Manik was sleeping beside her hugging her tightly. She immediately checked herself under the covers to check whether she was naked and what she saw made her eyes teary.

She jerked away from him with tears falling from her eyes.

How could he do this?

I feel so disgusted!

I hate you Manik Malhotra!

I hate you for doing this to me!

From the sudden movement Manik's sleep also got disturbed and he lazily opened his eyes and saw his Rose sitting on the bed.

"Good morning Rose!" He lazily stretched his hands in the air.

She looked at him with disgust and hatred in her eyes and he looked confused.

"What happened?" He asked.

"What happened? You are asking me? Wow the great Manik Malhotra is acting all innocent! I didn't know that you were such a good actor too!" She said with disgust in her voice.

"Rose tell me what happened!" He said sternly.

"What is this!" She asked pointing at her body which was now covered with only his shirt.

Suddenly he smirked and holding her hand jerked her towards him.

"So you were talking about this!" He said tracing his finger on her arm.

She slapped his hand away and glared at him.

"Don't touch me!" She hissed.

"I will touch you whenever and wherever I want because you're mine!" He held her tightly by her shoulders.

"Please leave you're hurting me!" She cried in pain.

He left her shoulders but snaked his arm around her waist holding her close to him. He brought his face dangerously close to hers and stared in her eyes.

"Don't worry Rose! I've just made you wear my clothes because trust me I want you to be fully conscious when I do things to you!" His voice held that power which made her weak.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheeks one by one followed by her jawline and neck. Nandini closed her eyes and tried not to be affected by his kisses but the fact was she was affected by his kisses.

"Rose!" He shaked her and she opened her eyes.

She realised he had stopped long ago but she was stupidly sitting there closing her eyes. That was so embarassing. Her cheeks turned red from embarassment while he chuckled.

He got up and moved inside the bathroom while she sat there wondering what would she do now. She couldn't possibly sit in this mansion for whole day.

After sometime Manik came out from the bathroom when Nandini called him.

"Mr. Malhotra!" He stopped in his tracks when he heard her.

"Actually I don't have anything to wear right now! Can I go out to buy something for myself?" She asked hesistantly.

"No need! I'll ask someone to buy clothes for you and send them here! You are not going anywhere!" He ordered and she let out a frustrated breath.

"Atleast let me continue my studies! Please!" She pleaded as she badly wanted to complete her studies.

He turned around and saw her pleading face. For a second he melted looking at her face but the next second masked his expression.

"I won't allow you to go anywhere Rose! And why do you want to study when I'm here to fulfill your every wish!" He said coldly.

She looked at him in disbelief.

"I want to study! And I don't like being dependant on anyone!" She glared at him.

But then seeing his angry glare she explained further.

"Please let me continue my studies! I promise I won't run away!" She made a puppy face.

He examined her for few minutes inspecting for any lies but found none. Still he couldn't trust her so easily. What if she was tricking him into this?

"How do I believe you?" He asked.

"I promise! And also you know about my brother's whereabouts then how can I run knowing I'll be risking his life if I run away!" She pointed out.

Well she had a point! He thought.

"Okay!" He said and she was ready to jump in happiness.

"But, not today. You can go from tomorrow! Also I have some work now so I'll be telling you the rules once I come back!" He ordered and she looked confused.

"Rules?"

"Yes! Till then stay in this mansion! Don't you dare step out of here!" He warned and she nodded.

After he left Nandini jumped on the bed in happiness for finally getting what she wanted. She quickly ran for a shower and decided to wear one of his shirts till the time her clothes arrive.

Whole day she roamed in the mansion seeing and exploring the place. The mansion was more huge than she had imagined.

A female worker had brought her clothes and she was relieved at that moment. She thanked her and immediately changed into something comfortable.

At night she was in her room when she heard some music. Curiosity filled in her and she stepped out following the music.

Slowly she reached the terrace and saw a tall figure sitting on the edge of the terrace.

Who is he?

She saw him strumming the guitar. With the first word he sung she knew it was him.

