Soulless (Revenge or Love?): A Hot Romance Thriller set in India

by MV Kasi

  Soon Ajay stopped the car in front of a swanky new restaurant which thankfully was on the ground floor. She was half worried she'd be forced to take an elevator during her date.

  "Naughty Princess. I was looking for you all over the house. Why would you hide here in this tiny closet?"

  The terrified nine year old girl cowered in a corner.

  "Come out from there, will you, Princess?"

  "No. I don't want to. Please don't make me. I just c-can't."

  "Well...if you don't, then I'll join you in there. It will be another fun game. Like hide and seek. You can hide wherever you like, and I'll surprise you each time..."

  No small enclosed places had been safe for her. Sometimes he found her, and sometimes he didn't. Each night, she stayed cowering and rocking at a corner, praying he wouldn't find her.

  "Ready?" Ajay's voice broke through her flashback.

  She shook her head, trying to drive out all the negative thoughts from her head, determined to enjoy the evening.

  Ajay gave the car keys to a valet and opened the car door for her. He even held out his hand for her. Smiling, she took it and got out. At first she thought he would let go of her hand, once she was out of the car, but he simply adjusted his grip, and twined their fingers together.

  She stared at their joined hands in fascination, and then slowly looked up into his eyes.

  He was smiling.

  Over the past four months, Ajay had used those fingers to do the hottest and the dirtiest stuff to her than any other man ever had. But for some reason, the simple act of holding hands, made her heart flutter like that of an innocent virgin's who was experiencing a man's first touch.

  They walked into the restaurant. The hostess, who had been greeting the guests politely, broke into a wide smile seeing Ajay. She fussed, and then gushed over them, until they were seated at the best table with a lot of privacy.

  "So?" he asked with a smile as they were left alone with their menu cards.

  "So?" she repeated, and then sighed. "I've never been to a first date before. So, you'll have to guide me on the etiquette."

  He was surprised. "Never?"

  "No."

  "So you are a first date virgin then. And I get to teach you about what is expected from you," he said with a smirk.

  She raised a haughty eyebrow. "I know enough to know that I'm not allowed to let you take me home on our first date."

  His smile got wider. "Oh really? What if I got really persuasive? Will you let me take you home then?"

  "I'll think about it. Only if you build a case for yourself," she said, fighting a smile.

  "Would you come home with me if I promise to be a good boy?"

  "No."

  "What if I were a bad boy?"

  "Intriguing. But not possible. You are the poster boy of how being kind and hardworking will help you achieve success at a young age."

  "Hmm, what if I said, I had almost served time at a Juvenile home for...thefts?"

  She paused while taking a sip of water from her glass and her eyes got bigger.

  And then, she giggled.

  Yes. Giggled.

  That high-frequency girly noise emitted from her was so unexpected that Ajay looked shocked out of his amusement.

  "Oh my god. Ajay Manthena, the good boy with high moral standards, the owner of top of the line security company, almost spent time at a Juvenile home for theft! Oh the irony!"

  She was laughing now.

  Ajay had never seen or heard her laugh so openly before, and it felt strange. Her laugh sounded as though parts of her throat used for showing her mirth or enjoyment were rusty due to lack of use. He loved hearing it and being the cause of it.

  He smiled. "Well, not many people know about. Except The Colonel of course. Because he got me out of it, after I heard an earful from him."

  "How did you get adopted by The Colonel?" she asked, curious to know more about his past, even though she knew it wasn't fair for him. Especially since she had no intention of revealing hers.

  "Long story. But I can shorten it by saying that there was a pretty bad accident. I helped drag out Harsha from the wreckage, and got hurt in the process. The Colonel brought me home from the hospital and raised me as one of his family members."

  She definitely didn't know this from the basic background check she had done on him. She just knew that he was adopted from an orphanage.

  "How old were you then?" she asked.

  "Thirteen."

  There was a silence.

  "Anyway, during my Juvie which lasted for half a day, I met some really scary people. They toughened me up. And that's how I became a tough guy."

  She rolled her eyes at that. "You are not tough. You are sweet. Anyway, have you been using that line about serving time at Juvie to get girls?"

  "Not yet. You are my first too."

  She smiled.

  "So? Does my bad boy, exciting persona help you to decide whether or not to go home with me tonight on our first date?" he asked.

  "Hmm, let me think." She paused, and then said, "I will go with you. But you'll have to give me a minute to hide all my silverware and electronics before you come inside."

  He grinned.

  Soon they ordered food, and while they ate, he regaled her with more childhood adventures. He told her about how he kept trying to escape from the house several times. And how it drove everyone crazy.

  "What did they finally do to make you stay?" she asked.

  She was fascinated by the stories he told.

  "The Colonel put a GPS in my watch and used it to track me. More than being outraged at having being found, and dragged back home, I was curious about that little tracker. And so, I stayed and wanted to learn everything I could about that kind of technology."

  She was listening to him raptly.

