Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 6

Grayson’s POV

Six months back

I entered my usual cafe and this time I saw a different person in it. At first I had this strong feeling that I’ve seen her before but couldn’t remember where to. So, I approached her and placed my order. She was weird. She didn’t look at me and nor did she smiled. It was like she was in a bad mood or just the ‘unsmiling’ person; you know the ones who never smiles? Her face was almost hidden with her cap making it impossible to look at her facial features.

She was standing with the tray in her hand maybe searching me because ‘she didn’t see me before and didn’t even ask my name’. I smiled and stifled a laugh watching her gesturing towards me in an uncertain way like ‘your order?’ I nodded as she came to me and put my order on the table.

I still liked something about her so I asked her name.

Maybe... it’s her silence?

There was such a deep sadness in her eyes that screamed me to know more about her so I silently took a picture of her.

‘I know what I did was illegal and you shouldn’t do that but well I can easily escape it as I am the best lawyer in the whole New York state.’

I started it just two years back but fought and won all of my corporate cases so I had a high reputation there. Now I had shifted to Boston with a new office. I opened my own law firm and so, I needed to get it set up here as well.

When I was back, I was studying her picture and received a call from my junior who needed to get some information about some property feud. When I was done with it, I opened my laptop and my eyes stopped on the wallpaper on it.

It was of my farewell day and along with my friends; we were screaming on the backside of the school, taking selfies. What interested me was the cute chubby cheeked girl in the background with brown hair and deep brown eyes. She had made a peace sign and winked at the camera. I laughed watching her but it was suddenly replaced by a sorrow.

Flashback

Aiden was my close friend and when I was in my college, he told me he is courting my crush. By that time I didn’t know who his girlfriend was but when I was doing my masters, he sent me invitation to his engagement party and then I was really upset.

I didn’t go obviously and when I had reached heights; Aiden called me and sounded worried. I was in Boston now when he came to visit me and looked so lost.

I asked what the issue was but he didn’t say anything. He just asked some questions regarding transfer of property and business which sounded odd but being professional, I answered him. Later that day, I asked him about Iris and saw the facial expression changed.

He was drunk while talking to me and in that drunken state; he kept mumbling few slurred words which I don’t know. One thing that caught my attention was the news on the T.V. that said her parents and brother were dead. I glanced back at the sleeping Aiden and wondered if this was the reason of his sadness.

I know she must be feeling so alone. I didn’t know about her family members but I couldn’t help worrying how she must be holding now and why was Aiden here if things were so bad; he should have been with her taking care unless...

I couldn’t sleep the whole night knowing it’s was the third day and Aiden too wasn’t looking well. I prayed she be fine.

She was the liveliest and fun loving girl I ever met. Her childish behaviour in a good way had caught my heart since day one. When others were hooking up or trying to catch someone’s attention; she was the one who was planning a prank or just enjoying with her friends. She was unaware of all the attention she received even from the seniors and laughed and giggled not caring about anything. I was too shy to approach her that time but also I wanted her to love me and not influenced by me.

She used to wear bright and colorful clothes and looked so beautiful in everything she wore. One thing that was so different was, she was radical but yet believed in god. She would pray before meals; when someone isn’t well or an ambulance passes by and even at some tiniest bit.

I couldn’t sleep that whole night pacing here and there till it was dawn. When Aiden was awake, I quickly asked him about the news and about her. He told me that she died the same night and I was stunned was understatement.

Flashback Ended

Now

I felt my heart broken into pieces and since that day, I became cold hearted. I didn’t enjoy things I used to because I felt it was so unfair for her to die at such a young age. What crossed my mind was, why there was no news about her death and why there was no investigation regarding it. I even tried to contact Aiden for the same but he said he didn’t want to talk about it.

I couldn’t feel but connect his questions and the accident together. There was something odd about it. When I met Sunny at the cafe, she gave me a familiar energy in an unknown way.

I already heard her name when Marcus called her out but few days later when she looked me in the eyes making my world stop. Those deep brown eyes that was so familiar to me yet so unfamiliar now. I realized that it was Iris. Yes, she was Iris the girl I loved.

Everything about her changed. The lively and mischievous eyes were replaced with the dead and mysterious eyes. The bright and cheery look was replaced with a pensive one and the once colored clothes that shouted her personality were changed to the only-black outfits. It pained me seeing her this way.

If I hadn’t have known her before, I would have thought she was this way forever but now looking at her I feel how much pain she have endured to mould her this way.

‘What about Aiden?’ I wondered but decided to start my own investigation about the matter.

