By the time Lyra escaped into the private lounge adjoining her office, she had spent most of the day reviewing lip-colour swatches, campaign photographs and proofs for Diane Beauty's counter displays. Viren's visit had been a welcome interruption.

Only for Lyra.

Jeet looked at the time. It was way past usual for her to return back home. She'd been overworking herself to exhaustion these days.

"Miss Lyra, isn't it too late-" Jeet paused, watching a familiar man come through the door..

Recognition entered him immediately. Viren saw him and passed with a faint smirk. Jeet watched him leave before entering.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Miss Lyra!?" His voice raised a bit.

Lyra sat with her legs crossed on the couch, a glass of wine in her hand. Her smile disappeared.

"Talking to a guest?" She shrugged.

"A guest? That's the assistant director. The minimum courtesy would be to inform me before-"

"Why should I, Jeet?" Lyra glared.

"I'm your assigned close-protection guard..."

"What have I done so wrong!?" Lyra fussed angrily.

Jeet scoffed. "I feel like it is highly unbecoming of a woman of your stature to be inviting him here."

Her expression went still. It was the word unbecoming that did it. She heard enough of that from her father whenever she wanted something he hadn't chosen for her. She hadn't expected to hear it from the man who had watched her rehearse her lines...

"What did you say again?"

Jeet held his ground. He knew there were better ways to phrase it. At that moment, he couldn't make himself choose one. Because saying "I want you to be safe" sounded too personal.

Lyra's hand tightened around the glass. "Listen, young man. You're my bodyguard. Not my brother, not my father, not my husband. And you'd be an idiot to think I'd listen to any of them either."

Jeet could feel the irritation rise inside him but he was helpless.

"It wasn't a date. I had a conversation with someone connected to my work. You don't get to decide whether I crossed a line. Stay in yours."

Jeet knew she loved acting but the fact that she hadn't informed him of that man's visit was what did it. He muttered, voice firm.

"Like me or not, Miss Lyra, I have a job to keep. Mr. Rawther made it clear I wouldn't be reassigned because you disliked me. Your brother appointed me to protect you. Neither of them told me to stop when you became difficult."

He didn't stop there. "So threaten me if you want. I don't take my orders directly from you. You should be glad I play along."

Lyra stared. "How fucking dare you-" The wine struck his shirt before either of them moved.

Jeet looked down. Red spread across the white fabric, dripping from the buttons onto his trousers.

Lyra's anger vanished so abruptly that she was left holding the empty glass without knowing what to do with it.

"Jeet I-"

He raised a hand when she stepped towards him.

"You're his daughter. You'll survive his anger if something goes wrong. I won't." His voice was quieter now. "You're my lifeline, Miss Lyra. If anything happens to you, I'll be killed next. Nothing more."

Nothing more. Just like her previous guards. But it hurt this time. Lyra didn't know why it made her disappointed. If anything, it was her fault for believing that Jeet had grown to care for her like a brother rather than just carrying out instructions given by her family.

Maybe it was those late night rehearsals and laughter that did it...

She looked away before he could read her face. His fists tightened beside his stained shirt. He had made it sound so simple, as though fear for his own life explained every sleepless hour she had given him.

Lyra set the glass down and touched his shoulder. "All right. I overdid it. I've been acting out a lot lately."

"It's fine." Jeet sighed.

She shook her head, trying to change the subject "I'll be crashing at Arshad's this saturday. Clear the schedule for me..."

"Sure" Jeet mumbled, not looking at her.

"And don't take this as an offence. I haven't been right in the head these past few days."

Jeet looked down at his shoes, almost smiling.

What an extraordinary collection of words to avoid saying sorry. Brother and sister, through and through.

"You'll be staying there with me," she added.

He looked up. Arshad's mansion had rooms for visiting guards... there was nothing unusual about the arrangement.

Still, the way she said it made him briefly forget that.

"Yes. Of course, Miss Lyra."

He cleared his throat and looked away before she noticed the warmth in his face.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Noon filled Aashi's room, bright enough to make her close her eyes when she turned towards the window.

She could remember everything. Until she fell unconscious from fatigue and woke up here...

Aashi looked down at herself. Her body really was strange, recovering faster than she understood. She could sit up. Her thoughts were clear.

But the sickening reality came back.

He drugged me...

Anger burned hot in her chest, followed quickly by a wave of sadness and frustration. She felt disgusted.

But then, unbidden, another memory surfaced.

Arshad's lips pressing gently against her forehead and wrist. The way his voice had cracked when he whispered those precious words against her skin.

I love you... So damn much

Aashi's heart clenched painfully. She hated how easily those words softened the anger inside her. She had been betrayed by someone she trusted, and part of her was still caught on the way another man had said he loved her.

Aashi knew then how sick in love she was...

A knock came before Mira entered with soup and cut fruit.

"You didn't eat this morning." She placed the tray beside the bed. "Try a little now."

Aashi looked at the food and asked quietly"What happened last night, auntie? Please tell me."

Mira's expression softened as she took Aashi's hand in hers. "I know you were drugged. Young master took you to the hospital..."

