Episode 149 || Author Scarlet

Christian was sleeping peacefully. His hand roamed on the left side of the bed and he slowly opened his eyes. He jerked up and looked around, only to find Mishka standing in front of the dresser.

She was wearing a white top with charcoal black skinny fit jeans, her long dark brown wavy hair open reaching her waist and she wore diamond earrings while humming a song.

“What are you doing?” Christian asked, eyeing her actions.

She turned and smiled at him. “Oh, you are up. I am going to Snowdrop Publication. I’ve got an appointment with Warren Thomson.” She said with a broad smile on her face and walked toward him.

“I met Dr James yesterday. He said I should keep myself engaged. That’s why I’ve decided to resume my editing job.” She said, sitting beside him on the bed.

“Are you out of your mind? After what happened yesterday, you think…” Before Christian could complete it, Mishka interrupted him.

“What happened?” She asked, cluelessly, and Christian furrowed his brows.

“You don’t remember?” He asked, and looked at her wrist. “Why did you remove the bandage?” He asked, gripping her hand to check.

“Oh, it isn’t deep, almost healed, but how did I cut my wrist?” She asked, and Christian stared at her, unable to form a word.

“I-I don’t know, I wanted to ask you but you were sleeping when I came back from the office,” He answered.

“Strange, I don’t remember either!” She said, examining the cut on her wrist and before she dwells deeper, Christian tried to distract her.

“Anyway, why do you want to meet Warren Thompson?” Christian inquired, and Mishka’s eyes darted back to him.

“Actually, not exactly meeting him, but his assistant regarding the editor’s job.” She said.

“Cancel it. Let’s get back to sleep. Come,” He said, pulling her closer, but she pushed him away.

“No, I am going. I’ve booked an appointment for the third time. I can’t cancel it now.” She stood up while Christian brushed his messy hair.

“Fine, I’ll come with you then,” He said, stepping out of the bed.

“Nooo!!” Mishka shrieked loudly and Christian momentarily stopped looking at her. “I mean, I can handle myself. Let me go alone.” She said confidently, but Christian refused the idea.

“Please, Christian! I’ll be fine, I promise. Let me see if I can tackle things alone.” She said in an attempt to convince him, but still, he refused.

“I’ll stand outside the premise and wait for you. But let me come with you.” He said.

“But I can manage myself. Dr James said I should try to become the old Mishka, and old Mishka used to do things on her own.” She said confidently. “Plus, see, I have this tracker pendant. You’ll know where I am. Please, Christian!!! Let me do it my way.” She continuously pleaded while Christian looked at her weird actions wordlessly.

“Bolo!! Kuch to bolo!! Ya fir mai aur bolun (Say something!! Damn, speak up or I should speak more)” She screeched and continued to rant.

“Okay, fine, go!” Christian said, and Mishka showed him a toothy grin. She moved forward, and kissed him on the cheeks.

“Go office, okay. CEO should not sleep for so long,” She said sarcastically and left the room, picking up her sling bag. She entered the dining area to pick an apple when Rose appeared.

“Good morning,” She smiled at Rose, but the latter ignored her and left. Mishka looked at her retrieving figure and wondered about her sudden change in behaviour.

***

Lia was sitting with Lola in the living room of her apartment. They were enjoying coffee while watching a news channel where currently Christian was treading on the news headlines.

“I still think you’re making a big mistake,” Lola said to Lia, her eyes were pinned to the screen. “I mean, how can you let this hottie slip off your hand?”

“What you want me to do, then? Cling onto him like a second skin when he said he doesn’t want me, right on my face?” Lia asked Lola, rolling her eyes. “I’ve lost him long back.”

“You’re doing a big mistake, Lia. Trust me, you’ll regret it one day. Christian and you are perfect for each other.” Lola said while Lia was sure that Christian wouldn’t accept her back and his lovey-dovey pictures with Mishka on the television screen irked her more.

“It should be you there with Christian.” Lola spat, watching Christian and Mishka’s pictures. “You still have a chance. Don’t ruin it. Christian loved you and certainly can love you back again. Throw that bitch out of the picture and snatch what rightfully belongs to you. Don’t take the wrong decision and ruin your life again, I’m telling you!!”

Lia listened to Lola carefully while her piercing blue eyes were pinned to Mishka’s pictures on the television screen.

***

“Can I meet Mr Warren Thompson?” Mishka asked the receptionist.

