What do you mean you cannot find her? Nick’s whole body trembled as he gripped Ciara’s arms.

She freed her hands and gave him a letter and said, ‘This is what I found in her room this morning when I went to get her dressed.’

Nick read the letter and his eyes were burning with furry why oh! why did she do this to me…..

The letter read,

Nick,

I have thought about this many times and I am not ready to settle down after all I am just twenty. I still need to make my career and see the world. Please forgive me if I hurt you and your family. You will always be dear to my heart and I love you the most. Please do not try to find me. And allow me to live my life according to my wishes.

Rio

Nick gripped the letter and ran in panic and drove to the manor shouting her name, but he could not find her.

Rio’s stepfather Garry came out of his room and saw Nick rushing in, he told him to cool down and not behave irrationally.

He informed him that Rio had left for the airport, as she was leaving the country so there was no point in trying to chase after her.

Nick was in range and his heart was breaking into pieces. He rushed to the airport and on his way called to check the flight schedule of flights flying overseas but as soon as reached the airport he saw people rushing toward the airport, there were media reporters everywhere.

He got out of his car and headed towards the entrance but was not allowed to go when he enquired he was told that there had been a plane crash due to some technical difficulty the flight was flying to Seattle.

His body became numb, he could not move, and he gripped the railing nearby.

Just then Richard arrived he grasped Nick's arm and took him aside meanwhile Peter his brother went inside to check the situation.

When Nick saw him coming out of the airport he looked at him hoping for some good news.

But that was the last straw of hope, which was shattered, Rio’s name was on the passenger's list she was flying to Seattle. Nick broke down and his friends brought him back to his house.

His family was deeply devastated and embarrassed in front of everyone. But most importantly they also lost Rio in the plane crash. They had all moved on in their life after the incident but Nick could never forget her the only thing that kept on ringing in his mind was why she gave herself to him that night when she was planning to leave him but lost her life trying to escape from their relationship. No matter what, she was the only woman he had ever loved.

Now after six years, she was there again in front of him with a different identity. But he was sure she was his Rio and he was going to find out why did she leave him back then and how did she survive the plane crash.

PRESENT DAY

Mrs. Sam Edward’s villa was situated in the upscale locality in San Martin and her husband Bill Edward was once the mayor of San Martin but had retired and spent all his time doting on his wife.

Today was a very special occasion as Mrs Edward's sister had flown down from overseas to celebrate her birthday with her. My shop has received the order for the decoration of the villa, for the birthday party. I was incredibly happy and excited about the order as coming to this place makes me incredibly happy. Both the couple were very warm and welcoming and gave a lot of space to new ideas and it was always fulfilling to get orders from them.

I parked outside the villa and told my subordinates to unload the things, while I checked with the owner. I reached the door and rang the doorbell, I could hear footsteps coming towards the door and my heartbeat started thumping rapidly and I wondered what was wrong with me! suddenly the door was opened before I could compose myself and I saw a familiar person standing before me to say I was shocked to see him would be an understatement. I kept standing there and looking at him, somehow I could not take my eyes off him. He always had that effect on me.

Six years was the longest I hadn't seen him face to face although they had a brief confrontation at the mall. I was nervous as I stared at him her hands were sweating.

Finally, I gained my composure wore a professional smile on my lips and said, “Oh! it’s you again! what a pleasant surprise. Hi, I am Cassey Brown and not Rio and I am here from the “Blush Boutique” to complete the order given by Mrs. Edward Ford to decorate the villa and smiled at him trying to hide my discomfort.

Nick observed for a minute and said, “I am sorry for my behaviour the other day I thought you looked like someone I know and misbehaved with you. I am extremely sorry for my behaviour.”

I took a deep breath and sighed and said, “It’s okay sometimes it happens, there are so many lookalikes around the world so people tend to mistake them for someone else.” I was relieved that Nick did not suspect anything. I had made sure that all the facts were correct and not baseless and within a given time he would realize that I am a different person altogether.

Nick held out his hand and said, “I am Nick Java and Mrs. Edward’s grandson. I will be assisting you with the preparation, as it is my grandmother’s birthday today and she flew from Dublin to celebrate her birthday here with her sister and friends.”

I was shocked as I had not expected Grandma Lisa to be here too. I hesitated for a second shook his hand and said, ‘Nice to meet you, Nick, I assure you that I won’t disappoint you. I will make your grandmother’s birthday incredibly special, so shall we start.” She tried to take back her hand, but it was held for a while before he finally let go.

I entered the big living room with my subordinates who were waiting for me outside and gave them instructions so very soon everybody was on their toes and busy with the decoration. But suddenly while I was arranging the flowers on the stairs I saw Lily my assistant who was a little chick and was very pretty to look at glued in her place staring at Nick. I called out her name and Lily immediately came out of her daze and ran toward her.

“He is so handsome, surely I can stare at him.’ Lily said in a trance.

I looked at him and found his deep blue penetrating eyes staring at me. I blushed and reverted my gaze away and scolded Lily for getting distracted and told her to focus on her work.

But it was easier said than done she kept on bumping into Nick, wherever she went to arrange the flowers. She had chosen very light-coloured flowers and as orchids were Mrs Edward's favourite, she made sure to arrange them at the entrance with different shades of colour. The occasion was incredibly special and knowing now that it was Grandma Lisa’s birthday she wanted to make it more memorable as she had a lot of good memories with her.

While she was busy instructing and arranging the flowers. Nick leaned against the stairs and kept watching her as if he had found his long-lost treasure. He was observing and thinking about how he could be mistaken, she was alive and in front of him, and without a doubt it was Rio. She had grown more beautiful, though her hair colour had changed and she had grown leaner and she spoke like the locals and the facts about her were also correct but there was a glitch somewhere and he was going to find out he thought determinedly. He will let her think that he does not doubt her and get to the root of it.

Avoiding him, I climbed up the ladder and was trying to give a final touch-up to the decoration in the doorway. I was observing the beautiful delicate flowers which enhanced the beauty of the doorway when suddenly someone bumped into the ladder and I missed my footing and fell.

I closed my eyes as there was no escape, but I was tightly held by strong arms when I was about to fall to the floor. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Nick looking at me with concern. His hands were all around me and I could feel the burning sensation inside me. No one had the power to disturb my whole equilibrium and I closed my eyes again and tried to control myself.