Chapter 25 Drown With Paranoid

Paranoid! I was getting it since the previous day. My nerves were all over the place and I can't believe I fired five people within a span of fifteen minutes. The look of disappointment that Serena gave me at that moment was something I wasn't prepared for. Hell! I wasn't prepared for any of the things that have happened so far in my life.

But we'll be firing is considered part of work. And it's my nature that I don't handle mistakes. I have been watching those five waiters for a long time now, and I wasn't impressed by their services at all. Yet I remembered Dad always told me to be patient. But my all strength finally wore off yesterday when the customers complained.

In my shabby state of mind, I did go a little far in firing them in front of the entire restaurant. I know I should have done it privately, but it was about my restaurant's reputation. I can't just let it go.

But the worrisome deal about this whole fiasco was my Serena; who wouldn't glance at me or even slap me for being a jerk. I don't mind if she hits me or even kills me, but I want her to say something. I wasn't able to handle this silence. It was making me feel things that weren't good.

I was forced to think that she will leave me; thus I didn't even enter the room in the night while she slept with Nathan who was hell tired and didn't wonder about my absence.

And here I have been pacing for most of the night like a caveman. The devastation clear on my face, while tiredness evident from my slump body posture.

I wanted to talk to someone and express myself so badly that I was getting agitated now. Not having any more options left, I finally speed-dialed John; already cursing myself for this disaster. My bad luck that I have no one to converse with.

"Cavelli." I greeted him once he received the call. I heard him yawning and I felt like laughing. Of course, I loved irritating him.

I heard him groan in frustration as I can feel that hint of recognition from his sigh now.

"Seriously, Price. Why are you proving my wife right about my patients having crush on me?" He teased and there I knew that he was back to square one of the mad Psychiatrist.

"In your dreams I will crush on you". I replied gritting my teeth in anger. Standing on the balcony now, I looked at the city of America that was sleeping peacefully in their abodes, while here I was talking to this doctor in the middle of the night.

"Then what makes you always call me in the middle of the night? I am sure your heart is in love with me!" He annoyed me and I left out a deep sigh not knowing what else to reply. I can't win from him for few things ever.

With my lack of response, I guess that he anticipated that I have something running on my mind. His normal breathing was a signal for Me to proceed.

"Serena is not talking to me after I revealed her a few things about Carolina". I managed to spill out my worry. He didn't say a word which was a cue enough for me to proceed to explain the entire situation to him. Like his professional self, he listened to me never interrupting me, and for once I was thankful to him.

"How do you feel about what your role has been in the past, regarding this cheating thing?" He inquired in his very Stern yet business-like tone. There was no humor or joke in it. He was serious at that moment.

"I feel pathetic. I know I was at the edge but I had no right to cheat on her but Serena has to understand that, I didn't do with the sole purpose of hurting her. If I wanted that only then I would have already let her shoot herself rather than saving her by compromising with myself and my image in the entire town." I explained to him the state of my mind which I wanted to reveal to Serena. Only if she will let me explain.

"Daniel, I shouldn't be saying this but there are few things which you are not aware about Serena". I was taken aback by this sudden change of conversation. What wasn't I aware of?

When I didn't say a word, he confessed with pure honesty, "When Serena shifted in this town, she started coming to me for therapy. She was a psychologically closed off person. She wasn't the way she is now. She was a scared child who was afraid that she will be targeted by her family, If she lives her life freely. Serena was always an average student, which certainly made her parents to be disappointed in her because they thought that she wasn't good enough for the family business. But Serena wasn't interested in any of that. She had her dreams, thus she came here and that was the day, her parents cut off all ties with her. She was in severe depression, but slowly and steadily, she got a grip over herself. Then she met you and things became more easy for her because she felt that pull towards you and indeed it helped her to recover fast so that she can be with you".

My body stiffened at this new piece of information. My girl was in so much trauma, and I put her through hell.

