Deprived Love - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Third person's pov
"Don't enter this hellhole again, darling. It took a lot of me to let you go." Chris whispered, his hands still wrapped around Bella's thin waist
"What if I want to stay?" Bella uttered, breathing heavily.
"What!?" His grip around Bella's waist loosened.
"What if I want to stay beside you, Chris?"
"Bella don't associate with me. It will bring nothing but death to you."
"But life is there too. You love me right?"
"More than you can ever imagine."
"So that's it. I want to be loved by you Chris."
"I would always love you whether you are with me or not."
"That's it. Love me... make me feel like I am loved."
"But my world is full of evil, Bella. You know it."
"I know but I chose to stay. It's in my destiny, I am born here after all!" Bella let out a chuckle.
"Even if I'll kill people?" Chris asked, a twirling emotions in his mind. He wanted Bella to go, not be with him. He knew he wouldn't be able to live without her but yet he can't risk Bella's life.
"I know that and I have been at peace with it. It's your work and I know you won't kill anyone innocent."
She wrapped her arms tightly around Chris's neck and whispered gently-
"I want to be with you Chris. I thought about it very much but my heart guides me to you. And I want to listen to it."
Chris took a deep breath and tightened his grip around Bella. He glanced at the shining brown orbs totally in contrast to his dark hazel ones.
He tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ears before cupping her cheeks from the other hand.
"Think about it. Once you'll be with me, I'll never let you go even if you want. It's a one-sided way, darling."
The statement brought a chill towards Bella's spine, her tummy bubbled with butterflies, by the demanding tone.
"I chose to stay."
Chris smirked and pressed his lips against Bella's.
They shared a passionate kiss in the silent, secluded, only the sound of their moans and wet sounds of kissing were echoing in the hallway.
After some minutes, they both withdrew to catch their breaths. Silence enveloped them, a stark contrast to the emotional storm swirling inside.
"Go to the restroom, your makeup is ruined." Chris chuckled.
And the butterflies went more wild in the girl's tummy by Chris's chuckle.
She grinned and nodded.
"I'll protect you, Bella. I'll embrace death so that you can be happy."
"Just embrace me, I'll be more happy."
Amid the pulsating beats of the party outside, the bathroom offered a brief sanctuary. Soft, ambient light glowed from the sleek, modern fixtures, casting a gentle hue on the glossy tiles.
Standing at the sink, Bella leaned in towards the mirror, her fingers deftly touching up her makeup. She applied a fresh coat of lipstick, then carefully blotted it with a tissue. The faint hum of muffled music seeped through the walls, She glanced at her reflection, taking a deep breath to steady herself before rejoining the lively crowd outside.
She saw Nick smiling brightly at her, the moment she walked inside the hall.
"You look more beautiful now."
"Oh, thanks."
"Shall we dance?"
Bella fiddled her fingers in confusion because it was clear that Chris would be annoyed if she went for a dance.
She was about to reject the offer, but the boy grabbed her wrist and dragged her in the middle of the dance floor.
Bella's eyes widened comically and her doe eyes revolved around the dance floor. Everyone cheered and clapped for both the university students. But her eyes were fixed on a pair of furious hazel eyes. The same pair of orbs which were filled with affection, sincerity and love for her.
Bella cursed her luck. She just kissed the person she likes, and had a confession. They both were practically about to go out and here she is standing beside another man. That too with whom she should stay away.
Chris hated Nick for some reason and she was about to dance with him.
But now there is no way out, she could not just back off in between the dance floor.
The dance floor pulsed with vibrant energy, lights flashing in sync with the thumping bass.
Bella tried to ignore Chris so she would not shake from fear. They started dancing. Their movements were fluid and carefree. Nick smiled looking at Bella and she returned the smile, her smile was infectious, her fear evident in every step.
Across the hall, Chris watched, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. Anger simmered beneath the surface as he observed her dancing with Nick. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her, the sight of her dancing with another man twisting something deep inside him.
Each twirl, each smile felt like a knife, and he struggled to contain his frustration.The room's energy didn't reach him; his focus was solely on her. He fought the urge to storm over, knowing it would not be appropriate here, no one should know his relationship with Bella, yet feeling an uncontrollable surge of jealousy. In that moment, the crowded dance floor felt like a battlefield, and he was losing the fight against his emotions.
The party's vibrant energy came to a sudden halt as the lights abruptly cut out, covering the room into darkness. Confusion and murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Bella's heart pounded with a different urgency. The echo of a gunshot shattered the uneasy silence, sending a wave of panic through the guests. Bella flinched by the sudden sound.
In the chaotic dark, she reached out instinctively, grasping at air until her fingers brushed against something warm and sticky. Nick, who moments ago had been dancing with her, now collapsed to the ground. Her breath hitched, and she knelt beside him, her hands trembling as they confirmed what she was thinking was right or not.
The lights flickered back on, revealing a scene of horror. Blood stained her hands and Nick's shirt, his face contorted in pain. She looked up, tears blurring her vision, and saw Chris standing a few feet away, a smoking gun in his hand and an expression of cold fury on his face. Shock and disbelief paralyzed her as their eyes locked, the reality of the situation sinking in.
The music had died, but the sound of her own heartbeat thundered in her ears, drowning out everything else.
Chris dashed out of the hall and Bella got up and rushed to the washroom. She washed her hands, rubbing them aggressively together to get rid of the blood off them. After some minutes, she wiped it from a tissue paper.
She got out of the washroom and her eyes widened as saucers. Nick's dead body was not there, the floor was clean as if a murder did not happen a while ago. People were dancing carefree, she blinked her eyes a few times. Her eyes fell on a familiar figure and reality hit her hard, it was one of his father's friend who was a mafia boss in Italy.
"It is not a business party, it's a mafia party!"
So that's why Chris prevented her from Nick. Of course, Nick must be associated with the mafia, that's why Chris warned her. But that doesn't mean, he had to kill him in front of her.
"What the fuck! Chris killed him? I'll make sure to kill his little slut right in front of him. I'll take his every will to live away from him."