The receptionist smiled, “Do you have an appointment?” She asked politely.

“Yes, please tell him, Mishka Knight is here,” Mishka replied.

“Okay, let me check,” the receptionist called and then quickly left her spot, hanging up the call. “Please come this way! Boss is waiting for you.” She said and Mishka followed her towards the lift.

They reached the tenth floor, and the receptionist knocked on the door. A faint manly voice came from inside that invited the visitors in. The receptionist opened the door and Mishka stepped in. A handsome man in his late thirties stood up with a charming smile on his face to welcome her.

“Finally, I have the pleasure to meet Author Scarlet!” He exclaimed loudly with a proud smile and the receptionist’s eyes went wide with her mouth agape as she stared at Mishka.

“Correction, it’s Mishka Knight. I think you might’ve mistaken me for someone else.” Mishka said, giving stern looks to Warren while he smiled ear to ear.

“Apologies, madame. Please come in!” He said dramatically and looked at the receptionist. “You may leave us alone now,” He said and the receptionist slowly closed the door on her way out.

“Warren!! What if she goes out and tells everyone?” Mishka screeched.

“Ah… Don’t worry! She won’t…. trust me,” He said and gestured her to sit opposite him.

“Finally!! I can’t believe we are actually in front of each other,” Warren exclaimed while she smiled at him.

“So, how’s life here in London?” He asked.

“Roller coaster! Sometimes I feel I am a player of temple run,” She said, and they both laughed. “Anyway, Let’s get back to work.”

“Yes, but before that,” Warren paused and retrieved an envelope from his middle drawer, and crossed his desk to where Mishka was sitting, and he sat on the empty leather chair next to her.

“What is this?” She eyed the envelope.

“Check out yourself,” Warren forwarded the envelope in her direction and she opened it.

“Sixty Thousand Pound!” Mishka looked at Warren in disbelief and her eyes travelled back to the papers again in her hand, “Is this really my money!!” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Of course your money,” Warren confirmed.

She sniffed, “You know, Warren, last year, I needed this money badly.” Mishka said in a choked voice as she remembered the threatening of the politician who wanted the orphanage at any cost and Aryan’s deteriorating health, how she was failing in every attempt to save both of them, and her last hope was this money. She recalled how desperately she was trying to talk to Warren that night, sitting on the stairs of the river Ganga, but nothing worked out in her favour.

“You know? Sometimes money makes you so weak that you have to overstep the boundaries you created for yourself,” She said, her eyes still pinned to the papers.

“I am very sorry. This publication was on the verge of bankruptcy last year. My wife demanded huge alimony that made a hole in my pocket. Your books saved me and this publication, but I failed to help you when you needed it the most,” Warren said, his eyes hinting helplessness, remembering the past.

“But I am glad you failed to help me,” She smiled and Warren looked confused, “That’s how I got my husband!”

“Oh, yes! I wanted to know how the girl from the small city in India got married to the heartthrob of London,” Warren chuckled. “How did you guys met?”

“For that, you have to wait for my next book,” She exclaimed excitedly.

“What!?!? You are writing an autobiography?” Warren was surprised.

“Yes, but it will look like a fictional story.” She talked more about her upcoming book.

“I am sure it’s going to break all records like your old books!” Warren said, “By the way, does your husband know about this? I mean, he is fine with the idea that his life will be open in the book, read by the millions.”

Mishka pouted, “My husband doesn’t know I’m Scarlet,” She said giving a nervous smile and Warren was stunned.

“What??” He shrieked, “You didn’t tell him he married a wonderful woman??” He asked and Mishka chuckled, shaking her head left and right. “Why??”

“I’ve planned a big surprise for him. He’ll know on my next book launch,” She said.

“Oh, you finally planned to come in front of the media, that’s amazing,” Warren said.

“So, eighteenth of March it is,” Warren said.

“Ummm… could we please shift it to the twelfth of March? It’s going to be our first wedding anniversary and a perfect occasion to break this news,” Mishka said, but Warren looked perplexed. “It’s fine if you don…” Before Mishka could complete, Warren interjected.

“No, it’s a great idea, but we have to speed up things.” He said, and Mishka quickly agreed. “Let me call your assistant,” Warren crossed his desk and called someone through the intercom. Soon someone knocked on the door, and a blonde girl entered, around Mishka’s age. She smiled at Mishka and focused her attention on Warren.

“Mishka, this is your assistant, Amelia.” Warren introduced. “And Amelia, this is Scarlet and you would be assisting her from now.”

