30

SEPTEMBER'S POV

" She's cute." I whispered.

Zach smiled, and took Claire up in her arms.

" Claire, look your September is perfectly fine." He placed a kiss on her temple.

Claire looked at him and then at me, but her expression remained unchanged. Her lips were pressed in thin line and before anyone could speak another word, she started crying.

I raised my eyebrows in worry but Zach gave me the look to assure that everything's fine.

He sat her on the bed and wiped her tears with his rough fingers which I find extremely cute. It melt my heart.

" What happened, Angel?" He asked.

She looked at me, again and then hides her face in Zach's chest.

" She's not my September."

I frowned.

" And why do you think so?" Zach creased her cheeks.

" She...She..Look at her. She's different, not my September." She replied and once again her eye filled with tears.

My chest constricted but I tried to act calm.

What does she mean?

Zach took a minute to watch me before something clicked in his eyes and he quickly took Claire in his arms and went out of the room.

I sat there, confused.

I exhaled a breath and decided to have a look of my reflection.

As I stepped in front of mirror, I felt disgusted.

Bald head, face covered in bruises, cotton bandage on forehead, pale skin.

Tears strung down my cheeks and everything started getting blur.

Claire must be scared by my face. And why not? I do look like a piece of shit.

Why this all is happening to me? First an accident now this?

Maybe Zach was also disgusted by me after all who will want a girl with scars?

I bite on my lips and as I turned around, Zach came to me. Every nerve in me screamed to run away from him and hide along with my ugly reality but instead all I did was to look down, avoiding his deep eyes.

" September." He called my name in his rough voice.

I was about to release a deep breath when he caught me off guard by picking me up in his arms. For a second, my body experienced fireworks from his touch but soon I realised the reality of our situation and everything stilled, once again.

I thought to open my eyes but I didn't. The storm running deep through my veins were about to burst into an anxiety attack. Soon, he put me down and I felt his presence beside me.

" Open your eyes." He whispered, near my ears.

His warm breath tingles over my flesh which made the matter more worse. Because I so wanted to release my tears but there was this some strange sensation which was forcing me to forget everything and take a dive in ecstasy.

Slowly, I parted my eyelids and there I was again; in front of the mirror facing my ugly reality.

I felt disgusted at my reflection but soon I found that Zach was behind me. He was staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Anxiety hit me hard.

He must be having the thought that how disgusting I am.

I parted my lips to say something but nothing came out instead his charming face took all of my attention.

His deep blue eyes and straight jaw line. Why he has to this mesmerizing? And why did he married someone like me? I am not beautiful. Fuck, beautiful. I am disgusting.

" You're beautiful." He rolled out his words which were smooth like butter but a pathetic lie though.

I have an instant urge to laugh but I didn't.

" I am not. Stop making me feel better with a lie." I shrugged trying to play it cool but I wasn't able to pause my tears.

He clicked his tongue and pointed at the mirror.

" Survivors are beautiful."

I raised my eyebrows up in confusion and tried hard to understand what he meant but all in vain.

" Injuries are beautiful." He whispered, again.

"Huh?"

" September, let me tell you something." He smiled and pulled out a chair from the corner.

I nodded, silently. After a minute, I sat on the chair and watched him getting down on his knees and hold my hands.

His rough hands were gentle.

"Once I had chopped my hairs just because I wanted to look cool but the second I saw my reflection, I knew I was in trouble. " He laughed.

The melodic sound of his laughter passed through my ears and at the moment, I automatically found the reason to look into his eyes.

My lips curled up, thinking about little Zach.

" Then?" I asked.

He rubbed his thumb over my skin and shrugged his shoulder, casually.

" I was so upset with my new hair style that I decided to go on a hunger strike till my hairs are back." He bite on the corner of his lips and tried to suppress a warm smile which was about to come.

I looked down at his fingers which were tracing the skin of my hands and for a second, it felt as if I know him since forever.

