Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well :) . I am writing after a long time and sorry if I am messing up, have grammar errors, or my scenes or not that up to the mark like they have been previously. I am just writing for fun right now so lolz. Thank you for reading :).

Language is Mature. This story is rated Mature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flashback-8 years ago:

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Snapping on my black gloves and throwing my safety glasses against my eyes, I grabbed the clear colored vile from the centrifuge. A childish giggle escaped from my lips out of excitement considering this actually might be the first time I, Anika Malhotra, might successfully complete an experiment. For the first time in five months of this research internship, I may finally succeed in impressing my mentor and getting that letter of recommendation for medical school.

I giggled and mentally patted myself on my back for my achievement. Hannah wrinkled her eyebrows appearing annoyed by my demeanor that appeared to break the silent code of maintaining a serious environment in lab.

"Don't be too happy. You still have the last step left," Hannah mumbled before walking away down the hallway towards the small office where my mentor sat. I noticed a small crowd of students chattering outside of his office which was quite odd considering how my mentor is not a big fan of socializing.

Humming a small tune nonchalantly, I opened the lid of the centrifuge and placed the vile inside ready to give it another spin. My eyes wandered back to the office as I clicked start on the machine.

The crowd of students appeared to retrieve back to make way for figure that was walking towards them. It didn't appear to be my boss considering the figure was tall, lean, and casted a dark eerie shadow upon the students. Without a warning, my heart began to skip beats as I casted my eyes upon the creature that lurked out of the office.  I began to here the centrifuge scream in agony wanting to grab my attention, however, I was lost finding myself intrigued by the new figure that dared to enter our dinosaur era like lab that hasn't dared to welcome a beautiful handsome man since the dawn of the era. Let's just say this dinosaur lab reeks of the smell of ugly, unshowered undergrads and a mentor who is at the brink of death.

His eyes met mine as he revealed himself in the light. My eyes widened in horror as my jaw dropped in excitement unable to believe that the very man who I had despised, yet, somewhere had given my heart to has reappeared in front of my eyes after disappearing years ago.

Suddenly, a loud explosion went off. Shrieks and screams erupted. My body flying back only to fall against his. Glass shattering and rickashaying against the body that entangled with mine. Our legs twirled against each other with our hands wrapping into each other. His lips brushing unintentionally against my cheek marking me with his electric, alien touch that always had done wonders to me. We hit the wooden counter behind us as smoke filled out vision. The heat of our bodies began to simmer into one with our lips trembling against each other barely a centimeter apart.

His vision appeared to clear only to find me looking at him in complete mesmerization. My fingers playing lightly against his. A girlish smile trickling against my barren lips. I found myself blush upon realizing how he was shamelessly boring his eyes upon me.

If this scene was in a movie, I would have vomited by now by the sheer cheesiness of it. I have never been a romantic at heart...well not the typical romantic. Fairytales haven't attracted me as much as tragedies, however, being in this fairytale like scene is pleasuring me and boy do I hate it.

"Princess Lazy Bum?"

I gasped in anger. The fairytale seemingly breaking and reality launching back at me. His blue eyes glistened and appeared to tease me while his thin, full lips were held sternly up in the air. Demon in disguise of a Prince.

"Billu?" I replied teasingly with flashbacks from our childhood running in front of my eyes. The smoke between us began to disappear and I looked back only to gasp from the site of horror in front. The centrifuge's lid propped open while chemicals overflowed on to the countertop. Shades of green and red colored and dripped savagely on to the floor.

"Of course wherever there is Anika there is chaos."  He muttered angrily. I rolled my eyes and turned on my toes with my finger up in the air ready to give him a piece of my mind.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi...or how should I say it Billu Rakshasa has been the poison to my existence ever since I took birth. Merely a few years older than I, this man has made my life a living hell from teasing me on our playground dates, to bullying me during recess in elementary school, to making me eat sand while on vacation with his family. This ugly little man who is unfortunately the son of my father's best friend has been sent via express mail from hell to make my life jahanam and damn am I ready to take revenge. But...then this is the same devil who years ago dared to make a spot in my teenage heart through his sinister antics-that is a topic that shall be revisited later.