"I know she has told you that her parents have accepted you both, but the truth is that they didn't. Instead, they wanted her to come back when they got to know about you because you just had one restaurant but she is like a heiress. Serena chose you over everything else. It was the last time she talked to her parents. She knew you were having issues of your own, hence she hid the entire deal from you".

I felt parched in my throat. Words stuck, sweat beads on my forehead, while my entire system was cursing me for being a douchebag to date.

"When Serena came to me about her relationship issues with you, then I told her to teach you a lesson because I didn't wanted her to block herself again but I was unaware about who you were. Thus, when I got to know the Truth, I didn't hesitated in revealing her about your aggressiveness, which she already witnessed once. You are like that infant Daniel, with whom I can't communicate the procedures, thus Serena was only a safe bet for you because I can see that you love her more than you could have ever loved yourself. And as a doctor, I will only say that try to put yourself in her shoes right now. If you need space and time to open up, so doesn't she need sometime to accept all your sins as well".

"She isn't asking much apart from space because if she wanted to leave you, she would have left by now; because whether you agree or not, no girl can bear her lover going on the path of infidelity but Serena is still with you. So I hope it does mean something to you?"

Ignoring his words, I inquired the thing that has been troubling me for days;" How many chances of my getting violent have reduced? And don't you dare lie to me!"

I added my warning before he can even think of playing with my mind with his other game. I knew him too well now that he never let his patients think low about themselves, but I wasn't someone normal here. It was about Serena's safety and I had to make sure about it.

"30%. Your tone is indicating me already that you are at the edge".

A deep furious sigh escaped my lips, and I knew John understood my turmoil well, but that wasn't worrying me at the moment. I had something else running in my brain.

"John can I trust you for something?" I inquired in a sincere tone I might have ever used with this man.

John didn't utter a word, and taking the note I proceeded, "If something happens to me in all this, I want you to take care of Serena and Nathan for me. I don't have anyone else whom I can trust for my family, apart from you. And you don't have to worry about the expenses, my power of attorney is named on Serena. They will be provided with everything, I just want you to support them if something happens to me."

"Why do you think that you are gonna lose it in the last? Don't you trust your Serena?" John reprimanded me instead of giving me his promise but I knew he was pissed as hell at my lack of belief in myself and Serena's love.

"I trust her but I don't trust myself after everything. Hell, I don't even know whether I can move on or not. But my bigger concern is that I am having this hunch that something is gonna happen, and I just want to make sure that my family is in safe hands". I tried to put some sense into him, but it was like I was explaining it to myself only because he hanged up on me.

I don't blame him though. I can be irritating as hell.

I sat down on the chair on the balcony, resting my head on the headrest. Closing my eyes I tried to feel something, about myself and my faith in my capabilities but I have miles to go. Her behavior was kind of shredding my positive hopes and I just wished that I don't do something which will take her away from me.

I was lost in my chain of thoughts only when I felt someone pressing my forehead and I didn't have to open my eyes to have a glance at the person.

I knew her too well to recognize her soft touch that no matter how upset she might get on me, she will still be around me.

"Why did you wake up?" I just started the conversation when she didn't say anything for a long time now. It was getting colder but none of us were bothered.

"When the mind is in a constant fight, it's hard to sleep".

I chuckled without any hidden humor while she leaned on me. Her arms draped around my neck, while her head rested on my one shoulder near my ears. A sense of satisfaction started to take over my body as I felt her kissing my cheek softly. I was glad that she was around me, or else my chances of losing my sanity tonight only were quite high.

I pulled her on my lap, holding her one hand but didn't dare to open my eyes. She sat comfortably, resting her head on my chest while my hand came around her waist securing her from every insecurity and fear that was soaring inside me.

"You know I always thought that my love story will be like a perfect fairy tale but now when I am living it, it feels like........

