Forbidden Love (4 page)

They laughed and started walking towards
the canteen. They took their lunch and sat on the corner table.

“So where did you come from,” Stefan
started the conversation.

“New York,”

“New York has many universities then why
here?”

“My course is history and I want to do
research on the history of Italy. So I thought it would be better to come here
and study.”

“That’s so beautiful,”

“Thanks,”

“Where are you from?”

“Well I am local,” he smirked.

“Oh nice. So you know these places well and
hey why that is your English is flawless. I mean everyone here is speaking in
Italian.”

“My father made me fluent in English. I
don’t know why” he shrugged his one shoulder and stared into the space. His
father wanted his communication to be good so that he could help his people in
the future.

“May be he has some plans for you,” she
checked her watch,” Well I think we should leave now. My class starts in 10
minutes,”

“Sure even my class starts,”

“It was nice talking to you Stefan,”

“My pleasure and same here,”

They walked together to their class. He
escorted to her class and went on his way. Suddenly he turned back to her.

“Hey can you come to the prom with me?”

She thought for a while and said “Hmm… sure
I will,”

“Okay, then catch you later,” he smiled as
she entered her class. His heart felt light and now he is sure that she will be
coming with him.

She sat in front of the mirror brushing her
hair. She wore her favorite black color night dress which was up to her knees.
She sighed and went to her balcony. The cool breeze hit her and suddenly all
over she felt chilled. The city looked beautiful at night. She saw Stefan
playing with Shadow.

She remembers Stefan says that he brought
shadow from the pet shop in its early days. Now it’s a bulldog. She smiled and
saw how handsome Stef looks. It reminded of the day when he asked her for prom.
She was so excited that day. She couldn’t believe he would ask her. That was
the first day of her in the university and she fell in love with that guy who
hit her and helped her in the same day.

“Sam, are you dating Stefan?” Rachael asked
her curiously.

“N… no no it’s not like that. We are best
friends.” She managed to smile.

“Well, sorry for asking. But you guys are
like magnets. You guys don’t look like friends at all, but sorry to say this, I
heard people saying that he is a player?” It sounded more like a question. Sam
laughed at that. She and Stefan were friends for one month and she knew him
more than anyone.

“Rachael, really it’s nothing like that,”
Sam assured her.

“Okay then, meet you in the lab,”

They were in the history class. Rachael had
been her friend since she joined the classes. Rachael left the class and Sam
left behind packing her bag. Rachael was right. No one will believe if they
tell that Stefan and Sam are friends. She couldn’t hide her feelings whenever
she is near to him. She loses control of herself and completely falls for him.
They use to chat during lunch time; he gave her rides every day. It was like a
routine. But still she waits for him every day during break. It was not until
the day when she realized that she wants him so badly; when she realized that
she loves him. That was the day when Sara came to her life.

Sara is a model with exotic looks, high
cheekbones, and sexy smile. She was her distant cousin, who came to Italy for a
modelling contract.

“Sam darling, you don’t have to get
bothered about me,” Sara said to Sam while unpacking her bags.

They were eating their breakfast when Sam
said about her classes and her timings.

“Well you can use the spare key, and then
our timings won’t clash.” Sam suggested her and she nodded.

Suddenly they heard a car sound and Sam ran
to pick up her books. She wore her jacket and opened the door to Stefan and
Sara, together near his car. They were laughing and Sara placed her hand on
Stefan’s shoulder. Suddenly Sam sensed the hot boiling rage inside her seeing
them laughing and chatting. She went to towards them controlling her anger.

“Ugh…. Sorry for late,” she said
cheerfully.

He looked at Sam and the smile died. He
leaned towards Sara and kissed on her cheek to say goodbye and went inside the
car. Sam slid into front seat car. He didn’t say any neither she asked. She
leaned back and closed her eyes.

Is it true what Rachael said about him
being a player? Sam thought.

It was 6 o’clock in the morning when Sam
woke up. Sunlight rays had brightened her room. She lazily stood up from her
bed and yawned.

Day one begins….. She thought.

She showered and wrapped a towel round her
body. She chooses to wear cream blouse with black knee-length shirt. She wore
her favorite watch and simple diamond earrings. This was the perfect look for a
business woman. She glanced at the mirror once and stepped outside her room.
She glanced at her watch and she was too late to meet Stefan.

She was walking through the wall when she
heard her name. She turned back to see Edward. He was wearing a casual black
shirt with navy blue jeans. She hadn’t seen him after meeting the queen. She
had her dinner in her room only.

“There you are. I was searching for you.”
He came beside her.

“Sorry but this place huge.” Sam amused
him.

“Hey this is the list. Stefan gave me. Read
it carefully. Stefan needs perfection.” He handed over the list. She looked at
the list and nodded.

“So care to join me for tea?” He asked her
doubtfully.

