CHAPTER SIX

THIRD PERSON'S POV

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Today was the day. The day everything changed in his life. The day he stopped smiling. The day he became an orphan.

He still remembers it all. Everything they way it happened.

Looking at the night sky from his window, he remembered today.

The day his mother died. The day he lost everything.

It's ironic, same day, 24 years later, he was chosen as the hottest and sexiest man alive on the earth by people's magazine.

He always immerse himself in work, more on this day. So that he doesn't have to think about things he doesn't want to.

Thinking back to today, he remembered the Rose. No, not a flower but a human being, a girl to be specific.

He saw her today but didn't have enough courage to talk to her. She was the girl of his dreams, thoughts, his every wish was her.

He went to sleep thinking about his rose and wondering if he'll meet her again.

His weak followed monotonously as it usually passes. He was busy in his office all week attending meetings, signing contracts and planning new projects.

It was Sunday evening. He was in the drawing room doing work on his laptop.

He lived alone, sometimes Maria would visit him. She mostly visited him on weekends.

Today also, she was here with him but went out to buy some groceries.

The sound of door being shut was heard indicating Maria was back.

She went into the kitchen to set the things down. She came out holding a tray of fruits in her hands and sat beside Xander on the couch.

Maria wanted to know his views on marriage, his marriage.

"Xander, you shouldn't work so much. Take some time out for yourself too, my son. Work is not everything. Go out and meet new people."

"Badima" he sighed.

"Work is important, you know that. I can't take time out for myself to do what, I have nothing else to do than work. And you come here on weekends, we spend together. It's enough for me."

"No Xander, it's not enough.

I get bored talking to you only. I need someone new. " Maria tried by making a sad pouty face.

Xander laughed at this. A cute laugh he had , with cheeks adorning dimples on both sides.

"Oh, badima. Now you want someone new.huh!

Tsk tsk , you want a boyfriend now? Don't worry, we'll find one for you. "

He said grinning widely.

Maria gasped, " Not for me, you idiot. For you. I want one for you."

"What? Badima! How can you say that.

Now, you want a boyfriend for me? I'm not gay badima. I told you before too.

You want me to get a boys?" Xander teased her.

Maria played along, " Yes, I want you to get a boy. I mean you never had a girlfriend so I thought a boy would be better unless you prove me wrong."

She hoped Xander would get what she wanted to say. She just hoped he'd say yes.

Xander understood where this was going.

" Badima, you know I don't want to marry anyone anytime. I have my work with me. I have you. I don't need anyone else. "

"No, you have to understand. You think you don't want to marry as of now but you'll regret it in the future. My child, life is a beautiful thing. You can't stay alone all your life. Life demands to be lived and enjoyed with others. There is a person out there for you , waiting for you to start your journey of life together and live it fully. " Maria told him.

" I won't regret anything in the future or anytime. I don't want to enjoy life. I'm content with the way I'm living." Xander told , not at all interested in talking about marriage.

"Oh, really? Are you really can content?

Yes, I can definitely see you being content when you see your employees with their families in your parties. You are fully content when you look outside your window with that sad and longing look on your face. And you are absolutely content when you look at your home after coming back having a long and tiring day at work hoping to see someone who waited for you, hoping to have someone who would hug you and take all your stress away, wanting to have a reason to have come home."

Maria sarcastically replied.

Xander knew she was right. He secretly longed to have someone and cherish her and spoil her and tell her everything about his day. He wanted to have some reason to come back home early, wanted to have someone call him in between the day to ask what he wanted for lunch or of he's coming home early, just like his employees and he feel a pang of jealousy when they ask for day offs or holiday leaves to enjoy with their family.

But who can love a person like him. He is full of darkness and all dark things. No light can light him up according to him.

No one is there out for him.

" Badima, leave it. Maybe you are a bit right but who can ever love me or be with me without any ulterior motive.

Most girls I know are all after my money or the fame they'll get by being with me. I don't want that. I don't want to practically sell myself just to have someone by my side. There is no one who can be my side for me , because they are here for me not fir my money, looks or fame." Xander told Maria how he's feeling.

Maria understood this. That's why she chose Scarlett.

"There is , my child. There is someone who'll be for you not for anything else."

"Don't say this just to make me feel better. You don't have to." Xander said.

"I'm not lying. There is someone actually. You would like her too. Please come visit me at the bakery tomorrow around 11 and you'll meet her. She's really sweet and amazing, Xander." Maria spoke.

" Badima, you know....."

Maria cut off him in between," A meeting won't hurt. Please, Xander. Can't you do just this?"

