13 |BENEATH THE SURFACE



▓█▓▒­░⡷⠂Caution : Mature Content ⠐⢾░▒▓█

PRECAP :

Nandini found herself in an emotionally complex and physically overpowering situation with Manik, a man whose dangerous allure both terrified and intrigued her. Despite her resistance and resentment, the undeniable chemistry between them ignited in moments of unrelenting passion. Manik, torn between concern and desire, pushed boundaries as emotions ran wild. The night promised more, but unanswered questions lingered: What was driving Manik's intensity? And how would Nandini reconcile her fear with her unspoken longing?

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Nandini woke with a start, the faint glimmer of dawn filtering through the cracked windows of the room she had been confined in. Her wrists ached from the remnants of the handcuffs, and her body felt heavy, a mixture of exhaustion and emotional turmoil weighing her down.

Manik was nowhere in sight, but his presence lingered—his scent, a mix of musk and the faintest trace of cologne, clung to the sheets. Nandini sat up, her fingers grazing the marks on her wrists, a bitter reminder of the night before.

Her mind raced. Who is this man? What does he want from me? The lines between hatred and curiosity blurred. She couldn’t deny the way her body had betrayed her, responding to his every touch. But her heart—her heart screamed for escape.

The door creaked open, and there he stood, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light. He held a tray, its contents revealing a modest breakfast: toast, fruit, and a steaming cup of tea. His expression was unreadable, a mix of tenderness and something darker.

“You need to eat,” he said, his voice softer than she expected.

Nandini hesitated, eyeing him warily. “What do you want from me, Manik?” Her voice cracked, betraying her attempt at defiance.

He placed the tray on the bedside table and sat down, his piercing gaze locking with hers. “I want you to trust me.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Trust you? You kidnapped me, tied me up, and...” Her voice faltered as memories of the previous night flooded her. “You think trust comes that easily?”

Manik sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “You don’t understand, Nandini. There’s more to this than you know.”

“Then explain!” she snapped, anger flaring.

He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur. “You’re in danger. I had to take you away to keep you safe.”

Nandini’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Safe? From whom?”

Manik’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping. “From people who won’t hesitate to hurt you to get to me.”

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Nandini’s anger wavered, replaced by a gnawing sense of unease. “What have you gotten me into, Manik?”

Before he could answer, a loud knock echoed through the room. Manik stood abruptly, his demeanor shifting to one of alertness. “Stay here,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Meanwhile, Outside the Room

A tall, rugged man stood at the door, his face partially obscured by a hood. “You’re making a mistake, Malhotra,” the stranger said, his voice cold.

Manik stepped out, closing the door behind him. “This isn’t your fight, Aryan. Stay out of it.”

Aryan smirked. “Oh, but it is my fight. You’ve dragged her into this, and now she’s a liability.”

Manik’s fists clenched. “If you so much as look at her—”

“You’ll what? Kill me?” Aryan laughed mockingly. “Face it, Manik. You can’t protect her forever. She’ll find out the truth, and when she does, she’ll hate you even more.”

Manik’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his silence betraying the weight of Aryan’s words.

Back in the Room

Nandini paced nervously, her mind racing. The muffled voices outside the door only heightened her anxiety. She needed answers. Grabbing a bobby pin from her hair, she began to work on the handcuff lock, her hands trembling.

The lock clicked open just as the door swung inward. Manik froze, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of her free wrists. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m not staying here, Manik,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute. “You don’t get to control me.”

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I’m trying to protect you, Nandini.”

“Protect me?” she spat. “By imprisoning me? By... by doing what you did last night?”

Manik’s expression softened, a flicker of regret crossing his face. “I shouldn’t have... I lost control.”

She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “You don’t get to decide what happens to me. I want to go home.”

Manik took a deep breath, his gaze intense. “If you leave now, you’re walking into danger. Let me explain everything, and then you can decide.”

Nandini hesitated, her resolve wavering. The vulnerability in his eyes was unexpected, and despite everything, a part of her wanted to believe him. “Fine,” she said finally. “But this is your last chance.”

Later That Night

Manik sat across from Nandini, his posture tense. “There’s a reason I took you, Nandini. The people after me—they’re ruthless. They’ll use anyone I care about to get to me.”

She frowned. “Why would they think I matter to you?”

His gaze dropped, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “Because you do.”

Nandini’s breath caught. The sincerity in his voice was undeniable. “Manik...”

Before she could finish, the sound of breaking glass shattered the moment. Manik was on his feet instantly, pulling Nandini behind him. “Stay close,” he ordered, his voice low and steady.

The room plunged into chaos as armed men burst in, their faces obscured by masks. Manik fought them off with a ferocity that left Nandini stunned. Despite her fear, she couldn’t help but marvel at his strength and determination.

When the dust settled, Manik turned to her, his face etched with concern. “Are you okay?”

She nodded shakily, her mind reeling. This wasn’t just about her anymore. Whatever Manik was involved in, it was dangerous—and now, she was a part of it.

To be continued...

Would you like more emotional depth or additional plot twists in the next episode?

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