  He smiled at her expression. "When I was fourteen, my fascination of tracking devices led to my fascination to build tracking software. And later, it turned into a business idea to start my own security company. I wanted to start the company much earlier, when I was seventeen. But The Colonel had insisted that I get a basic under graduation degree first and also to enjoy my remaining childhood."

  He smiled fondly. "Well, I'm glad he made me pursue a degree, because not only did I learn to hone my skills in building good software and hardware, but I also met many like-minded people at my university."

  "Hmm, so the people you keep chatting up with, you went to school with them?" she asked.

  "Some of them, yes. The rest of them are mostly company's clients."

  Technically, they were talking about work. But she wanted to know everything about what made him into the person he was.

  "So as soon as you graduated, you started Manthena Corp?" she asked.

  "No. I took a year off, and used that time to get investors and a list of possible clients. Our company is a little over three years old, and so far, we offer security to only exclusive group of clients. Mostly to IT corporations, banks, hospitals, restaurants and also to a few private individuals—like you."

  "Hmm...I know you do more than just install cameras, locks and alarms."

  He laughed. "Someone has been doing their homework," he teased.

  "Well...I wasn't going to just marry a random person off the street," she countered.

  "Huh. Then maybe I should do the same check on you, sometime. But unfortunately, our company hasn't expanded to the PI or personal investigations line, yet. We are more into counter measures that deal with IT systems and security consultations for big corporations."

  'Thank god for that!' she thought.

  He told her about how he had gotten a scholarship, and then an internship during his college, in one of the top technology companies. He also told her about how he had to make a lot of contacts to have a good client base.

  When it was finally time to leave, he signed the check, and they drove back home.

  Surprisingly, when they reached home, he took her to his bed, but only to hold
her close.

  She lay on top of him with her chin on his chest, watching his face. And he was lying inclined on top of several pillows, with his neck bent, watching her and stroking her back as he spoke to her.

  He spoke about his childhood. About his and Harsha's mandatory trekking trips in the mountains with The Colonel.

  "There is a place called Valley Of Flowers in Uttarakand. The trek to that place was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen."

  He laughed softly.

  "But I wasn't excited to go there at first. When The Colonel had announced to us that we'd be leaving on a weeklong trek, Harsha and I had whined a lot. We were only fifteen at that time. But after we reached that place, and we stood at the peak, where we could stare down at the vast openness and the sheer beauty of it, it felt so worth it. It was quite an adventure, especially when we spotted a mountain leopard and a few blue sheep."

  He smiled as recalled those memories. "And by then, we were taught to cook simple meals. Which we put to very good use. I still cannot forget the taste and satisfaction derived from a steaming cup of tea or the simplest fare cooked over the open fire. It outmatched every possible fancy meal I had ever eaten over the years."

  She listened to him quietly. Her body lying on top of his was completely relaxed.

  He kept talking and stroking her back.

  "After that trip, each year Harsha and I would be so excited to plan out next adventurous summer trip..."

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  SIA OPENED HER eyes slowly. The unfamiliar curtains in the room made her heart rate speed up.

  She had slept through the night in Ajay's bed!

  She tried to control her panic as she slowly tried to slide down the bed, trying not to wake him up. She almost made it, until a hairy muscular arm wrapped around her upper waist and dragged her across the bed with minimal effort.

  "Good morning," he drawled, and then yawned while he spooned her from behind.

  Yes, spooned.

  Good god, she had never ever spooned. And so, her heart began to beat faster. But for a different reason.

  She liked the spooning too much.

  "I-I need to go," she stammered, trying to squirm away.

  He pulled her even closer.

  "No, you don't. It's a Saturday. We have all the time in the world."

  "I need to..." Her brain refused to assist her as tried to think of a reason, to get away from that position in a polite way, without offending him.

  "I—" she broke off as he cupped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs on the underside.

  She moaned softly.

  "You?" he prompted huskily.

  She turned towards him. Only to see his sleep softened face, watching her with glittering eyes.

  Her heart gave a painful squeeze.

  God, she could wake up to that sight every day. She could sacrifice her entire life to have more of these moments.

  Seeing him lying next to her, made her yearn.

  Made her dream.

  And even made her hope.

  She knew it was damn dangerous to hope. Or feel this alive.

  She had never felt those things in her life. And she should have been frightened, if not terrified by those feelings. But she wasn't. She wanted to welcome those feelings for a change.

  She smiled back at him as she held his face.

  "My turn to be on top," she whispered, and kissed him like it was the most important thing to do.

  She was determined to hold on to the feeling of being alive and hoping for happiness. However brief the feeling might be.

  ***

  Much later that morning, it was a rare unusual Saturday where both of them didn't have to work.

  "I feel lazy today. Want to watch a movie at home?" he asked.

  His head was propped up on his hand and he was watching her face with anticipation.

  "I don't really watch movies," she replied.

  He grinned, flashing his dimples. "That's because you haven't been exposed to the right kind of movies."

  She looked skeptical.

  He sprang up from the bed. "You don't believe me? I'll prove it to you. Let's get going."

