at his amused eyes watching her. She realized that he loves to tease her.
"I got that apartment with the job. It's mine"
"I gave you the job as well as the penthouse, my doe. You are mine and everything belonging to you is mine as well. And for your information, I have revoked everything in the contract. The penthouse is no longer yours"
Standing up, Meera stared at him. True, she has signed the revocation of the contract. But, didn't he agree to their game? It's all part of it.
"Still, you don't get to drag me back to the mansion"
Smiling, he approached his grumbling doe. Circling his hands around her waist, he pulled her to him.
"If I didn't then how would you see them"
"Them? "
Meera frowned in confusion looking at his face. Before she could react any further, a chorus of surprise rang out behind her. Startled, she jumped in his arms turning around.
"Surprise! "
All her family was standing at the door; her parents, best friend, cousin, and close relatives. Baffled, she looked back and forth between Elijah and them.
"Go my doe, they are waiting for you"
That's all it took for her to break into a run. She crashed into her parents hugging them tightly. Tears sprang out of her eyes.
"I missed you so much, Maa, Baba"
"We missed you too, daughter"
One by one she hugged all her relatives, smiling and crying simultaneously. Elijah stood behind watching his doe gleaming with happiness. This happiness is what he wants on her face forever. For it, if he has to give up some of his doe's attention to others, he would.
"Mary, take everyone to their respective rooms"
"Yes sir"
Elijah ordered after Meera mingled enough with her family. All left except his mother and father-in-law. Approaching them, he touched their feet taking blessings. Meera and her parents were pleasantly surprised at his actions.
"Don't be surprised. I have learned everything about and related to you doe"
"Now that we finally meet, Mr. Mancini, I would like to talk with you"
Meera nervously looked back and forth between her father and husband. She had no idea what her father would say or do to her Eli.
"Don't look so nervous, I won't kill him daughter"
Before she could say anything Elijah led him away. Meera turned to her mother.
"Maa, didn't Baba and you forgive Elijah then what's this all about? "
"A parent's heart never convinces until satisfied properly. Let him be and don't worry"
Meera sighed nodding defeated. She understands the concerns of her parents. Elijah has kidnapped and married her forcefully and threatened her several times. No parent wanted such treatment for their child. Even after several pleading and convincing.
Meera sprang to her feet when she saw her Eli and father coming back to the lounge. She checked Elijah from head to toe for any kind of injury. She heard a scoff from behind.
"Do you really believe I would hurt him?"
She turned to her father and was about to explain when he cut off,
"Actually, can I hurt him, the Elijah Mancini? "
"Please sir, don't speak like that. I am your son, to begin with"
Rahul Goenka stared at Elijah for good five seconds. Everyone present waited with bated breath for what he would do. At last, he walked away saying,
"We are tired. Let's go to the room, Sunita"
Meera stood watching her parents leaving.
"Eli, tell me what did he say? "
"Doe, nothing for you to worry about"
"But--"
Elijah simply picked her up and carried her bridal style to their room cutting her off. Meera sighed deeply snuggling closer to his neck. She could only hope everything turns out best.
........
"I thought where the prince lived? He lived where my heart resides? Or the place he brought me to? "
Elijah pinched his nose after reading the note. He didn't like how his doe disappear first thing in the morning two days in a row. He doesn't mind playing this puzzle game with her but she should be beside him. She must stay beside him every second. For that, he needs to find her and convey his irritation about her disappearance.
The mansion was awfully quiet and no one was around. Elijah wondered looking around for anyone in sight. Have his parents joined his doe's disappearance game and left their mansion? From the note, he knows Meera is at his childhood home. But where is she?
He heard the click of the door opening. Turning around he saw the back door leading to the garden opened. Striding out the door, he halted at the threshold. The sight before hitched the breath in his throat.
Meera stood wearing a pink ghaghra and red chunri. Hair tugged in a bun adorned with red roses. Neck filled with necklace, earrings dangling from the ears, and hands covered with beautiful dark blue velvet bangles. The most eye-catching though was the beautiful red bindi that sat between her eyebrows. A small red dot filled with tiny sparkles. She looked lovely wearing a traditional Indian dress. Smiling at Elijah, she started dancing to the Indian song- prem ratan dhan payo.
