FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 54

My smile fades when he crosses Adnan's table, the two men glare at each other. All my happiness comes crashing down when I see the reality.

After I realized my love for Riad, I had often debated whether I should tell Adnan everything. But then I fear Adnan's reaction. At first I was more worried of what will happen to me if he finds the truth but now I am worried as to how will he take this. He will be heart broken.

Vikram asks me to wait, he will get Riad here but I am in no mood to create any scene here. If Adnan sees me with Riad, there will a ruckus at otherwise quiet party.

As Vikram leaves, I leave too. I go stand in the corner, I see Vikram greeting Riad and then looking around searching for me. I hide there until Riad says something to him and they go take their seat at a table. I come back to my seat.

'What took you so long?' he asks

'Nothing, I wasn't getting the drink I wanted' I lied.

Luckily, Riad is sitting at the table only few tables diagonal to us. I can have a good unblocked view of him from here I can watch him secretly. I continue to sip my drink and admire him.

Few drinks down I feel tipsy, Adnan looks at me concerned. I shake my head and say everything is fine. Mr. Saxena takes our leave, now it's me and Rhea at the table. Adnan starts to talk some business-related topic with her and I roll my eyes. Already the party is boring, except of course Riad being here, there is nothing else that is worth sitting here for.

I felt little quezy and excused myself to use the bathroom. Adnan asks Rhea to accompany me but I shake my head.

I cursed the gown, it is so difficult to pee wearing this. After I was done, I washed my hands and come out from the washroom wiping my hand. I am going to tell Adnan that I need to go, any longer and I will fall asleep.

'Hey, beautiful' I hear a sleazy voice and I stop on my tracks. I turn around and find Saxena standing there looking at me lustfully. Esh! He seems to be in his early fifties, he is slightly taller from being called short and also is pot-bellied. Yuck!

'Excuse me?' I say raising my eye brows, he walks towards me eyeing me up and down. More than feeling uncomfortable I am feeling disgusted.

'I had been watching you since long...I am blown away with your beauty' he smirks. I ignore him and turn to leave when he held my hand and I cringed. I turned around but before I could protest he pulls me closer, I could have kicked him nicely if I wasn't tipsy with the drink. I wriggle trying to free myself from his grip but he kept eyeing me.

'Leave me' I slurred, but his grip only tightens. I struggled harder as he tilts his head and brings it closer to mine.

I gathered all my strength and pushed him, he stumbles few steps back. he glares at me. I lift my gown little and turn to leave when he held my arm

'How dare you' he says and slaps me.

I am stunned, this is first time someone has slapped me, that too on my face.

'You are a woman, behave like one...'he says pinning me to the wall once again

'And you are a man, behave like one...' I retort.

I see him get angrier with my statement. He grabs my chin, his fingers pinching my cheek. I wince, tears filling my eyes.

He brings his lips towards mine and I raised my leg to kick him under the belt but he placed his other hand on my leg. I flinch feeling his palm on my leg, why did I have to wear a high slit dress. I pressed my lips tightly as his lips gets deadly close to mine. But before his lips could meet mine, Thankfully I hear someone call 'Hey!'

I am relieved when I recognize his strong baritone, I felt Saxena leave me. I turn my head and find Riad standing at the end of the corridor.

Saxena looks frightened watching Riad walk towards us 'I...It's not like what...she...she brought me here and she...she is drunk and she was...throwing...herself' he stammers pointing at me. I am shocked.

Riad looks at me and then at Saxena who smirks thinking Riad brought his excuse.

'Apologize and leave' Riad says sternly to him. Saxena looks confused, I smile. For a man like Saxena apologizing to a girl is like the biggest insult. Saxena takes a step towards Riad and looks into his eyes, Riad doesn't move his gaze and looks on confidently.

'I am a business man, I know how to deal with people...listen, this girl (he looks at me and I look away feeling disgusted with his tone) I liked her the moment I saw her... See, I don't want any trouble Mr. Ali... but you needn't worry, after we (points at himself and then at me)

are done even you can...you know...50-50' Saxena says and winks at Riad.

I gasp when Riad held Saxena collar, I see him shake with anger.

'Apologize' he repeats sternly. That moment I fear the worse, what if they start a fight.