"It feels like a Witch Tale!" I completed for her opening my eyes finally. A chuckle escaped her lips lighting up the atmosphere between us. She pulled away from her head from my chest, and I stared at her keenly trying to gauge her mind carefully.

Raising one hand, I stroked her cheek with the pad of my thumb. She shuddered under my touch as well as the cool breeze that has started blow now with more flow making the plants shuffle in their places.

"You are my heaven on this Earth, but look at the irony."

"I am your hell. A hell that neither you can escape nor you want to".

"But I can fight that hell to make it my heaven." She replied confidently piercing her gaze in mine. I was proud of her sense of maturity and dedication towards me.

I lowered my eyes out of guilt; I was ashamed of myself now. If only I would have tried to understand Carolina more then maybe it would have been a different story today. But now witnessing Serena's love, I realize how much of a bastard I was to cheat on her.

Directly, or indirectly I was the reason for my mess. In front of her love, I was so small and weak while she stood like a tower full of glory and shine not ready to alter any setback.

She kept her finger under my chin, making me raise my eyes. Tears were threatening to spill from my dark orbs while I can see the wreck of emotions in her Iris.

"People who love, they don't look down in shame. They stare right into each other's eyes and pour their hearts out. I know what is running in your mind in the moment, but I think you are forgetting the fact that if you wouldn't have cheated on Carolina then how would we have met? You might have fallen in love with her then what would have happened to me?" She pursed her lips into a pout at the end of the statement-making my lips curve into a smile that was amusing as hell.

I scratched my forehead showing my lack of obviousness at the truth, while she buried her head into the crook of my neck. I felt her hot and minty breath on my nape that was relevant to the advancement of my heartbeat.

"I know you might be having some doubts regarding my loyalty now. But trust me even if I get rid of all this, then I won't look at another girl like I look at you". I confessed with genuine honesty and integrity in my words. I didn't remember when was the last time we had this type of conversation. Maybe never but I will always remember that cheating was a sin and I won't ever do that ever again, no matter whether I am forced to do anything or not.

"You are becoming a pro in reading me". I felt her sweet lips planting a kiss on my neck but she didn't pull back, instead, she was inhaling my scent.

"I am trying but I have miles to go yet; don't you feel so?"

"Hmm...," There was a long pregnant pause between us before I started to shift in my place a little uncomfortably. The thing I wanted to confess now, can't be said in this deep intimate proximity. My hesitation didn't go unnoticed by Serena, as she stood up. The confusion is evident on her pale face.

Taking a deep breath for the umpteenth time, I stood up and walked towards the banister. Closing my eyes once again, I held the fence tightly as if gaining support to show my deepest sense of vulnerability to her.

"Don't you wanna ask something to me?" I posed my query, wanting to find the strength to say out my deepest feeling loud and clear.

"I don't know what should I ask you or what should I say. I am still trying to understand myself and my opinion to forgive you for infidelity on a woman because as much as I love you, I can't ignore that you did cheated on someone. But I can also see that you had your own share of breakdowns and persuasion there, so as much as my heart wants to give in this moment, my mind which has gotten scared that I might not be enough for you, is telling me to wait". She explained standing beside me now.

I didn't miss the cracking of her voice and I wasn't angry at her that she had got that small doubt, but I was tired of holding that feeling inside me.

Gathering myself, I turned my body towards her. She was staring straight at the city, but I can see the tear sliding down her right eye.

"I don't know how those men who have trust issues in life resort to sleeping around and gain the title of Casonova because trust me after tasting the poisonous result of my infidelity to Carolina, I don't have any guts or even strength or desire to look at another girl now. I have been celibate since that day and I will remain one till my last breath if you ask me to now. I don't want you in my life for sex, I want you so that I will have reason to breathe; to move on in my life from that horrendous night that made me orphan".

"After turning into ashes once, I don't see the need to even think about becoming Casonova again". I added and this whole time she has been staring straight at nature as if finding answers in that powerful wind.

She turned her body towards mine, while my heart was getting impatient to hear her answer now.

