The Devil with Charm

Part 5

"The one and only, " he said with a wicked smile. "Why didn't you keep in touch with me? I missed you so much," he continued with acute sarcasm.
"How about Stella? Have you heard from her? Or did she..." Before he could finish, his face was thrust aside by my powerful palm. A glowing red mark started to appear where my palm had slapped his dimpled cheek. A wave of satisfaction hit me when I sighted the mark. But to my dismay, he didn't even flinch. He just rubbed his cheek and gave me an amused smirk.

"I continue to have an effect on you, just like old times," he said vilely.
I was burning with rage. The icy cold, startled Nancy was replaced by a burning hot, fiery Nancy. That guy had ruined whatever little happiness I had found in New York. I couldn't let him make me feel vulnerable again.

"A bad animal always gets the whip, babe," I said with an air of supremecy.

I strut past him confidently as he raised an eyebrow at me. I had no idea where our room was, but I had to get away from him. I shot back confidently, but the memories with times spent with Stella in New York came rushing back and moistened by eyes. I had to get away before the moisture turned into heavy droplets.

I had no idea as to where our room was but I kept walking till I felt a presence behind me. It was Emma. She gently tugged at my arm and guided me towards our room. I kept my head low to hide the tears that were welling up in my eyes. Emma opened the door and with a slight push, guided me inside. I just obeyed her like a crying kid. When the door was shut, she turned to me and enveloped me into her bear hug. It was then that the tears fell free. She kept patting my back and whispering into my ears,

"I'm going to be there for you. Till the end of eternity. "

* * *

Daniel's POV(Sorry for changing it in the middle of the chapter :P)

The lounge was a rather comfortable area to spend a relaxed evening. The soft humming of the guitar and the low voices of chatting travellers gave the place an inviting air. I dropped down on an empty lounge chair and watched a young adult couple having a sweet time. Emma had asked me to wait here while she took care of Nancy.

Nancy. I remember her ghastly expression as she stared at Jacob or whatever he was called. Her skin had turned pale and her eyes nearly popped out of their socket. The transition took place in less than a second. I just stood there as they had their exchange. I was stunned to see this fellow have such an effect on her. Her icy cold replies were confident but I thought I detected a hint of nervousness in them.

As I started to follow her, Jacob said to me,

"She your toy? I admit, she was rather..."

I cut him off before he could proceed.

"Pal, she isn't a toy. And you know what, she isn't like most college goers who cry their heart out because some dope said she was ugly. Since you claim to know her, I thought you'd know this detail that I have managed to observe in the 24 hours I've known her. When someone like her gets upset, it's genuine. So perhaps being a dick at all times isn't all that good. "

"Since you know her so brilliantly, I'd request you to ask her how we happen to know each other. And since I don't have much time to chitchat with random folks, I'll let you pounder on the question yourself. "

"Jacob!" I suddenly heard Emma exclaim in shock.

"Well hello, my darling. You must be...Emma? Nancy spoke a lot about you. More than she rattled off about Stella, I have to admit. She..."