Warning from author:
This book will take away your sleep at night, you will stare at the ceiling.
May this book finish you before you finish it.


On a dark night of Saturday, Astrella, a bartender, was closing up the tavern when suddenly she was astonished by the thunder sounds coming from outside meanwhile a man above six feet height walked in with umbrella. Astrella was flabbergasted by the beauty of the young man who looked like he was in his early 20s with ocean blue eyes and damped black hair, when she noticed he has a scar above his right eyebrow and never in her 18 years of life she found a scar on face handsome.

The young man approached Astrella and asked for a glass of water, she asked for his name and what brings him over here since it's almost 1 am and the bar is closed. He seemed exhausted though then he asked her first "can I please get a glass of water I've to my medicine after that I can answer you every question you ask. It's urgent and I'm a foreigner if I don't take my pills I'll be dead".
She was feeling a little guilty from inside for not giving the water first as he clearly looked like he's about to fall on the ground and get unconscious. She handed him water and waited for him to answer her question.

After taking the pills, he stood up and tried to make a handshake with Astrella however she was a little hesitant. He asked her "what's your good name?" She said " Astrella" He took his black coat off and adjusted his white shirt and said " I'm Ryker, thankyou for helping me out. I'm from Paris, it's really lovely being in New York but the weather, I guess doesn't want me to hang around anyways, I'll leave then sorry for bothering you." Astrella said " it's alright Ryker welcome to New York, hope you'll enjoy here." They both gave each other a little nod and then he left. Astrella was kind of feeling weird about him because why would in such weather A traveller is hanging around. While she was leaving for home she realised she's got no umbrella and it's raining cats and dogs. She stood outside for 10-15 minutes hoping the rain will slower down but it didn't. She cursed under her breath while closing her eyes and giving a little sigh, just in that moment a guy on the other side of the street yelled her name " Astrella! What Are You Doing Here?"
She said "What The FUCK you think I'm doing, clearly you need a new pair of glasses dumbass." The guy was a secret agent and Astrella's school best friend, Nina's brother. They both hate each other to the level when one time, while playing football with Nina, Astrella by mistake gave a little push to Nina and his brother was protective over her sister as she was just 15 by that time however Astrella was just a year older than her best friend. His brother jumped in the ground and pushed Astrella so hard she fell to the ground and had injured her knee. She couldn't walk for 2 weeks.

Winston, Nina's brother, had an umbrella in his hand yet Astrella preferred walking in the storming night alone than having to walk with that guy. But Winston was a gentleman, and as he served as a secret agent he knew this isn't the right time to leave her alone. So he started walking towards her while noticing her being completed wet in clothes which made her look so funny because her long brunette hairs were sticking to her face. She saw that Winston is coming instead of staying where she was she started walking towards her home in the rain but being 5'3 she can't walk as fast as a man who's 6'3. Winston grabbed her arm and took her in the umbrella and said "Stop being an idiot it's dark here and it's raining, you're not safe alone and just keep your mouth shut I hate more than you can imagine walking in the same umbrella as you." She frowned and said "nobody asked for your help and I can be safe under these thunderstorm than being with you." He laughed and said "I think your ears aren't working I said shut the fuck up I don't want to talk with you keep walking"
She kept her hands fisted said nothing because it only gets worse. After 20 minutes of walk she reached home but didn't say thankyou to Winston so he said "I live on the other side of where you do I'll have to walk 40 minutes just to reach home the least you can do is say Thankyou!" She bursted out a laugh and told him "in your dreams". He didn't say anything and just started walking back. Astrella felt little guilty for not inviting him at home since the weather is really bad outside, he will get sick so bad but then again how could she invite him at home afterall he is the last person on earth she can imagine sharing a room. However, she called out for his name and Winston looked back she gave him a wave saying come back here. He refused first then she yelled "Come Here dumbass" he went there and asked "What's more help you need now I have to lift you up and throw you in your home?" She was rethinking about her choices but again she ignored her intrusive thoughts of punching him in the face and said " You can come to my home and spend one night over here I don't want to hear from your sister about you being sick" he replied "My sister tells you about me?" She said "unfortunately mister yes and being her best friend I've to hear her chattering about how tired she is of taking care of his older brother, by making soups and giving meds when he's sick, now if you're done asking questions let's get to home."