  "Now?" she asked.

  "Yes. Now," he laughed. "You have exhausted me enough. My poor abused body needs both nourishment and then some entertainment."

  She smiled as she dragged herself from the bed. "I'd like to go out for a run before the...movie plan," she said.

  And then, she watched him uncertainly as a thought occurred to her,. "Would you...like to join me?" she asked him.

  It was simple enough offer for any normal person, but it took a huge effort from her side to extend that invitation to him.

  He smiled widely, easing her discomfort. "I thought you'd never ask. I would love to join you. I've seen you head out for jogging each day, and almost joined you before. But I thought you preferred running solo."

  "I do prefer running solo," she confessed. "But I think I might enjoy your company more."

  At her statement, his hand captured her elbow, and pulled her close. His expression turned serious as he stared into her eyes. "I enjoy spending time with you too," he said before kissing her softly on the lips.

  After freshening up a little, they ran for an hour.

  It felt nice listening to him chat as they ran along a familiar path.

  And when they returned, they showered, and headed to the kitchen where he fixed them huge, fluffy vegetable omelets with toasted bread on the side.

  Once they finished breakfast, they sat in front of the big screen in the media room.

  "So what are we watching?" she asked in amusement as she watched his eager face.

  "An old movie. One of my favorites," he said cryptically, while navigating through the movies on his touchpad.

  Finally he made the selection, and sat next to her on the reclining couch, with their feet propped up.

  A few minutes into the movie, her eyebrows were raised perpetually.

  "What in the world are we watching?" she asked.

  He grinned. "Do you like it? He's a legend!" he told her excitedly, pointing at the actor on the screen. "I've been addicted to his movies ever since I was a little boy. Each time, a movie of his released, I always made sure I watched it on the very first day, if not the first show."

  She stared at Ajay for a few seconds, and was stunned that he wasn't joking. The actor in the movie was performing ridiculous stunts, mouthing cheesy and overdramatic dialogues, but Ajay was enjoying each and every second of it.

  "It's ridiculous. And why does he talk funny like that?" she asked. The 'hero' of the movie had a strange diction along with strange body language and mannerisms.

  Ajay looked outraged. "Shhh...what are you saying, woman! My daughter will hear you and think your comments about the legendary star are true! And by the way, his diction is not funny. It's one of the best dialogue deliveries of all times. I've probably watched that particular scene, at least a hundred times. Still gets to me each time," he said, and then repeated the dialogue along with the actor in the movie.

  She was quite amused. And then, she got reminded of what he'd said earlier.

  "You think our baby can hear us?" she asked.

  "Oh yes. We really need to ensure that you are exposed to best of the movies or music from now on."

  "And you think, this movie is the best?" she asked, laughing in amusement.

  He grinned. "Absolutely. No baby Einstein or Beethoven for my child. Only my kind of movies."

  She shook her head with a slight eye roll. Even though she discovered the fact about him being a huge fan boy of an aging South Indian star, quite endearing.

  They spent the entire day, watching movies, cooking together, making love, and simply talking. It was the best day ever.

  It was late in the night, but she felt relaxed and content.

  She was lying on top of him on his bed, with her arms over his well-defined pecs. He was propped on his back against the headboard, and he was p
laying with a lock of her hair.

  "Will you sleep here with me again tonight?" he asked.

  At his words, she tensed up slightly, feeling torn.

  He started to say something, but stopped. She knew he didn't want to coerce her.

  "Alright. I will," she said, powerless against the pull of living a fantasy for some more time.

  It felt real and normal. Cuddling and sleeping next to the man you had a relationship with.

  It felt nice as he made them comfortable and then held her close again.

  Soon, she heard his breathing deepen.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  IT WAS A Monday morning. Sia walked towards the kitchen, already showered and dressed.

  She was starving. Last evening, she and Ajay had gotten too carried away. It all started when she tried distracting him while he made her watch another ridiculous movie. She had slid on his lap and kissed him hard.

  That had gotten him worked up, and soon it led to other things that made them eventually skip their dinner.

  It was truly one of her best weekends ever.

  Ajay was already in the kitchen. And when he saw her, he gave her melting smile. He said goodbye to whomever he was talking to on the phone and ended the call.

  "Good morning," he greeted her with a kiss.

  "Hungry?" he asked.

  "Famished."

  "Of course you would be. You've been a very naughty girl yesterday," he mockingly chided. "Here. Your breakfast is ready," he said, fixing her an egg and vegetable sandwich.

  She was about to reach for her plate, but she swayed when she suddenly felt dizzy.

  "Sia!" he exclaimed and held her when she was about to fall down.

  She sat down on a chair with his help, and rested her head against the back of the chair.

  "Are you okay?" he asked in a worried tone.

  "Yes. Just give me a minute."

  "You don't look okay. You have shadows under your eyes and you look extremely tired," he said, sounding guilty.

  "I'm fine. I just need a hearty breakfast," she murmured.

  "No. I think we should call your doctor along with you taking a day off to rest."