“S-scarlet…. Author Scarlet?” She asked, her eyes continuously switching from Mishka to Warren for an answer.

“Yes!” Warren finally answered, and she covered her mouth in shock. “But you won’t let this news out before the launch,” Warren ordered sternly.

Amelia nodded her head, “Absolutely, my lips are sealed,” She said, “But can I get your autograph?” She asked Mishka.

“Right on the book launch,” Mishka smiled as she wanted to give her first autograph to Christian, and Amelia quickly agreed. “Okay, I’ll take a leave now. I’ll complete the edits and send copies to Amelia,” Mishka said and stood up to leave.

“Yeah, but you’ve to come again to sign the contract papers, or should I send the contract through email?” Warren asked.

“No worries, I’ll come again.” Mishka said, “And yes, I want this money to be deposited in my orphanage’s account, along with my next signing amount.” She said and left the paper on his desk. “I’ll send you the bank details.”

“Okay, I’ll take a leave now.” She said, and they shook hands. “Pleasure meeting you.”

“Pleasure is all mine, Mrs Knight,” Warren said and Mishka left his cabin with Amelia trailing behind her.

They exited the building of Snowdrop Publication and the driver opened the door of the back seat for Mishka. “Okay, Amelia, we’ll start working from tonight, and please make sure nobody gets to know about my identity,” Mishka said and bid adieu, sitting inside the car and they left while a black Mercedes parked at a distance watched them leaving.

“Drive to Knight mansion,” Christian directed while wearing his eyeglasses, and the driver started the engine. His mobile soon beeped with Mishka’s text.

“I’m going to the hospital to visit Mom. See you in the evening. Love ya,”

***

Late Evening,

When Mishka reached home, one of the servants reached her, “Madam, Sir Christian is waiting for you at the apartment?” He said.

“Oh, okay,” She said and turned on her heels to reach Rony’s apartment. The wooden door was ajar, and she slowly stepped in. The apartment was beautifully decorated with candles and balloons and her favourite chocolate cake was nicely placed on the centre table.

“To The New Beginnings,” She read a note beside the cake and smiled.

“You liked it?” She heard Christian’s voice and her eyes travelled towards the kitchen from where he emerged out, holding her favourite dishes on the tray.

“I love it!!” Mishka exclaimed loudly while Christian placed the dishes on the table and removed his apron. “Where is everyone else?” Mishka asked.

“It’s a private party,” He said, his hand roaming around the button of her jeans and he gripped the waistband to pull her closer, leaving her stunned for a moment.

“Why do you always yank me like this…” Christian sealed her lips in a passionate kiss, not giving her any chance to speak.

He slowly left her lips and stared at her glowing face. “This is our home for the next few weeks.” He said, pecking at her lips again while her forehead creased and she pushed him back.

“Why?” She asked.

“I want to spend some time alone with you,” Christian said, but Mishka recalled Rose’s weird behaviour while Christian tried to kiss her again.

“Christian,” Mishka murmured.

“Hmm,” Christian hummed while his hands travelled inside her top to cup her breast. “I’ll be fine soon.” She whispered as he squeezed her bosoms.

“You are already fine, sweetheart,” He said in a husky voice as he freed her breast from the cladding of the bra and pinned her softly against the kitchen island. Her breast pebbled in need, calling for him to touch them while he spears his tongue in her mouth, giving no break.

He pinched the tip of her boobs, and a muffled moan skipped her lips. He was slowly unbuttoning her top while Mishka looked away shyly.

“Let’s cut the cake first, it’s looking absolutely delicious,” She said and attempted to reach but he again pinned her against the island.

“That’s not for eating!” He whispered and slammed his finger into the chocolate icing of the cake. His eyes clouded with lust as he covered the areola with chocolate icing. Mishka gripped the edge of the island and took a sharp breath, when his tongue licked the icing off, sucking her nipple harder, while massaging the other with the chocolate icing, and later his focus shifted to the other to give the same attention.

Mishka threw her head back in pure ecstasy while Christian continued his ministration. He reached up and took her mouth in another scorching smooch.

Mishka opened the button of his trousers and zipped down while Christian trailed kisses on her collarbone, leaving his marks. Her neck, collarbone, and breast were covered in his marks. The atmosphere turned too hot to handle, and the couple was totally invested in showing the love they held for each other.

Little did they know that the countdown has already begun.