XXXII. Temptation

"All I ask you is to promise me that you will wait. I will come to you when I am ready. Wait for me. "

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I heard many members tell me different things about married life. Some said that the first year of marriage would be easy as the husband's interest in the wife will be new and the problems will start in the second year of marriage. Others told her that the first year would be difficult because a wife must get accustomed to the different life with new people and they say that the rest of the road in marriage will have small bumps.

I do not know which one I should consider. My situation seemed similar to both.

After explaining my plan to Akshaya. We went over the things we need to cover and things to investigate. We did not believe that Vinay uncle could do anything to harm Abhi. Akky agreed with my theory that he was blackmailed. So we are going to start the investigation by checking his call records.

I am satisfied that I have my friend to look forward to the matter. Even Nihal is going to help us. And we three together are going to find the culprit and punish them for blaming Vinay. I doubt that the culprit might be my parents' murderer.

But the thing which kept me worried is my husband's absence. The sun has set and it was dark. My mind went to many dark places thinking of the possibilities of what might have happened.

I looked down at my phone, it displayed that it was ten in the evening. I sighed for the thousandth time. My fingers hovered my mobile. I closed my eyes for a moment.

Little me was running from the house looking back waiting to see if someone followed me. My feet hurt from running barefoot. I stopped in front of the car and saw two people lying lifelessly inside the car. I approached them slowly and saw two familiar bodies covered in blood. Someone screamed, and I realized that it was I screaming. My hands were trying to touch my parents. I extended my hand and as I touched them, their faces changed and they transformed into Abhi and Diya.

I stumbled back in shock. "No." I covered my mouth trying to choke my sob. I noticed that my hand was not small. I looked down and saw older me. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a fire start in the car. I rushed in the direction but was unable to move further.

"No, let me go." I tried to break free and started beating aimlessly.

Nothing happened to the glass and my hand. "Stop the fire. Help." I started looking around to ask someone for help. I looked around and found myself captivated in a glass chamber. I looked in the direction of the car and found ashes in its place.

I fell on my knees and started crying. "Don't leave me. Abhi." I whispered. Then I heard some distinct chuckle.

"Look at the poor Avni's fate." I didn't look up and kept looking at the ash weeping.

"Don't start crying now. Even though it is a sole companion you got." The voice chuckled. I lifted my head and started looking around but found no one in the vicinity.

"You are the reason your parents died that day. Why did you call them Avni?" I found a mirror image of mine glaring at me viciously.

"And now because of you my husband and daughter died!" I shook my head in negative.

"No, I didn't do anything." I heard myself reply in a small voice.

"Pathetic Avni. You destroyed my life. You killed my mom and dad. Now, you caused the death of my husband and child. How cruel can you get?" Tears started flowing down my cheeks.

"No, I didn't kill anyone," I replied.

"A murderer. You are a murderer, Avni." I placed my hands on my ears when that word started revolving in my brain.

"Murderer."

"Murderer."

"No, I am not." With that, I gasped and opened my eyes.

I found myself in the living room of the house. I tried to gulp in the air as I looked at my surroundings.

"It is a dream. Just a nightmare." I repeated the words trying to calm my overbearing heart.

I checked the time on my phone. It showed eleven in bright light. I looked at the doorway waiting to hear the sound of any vehicle.

"I don't care now." I dialed the number and waited as the phone started ringing.

It was the first time I called him after he left the house. I knew that he didn't want to hear from me, so I waited patiently for him to arrive home or give me a message about his whereabouts. I already spoke to Diya and instructed her to listen to her aunt. I promised her that I would meet her tomorrow. I needed to hear his voice and see whether he is safe or not.

"The number you dialed..... " I cut the call and dialed again when he did not lift the call. I had no hope that he will answer the call.

"Hello," I was shocked when I heard a voice reply back. It took me a second to realize that it was not my husband.

"Where is my husband?" I asked the question in a hard voice. My mind was playing different scenarios and the nightmare I got didn't help either.

"Emm, Miss your husband is at the bar." The person spoke after a second of hesitation.

"Gimme my mobile. You bad man." I heard my husband's voice in the background.

I released a breath of relief after listening to him. He sounded drunk but safe and the latter one held my priority.

"Where?" The person gave me the address. After noting the address, I ran out of the door and opened a car door, when someone placed a hand on the door stopping me from getting in.