"And yes last but not the least who is left in you being introduced to is Anika Malhotra, who unfortunately, is our lab intern...another day and another explosion, why am I not surprised?" Andrew Simmons, my mentor, shook his head and scratched his bald head in disappointment. The eighty-eight year old already having given up on winning the Noble Peace Prize, didn't grimace once from the disaster I had just created-he just wants to retire peacefully at this point having realized not everyone can be the next Einstein.

"Hello, my name is Shivaay Singh Oberoi, I am the new co-PI of this lab. Starting this summer, I will be taking over this lab after Dr. Simmons retires and I graduate from medical school."

My jaw dropped down in surprise unable to believe what was about to happen. Ummm....what! No no no...isn't this tyrant a medical student or was supposed to be one? He's going to be the new PI...my new mentor...no no no-this cannot be happening. This tyrant cannot be my new boss.

The demon smirked finding himself amused by my state of mind. He appeared to be intrigued by the idea of leading me, controlling me, and putting me in the same state he had years ago. His hand held up in the air for me to shake as I stared at barely lifting my trembling palm.

Before I was able to come to my senses to shake his hand, I felt my safety goggle snap loudly against the back of my head. His hand briskly running against the locks of my hair. His face running against my cheek as he hand his fingers through the knot of my glasses appearing to tighten them more. He could feel my heart pounding loudly against him letting him know how his slightest touch had a deep effect upon me.

"Safety is a must Ms. Malhotra...especially when cleaning after one's own mess. How about you get to work and meet me in my office after it. We must find a better job for you that will not be hazardous to us and continue to amuse this childish mind you carry..." He sang my insult in such a charming way that I found myself blushing even though I should be furious, angry, and motivated to punch his ball sac.

The other lab interns snickered from hearing my insult. Shivaay threw a glare to them to indicate they should shut up at this very moment or likely face the similar bashing that I had just gotten.

"You know what, how about you follow me to my office now Anika?" Rather than asking, he commanded as he turned on his feet and waved back at me telling me to follow him.

Like a mystified zombie, I began to follow him wanting to further engage in a conversation with him clearly curious what he has been up to since the last time we met. Yeah, one can be curious about their bullies too-don't think I am curious because I like him since that is completely false.

I slammed the glass door behind me as he collapsed on his chair and threw his legs up on the small tiny wooden desk. He let out a thunderous laugh and threw his head against the window staring out to the seaside view that welcomed his office.

"What the fuck are you doing here freaking Billu?! Aren't you supposed to be saving the cold-obsessed freaks on the east coast rather than dabbling back to the so-called loser hippies, in your phrasing, in San Francisco?! Last time I checked, you hate being a Californian and denied your own birthplace by claiming on social media that you have been 'NYC raised and born'!"

My hand flying dramatically in the air as I played with the tone of my voice up and down like the dramatic queen I am. His smirked widened as he threw up an apple in his hand before taking a bite of it.

"Oh so you have been stalking me on social media I see...well Velvet queen who goes to cabaret clubs in Las Vegas while on her free time, your antics have not been hidden from me either-" He took another loud bite of his apple. I gasped and immediately threw myself up on to the desk taking a firm grasp of the collar of his black shirt ready to punch his sockets out.

"Don't you dare!" I spat into his face leading some of my spit to splatter on his apple. He made a disgusted look at the apple and threw it at my bosom which he always has appeared to obsess over. His eyes wandered briefly over my cleavage as I shrieked and grabbed the apple into my hand.

"And your habit of spitting on me has not gone away I see. Anyhow, Anika, this is a professional environment and best we conduct ourselves as professionals. You are not my father's best friend's daughter here nor the girl with whom I unfortunately had to spend half of my childhood with..." He maintained a stern, careful, bossy tone though his eyes bespoke something else. They wandered down my legs and to the black sweater dress I wore before dashing away to the view outside of his office window that was not as pleasing to him.

I awkwardly sat on my knees on top of his desk not ready to get off-finding myself stuck as glue to it. He is right. He is my boss now and I cannot be unprofessional considering this man likely will write my recommendation for medical school.

"Anyways other things aside. I think I have to find a new project for you where you can be supervised and such lab disasters cannot happen again. Simmons is from the dinosaur age, so he hardly cares the state of his lab, but I do considering I will be taking over very soon."

I let out a small snicker surprised how Shivaay too called this lab from the dinosaur age just like I did. Guess being raised together has had similar effects on us. Our mothers have always said how we both are so similar, yet, we both have never found the common traits.

