RAGHAV
I closed my eyes for a moment, rubbing my temples as the throbbing pain behind my forehead intensified. The headache had been lingering since morning, and now it felt like my skull was splitting in two. Sleepless nights, coupled with persistent migraines, were really taking a toll on me.
"Sir?" a voice broke through the haze of pain, pulling me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see four pairs of expectant eyes staring back at me. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to focus. "I think we're good to go. Just send me the final blueprint, and if there are any changes, I'll let you know." With that, I stood up, eager to end the meeting.
The truth was, I hadn't heard a single word they said. It wasn't that I didn't want to-it was just that the pounding in my head made it impossible to concentrate. This meeting had felt like a formality anyway, just final adjustments for the upcoming renovation of our restaurants in New York. I had recently taken over a famous chain, and we were in the process of implementing new changes before a grand reopening. I'd review the final plans once they were sent over, but for now, I couldn't care less.
I sighed heavily as I stepped into the elevator, fumbling for my phone. The only thing on my mind was getting home and trying to sleep off this headache. A few hours of rest might do the trick.
But when I entered my office, the sight that greeted me was not what I expected.
Rohan was lounging on the couch, casually scrolling through his phone. His head snapped up when he heard the door, and his dark eyes met mine with a lazy, lopsided smile. I didn't bother acknowledging him, simply walking past him and sinking into the chair behind my desk. I leaned back and closed my eyes, hoping to find some relief in the brief moment of silence.
"Did you find him?" I asked, my eyes still closed, voice low and controlled.
The silence that followed was deafening. I waited, but no answer came. Annoyed, I snapped my eyes open, turning my head to look at him. Rohan sat there, his head lowered, a rare look of disappointment crossing his face. Finally, he sighed.
"No."
The word hung in the air between us, a heavy reminder of failure. Rohan was one of the most ruthless and efficient men in the underworld-someone feared and respected for his ability to track down anyone, anywhere. If he couldn't find my father, then this situation was far worse than I had anticipated.
"I'm sorry, Raghav..." he began, but I cut him off with a raised hand.
"It's fine," I said, though the frustration bubbling beneath the surface was hard to ignore. "He's cunning. It's no surprise he's difficult to find."
My father-a man I once trusted-had become a ghost. God knows where he was hiding, but wherever it was, it was far out of reach. I had sent Rohan to India with the hopes of getting a lead, anything that could bring me closer to him. But clearly, he had come up empty. If Rohan couldn't find him, there was a good chance no one could.
If that day hadn't gone the way it did... if Divya and Aakash hadn't gotten hurt... I would've already had him at my mercy. I would've made him pay for everything-for the destruction he caused, for ripping my life apart.
I wouldn't have just found him. I would've broken him.
I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed heavily.
"You look exhausted," Rohan remarked, his tone light but observant.
"Because I am," I replied, rubbing my temples. "I haven't been able to sleep properly for days."
He raised an eyebrow, and I could tell from the gleam in his eyes that whatever he was about to say next, I wasn't going to like it.
"So, Divya left your house and took your sleep with her, huh?" he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.
I clenched my jaw, shutting my eyes in annoyance. Not again. Ever since Divya had come over with my mother's painting as an apology, both Rohan and Nandini Aunty had been relentless, using every opportunity to tease me about her. Just the mention of her name filled me with warmth I wasn't ready to admit to. I had been doing my best not to think about her, but Rohan wasn't making that easy. Truth be told, he wasn't wrong. Divya had taken more than just my sleep-she'd taken my peace too. Ever since she left, the house felt hollow, more so than before. When she was there, it was filled with a warmth I couldn't explain. But now, that warmth was gone, leaving an emptiness that gnawed at me.
"Lost in her thoughts?" Rohan chuckled, pulling me from my spiraling mind.
I didn't dignify him with an answer. Instead, I switched on my desktop, pretending to focus on work, hoping he'd take the hint and leave. But, of course, this was Rohan. Instead of leaving, he leaned in, determined to push further.
"So, how was the awards function?" he asked casually, knowing exactly what he was doing.
I froze mid-typing, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Irritated, I glared at him. "What do you mean by that? Speak clearly."
He raised his eyebrows in amusement, that smug look never leaving his face. "What I mean is-you're in love."
I scoffed. "In your dreams."
"Yes, I thought it would always be just a dream to see the great Raghav Sinha in love," he said, grinning, "but not anymore."
I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair. "Give me one good reason why you think that."
"One?" He chuckled. "I could give you a thousand. For starters, you didn't think twice about flying her to Boston, and then you got her that plot for her art gallery."
"She saved my life," I replied, waving it off. "That was just me showing my gratitude."
"Right. And what about the awards function?" He pressed on, undeterred.
"What about it?" I tried to play it cool, but I knew exactly where this was going.
