by M. V. Kasi
“It’s the weekend, and we won’t be staying long at the party.”
She tore her eyes away from his chest to look at his face. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment because he caught her gawking at him. But he didn’t say anything and neither did he have a knowing smile.
She opened her mouth to come up with another excuse when he cut her off. “Remember our deal,” he reminded. “Unless, of course, you didn’t mean any of those conditions.”
Her heart began to pound. Those conditions were the reason he hadn’t insisted on sex. None of her friends knew she was married. Without those conditions and their deal, she would have no protection against him or their marriage until she graduated and made her escape.
“Fine,” she gritted. “I’ll get ready.”
She got up to get ready while he went to take shower in the master bathroom. Over the week, to avoid seeing him half naked and in a towel, she had been using one of the other bathrooms to get ready. Luckily, he hadn’t demanded that they use the same bathroom as well.
Her stomach quivered wondering what she would do if he ever demanded they share the bathroom.
She still hated him. There was no doubt about it. Then why did her body always act like that of a hormonal teenager?
Maybe it was because a part of her brain still wasn’t able to digest his betrayal and still considered him the handsome, charming stranger she had fallen for. Her body and mind thought of him as the man she had been fantasizing over many nights during the last year.
She even recalled how she had strange dreams of her stranger touching her. She had woken up many mornings with a desperate need and a craving.
She shook her head, pushing away those memories.
With a sigh, she went to the closet. Her eyes fell on a long, pale green dress. It was simple yet beautiful with clean cuts. Holding it carefully in her hand, and taking out matching undergarments, she stepped out of the master bedroom to get ready in one of the guest bathrooms.
Maybe spending time at a party was much better than spending a long night being aware of the devil.
***
“You look beautiful.”
Naina jerked in surprise. She was standing in front of a tall mirror smoothing her dress. She hadn’t heard the door of the guest bedroom opening.
She felt his presence behind her before she saw him. He was already dressed in yet another three-piece suit.
“I’m ready,” she said, thinking he must have come looking for her because they were running late.
But he didn’t seem to be in a hurry. He came closer and stood behind her at the mirror. When his hand brushed her hair aside and touched her neck, her heart began to pound.
“What are you—” She broke off with a soft gasp when she felt something cool touching her skin.
It was a diamond necklace.
She had seen the velvet jewellery boxes lining inside her closet along with several accessories, makeup and shoes. But she hadn’t opened any of them.
She had never owned much jewellery. During her childhood, her father had gifted all her mother’s jewellery to his mistresses. The only souvenirs she had of her mother were the fake ones that resembled the real ones. Much later, even when her father had enough money, he never bothered buying jewellery for his wife or daughter. Her stepmother was of course decked in jewels.
“Is it real?” she asked, looking at the necklace that glittered even in the soft lighting of the guest bedroom
“Yes, it’s real.”
She realized how foolish her question was. Of course, it was real. Shiv Jaipal was a rich, powerful criminal. He wouldn’t deck up his wife in fake diamonds. He probably could afford to give diamonds to all his mistresses too. But what would he do if she accidentally lost it? She wasn’t used to wearing expensive jewellery. Suddenly, she felt nervous.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, watching her face in the mirror.
His fingers brushed the necklace. The contrast of the cold stones and his warm and rough finger pads made her shiver.
“What if I lose it?” she asked. Her voice sounded breathless to her ears.
His closeness was causing havoc in her stomach. Her legs became unsteady when he bent his head lower until his mouth was right next to her ear. She could feel his warm breaths.
“I don’t care if you lose it,” he said huskily. “You have many other pieces. But if you like this one, I’ll have another one made just like it.”
She bit her lip with uncertainty. And then, she gasped all of a sudden when he pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“What are you—” She broke off when her eyes fell on the couple she saw in the mirror.
She knew she should be struggling and asking him to let her go, but all she could do right then was stare into the mirror.
He was nearly a foot taller than her and almost twice as broad. In front of him, she appeared tiny. He could do whatever he wanted, and she wouldn’t be able to stop him. But instead of fearing him, a strange thrill ran through her. She recalled how it had felt to be under him while he kissed her.
As though he could read her mind, he grew hard against her backside. His eyes hooded, and his hands wrapped around her waist began to move.
Her breaths quickened. Every inch of her was aware of his big, warm hands as they moved up. Her breasts felt heavy, and they peaked into hardened buds in anticipation. She bit her lip to stifle out a moan when his fingers brushed the underside of her sensitive breasts.
She didn’t want to wait. She wanted to grab his hands and place them on top of her breasts.
She was almost about to beg him when the sudden sound of a phone ringing made her jump. Her heart thudded, and she slowly blinked at the reflection in the mirror.
She heard him cursing softly yet viciously when he saw the number flashing on the phone screen.
“I have to take this,” he said with angry regret in his voice. “I’ll be waiting out in the living room. Come out when you are ready.” Giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head, he stepped out of the guest bedroom.
