Not First Love

Not First Love

COPYRIGHT 2016 JENNIFER LAWRENCE

ALL RIGHT RESERVED

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodies in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or, if an actual place, are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

DESCRIPTION

Why do good girls fall for the bad boys? Jan’s boyfriend is the not right one for her. Everyone can see that except for Jan herself. She believes there’s nothing like first love. She believes that she has got her own Prince Charming.

Arthur has no patience for dramas, romances and women looking for love. He likes his women with red hot passions who wouldn’t ask any questions. He is everything that is opposite of Jan.

Arthur has a dangerous job and keeps dark secrets. He always finishes his targets. His plans are perfect and always well executed.

But life has its strange twists and games that can put all your best plans in disarray. 

On top of that, Arthur starting to fall for Jan.

Jan, who couldn’t think of anyone else than her boyfriend, is starting to get attracted to Arthur.

Is there something more than it meets the eye, and who is that blue-eyed Tantrik drinking from a human skull?

DEDICATION

I thank my husband (also doubling as my Prince Charming) who nudged and coaxed and encouraged me to write this story. I couldn’t have done without your love.

Among the countless people in the world, two will find each other against all the odds and beat as a single eternal heart.

ONE

Arthur was pleased. The job was simple and the money was good. All he had to was keep a watch on the guy in the tower room. A CC cam had been put up there in the tower room. Arthur would be in the ground floor hall at the bottom of the tower building where he would keep a watch on the screen. All he had to care about is to see that the prisoner doesn’t leave. No, prisoner isn't the right word, he corrected himself. The guy was the mortgage, an asset against the loan. The guy was to be kept confined and made sure he didn't go out of the room. But no violence to be used unless necessary. Food and necessities will be supplied. Arthur would have to keep a watch on the 'asset' until the loan was paid back to Zilo.

Jobs like these were good for Arthur. He liked working with Zilo, he gave the kind of jobs that aren't exactly conventional. The kind of job no one else would do. Like keep a watch 24/7 on a confined man without asking why.  Zilo liked Arthur because when it came to work, his questions were fewer. Arthur liked Zilo because when it came to payment, his money was better. And both knew better to avoid unnecessary violence. Zilo was a rich dad's heir and Arthur was the kind of man he needed for his odd jobs.

Zilo was seated on the sofa in the ground floor hall while his two bodyguards, Gre and Pot, who also doubled as bouncers at Zilo's numerous parties, hung around looking for more beer. Arthur was at the window looking at the driveway. Zilo had always secretly looked up to Arthur since they were both in college. Arthur dropped out in the middle but he did see him around. N college, when he had seen the girls stealing glances at Arthur, he wished he had Arthur's good rugged looks and his sex appeal which came from Arthur simply being, himself. Zilo knew that his metro sexual looks looked second to the macho unshaved look that Arthur carried. But Arthur seemed unaware of his good looks. He knew how to look like this, only. Jeans and jackets. Suits and tuxedos aren't exactly his type. He felt stifled in those.

"Beer?" Zilo offers Arthur. Arthur walks away from the window and gets the bottle. It was summer and as the noon approached, it was starting to get a little humid.

"Ron should be here anytime now," Zilo said.

"So Ron is the... asset?", Arthur asked.

"Ron took the loan for his brother and himself. His time to pay back is more than 11 months past. If he doesn't get my fifty grand today, we will go with the arrangement. He stays here and his brother gets the money for me. Simple arrangement, I had gone over this with Ron before giving the money. If you try to resist, I will get you beaten up or worse. Greg and Pot are becoming good at handling people like these. So, come pay my money or stay here until your brother pays it."

"11 months? That was patient of you so far as I know you", Arthur smirked in his evil way that had made could make a woman’s heart beat faster.

"It is and I wouldn't if it was not for Jan. Have you met her?"

“No, who is she?”  Arthur had almost finished the  beer.

