Neev.

She turned to me.

"Neev..." her voice trembled slightly.

I walked to her, bend down and kissed her soft lips and she responded to me, making me lose my control.

"I love you" I whispered, I looked into her eyes.

My hands started to roam around her, feeling and exploring her soft body, that is now pressed against mine.

She gasped as I grazed her bare skin on her back and I deepened the kiss.

"Neev" she hesitated slightly. "I... I am... I want to tell you.."

"Riya, I need you, body and soul" I kissed her softly and looked in her eyes. "It was difficult for me to stay away from you, I don't think I can do it for long"

"Do you...trust me?" she asked me, her innocent eyes filled with conflicting emotions.

I hugged her to me, gently rocking her in my embrace.

"More than myself" I answered her and she hugged me back tightly.

I don't know what exactly is she thinking, but she seemed to relax in my hands.

I took her face in my hands and looked deep into her eyes.

"It's difficult, but I am ready to wait for you" I told her. "I don't want to burden you," I said.

There was a moment of silence after which she decided to reply.

"I trust you, Neev" she said so sincerely that made my heart tremble. "I want to be with you" she whispered.

I bend down for the second time and kissed her slowly, my hands reached the back of her dress and I started to untie it.

I picked her up and heard her surprised squeal and I loved it, I love making her surprised.

I brought her to our bed. "Tell me if you are not sure," I asked her one last time as I joined her in the bed.

She looked me in that dim light, her eyes wide and innocent, her lips swollen from my kisses, her hair sprawled on the bed, her chest heaving.

"I trust you," she said slowly.

I kissed her lips again. she ran a trembling hand over me, her feather-like touch making me crazy.

"You are... a temptress" I groaned as she shivered against me, It was so enchanting to feel her responding to my touch.

"You are mine, Riya," I said firmly as a strong emotion, possessiveness, appeared in me, shocking myself.

Riya.

I slowly opened my eyes when the warm rays touched my eyes. I was still covered in the blanket, my eyes took in the unfamiliar surroundings and I struggled to get up.

"Easy" I heard him and whipped around to see a very shirtless Neev coming to sit beside me.

I covered myself with the sheets and Neev chuckled and leaned to me.

"Good morning" he said warmly as he kissed my cheek. "I love it when you turn red like this" he whispered.

"Why didn't you wake me up? It's past nine!" I said and he placed the coffee in my hands.

"I want you to take rest, there is no need to hurry"

"Well, I want to explore the place, It looks so beautiful"

"Too bad, I was hoping to join you in bed after breakfast"

"Neev!" I exclaimed, now turning red as he laughed, kissing the tip of my nose now.

"Alright, let's go out then, freshen up and come, I will prepare you breakfast"

I stared at him.

"Are you the same person I met?" I asked him slowly.

He smiled. "I am trying to make my wife fall for me," he said, then his eyes turned serious.

"Riya, I am glad I got you, I want to start a family with you, I don't want to hide my feelings, I want to do everything a normal couple would do," He said and I nodded slowly.

His sincere tone was making me fall for him harder,

"Now, get up and get ready" he offered me a hand but I shook my head, careful to keep the blanket around me.

"Riya! there's no need for you to hide from me, you are mine alrea-" Nivin stopped as I closed my palm over his lips.

But he just lifted me up easily, blanket and all and I gasped in surprise, then I placed my hands around him as he took me to the washroom.

"Can I join you?" he asked me, his voice full of mischief.

My eyes popped out. I shook my head vigorously, "no!"

"Maybe some other time" he laughed while setting me down and I closed the door behind me.

Jeez! I never thought Nivin Rosh Aldrick could be so carefree and happy like this! he is the gentlest and sweetest man I have ever seen!

I stepped in to the shower, my mind was flashing with all the moments with him from the first time I met him.

Fifteen minutes later I was ready and fresh.

"Ugh... I forgot to take my dress!" I murmured as I wrapped the bathrobe around me and slowly stepped out.

"Do you plan to seduce me?" I heard his voice and jumped as he wrapped his hands around me from behind.

"Mm..." he smelled in my scent. "Are you sure...do you want to go out today?" he asked me.

I slipped out of his arms. "very sure" I said. "so don't distract me and let's go" I said. he smiled at that.

"Come on" he pulled me along with him to the kitchen area. The yummy smell of breakfast reached me.

Neev had already set the table for two.

"Umm... I feel...underdressed" I said as he helped me to the chair.

"On the other hand, I love it" he said taking the seat opposite to me.

I shook my head, nothing is going to change his mood. I took a spoon and tasted his food.

Neev was looking at me curiously.

