I crawled back in fear as I saw him approaching me. The fact that I was sitting on the bed and couldn't even get up and run was an advantage for him.

He came on the bed and hovered over me and as I tried to get away from him he pinned me down under his well built body.

"So what were you saying Rose?" He raised his one eyebrow and dared me to say that again.

I gulped as I tried to speak something.

"I-I ...you ...that -" I stuttered badly and he chuckled at my state.

"You look like a kitten right now Rose! My kitten!" He said huskily as he leaned closer.

I squirmed as he stepped in my personal space but he cared less. Just when his face was an inch closer from mine I spoke.

"Why are you so heartless? Why do you have to kill people? And why can't you set me free?" I whispered and his whole torso stiffened.

I looked in his eyes and gasped audibly at the amount of rage in it. They were red as he clenched his jaw to control himself from bursting.

In a flash his warmth was gone as I saw him standing infront of me. I too got up and ignoring the lump of fear in my throat I opened my mouth to speak but he was quick.

"Sleep!" He sounded breathless.

I tried once again to speak but this made him more angry.

"I said sleep Nandini!" His voice boomed and I literally jumped.

A traitor slipped from the corner of my left eye before I quickly wiped it and lied down on my side of bed. The next thing I heard was a few curses before I felt the bed dip beside me.

I stayed still and was thankful when he didn't pull me towards him. But my happiness was short lived as he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me towards him. I closed my eyes pretending to sleep but he leaned close to my ear and whispered.

"I know you're awake Rose! So quit the pretense and open your eyes!" He ordered.

I wanted to snort loudly but decided to continue the act to be asleep.

"Don't test me Nandini!" He gritted as he tightened his hold on me.

I still didn't respond pushing him on the edge.

"Fine then don't blame me for this!" He said and before I could understand the meaning of his words I felt his cold fingers resting on my stomach.

I gasped loudly as his fingers started to travel a little up under my top. My eyes flew open and he smirked.

I so wanted to slap him!

"Done with the act?" He said cockily and in return I gave him a hard glare.

"Now listen to me very carefully!" He suddenly turned serious and I couldn't help but be nervous.

"Never again ask me about my past Nandini! That is something I don't want to remember and if you make me remember then I swear you won't like the consequences at all!" His voice was icy cold which made me shiver despite of his warmth.

"You understand?" He asked and I just nodded.

"Now let's go to sleep!" Saying so he hid his face in the crook if my neck, nuzzling there.

In few minutes I could hear his even breaths indicating me that he was asleep. But sleep was far away from me. I couldn't help but think about his words.

What was so bad that he doesn't want to remember his past?

I didn't know when my eyes started to droop and I fell into deep slumber.

Next day at college was going all good until the guy from that day approached me again.

"Hey Nandini!"

I groaned as I saw him walking towards me.

"Hii!" He said as he stood infront of me.

I ignored him and walked past him but he still decided to chase me.

"Nandini wait!"

"What?" I snapped and instantly felt guilty.

"Woah chill! Someone got up from the wrong side of the bed!" He chuckled.

"Listen -" I stopped as I didn't remember his name.

"Ryan! Ryan Reynolds!" He said.

"Right Mr. Reynolds please stay out of my way. I don't have anything to do with you!" I said sternly.

"See Nandini I don't know what have I done that you always seem to be running away from me. But I just wanted to be your friend!" His voice seemed sad.

I hated the fact that I had to do this. And I regretted that I had a peek at his face from the corner of my eyes. He looked so sad.

"Look Mr. Reynolds -" He cut me off in between.

"Ryan. Call me Ryan!"

I shook my head.

"I can't! I know I'm being rude but I can't be friends with you! Please try and understand that. And its not like I'm the only one in this college. There are so many people to be friends with then why just me?" I was now getting curious as why he was so persistent to be friends with me.

"You are different Nandini. You seem different. The first time I saw you I had decided to be your friend but then ..." He trailed off making me feel more guilty.

"Okay then it was nice talking to you Miss Nandini!" He said and I just smiled in return until he walked away.

I hate you Manik Malhotra!

"Rose!" Manik's voice snapped me out of my daze and I looked at him.

We were currently sitting in his car and driving back home. I was pretty lost in my thoughts about the talk I had with Ryan.

"What are you thinking?" He asked as he looked at me and back to the road.

"Nothing!" I replied looking out of the window.

He didn't seem convinced but neither did he question me further for which I was glad. The rest of the journey passed silent as no one spoke anything and it wasn't that I wanted him to.

As we reached I got out and started moving inside.

"Rose!" Manik called from behind.

I stopped and turned around to see him still seated in the car.

"I'll be back in two hours! Stay home! Navya is inside only and Cabir is going to be with me. If any of you need anything just call me or Cabir." He informed and I just nodded before he drove away.

I moved inside the house thinking about his behaviour.

Why was he trying to be nice?

Why was he pretending that he cared?

And where were they going?

Was it about that guy James he was talking about yesterday?

I grimaced at the thought of him killing yet another life. What does he even get by killing people?

I shook my head to clear all the thoughts about him.

"Navya!" I called her seeing her sitting on one of the couch of the living room.

"Nandiniiii!" She squealed and ran to me but due to sudden excitement she stumbled and was going to fall flat on her stomach but I immediately ran and held her.

"Are you mad? What sort of irresponsible behaviour is this Navya? What if something had happened to you? And the baby? What if something had happened to him?" I started my scolding session.

All she did in return was smile like an idiot.

"What are you smiling at?" I asked.

"You know you look like my elder sister right now!" She teased and I huffed.

"I'll have to become one if you will be this careless!" I glared at her and she chuckled.

"Alright ma'am!" She saluted and we burst out laughing.

"By the way Nandini. How do you know that its a 'him'?" She asked and I shrugged.

"Just an instinct! What do you think? Boy or a girl?" I replied.

"Hm to be honest! I also feel its going to be a boy. But Cabir says its a girl!" She pouted at the end.

I chuckled. Placing a hand on her stomach I said.

"Boy or Girl! Massi is going to love you baby!" I whispered to her.

"Indeed she will!" Navya smiled.

"Navya why don't you ask Bhai to step out of this business?" I asked suddenly.

"What business?" She looked confused.

"This Mafia business. You know its so dangerous! Then why don't you stop him?"

"Why should I Nandini? He is doing nothing wrong!" She replied.

"What are you implying Navya? Killing people is not wrong?" I asked suddenly angry.

"I didn't say that! There is a big difference between being a muderer and killing people Nandini!" She explained making me more confused.

"Don't worry you'll understand everything gradually! I was also confused when I was at your place!" She smiled.

"You mean -"

"Yes I was also kidnapped! But see where am I now! I am happy Nandini!" I was shocked with all the revelations.

"So Navya you must be knowing about Manik's past right?" I asked and suddenly her face turned pale.

"Nandini that is something only Manik can tell you! I am sorry I can't say anything!" She looked at me with a guilty face.

"Please Navya! You can only help me. Please tell me what was his past! I promise I won't -" My sentence was left incomplete when a voice boomed in the mansion.

"Nandini!"

~~~