Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Opening my eyes slowly, I met my surrounding engulfed in slight darkness. I adjusted my eyesight through the dim light and looked at my left side hoping to see Sweety, but she is not there.

Where did she go?

My heartbeat started to pound heavily in my rib cage. "Sweety.." I called her name. My voice was barely audible but got no response from her. My throat felt dry. I was not able to swallow my saliva.

I tried to sit on the bed but a piercing pain in my right hand came to my consciousness. Then I saw the IV was hooked with my right hand as well as the peeping machine which was on the left side is monitoring my heartbeat.

Weird...

Inhaling the fresh air deeply to comfort my throbbing lungs, I pulled out the needle from my hand. Immediately a small drop of blood dripped over my hand where the needle was attached before.

I looked around the surroundings and realized that I'm not in my apartment, rather, admitted to the hospital.

But why?

"Shit!!!" I cursed mentally. I had my panic attack again, so this is the reason why I am here in the hospital. Great. I walked out of the bed and switched the lamplight beside the table.

There I saw a nurse was sleeping on the chair, her head was leaned on the headboard and her mouth hung open. Not wanting to wake her up I walked towards the table when my eyes landed on the water bottle. I gulped down a large amount of water and let out a sigh of relief.

"I can't believe this. I'm still alive."

"Mam, are you okay??" A sudden voice was boomed through the silent room and I turned my head to see the awaking nurse who was walking towards my direction where I am standing now.

"I'm fine."

"Okay. I will let the doctor know that you were awake," She said and turned her back to walk out of the room.

"No, no need." I stopped her.

With a furrowing expression on her face, she opened her mouth to speak. "I should inform the doctor that you were awake. This was a strict instruction passed over to me. Especially from your boss." She pointed out.

"Can't you see? I'm perfectly alright. I have no time for your bullshit; my daughter is waiting for me. I want to leave right now and I don't care about other shit." I said harshly.

"Your daughter is with your boss," She replied with a quiet and calm tone.

"What?" I furrowed my brows.

"Humm! They are waiting in front of the room. Probably they are sleeping now."

I might be heard her wrong, yeah right. Why would he be here? It's not his concern, my daughter is probably with Juliet, I convinced myself.

"You mean, a girl with red hair?" I asked once again to clarify the matter.

"No, she is with your boss. I don't know his name exactly. He has strictly told us not to allow any visitors until you are awake."

Mr. Miller, you are dead today.

I walked towards the door ignoring her calling my name frequently. It's not supposed to happen. I was lifeless for just an hour but he got his way.

I yanked the door open and saw something unpleasant in front of me, which I never dreamed of in my life and for some unknown reason, the scene made my heart clench with pain. It's like someone squeezing my heart unkindly.

Sweety has her hand around his neck, her head laid on his shoulder where she was sleeping peacefully. He, on the other hand, wrapped his hand around her protectively while sleeping on the chair. The two had been playing the perfect role of father and daughter just when I was unconscious for a day even though they don't know each other.

When did these two even get closer? Last time, I remembered that Sweety called him Monster and said she hates him while he used some ill words towards my baby and even threw a dragger at her and now they were in a perfect illumination as a role of father and daughter.

Father! My ash!! He never is a father to my baby. But what will happen once he came to know about Sweety's real father? Ahh!!! The thing is frustrating!!!

Huffing loudly, I dragged Sweety from his grip and put her on my shoulder. Even in her sleeping state, she wrapped her tiny hand around my neck immediately.

And on the other side, he jerked and stood upon his place abruptly ready to attack whoever snatched his imaginary daughter. Yeah! What else I can say. She would be his imaginary daughter if he had developed a lovely feeling towards my baby over a night. He won't get the real answer unless my mouth decides to betray me.

"Shit Riya! What the hell is wrong with you?" He shouted.

"What are you trying to do now, Mr. Miller?" I spat angrily.

He raked his hair through his finger then looked at me. "Listen, She was so adamant.. just like you. She was not ready to leave this place which left me to have no option, rather, kept her with me." He eyed me up and down then let out a small sigh.

What was behind his sigh??

"You should call Juliet and ask her to watch over. And why the hell you are here? It's not your place, especially to look after my daughter."

"I have some trust issues." He simply stated.

"What?" I asked more than getting irritated.

"Listen. I did this for your safety. I am not sure who was tried to harm you. And, I would have done the same if anyone had in your state." He shrugged his shoulder.

"And take care of their daughter too?" I mocked.

He twisted his lips and took one dangerous step towards me. "Not exactly, but you are more than my concern," He whispered in my ear sending a cold shiver running down through my spine when his breath touched my neck. Oh my God! I still have this effect on him.

I stepped back and glared at him. "I don't know what is going on that pretty mind of yours, but stay away from me and my daughter," I said and turned my heels to leave the place.

"Don't turn your back Riya when I am talking to you." He grabbed my right hand forcefully making me stumble on my spot but he engulfed me and Sweety in his arm and steadied us. We both fixed in his big arms rightfully.

Anger flashed on my whole body but I tried to calm myself breathing in and out. I turned my heels to confront him but my face happened to drop on his chest.

His hand is still wrapped around us. I struggled to loosen his grip but he didn't flinch. "Let go of us, you idiot!" I yelled losing my patience.

Sweety jerked away hearing my sudden outburst but I caught her at right time. "Mommy!" She rubbed her eyes and looked between us.

Finally, he let go of us and backed away. Something flashed on his eyes but he masked it by clenching his jaw and stormed out of the place like a heavy wind.

---

"Mommy! You okay?" Sweety asked once we reached our apartment.

"Yes, baby! Mommy is fine," I pinched her cheeks playfully and set her on the bed.

I glanced at the wall clock and it showed past 8 in the morning. "Sweety, get ready for School. You are already late." I yelled from the kitchen while trying to make some breakfast.

I prepared the pancake with strawberry syrup which was Sweety's favorite. I set the plate on the dining table before walking towards our room.

"Sweety baby..." I called but even before I could finish my sentence a small smile appeared on my face when I saw her sleeping on the bed, her both arms were wide open.

I shook my head and walked towards her. I removed the slipper from her feet and set the pillow under her head.

My poor baby, she might be tired. I sat beside her and ring my phone to Juliet.

"Hey, Riya! You okay." was the first word I heard when she answered the call.

"I'm fine Juliet. I rather expected you in the hospital but disappointed with you." I told her truthfully.

I heard her sigh deeply before she spoke again. "I came to the hospital Riya, but he didn't allow me to stay there." Argh!! He dares to stop her.

"He threatened me with my job. That's why I left. He was so furious like his beast was under control." I can able read her shivering thoughts.

"He lost his temper when you were stuck inside the elevator. He was so mad at the security team and started to yell at them." His mind would have rotten for some reason; otherwise, he wouldn't dare to do like this.

"He almost went to terminate them on spot, but their pleaded faces saved their jobs." Such an arrogant. I cursed mentally.

"I am scared Riya. He is not in a good mood either. Anything will happen. What if I lose my job?" She finished her talking by feeding me more information than necessary.

"Don't overthink, Juliet. It has nothing to do with you." I rolled my eyes.

"I hope so Riya but.."

"No but. I will call you back," I said and disconnect the call immediately.

Oh, God! He doesn't change a bit; this reminded me of him in his college days who acted the role of an alpha male. But now the question is why he is doing this?

He hates me wholeheartedly for his passion... But again he cares for me.

No, I shook my head from my thoughts which is currently working for him. No way in the hell he would care for me. He has planned something on his mind and soon I will find the intention behind this drama...

And most importantly, if it has anything to do with my daughter I will feed him his dash!!

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