Meera danced conveying her feelings. Looking at Elijah in the eyes, she did the hook step of the song. Every word was for him in the song. Her friends and relatives joined her and danced along. Moving in front of her Eli, she tugged him to the center where everyone danced in a circle around them throwing flowers.
Elijah was mesmerized. He has never seen something so beautiful. His doe, dancing for him? That too wearing her traditional dress? He felt special and giddy. He can't remove his eyes from her. He desperately wanted to understand what the words meant in the song. He regretted not knowing the language of the country his doe comes from. Yes, he is learning but can't understand and speak still.
The dance finally came to an end with everyone cheering on the to-be wedded couple. Huffing, Meera grinned at Elijah who was smiling, dimples full on display. Holding his hands, Meera said,
"Main apse bahaut prem karti hu, mere rajkumaar"
Elijah frowned not understanding what his doe said but from the emotions they stirred he knows in the heart that it was beautiful and touching. So without much thought, he replied what he can.
"Main tumse pyaar karta hu"
Meera, her parents, and relatives gasped in surprise. They didn't know he could speak Hindi. He was surprising them one after the other. Meera hugged him, unable to contain the happiness. Feeling his arms engulfing her, she closed the eyes engraving his voice saying' I love you' in her mother tongue.
"You can speak Hindi? "
"Anything related to my doe I must know. And I am learning your language doe. So please tell me what did you say? "
Elijah pulled back and stared at her sparkling eyes. Smiling, Meera told him,
"Remember it. When you completely learn the language, you will get your answer"
"My naughty doe! "
Elijah was about to peck her lips when he was pulled away from Meera. Infuriated, he looked at the offender. From what he recalls, he is his doe's cousin, Pranit Goenka.
"No, no Jiju. Until marriage, you can't touch Meera di"
"What are you--"
"It's our tradition"
Elijah got interrupted from all sides and was surrounded. Helplessly, he looked at his doe who shrugged at him grinning. Sighing, he went along where his in-laws took him. On the way, he saw his parents and Meera's parents talking, his brother and best friend laughing at him, and lastly Evelyn smiling at him. Sighing again, he calmed himself. The things he does for his doe! Nevertheless, he loved his doe's surprise. He is expecting what the next note will bring with it.
..........
"Meera! What's this all about? "
Meera turned around and looked at Evelyn standing before the closed door to her room in the mansion of her in-laws where she will stay until marriage. All her relatives were still in Elijah's mansion but her parents were staying here too. Putting the ghaghra on the bed, she stared at Evelyn.
"What do you want Evelyn? "
"What do I want? "
Evelyn marching stopped before Meera and glared.
"After threatening me to expose our plan two days ago, you are dancing for my brother? Did you seriously lose your mind? "
Meera didn't say anything and simply stared at Evelyn. It infuriated Evelyn further and she bursts out.
"Do you have any idea how restless I have been thinking about what Eli would do to us? I didn't sleep for two days! And you give me this attitude! Unbelievable! "
"Don't worry. I will tell him. Your sleepless nights won't go in vain"
"You! "
Evelyn gritting her teeth took a deep breath to calm down. Meera was testing her patience. First, she dared to hit her boyfriend, then demands her to stop and apologize to Eli, and finally threatened to stop the plan. None of which is tolerable. She has been waiting for the perfect opportunity for so long. She wouldn't let Meera ruin it.
"It's good that you haven't told Eli anything yet. And you will do good continuing so"
"Trust me Meera if my brother showed you hell, I will bring you to hell. After all, I am his sister"
Meera silently looked at Evelyn. She knows Evelyn came here to stop her. For two days, she has been declining every message and call from Evelyn. Evelyn tried to meet her too but failed. So, she expected her to come here. She felt Evelyn leaning and next second heard in her ear,
"Meera obediently follow through with the plan. If I am going to drown, I will drag you down too"
"I am not part of the plan. And you can't stop me, Evelyn"
Pulling back, Evelyn stared at a determined Meera. After several seconds, she smiles bitterly.
