Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Augustus

Puffing out the smoke of my cigarette I lean to the window of my bedroom and look at the twinkling lights of late night city of NewYork. Looking down, I run my hand on the beautiful necklace sitting on the table adjacent to the window. A smiling image of Angelica crosses my mind and my lips automatically twitch upwards looking at the elegant ornament. Just like the glittering diamonds, my heart also seems to dance in joy as I imagine my charming lady grace the attractive accessory.

It has been a week since Angelica released her fears to me. Though I was very sad for the psychological and physical trauma she suffered during her childhood, I also felt glad that she trusted me enough to let out the secrets she had been hiding since last many years.

Thinking about her my libido rushes and a want for a cold shower strikes me alarmingly. After a few minutes of relaxing shower, I lie on the bed and close my eyes welcoming the dreams of my Angel. As promised to her I haven’t brought any girl to the office and any of my hotels. Those girls that I bedded were only a satisfaction of my physical desires. My heart belonged to Angelica and I can do anything for her.

Being a man of words I don’t break promises. I am sure going to win the bet and make her mine.

For me the definition of true love is Angelica. I like everything about her including the vintage clothes she puts on to come to the office. I know she does that because of not wanting to attract any man’s attention on her and to say the truth it flatters me a lot. When she kissed me I understood how strong was her passion towards me? Only thing is she doesn’t want to accept it because of the problems she underwent in her young age. But I am sure going to break away each and every of her shells and restate her definitions on romance and relationships. Be mine, my cup cake....

“Good Morning Sir.” Her voice gets into my ears making my head feel light in an instant from the entire work load. I smile at her and ask her to take a seat after wishing her a morning. “Tomorrow evening you will be accompanying me as my date to my parent’s 30th anniversary celebrations in their lake house. Here is the necklace to put on for the occasion.” I tell her in a firm voice giving no way for any argument and push forward a blue rectangular box resting on the office desk. “Finish your work an hour early because we will be leaving for dress shopping after the office.” I tell her studying one of the files sitting on the office desk while having my black coffee.

Her voice comes out almost in a whisper. “Sir, this necklace appears to be very costly. I can put on something cheaper of my own and moreover....” Lifting my eyes from the file I glare at her daring her to speak further. She fidgets with her fingers shifting her weight from left leg to the right and vice versa for a few times and closes the door without saying a word while picking up the blue necklace box.

As the door clicks to a close I press the remote on my desk confirming a lock. Stretching back on my black leather chair I ease a little and spread my legs one above the other. A soft smile was enveloping my features. For the effect I have on her.... I thought closing my eyes with a feeling of contentment.

Soon it was five in the evening. I grab my coat resting at the back of my chair and move to her office in swift long strides. “Are you ready?” I ask her buttoning my coat. “Yes sir.” She replies courteously and follows behind.

For the next two hours we were thumping the costliest market of Newyork city. Angelica grew tired trying innumerable dresses in the process of getting me satisfied. There isn’t going to be compromise when it comes to my cup cake. After all she is going to be my wife, one of the richest billionaires in America. Some of the dresses were too formal while others were very much revealing. I did not like either of the options. As it was a family dinner in my parent’s house I did not want her dress to be too formal. At the same time it is against my taste for her to dress in something revealing.

My cup cake has never been in love and untouched by a man. The reverberating truth brought happy shrills in my body. She is pure and innocent and that is how I want her to be. All the girls that I dated earlier would hardly wear any clothes when they joined me for dinners and that was like an invitation to rough sex to me. But all my declarations change when it comes to my cupcake. She is never going to wear anything showing her skin in the public.

Finally after a lot of workout my eyes halted on a turquoise colour gown. It reached below her knees looking elegant and at the same time a teeny bit sexy. Alas! But by the time Angelica was already fuming. “If you don’t approve even to this dress” she points to her attire and inflates her eyebrows throwing daggers at me. “I am never going to go dress shopping with you.” I smile at her cute piques and give a wink. “Well this is going to be the last dress you will put on as I approve of it.”