“His girlfriend, she's a sweet girl, one of the nicest persons I have ever met actually. She joined college maybe the same year you dropped out. Though I think the girl's punishing herself being with Ron. I have always wondered, why do nice girls fall for the bad boys?

“Are you asking me? Of course I am a bad boy.”

“Not your kind of bad boy, Arthur. You remember Ron right? I mean he is....”

The sound of a car stopping outside paused their conversation. Arthur went up and opened the door for Ron.

When Zilo mentioned, Arthur couldn't remember Ron. But he did when he saw Ron. Ron didn't recognize him, or at least he didn’t show. Ron was just the same, he looked and talked the same way he did in college. He was stocky and well built but Arthur who had been thin and leaner, now had put on muscle and looked manlier than the thin bony boy he once was. They had hardly known each other apart from being just familiar faces in college.

Ron was not alone, Arthur saw a woman with him. He was not expecting anybody except Ron and wasn't happy about having a female here. Situations like these could get nasty, where Zilo puts his bouncer-bodyguards to good use. Not a place and time to bring your girlfriend along, and if he guessed right she was his girlfriend.

"Hey Ron, you are late,” Zilo said, "Jan, what the hell are you doing here?"

Arthur looked at the girl. So that’s Jan, Zilo’s nice girl. She had jet black hair, tied up to a roll and clipped with a hair clutcher. She was slim and looked quite plain in a dully coloured printed dress.

“How are you doing?” Jan asked Zilo. She spoke softly, almost as if someone might get disturbed if it was a little louder.

"Great. Good to see you Jan. But I wasn't expecting you today", Zilo looked accusingly at Ron.  

Arthur had been watching Zilo while he had been speaking to Jan. He seemed really happy to meet her but he couldn't hide his distaste for Ron for bringing her here. Ron had been stealing nervous glances at the two bouncer-bodyguards and licking his lips.

"I have been trying to tell Jan to stay put but she didn't listen," Zilo blurted out. "Didn't I tell you Jan that Zilo wouldn't like it? You should go and wait inside the car."

"It's not necessary, I am okay with Jan if she is okay with the situation here," Zilo said. Turning to Ron, he said "So, do you have it?"

"Oh yes, I have it almost. I have some in cash and I have pawned my car. I have some gold chains too and if just give me three days more...."

"I have given you enough time already. Just tell me, do you have the full money or not?” Zilo was clearly getting unpleased.

"Oh yes, almost as I said. Just a few more days and I will get you the rest."

"No more days Ron, you had enough. I won't let you make me wait anymore. It's either full amount or not."

"Hey man! Just for old days' sake, just give me a few more days."

“Oh sure! You can have all the time you want. The tower room is very airy and the view's great. Greg will show you the way and Arthur will give you company for the sake of good old days,” Ziko turned to Greg and one of his six foot 6 bouncer-bodyguards came and placed his hand on Ron's shoulder. “Once your brother pays back, you are free.”

"Please Zilo, I mean it this time. Don't keep me all closed up there, I will go crazy. Take my car for now..listen to me...," Greg had started to nudge him towards the stairway. Arthur picked up the tower room's lock and key and got ready to follow Greg.

"Zilo, wait!"

It was Jan.

"Jan, please stay out of this. I am sorry." Zilo said. "I have to confine him, that was the agreement. Until his brother pays back the rest of the money, he stays here."

"I know the agreement Ron had with you Zilo and I am really sorry he broke your trust. That's why I came here. Look, you want the money back right? Let Ron go and keep me here. Ron will go and get the cash arranged. I am okay with that."

"Jan are you nuts? It is not your money!" Zilo spat out. Arthur was also taken aback. Greg would usually have no expression, and no one could say for sure if he looked interested or disinterested.

Jan glanced at Ron and then at Zilo.

"Why not Zilo? Personally I am fine with it. And if you have me here, Ron will get the money faster."

