I was very far away from baba's residence. He was about two hours away by car ride in another town.
I was glad Bilal starts boarding school tomorrow so he wouldn't be subjected to cruelty alone from Naheed and her children.
Leila had left for her flight back to America last night after my arrival here. I hadn't mentioned the chuckle in the kitchen or Yasir's strange words to her. She's pregnant and I don't want her worrying.
I have managed to stroll out of the Mirza's neighborhood as I come across a busier street and see joggers from time to time or people walking their dogs.
Some twenty minutes later I approach a more cosmopolitan setting. It's not as busy and bustling like the towns of New Jersey. I actually like the more relaxed atmosphere of this town.
I read the street signs and notice one indicating the direction to a public park. I decide I should acquaint myself with it.
In five minutes I come across one of the rusted gates to the park. It doesn't appear as huge and sprawling as Windham park but it's no less beautiful and green.
I stroll around for some fifteen minutes, basking in the sun's warmth and inhaling the scent of grassy earth. I end up far from the main pedestrian pathway and no one else is around.
Until I sense as if I'm being watched, I feel goosebumps rise on my arms.
I arrive to a stand still near a clearing by a large pond. My eyes wander around looking for whoever was watching me.
And that's when I spot a hooded figure some meters away. It stands next to a wilting tree beyond the pond.
The face is obscure by the hood, it's actually dark brown hooded robe.
What really makes me bolt in dread is the gleam of something silverish they are grasping down in their left hand -a large dagger.
As I'm running, I dare to look back and to my horror I see the hooded figure rushing after me.
My mouth is too dry to scream for help. There seems to be no one else in this park or no one in the part I was in.
I keep running until finally I reach the main pedestrian walk way, where I see a couple of people strolling and jogging.
I look back again and I no longer see the hooded figure chasing after me. But the fear keeps me running yet.
I can not stop.
I just need to get out of this park and get back home, lock the doors and lock myself into Imran's room then hide in his wardrobe or under his bed.
Abruptly I knock into something very hard as a brick wall.
I hear someone curse under their breath before I fall backwards onto the ground from the impact.
The clatter of something hitting the asphalt next to me catches my attention-an expensive smartphone disintegrates.
"Fucking hell!"
I quickly glance up towards the owner of that sleek infuriated masculine voice. His shadow falls on me forebodingly.
My gaze makes an assessment of a very tall man in his late twenties, standing before me-clad in an expensive black business suit.
His lean yet masculine figure conceals the sunlight behind, which forms a fiery halo around dark blonde tousled hair- slightly framing his forehead.
Eyebrows are furrowed in deep aggravation as he stares down at his broken iPhone. And slowly his gaze shifts upon me.
Pristine ocean blue eyes gleam with burning rage.
"You!" He growls lowly. "Look what you've done."
Chapter 4
The wrath of this potent appearing man, renders me speechless for a couple of seconds.
With difficulty I tore my gaze away from his scorching eyes and look around to register in my brain what had just happened.
The shattered iPhone lay across from me on the pavement.
Then I realize it immediately. His phone broke because of me.
"Well?" His voice low, velvety and scathing. "Are you fucking blind ?"
He sounds sort of foreign, a touch of an upper class British accent.
My heart hammers like thunder against my rib cage as I glance back up at him.
Strands of hair fall across his forehead from the slight breeze. His eyebrows are no longer furrowed deeply as they were a few seconds ago. Neither do the nostrils flare of his perfect straight nose but yet his shapely jaw clenches in ire.
For a split second his chiseled noble features resemble Ancient Greek sculptures depicting Adonis.
I strive to search for words to say but momentarily my brain is playing amnesia with me it seems.
"Is it fucking certain that you are equally blind and deaf?" He continues disdainfully. "Either that or the lack of civility from the likes of you shouldn't consternate me one bit. "
His statement prompts my brows to knit in puzzlement, breaking any wonderment of a spell I was under.
"I'm very sorry about your phone! I didn't knock into you deliberately !" I manage to stammer as I scramble to collect his destroyed iPhone. "I was being chased by someone, they had a knife or something!"
When I stand up fully to face him again, I'm taken aback by his very tall stature and broad shoulders. He stood, towering over me.
