Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 7

Grayson's POV (Continued)

I never imagined that because usually my clients just take my words when I mention about the NDA but she didn’t. So, I signed a NDA which was always there in my suitcase. Out of all those 10 printed copy in last three years; it was the first time I used it.

Once she was sure everything was in order she was ready to open about her.

“I am Iris Reider, the grand-daughter of Cyril Reider and my family and brother were murdered by my own brother Derek and maybe his parents as well. When I found this out, I confronted him and he along with some people tried to kill me. They stabbed me hundreds of time and my fiancé shot me which shattered me to the point where I fell unconscious. I would have died if Marcus and Maria; you know the cafe owners wouldn’t have saved me on time.” She breathed heavily and I knew she was fighting herself to remain calm.

Well for me; I was bewildered to learn that. It was Aiden who shot her? All these time I thought he was sad but I couldn’t imagine he would be involved in murdering her. Why?

“Last night I saw my fiancé lurking around the street with his men trying to find my whereabouts and luckily no one knows me so they couldn’t find me but I can’t be lucky for long. I guess they would have realized that without my dead body, they cannot trust that I am dead. They want to find me to kill me twice. I am scared and so, I want to go to New York with Erik and enroll in a college till things cool down here but without my old documents; I can’t.” She looked scared and lost.

I wanted to embrace her but refrained myself from doing it.

“Why Aiden wanted to kill you? I thought you guys were happily in love.” I thought I have muttered it to myself but when I saw her widened eyes and Linda’s narrowed eyes, I realized that it wasn’t that private after all.

“How do you know my fiancé?” She shouted at me and I was shocked to see her hyper.

“Hey relax Iris. I already knew who you are I just wanted to know why you were pretending to be someone else. I don’t know if you remember me but, we used to go to the same high school and I was four years ahead of you. You used to offer me your lunch during my final exams time.” I smiled faintly.

I could see she recognized me but then looked even more scared.

“Aren’t you close to Aiden? Please don’t tell him anything about me please...” She started to panic and Linda embraced her trying to calm her.

“Trust me Iris I won’t. I have started my own investigation about your case and I will make sure that they receive their end of punishment.” I clenched my fingers into fist and gritted through my teeth.

She had a skeptical look and stared at me for long.

“So, will you help me?” She asked and I didn’t have other option.

“Yeah! I will try to get it ready within three days or so but it may take a week as well.” I honestly answered her.

“Thank you so much! I don’t know how to re-pay you but I owe you one.” She said smiling slightly.

My heart skipped its beat. Although it wasn't the best smile of hers but atleast she did it. I hope I could be the reason of her smile from now on.

Linda cleared her throat pulling me out of my thoughts. She smirked and gave me a knowing look. I averted my eyes and decided to leave but my mind and body didn’t want to.

***

Erik had been applying for the universities and courses when Iris walked in home. Adonis almost had her lay on ground showing his love.

He stared at her face for long. He was amazed to see her look mesmerizing with a smile. It also made him realize that she really loved dogs and her indifference is only towards humans.

“I am back!” She announced finally patting Adonis and making her way towards the living area where he was seated.

He was speechless seeing her new look. It added some color to her monotone life.

“Where’s uncle and aunt?” she asked while placing her bag down and taking her seat on the couch.

Erik shook his head trying to erase his thoughts before shutting his laptop and grabbing a glass of water.

“They had to be somewhere tonight but will be back by 11.30 hopefully.” He offered her the water as she looked a little surprised but quickly masked it.

“Thanks!” she said without emotion.

“I talked to someone about my documents. You can enter all the marks which I scored originally because they will have the name change in my original scorecards.” She felt timid while sharing it out loud.

She knew he deserved to know because they were helping yet for her, it was still odd.

“Great! I was actually about to apply for your universities. I had shortlisted some and was only waiting to know which masters you wanna do.” Erik opened his Macbook and faced it to her.

“I ain’t sure but I guess I better go for MBA?” She answered nonchalantly.

She felt things changed so much. Before she was excited to go for masters and had even selected her university which was Harvard because Aiden went there too but not anymore.

“Great! Let’s hope then Buffalo University has it for you.” Erik beamed.

She just nodded and headed to kitchen to look for something to eat.

“Did you eat?” She asked Erik to which he shrugged.

“I was waiting for you to be back.” He said casually and she tried not to let it affect her.

‘Waiting for you’... those words she had heard countless times when she would be late and Aiden waited for her to dine together. He would even have lunch together even though he wasn't always available but he used to manage his time somehow.

Those words used to make her giddy and felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw his pink lips move around to finish them.

Now? She feel them suffocating because she doesn’t want to feel the warmth and love that accompanied them. They were dangerous and she needs to remain unfazed.

“Want me to cook something?” She asked but not really waiting for his response as she started picking out all the ingredients.

His face snapped in her direction to see her working already. ‘Want me to cook something?’ her simple question had ignited something in his heart and he wasn't sure what it was. It was for the first time that someone said it to him.

His grandma needn’t ask him and for his mother? She wasn't there since he was 6 years old. She had parted her way with his father since then and her father was also a terrible cook. The only thing he could cook was scrambled eggs with sunny side up.

He had been learning cuisine from past three years and wonders how was he doing?

“Are you worried that it might kil-” Iris thought to play it cool but as soon as the word ‘kill’ was about to slip her mouth she felt her heart race up and her breathing escalated.

Her body felt cold and she tried hard to compose herself. Erik saw the changes in her and quickly decided to ease her up.

“More like I was thinking on letting you know my long list of orders.” He tried to chuckle but couldn’t.

“As if.” When Iris replied that he felt relieved.

Erik glanced at her and saw how her eyebrow furrowed and she had a dead-pensive look set on her face. She was flipping her hair up with the blow of her breath. Her hair shifted separately before neatly lining at the upper level. She worked keenly and he studied her face. Those eyelashes were long and curled with medium set of eyebrows. Her lips were perfectly shaped and pink with a light mole on her upper lip. She looked naturally beautiful without her make-up and I wondered why her fiancé tried to kill her?

“I can feel your gaze on me Erik. What is it?” Iris muttered up the courage to ask him.

“Uh-nothing! Just watching to learn.” Erik tried to cover up.

“Oh really? With that distance, I bet you can clearly see the contents of the pot.” She shrugged and nodded.

‘Smooth Erik... Real smooth...!’ Erik wondered to himself mentally face palming.

He cleared his throat and Iris knew what was coming up next.

“I could see what you are adding plus you can always teach me later.” He grinned at her sheepishly.

“If you say so.” She answered and shook her head.

Erik remembered something as he left the living area only to be back with a parcel in his hand. He passed it to Iris and asked her to open.

She was confused as she never expected something. Furthermore, she could still feel her heart race in anticipation and also felt a little odd.

“Go ahead it is yours. Open it.” Erik looked a little pleased but he was nervous not knowing how she would react.

She opened to find four sweatshirts that were simple yet elegant and she smiled inwardly.

“Since you were so hooked up on my clothes; I thought I better gift you some.” He was pleased to see her eyebrow smoothed and her relaxed face.

He was sure to safely say that she looked pleased.

“I wouldn’t refute that I didn’t need them or you needn’t have to do this because I feel grateful. Thank you.” Iris tried to smile to let him know she appreciate his efforts but couldn’t bring herself to smile.

He laughed and shook his head. “You are something.” He cleared his throat.