I followed the direction of the hand and found James looking back in my eyes.

"Where are you going ma'am?" He asked politely.

James, I respect him as he took care of Abhi's security. I trust him, so I answered him.

"I am going to a bar to get my drunken husband back." Was my flat reply.

"Let me drive you their ma'am. You may need my help." He explained himself when I was about to reject his offer. I thought for a while and nodded my head agreeing for him to drive me, as I may need his help.

He opened the backseat door for me and closed it once I climbed in. James got into the driver's seat and started the car.

"Why didn't you follow him?" I knew that he followed Abhi 24/7 and I was curious in knowing that why he didn't follow Abhi.

James looked in the rearview mirror and caught my eye. "I was not there when he left and when I called him he asked me to leave him alone." I became silent listening to his answer as guilt found its way back to my heart.

"What is the bar name?" James asked bringing me out of my guilt feeling thoughts.

"Temptation."

"Are you sure?" He asked me after listening to the name.

"Yes." He started driving but he was tense. I noted a hint of hesitance in his tone when he heard the name.

Let us wait and see what my husband was up to.

After a short journey, we arrived at the location. I looked outside from the window and found the place in a dark corner. There was literally no one surrounding the building except for the bouncers. I looked at the small board with lights displaying the name of the pub. The lights reflected in the dark area, and there were no streetlights except for those display ones.

James parked the car and I got down not waiting for him to open the door. With determined steps, I tried to approach the bar but someone stopped me.

I looked behind me and scowled at James for holding my hand. "Ma'am, why don't you wait in the car while I bring him."

I gave him a, I can handle him look. "I can manage. Thanks for dropping me here." With that, I turned in the direction of the bar and headed towards it. As I approached the door, someone placed his hand out preventing me from getting in.

"Sorry, ma'am. You can't get in." The person on the right asked. I looked at them but was unable to see his face. But I can tell that be was well built.

"I need to go inside. My husband is there and he is drunk." I pointed inside. The right one looked at the left one and they shared a look.

The left one answered. "Ma'am, if your husband is inside then he will not want touch to go in there."

"I got a call telling me to come and get him. Now please move aside." I tried to go in but those people stopped me by blocking the door.

"It is not a place for girls." The right one said in a rough voice. I didn't understand his meaning but his gaze slid down my dress. I looked down and found myself dressed in plain top and black jeans. I knew what was running in their minds.

A girl with simple clothing and a bandage on her head. I think I definitely what they were thinking. They stopped looking at me and looked behind me when they heard his voice.

"Move."

At that command, we three looked behind and found James approaching us. He came and stood in front of me. "I will take care of her. You can move now." With that command, they moved like scared mice excluding the squeaking.

Even though the bouncers were well built they didn't match up to James. He was a freaking giant.

James opened the door for me. I went inside and it was completely dark. My eyes adjusted to it and I could make out the silhouette of others. Some people must be men were speaking to others in whispers.

When I approached everyone stared at me. Their stares didn't bother me as I was focused on finding my husband.

"Mrs.Goenka, did the person tell us anything about where to find sir?"

"Bar." With that James took lead and guided me to the bar. I didn't look up and kept my head down not wanting to look at others.

"Omph," I collided with James as he stood like a statue in front of me.

"You could have warned me." I rubbed my nose. It hurts from getting hit by him, he was like a stone.

"What happened?" When he didn't respond. I slowly walked in front of him. He was staring at someone, I followed his gaze and wished that I didn't.

There in a chair seated were my husband and a lady who was dressed skimpily and was giving him a lap dance. I would have ignored it and blamed the alcohol but he was rubbing her all over encouraging her.

My heart broke into million pieces. I expected him to get drunk in a bar but not get a lap dance.

I thought that he loved me enough not to cheat on me. I hoped that after clearing the misunderstandings we can live as a happy couple but I was wrong.

My eyes started stinging, not wanting to cry because of him. I looked around and got another shock.

The place, Temptation is not a bar nor a pub. But a strip club. Oh, joy!

"It is the reason, I stopped you from entering." With that, I broke out of my thoughts.

"Let's get him and get out of here." I approached the couple with determined steps.

"Wh-ere is m-my Av-ni?" Were the words my dear husband spoke. The woman who was riding him started grinding fast.