Aashi's eyes filled with tears and anger thinking about Reyansh. She looked down at their joined hands. "I-I thought he was my friend-"

Mira drew her close. Aashi held on, crying into her shoulder while the older woman rubbed her back.

"You're not alone here," Mira whispered. "You've been a part of us for a long time Aashi... there's no way we'd let anything happen to you.."

Aashi cried harder, letting out all the fear, anger, and confusion she had been holding in. For a few minutes, she allowed herself to be comforted like a child.

But Arshad wasn't there.

She listened for him after Mira left. Looked towards the door whenever footsteps passed. Eventually, she stopped pretending she wasn't waiting.

By evening, her thoughts had returned to the cafe.

Every ordinary kindness from Reyansh felt different now. She kept wondering when the friendship had stopped being real, or whether it had ever existed.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

"Almost fucking had her, Selena! What the hell were you doing!?"

Selena glanced at the time. Eight at night. Arshad had been silent all day. She should have known better than to find that reassuring.

"I thought it was part of the plan- Sir-"

"It wasn't part of the plan to let that fucker put his hands on her!" Arshad's voice rose sharply. Then he exhaled. "I'm already pissed as I am, not able to lay a finger on that stupid boy..."

Selena could only bless Reyansh in that aspect. The things Arshad would've done to him...

"I was right there, Sir. I wouldn't have let any man touch her inappropriately either... He was simply carrying her outside."

"Oh the nerve to keep running your tongue, Selena!" Arshad scoffed. Selena went quiet. Alan had been silent for several minutes...

"You've handled weapons consignments in Russia with armed men standing over you. You should be better at anticipating shit!"

"Yes sir. I will be more careful..."

Selena knew certain things by now. That her syndicate's leader had taken a liking to this new girl. And that he'd been obsessively gathering information on her. That he was deeply affected by another man merely touching her.

And it wasn't some stupid liking...

She had known him for only a few  years. And before him, she worked for few such men, far older than him, some outright disgusting... It never ended nicely.

Selena had seen that they probably liked a younger girl, almost around Aashi's age... Made them believe in love. Used them. Threw them away when the fun was over.

Arshad couldn't be any different. He could do the same. He was young, rich, had power and it was the first time she had ever seen him with a woman before. Perhaps that was why he was behaving so strangely...

Maybe his fun had only started.

But Selena hoped he'd be different.

Because Selena had grown fond of Aashi... The possibility of watching the same story unfold in this house made her uneasy.

"She's your responsibility after mine Selena. Get that into your god damn head."

"Yes Sir." Selena muttered.

"Alan can speak too."

"Yes sir!" Alan said furiously.

"And." Arshad's voice softened. "How is she now..?"

Selena smiled by how quick his tone had changed. "She's absolutely fine."

Arshad hummed. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Keep an eye on her at all times." He left a heavy breath. "Keep her inside..." And the line went dead.

Alan muttered. "Just another puppy love..."

Selena shook her head slowly. "I don't know Alan.. He's not the kind of man who does half assed jobs."

"No comments." Alan sighed but then he did comment. "But can you fucking imagine. The lengths they're going to just get to her. I mean, setting up a whole ass classmate? That's some crazy man behind her..."

Selena smirked. "I'm convinced she has a mafia ex."

Just then, Selena got another call... It was Aashi.

"Hey... You alright?" Selena asked softly.

"Selena..." Aashi breathed... "H-Hey... I know I'm not supposed to be asking this. B-But can you please take me out for a while?" Her voice was small. "I'm going crazy in here. Just for some air. Please."

Selena looked at Alan."Give me a few minutes. I'll let you know."

Aashi hummed. After a while, Selena messaged her: Get ready

Aashi exhaled in  relief and in 30 minutes, changed into a simple black top and jeans, little colour on her lips, brushed her hair, and walked  downstairs.

When she stepped outside, however, it wasn't Selena waiting for her.

It was Arshad.

He stood leaning against his Mercedes Maybach, dressed in a black shirt and beige formal pants. As if he had just gotten off from work.

The moment their eyes met, her steps faltered. She remembered everything, his arms around her, his voice whispering those painful words, the way he had almost kissed her before pulling back.

No words came out. She was just as afraid of this as much as she wanted it..

Arshad's eyes softened when he saw her.

"I'll take you, Aashi." He said it with a gentleness she rarely heard from him. “Get in…”

Aashis fingers trembled, but then she nodded. She got into the passenger seat without another word. It was dark. The silence in the car was thick, but it didn't last long.

"What happened last night...?" she finally spoke, staring out the window.

Arshad's hands tightened on the wheel. "You were drugged..."

"I'm asking what happened after..." She snapped, turning to look at him. "P-Please don't treat me like I'm a child, Mr Arshad!" She begged, her tears breaking loose.

"Look, Aashi... you weren't in the right state of mind-"

Aashi let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "I was in the perfect state of mind! I remember everything you did! I remember you telling me that you love me!"

Arshad's breath hitched. Of course she remembered... It was what could come after, from her, that frightened him more. He stayed silent.