“Yeah sure,” she smiled.

They were having tea in the garden. It was
sunny but the air was cool.

“So I heard you are an archaeologist?” He
brought his cup to his mouth and sipped.

“I am not now. But I will be one day,” she
began drinking her tea.

“Oh that’s great. Can I ask you something?
May be kind of personal” he sounded feeling awkward.

She nodded.

“Do you know Stefan before?” He was looking
at her face. She lifted her cup to hide her face.

“W...Why do you ask that,” she hides her
emotions off her face.

“Never mind, I am just asking,” he sighed.
Maybe it was not a right time to ask her.

“It's okay, I know him. We studied in same
university” she said calmly as if it doesn’t affect her.

“I thought so,” he let out a sharp breath.

She looked at him with raised eyebrows. He
chuckled and lifted his cup. They chatted for a while and left for their own
works. Sam looked at the list. He listed the same things that once she knows.
He didn’t change a bit. His likes were the same. It was as if she didn’t need
the list. But the worst part was that the things he wanted are from Rome, the
place where they shared lots of memories. But still this is work and she has to
do it for Rose. Thinking of her she opened her phone and dialled her. After
three rings, she picked it.

“Hi darling, How are you?” She sounded
excited.

“I am fine Rose, when are you coming?”

“I will be there in four days dear,”

“Oh great! Four days,” she said in
exasperation.

“So tell me everything,” she asked her
excitedly.

Sam told everything about her journey,
meeting the queen, Stefan and skipping the kiss part.

“Are you sure you can handle?” Rose asked
after hearing everything.

“I am sure. And I know Rome well so don’t
worry I can handle. Bye”

“Okay dear bye,”

She started her journey to Rome. The car
took the speed and travelled through the familiar roads and streets. She could
feel the presence of Stefan with her in those places. She crossed the famous
Colosseum, where she and Stefan sat there till nightfall, Sistine chapel, where
he took her for the first time, St. Peter’s Basilica and finally to Trevi
Fountain. This is the very place where she threw the coin wishing to visit
again with Stefan. But it never happened and will never. She went to the fountain
and sat there for a while. She still remember the way he looked at her and was
about to kiss her when the rain interrupted them. The memories were still
present in the air. She sighed and turned back without throwing the coin.

Stefan wanted two parties-one of his
colleagues and another for his friends. Like a bachelor party. The list
contained every detail in it. She purchased and started back to the palace.
They crossed her university and the park where he kissed her first time. It
happened so suddenly that day but from that day they started kissing each other
and walking hand in hand. But they never talked about their relationship. She
shut down her memories and leaned back closing her eyes.

If Sara wasn’t part of her life… she would
have been with Stef.

***

“Stefan you are working a lot now-a-days
makes it slow,” Edward was sitting on the armchair in Stefan’s office. Stefan
was working on the charity purpose. Edward went straight to Stefan’s room after
meeting Sam.

Edward guessed that Stefan may have known
Sam before as he came know about her education. Last night he saw Stefan
watching Sam, who was standing on her balcony. The way, he saw Sam creating a
doubt in his mind.

“I have to follow my dad. He left out
things so I have to complete them,” he smiled at his friend.

“Okay, but relax you have a wedding,” he
warned him.

“Thanks for reminding me my dear friend,”
he teased.

“Friend? You know what actually a friend
means,” there was a hint of hurt in his voice.

Stefan looked at Edward with a questioning
look. He never talks to him like that.

“Edward… what happened?” He leaned forward
placing his hands on Edward's shoulder.

“What do you think I don’t know about you?”
He replied angrily.

Stefan kept looking at him. Edward stood up
and walked towards the door. He turned back to face Stefan.

“I want you to think again about what you
are doing. Don’t let the chips fall forever,”

“Edward Stop. What do you want to tell me?”
Stefan stopped doing his work and looked irritatingly at him.

“Stop looking at Sam,” saying this he left
the room.

Stefan couldn’t believe what Edward said.
He never told him about Sam. How could he know? Only Sam could tell him. But
why?

He came out of his office and went straight
to his room. He couldn’t believe that Sam would ruin his wedding. He turned to
the left wing away from his room. He opened the door and saw Sam in her night
dress standing in the balcony drinking coffee. She looked beautiful. The dress
was loose and showed her perfect features, playing with her hair; she looked
like an angel in the moonlight. He wanted to hug her, kiss her and make love.
But instead, he closed the door and went to his room. He has to stop looking at
her. He has to forget her. He has a wedding.

Two years back he made every effort to get
her. Every plan worked out to express out her feelings.

If only she trusted him, he would have been
hers and she his… but now everything is finished he can’t do any… he has lost
her completely……..