My height doesn't even reach his shoulders or his upper chest. So I crane my neck backwards in order to meet his gaze. I attempt to swallow down the knot forming in my throat.
"I'm extremely sorry, I really am. " I say feebly as I carefully hold out his phone parts to him in my palms.
Without unlocking his blazing gaze from mine, he abruptly brings up a heavy hand and intentionally knocks the phone out of my palms.
I gasp in alarm and retreat back as I hear the clattering of the phone particles falling to the ground again.
My palm is left stinging by the impact of the blow from his hand as solid and cold as ice.
He folds his arms casually across his broad chest. "I have no fucking need for that now. It is as useless as you are, you simian beast." His voice is still low and malicious. "You know what? Those phone pieces would still prove more useful then the likes of you..Muslim."
Having not recovered from the shock of his rude gesture, I feel a strange prickling in my eyes. I realize tears are forming from the alarming words he's utilized.
I don't know how to respond to him, what to say back. My mouth has developed as dry as sand paper.
The stupid knot in my throat has grown even more stubborn to swallow down. My heart is beating erratically fast. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up having a heart attack.
Noticing my unconcealed reaction of hurt, his eyes gleam in apparent triumph. The corners of his mouth lift slightly in a half smirk of approval.
"Vladimir, I think that's enough!"
The source of an elderly males voice prompts me to look behind the jerk. I find a man who appears to be in his mid sixties arising from a bench less than one feet away.
He folds a news paper in his hand and walks towards us in a casual yet graceful gait. He's dressed in a business suit as well but it is less lavishly tailored than the one the jerk is wearing.
The elder man has much more of a gentle countenance than the younger. Albeit, still a serious look as he comes to a halt infront of me.
"Don't worry about the phone young lady. It's very easily replaceable and has been replaced around six times in this month alone." Consoles the old man in a posh British accent. His grey eyes twinkle with secret amusement, albeit he isn't smiling.
The jerk named Vladimir presses his lips into a thin line with obvious agitation. Finally straying his eyes away from me to gaze anywhere else.
The elder man proceeds to touch Vladimir's shoulder gently with his hand. He was quite tall but not as tall as the jerk whom he looks towards with warmth.
"Isn't that correct, Vladimir ? You never got the least bit upset then so you have no reason to be now." Continues the elder man.
"Those incidents involved my little niece and nephew, they are blameless and you know it Huxley !" Vladimir replies tightly.
"Except one incident of which involves miss Vlodov, who isn't a child." The elder man named Huxley chortles.
> "You compare my lovely Ilona to this barbaric creature?" Vladimir declares, as his eyes survey me with repugnance.
Anger shoots through my veins like lava. This time I muster up the courage to object to such spiteful labelings now that a nice understanding man is also present.
I turn towards Huxley. "Kind sir, I have apologized for this accident."
Then I direct my gaze on the jerk. "It's one thing to rebuke me for my mistake but an entirely different matter to inflict abusive and expletive words. I have done nothing to earn such!"
Vladimir's eyes flash fiercely and he further lowers his tone. "Don't you fucking utter another word, you filthy muslim."
"Or what ?!" I snap, unable to conceal the shakiness in my voice. I dare continue on speaking. "I can report you to the police if you tried anything else!"
In a split second a small cruel smile tugs at the corner of his lips. I shudder with a strange prickling sensation running down my spine. My knees nearly buckle under his penetrative stare.
He proceeds to whisper in an icy soft tone. "You don't know who I am, little girl. I own the authority..if I were you,I'd keep that filthy little mouth shut."
"Alright this is enough." Huxley mutters as he gently gives Vladimir a push away from me.
"As if I should believe that !" I scoff, mustering more courage since Huxley had the jerk in control. Otherwise the cruel appearance of his sent shivers of fear down my spine.
Before Vladimir could respond, Huxley interjects gravely. "You should believe it, miss."
He gently nudges Vladimir a few steps further away while murmuring something in a foreign language to him. It is barely audible for me.
I was uncertain if it was Russian. I notice Vladimir still stares at me, his gaze now cold as a deathly winter.
I decide this was a cue for me to leave. But just when I lift a foot, Huxley smoothly yet quickly glides infront of me.
"You'll have to excuse his remarks towards you or your kind. But reporting to the authorities is not a wise move. You aren't aware of who exactly he is or what ties he has." Huxley expounds casually and a smile graces his lips.
