-41-His reasons
"Your brokenness will never be permanent. Your struggles will heal you." [Stuart]
.....
After Riley was left with no tears and a hoarse voice. She stopped crying. While he guided her away from the dance floor. People present there looked at them strangely. The atmosphere had changed quickly but the music was still ringing in her ears. He guided her through the crowd When Tina stopped beside them. She looked at Stuart and had the urge to slap him when she saw Riley's face. She felt bad for ditching her and letting her go with him. Who knows what happened to her.
Holding her hand, Tina inquired nervously glaring at him.
"What happened Riley? Why are you crying?"
"I. I am fine."
"Then why are you crying? Did he do anything to you? Tell me. Will you? If he did I will deal with him."
"It's not him Tina. I need a few minutes with him. I will be back."
"But you don't seem, good to me dear."
"Please."
"Fine. Only because I trust you. You won't tolerate shit."
Managing a nod, Riley looked at him again. When he placed her hand in his. Holding it tightly and taking her away from the Hall.
"We. Where are we going?" Due to all the crying, her voice was a little raspy and she was in desperate need of some water. So the words that came out of her mouth were a little uneven.
"You will know soon. Ril-boo."
Upon entering the elevator, he pressed the button for the highest floor. They waited for the elevator to reach his desired floor in silence.
While Stuart observed her state. Her mascara had ruined her face. Her eyes had turned puffy and red. Her cute nose was red and she was blowing on it with a hankie. She looked like a mess. A mess that he created. His heart broke at her sight. She doesn't deserve this. She deserves to be always happy. He came out of his daydreaming when the elevator dinged making him aware they were already there.
He strode out, taking her with him. One hand in pocket, while one enclosing her. Placing a key card they entered into a VIP room. Everything about the room screamed money to her. She sighed. And he counted it. He was counting it. It was the 17th time that she had sighed till the moment they had left the hall. looking at her, he could guess, she must be too thirsty to speak. It was proof enough when earlier, she stuttered in front of her so-called Tina. 'Huh. Deal with me? What is she? A fighter. What a dramatic scene.' He thought rummaging through the Fridge taking out a water bottle for her. Opening the lid, he held it in front of her and she took it. Gulping a few sips of water hungrily. Her throat was too parched to speak earlier. But now that it got fine, she spoke. She needed to find answers.
"Would you like some more water?"
"Where were you all this time?"
They both questioned at the same time. Her eyes were on his observing him.
"I. I was in Los Angeles."
"Oh. I see."
"Why did you never contacted me Georgie pooh?"
His head revolved at lightning speed towards her, She called him Georgie pooh! Didn't she! Or did he misheard? He pinched his wrist and the pain indicated to him it wasn't a dream.
His eyes turned gentle filled with rare tenderness. 'She didn't hate him as much as he thought she would. The mere thought made him happy.
"You remember. Two years ago when we were involved in an accident?"
"Yeah. I remember. I was the one who involved you in it."
Coming near her, he held her cheeks in his hands making her brows relax.
"You didn't. My little jelly bug. Don't blame yourself for it."
Seeing him in front of her eyes, she wanted to forgive him even before his reasons. But it would do them no good. She knew she needed answers. Answers that will help her to forgive herself and Christian for it.
Fluttering her eyelashes, she responded.
"They had used iron rods to beat me up. My condition was pretty bad. They took me in a van and threw me in the river. After that when I woke up, I was in a hospital. I was told by doctors I was in a coma for one month. And my father was the one who took me to the hospital."
Her heartfelt heavy, listening to him. 'So I am the reason for his disappearance. I am sorry Georgie pooh.'
"I am sorry Georgie pooh. It was all my fault. Only if I would have left him to die there. You wouldn't be in danger."
"Don't be sorry. Little jelly bug. Did you forget our promise? My life is yours. It was always yours. While yours is mine. And about saving the man, it was written in our destiny, and maybe it was my repercussion that I had to go through death myself to know the true value of life."
"Still, I am sorry."
Smiling at her silliness he stood up and dragged a chair in front of her. He wanted to make sure he saw her every expression when he will tell her the whole truth.
"Silly girl."
A small smile graced her lips, as she observed he was still treating her in the same way he used to treat her in past. Giving her a feeling of illusion, that they never parted.
Yet Reality was cruel, they did part ways and she needed to know what had happened exactly to him.
"What happened after?"
"I lost my memory and I had no idea of who I was. The man who claimed himself as my father was the one who took care of me."
"Oh. You mean he wasn't your real father."
"No. Jelly bug. He wasn't. But he was everything I would have wanted. And he still is! He is a great man."
"How about your real family Georgie?"
He laughed at her question, A hollow laugh filled with grief.
"Did you forgot, t? ey never cared about me. They wanted to get rid of me. Why do you think they never searched for me in the first place?"
He was welcomed with her silence. She knew how his family treated him. How they used to blame him for every single thing that went wrong. How he was beaten up for every little mischief of him.
Sensing the"I recovered my memory last year. But it was only in bits and pieces. But one thing I knew from it was this city. So I wanted to come back. But my father didn't allow me to come here. He was afraid I would leave him for my family. As if it was possible."