"Raghav, you never attend those events. You hate them. But the moment you found out that Divya would be there, not only did you decide to go-you even presented the award to her." His eyes gleamed with triumph, knowing he'd cornered me.
He was right. I did go there for her. I hadn't even tried to convince myself otherwise. I just wanted to see her. That was the only reason I went. I never expected to miss her as much as I did. Before her, I thought the only person I'd ever miss was my mother. But Divya? She had wormed her way into my mind, into my routine, and now, everything felt incomplete without her.
"I only did it for the media, to maintain good PR," I lied through my teeth.
Rohan shook his head, smiling knowingly. "You've changed, man. Love has changed you. But in a good way."
I chuckled internally. It wasn't just me Divya had changed. She'd even softened my ruthless pet, Arctic. Whenever I go to pet him, he looks at me sadly, almost as if asking, Where is Divya? I still can't believe that my ferocious tiger, capable of killing in an instant, had grown fond of someone like her. But that was Divya. She had this unexplainable power to mesmerize anyone, even someone as cold as me.
That night at the awards function, she looked like something out of a dream. The way she carried herself in that white dress, the sparkle in her eyes when I handed her the award-it was enchanting. The second she saw me, her whole face lit up with joy. And the men there? They were staring at her like she was some prize. I had to leave quickly before the urge to destroy each of them consumed me.
Divya wasn't the type of woman I usually found myself with. She was everything I should hate-sweet, caring, innocent. All traits I normally despised. Yet, I was drawn to her, not in the usual way, not out of lust, though she was undeniably beautiful. No, it was deeper than that. I wasn't just attracted to her looks; I was drawn to her very soul, to her presence. She had become something I needed-like air.
Is this love? The thought crept in before I could stop it. But I quickly shook it off. No. It couldn't be. I wasn't capable of love. And Divya? She deserved someone far better than me. Someone who wouldn't drag her into the dangerous world I lived in. My life was filled with darkness, violence, and revenge. And she? She was light. That light would be snuffed out in my world.
And more importantly, I needed to stay focused. Divya was a distraction. A dangerous one. If I wasn't careful, she'd pull me off the path of revenge I'd spent so long walking.
The sound of a message ping pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced over to see Rohan typing on his phone, a rare smile tugging at his lips. He seemed genuinely happy, which was unusual.
Feeling my eyes on him, he looked up and caught my questioning gaze.
"Anyway," he said, standing up quickly, "I'll take my leave now." He hurried out of the office before I could say another word.
I frowned, wondering if he was hiding something, but brushed it off. I was too exhausted to think much of it. I needed rest. And hopefully, tonight I wouldn't lose myself in thoughts of Divya.
I shut down my desktop, grabbed my phone, and walked out of the cabin. On my way out, I informed Rachel, my secretary, to cancel all my meetings for the rest of the day. I needed a break-desperately.
As I stepped outside, I spotted Julius, my driver, waiting beside the car. The moment he saw me, he sprang into action, opening the passenger door. I slid inside, sighing deeply as I settled into the seat.
"Take me home," I instructed, leaning my head against the cool glass window. I closed my eyes, but almost instantly, her face flashed before me-Divya, with her innocent, wide-eyed expression, haunting my every thought. I groaned internally and opened my eyes, annoyed. Why am I thinking about her so much? This wasn't good. Not for my sanity, and certainly not for my heart.
When we reached home, I went straight to my room, bypassing Nandini Aunty, who was busy in the kitchen. I didn't want to interrupt her, nor did I feel like having any sort of conversation. After changing into more comfortable clothes, I tossed two painkillers down my throat, hoping they'd knock me out. Thankfully, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I slipped into a deep sleep without a single thought of her.
The sharp sound of my phone ringing jarred me awake. Irritated, I rolled over and grabbed it without even glancing at the caller ID.
"Hello?" I muttered, rubbing the stubble on my chin.
"Raghav," Rohan's familiar voice came through the line.
I hummed in response, signaling him to continue.
"Let's hit the club tonight-have a few drinks," he suggested casually.
"Which one?" I asked.
"Sapphire," he replied.
"Alright, I'll be there in an hour," I said before hanging up.
I didn't have much going on anyway, and maybe a night out would clear my head. A few drinks, some distraction, and I might finally stop thinking about Divya-at least for a while. Plus, I needed to focus on finding my father, that bastard who's been evading me for far too long.
I quickly changed into a black V-neck t-shirt and matching black trousers, running a comb through my hair before spraying on my favorite cologne. I grabbed my keys and phone, heading downstairs.
As I reached the bottom of the staircase, Aunty Nandini glanced up from the kitchen and asked, "Going somewhere?"
"I'll be late tonight. Don't wait up-have dinner and rest," I replied, making my way to the door.
I slipped behind the wheel of my car and ignited the engine. The city greeted me with its usual traffic as soon as I hit the main road. Welcome to New York. It took almost an hour to reach Sapphire, the nightclub.
