Chapter 5: Chapter 5

-4-Dinner with Beggar husband.

"Your patience when you have her, For her; defines you."

Ever since Christian came to know the meaning of parents, He had been fond of his father. Although his way of showing fondness was different. His mother, Rachel Evercast died giving birth to him. His mother had some complications in pregnancy but she wanted to keep him.

For years, Rachel Evercast had prayed for a baby boy, So, when She came to know about him, she decided to suffer complications during her pregnancy in silence.

When His father, Thomas came to know about it. It was too late. After welcoming Christian earlier the time, Thomas and Rachel named him "Christian."

He still remembers vividly, his father's words.

"After giving you birth, I rolled over and could see she was dying. We did CPR on her until the paramedics arrived, but she had flatlined by then. It was too late," he recalled to the 13-year-old Christian, adding that he believes Rachel died as a result of a postpartum-related medical emergency.

"Rachel was such a good mother and wife," he told him. "She was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. She was so vibrant and full of life. She was loving, kind, and caring. If you could ever meet Rachel, you would know that she was one of the most caring, loving, godly, and giving people you would ever meet." His father had been sobbing with big fat tears when he stopped.

But then Christian became as ferocious as a demon When his father died in a plane crash on his way back home from a business meeting in Paris when he turned 18 on 17th of September and when the news reached him he had lost it! There was nothing left for his father's body.

It had been his eighteenth birthday when his father had died. He had been studying in New York when he came to know about the news. he had filled his mouth with the distasteful smell of smoke on his tongue while he slapped his mouth with it.

His day started with the smoke of a cigarette standing over the balcony watching his father's album and ended with the last sip of scotch while he shuffled through various alcohol bottles, in the bar. That was when he saw Riley Brown.

There were about twenty-five people with her but that girl stood apart when she entered, as a blooming rose that directly hit his heart. She had sat two seats across from him and he had tried his best to evade her attention yet was ignored.

17-year-Riley Brown had seen him crying and had left a small cake for him with a note of 'Someone will always love you.' It was her dare her peers had requested her to complete. Yet it gave him hope to live.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts.it wasn't the time to go down memory lane. Now She is all his after all!

On the 4th floor of the Forever building, Christian patiently waited for his order to be confirmed with the preferences of Riley.

When the elevator doors opened, Christian's attention fell to the woman stepping off the elevator. Her face was hard to miss as she was his wife now.

Damnn! it's her...

His mind going haywire with the possibility of his wife recognizing him.

But then he remembered he was wearing his ugly mask, He sighed in relief. It was a close call.

Narrowing his eyes, He focused on her companion. He was a tall fair man and was carrying a briefcase. He hated to admit that but whoever he was, he was handsome.

Moreover, He understood clearly, he was the one she had a meeting with! But Riley never had even once focussed her attention on him. It was as if he wasn't there. So the Jealousy got the best of him.

"Who allowed these people here?" Christian voice boomed in anger.

"Throw them out."

With a voice that strong, Riley's attention fell onto the man's words.

The floor manager turned pale, He took a deep breath and answered

"Sir they have made a reservation in advance here."

Upon hearing his explanation Christian sent a cold glance to the manager.

"She can stay! But, without him." He exclaimed.

The manager felt speechless, who in the whole city didn't know about His boss's unrequited love for Riley Brown.

But How can he be so unreasonable? Ah! What a pity! He was jealous of a man she was just meeting... Nevertheless, the manager didn't wish to be there at all. He was desperate to fly from the scene.

These kinds of thoughts consumed the manager, who was now at a stand-still and forgot to react.

With a minute to pass, Christian noticed that the manager still did not accomplish his order. It was as if the word 'patience' had never existed within Christian. A grim look was cast towards Manager's direction and it belonged to none other than but Christian.

"So you can't even handle such a small task?"Christian's voice boomed with anger.

"N-No, Sir. It's not like that at all." The manager grew flustered so he stuttered out."He...

Aware of what this jerk was about to do, Riley walked up to him sincerely wishing to knock some sense into his useless brain.

Yet she was caught by her wrist, Christian saw the glimpse of her companion's gesture and in his eyes, it seemed, as if, they were flirting in front of him. Thus, Fury got the best of him, Narrowing his eyes dangerously,

'so she is involved with this man too.'s he sneered inwardly and shifted his gaze on the man beside his wife, his tone somber and full of warning.

"Mrs beggar, looks can be deceptive. Look at you, You portray as an angel but on the inside, you are covered with filth. How can you be such a person! You are cheating on your husband on your first day of marriage! How shameless can you be? Huh!"

Hearing Christian's words laced with hatred ness further fueled her rage. it was due to him, she had to marry a beggar! Scum! shameless man! she cursed in her head.

While Mr. Smith, Riley's companion tried to understand what was happening! She removed her wrist from Mr. Smith's grip and spat in a taunting manner,

"Oh grow up, Christian evercast! Why do you have so much concern about my husband?"

Taking steps closer to him, Riley continued,

"You've already forced me to marry a beggar, Now we don't owe each other anything! Why are you acting as if you own me! Or as if you own this place! Huh? Who do you exactly think you are?"

There was truth in Riley's questions! Christian wanted to shout at her face! 'Yeah, I do own you and this place too!' But he didn't want to fight with her, Especially today! After all, it was their day of marriage.

Nonetheless, Riley was furious Because what Christian has said was unforgivable. Despite being a man of power, No one, absolutely No one had the liberty to degrade someone's character like that. There was no way Riley was taking the verbal abuse silently.

