Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

53 ~ Tangled Emotions

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."

Dev

My heart had been restless since she left a few hours ago. It felt as though someone was crying, yearning, and silently calling out to me. This inexplicable feeling gnawed at me, and I couldn’t shake it off. The meeting dragged on, but my mind was elsewhere, unfocused and detached.

Her tear-streaked face kept flashing before my eyes, each vision a stab to my chest. My jaw tightened as frustration coursed through me. Closing my eyes, I leaned back in my chair, trying to will the memories away. The paperwork scattered on my desk remained untouched, my attention utterly diverted.

Unable to endure it any longer, I pushed back my chair and stood abruptly. The suffocating air in my cabin demanded escape. Grabbing my keys, I headed straight for the parking lot. Once inside my car, I dialed the number of the man I had hired to watch over her. What? It wasn’t what it seemed. I just needed to ensure her safety. And no, don’t ask me why.

The man informed me that she was at a temple. Without wasting another second, I drove there. The journey felt eternal, my mind racing with unanswered questions. When I reached, I parked my car near the stairs, scanning my surroundings for her.

Just as I was about to step out, I saw her emerging from the temple. She didn’t notice me, but my eyes locked onto her face instantly. Her red, swollen eyes and the unmistakable sadness etched onto her features hit me like a blow to the gut. Knowing that I might be the reason for her tears made me clench the steering wheel in self-loathing.

Her dejected expression tore at something deep inside me. Why? I didn’t know. But seeing her this way made one thing clear—I wanted to be the reason for her smile, not her sorrow.

I watched her intently, unable to look away, when she suddenly stumbled on the stairs. My heart seized as she lost her footing, and I instinctively reached for the door handle to rush to her aid. Before I could act, a man caught her arm, steadying her. Relief coursed through me for a brief moment, but it was quickly replaced by a burning sensation in my chest as I saw him pull her closer than necessary.

My grip tightened on the car door. He had no business touching her like that. I got out of the car and moved to a spot near a tree, watching their exchange from the shadows. She stepped back immediately, visibly uncomfortable, and thanked him politely. But his smug grin as he held onto her arm made my blood boil.

The sight of her giving him her name was the final straw. What in the world is she doing? My fists clenched, my jaw tightened, and a dangerous calm washed over me.

I strode toward him with purpose, each step fueled by the simmering rage coursing through me. Placing a hand firmly on his shoulder, I made him turn around. His confused expression only fed my anger.

“I’d advise you to stay away from her,” I said, smirking as I locked eyes with him. My tone left no room for argument.

“And who are you to tell me this?” he dared to ask, as if challenging me. The audacity.

“Trust me, you don’t want to find out,” I replied, my smirk deepening. My voice was a deadly calm, the kind that could chill bones. “This is your one and only warning. Next time, I won’t bother with words.”

To drive the point home, I pulled out my gun and pressed it lightly against his chest. His confident demeanor crumbled as he gulped, his eyes darting to the weapon.

“I’m letting you walk away today because you saved her,” I continued, my voice dangerously low. “But if I ever see you near her again, you’ll be six feet under the ground with six bullets in your chest. Do I make myself clear?”