‘Why was she here rather than contacting her relatives and why they call her Sunny instead of Iris?’

I thought she must have lost her memory but then every time she sees me; she tries to escape as soon as possible. I had seen a sense of recognition in her eyes which tells me that she remembers seeing me before but maybe not too well.

I know she wouldn’t even know because she wasn’t into me but I was so no doubt that it is me who remembers her and not the other way round.

I received a call from Aiden after those six months saying he needed to find someone so wondered if I could help him in some way. I tried to find who he wanted to search for but when I couldn’t get any answer; I passed the detective’s number to him. After the quick text, my best friend Troy send me a message saying Linda who was his friend wanted to talk about something urgent that needed immediate attention.

Usually, I would have handed this to an intern but seeing this was a request from my best friend and also that it needed immediate attention; I decided to look at this matter myself.

When going to grab my quick breakfast, the other girl who I learned today was Linda that Troy was talking about; said we should meet elsewhere and she hinted that the ‘we’ were her and Iris. She looked at me teasingly and I wonder if it is so obvious to all that I like her.

After finishing the work, I headed to the address and now I realized that it was the ‘Jones’ residence; the second giant in the business world apart from Aiden Johnson. I was interested and somewhat impressed to learn that Linda worked in a cafe rather than joining her dad and brother.

When I was ushered towards a room, my eyes stopped at the terrified girl in front of me. Iris!

She had done a massive make-over. Her brown hair weren’t brown and long like before but cut short and lilac. Those deep brown eyes were blue now. This change made her a little lively. I stared trying to believe if it is the same girl that I had seen from weeks now?

She looked bold and confident in that look and she easily confused me whether she was Iris or Sunny.

“Wow” I didn’t realize I spoke too loud.

Linda chuckled and Iris showed no response. I quickly turned to face Linda and pretended to look professional.

“Shall we?” I gestured them to walk in first.

We were seated around a desk as Linda glanced over to Iris talking through eyes. I tried to understand what it was all about but waited till they were ready.

“Ahem... Thank you Mr. Davis for coming here.” Iris started without any emotion in her voice and face.

“Grayson! Just call me Grayson or better Gray.” I smiled at her to which she nodded and fidgeted with her fingers.

“Well... it is so embarrassing to say but I-I was... ahem... I had” she cleared her throat and I looked at her amusingly.

Linda placed her hands on her fingers and nodded to her like ‘I will do it’.

“Gray, this is my friend Sunny and due to some issue her documents were misplaced and she doesn’t have time to wait to issue duplicate ones. So, can we get some scorecards and certificates issued under her name?” Linda spoke and my eyebrows were raised up.

“Do you know it is illegal and impossible?” I asked her.

“Yea we are aware about that and that’s why we contacted you and no one else.” Linda said staring into my eyes.

“I am pretty sure we can find another way to that if you could tell me what the situation is?” I toyed around.

“We can’t...” Iris cut my words suddenly.

“Why not? Haven’t you heard that a person shouldn’t hide anything from his doctor or lawyer?” I tried to reason out.

“We have but... It’s confidential and too personal!” Iris started to open up and I liked it.

“But because it is personal; I come into the role, isn’t it Miss—” I was about to address her by her real name but she was quick to interfere.

“Walker. Sunny Walker. You can call me Sunny like others.” She gestured through her hands.

I was shocked to hear that. She actually wants to adopt a new identity.

“Okay Sunny, so since this is a personal issue I would appreciate to tell me all so that I can help you in the best possible way.” I calmly talked to her.

“But I don’t think that’s a good idea. I am totally fine I just need some documents to say that—” Iris fumbled.

“That’s what I am supposed to do. Deciding what would be best for you. You don’t have any idea what will happen if someone catches you with forged documents.” I refuted.

“We can pay any amount that would be needed.” Linda interrupted this time and I was irritated with that.

“It’s not about money Miss Jones. You should better know that I work for the welfare of my client and so I personally want to know all the part to see if there is any other way to deal with it. That’s what I do and what my duty calls for.” I couldn’t mask my irritation.

“Okay, I am sorry Mr. Da- I mean Gray. She was just trying to protect me.” Iris spoke and I took deep breathes to calm myself.

“I understand but I hope you can too when I say I want to know everything because being the expert here, I am sure to find some way if possible.” I gave her a tiring smile.

“I get it. Actually, I hope it could be confidential.” She looked uncertain and I nodded asking her that I can sign up a NDA to her which she actually agreed to.

I mean c’mon! I didn’t mean it to happen literally.