"You leave me no choice sister in law"
Evelyn turned around walking out of the room. Sighing, Meera sat down on the bed. She prayed for everything to be okay. For Evelyn to not ruin anything.
...........
"Doe, we are at the wedding venue. It's our rehearsal dinner tonight. At least now come to meet me"
Elijah uncharacteristically whined in the call to his doe. He has been patiently tolerating everyone's teasing and testing his patience. But he had enough. He hasn't seen his doe since yesterday. He heard her laughing.
"You will see me tonight. Don't worry"
"Doe. Where. Are. You? "
He glared at the snickering pair of Xavier and Eros sitting in front of him on the couch in his room. They flicked him off mouthing ' loser'. Elijah clenched his teeth.
"Eli, please? It's in our tradition. Bear a little longer, hmm? Oh! And did you get my notes? "
" Yes. They are sweet just like my doe "
He can imagine her blushing. He wants to see it with his eyes.
"Eli, I have to go now. See you tonight"
Before he could say anything she hung. He can tell she was shy. Shaking his head he put down the phone.
"The first time I came across my prince. He behaved like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Instead of love, I felt hate"
"This one too- The prince was full of gold that glitters but it couldn't shine in my eyes. I wanted the love instead"
Elijah snatched the precious notes his doe sent to him from his brother and best friend who dared to read them.
" I will cut your hands if you touch them again"
"Chill bro. Isn't the first one you got yesterday from Meera when she surprised you in your office"
Elijah glaring at Eros nodded. Slouching on the couch across the grinning pair, he caressed the notes. His doe was extraordinary. She decorated his whole office without him knowing. He forgave John because it was his doe's surprise for him, if not hiding something from him was a punishable mistake John did. And in the morning, his office in the mansion where he was packing his doe again surprised him by decorating their pictures along with the others. He found the note for the surprise there later but still, it was pleasant.
"I agree with Meera. Eli is a wolf"
"A bad stinking one"
Eros agreed with Xavier and together they laughed. Elijah simply ignored them busy remembering the sweet memories of his doe. He can't wait to marry her.
"Why did you choose this extravagant hotel Eli? "
"It's the most expensive wedding venue in the world too"
"Can't I? My doe deserves the world"
Xavier smiled softly at his brother. Patting Elijah's knees he glanced at Eros who was observing the brothers.
" Meera is a simple girl dear brother. She needs love. Keep her happy "
"My doe is happy with me"
"Eli"
Eros glanced at his best friend who got up and went to the balcony. Xavier signaled him to leave Elijah alone. Nodding, they both talked about the wedding preparations.
......
Meera was walking towards the garden in the hotel where her Eli was waiting after the rehearsal dinner. She was feeling extremely nervous. It was the moment she was dreading. Telling Elijah everything before the wedding was a hasty move. She knew it was wrong of her to delay but she couldn't help but want to spend time with him. Who knows after tonight she might not see and meet him again.
She saw Elijah standing with his back to her. Gulping down the dry throat, she tried to calm down her racing heart. This is it. She took a step ahead when her phone vibrated. Frowning she saw an unknown number. Glancing at Elijah, she walked back to pick up the call.
"Meera! "
"Maa? Baba? "
"Help us! "
"What happened? Where are you? Maa--"
"Hold on sister-in-law. Do you feel scared? If not go ahead and tell everything to Eli and I will beat the hell out of your parents"
"Evelyn! How dare you! Leave them! "
Meera felt sweat beads rolling down the back of her neck in cold fear. Her heart beating in nervousness was now racing in panic and fear. She couldn't believe Evelyn and those snakes kidnapped her parents.
"If you want your parents to be safe, follow through with the plan sister in law"
Before she could reply the call was ended. Immediately she tried to call back but the number was out of reach. She tried to call Evelyn but her phone was off. Trembling, she clenched her fists. Tears gathered in her eyes. She can't believe she has to again choose between herself and her parents. What a play of destiny! Raising her head high, she looked at the moon shining above. A tear escaped from her eye and she muttered, her voice sounding sad and broken.
"I am sorry my Eli"