Mumbai
Jannat Villa
The next morning, Haya woke up before Rudraksh. It seemed like he wasn't planning to go to the office today either. She took a deep breath, picked up her clothes, and went inside the washroom.
When Haya stepped out, Rudraksh was still asleep. She stood there for a while, just staring at him. His eyes were closed, his sharp features accentuated by the light stubble on his face. Even in his sleep, there was a certain harshness to his expression, as if his authority and dominance never truly left him.
Haya didn't realize how long she had been looking at him until she heard a deep, cold voice break the silence.
"If you're done staring at me, maybe you could find something else to do?"
Her eyes widened in shock. That meant this man had been awake the whole time?
Flustered, she quickly tried to cover up her embarrassment and retorted, "I wasn't staring at you! I was just wondering how someone could look this terrible even in their sleep."
As soon as Haya spoke, Rudraksh, who had been lying there with his eyes still closed, suddenly opened his piercing blue eyes and looked straight at her. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him with a swift tug.
"Just a moment ago, you said you weren't looking at me. And now, you're saying you were? Hmm..." He let out a mocking chuckle, his gaze turning sharp as he studied her face. "Lying must be in your blood, Haya Diwan. From childhood until now, all you've ever done is lie." His voice was calm, yet it held an edge, as if he was peeling away layers to expose something hidden within her.
Haya, however, didn't falter. With a slow, deliberate movement, she wrapped her hands around his neck, her touch deceptively soft. But before Rudraksh could react, a sharp sting made him hiss.
"Ah..." He let out a faint groan.
She had used the pin from her hair, pressing it lightly against the side of his neck, just enough to make him feel a quick jab of pain. Rudraksh's grip on her waist loosened slightly, but he still hadn't let go.
His fingers pressed into her waist possessively as he murmured in a low, husky voice, "So wild..." But before he could finish his sentence, he stopped, his gaze locking onto hers. Haya's face held nothing but sheer anger, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Rudraksh had every intention of teasing her further, enjoying the way she fumed in front of him, but before he could act on it, his phone rang, interrupting the moment.
Without saying another word, he picked up the call, his grip on Haya finally loosening. She gave him an annoyed glare before making a face and storming out of the room, leaving Rudraksh smirking behind her.
Main Hall
Everyone was seated downstairs when Haya walked in. The moment Mannat Ji saw her, she smiled warmly and said, "Haya, today it looks like the whole world is talking about you."
Saying this, she slid the newspaper toward Haya. Her pictures were spread across the front page, shining brightly. Haya only smiled faintly and looked around at everyone.
Just then, Pushkar Shekhawat spoke in his usual composed manner, "Haya, where is Rudraksh?"
Before Haya could respond, Rudraksh's deep voice echoed from the staircase as he descended. "I have a feeling, Dadu, that you can't seem to rest without me. You always find a reason to call me, don't you?" His tone was laced with amusement.
Pushkar Shekhawat chuckled and replied, "You're absolutely right. The whole family is here, and I have something important to discuss. I am leaving for Germany today. I have some work with your old uncle."
Pushkar Shekhawat was referring to his only friend, Anthonyâone of the biggest businessmen, currently residing in Germany. If Pushkar Shekhawat was known for his strictness, then Anthony was on an entirely different level. He had always been harsher toward Rudraksh, even more than Pushkar Shekhawat himself.
Rudraksh and Anthony never got along well. Since childhood, their relationship had always been strained because Anthony was far more strict with him than even his grandfather. However, there was no denying that Anthony had taught Rudraksh the finer nuances of business, shaping him into the man he had become today.
Rudraksh, suppressing his smirk and his evident joy, said, "Dadu, why do you even need to go to that old man? Just call him here instead."
Pushkar Shekhawat, unaffected by his grandson's sarcasm, replied calmly, "I know very well how happy you are about my departure, Rudraksh. But remember one thingâHaya should not face any problems in my absence. I am entrusting her responsibility to Max. He will look after everything."
Saying this, Pushkar Shekhawat placed his hand gently on Haya's head in a gesture of blessing and then left.
Rudra and Shivaay accompanied him as they headed out.
As Falak hurriedly spoke, "Okay, Bhabhi! Mom, I'm leaving for college!" she rushed out, barely waiting for a response.
Meanwhile, Arina, who was calmly having her breakfast, looked at Haya and said, "Haya, come and have breakfast."
Haya glanced at Arina and then at the food in front of her, but her mind was elsewhereâstuck on Falak's words. She's going to college... A thought sparked inside her, an old desire that she had buried long ago. The yearning to study, to be in a classroom, to learn. But she quickly silenced that thought.
How can a daughter-in-law of the Shekhawat family go to college?