Winston was flabbergasted by seeing the apartment Astrella was living in it was majestic even after trying to hide his emotions he couldn't resist to give a compliment to her by saying "Your place is really spic and span" she gladly thanked him. But the problem is it was only one bed room apartment even Astrella was wondering what made Winston think it was majestic. Winston took shower first and then Astrella god cleaned up till then he made some sandwiches and she was too stunned to speak they were delicious. She didn't want to ask him about his work but Astrella has always been interested in spy agents and their work it is really fascinating her parents died in a car crash and she was left with no wealth otherwise she would've pursued a degree and has become an agent working for the nation, then she asked him "what work are you up to these days?" He was chewing his sandwich and said "you know I can't really tell you about my work but since I'm here and not in other nation, I'm working on new york assignments" and suddenly he had a phone call it was from Nina, she sounded worried and he told her not to worry he's alright. She was little disappointed since a party was organised by her and his own brother and best friend weren't there. She said " Put the phone on speaker" he did and then she continued "Astrella, I hate you, you've got no idea how handsome boys have came here it was a perfect opportunity for you to find someone and Winston, today mom and dad came to visit us in the morning, you knew yet you stayed at the office." Winston looked at Astrella and said " Nina you know I am not interested in talking with that man, my blood burns whenever I see him with mother." Then he said goodbye to his sister and didn't talk any more. Astrella knew about his relationship with his stepfather so she didn't bring up anything about that topic and said "it's pretty late we should get some sleep but there's only one bed in my home and definitely we are not sharing" he snapped at her and said "staying at your place is no less than a torture and never in this lifetime I will share a bed with you, I'll sleep on the sofa, Good Night."


Next morning when Astrella came out of the room she found Winston has already gone, no wonder, but to her surprise he has made breakfast for her. She eat the scrambled eggs and avocado toast with her coffee and got read to visit her best friend. Every Sunday they spend their day together in orphanage homes, playing with the kids.

Nina saw her coming and ran like a kid and hugged her tightly giving a kiss on the cheek and said " I missed you so much". Astrella hated physical touch so she pushed her aside and said "ya me too, tell me how many boys fell for you yesterday" Nina grabbed her hand and they both started walking while Nina said " oh dear, there were so many but there was one guy he said he was from Paris who stood out he was so handsome and he asked me out we're going on a date tomorrow." Astrella stopped walking and said to Nina " I saw him, he came at the bar, how did you know him?" Nina said " oh I posted an instagram story invition for anyone but the person has to come with a scotch" she winked at Astrella. The kids spotted them and started running towards them and they all played basketball together.

Next morning, Winston was busy at work as he is involved in an investigation where they were trying to locate a guy who's from other country because according to their intelligence he was a spy but his motives were yet unknown. Winston went home at night and saw Nina and Astrella together and he rolled his eyes straight went to the kitchen grabbed a coke can from the fridge. Just then he realised Nina's wallpaper is changed with some random guy which was pretty normal so he didn't gave much attention to it. But then he received a footage from his team where this same guy was spotted in a bar and the bar was none other than the one Astrella works. He jumped out of the sofa and grabbed Nina's phone to verify his face. He asked both of them about how their conversation went with him, where he is staying and tons of more questions. Nina seemed worried she asked "what happened Winston? Is everything okay with this guy? I mean he came to party yesterday all seemed pretty good. Also he's asked me out for date to tonight, he will be coming to pick me up! That's why Astrella is here to do my make up." Winston said "very good thank goodness he's coming, he's no gentleman dear, he's a threat to our nation!" Astrella was standing quiet. Nina got angry and said "not every guy is a spy Winston leave him alone please what the fuck is wrong with you? You've already once tried to arrest my ex boyfriend and he was innocent." Winston yelled "he was not innocent he was involed in drugs! And the group he was selling the drugs to were criminals they tried to poison out President! Why don't you find a decent guy then I will leave your boyfriends fucking alone." Just then their parents came home and the entire home felt horribly silent. Elton, Nina's and Winston's stepfather asked them whether everything is alright. Winston left the home because he loathes him. And his mother was stucked between the love of her life and his son. Maria's first husband died in a plane crash, she was so depressed in those times, both of her kids suggested her to go on a trip and there she meet Elton, they both enjoyed each other's company eventually fell in love and got married. Elton shifted to Maria's home and was very happy to have a family to live with as he was an orphan. Later on he got married but his wife cheated on him. Maria took Nina's hand in hers and said your brother has a rage inside him please be gentle with him even if he's wrong make him understand your point being by being calm. She then greeted Astrella's. Astrella asked Nina if it's okay for her to leave now as the situation has become little awkward. After she went to the basement she spotted Winston leaning against his red Ferrari car in black pants and white pollo tshirt. Astrella's car was parked right infront of his, he asked Astrella "you saw that guy right? He's full of crimes literally every country is trying to capture him but he escaped all the time he doesn't kill anyone but he takes one of the most important data any country have." She said " look, we can stalk your sister and that guy when they'll leave for their date but are you sure it's him?" Winston firmly told her " my team has given me the profile of a man and he is the only suspect matching those."


