DIVYA
His words made my head spin, my mind still reeling from the possessiveness in his voice, the intensity in his grey eyes sending shivers down my spine. I clenched my thighs as heat pooled between them, my body betraying the storm of emotions within. There was no denying itâI was deeply attracted to him. But this was more than simple desire. There was something deeper, something I couldnât quite grasp but could feel stirring within me.
He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, messing it up in that effortlessly sexy way. Guilt flashed across his face, surprising me. "Iâm sorry. I didnât mean it like that," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
I blinked, disbelief washing over me. Was he serious? One second heâs staking his claim, his voice dripping with possession, and the next, heâs apologizing like he didnât just turn my world upside down? Did he think I was some sort of toy?
"Do you think Iâm a fool?" I snapped, my voice louder than I intended. He looked startled, clearly not expecting my outburst. I was just as surprised as he wasâme, yelling at Raghav, the most feared and ruthless man alive. Maybe the alcohol was giving me courage I didnât know I had, or maybe it was the fury burning in my veins.
"How dare you!" I shouted, my chest heaving. "Do you really think you can toy with me? One minute, you make me feel like Iâm the only one, and the next, you act like I donât matter. Iâm not a fool, Raghav! Donât ever try to make me one!"
His expression shifted, the flicker of guilt deepening as I continued. "You have no right to mess with my feelings. You know how I feel about you, and yet you still play with me. Why? Am I not good enough for you? Am I notâ"
"I like you," he interrupted quietly.
I barely registered his words at first, too caught up in the fire of my own rage. "Donât you dare interrupt me when Iâmâ" I stopped mid-sentence, the meaning of what he said sinking in. He... likes me?
I stared at him, completely thrown off, my anger momentarily forgotten. He stood there, watching me, one eyebrow raised in amusement. "I like you, Divya," he repeated softly. "But I donât deserve you."
A bitter laugh escaped me. I closed my eyes, trying to rein in the whirlwind of emotions inside. "You donât deserve me?" I repeated, opening my eyes to glare at him. "Since when do you get to decide that? Who gave you the right to make decisions about my life?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but I held up a hand, stopping him. "You donât get to choose for both of us. I like you, Raghav. And if you like me too, then why canât we try? Why canât we see what this is between us?"
He shook his head, his eyes shadowed with something dark and unreadable. "You donât understand, Divya. My life... itâs filled with darkness. Your lightâit would get swallowed whole."
I stepped closer, my gaze never leaving his. "I donât mind losing my light to your darkness," I said softly. "Iâm not afraid of you."
His jaw tightened, his hands clenched at his sides as if he was holding back. "Iâll destroy you," he whispered, his voice hoarse with restraint.
"Iâm ready to be destroyed by you," I replied, my words hanging in the air between us, thick with meaning.
He shook his head again, this time more desperately. "Youâre not thinking straight. Youâre saying things you donât mean because of the alcoholâ"
"Shush," I whispered, placing a finger on his lips to silence him. The moment my skin touched his, a spark shot through me, an electric current that sent a jolt through my body. My pulse quickened, and I could feel the tension between us growing even more.
"I know exactly what Iâm saying," I murmured, my voice steady despite the wild thumping of my heart. "You have no idea what itâs been like for me. This... this feeling is tearing me apart. My heart beats only for you. My eyes search for you, no matter where I am. This isnât just a fleeting crush, Raghav. Itâs so much more than that."
The words tumbled out of me in a rush, leaving me breathless by the end. My chest rose and fell rapidly, and I could feel the weight of his gaze, as intense as the storm that was brewing between us. His eyes bore into mine, searching for somethingâperhaps a way to understand what was happening between us, or maybe a way to resist it. But I knew, just as surely as I knew my own heartbeat, that he felt it too.
Whatever this was, it was far from simple. And I wasnât going to let it slip through my fingers. Not now. Not ever.
He sighed, his eyes searching mine. "Look, Raghav, if you like me, then please, don't force yourself to stay away. Let's just give this a chance," I pleaded softly.
"You do realize that once you take this step, your simple and peaceful life will change forever," he warned, his voice grave.
I chuckled, feeling more confident than ever. "First of all, my life isn't perfect. And I donât mind a few changes. If anything, it feels thrilling," I said, meeting his gaze head-on. If he thought his words would scare me off, he was mistaken. For too long, I had taken a step back, convincing myself we weren't meant for each other. But now, knowing he had feelings for me, knowing there was hope for usâI couldn't let him go.
He studied me for a moment, as if weighing the truth in my words. "So, youâve made up your mind?" he asked, his tone more curious than doubtful.
I nodded eagerly.
Silence stretched between us for a beat before I finally asked, "So...?"
Raghav cupped my face gently, his touch igniting warmth beneath my skin. "So, Iâm taking you on a date tomorrow evening. Be ready by seven," he said, his voice softer now, more tender.
I gasped, my heart skipping a beat, then a wide smile broke across my face. Before I could stop myself, I jumped forward and hugged him tightly. He chuckled, his arms wrapping around me.
