Adrian gritted his teeth when she took her wrist from his tight hold.

” How dare she advise me, what to do?” He muttered.

” You can escape from me now. But not more than a few days. As we cannot fulfill our sweet promises but now I promise you that I will make your life hell. Be ready to face my hatred….” He mumbled.

A few minutes later, his mother came searching for him. 

” What are you doing in the corner of this place? Still, upset by the name of Katherine? ” Mrs. Wilson asked Adrian. 

” Mom. .. I met Katherine,” he informed his mom.

” It’s your hallucination. I think you are drunk. Tell me why will she be here?”  His mother questioned him.

” Mom….believe me. I saw her with my eyes and she was very close to me. And Emily introduced her as her employee, ” he explained. 

” Son….it’s your engagement and you are still thinking about the girl who ditched you. You know it’s a turning point in your life to become a son-in-law to Green’s family. Think about your fiance, Emily. What will she think if you leave her alone at the party for a long time? ” His mom said. 

” Mom…please don’t start again. I am human with a heart. It’s not so easy to forget the pain she gave to me.  ” Ardian said in a sad voice.

” Son…I know how much you suffer because of her. But if you still think about the past and the sad memories then your future will be spoiled. Listen to my words,  Emily is a perfect pair for you. I believe in her that she takes care of you very well. ” his mom said, placing her hand on his cheek.

” Thanks for being my guide whenever I don’t know what to do. I know how you used to take care of me after my father’s death. Still, I remember you used to starve for me so that I could take a proper diet. I will never forget your sacrifices to see me in this position. Even after my father’s death, you didn’t marry anyone. You dedicated your whole life to me.  You are the best. ” Ardian hugged his mother.

” I love you…” he whispered in her ears.

” I too….” She replied.

She had tears in her eyes on hearing his son’s words. She never thought her son would adore her so much. Inside her heart, she was feeling guilty about his sufferings.

…..

…..

A few minutes later, they walked towards Emily and her father. They sat together at the table and had the feast of their engagement. By the end, the media took interviews of them and also took photos of  Emily Green and Ardian Wilson. At last, the engagement party was held grandly with guests. 

” I am very proud to have such a good son-in-law like you…” Mr.Green said to Ardian.

” Then what about me?” Emily whined to her father.

” Feeling jealous of my son-in-law?” Mr. Green laughed at her daughter. 

They talked and enjoyed spending time with their families. As everyone left the party, Ardian stood up from the chair to leave and asked his mother to start for the hotel. Mr. Green stopped them and asked them to stay tonight in their Mansion as it is late. 

” It’s okay, Mr. Green. We will go to the hotel. I need to attend an important meeting the next morning…” Ardian informed him.

” So you are a workaholic like my daughter….” Mr. Green said.

” Dad …” Emily pouted.

” I think we have to plan their wedding in a month and book tickets for at least four months for their honeymoon…” Mr. Green teased Ardian and Emily.

Ardian and Emily exchanged their looks for a few seconds. 

” We already planned when we should get married. ” Ardian said in a calm tone.

” I mean to say that my company is going to launch a new sports model car in the market in four months. Also, I am planning to open a manufacturing company in this place. So I will be busy for four to five months. It’s better if we marry after six months …” Ardian explained.

” And I also got permission to start a new branch in another city. So I will be out of the city for a few months.  So.. we prepared ourselves to be rush for our marriage ” Ardian and Emily said in unison.

” Okay. I will respect your feelings. ” Mr. Green said with disappointment.

Ardian’s mother looked at him skeptically and said,  ” Shall we go to the hotel?” 

” Good night. Sweet dreams …” Ardian hugged her and kissed her temple.

…..

….

As soon as Mrs. Maria was seated in the car, she looked at her son who was sitting beside her.

” What are you thinking in your mind?” She asked her son, seriously.

” About what?” Ardian asked casually.

” Are you marrying her with your heart? If not …then ..don’t spoil the life of the innocent girl. Emily is a nice girl….” Maria warned her son.

” Mom….she is my friend. That’s why I am trying to give her a chance.” He explained.

” What do you mean by chance? Don’t you love her?” She yelled. 

” I lost my belief in love. But I like Emily a lot as a friend and wanted to give my wife’s place. ” He expressed.

” Wife means not only a friend to share the feelings but also share his responsibilities, understand his emotions of her husband before he expresses and be ready to sacrifice anything to her husband. Husband is the person who stood with her in all hardships, respects her feelings, and protects her from the dangers…” his mom explained the relationship of wife and husband.

” Hope in these five months, your relationship will develop like that….” She wished.

” Let’s hope ….” He said and asked the driver to start the car.

…..

….

Finally, they reached the hotel. Ardian and Maria Wilson went to their respective rooms. Ardian shut the door and took the bottle from the wine rack. He poured wine into the glass. He gulped the wine through his throat in one go. Then again poured another peg into the glass. He held the glass in his hand tighter.

” How could it be my hallucinations? I knew your body fragrance and could sense your touch…” Ardian yelled and threw the glass on the floor.

” Kathie….if it is not my hallucination then no one can save you from me…..” He screamed.