"Well for the next week and half, you can refile the cabinets for me and reorder equipment our lab needs. After that, I will find something for you to do."

"What?! I am here to work not do stupid paperwork for you that you are too lazy to do!" I exclaimed and before I knew it he grabbed my arms pulling my right into his chest. My legs barely atop the desk as my hands collapsed around his neck. His chair swung back hitting the window. I let my palm drop under his head not wanting him to be harmed. I laid on top of him as the both of us tangled into each other.

He paused for a moment. His eyes seemingly lost within mine. We found ourselves diving into an ocean of mystery and secrets we have kept within ourselves for years, though, they might just relate to each other and our relationship. The fire that somewhere had lit within my heart when I was a teenager could be seen in his eyes too. He appeared to be attracted by my presence just like I was by his. The passionate wars we have fought against each other since childhood subliming into this attraction that was now spreading its roots within us.

"You will listen to me. Work for me. And oblige to me." He held a seductive, husky tone...not the bossy, commanding one, but a different one as if he was speaking of another subject.

A shiver went through me making me tremble against him. I became speechless not knowing how to reply to him. He smirked having likened how he silenced me. He knowing he had won this war merely by his charm and good lucks which were enough to make me shut up.

But damn did he not know...that I would win the next war...the war of attraction.

Flashback Ends

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

And I did win the war of attraction...I won it all. But the separation of us once again led him to be on a different path and for me to go off to medical school. I never looked back at mu undergrad years again and pursed medicine having thought I would not meet Shivaay again, but I was wrong. By the time, I had fooled myself into thinking I only have always loved Vikram after meeting him during my years in medical school, I had met Shivaay again in fellowship and seemingly that fire of attraction did reignite within me. But this fire is nothing compared to my love for Vikram and so I am fighting to extinguish this attraction I carry for Shivaay and solely commit myself to Vikram.

Waltzing across the wet cement sidewalk, I quickly made my way down the busy city sidewalk while smiling like a complete dork. My heels taps loudly against the cement as I tangoed in my oversized bright berry colored coat and hopped through people not giving a care that I just made the hot dog seller fall over his feet to rudely pushing a slow paced tortoise lady away.

"Anika slow down! Last time I checked your ass is not on fire!" My perverted ass obsessed boss roared from behind me. I gasped in horror as I noticed a group of people break into laughter from hearing the loud abhorrent statement.

Quickly turning on my feet, I threw up the door to the restauraunt and revealed a deadly look to the perpetrator wanting to knock him right in his weak nuts.

"And who gave you the license to check my ass out? I hope you remember that we are not in that sort of relationship..." I smacked my bubble gum loudly against my lips before leaning seductively against the door giving him a full view of my body.

A sense of pride swept itself through my body with the crown of honor proudly decking itself on my head considering I have finally outwon...outdone...and outbeated the King of Assholes, yours' truly, Shivaay Singh Oberoi. How have I outwon him? It's a long story....and this is a novel, so we have plenty of time for me to share my story.

Shivaay entered a long pause appearing taken aback my blunt statement. He appeared flustered, all red in his face, as if his deepest darkest secret has been caught. Shuffling from foot to the next, he pursed his lips tightly not wanting to let go of his stoic demeanor.

"I have no interest in pursuing that....Anika." He took a step closer to me...too close for comfort as our bodies gently brushed against each other. A sudden chill went down my spine with my shoulder slamming into his hard. Throwing my head back, I let me waves spin against his lips only to feel his body much more closer to mine. The heat of our bodies almost melting into each other.

A brief image of the past...his and my past...flashed before my eyes. A taste of bitterness and shame filled my mouth only to choke my heart that once dared to commit the sin of........never mind. Why speak of the past?

"Good. Keep that lack of interest like you have always had." I smirked as I swallowed my tears and blinked them away to maintain my pride and dignity I had since long...after we had fallen apart.

Shocking, but true that indeed Shivaay and I once held a thread that bound us until we both tore it apart with our own egoes.

Shivaay's eyes darkened having not expected the statement from me. His eyes had lost that small glimmer of hope as if he wanted me to say something else-something I had said years ago only to face humiliation.

Lighting hitting his shoulder, I pushed my way out and resumed my path to the restaurant where Vikram was. My path to love ends at uniting with Vikram. Not Shivaay, but Vikram. Shivaay is now a mere figure of a past that has already caused me much embarrassment. Best to forget him and think about the future.  My future.