When the rush of joy faded, I awkwardly pulled back, feeling my cheeks heat with embarrassment. He seemed amused, a small smile lingering on his lips as he shifted the conversation.
"So, did you bring your car?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No, I came with Sakshi, but sheâs drunk, so weâll probably have to get a cab or something."
"If you donât mind, I can drop you home," he offered.
I felt a rush of warmth at his words. "I donât mind at all," I replied with a smile. "Let me grab my stuff."
I hurried back inside the club, quickly saying goodbye to my friends. Thankfully, Arsh had taken responsibility for getting Vaani and Sakshi home safely. I looked around for Rohan but realized he had already left. After waving one last goodbye to my friends, I stepped outside into the cool night air.
The wind was brisk, sending a chill through me as I spotted Raghav leaning casually against his car, one hand in his pocket, the other scrolling through his phone. He looked effortlessly handsome, devilish even, in the moonlight. When he saw me approach, he put his phone away and opened the passenger door for me with a small nod.
I smiled gratefully as I slid into the seat, appreciating the quiet gesture. The car ride was silent, both of us lost in our thoughts. Raghav kept his focus on the road while I stared out the window, the night sky a blur of stars and city lights. Now that the alcohol had worn off, the boldness Iâd shown earlier hit me with full force. Normally, I wouldâve never been so forward, but I didnât regret it.
The car came to a gentle stop outside my building, jolting me from my thoughts. Before I could even reach for the door handle, Raghav was already out, walking around to open it for me.
"Thanks," I murmured, stepping out of the car.
He stood there, watching me. My heart raced as I took a step closer, nerves fluttering in my stomach. On impulse, I rose onto my tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Goodnight," I whispered before pulling away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Without waiting for his reaction, I hurried toward the building, my heart pounding. Did I really just kiss his cheek? What must he be thinking right now?
But before I could take another step, I felt his hand close around mine. In a swift motion, he pulled me back, my body colliding with his chest. My breath caught as he leaned down, his intense gaze pinning me in place.
"Don't you ever run away from me like that," he growled, his deep, hoarse voice sending shivers down my spine.
I swallowed hard, lost in the gravity of the moment.
"Goodnight," he whispered softly, his lips brushing my forehead with a tenderness that left me breathless. "And just dream about me."
His lips lingered there for a moment, warm and possessive. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling before stepping back, offering him a shy smile. Without another word, I turned and hurried into the building, my heart racing, his touch still burning on my skin.
I pressed the button for the elevator, tapping my foot impatiently. The moment the doors slid open, I stepped inside. Just before the doors closed, I glanced ahead and saw him still leaning against his car, his gaze locked on me.
Our eyes met for a brief second, a quiet intensity passing between us before the lift doors sealed shut, cutting off the moment. My breath hitched as the doors closed, separating us. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of his stare lingering long after the elevator began its ascent.
I thought he wouldâve driven off by now, but he had stayed, making sure I got home safely. In moments like these, I couldnât help but wonderâwas this the same man who ruled the underworld with such ruthlessness? Or was he someone entirely different when it came to me?
Once inside my apartment, I flicked on the lights, slipping out of my heels with a sigh of relief. I changed into my nightdress, my thoughts still swirling around Raghav. As I crawled into bed, the excitement of the date tomorrow filled my mind. A smile tugged at my lips as I drifted off to sleep, thinking of him and what was to come.
The next day, I found myself standing outside a magnificent building under the scorching sun, growing impatient as I checked my watch. I was waiting for Vaani, who was, as usual, late. Finally, I saw a sleek black Maybach pulling up to the curb. Vaani stepped out, her signature smile lighting up her face.
"Hey!" she greeted, wrapping me in a tight hug.
"Hi," I replied, returning the embrace before pulling back. "You're late again," I complained, but she waved me off, ignoring my frustration and dragging me inside the building.
"What are we doing here? I just need a perfect dress for the date!" I exclaimed, confused and a bit annoyed. I had told Vaani about my upcoming date with Raghav, knowing she was the best at keeping secrets and also at helping me pick out the perfect outfit. I wasnât ready for everyone to know about the date yet, not until I had a clearer sense of where things were going between Raghav and me. Tonight's date would help us figure that out.
"Relax, you'll find out soon," Vaani replied with a sly smile.
As we stepped inside, I blinked against the sudden brightness and realized we were in a luxurious salon. My heart sank. I had taken a half day off from my gallery job to get ready for the date, and now here we were â in a salon. Was Vaani really planning a full-on pampering session for a simple date?
"Vaani, what are we doing here?" I hissed through gritted teeth, trying to suppress my irritation.
Instead of responding, Vaani walked over to a brunette girl, hugging her tightly. "Hi, Tia!" Vaani chirped.
"Hi, Vaani!" the girl, Tia, responded, smiling warmly.
Vaani turned to me with a grin. "Divya, meet Tia, a celebrity stylist. Tia, this is my friend Divya. Sheâs the one going on a date, and I need you to make her look absolutely stunning."