" Then my mother came and sketched hairs on the mirror. Whole day I was sulking over my reflection but the second I saw sketched hairs, I smiled. It was as if my hairs were back." He added, revealing his dimple.

I licked my lips, forgetting everything all at once.

" Mirror doesn't always tells the truth." He whispered, pressing his soft lips over my palms.

My breath hitched up for a second and after all the chaos, it felt okay to be with him.

" You're beautiful September. I wish I was born as a writer or some poet, I must have written thousands of pages just to describe how beautiful you're." He passed me a warm, assuring smile.

But I am not.

I frowned.

" One day your hairs will grow, your scars will heal, your skin will be flawless. Will you then feel beautiful?" He asked.

I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head.

Maybe. Maybe not.

" You'll always be the beautiful version of yourself no matter what."

" Claire was scared of me." I shrugged.

He clicked his tongue and let out a small breath.

" She's not. We'll give her some time and then she'll understand that her September is beautiful as always." He assured.

I looked straight into his eyes and something in me told that I can trust his words.

" September, I don't know if one day everything will turn out to be okay or not but I will always be there to hold your hand."

I nodded, smiling at my own.

Maybe. One day everything will be okay.

Bruises will heal and smiles will no longer be fake.

Maybe. Zach will stay because he thinks I am beautiful.

Maybe. I am beautiful.

" Zach."

" Yes, my queen."

I blushed.

I thought that he might be intimidating but he's not. Otherwise he must be trying to act sweet.

Well whatever his story is, he's not that bad.

He's been taking care of me and does his level best to put a smile on my face.

I've no idea that how we were before but in this moment, I guess he's perfect.

" I want to create some fresh memories." I said, nervously.

" Huh?"

" Uh..You see I've nothing to remember and smile. My mind is almost blank. So will you spend some time with me and you know..."

I didn't know what to say next. So all I did was to look at him.

He searched my face for a minute and nodded.

What? Just a simple nod? What if he doesn't want to spend his time with me?

Stop. Stop over analyzing the situation, September.

" I'll plan everything for you." He spoke, breaking the silence.

" Okay." I muttered.

Although from inside, I was doing a happy dance but from outside, I maintained a perfect calm.

" You're beautiful, okay?"

" Mhmm." I smiled.

He placed another kiss on my palm and stood up.

I rubbed my fingers together in nervousness and looked up at him.

" Your smile." He arched up his eyebrows.

" What?"

" Is beautiful." He whistled and casually went out of the room.

I sat there, confused.

A/N

BOOK NAME-PLAYER IN LOVE

" It's Not About The Game But The Player Who Is Known For Breaking Hearts."

~•~

|MAX'S POV|

" Turn off the goddamn alarm." I mumbled, burying my face on the pillow.

" Baby it isn't alarm, your cellphone is ringing." A slutry, annoying voice dropped into my ears.

I groaned and parted my eyelids only to saw a naked woman lying next to me. Scrunching up my nose, I straightened my limbs.

" Hello." I yawned, bringing the iPhone to my ear.

" WHERE THE F-CK ARE YOU? I'VE BEEN CALLING YOU SINCE AN HOUR. MOTHER F-CKER, YOU BETTER BRING YOUR ASS TO MY PLACE RIGHT NOW."

Vishal, my oh-not-so-good best friend screamed from the other side making me roll my eyes at his sudden PMSing self.

Asshole.

" Well, good morning to you too." I replied with sarcasm dripping from my voice.

" F-ck off." He spat and ended the call.

I stared at my phone screen to realize that it was already half past ten in the morning.

" Baby, won't you go for another round?" That nasty woman purred and started brushing her finger over my bare chest.

My eyes fell on her face and to say that I was shocked would be an understatement. I mean who the f-ck cake up her face with makeup in morning? It means she had woke up before me then caked up her face and then once again lay beside me not to mention naked.

Women these days.

I licked my lips and decide to leave from...well wherever I am.

" Baby, won't you have morning s-x with me?" She pouted and trust me it was damn disgusting.