"Oh, your wife must be at your house." With that, she started kissing his ear. I halted in my steps.

I turned my emotions off. It was not the time to feel sad about my pathetic life. I waited to listen to my husband's reply before I drag him away from this place.

"But, y-ou told me you are Avni." He moaned. I lifted my eyebrow amused by him. Did he think the woman on his lap was me, she was blonde and probably higher than me. My husband really needs to check his eyes. My husband loves me that he can't even remember my built, I thought sarcastically.

"Oh, I mentioned that I may become your wife for tonight." She purred but that voice was like chalk-drawn on a black board.

"Let's see what my husband does. If he loves me or not." I informed James, from his facial expressions he didn't want to do as I suggested.

Well, life is full of surprises.

"I lo-ve m-my wife. Get off me." He hiccupped. He kept looking straight ahead as if lost in his thoughts.

The woman huffed. "Your wife must be a pathetic woman. She let you go. And I will show you what a woman can do, you will be begging me for more after I am done with you." She caught Abhi's face between her hands and moved her face forward.

I clenched my hands and turned around. Seeing them together was difficult but him begging as if I was his wife and her trying to kiss him. It was enough for me.

I tried to leave but then I heard a screech and looked around.

There the woman who was on his lap was on the floor. And my dear husband was standing above her.

"Don't you dare ca-ll my Av-ni that!. I love her and you are nothing compared t-o her." And hope arose in my heart after listening to his words.

"But you were begging me to touch you." The woman pathetically begged her.

"No, I love m-my Av-ni only." And those words were enough to reassure me. I walked to my husband and started pulling him out with me.

"I will set the bill and follow you," James informed me and went to clear the bill.

I didn't stop and neither Abhi showed any resistance. We were almost near the door but someone stopped me from proceeding further.

I glared hard at the blonde girl. She stood in front of me blocking the door.

"Move." There was power in that word that I didn't know I had.

"That was s-s sexy." My husband whispered in my ears sending shivers down my body. I didn't break my stare with the girl standing in front of me.

There was fear in her eyes but she took a stand for herself. "You can't take him. You look pathetic and like a beggar." I don't think that she wanted to squeak, she looked more pathetic than me.

I respect others, but if they disrespect me then I will show them the power.

I smiled at her in a non-pleasant way. "You can go and do as you please but I am taking my husband with me and don't you dare stop me."

She looked doe-eyed. "Leave." With my final command, she scurried off like a scaredy-cat.

I took Abhi and left that place, ignoring the anxious look the bouncers sent in my direction. I stopped in front of the car. I left Abhi's hand.

I bent my head and took a lung full of fresh air. Even though there was no smoke inside, the air inside was thick and anxiousness inside me didn't allow me to breathe properly.

"Av-ni, I feel sick." After listening to his words, she lifted her head and found him heaving over the side of the road.

I approached him slowly. I placed my hand on his back and patted him with comforting words. "There, there. Everything is fine." After he completed emptying his stomach, he sat in the same place not moving his muscles an inch.

"Here drink." I handed him a water bottle which James brought from inside. Bless him for his thought.

After Abhi drank some water. James helped him into the passenger's seat. I slid beside him and we were off.

There was pin-drop silence in the car. I kept staring outside not wanting to face him. I could feel his eyes on me but I didn't meet his eyes. I don't know what to feel.

I feel betrayed that he let a woman touch him, grateful that he didn't get any injuries.

I felt him touch my hand, I jerked from my seat. He was looking at the window, but his fingers intertwined mine. I couldn't stop the smile that appeared on my face. I turned my head so that he can't see me smiling like a fool at his simple action.

This gesture made me forget everything about the things that happened in the club. It made me forget about the things he said earlier this day. It gave me hope that my husband will never leave me and that was enough.

We arrived at the house. James got out of the car and waited outside turning his back towards us. I tried to remove my hand from his grip but his hold on it tightened making the task impossible for me.

"Please." I don't know why those words left my mouth. And I definitely don't know what I meant by that word.

I was asking him to leave my hand or hold it. I don't know what my heart is wishing and I left the choice to him.

His hold on my hand tightened. "Never" I understood the depth of emotion in that single word. His promise for not leaving me.

He placed his hands on my face and lifted my head. I looked into the blue eyes, which were sparkling because of the light falling on them.