Oh, love of mine
With a song and a whine
You're harsh and divine
Like truths and a lie

But the tale ends not here
I have nothing to fear
For my love is yell of giving and hold on

And the bright emptiness
In a room full of it
Is a cruel mistress
Whoa oh!

I feel this unrest
That nests all hollowness
For I have nowhere to go and I'm cold.

And I feel so lonely yeah...
There's a better place than this
Emptiness

And I'm so lonely yeah...
There's a better place than this
Emptiness, yeah!

Tune mere jaana
Kabhi nahi jaana
Ishq mera, dard mera, haaye!

Tune mere jaana
Kabhi nahi jaana
Ishq mera, dard mera

Aashiq tera
Bhid me khoya rehta hai,
Jaane jahaan
Poocho to itna kehta hai

That I feel so lonely yeah...
There's a better place than this
Emptiness

And I'm so lonely yeah
There's a better place than this
Emptiness, yeah!

With every word he sang, she could feel his pain. There was so much pain in his voice. When he ended the song his head was hung down like he was a defeated man.

And on that night she saw a whole different person infront of her.

He was not the same cruel, cold-hearted or the ruthless Mafia but a broken, lonely man who wanted some love and peace.

Manik got up from there and turned around to see Nandini standing over there. His eyes widened. He thought she slept.

He walked in her direction and when he came close to her she gasped audibly.

His face had bruises!

She initiated and moved forward raising her hand and touched his bruise. He did nothing but stood there staring at her.

"Did you get into a fight?" She asked looking concerned.

He smirked.

"Since when did you started caring about me Rose?" He asked amused.

She ignored his smirk and checked his injuries. Thankfully they weren't too serious.

She held his hand and dragged him down to their room. She made him sit on the bed and searched for the first-aid box.

"Where the hell is this now!" She muttered to herself.

"In the drawer!" He answered and she looked at him.

Taking the box she stood infront of him. She took the ointment out and started applying on his bruises.

Each time she touched a bruise she hissed instead of him. While he stared her with an intensity that burned her but she ignored his stare.

"Does it hurt?" She asked once done with her work.

He sighed.

"This is my work Rose! Danger is a part of my life. I can't ignore it even if I want to!" He stated the truth and she just nodded curtly.

She moved away from him and washed her hands in the washroom. As she came out she saw Manik waiting on the bed.

"You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the couch!" She told him and turned towards the couch without waiting for his reply.

As soon as she took one step she found herself floating in the air. Frightened she hid her face with her palms ready to meet the hard floor. But when nothing happened she opened her eyes and found herself in his arms.

He carried her to the bed and placed her on it. Settling beside her when he saw her getting up he spoke.

"You're not going anywhere! You will sleep beside me on this bed Rose!" He said strictly.

"But -"

"Do you want me to force you?" He asked seriously in a cold voice and she immediately nodded a no.

"Come!" He ordered her to scoot closer.

She nervously shifted a little trying to keep some distance but he at once pulled her towards him and hugged her tightly making her uncomfortable.

"Sleep Rose!" He whispered and she found her eyes drooping.

Next morning she was the first one to wake up. She opened her eyes and saw Manik sleeping beside her with his mouth slight open.

She chuckled.

This was the first time she was seeing him properly. He was perfect! He had beautiful eyes, perfect jawline, perfect lips, well-toned body! He had everything but then why would he be after a total disaster like me?

"Done staring at me Rose?" Manik smirked with his eyes still closed.

Nandini's eyes widened and mouth hung open.

Shit! You're so dumb Nandini Murthy!

Why do I have to embarass myself everytime?

"I-I wasn't staring at you!" She stuttered shrugging her shoulders.

"Sure you weren't!" He smirked.

She hated that smirk!

After they got ready Manik stopped Nandini who was very excited to go to her college.

"So now let me tell you the rules Rose!" Manik said in a serious voice.

Nandini's smile dropped and all her excitement flew away. The monster Malhotra was back!

~~~

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