As soon as he left, she stared at the door, and slowly she began to panic.
Instead of being shocked and disgusted by the devil’s touch, all she felt was regret at being interrupted.
***
The car ride was quiet.
Naina felt nervous. Not only because of the thick tension and awareness she felt inside the car, but also because of the look on Shiv’s face. He looked angry and tense as well.
It felt odd to see him that way because she didn’t think he was the kind to be tense about anything. If at all, he must be the type to make everyone around him tense and bow down to his bidding.
As though sensing her gaze, he turned towards her. His eyes hooded and slowly swept over her. Her body tingled recalling what had happened before they left the penthouse.
“I want you to stay close to me during the party. Don’t leave my side without checking with me.”
She was snapped out of her sensual haze at his order. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I said so. Don’t leave my side without my permission.”
Slowly, anger began to take over. Before she could snap at him for the unreasonable order, the car stopped in front of a large house with a lot of cars parked outside.
“Vasu, make sure our men stay guarded at the back entrances.”
“Sure, Shiv.”
After the order to his head of security, he helped her out of the car. He wrapped a hand loosely around her waist and led her inside.
The host and hostess were waiting outside to greet them.
“Welcome, Mr. Jaipal,” a middle-aged woman greeted.
“Thank you, Judge Dixit. This is Sunaina, my wife.”
The older woman smiled at Naina. “Yes, we heard from Mr. Bhasin. Congratulations to you both.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they were led to the back of the house where there was an ongoing party.
Naina felt all the eyes of the guests turning towards her. A small group of guests even approached them.
“Congratulations, Shiv,” a woman greeted. “We heard you got married.”
“Yes, this is my wife, Sunaina.”
Naina tried to paste a polite smile as more than a dozen eyes fell on her with barely concealed curiosity. The women’s eyes especially gave her a sweeping look. Only a few of their eyes lingered on her diamond necklace while the rest swept over her body.
“Ah, yes, Sunaina, the Home Minister’s daughter. Do you remember me?” one of the women asked Naina. “We met last year during your parents’ anniversary party. Monica introduced us.”
Naina didn’t recognize the woman. She barely attended any of the parties that her father threw. The only reason she had attended the one last year was because she was supposed to become engaged to a perverted old man that night.
Only a year had passed, but it felt like years since that fateful night. Her cheeks turned hot recalling what had transpired after the party.
As though he could read her thoughts, Shiv’s hand around her waist tightened slightly, pulling her even closer. She shivered when she felt the barest of strokes of his thumb.
She tried not to show any reaction, but there was laughter from the group.
“Looks like the lovebirds can’t keep away from each other.”
Naina tried to control her blush.
“So how is married life treating you, Shiv?” someone asked.
She didn’t think he would answer, but he did. “It’s interesting.”
There was laughter.
“What about you, Sunaina? Do you like being married?”
Everyone turned to look at her, waiting for her response. Normally, she wouldn’t have said anything and continued smiling politely, but the arrogant, possessive arm around her waist made her smile and respond.
“Like I’m married to the devil,” she replied.
There was a mixture of shocked looks and amused laughter.
“How exactly does it feel to be married to the notorious devil?” a woman asked. “I can vouch for many women that we are eager to know.”
Naina shrugged. “Well, it depends on the day. Sometimes the hour and the minute too. Like he said, it’s… interesting.” She made him sound like he was not only the devil but a bipolar one as well. Which he was in reality. Sometimes, she saw the flashes of the charming, considerate stranger, and sometimes the bossy, arrogant devil.
There was laughter. “Your wife really is quite interesting, Shiv. Now I know why you were in a hurry to marry her.”
The thumb stroking her didn’t pause. “Indeed,” he drawled.
Naina controlled her shiver. She wanted to pull away, but even though the grip around her waist wasn’t too tight, it was tight enough that she would have to make a scene to escape.
Soon, they joined the rest of the guests. She was introduced to a sea of people whose names she barely registered because she didn’t care. She was merely polite to them. She knew she would never meet these people after a few more months when she finally made her escape.
There was laughter and music along with drinks and buzzes of conversation. Despite the seeming merriment, she could sense the underlying tension in the crowd. A year ago, when several high-profile people were arrested in the biggest drug and black money bust, the high society constantly lived in fear. She was glad.
She knew life wasn’t black or white, but she wanted people to choose the right way, which was why she had always despised her father for not just treating her mother like shit, but also for being morally corrupt when his job was to actually enforce the law and serve and protect the people.
She knew Shiv Jaipal was also a criminal. And yet, for some reason, the fact didn’t disgust her as much as it did when it came to her father.
“Naina darling, what a pleasant surprise.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Naina turned to see her father and stepmother. Her father was surprisingly silent. He looked angry and resentful.
“I didn’t think Mr. Jaipal would ever bring you out,” Monica said in a mocking tone. “He was quite adamant in not allowing us to visit you at your new home too.”