He removed the hair from my face and placed it behind my ear. His eyes were red from drinking but I believe that drunken people always tell the truth or so I thought.

"Why did you lie to me? We were happy living our life, then you go and spoil it. I trusted you and you broke my heart." I placed my hand on his mouth stopping him from speaking more.

"I didn't break your trust and never lied to you." After hearing, my words he took kissed the palm of my hand covering his mouth.

"I know. My heart always tells me to trust you and love you. But my brain refuses me to accept you." I felt bad for putting him in a position where he was having an internal struggle with his heart and brain.

He leaned towards me and placed his head in my lap. I stroked his hair with my fingers. "Keep doing it. It is nice." He moaned and I continued.

"When I said I loved you, it was different from what I felt for Seema. I thought I loved you less than her." My hand halted.

Did he just say that he loves her more than me? What a pathetic life Avni? Even your husband loves his ex-girlfriend more than me. There made be really no hope for our future together. Maybe I deserve to live like this for causing

my parents--

I shook my head when I felt him push my hand to his hair. I cleared my throat and continued the massage.

"But Avni, why does it hurt more." I didn't understand what he was speaking. When I questioned him about it he started explaining in detail.

"When she cheated on me I felt pain in my heart. But when I got to know about your lies, my heart felt like it broke into pieces. What is this Avni?" I have no answer to that question.

"I don't know." Was my answer to him. I really didn't know what he was feeling.

If his heart broke when he learned about it, why didn't he give me a chance to explain? Why did he leave me behind begging him to give me a chance? Why did I find him in a strip club with a woman?

I really don't know.

"Avni, promise that you will not leave me. I may be difficult with you but promise me." He mumbled that words and started snoring softly.

Can I do it? Can I promise him that I will stay with him? Can I watch him be with her? And importantly can I share Diya and him with her?

The answer was NO. But I gave him an entirely different answer.

"I promise."

And I thought we were together in this. But I was wrong.

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I was on my way to the office. James was there waiting for me when I came out of the house.

I didn't see him after he helped me put my husband on the bed. He changed Abhi's dress and vanished into thin air.

I had a good sleep that day despite being a bad day. Maybe sleeping beside my husband and knowing that our relationship is intact kept me in a brighter mood.

I even chirped to Seema in the morning. Only if I have seen my husband my mood would have been thousand's times brighter.

Yes, he left for the office before I woke up.

We arrived at the office and waving goodbye to James I went inside the building.

Everyone approached me after seeing my wound. They asked me many questions but I reassured them. Abhi coming ahead of me and being in a bad mood and our absence yesterday created a lot of spur. And the wound on my forehead added fire to it.

I got into the private elevator by swapping my id. Yes, I got my id for the private elevator after they got to know me as Arjun's daughter.

I got down at Abhi's floor. I worked on the floor below him but I wanted to meet him before I start my day.

"Good morning sir." I wished Karthik cheerfully. His smile looked tight, but I ignored it.

"Good mor-, are you fine Avni." He asked after seeing my wound. He addressed me with my name as I insisted on him.

I placed my hand over the bandage on my forehead. "It's fine. I slipped and got this wound. I am clumsy sometimes." He nodded his head clearly knowing how clumsy I can get.

"Is he in there?" His face became blank listening to my words. I didn't understand it.

"What happened?" He slid a file in my direction. My heart started stammering hard. My brain started running different possibilities. Are those divorce papers? Not wanting to ask that question aloud. I took the papers and started reading them.

"These are contract papers," I whispered and sighed in relief. I signed those papers when I joined the company.

Karthik seeing me smiling explained the meaning behind it making the smile fall.

"These are the papers you signed. You need to work in this company for one year."

"Yes, I know. I am working in this company."

He ignored my words and continued explaining. "According to this contract, you need to work under him as a secretary for one year. Or you need to resign from this company."

Secretary.

Did he really order me to be his secretary after yesterday night!

Hello guys,

I am back with an update and a sad news.

How was the chapter?

And Avni becoming his secretary? I have many

The reason for the delay is, I have my semester exams from next Monday. So no update till I complete my exams guys. I will be inactive for approximately 20 days or more.

Wait for me guys, I will be back with an amazing comeback.

Please shower this book with love till I come back.

Love you guys, ❤

See you after my exams.

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