"You can even cook? God! you are full of surprises!" I exclaimed.

He looked happy, a faint red colour in his cheek. "You are the first one I am preparing breakfast for" he said slowly.

"And better be the last person too" I warned him playfully.

He chuckled. "so...finish it, you will need your energy, I am going to tire you out"

"Stop flirting, Neev" I laughed.

"I am serious, you should know that by now," he said and I blushed.

"I love it when you blush like this" he leaned over to kiss the tip of my nose.

And we chatted casually, about simple little things and I momentarily forgot about all those worries.

* * * * *

Nivin.

We explored the beach, the cliffs and the woods blanketing the white sand.

Riya was so enthusiastic and I had to smile at her actions, for example, she has picked up the wildflowers and made a tiara that's now placed in both of our head. strangely, It looked beautiful on her.

"I want to take a selfie," she pulled me to her side. "or Danny and all wouldn't believe me if I said you had a tiara!"

I groaned, but I didn't have any other way as I couldn't think of rejecting her.

She clicked the picture, then started to laugh, watching it. "Oh my God! It's Nivin Rosh Aldrick! I... I can't believe it" she exclaimed in between her giggle.

Normally any giggling girls would annoy me but Riya just made me laugh.

We had lunch in the beach arranged by the hotel and we just roamed the whole place as Riya wanted to.

"I love this beach," Riya said, now wetting her legs in the water.

"We can go diving tomorrow" I told her "that is, If you want"

"Really!? so we can go under the water like they show in T.V?"she asked me, super excited.

I chuckled. "Yea, I guess" I told her

"Wow! I can't wait to go there! the seabed always amaze me!"

"Okay, let's go back now, I don't want to overexert you" I said.

And so we walked back. the evening sky was marvellous, the golden rays we're glittering over the water.

Riya intertwined her hands with me and looked up sideways at me.

"I dreamt of doing this one day, thank you so much, Neev" she said, her sound almost cracked with emotions.

"You were dreaming about me!?" I tried to make her smile.

"No! I dreamt of walking with the person I love like this"

"Person you love?" I glanced at her, the term made me happy. she looked shocked for a moment like she slipped something unknowingly.

"I... I mean, every girl have her own dreams, okay" she said

I smiled at her discomfort. "I am glad, I could walk with you like this too," I said and she eased.

Both of us walked in silence then, both in our own thoughts, It was not uncomfortable between us, no, It was rather a pleasant feeling.

I had never felt it before, like someone is there for you, like no matter what happened, there's someone who will stand with you irrespective of the situation, and that someone, I never thought it would be Riya Mehra.

I think I am falling deep, I think I love her more than I dare acknowledge it!and this is the strongest feeling, It's not bad like I imagined, but it's awakening strange emotions inside me, even possessiveness and jealousy!

We took the private elevator to our suite.

"I had a lot of fun today" Riya said as the door opened."Thank you" she tiptoed and kissed my cheek lightly.

"Hey-" before I could hold her, she was already inside, laughing.

"Neev, freshen up and come, I will prepare the dinner today" she took me the towel and pushed me towards the bathroom.

"I will help-"

"Another time, I want to do it today" she insisted, so I had no choice but do it her way.

* * *

Riya.

I feel so happy today, I finally have someone in my life.

I started to prepare the table, humming my favourite tone.

"Riya, I will set the table" Neev came, he looked good in his casuals, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"The MD of this hotel is my friend"

"Are you leaving me here all alone?" I pouted.

"It won't take much time"

"Is it really urgent?" I asked again, to be truthful, I am scared to be alone in this massive apartment especially at night.

Neev looked at me for a moment."No, It can wait" he smiled.

"Thank you!" I smiled back at him brightly.

"I think you are manipulating me," he said jokingly and I laughed.

The bell rang and I looked at Neev.

"I will go and check" he said to me and I turned back to my work.

He came back with a gift pack.

"Who's it?" I called out.

"I think it's from the hotel, wishing us" Neev told me as he settled in the settee, unwrapping the gift. "come on, let's see what it is," he said.

I was almost finished with table, I started to decorate it. finally everything was set.

I arranged the chairs and turned around to Neev.

"It's set!" I exclaimed, but Neev looked frozen.

"What's it?" I asked as I made my way to him, Neev didn't answer and that made me apprehensive.

"Neev?" I reached near. "what's wrong-" I stopped as my eyes landed on it.

My whole life seemed to fall apart. I couldn't believe what I am watching, the picture was still in his hand, I could still see it shaking slightly, his hands gripping it.

"Happy wedding Mr.Nivin Rosh James Aldrick and Riya Ragunad Mehra, I should say, I am surprised at your match"

I froze at the message.