After ignoring her, I grabbed my denim and quickly wore it. As I was going to zip up the zipper, her manicured fingers pressed up against my V cut as she licked my chest with her lizard like tongue.

Without wasting a second, I shoved her aside and ran my gaze to search for my shirt which I am sure that I've thrown somewhere near the bed yesterday's night.

" I love you, Max. I couldn't forget how you gave me multiple orgasms, last night. Since now we are together, should I make our relationship public?" She chirped.

I rolled my eyes and pushed my iPhone in my Denim's pocket.

" Relationship? Hold your tongue, whore. Last night was just one time thing. I guess I forgot to mention that I don't f-ck a same woman, twice." I hissed and spot my shirt lying beside her.

" Pass the shirt, Cindy, Clara or whatever the hell your name is."

" B-But I love you.." And here she started acting like a top class bitch by faking crocodile tears.

In a matter of second, her mascara smudged around her eyes and streamed down with her tears. Her face became more horrible. F-ck, this is getting way much disgusting.

" Look woman, stop whining and-"

I was about to say more but before that could happen, she took my shirt and wore it.

Great! F-cking great.

" I..Love you." She hiccupped in between her sobs. " And my name is Cassie."

I sighed in frustration and walked out of her house. Grumbling under my breath, I turned the engine of my car and drove to Vishal's place.

" What the hell do you want, Vishal?" I yelled as I entered his hallway.

" Are you out from jungle?" Rehan, my other best friend asked.

Oh so this Bastard is here, too.

" Something like that." I replied and sprawled on the couch.

" Why are you shirtless? Don't tell me that the woman whom you had f-cked last night had stole your shirt along with your heart?"

I raised my middle finger at Vishal's pathetic comment and chuckled, dryly.

"I don't have a f-cking heart."

" Why don't you stop all this?" Rehan breathed out.

" Stop what?" I raised my eyebrows and found both of them sharing a look with each other.

" Your player ways." Vishal replied.

I rolled my lips inside my mouth and waited impatiently for them to complete their 'Let's irritate, Max' talk.

" You know I have a very bad morning breath plus after having a rough s-x last night, I am stinking from dried sweat. So can I use your bathroom, brother?" I asked Vishal.

" Why this f-cking formality? What's mine is yours too except Tara." He muttered.

I laughed at the mention of his girlfriend. Both of my best friends has this huge possessiveness with their women when it comes to me. I f-cking love to piss them off.

I walk to bathroom not before grabbing clean pair of sweatpant and T-shirt of Vishal.

It was almost my usual routine to crash at either Vishal or Rehan's place in the morning to at lest get few moments of calmness.

I turned off the shower after having a bath and used Vishal's brush to clean my teeth. Gross, I know but who cares. Changing my clothes, I stepped back into hallway and again sprawled on the couch. F-ck, these days, my tiredness level was at it's best.

" Notorious Billionaire, Max Costello was spotted yesterday's night with the famous singer Cassie Fox. Rumors tell that they had shared a kiss in public while coming out of the club. Were this couple dating or was it just an one time fling for our Mr. Player?"

I rolled my eyes at the news channel broadcast and threw a cushion at Vishal to change the channel but instead he came and sat next to me with his jaw almost hitting the floor.

" Dude you f-cked Cassie.. The Cassie Fox?"

He nudged my shoulder.

" So? What's the big deal?" I shrugged my shoulders.

" Man, she's famous celebrity. She had won numerous awards for her songs." He exaggerated.

I gave him bored look and ran fingers through my wet hairs. " Trust me, I didn't knew her name till morning. She was crying out loud while confessing her love for me. I mean that's pathetic man. Her face was looking damn horrible when mixed with her mascara and tears. Ew, gross."

I shuddered and laughed when Rehan passed me disappointed look.

" Learn to respect women, Max." Rehan said in a stern voice.

Respect my ass.

" I only respect two women. One your wife, Mayra." I pointed at Rehan then at Vishal. "Another your girlfriend, Tara."

" You better otherwise I'll chop off your balls." Vishal snickered.