"Of course you'll pretend it didn't happen," she whispered painfully. "Of course."

"Aashi-"

"Why won't you just tell me the truth!!" She cried.

Then her phone rang. She nearly ignored it, then saw Priya's name. Aashi took it hesitantly, and within seconds, her face went pale.

"W-What?" Aashi's voice broke. "Reyansh...?"

The phone slipped slightly in her hand. Priya was still talking. Something about an accident.

She knew damn well it wasn't any accident.

She didn't even need to ask how it happened. She already knew. But she refused to turn to her right. Her heart raced against her chest.

But as Aashi felt hot tears rolling down, his knuckle had touched her cheek.

Gently, he wiped away a tear, his fingers ever so lightly tracing downward to the side of her neck.

His touch was soft, but his expression remained cold. Aashi closed her eyes feeling the tingle of his fingers...

Then he spoke, voice very low. "You're crying for that bastard... Aashi?"

Aashi clutched the hem of her top tight. She couldn't say anything. It wasn't like she never knew what Arshad was like...

She twisted her face back to the window, her heart aching, breaths going heavy.

She stared out as he took a different route, lights slowly vanishing from her vision. The car eventually stopped at a quiet, deserted high ground.

The place was secluded, with only the bright night lights of Mumbai breaking the darkness. He turned off the engine and stepped out.

Then out of nowhere, the door to her side was opened and he aggressively pulled her out.

Aashi looked down at his hand holding her.

"W-What are you doing Mr Arshad..?" She said, voice trembling. "You don't answer my questions. You act like I'm the problem... and then you save me. I'm hurting because you keep leaving me hanging. Please... just tell me the truth."

Arshad simply stared.

She looked at him directly, eyes glassy, "D-Did you kill him?"

For a long moment, he simply looked at her. Then he stepped forward, and pressed her against the closed car door. He towered over her, one hand braced on the car beside her head.

His face was dangerously close.

"Yes," he said, voice low and steady. "I killed that fucker..."

She had already known. Hearing him admit it should have changed something, should have made her want to put distance between them.

Instead, she was relieved he had finally answered.

"I killed him because I couldn't bear how he touched you... What he might've done to you.."

Aashi left a strained breath. Arshad's eyes searched hers, dark and intense.

"You've seen enough already.. You know what I am. You know exactly where I'm going with this..."

His face was close. She could see the strain around his mouth, the way he watched for her answer.

"Aren't you going to run away from me now, Aashi?" he asked quietly. "Aren't you scared of me?"

Tears slipped down Aashi's cheeks.

She wasn't crying because she feared what he had done. She was crying because she didn't...

Because Arshad had become something dangerously close to family for her despite how many times his words might've hurt...

She shook her head. "N-No..."

"Why..." His hand left her wrist and moved to her cheek, his fingers sliding into her hair.

"B-Because" Her voice broke. "For some reason, I still love you..."

Arshad went still. Then his control finally snapped.

He took her face in both hands and kissed her, hungry, desperate, and unrestrained. All the control he had been holding onto for so long shattered in that moment.

His hands crept to her body with a newfound claim as he pressed her harder against the car.

Aashi kissed him back just as fiercely. Her fingers clutched at his collar, pulling him closer. She didn't protest. She didn't push him away. Because she wanted this.

Because she knew the kind of man Arshad was and still chose him. Even if it meant losing herself completely.

When Arshad finally pulled back, both of them were breathing hard, his forehead rested against hers.

"I can't have it any other way, Aashi..." He whispered against her lips. "I can't stand the thought of someone else having you."

She held his shirt tighter.

He looked down at her lips again.. "I get irritated when I can't see you. I lose control when you're hurt. When you're out of my sight, I keep thinking about what could happen..."

A weak smile touched her lips despite the danger signs.. She hugged him tight. Arshad hugged her tighter, pressing a heavy kiss to the top of her head.

"If that is love..." He said against her hair. "Then that's exactly what I feel for you, Aashi."

Aashi cried harder. "R-Really..?"

Arshad had more to tell her. She could see it in the way his mouth moved, then stopped as his gaze returned to hers. The urge was too strong.

"You're no other man's to have.." His finger tightened over her waist. "You're mine..."

Aashi looked up at him intensely. He lowered his head, lips brushing her ear as he whispered.

"My girl..."

She cried again, and he kissed her before she could say anything, hungrier this time.

Aashi's fingers remained fisted in his shirt. Her heart was racing, her mind spinning. His hand was touching her with a passion she had never felt before, bolder, unrestrained , slipping under the fabric of her waist. She moaned unknowingly.

"Aashi.." He exhaled almost restlessly. His mouth moved to her exposed neck, sucking at the skin, drawing another broken sound from her.

"Ahn~"

Arshad melted into her sinful voice.

"I want more, Aashi.. I want all of you.." He said with an ache in his chest..

She couldn't stop him.. Not even when his hand had reached the swell of her breasts and fondled her.

She knew this was dangerous. She knew Arshad was dangerous.

But she was already too far gone in love. And she didn't want to be saved.

.

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.

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