Chapter 161 - Her Dependence (1)

|Eshan|

"Anything else, sir?" Carl's polite question put the full stop my wondering thoughts.

Startled, I looked at him as he patiently waited in his spot. Looking through my memories I wondered if I had any more instructions for him. I didn't have anything else for now except that ruffian.

"Investigate that ruffian bit more. See if he has other alternative motives," I commanded. It was better to be safe than sorry. Digging more into that guy's background would cost me some money and resources. If nothing comes out of the search my heart finally could rest in peace, easing all the worries.

"Sir, we've already dug out his past. There's nothing to be skeptical about him. However, I would again put my boys on it, and have them go through everything again," Carl replied. He didn't display any impatience or frown on my demand. I liked his professionalism. He kept his employer's concerns and doubts in his mind, instead of being hasty.

Fortune snuggled beside my thigh, rubbing his head, demanding attention. I smiled looking at his puppy eyes. I raised my head and looked back at Carl. "Then let's end it for now."

After shaking hands with me, he left.

Lifting my head, I looked at my left side where Parth had been sitting quietly. For my plans concerning Rey, I needed Parth's help. So, I had called him over as well

"Parth, do you think I'm worrying unnecessarily?" I asked, scratching Fortune's neck as he turned on his stomach.

"Can I first read both the files? I should better know properly before reaching to any conclusion."

I nodded, pushing the files away. Parth picked up the file I had slid in his direction. His eyes scanned the contents.

"E-Eshan?"

My head snapped toward the staircase when I heard an extremely low hoarse voice of my wife. I thought I was hearing things, but I found Innaya being present there. Innaya stood in the middle of the staircase with her swollen eyes, looking confusedly and worryingly at me. Her hair disheveled, face pale, she looked so worn out. My heart went out to her. The fact that she sought for me without caring about herself warmed my heart.

Something akin to the feather caressing my inside floated all over me and I couldn't help but rush forward. Fortune was one stepped ahead of me. He had four legs compared to me as he leaped in the air from the sofa. Afraid, he would frighten her; I increased my pace as I called out his name.

"Fortune, NO."

However, I froze in my tracks when Fortune slowed down once he reached near Innaya. Cautiously staring at her, he rubbed his head against her leg. I did not know what I was waiting for, or what I was expecting.

Contrary to everything I could think of, Innaya crouched down and sat on the staircase. Her expression didn't change much.

"Sir?" Parth's voice made me aware of his presence. Breaking out of my stupor, I climbed the stairs wishing nothing more than sending Fortune back to Arjun's place.

Innaya hadn't reacted in the worst way. She did not have a panic attack. It was a good thing that she seemed dazed from her sleep. Her fears were yet to raise their head, and for whatever reason that happened, I was happy.

"Why did you come down? You should have slept a bit longer," I said as I sat beside her, creating a distance between her and Fortune. She innocently raised her head at me, looking through her painfully swollen eyes. "You weren't there," she answered. My heart flipped at the sheer innocence and trust she had placed in me.

The first thing she wanted was to find me before her eyes. If I were not there, she would start searching for me. Her dependence on me was heart-touching.

"Sorry. How are you feeling?" I caressed her cheek, feeling dried tears under my fingers.

"What were you doing here?" Innaya asked, frowning at me.

"Nothing. Some office work." Fortune tried to get in-between us.

Looking at his fallen face, I did not have the heart to deny him anymore. Maybe, he could help Innaya to deal with her grief. Gazing at those puppy eyes, no one could resist an urge to touch him, love him. Though the part of me didn't want to experiment with this, I just decided to go with it.

"Do you want to touch him?" I asked her while watching for a change in her expression. If she was uncomfortable I would drop the idea then and there only. She just needed to say the word.

Innaya fell in thoughts. She stared at Fortune first before looking at me. She then turned again to stare at Fortune. She blinked her eyes as she wondered out loud."Should I?"

I brought back my palm before Fortune's nose. "Look, you can do this way," I replied to her. Innaya watched me carefully. Fortune first sniffed my finger, and though I knew he was familiar with my smell, I waited just to let Innaya know. I then slowly brought my hand over his head as I petted his back.

Innaya nodded her head. She just repeated my actions. It was as if she wasn't aware of her cynophobia. There were no traces of fear across her face. She resembled a curious child at that moment. I couldn't help but reach out to tuck back the tendril that had fallen on her face, covering her face from my view.

Unconsciously, I leaned into her. I wanted to kiss her. My stupid heart flipped at the way she bit her lower lip in nervousness.

"Ahem… sir."

Startled, I came to the present when someone cleared the throat. It startled Innaya as well for she almost jumped in her place.

Ah! My life. I had so many mosquitoes buzzing in my life. They knew when to enter to spoil my time with my wife.