After parking the car, I headed straight to the entrance, ignoring the long lines of people waiting outside. Sapphire was one of the most prestigious nightclubs in New York, and I happened to own a share in it. The bouncers didn't even blink as they let me pass, recognizing me from my frequent visits.
As I stepped into the club, I was immediately swallowed by a storm of disco lights, pounding music, and an overwhelming surge of bodies. The weekend had drawn a dense crowd, making it almost impossible to navigate through the sea of people. My eyes darted around, scanning the chaotic blur in search of Rohan, but it was a futile effort. The thumping bass reverberated through my skull, intensifying the headache already brewing behind my temples. Frustrated, I finally gave up and reached for my phone to call him.
Just as my fingers hovered over the screen, a familiar silhouette caught the corner of my eye. My breath hitched, and I quickly turned to confirm what my instincts had already recognized. There she was-Divya-standing just a few feet away, dressed in a brown mini leather dress that accentuated every curve, her legs glistening under the shifting lights. The dress clung to her like a second skin, perfectly showcasing her curvy figure. Her long hair cascaded freely, swaying with her movements as she danced, unaware of the spell she was casting on everyone around her.
I couldn't see her face fully, as she had her back to me, but then she tilted her head slightly, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her side profile. Tonight, she looked different-bolder, more alluring. Yet, even in this daring outfit, there was a delicate innocence about her, an unintentional seduction that drew me in deeper. The sight of her in that dress was enough to stir something primal within me, an urge so intense I could barely contain it. I wanted to claim her, to hide her away where no one else could touch her, or even see her.
Heat coursed through my body as my gaze locked onto her swaying hips, moving with an effortless grace. She looked like a siren, captivating and dangerous, drawing all eyes to her as she moved. There was no denying the surge of arousal that stirred within me. Just watching her was enough to ignite something primal.
A surge of possessiveness tightened my chest, a feeling that startled me. I had only known Divya for a few months, yet here I was, consumed by the thought of her with someone else. They say the right woman comes along when you least expect it, changing your world before you even realize it. And here she was, the one I never saw coming, pulling me into a storm of emotions I wasn't prepared for.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd jostled her, causing her to stumble into Rohan's arms. My blood boiled as I saw him holding her, their bodies pressed together, too close for my liking. Anger and jealousy flared within me, a fire that I couldn't extinguish. Without thinking, I pushed through the crowd, my movements fueled by a primal rage, and yanked her out of his arms. She gasped softly, her eyes wide as she looked up at me, whispering my name, "Raghav."
I took a moment to drink in her appearance-bold makeup enhancing her features, making her look like an enchantress sent to test my every resolve. She was temptation personified, and I knew in that moment that I was lost. I was a sinner, and she was my sin.
I glared at Rohan, who simply smirked back at me, and the truth dawned-this was his doing. He had lured me here, orchestrated this meeting, and thrown Divya into the mix. But I was too consumed by jealousy and possessiveness to care. I would deal with him later. Right now, I had to focus on the woman in front of me-the woman who had unknowingly brought me to my knees.
"Raghav, let me go," she protested, her voice rising in anger as she tried to pull free from my grip. But I only tightened my hold, fueled by the need to claim what was mine.
Ignoring her pleas, I dragged her through the club, my pace quickening as the image of her in Rohan's arms replayed in my mind, stoking the fire of jealousy until it threatened to consume me. She was mine, and no one else had the right to even look at her, let alone touch her.
Just the thought of her with someone else ignites a fury so intense, I can't believe I ever considered letting her go. She belongs to me-no one else. How could I have even entertained the thought of anyone else laying claim to her?
Earlier, I had feared pulling her into the shadows of my world, a place tainted with darkness she should never have to face. But that fear has been eclipsed by a need I can no longer deny. She is the light my darkness craves, the beacon that could illuminate the void I've lived in for so long.
We reached the parking lot, and without thinking, I pushed her against the nearest wall, caging her in with my arms on either side of her head.
I cage her within my arms-the only arms capable of holding this innocent angel.
She blinked up at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and confusion. Her innocence, so pure and untouched, was going to be the death of me.
I could feel her trembling under my gaze as I leaned in closer, my breath warm against her skin. She belonged to me-this angelic creature who had unknowingly wandered into the devil's lair. And now that I had her, I wasn't letting go.
I've become the devil that craves the purity of an angel, and I know now there's no turning back. This angel belongs to me, and only me.
My voice is a rough whisper, thick with possessiveness as I lean in closer, our faces mere inches apart. "You're mine, Divya. Only mine."
She doesn't respond, but the look in her eyes says it all-she knows she's crossed into a world from which there is no escape, and she knows that I'm the one who will guard that world fiercely.
I claimed her in that moment, not with words but with the undeniable truth that neither of us could ignore. She's mine, and no force on this earth could change that.
This angel belongs to no one but the devil in me.