The bust area was embellished with diamonds which would match the diamond necklace I bought for her and from the waist the dress flew freely in curls. In short my cupcake looked like a fallen angel. I want to kiss her now. It took all of my will power to not to commit the irrevocable sin. I put a straight face to her and bring out in my commanding voice. “Let us go home now and tomorrow I will pick you up from your house exactly at 6.” Marking my words I clasp my hand with hers and pull her out of the busy market.

Tomorrow is going to be a long night. I smile to myself going cheesy.

The next day I reach her house exactly at six. Just then she was getting down the stairs looking elegant and gorgeous. Her dress seems to be reflecting the colour of her eyes, icy blues. She has put on the necklace I gave her along with a matching bracelet and studs. Her hair was tied neatly in a bun. Running my eyes along her perfect physique I mentally snap a photograph registering her beauty permanently in my heart. God, she is prepossessing.

Moving closer I study every detail of her with a stoical countenance. I want ‘my angel’ to be the ‘most beautiful woman’ in the party. Tugging my hand behind I detach the clip that was holding her tresses and allow her locks to fall freely in curls. “This is better.” I whisper to her maintaining a straight face and move to the door with her following behind.

It was raining cats and dogs on the outskirts of the city and there was no way that we could reach the venue in time. I bring out my mobile from my pant pocket and try to find a hotel to pass the night. By the time Angelica was already in panic. She tries to ring up her dad but there was no signal in either of our phones. Driving further we were lucky to trace an old cottage which appeared like a rest house.

We reach the reception area in anxiety. An old man with gray hair was sitting at the reception. Smelling the stench of cheap liquor a few feet away from him I spread my hand sideways and push Angelica behind me. But the man doesn’t seem to take my signal. He tries to peak his head to look at Angel. I grit my teeth and turn my head to look behind. “Go to the portico and sit there for a minute. I will come soon.” She makes a face and whines like a five year old. “But it is raining. I will get wet in no time.” I look at her unplugged with my eyes widening in anger. Noting my boiling expression she trudges back towards the patio mumbling curses.

After a few minutes we were inside an old fashioned, substandard room. But the positive point was that the bed was clean in white linens with a neat washroom. I exhale a sigh of relief looking around and open one of the windows to allow the fresh air to enter the room. Angelica leaves to the washroom. Unbuttoning the first two buttons of my dress shirt, I remove my coat and hang it on one of the chairs with my phone on the night stand. My fingers move to the sleeves folding them. I then lay on the bed closing my eyes to take some rest with my hands at the back of my head and legs crossed.

No sooner I hear the click of the door knob and a fuming Angelica comes out of the washroom. “What’s the matter?” I ask her still keeping my eyes closed. “I cannot sleep in the same room and share a bed with you.” She yells out breathing fire. I glance at her apoplectic. “You know what Angelica? I am not dancing here in happiness to sleep beside you. There was only one room available.” I tell her incensed.

She tightens her lips in a thin line and was about to throw another fit but I stop her with my words. “Your dad has raised you as nothing but an arrogant, indiscipline, ill-mannered brat. But I am not at any price going to tolerate your misbehaviour.” Pointing my forefinger to her I continue to speak in deterrence. “Behave or else I very well know the ways to tame you because I don’t tolerate discourteousness and you are soon going to be my wife.” I warn her in a stern voice and walk to the washroom to relax my fatigued nerves.

After some time

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask her opening my drowsy eyes. She was looking outside the window sitting on a chair. “It’s none of your concern.” She seethes making me get out of the bed in livid, wild steps. This girl always qualifies to pull me to the end of the rope.

Lifting her up bridal style I carry her to the bed and was about to wrap a comforter on both of us when she stops me with tears holding out of her eyes. “I cannot sleep in this dress. It is uncomfortable.” My stance quietens looking at her and the next moment I find myself unbuttoning my shirt. “Go change and come.” I tell her extending my shirt. She quickly grasps it and comes out of the washroom within seconds looking at me with her innocent questioning eyes.”

Damn! She looks so sexy and beautiful in my shirt. I try to calm down my growing lust and holding a deadpan expression I pull her to my chest and wrap a blanket around us closing my eyes in contentment.

Darn it! This night is not going to pass easy for me.