After 10 minutes, Ryker arrived and picked up Nina in his G-Wagon. They went to a 7 star restaurant and had the dinner after that he dropped her home. Here comes the moment where both Astrella and Winston were shocked when they saw Elton opening Ryker's car's door and going inside, Ryker hugged Elton and started driving. Winston said " holy shit, this man, what the fuck?? How can I not realise?" They followed Ryker's car and stopped at am old abandoned factory. Astrella was trying so hard not to look scared but now she couldn't resist so she asked Winston " This is worst, why don't you call your team instead of us two going in there. You hate me to a point you want me dead??? I'm going inside let's call the police."
Winston whispered " We can't call the police this is very important we have to go inside I promise you nothing's gonna happen I want to alive to hate you otherwise what's the point??? Who am I gonna roast if you'll die??".

Ryker and Elton were already armed and alert, they knew Winston's going to follow them but Astrella was not the part of the game. They were not allowed to kill any normal civilians.

Both Astrella and Winston were tied up in a chair. Elton started speaking " finally the game's over Winston I've waited my whole life to murder you. You were the reason why I lost my first child! Remember your Mission when you were told to kidnapped Mr. John, one of ruthless mafia ever lived. He was hiding at my home, my wife was pregnant. And you pushed her from the stairs. My whole life turned into hell after that, my wife left me because she was fed up with my work and after losing our daughter it was the end for us. Still I managed to save our relationship but she left me after 6 months for you father! Yes your father cheated on your mother! But fate was in my favour my wife was pregnant with Ryker and your father's long distance relationship didn't work because he died in the plane crash."
Winston has tears in his eyes but he was being strong because his father, Mr. Beckett, was his idol he aspired to be like him. His father served in air force for 27 years but then he was severely injured in a trial of aircraft. Winston never thought his father could cheat on his mother.

Suddenly doors opened and Nina walked in, and Astrella realised she's not her best friend, she's just another agent betraying her brother. Nina started laughing and cupped Winston's face and said "dear brother, may be if you were more protective over your self instead of me, this wouldn't have happened."
Winston's heart was stabbed twice by no other than his own family members. Astrella never liked Winston but today she was feeling the pain for him. Astrella shouted at Nina " how could you?" She replied "I hated Winston, he got all the success, he got everything still he was not satisfied with anything, he kept making my life worse and worse the day my ex boyfriend was exposed on the national television, my life turned into misery, media and police were hovering on my head as if I've murdered someone I was jobless for a whole year, nobody was talking to me, I had no one while he was getting all the attention, everyone calling him brave, he got promotion and he got everything." Winston laughed " you're so jealous to a point you're killing me by joining hands with these people they're criminals Nina what is wrong with you?" Nina smiled " I'm Mr. John's daughter Winston. When you were away from home and was in school, your mother was pregnant with your sister but she had a miscarriage at 8th month, they always wanted a daughter so your parents decided to adopt one, they never told you because you already hated the idea of having a sibling, and then adoption would be even worse. Mr. John, my father stayed in touch with me after I grew up, initially it was really hard for me to accept all this but then my father made me understand how he fought for his people against Americans and one day it will be my responsibility. After that I found out you killed him, everything turned around the only thing that was on my mind was to kill you and give my father peace."
Winston said "your father abandoned you nina!! Our parents raised you, gave you shelter, love and care, John was selfish, he wanted to build his empire you were his mistake he made with some random girl, that's why he sent you away, he brainwashed you, this is not love." Astrella was just trying to process everything but more importantly she was trying to detangle the rope in her hands while everyone's attention was on the conversation." But, Winston being in secret service ofcourse have got some brains he has alerted one of his team mates so he has arrived to the building. And they caught Ryker, Elton and Nina and freed Astrella and Winston.

Astrella and Winston were quiet on their ride to home as soon as they reached home, Winston hugged his mother and started crying, Astrella also was sobbing. Winston at last said "I won but at what cost, I have lost everything mother in serving my nation." Astrella replied to him "I don't know what you're feeling Winston, but I just want to tell you, you've lost your relations which weren't
even made up of love, but a nation has found a true patriot, and my whole life I've hated you but today you gained my respect. Don't ever feel you don't have anyone in this world I will always stay beside you."

The End

Thankyou very much for reading this. I hope this story kept you engaged.

Khushi Surti