"You know why this plan is called as Fourteen version plan but it has only seven days to concentrate?" I was flabbergasted by her sudden query. It has nothing to do with the things I just confessed to her but I can see, she was trying to get somewhere with this entire thing.

So I just shook my head in denial because honestly, I didn't get her plan yet.

Smiling, she stepped closer to me, and without another word, she wrapped her arms around my waist. Tiptoeing, she pecked my lips, while I stood there like a fool. What was happening?

"The answer is that from my revealing you the days element, till you remember any memory to your confession; it totally serves the purpose to open the doors of your heart. You get so lost in anticipating my words and actions, that you forget your past for that time, but when you remember it, you don't feel like hiding it. You feel like talking about it. So each day opens one memory for you, and in return it makes you talk about your feelings. So seven days multiplied by dual actions, makes it fourteen Version plan". She explained and honestly, I was stunned. I never expected this kind of thing in my entire life.

I don't think even John would have such a tremendous and gobsmacking strategy about me. She was something; actually not something but a combination of everything and anything. And given the number of tragedies she has faced, I don't have enough words to express my pride as well as gratitude to her.

I was lost in watching her only when she wound her arms around my neck and confessed in a brutally honest tone that would even scare the ghosts of the night.

"And if that makes any difference to you then, I am ready to Drown with Dangerous all my life because this Dangerous is my protective shield which gives me enough courage to gather myself and work ahead. So if I can get the honors of being part of him, then I will drown with him 24*7".

Overwhelmed with love, I smashed my lips on her as the chilly wind kept on blowing. My hands roamed all over her body as desire exploded inside me. I wanted her so much yet, I was transfixed by the truth of my conscience. Her lips were taking me to a new level of love land whereas I was lost in the way, her fingers massaged my scalp. I wanted her to keep rubbing herself on to me so that I can feel her every inch and there won't be any regret ever even if I end up doing something odd.

I know I was being overly paranoid now, but that tiny winy thing which is called instinct was alerting me and I wanted to overcome that instinct by this heart-melting kiss of Serena.

Leaving her lips, I began kissing her jaw, while she gripped my shoulders tightly. From her jaw, I went down to her neck trailing hot wet kisses on her neck till her collarbone. The satisfaction I felt when I gave her the love bite on her neck was something that can never match up to any of the kisses I have showered on her.

This love bite wasn't a normal one, it was a deep red mark in the middle position of her neck and collarbone. It was clearly stating my intentions that were going in my mind, before the ones I have felt before when I kissed her. With time it seemed like my feelings have become more passionate and exotic for her, but yet there was that purity residing in the love that always guided us to follow the path of righteousness.

We pulled away breathless as she rested her head on my chest. Her chest-pounding rapidly in her ribcage while mine felt like, hammers were being thrown on my heart and any moment, it will explode.

"That was the best kiss I ever had, Cow Face!"

"Don't call me that, you howling wolf. You cut my lip and even bit my neck, and didn't even let me moan". She complained tightening her hold on me.

From the emotional wreck, we were trying to set up the pace again between us, and I was simply loving it that she understood that I wanted us to enjoy this peace in each other's arms.

"Well it isn't my fault that you were biting your lip, rather than moaning my name. And just so you know, I didn't howled or groaned for even once. Heck! I don't ever groan when you kiss me back". I replied in a mischievous tone earning a smack on my chest.

"Don't tease me because you still don't know what I am going to make you do today. You are still at my mercy, Wolf!" I didn't miss the victory in her tone as she managed to strike horror in my mind about her activities.

"So, from your earlier, words I think you have chosen D today. So, with what dangerous specie do I have to drown?" She pulled back from me but still staying in my arms.

A mischievous smirk was playing on the sides of her lips, while I was waiting for the most unexpected thing.

And there she threw the disaster which threw me in a series of coughs.

You don't have to drown but kiss a dolphin!

What???