My eyes widened in shock. A celebrity stylist? Had Vaani lost her mind? All I needed was a dress, and here she was trying to get me dolled up like I was about to walk a red carpet! Before I could voice my protests, Vaani pushed me into a plush chair.
"Should we give her a makeover? Maybe cut her hair?" Tia suggested, examining my long locks.
"No!" I gasped, pulling my hair protectively. "No cutting!" They both laughed at my reaction.
"Relax, Rapunzel, no one's cutting your hair," Vaani teased, clearly enjoying my panic.
Tia smiled. "Alright, let's straighten her hair and give her a sleek, classy look. How does that sound?"
I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Tia then tilted my head, studying my face closely. "Her skin looks a little dull. We should start with a facial."
Before I could protest again, Vaani had already disappeared to pick out a dress, leaving me under Tia's care. Reluctantly, I changed into a bathrobe and settled back in the chair.
"Just relax," Tia reassured me with a smile as she prepped me for the facial. Despite my initial discomfort, I found myself loosening up, especially when she placed cool cucumber slices over my eyes. I sighed in relief, finally giving in to the pampering.
After a while, Tia ordered coffee and strawberry pastries, which I happily indulged in while she worked. By the time she was done with the facial, manicure, and pedicure, I felt surprisingly refreshed. My skin glowed, my nails were perfectly shaped, and I couldn't deny that I looked and felt much better.
"Thanks," I said with a smile, following Tia into another room, which was clearly the dressing room. Inside, I found Vaani sifting through a rack of dresses.
"You're finally here!" she exclaimed, turning to me with a grin. "You look so fresh and pretty!" She handed me a red satin ruched dress, then practically pushed me into a small fitting room to try it on.
It was a cute dressâshort, bold, and sleek. But as I stared at myself in the mirror, I knew it wasnât right for tonight. It felt more like something I'd wear to a club than a date. When I stepped out, both Vaani and Tia shook their heads in unison.
"Too much for a first date," Vaani said with a small frown.
Tia quickly handed me a black velvet off-shoulder dress. Simple, classyâmaybe too simple. I slipped it on, but once again, when I stepped out, they shook their heads.
I groaned in frustration, plopping down on a stool. "Where is he taking her?" Tia asked, clearly trying to figure out the vibe.
"Not sure, but he's rich, so itâll definitely be a fancy restaurant," Vaani replied, rifling through another rack of dresses.
"Okay, so we need something elegant, not too short, not too long," Tia mused, scanning the racks.
"Exactly," I added, hoping they could sense the urgency in my voice. Time was ticking, and I was getting more anxious by the minute.
After a few more minutes of searching, Tia held up a black strapless skater dress. "What about this?"
"Doesnât vibe," Vaani responded, shaking her head again.
Then, Tia pulled out a white dress. "How about this?"
Vaaniâs eyes lit up. "Oh, this could work! White looks great on her," she said, practically pushing me into the fitting room again.
The dress was perfectâspaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline, and a corset-style bodice that flared into a bodycon fit just above my ankles. It was simple, elegant, and exactly what I wanted. I stepped out, twirling a little for them, and they clapped in approval.
"I love this," I said with a smile, feeling more confident now. They hummed in agreement, then quickly ushered me into the chair to finish my hair and makeup.
With time running out, Tia handled the makeup while Vaani straightened my hair. Tia kept the makeup simple but added a bold, reddish lipstick that gave me just the right touch of glamour. They paired the dress with delicate floral diamond earrings and transparent heels. My nails were painted in a sleek white polish, adorned with intricate designs that added a sophisticated flair.
Once they were finished, I finally glanced at my reflection. I looked⦠different, in the best way possible. I felt sophisticated, elegant, and ready for whatever the night had in store. My heart raced with anticipation as I imagined Raghav's reaction.
"Thank you so much, Tia," I said as I headed toward the reception desk to pay. I pulled out my credit card, but Vaani quickly intercepted.
"No need," she said, giving me a playful glare.
"Tiaâs a friend, and besides, Vaani has a ton of points built up over the years that were about to expire tomorrow anyway," Tia chimed in with a grin. "Consider this a free session."
I opened my mouth to argue, but Vaani was already dragging me toward the door. "No arguing. Weâre running late!" she scolded and dragged me out of the salon. Seriously, does this girl even know how to walk? Always yanking me around like I'm some sort of rag doll.
Vaani dropped me off in front of my building, offering one final piece of advice before driving away. "Good luck! And donât forget to tell me every detail later!" she teased.
I glanced at my phone. It was 6:59. Just as the clock struck 7, I saw a sleek black Bugatti pulling up. A smile crept across my face as Raghav stepped out, his eyes locking onto me immediately. He stopped in his tracks, clearly taken aback by my appearance. His expression said it allâhe liked what he saw. And that, more than anything, made the three hours of getting ready worth it.
As he walked toward me, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me. Tonight wasnât just a date. It felt like the beginning of something special. I just hoped everything would go as perfectly as Iâd imagined.