Dedicated to @miss_nobody_24 for being her encouraging words and hilariously relatable comments!

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Chapter 8: I was so fucking scared.

"Lie down and close your eyes. Don't move!" Nimit shouts as someone breaks through the door.

I let out a petrified shriek and turn to face the door. Luckily, I see familiar faces. It's my father's security. I go lower on the floor and close my eyes, letting them handle it. My hands press over my ears and I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.

Breathe. Breathe. Inhale and exhale. It's going to be fine. Nimit is here. He'll take care of you.

It's his bloody job!

I force myself to think of other things and they mainly focus on my sexy bodyguard. The way he smells, the way he talks, the way he eats, the way he dances, the way he fights. My breathing evens out and I feel a little better. But then I think of the conversation we had just before this bloody interruption and my blood boils again. One night? How dare he!

I move my eyes to Nimit but his presence only makes my heart race again – this time for a different reason. He looks so hot! There's an aura of calm and control around him. And his well-built frame is taut, every muscle strained, ready to strike. The glint of the gun in his hand is both reassuring and arousing.

Maybe it is the way the flickering lights cast shadows across his sharp jawline, or maybe it is the wild intensity in his eyes but it makes my heart pound crazily against my ribcage. It's safe to say, I have never seen anything sexier.

I wish I could take a photo of him.

And what makes it better, is the unwavering belief that he is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I can't help but be grateful to him.

Suddenly there's deafening silence and it takes my ears a few seconds to get accustomed to it. It feels like I have gone deaf and I have to rub my ears to make sure that the calm over the chaos isn't just for a minute.

"Aisha? Ms. Mehta?" I see Nimit on one knee, looking at me with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay? Can you see me? Hear me?"

I can only manage a shaky nod, unable to find my voice. The adrenaline that was running in my veins has started to ebb away, leaving me feeling drained and vulnerable. My back gives out and I fall face first into the ground.

"Shit! Collins, handle it from here." Nimit yells at someone. "I want a full detailed report. Get the shell casings. I need to find out who the fuck did this! Don't miss a thing."

"Yes, Boss." Comes a gruff reply.

"I'll make sure Ms. Mehta is doing fine." Nimit says back and then his warm hands press lightly on my shoulders. His voice turns into a whisper. "Can you walk?"

I want to push his hands away, show that I am still angry at him but I like the comfort it is giving me so I let them stay there. "I can." I insist. But the second I am on my legs, my knees give in, still trembling from the panic and I fall into a heap on the floor.

Nimit is quick to wrap his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace. I tumble into it, grateful for the support. "I can walk." I still insist meekly.

Nimit snorts as he picks me bridal style and my hands wrap around his neck, my face burning pink as I hide it in his neck. "You can barely stand, let alone walk."

I glance around the room and gasp at the disaster it is. It feels like there was a tornado in the room, wrecking everything in its wake. Everything is shattered and broken. I press my lips to stop myself from bursting into tears. "Sania is going to kill me."

"Don't worry, she'll understand. She'll be more concerned about your safety than her couch." Nimit assures me, picking up speed as he enters my room. The room is at the other end so it was safe from the riot. He gently places me on the bed and turns to the door. I quickly scramble to grasp his hand, eyes wide in terror and my breath ragged and rough. "You are leaving. Don't go."

Nimit looks at my small fingers around his wrist and then back at me. Something in my agonized state must have stuck a chord because he gives a brief smile and pats my hand. "I am not going anywhere. I just want to close the door. There will be more people coming and they can be loud. You need to get some sleep, it will help you calm down."

I blink at him. "And you'll stay?"

Nimit manages to shut the door by reaching forward to kick it and then his eyes turn back to mine. "Yes. I'll stay for as long as you like."

I wait for a few seconds, maybe to make sure he means it or maybe because I don't want to let go of his hand. But eventually, I nod and move farther back on the bed. It's not a big one, just enough for two people and right now I want him in the bed with me.

I am still shaking and panting but I am recovering. Nimit moves to the bedside table, opening the bottle of water and pressing it against my lips. He holds the back of my head and guides the water to my lips and down my dry throat. "Good girl." I flush at the compliment.

Nimit sits on the corner of the bed and pats my knee. "You did good. You aren't shivering anymore. I thought I'd have to hug you to calm you down."

"Is that the only reason you'd hug me?"