"Are...are you his daughter?" his voice was too calm, making it more unbearable for me.

He is asking me if I am Anil ragunad's daughter.

"Answer me Riya!" Neev looked up, his eyes were a whirlwind of emotions.

"Neev, someone's tryi-"

"Just answer my question, Riya, are you...really his daughter?" he raised his voice slightly and I flinched.

"Y..yes bu-"

"Did you know it before the marriage?" he looked me straight in the eyes.

He is asking me if I know the past about our parents, If I knew who he was before the marriage.

"Nee-"

"Just answer the damn question, Riya!"

"Yes," I said slowly. "but it's not true, your Mom and my Dad were never together-"

"ENOUGH!" Nivin shouted now, he was still too sensitive about the subject, still in pain. "you were fooling me all this time! you knew everything and you hid it from me all this time!"

"It's not like-"

"Then what's it like? you knew it all along! why did you come to the Aldricks?" Nivin shouted. "you wanted to ruin our family! that's why you came to the Aldricks!"

I was frozen in shock. Grandpa's evil smile playing in my mind, now I know what he meant! and I cannot tell him about his Mom or she is going to disappear forever. I have no evidence of what happened 20 years ago.

I am basically trapped. what hurt me more was the hurt in his eyes. he is breaking again, he thinks he's betrayed again, he is hurting too badly.

"It's wrong, Neev, Grandpa...Grandpa wants to part us... It's..his pla-"

"You are his daughter and that's true!Grandpa has nothing to do with it! you were fooling me all these time! I can't believe I fell for it"

"No, I was sincere all these time, I... I just found out this past week only, I couldn't tell you"

"You expect me to believe it? You couldn't tell me? bullshit! why couldn't you tell me?" he shouted again.

Because Grandpa is blackmailing me with Mamma's life, your Amma's life.

"Nee-"

He raised his hands to me. "Stop, don't ever call me that, not even once and don't ever appear in front of me" he threw the photos to the air and I flinched as it fly around me.

He started to walk to the door.

"Neev, listen to me-" I stopped as he removed my hands from him in anger.

"Neev please! don't do this, I have reasons"

"What goddamn reason do you have to do this to me, Riya ragunad?" he turned to me in fury.

I was terrified of him now, he looked crazy. his eyes were red and filled, he was trembling with fury. He gave me one last look and slammed the door in force.

I was frozen again, I couldn't say anything more.

I couldn't believe this is happening! I couldn't tell him because of Grandpa. I was not going to keep it a secret, I wanted to tell him too, I was waiting for it too.

And Grandpa! I thought he wouldn't reveal it like this! I thought he is going to wait until Neev's project is over! I was planning to tell Neev before that!

I opened the door and ran out of the room. Nivin was nowhere in sight. I took the elevator without thinking and reached the underground parking lot.

"Neev, wait" I cried as I saw him getting into the car and slamming the door shut.

"That's not true, It was not my dad" I shouted, I can't bear to lose him. I have to explain him everything.

But Nivin has already reversed the car, now waiting for me to move out of the way, engine roaring, the car was about to speed out.

Two seconds, I had only that time before he accelerated straight at me and my heart seemed to not understand what's happening.

I stood there stupefied as I heard the air whooping past me, the sound of the car coming too close and someone moved me out of the way.

I knocked my head on the pillar and fell down.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" I heard someone ask me. "I am the parking lot security, who is that? I am surely going to report him, driving so reckless!"

"It's...wrong... It's... a misunderstanding... It's not...dad...Grandpa"

"Ma'am? oh God! It's blood! I am calling for help"

"Don't..go" I whispered before I blacked out.

.....

"It's Mrs.Aldrick"

"I couldn't see the driver or the number plate, I was too busy trying to save her"

"I can't reach her husband, his phone is off"

"He is going to get mad if he knows about this!"

"Do you even know who she is? she's an Aldrick, For God's sake! I told you to take special care of them!"

I slowly opened my eyes and about five hotel employees came to focus, 3 of them were girls.

They all bowed slightly. "Ma'am, are you ok now? I am the nurse here, I dressed your wound"

"We are trying to reach your husband, he seemed to be busy now, just relax while we call him"

I slowly tried to get up. "Thank you, I won't trouble you anymore"

"Ma'am, you have to take rest-"

"I am alright, I want to go back to my room"

"You are hurt, Ma'am"

"If my husband sees me in this state, he will fire all of you, just let me go to my room, It's okay"

They all looked worried.

"It's okay, I will manage him, don't worry," I said, now trying to stand on my feet.