My eyes wandered into the restauraunt to search for Vikram and Mallika. As I let them wander through the crowd of diners who appeared to enjoy the fresh lobster dabbled with bits of red wine, I spotted two dark shadows far in the back appearing to be indulged in deep conversation. My heart hiccupped for a moment as I noticed his hand brush against hers briefly. Their lips barely an inch apart while engaged in deep conversation. Anger rose within me not liking the sight in front having not expected it.

"Mallika try to understand, I know you are upset and I hate seeing you this way, but what could I have possibly done? Everything happened so quickly..."

"Oh stop making excuses now will you?! If you a real man then you would have kept your word..." Mallika hissed at Vikram appearing to not buy his excuses.

Curiosity began to rise within me as I quickly ducked behind the wall to listen to the conversation. What promise was Vikram meant to keep to Mallika? Why is Vikram so engaged in the fact that Mallika is upset due to him?

"I am keeping my word Mallika. Do not worry one bit. I have everything under control..." Vikram whispered in a consoling tone to Mallika. I felt my skin boil with anger that began to burn throughout my body.

My eyes dabbled down towards their hands that appeared to brush against one another. Their eyes showed that sinful emotion that is only found between those who are willing to betray.

I felt my heart shatter and plunge deep into a pit of darkness that encased petals which carried memories of a broken love of the past. Tears slipped gently down my cheeks with my body beginning to shake violently. Memories suddenly began to crash down upon me and shake my very being---reminding me that this was not new. That a man breaking me was not something new, but part of a cycle that I have been trapped in ever since I learned the true meaning of love.

"Anika...what's wrong?" The voice of the very man who had begun this cycle spoke to me---daring to tear me out of my pit of self pity.

A smile broke through me. I felt my heartbeats subsiding ready to meet their death. My head gently hit the wall behind me as I leaned back and admired the broken, but beautiful human being in front...the man who dared to bring me down this path, tie my hands and make me a slave to love only to leave me.

"N-nothing....nothing Shivaay. Nothing that will dare to make you face the truth...make you realize what you have done to me. God...what have you done to me?" I let out a berateful laugh and pushed him away gently to clear my path towards Vikram and Mallika ready to unmask them.

The demon behind me grumbled as he suddenly grabbed my arm pulling me towards him. Our bodies colliding against each other. His lips cascading gently against the side of my cheek letting me shiver against his touch. Our eyes locked intently not ready to look away from each other.

"What have I done to you that makes you hate me so much? Just tell me already. Tell me why do you despise me so much Anika? Huh?" His breaths rumbled against mine that were skipping, jumping, hopping not ready to even give me the chance to express myself, let out my anger, and finally tell him the gravest sin he had committed against me.

Memories from the past dared to break down my walls and relieve themselves before me, however, I pushed them away knowing if I allow them come to me then I will become inconsolable.

"What's happening?" I broke away from his grasp and looked back to see my culprit-the man I thought who loves me....Vikram.

My eyes wandered to Mallika who was right next to him. I caught sight of a red ruby pendant she was wearing...the same one I had seen Vikram hide in his pocket when we had gone jewelry shopping last week. Tears slipped down to my lips as my heart panged from the betrayal it had witnessed.

I do not want to believe what I have seen or heard. I do not want to believe in this bitter reality. My mind does not want to. I do not want to face the fact that I may be heartbroken again. I am in too much in love with Vikram and I cannot let go of him. I cannot. Perhaps I have misunderstood...perhaps what I am thinking is wrong. Perhaps, Vikram and Mallika are innocent.

The only way, I can find out is by attending this dinner and putting on the mask of an innocent lover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lol what is Jasmine's book without insane amount of flashbacks and mysteries lolz. Shivika basically grew up together in childhood since their friends were families and Shivaay used to tease Anika a lot. Basically the flashback is about Shivaay being Anika's lab mentor 8 years ago when she was in college. Later Anika went to medical school and got pursued by Vikram who is Shivaay's brother. After graduating from medical school, she went to fellowship and met Shivaay again where their bitter war resumed where they tease and argue just like they have since childhood, however, it's a mystery regarding what their relationship was like when Shivaay was Anika's boss/mentor when she worked in lab. More mysteries yet to come.

Will update hopefully next week :). Thank you for reading :).