His eyes widen briefly and he gulps. I force a smile and shrug a shoulder. "Just asking."

"One of the many."

I don't say more. "Who were they? Do you think it's possible they were here for Sania and not me?"

His eyebrows furrow and his back straightens. "What do you mean?"

"I mean this is her flat. She's the one who lives here. I have only been here for one day." I say. "Maybe the target wasn't me, maybe it was Sania."

Nimit hums in thought and then shakes his head. "Why would anyone want to harm her? She's just a model, an aspiring one. No reason to shoot her. These people were professionals. They meant business. And there were snipers. I doubt it was for Sania. The main concern is how did they know you moved here already?" A look of worry flashes across his face and he takes out his phone, typing something rapidly on it.

I shudder at the chilling thought of someone following my every move. It's so creepy and scary! Nimit notices my jitters and moves closer to me. He pauses for a second, as if contemplating, and then wraps his arms around me, hugging me. His hands move up and down my spine and I collapse into his embrace with a breathy sigh.

My arms wrap around his shoulders and I pull him even closer. I bury my face against his chest, finding solace in his presence. Neither of us move, my eyes close, listening to his steady heartbeat, the rise and fall of his chest. And I have to admit, he is a much better pillow than the fluffy ones in my room.

His hands rub over my arms, spreading warmth through my body and I inhale his scent, sweat and gunpowder but even that is intoxicating. I move closer, hitting his thighs and he hisses through gritted teeth. "Aisha... what are you doing?" His tone is a warning and I only smirk.

"Hugging." I mutter back, letting my fingers tangle into his hair.

"My whole team is outside that door. Anyone will walk in."

"Without knocking?"

There's a slight pause and I feel Nimit's exhale on the side of my neck. It sends a shiver down my spine and goosebumps arise. "They will knock."

"Then stop complaining."

I feel the tension drop from his shoulders and he pulls me closer, burying his nose into my neck and taking a deep breath. I whimper in the embrace, gasping as tingles shoot through my veins. I don't know for how long we stay like that, seconds, minutes, hours. But I know that I don't want to leave. This is the safest I have ever felt.

Nimit pulls back slightly and I grunt in protest. His hands cradle my face as he looks deep into my eyes. He leisurely traces his fingertips from my cheek to my chin and then stops at the corner of my lips. My lips part, breathless and my insides clench.

"I was scared." He whispers against my mouth.

"Scared? About what?"

"When the shooting started. I was scared that you might get hurt, that a bullet might hit you." The pad of his thumb rolls over my lower lip and I suck in a sharp breath, eyes wide. His touch is making my toes curl and I feel it right down to... there. "I was so fucking scared. I can't even think what I would have done if you had gotten hurt."

"My dad would have fired you." I mutter breathlessly.

"He would've killed me." Nimit guarantees me.

My eyes zero on his mouth, the parted lips, and then there's tempting urge to feel them, to kiss them. Unconsciously, my tongue darts out to slide over my top lip and I hear Nimit shift and groan, his eyes fiery, dark and sensual. Oh my! He wants this too!

His head dips lower, almost there, almost touching my lips. I pant in anticipation. But of course, fate has other plans.

His phone starts to ring loudly, cutting through the tense silence of the room. I yelp in surprise and his arms leave mine, I promptly fall back into the bed with a loud grunt.

Dammit! Just one minute! That's all we needed. Couldn't this person have called after a minute?

He picks up the call, hustling to get on his feet. His eyes are wide and his face flaming like he was just caught doing the lewdest of acts. I roll my eyes at that. Shouldn't the girl be the one embarrassed?

"Yes, Mr. Mehta. She is fine."

Of course, it's my father. It's like he knows exactly how to make my life miserable.

Nimit paces the floor and my eyes watch his every move, ears straining to catch every word.

"I am aware. No, we are working on it. There's nothing in the cameras yet. We are gathering footage from the other buildings too. Yes... okay. No, I'll have my team look into it... She is-" he passes a quick look in my direction and swallows. "She was panicking but she's fine now. I am with her. I don't think it was that, Sir. This is far too professional. Yes. Okay. Shall keep you updated."

He cuts the call and I fold my legs, narrowing my eyes at him. "You have a team? What team?"

Nimit clears his throat awkwardly. "I own the company."

I blink at him in confusion. "What company?"