Naina didn’t know what surprised her more, the fact that her father and stepmother wanted to visit her or that Shiv Jaipal didn’t allow them.
“I was travelling, and Naina is busy with her studies. We’ll visit you when we both are free.”
“Sure. You are welcome to visit anytime you want, Mr. Jaipal,” Monica purred. “And Naina, of course.”
Naina didn’t like the tone of her voice or the look on Monica’s face while she spoke to Shiv. Her stomach turned watching Monica slowly lick her shiny lips.
“We have so much to catch up on, Naina. Come with me. Let’s talk while we get a few drinks.”
Before Naina could respond, Shiv replied. “No. I want her to remain by my side. I want to introduce her to a few more people. Excuse me.” He led her away from Monica and her father.
Naina felt a spike of anger. She didn’t want to go with Monica, but she didn’t want to be made to feel like a school girl who needed permission to speak to others.
“I don’t want to be introduced to more people,” she gritted, looking ahead.
She felt him watching her. “You don’t have to. But I don’t want you around your father or your stepmother.”
She turned to look at him, confused by the dark tone of his voice. “Why?”
“Because I said so.”
She wanted to kick him right then.
Some of what she was feeling must have shown on her face because there was a smile on his face, flashing his dimples.
“Careful, sweetheart, don’t let your claws out in public. Remember our deal.” He pulled her closer and bent his head lower. “You can let your claws out as soon as we reach home tonight.”
An involuntary shiver passed through her. Her nipples peaked under her dress as she recalled the moments in front of the mirror that evening.
“One more hour…” he said in a low rumble. “…and we are getting out of here to continue what we started.”
Her stomach quivered, and her heart began to thump foolishly in anticipation. She tried to pull away to break the spell, but his arm didn’t loosen. “Behave,” he warned.
Fuming, she went along with him.
He kept his word. He didn’t introduce her to anyone new. He conversed with people while she stood next to him quietly listening. Some of the conversations were interesting. They were about current affairs across the world, about market fluctuations and also about politics.
She was fascinated by the depth of his knowledge and also the command he had over people, most of whom were influential leaders twice or thrice his age. People genuinely sought his company and listened to him, either to get his opinion on something or for help.
She didn’t want to be fascinated by him. And more than that, she didn’t want to feel the sparks or heavy lingering awareness she felt being next to him.
Remember, he is the devil, the man who has the power to destroy your dreams. Don’t fall for him again!
The warning was loud and clear inside her head, and yet the fascination or attraction didn’t dissipate.
“Excuse me,” she said, cutting into a conversation.
He turned to look at her, and her damn stomach quivered even at the simple look. “I need to use the powder room.”
His arm didn’t loosen. “Excuse us,” he told the people he was conversing with before he led her away.
“I can go by myself!” she hissed.
“I know. But I told you already you need to stay close all the time.”
She was frustrated by his stubbornness. Did he think she would escape through the bathroom window? If only he knew she couldn’t escape anywhere until she was done with her studies.
“Will you come inside while I use the washroom?” she asked sarcastically.
The infuriating man raised an eyebro
w. She wouldn’t put it past him to do that.
“Stop it! I didn’t mean it.”
They walked into a well-lit corridor where there were a few other people.
“Go, but don’t be too long,” he warned.
Huffing with annoyance, she went into the powder room.
It wasn’t a traditional one. Her father’s mansion also had one like this. It was built like a public restroom with multiple bathroom stalls and washbasins. But unlike public restrooms, the floors and counters were made of expensive marble, and the fixtures were high-end. There were even leather benches and chairs placed at a corner for the guests to relax and chat while freshening up.
She was currently the only one inside the room. She made use of the washroom and was washing her hands when the door to the restroom opened. She half-expected it to be Shiv, barging in impatiently to drag her back to the party. But it wasn’t him—it was her stepmother.
“Well, hello, Naina darling.”
Monica’s fake endearment felt jarring in her ears as usual. Monica must have been observing her and somehow managed to sneak past Shiv.
“What do you want, Monica?”
Her stepmother’s eyes hardened before continuing with the fake smile. “Nothing, silly. Can’t I be concerned about my one and only loving stepdaughter? Especially when she is married to the devil?”
Naina thought back grimly of the days when Monica ill-treated her so-called loving stepdaughter. She would have laughed at how clichéd it was to have an evil stepmother had it not been hell to live through it.
Despite the fact that her father cheated on her mother with Monica, Naina had tried to be friendly with her new stepmother. But her stepmother had not only rejected her friendship or affection, she had been deliberately cruel. Starvation, beatings and threatening became a part of life. Monica even wanted to prostitute her to high-profile men, but her father didn’t agree. Not because Narayan Bhasin had a smidgen of affection towards his only child, it was to use his daughter to form a powerful alliance. The only good thing that he did was to send her away to live at the university housing.