"Um... I will help you then" one of the girls in uniform came forward as I swayed slightly.

I was going to refuse her, but I felt weak, my head was bursting in pain.

"Okay"

"I am the Manager of this hotel, sorry for the inconvenience Ma'am, we will surely get in touch with your husband"

"Don't bother him" I said and started to walk back.

Neev is just shocked. he is going to come back when he gets over it.

I opened our suite. The girl told me something but nothing registered in my mind.

I just walked robotically to the balcony.

He is going to come. he knows I am alone here. he knows I am worried of being alone.

I sat in the chair there in balcony.

I will explain everything when he gets here so that he would understand.

And I waited for him.

Neev.

I don't know where I am driving to, I have been speeding for one hour now, no specific destination in mind.

I was still shaken from the parking lot. I really didn't mean to do it to her, I was so mad that I couldn't control myself.

I was not going to hit her, I am not a monster, what happened was just out of my control, I was still going to avoid her.

But it was too close, you don't know what would have happened if someone didn't move her out of the way!

I tried very hard not to think of the previous incidents. I am not sure of anyone anymore.

I slammed down the brake and slowly leaned to the seat. I was infront of a hotel.

I will think about everything tomorrow.

Even as I tried not to remember, It was haunting me. I couldn't believe Riya was betraying me! she knew all along I am James's son, how could she do that to me? she knew my situation very well!

Don't think about her, just don't think about her.

I opened the door and stepped out. I want to stop these feelings, It's engulfing me.

I had never been this much affected before as I had never allowed anyone to get closer to me like Riya, She was the only person for whom I break my own rules and now I am truly shaken.

I will go crazy if I keep thinking of her!

* * * *

Sachin.

I sprinted to the elevator. Ishan was already waiting for me.

"Why didn't you call me earlier?" I asked him, he is the hotel's owner.

"I reached here today morning only, I didn't know she was alone here, waiting for Neev" he said.

The elevator stopped and Ishan punched in the security code. he is the only heir of sea shore residencies in India, the owner of this hotel too.

Neev and I know him from before.

"Something is not right" I said again.

Ever since Ishan called me to inform me about Nivin's missing, I had this gut feeling, I know instantly something has gone wrong.

"That's why I called you, Sachin" Ishan said.

The door opened and we walked inside. The apartment looked clean and untouched, no sign of anyone there.

"Riya?" I called out.

Ishan was also searching, but nobody was around.

"Riya" I walked to the bedroom, knocked it twice, but it just opened inside, no sign of anyone there.

"Do you think Nivin would have taken her with hi-" Ishan started.

"No" I said slowly, I was looking at the still prepared table that is untouched, the food looked cold and shrivelled.

Something is wrong, I know it!

And that's when my eyes landed on the scattered pictures on the floor near the settee.

I picked up one, It looked like an old one, I saw the message and read it.

"Happy wedding Mr.Nivin Rosh James Aldrick and Riya Ragunad Mehra, I should say, I am surprised at your match"

"My God!" I whispered as the meaning hit me. "That's...that's impossible!" I was going through the old pictures of Anil and Julia in college.

"Sachin" Ishan called me, worried.

"Riya" I ran to the balcony, I was not prepared to see her like this!

Riya was curled up in a chair, her eyes closed, face pale, lips dry, dark circles under her eyes, a small bandage stick on her forehead.

"Riya!" I lowered to her. "Are you okay? open your eyes, Riya" I shook her slightly.

"God! Sachin I think she has been here since the day before yesterday!" Ishan said. "since Nivin was away!"

"She's burning up! please get me some water" I said, feeling her forehead. I felt helpless and hurt.

Nivin Rosh James Aldrick, whatever your reason is, you have gone too far!

I tightened my fist and clenched my teeth.

"Here" Ishan was near me and sprayed the water lightly.

"Riya?" I shook her again, her eyelids moved slightly and relief coursed through me.

"Nee..v? please..." I had to read her lips to make out the words. "misunderstanding...Grandpa...don't leave..me"

"Hold on Riya," I said, trying to control my emotions. "we have to take her to the hospital" I said.

"I already arranged it, " Ishan said as I picked her up.

I am sorry Riya, for not coming earlier, I am sorry Riya, for not fighting stronger, I am sorry, for thinking you will be alright in that household.

"Is it a good place? we can't-"

"Don't worry, media won't know" he promised.

I walked to the elevator, Riya was still in my hands, muttering in her semi consciousness.

"I..scare..d..don't..leave..me"

I tried to control it, the emotions in me, but it was too much.

Nivin Rosh James Aldrick, I am going to kill you the next time I see you.

--------------------------