"Bulletproof."

My eyes dance around the room as I try to understand what he means. "You mean the security company my dad has hired?"

"Yes."

I lick my lips, my spine stiffening. "You – you own it. As in you own it? You don't just work in it?"

Nimit rubs his forehead and avoids my eyes. "Yes. I own it, with two other friends."

My teeth girt together as I glare at him. This new information is beyond improbable, it's absurd and I can't believe that I didn't know it. I glare at him and fold my arms. "You own the bloody company? What the fuck? You don't think I should've known this?"

"Would it have made a difference?"

"Yes!" I screech, wanting to pull out my hair at his dismissive tone. "I thought we were getting to know each other but as it turns out, I don't even know what you do!"

"I am still your bodyguard. That is my job."

"Yeah, other than ruling over a big ass company. What are you even doing here? Don't you have an empire to run? Is my father paying you more than your company is making?" I can't wrap my head around this at all. How does he have time to stick by my side all the time while running a whole company? Does he have more hours in his day than we do? "You must be busy all the time, calls, meetings, all that CEO stuff and yet, here you are, bodyguarding some girl. Why?"

Nimit sighs heavily and walks closer, sitting in front of me. "I have people for that. I have a big company. I have two partners who manage all of it. And I was bored."

I rub my brow and scoff at his words. "You – you were bored? So you took up a job as a bodyguard? Do you hear yourself?"

"I have had this company for over 6 years now. We started it together, I managed the recruitment part of it. But as the company grew, we hired HRs and other teams to handle it. Now, I am only needed in the big decisions, global ones. Everything is running smoothly and I had a little time on my hand. My company was already working for your father." I listen intently to Nimit. "So, when he put in a request for a bodyguard, I thought it was the perfect chance for me to get back into action. I missed it. I was never the kind to just sit at home and attend zoom calls." He lips curve a little. "It also helps that the person I am guarding is gorgeous. A little crazy but clever too."

But I don't smile, instead my scowl only deepens. "Does my father know about this?"

"Yes. He's aware of it. He leaped at the chance to get the owner of a company, guard his daughter. Made him feel safe, he said."

"So, when he says he will fire you...?"

Nimit shrugs a shoulder. "He doesn't just mean me. He means my company."

"Oh my God." I gasp out, now it all makes sense. Why he was always so professional and scared to cross any boundaries. He wasn't just risking his own career but the fate of his employees too. If my father would have ever fired him, his whole team would be out of job.

"Your father is one of our biggest clients." Nimit says. "Because of him, we have gotten some pretty good response and demand. We have a good rapport going on now and the business is booming."

"You can't risk getting into his bad side." I mutter with a heavy sigh. "He can destroy you."

"Yeah. He can." Nimit whispers back and his affirmation only makes me more miserable.

"So anything between us...?"

"Is impossible."

I need to stay as far from him as possible.

There's a light knock and then a loud screech. I quickly jump off the bed, recognizing that voice. The door to bedroom is slammed open and there stands Sania with the most horrified and aghast look on her face. Her eyes dart from me to Nimit and then back to me. She stumbles in her heels and I quickly reach forward, catching her arm. "What the fuck happened?" She whisper-growls, still in a daze. "Did you run a tractor through my living room?"

I lick my lips nervously. "Um, no. There was – shooting, actually."

"Shooting!?" Sania leans back, eyes widening even more. "Like from the guns?"

"Yes, that kind of shooting."

"Oh God! Oh God!" She mumbles and falls on to my bed, her breathing loud and rapid. "Oh, crap in cat!"

Nimit quickly moves to give her the water bottle. But Sania shakes her head. I smile at Nimit. "I'll handle this. You should see your team."

"I'll be back in 15, okay?"

"Okay."

He disappears, closing the door behind him. I turn my attention to Sania, her throat is dry and her knuckles white. I lean down and wrap my hand around her trembling ones. "I am sorry."

"Sorry? Do you see the fucking mess? It's worse than a tornado! Nothing – nothing is in one piece."

Her words are loud, shaky yet sharp. I flinch a little and take a deep breath. She has every right to be pissed. I did just destroy half of her house – even if it was unintentional.

"Are you hurt?"

I shake my head and manage to smile reassuringly. "No, I wasn't hurt and neither was Nimit."

"Who was it? Any idea?"