Xander thought for a moment.

He sighed, " Okay but just one meeting and if I say no, then it's a no. I won't marry her."

Maria agreed immediately. She knew Xander wouldn't be able to say "no" once he gets to know her.

She was delighted to hear he agreed.

So, she quickly called Scarlett and asked if she would be able to meet her tomorrow and Scar agreed too making her more elated.

The next day, Xander was so immersed in his work and meetings, he completely forgot about going to the bakery.

He remembered about it in the evening and cursed himself for being so stupid.

He was driving home when he got a call from an unknown number.

He took it and said , "hello".

"Hi , I'm speaking from city hospital. Do you know someone named Maria Rutherford? " The voice on the other side of the phone asked.

"Yes. Yes I know her. She's my mother." Xander replied.

"Oh, then we would need you to come here immediately. Your mother's condition is serious right now. She's got into an accident and a bypasser brought her here." The voice said.

Xander tensed hearing this. He said a quick okay and fastly drive the car towards the hospital's direction.

He immediately reached there and asked for Maria's room at the reception. On getting the floor number, he went towards it.

A few hours before

On same day

"Like a daughter in law."

"What? What are you saying Maria?

A....A daughter... daughter in law?"

Scar couldn't believe what she heard.

She composed herself, " I'm sorry. I think I heard wrong. Can you repeat what you just said?" She asked in hopes of hearing wrong before.

"I'm afraid. You didn't hear wrong. Its exactly what I said. I want you to be my daughter in law." Maria said.

"No, Maria. How can you say this.

Me? A daughter in law? I can't be your daughter in law. Marriage isnt a joke.

It's a beautiful relation. I can't disrespect it. I don't even know your son. Your son doesn't know me. We cannot get married to each other." Scarlett was shocked by all this. Still she managed to try to explain to Maria how wrong this all would be.

" You both can get to know each other after marriage. Arranged marriages still happen and they still work out." Maria voiced out her opinion on this.

" No, it cannot happen like this. We both will be bound by this marriage. I don't want to be bound. I'm sure your son wouldn't like that either. " Scar tried again. She didn't want to do this but she also didn't want to compromise the future of those children.

" Scar, just think about it. My son needs you . He needs someone to make him live life not just exist and survive. He'll drown in his pain and sadness. He doesn't know what's good for him.

Please, Scar , I know you can help him. You have a beautiful heart scar. I've seen girls your age . They don't stop and get late for their class just to help a stranger. You didn't even complain regarding that. No one cares so much about some children whose own parents abandoned them. No one gets so excited seeing this simple bakery. No one is as beautiful as you Scar. Your light will help him shine. Please, he'll die in his darkness."

Maria was on the verge of tears by the end of this.

Scarlett couldn't see someone crying.

Her heart clenched at her words and seeing her sad face. She couldn't decide what to do. She was conflicted inside.

On seeing Scar's conflicted state, Maria spoke again, " you can take your time.

Tell me within a week what you think of it."

Saying this, she stood up and went towards the counter. Scarlett stood up too and without saying anything, she left through the door.

Maria packed some cupcakes for those orphanage children and turned around to give it to Scarlett but she was nowhere to be seen.

She went outside and saw her across the road. She shouted her name twice but Scarlett didn't hear.

Maria again shouted, this time much louder than before and Scarlett turned around.

She saw Maria crossing the road looking towards her but on Maria's right, a car was coming at full speed . Scarlett shouted at Maria to stop and back out .

" MARIA!!"

"MARIA ,STOP!"

She again said, " MARIA STOP!! A CAR IS COMING. MARIA JUST STOP!!"

But Maria didn't listen and her body collided with the hood of the car and was thrown to the opposite side beside the lamp post. She was unconscious with blood flowing out of her hands and head.

And the box of cupcakes smashed beside her.

Scarlett went towards her. A crowd formed around her.

Scarlett was crying seeing her in this state. A man from the crowd immediately called the ambulance and it reached on time. They took her away. Scar went along too.

On reaching hospital, Scar was asked to sign some papers but after knowing she wasn't related to her, they asked for anyone related to Maria.

Scar told them about her son.

They got his number from the bakery and quickly called her.

Scarlett asked to then to start the operation atleast till he arrives but the staff refused.

Scar couldn't do anything except sit in the corridor and think if this was in some way her fault. She now sort of felt bad was denying Maria's request but she can marry a stranger too.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost didn't hear a person shouting at the hospital staff. He was wearing a black suit and was really tall, maybe 6 foot 3 inches, might be 4 too.

He seemed restless. He looked angry, upset at something.