I smiled, a genuine one, if I may add. Mayra and Tara both are like sisters to me. And I respect them not because they are women of my best friends but they deserve to be respected.

There's this hole in my chest when it comes to sister and somewhere both Tara and Mayra fix that hole.

And talk about other women, they are only good for my bed but only for one night. I feel disgusted to f-ck the same woman twice. Call it my over confidence, I know that no women can resist the charm of Max Costello. After all I've everything for which they are crazy about like money, fame, panty dropping look, class. What else they could want? But if only they knew that behind my façade, I am nothing.

" Are celebrity singer Cassie Fox and Billionaire Casanova Max Costello dating?"

" F-CKING CHANGE THE CHANNEL." I yelled and in a matter of second, Vishal shut the television off.

I pressed my fingers over my temple and inhaled a breath to calm myself down.

Hell with this mood swing.

" I am...I..F-ck.. I am sorry, okay?" I apologized and heard Vishal cursing under his breath.

" Do you want me to take an appointment of psychiatrist for you?" Rehan laughed.

" I am ever ready if that psychiatrist would be your wife." I winked which made him instantly scowl in response.

I sighed and waited for few seconds before deciding to lighten up their mood.

" Vishal, I don't know about her singing talent but I must add that she was quite a screamer." I smirked.

" Who, Cassie Fox?"

" Duh."

" Dude, why had you called me here?" I asked, suddenly remembering that he had ruined my sleep.

" Rehan needed a little favour." Vishal replied.

I nodded and shifted my attention to Rehan who was munching on the bagels.

" I have to meet Drew's class teacher, can you pick Mayra from her clinic?" He asked.

" Off course." I smiled.

I looked at Rehan and automatically my mind started wondering that how lucky he is to have a loving wife and son by his side.

" Max you're so single."

Vishal whined out of blue.

I rolled my eyes at his annoying behavior and shifted my gaze to Rehan who was chuckling at Vishal's statement. F*ck them, they can be so irritating sometimes. I was about to throw a cranky remark but caught my tongue back as a better idea struck into my mind to make them burn in jealousy.

" What can I do Vishal? The two perfect women whom I would have loved to call as my girlfriend are already committed." I faked a little sulky tone.

Vishal's expression turned to curious one as he shared a look with Rehan. I smirked mentally and worked more on acquiring a gloomy look.

" Who?" Rehan asked to which Vishal nodded eagerly.

Seriously? They still didn't get the clue? Well maybe they have so much smitten in the love that their common sense was no more common.

" I am talking about Mayra and Tara. I mean those two are like perfect. I wish they were single so-"

But before I could finish, they beat me with their loud cursing.

" Bastard."

" Asshole."

I doubled over laughing at their funny as f*cked face and shoved my middle finger in the air.

" Beware, you don't know about my charms. I can totally make your Women head over heal for me and then you two would become like a love sick vagabond who will cry their tears out at all those pathetic breakup songs." I added which worked like a fuel.

But after a few seconds they both burst out laughing making my lips to curl in genuine smile. This is good. This all is good. We are once again back to our High school friendship. They both are like my family and at this moment I can ask nothing but their happiness. Now everything's right and I will hope that it will always remain like this.

" But really man, you should get serious and find someone who'll be worth spending your life with." Rehan spoke.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help to feel the emptiness taking over my heart. Someone worth spending my life with? I swallowed a thick lump down my saliva and avoided that thought.

" Why should I settle down when I can f-ck sexy women, whenever I want?" I raised my eyebrows at them.

Rehan threw a bagel at me and Vishal just rolled his eyes, once again switching on the news channel.

" Max Costello was caught storming out of the Cassie Fox's house this morning, that too, shirtless. Seems like they are having an affair."

I groaned, finding my pictures on the screen. Motherf-cking paparazzi.

I glanced at them who were all ready to throw some mocking comments but before that could happen, I threw my hands up in air and stood up from the couch.

" I am going to pick Mayra." I announced and left Vishal's house.