"I can't let it happen Jan."

"I love Ron, and I don't mind doing that for him."

"Are you just doing this for love? For Ron? Seriously Jan I don’t believe it!"

"Zilo please, let me stay and let him go. I mean it." Jan pleaded with her eyes, and Zilo knew the look. He had seen enough of the world to know true from false, and this was really the truth. Jan meant it. She wanted to trade places with Ron. She wanted to stay confined while Ron would, supposedly, go get the money sooner because his girlfriend was stuck here. It sounded nasty yet logical to do. Actually Zilo didn't have the courage to turn her down because that would break her heart. She would be happier staying imprisoned knowing that she helped Ron than be free while her love was confined here. Jan is still that hopelessly innocent girl in her woman's heart, Zilo complained to himself.

Along with Ron and Jan, Arthur had been waiting for Zilo's decision. He hoped Zilo was not falling for Jan's words. He was not looking forward to guard Jan instead of Ron.

Zilo looked at Ron, “So what do you have to say?”

"Keep her. I will get your money", Ron spluttered out. “Really soon.”

"Coward", Zilo spat at Ron. “I do it only for Jan." Greg let go of his hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Shit", Arthur muttered his breath.

*****

"Listen Jan, I feel guilty about keeping you here."

"Don't Zilo, it is my choice. In fact I should thank you that you loaned Ron and his cousin when he needed to put money in his business."

"Cousin, didn't he say his brother?"             

"Brother, but cousins really. He thought it would be easier to get the money if he just told you it was his brother. I know he hasn't been totally honest with you so I am saying sorry on his behalf, Zilo. “

Zilo ran his fingers through his blond hair. Ron had left five minutes ago.

Arthur was wondering what was going on in his mind. He couldn't stop smirking at Jan naivety. Jan had come prepared for this situation and had carried her things in a medium sized green duffel bag. But Arthur seriously doubted how long she would be able to stay here. She would not be allowed to go out of that tower room all day and she would only have her cell phone to talk to her friends.

Zilo said at last, "I had let Ron go away only for your sake. But I don't trust him at all and this is not a great place to stay. I bought this old tower house in this remote place because it is a great place to hold my loud parties and no one comes here very often. I gave Ron 30 days because of you, Jan. If he doesn't payback by then, I will let you go but Ron's luck is mine to decide. Don't ask me for any favours then.”

"I understand your position Zilo but I am very sure Ron will get your money within a week. Now don't worry, I will be fine here. I have told my friends that I am off for a vacation at a remote place," Jan added with a smile.

"Let me know if you get restless", Zilo pecked on her cheek and turned to leave.

"Arthur will be here with you, Jan" and he waved towards Arthur and walked out of the hall towards his Porsche.

Arthur and Jan were left standing in the huge hall which had become suddenly quiet now. No one was speaking, and Arthur had no desire to pick up a conversation. He felt irritated; he was supposed to be a security guy, now he felt like being a babysitter.

Arthur picked up Jan's green duffel bag and waved Jan to follow him. The bag felt heavier than normal and he was a bit suspicious of what it held. At the corner of the hall stood a large wooden door, Arthur pushed it open and held it for Jan to pass. The door closed with a slight creak. Jan looked around her surprised, this looked like a totally different world. The hall was airy with big windows, sparsely but presentably decorated. It even had a chandelier whose lights accentuated the wall colours. But once the door to the hall closed and she stood in the little alley she felt constricted. The place looked cold with its bare stone walls, which was when she noticed that this was one old stone building.

A small stairway led to the top. The stairs were higher than what would normally be and went round. At one point she could stop and see the design of the stairs as she was led to the tower room. Arthur had already covered a distance when he looked back at Jan. She was holding the railing and was getting up slower. Arthur sighed, he had to slow his pace down to keep a watch on her in case she decided to change her mind and took off the other way. Life had taught him not trust anyone and he knew life had taught him well.

*****