"Since you say I am a filthy woman, Then it would have fouled you. After all, you were one of my suitors." Riley eyed Christian, her tone full of intent on mocking him. "So if I am filthy, then technically you are filthy too."

The whole venue fell in utter silence upon Riley's snide remarks on Christian.

The crowd had started to talk among themselves. "Who'd even dare to say these things right in front of his face?!"

As the scene continued to unfold, The floor manager wanted to take things into his own hands despite knowing Riley might get him to lose his job. As the floor manager saw Christian's eyes full of anger, he threw this idea away.

Finally, Christian failed to contain his emotions and covered his face with both hands, utterly speechless. Could Riley be crueler!

Mr. Smith snapped out of his confusing thoughts and cleared his throat.

"Hey Miss Brown, Glow food court is owned by Mr. Evercast, You know?"

The second Mr. Smith uttered these words, Riley's jaw dropped, Thunderstruck, his eyes dilated. Composing herself after what seemed to be forever, She found her words, Completely appalled.

"C-Could you say that again?"

Turning to glance towards Mr smith, Riley stared at him blankly While Mr smith closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

Riley glanced around the whole venue. Her eyes took in the opulent view around her. Everything was dazzled in riches; from antique paintings, precious artifacts, to state the art of furniture. Her cheeks flamed red, She cursed herself to be so dumb! Ah!

Upon seeing Riley like that, Mr smith felt she needed his help.

Stepping in between them, he bent down and apologized to Christian on the behalf of Riley. "We are terribly sorry Mr. Evercast, My colleague here's feeling a bit down today. So, We'll be taking our leave. Again we're sorry for the ruckus she made."

They then took the elevator and left the venue.

[A few moments later]

Leaning against the car Riley placed her hand on her forehead in irritation.

She had already apologized to Mr. Smith and asked for a meeting to reschedule and decided to leave the parking lot in her car.

'How could I be so unlucky? Hell, why is that ugly monster everywhere.'

She sighed helplessly and reached her home. Ringing the doorbell, she was surprised to see her mother opening the door. Since it was always servants opening the door.

"Hello, Mom. How's dad?"

"He is fine Ril-boo. His meeting ended and hopefully, He is coming back tomorrow."Milly answered letting her daughter inside.

"Okay." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. At least he kept his promise.

"But where is Mrs. Annie?

"Ah! She needed to do some grocery shopping and other works, So I asked her to go I will handle it here. But Why are you back Ril-boo? And even so early?"

"Mom. For a new project, I will have to stay in the company's dormitory for a few months."

"But Ril-boo. Your father won't let you stay there. You know that baby."

"Mom. Please help me at this time. The project is really important."

"But Ril-boo."

"Please Mama," Riley said giving her puppy looks.

"Okay baby. Come now. Let's have lunch."

"No mom. I have to go back to the office. I just came back to pack up."

"Okay fine. But you have to have coffee with me."

Riley smiled, "Okay Mom."

While at the plaza Christian's heart felt like it was twisted by a hand that he was in great pain.

Christian's face was cold and his dark eyes were boundless.

He turned around dejectedly pulled opened the door and left, but not before asking the ordered items to deliver at his given address.

In the evening, Christian reached home. Home what a beautiful word it is. He never even called his own villa home and yet here he was calling that disgusting apartment his home.

He remembered his father's words now. "Home is where your heart is baby boy!"

The four-year-old Christian asked his father, his eyes shining brightly.

"How home can be made of the heart? When it is made of bri..bucks or so many things daddy!"

But in return, his father didn't say anything more just smiled at him.

But now he understood what his father meant actually.

So it's true!

'Ah! What the hell is wrong with me? Why I am so emotional today. Christian questioned his subconscious.

The moment he tried to open the door, he was impressed. Because its lock was repaired.

Cynthia did a good job.

Just when he entered the small Living room, he found it was refurbished. The small sofa that was rusty last night was now changed into a smaller modern one. The walls were repainted. And a new dining table was placed in a corner just near the kitchen. To check Cynthia's work he decided to survey everything first so he moved to the bedroom And found it was fully renovated according to his taste. As the walls were painted with white and blue color. It wasn't too satisfactory but it was reasonable according to his new profession.

Christian sighed helplessly, and entered The bathroom, he was surprised by its renovation.

He nearly wanted to call his PA and praise her As its tiles were polished, and it closely felt like a modern bathroom. There was a new small but satisfactory bathtub placed inside the bathroom. And the showers were replaced too. There was placed a new set of all the items required. Nonetheless, the most important thing was he didn't smell anything bad.

Overall The finishes and texture were satisfactory concerning his current identity. Everything felt sufficient. And most importantly he felt good too.

The ordered food that just arrived before his arrival was placed at the kitchen counter, so now he just needed to make it look a little messy So that she wouldn't doubt him.

In two hours he did everything that he thought was necessary and prepared some eggs to make it look like a normal meal. Thereupon the kitchen work, he just needed to change his clothes and be a little dirtier.

In half an hour, He was ready to welcome his new bride home.

Riley had packed all her bags before returning to the office. Since she had left office at the lunchtime. She decided to return to the office.

________________________________________

Riley decided to leave the office After all, it was their wedding day, even it wasn't like how she wanted it to be. She still needed to go! after all, she has hurt him in the morning too.

When she reached the beggar's home, it didn't look similar to the one they had arrived at. So she checked thoroughly whether or not it was his.

Because Now the door looked decent.

But when the beggar came out to welcome her, she knew she wasn't wrong.

Christian frowned looking at her, she was distracted.