I glance dubiously at him and then at Vladimir who's produced out another phone from his business suit's pocket. He brushes the sides of his blazer with his hand and then busies himself on the phone. Skimming through it without looking in our direction.
Huxley follows my gaze and chuckles. "See I told you so, these phones get replaced constantly."
"Why shouldn't I report that jerk face to the police ? Are you afraid of what would happen to him?" I warn vexatiously. "He deserves it!"
"Well no, I'm actually afraid of what would happen to you." Huxley's smile vanishes and he looks me in the eyes gravely. "He practically owns the authority."
I feel the need to laugh. I roll my eyes before sarcastically saying. "What is he? Member of some powerful mafia ?"
Huxley tilts his head, while peering down at me curiously. "Yes..actually and the owner of few corporations."
I stare at him blankly for brief seconds. What a lame joke is this ?
I'm finding this information hard to believe.
Right ..don't tell me he's some part of a Russian Mafia...pfffft..
I roll my eyes in sarcasm while directing my gaze back on the jerk. He is now holding the phone to his ears, immersing himself in what seems like an important conversation.
In an instant his cold eyes lock with mine. He almost sneers before I avert my gaze.
"Whatever may be the case, I don't care who he is. I have apologised for the broken phone, I don't have any money on me to compensate for the damages." I sigh wearily and continue. "I'm not reporting your mean friend, and since he's already got a new phone out, I don't see why you are still keeping me here, mister."
"Ah, but there is a need for a certain clarification before allowing you take leave, young lady." Huxley states, his eyes full of interrogation. "Can you repeat for me the reason you had revealed earlier for colliding into Vladimir?"
Within seconds, panic floods my body. I whip my head around to look at the area from where I had been sprinting away.
I wasn't sure if anyone else felt it, the familiar feeling of being watched had returned.
"S-someone with a dagger! A brown hoodie! They were chasing after me!" My voice spills out tremulous as I point towards the wooded area.
"Did you happen to see their face?" Huxley inquires, his demeanor has grown alert and cautious as he gazes in the direction I've gestured at.
"No, the hoodie hid their face in darkness." I shiver in fear remembering. "Will you call the police? I'm scared! Whoever that was might follow me home."
"Hmm..calling the authorities won't help at all my dear." Huxley looks suspiciously behind me and then swiftly turns to give Vladimir a sideways glance.
"Vladimir, I suggest you dial up the boys. Looks like we've got unwanted company."
Vladimir pauses conversing on the phone, agitation etches into his frigid expression. "Explain yourself, Huxley."
"If you are on call with Miss Vlodov, advise her to hide and remain careful till we reach her." Huxley warns coolly. "Unwanted company, dial up the boys now."
I look at them both in complete bewilderment.
What the heck is going on ?
It takes a second for Vladimir to register what Huxley has ordered. His brows crease and eyes narrow in fierce concern as he replaces the phone to his ears. "Ilona. It appears there may be trouble where you've requested to meet. I need you to hide now. I'm on my way."
"Can someone explain to me what's going on?" I query.
Why the heck are they using such cryptic references?
"You miss, will stay put here for now." Huxley replies solemnly to me. "we will be further questioning you later. "
"Whaaaat?!" I sputter in disbelief. “You said I would be allowed to leave once I answered your question which I already did !"
"I've made no promises." Huxley remarks nonchalantly.
I'm annoyed beyond belief by these two mysterious strangers who refuse to free me. I won't allow him to keep me here! Ignoring his order I began to walk away.
Until I arrive face to face with the familiar black buttons, encrusted with silver dragon encircling a Cross on a black business suit.
Vladimir has stepped in front of me, a deranged look in his eyes that have grown colder.
"Going somewhere, muzzie?" He breathes, towering over me this close again. I feel a mixture of queasiness and dread growing in the pit of my stomach.
"Get out of my way!" In a quaking tone, I manage to utter.
"My brief introduction must have fallen on deaf ears." He sneers, voice full of dark threatening secrets.
My head snaps up in a scowl, no way am I allowing this foul personality of a man to further insult or prevent me from leaving!
I scan frantically at my surroundings, yet unfortunately for me I spot figures of other people several yards away.
Deviant Fixation Page 5