Sam stood at the center of the hall and
studied it. It’s beautiful with high ceiling, painted with different designs of
flowers, people and sceneries. What inspired her more was the beautiful
painting of a young girl wearing a long ball gown, sitting near the lake in the
moonlight as if waiting for someone.

“So, what do you think?” A familiar voice
came from behind. She turned to see Edward smiling at her, standing at a
distance, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“It’s amazing” Sam showed a shocked
expression.

“And the painting?” He raised an eyebrow at
her.

“That? It’s awesome. It’s reflected so
beautifully the young girl waiting for someone” She kept looking at the
painting without noticing that Edward was standing next to her and looking at
the same picture.

“There’s a story behind it” he said
suddenly thinking deeply.

“A story?” Sam inquired.

“Yes, a cute young romantic story. It was
drawn by once a princess of this kingdom. Long time ago actually. She has
portrayed herself in this painting,”

“So she was waiting for her love?” Sam
looked at Edward.

“Yeah, waited for him even thought she knew
that he won’t come back to her,” he said sadly.

“Why?”

“Because he was getting married on the same
day,” Edward now looked at her and smiled.

“Then what happened later? Did he come?
What had she done?” Sam asked all the questions at a time. Edward laughed at
it.

“No one knows what happen later. Actually
no one spoken about it. So it still remained a secret” he sighed.

“Did you…. Did you wait for anyone like this”
he asked suddenly to Sam. She jerked back at that question but managed hard to
control her emotions.

Yes, she waited for him….. Thinking that
one day he will come to her.

She turned to see Edward watching her. Does
he know anything?

“Yes, I waited for someone but it’s no use
now” she sighed.

“Why?” He inquired.

“Because….” She was interrupted by a group
of workers who arrived in the hall.

“Hmm… I think I should go now, tomorrow is
the grand party, right?” She gave a small laugh.

“Yeah, party… it’s actually a ball” he
laughed.

“Oh! Whatever” she smiled and went to the
workers.

Edward stood there watching her for a few
moments and left the hall.

He went out to his Audi car and started
driving it. He has a big thing to do. He has to give the ball invitation to
Miss Elena. She looked so beautiful when he saw her first time in the photo and
then again in person when she came to meet Stefan.

Shit… Edward, you can’t think about her
like that…. He cursed under his breath.

He can’t control himself thinking about
her. He began to hate himself for liking her. He didn’t like the idea to meet
her again but the Queen ordered him to do that job himself.

After his twenty minute drive, he arrived
at her mansion. It’s beautiful with huge white mansion and large beautiful garden.
He went to the door and rang the bell. To his surprise the door was opened by
Elena herself. She was in her floral skirt which came to her knees and white
shirt with two buttons pooped out. Her hair was loose with no make. She was
looking gorgeous. Edward couldn’t take his eyes out.

“Hello Edward,” she smiled to him,” Please
come inside”

She indicated him to enter and he entered
inside. The hall was huge with all the wooden furniture. Sunlight was
everywhere in the room, making it brighter.

“Have a seat” she said to him. He nodded
and sat on the couch.

“So? What brought you here?” She asked him
as the servant gave him orange juice. He took it and drank it.

“Well,” he cleared his throat, “Tomorrow in
the palace, there is a Ball. I came here to invite you,” he handed her the
invitation.

“Oh! That’s great. I will come,” she kept
looking at the invitation. Edward couldn’t stand anymore so he decides to
leave. Elena shot a glance to him.

“I have to leave now,” he stood up and
walked to the door. He saw that Elena didn’t follow him to the door.

Once he was out of the house and entered
the car, he let out a breath and sighed deeply. That was too hard to handle… he
thought.

He turned his car as it passed through the
large iron gates but with a swift glance in his rear-view mirror he saw Elena
standing in her balcony and watching him.

He is officially mad… he thought.

***

Sam started her work with the theme of the
ball. It’s the color theme with black and red combination. She thought of every
possible decoration but couldn’t manage to decide it. Arrangement was never her
part. She was worst in deciding anything to arrange. Even Stefan knows it. He
helped her during the time of their prom.

They were given the auditorium of their
university, along with Sam and Stefan, and some of their classmates. They used
to have fun while decorating. Stefan handled the invitations while Sam handled
the arrangements. Every day they used to be together, make fun with others and
enjoyed. Stefan used to help her in decoration and also gave advices. He used
to hold her while decorating the walls. Sam uses to cook lunch for Stefan so
that they can have lunch together. Those were the lovely days for Sam.

Those days Stefan used to kiss her when
they were alone. Those kisses were simple at first that turned into passionate.
Somewhere in her heart she knew that this relationship will work. But it never
worked out. She cleared her mind and started doing her work. She knew the best
to handle this is to call Rose. She took her phone and started dialling when
she heard Edward calling her. She was standing on the huge stairs. She turned
and saw Edward at the last step. He smiled at her and started walking towards
her.