"Not yet."

Sania chokes out a laugh. "Your father must have had a heart attack."

"I haven't talked to him yet."

"Well, my father is going to kill me." Sania grunts out. "This furniture cost him millions and now it's all well, pulverized. Oh my god, I am going to have to shift back with them. This is a fucking nightmare! That was my favourite couch!"

"I am sorry about that." I feel guilty now. "I'll ask my father to pay."

Saina shakes her head, her brows furrowed and confusion on her face. "Why would someone try to kill you, though? Because of your father? That's a long shot, isn't it? I mean, I know your father is a high-ranking politician but he's not the Prime Minister yet. And killing you will only make him more furious. He'll focus even more on his campaigns then. And it's such a low blow, going after family. You are innocent in all this."

I shrug a shoulder but she has a point. If something bad happens to me, my father will get his revenge. He won't be the one to sit ideal and just give a sad speech about it. He will work 10 times harder and make sure he becomes the Prime Minister. Then, he will find out who staged the attack and bury them alive without any fear. What has he to lose anymore? "Politics, who knows what they think." I reply sadly.

"True."

"I shouldn't have come here. I had no idea this would happen." I look down at my feet, the regret weighing down on my shoulders. Sania only rubs my back and smiles but I can see that it is a forced smile. "None of us knew this would have happened. Just be glad that Nimit was there with you."

The date sneaks into my mind and I fake a smile. "Yeah, good thing he was here."

After two days, the news channels, the papers, the websites are all still going on and on about my attack. Everybody is blaming the other political party and there are reporters 24*7 outside my house. I can't go outside, I can't go online. It's sheer torture.

I scream into the pillow, feeling suffocated and exhausted. Even my college has been stopped and the professors have given me the rare liberty to stay and home and study. So, the one good excuse I had to go out has also been torn into shreds now.

"Fucking hell!" I scream, jumping on my back and glaring the ceiling. Of course, I am back in my room now. And instead of just Nimit outside my door, there are 4 other guards there too.

"Precaution is better than a fucking bullet in your head." Were my father's sweet and comforting words to me before he shoved me into my bedroom and made sure I stayed in here.

There's a light knock and Nimit walks in, a plate of fruits in his hands. I glower at him. "This is all your fault!"

"I think you mean to say thank you for bringing me food."

My jaw clenches. "I am stuck here. I might not die from a gunshot but I will surely die from suffocation!"

"You are overexaggerating. It's not so bad. Watch a series."

"Yeah? Not so bad? Why don't you try it then? Stay here, locked inside four walls with nowhere to go."

Nimit smirks. "Locked in with you?"

Surprisingly he has been a little more talkative lately. I don't know if it's because he thinks it will improve my mood or it's because I am lowering his defences. Either way, his sassy mouth is getting on my nerves. "You want to flirt now?"

"No, it was a sincere question."

"Shut up!"

Nimit keeps the plate on my work table and then clears his throat. I can see that he is struggling to say something. "Spit it out."

"Pack your bags. We are leaving tonight."

I raise my eyebrows and grin flirtatiously. "Oh really? So eager to get locked in with me, huh?" I joke but then my smile fades away as I realise how serious he is. "What do you mean?"

"We think it's best to lay low for a while. Just until this settles down." Nimit explains. "There are too many reporters outside and it's getting unsafe here. We need to put you in a secure location. Someplace no one is aware of."

My distress increases. "You mean like a safe house? Like the one in movies?"

"Something like that." Nimit rubs the back of his neck. "Except that place will be my house."

Oh. My. God.

I don't even know what to say. I just stare at him, dumbfounded and dazed like this is all a dream – or a nightmare? Verdict is still not out on that. "We are going to your house?"

"For a few weeks. Yes."

"Just – just us?" My heart is racing. An electric thrill humming through me. Just when I was starting to think that forgetting Nimit would be a wise decision.

His eyes burn into mine, and I feel breathless from their intensity. His answer is a mere whisper but it resounds in my ears. "Yes. Just us."

A few weeks of just me and Nimit, all alone in a house – in his house?

Holy Crap! This is not what I need. He's too hot, I have zero control. He will get fired and I'll be miserable.

No. I need to stay away from him.

Just when one wants Apple juice, life gives you lemons! Where do I apply for a life swap?

~~~

Apple juice or lemonade?