She questioned herself, and before she could let her mind wander further, she answered her own questionâShe can't.
Rudraksh had already finished his breakfast, but Haya had barely touched hers. Arina noticed this and asked softly, "What's wrong, Haya? Is something bothering you? Or do you not like this?"
Haya quickly shook her head. "No, Bhabhi, it's nothing like that. I just got lost in some thoughts."
Saying this, she forced herself to focus on breakfast again, but before she could take a bite, Rudraksh leaned in dangerously close to her and murmured, "Really? My reluctant wife, were you lost in thoughts about our 'special moments'?"
His voice was low and teasing, his breath fanning against her skin. Haya's eyes snapped up, and she glared at him with pure intensity, resisting the urge to throw something at his smug face.
Later that Evening
Dinner was soon over, and as Rudraksh wiped his hands and got up, he turned to his mother and said, "Mom, I have some important work. I'm heading out."
Ishaan, who was just settling into his seat, frowned and asked, "But I thought you weren't going to the office today?"
Rudraksh smirked slightly and replied in a lazy tone, "It's an important meeting. I have to go. And no, I'm not going to the office. I have somewhere else to be. Besides, spending the whole day tolerating the 'specimen' you brought home is way too much for me. So, I figured staying out is a better option."
Saying this, he suddenly leaned down, his lips brushing just near Haya's ear as he whispered, "Bye, my reluctant wife."
And with that, he walked out, leaving Haya fuming in her seat, cursing him in her mind with every insult she could think of.
Luxury Restaurant â Top Floor, Mumbai
The extravagant restaurant was nearly empty except for Rudraksh and a few men dressed in all-black, seated around him. The walls of the restaurant were made of glass, offering a panoramic view of the dazzling city lights of Mumbai from the top floor.
Rudraksh sat there in silence, his sharp blue eyes fixated on the glass wall in front of him, lost in thought. The men around him remained quiet, waiting for him to speak, their expressions a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
Behind him stood Max, observing his boss's ever-changing expressions. He had worked with Rudraksh long enough to know that silence from him was often more dangerous than his words. This time, Max leaned slightly forward and spoke in a low voice, "Sir, Irvin wants to talk to you."
At this, Rudraksh slowly turned his gaze toward Max, his piercing stare making the air around them feel heavier. His voice was calm yet laced with a quiet warning.
"Do I look deaf to you?"
Max immediately straightened up. "Not at all, Boss."
Rudraksh smirked slightly before speaking again, his tone mocking. "Then why did you feel the need to whisper that into my ears?"
Without waiting for an answer, he shifted his attention to Irvin, who was seated across from him, and finally spoke, "I am offering you the world's most expensive and exclusive drugsâones that no one has ever seen before. And in return, I want a thousand crores. If you agree, we proceed. If not..."
He deliberately left his sentence unfinished, letting the weight of his words sink in.
Irvin, who had been listening patiently, clenched his jaw before responding, "Mr. Rudraksh, a thousand crores is no small amount. It's a huge sum, and I expect you to finalize this deal according to our terms."
Hearing this, Rudraksh leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable as he narrowed his eyes at Irvin.
"And the drugs I'm offering you are no child's play either. Your entire lineage would have to sell itself to afford them. The price I've quoted is according to your so-called status. And let me remind youâBlack Devil's rule is absolute. What I decide is final."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority, sending a clear messageâthere was no room for negotiation.
Irvin stood up, his face hardening. "You're making a mistake, Rudraksh Shekhawat."
Rudraksh, however, merely leaned back against the sofa, his smirk returning. "Mistakes don't exist in my life, Irvin. And I have no interest in listening to your lectures. If you came here for a deal, then focus on that. Don't try to be my teacher."
With that, he cast a glance toward Max, who immediately understood the unspoken command.
Irvin was no foolâhe knew challenging Rudraksh could cost him more than just money. And he also knew that Rudraksh was right. The kind of drugs he was offering were unlike anything the world had seen.
After a long moment of silence, Irvin finally exhaled deeply and said, "Fine. I'm in."
Hearing his acceptance, Rudraksh shot a brief glance at Max. Without wasting another second, Max handed over a pen and the necessary documents to Irvin.
Rudraksh didn't bother staying for the rest of the formalities. As he stood up, he turned to Max and said, "Handle the rest."
Without sparing Irvin another glance, Rudraksh walked out of the restaurant, leaving behind an air of dominance that no one dared to challenge.
Who exactly is Irvin? What is his true motive, and why is he challenging Rudraksh? Is Haya about to face a new storm in her life?
Find out inâ The Devil's Sweet Sin
Every twist in this story will keep you hooked!