“Hi, busy?” He yelled.

“Hi, well not busy but I am thinking about
the Ball,” she smiled at him.

He checked his watch “well its lunch time.
Come let’s have it,”

She had work to do but she was hungry so
she nodded and told him to wait so that she can change herself. She went to the
room and bathed. She wore a causal low hip jean with a white lace jumper. She
applied some make-up. She thought it’s just casual lunch and she was looking
casual.

Edward was talking to one the employee when
she went there. He looked quite serious but also nervous.

“I am ready,” she said cheerfully,

“You look fresh and beautiful,” he smiled
and she smiled back.

They started walking outside the hall and
entered the corridor. Sam still doesn’t know the paths well. She still finds
herself in a strange room when she gets lost.

“Thanks. So where are we going?” She asked
him once they were outside the hall.

“Nothing far. Just here,” he said casually.

“Here in palace?” She sounded shocked.

“Yes, along with her majesty and the
prince,” now she couldn’t believe that.

“Oh no, you should say that before, I never
dine with them,” she stopped and looked shocked.

“You will love it,” he assured her and kept
his hand around her without touching her.

“Well, I am not dressed properly,” she
insisted.

“Don’t worry, you look perfect,” he gave
her one genuine smile.

Before she could say any they were outside
the dining room. He opened the door and entered. She followed him silently.

One of the maids indicated a chair for Sam
which was in front of Stefan. Sam greeted the queen and sat down. Lunch was
begun to serve. Edward sat next to her.

“So dear, how are arrangements going on?”
The queen asked her while drinking the soup.

“They are fine, your majesty,” she said
slowly.

“Well I hope you are not getting any
difficulty then,” she asked her as she finished her soup and the maid took that
out.

“I am trying to do my best, Ma’am,” Sam
tried to sound confident.

“That’s good to hear.”

They ate silently. Sometimes Edward starts
talking to the queen. Stefan ate silently. They both didn’t talk.

A Butler entered the room and informed the
queen that a call has arrived for her. She left them but Edward followed her.
Sam and Stefan were left alone.

Stefan didn’t talk to her. It was like a
torture to her. She can’t speak to him. She felt relief when he left her all
alone in that room. She silently finished her lunch and started walking back to
her work. That was the horrible lunch time for her.

When she entered the hall, she saw people
working on their decorations. The combinations of ribbons and flowers were
perfect. But that was not her idea. From the morning she was unable to decide
the combinations and now they were perfect. She asked one of her employees
about it. He looked at her confused and said that they were in her paper and
was written perfectly.

She ran to the table where she kept her
papers. He was right, they were actually written by someone, all the perfect
combinations. Seeing the writing she knew who wrote them. She didn’t expect
Stefan to help her. She worked all the evening and was totally tired. The hall
was decorated perfectly and food list was prepared. She made the list approved
by the queen and gave it to the palace chef. After all her works were over, she
checked for the final time. Edward approved it.

“It’s beautiful. You did great. The queen
really liked it,” he said it, making her cheer and proud.

She smiled with tired. He looked at her and
smiled knowingly.

“You better take a rest. Remaining things
will be arranged,”

“Well there nothing else to arrange but it
would be nice if you check all once more,”

“Sure it’s my duty,” he smiled and took the
pad from her and left her go.

She left him and walked towards her room.
She was feeling tired and a little dizzy. She was getting sleepy and her
eyelids were forced to shut. She could see a man standing at the far end of the
corridor. Before she could see who he was, she slid into unconsciousness.

She opened her eyes and found herself in
her bed. Her dress was changed into her nightdress. But she couldn’t remember
how she came into her room and changed herself. Her body parts were aching. She
dragged herself out of bed and glanced at her watch. It was already 10 o’clock.
She didn’t know how she slept for so long and why anyone didn’t wake her.

She hurried to bath and change to white
skirt and pink silk blouse. She was ready and already late. She came to the
hall. The arrangements were like the same when she left. She spotted Lucy in
the hall.

“Lucy,” she waved at her.

Lucy saw her calling and came to her.

“Did you have a nice sleep Sam?” She asked
smilingly but was in a hurry.

“Yeah great, but why didn’t you wake me
up?”

She looked at her confused,” you wrote in
the note not wake you up,”

“What? I didn’t write any note,” Sam looked
confused.

“Yes you wrote. Here see this,” she handed
over the note.

“If you please excuse me, I have to go,”
Lucy left her.

Sam nodded and stared at the note. It was
written ‘please don’t wake me,’

That’s strange she didn’t write any… she
thought

And then she saw the writing and realized
who wrote. It was Stefan’s.

So Stefan wrote it and left it in her room.
If he wrote it then he was the one last night standing near her room and who
changed her dress!!!...... Shock crept into her body as she thought that.

She couldn’t understand why he is taking
care of her… now.