Abhiraj seemed to stiffen at first, but when she wept more pathetically, he moved his free hand and placed it on her back, stroking lightly. It wasn't an intimate touch, but she felt more heartbroken because of it. She felt useless to have the warmth of affection that was flowing from him. Because, regardless, everything would come down to one point... and that was, Romeo's sick and twisted claim over her. She knew it well enough, if he had warned her so, he would most likely execute it.

"It's alright," Abhiraj murmured. "At least, we now know, who the culprit is."

"No!" She shook her head in denial. "You don't understand." She paused for a moment, when another sob escaped her mouth. The bile that rose to her throat was dangerously warning her about the inevitable threat that was lurking in the near future. She cried out, "He's coming for me. He practically threatened me! He'll be here tomorrow to take me away... and- and... I can do nothing about it. No one can do anything about it."

Abhiraj pressed his hand a little firmer now. "Calm down. Nothing such will happen."

She shook her head vigorously, still covering her face and shivered. "You don't understand! If he can cause the accident and no one could stop him, he will certainly come and get his way to me and no one can stop him." She shuddered at the thought, terrified. "I know him too well to understand his tone and the meaning behind it. He was so damn serious when he said that." She felt the knots forming in her stomach because of severe panic. Her stomach churned from the undeniable fear.

Abhiraj moved his hand and pulled her hands away from her tear-stained face. His brows now furrowed with concern. "You are under police protection. I am sure your friend can manage some extra protection too. Don't be afraid. I am here with you."

"And that's the part, I'm scared of the most." She sobbed.

He stared at her, confused. "What?"

"They're after your life!"

He frowned, but said nothing immediately. Instead, he reached for the glass of water and forced it in her hands. "Drink some water."

Priyasha trembled in her seat. Uncontrollable hot tears streamed down her face. She was sure her face must have looked like a wreckage with tear stains. "Abhiraj," she whimpered, "I'm... I'm scared."

He stood up and insisted again. "Don't be. Drink the water."

Her hands trembled as she sipped from the glass, then put it down on the table.

He helped her stand up, which is when the truth hit her hard.

Her freedom would be gone in a few hours. She didn't know how she was so sure about it, but circumstances were pointing to that only.

Romeo was a dominating crazy psychopath. He was dangerously obsessed with her. He had already shown her in the past how wicked he could be. And now that he has openly threatened her, it was easily apprehensible, he, obviously, had something difficult planned for her.

She shuddered at the thought.

Evidently, he would lose no opportunity to break her. Physically... as well... mentally.

She collapsed on the ground as the terribly disturbing inescapable truth crossed her mind.

She'd become nothing but a personal prisoner to him in few hours.

She couldn't anymore ignore the inevitable off her mind.

Abhiraj crouched down along with her, supporting his weight on his knees. Then he grabbed her messy self in his iron grip and shook her. "Get a hold!"

She focused her gaze into his eyes and the alarming thought crossed her mind. His life was at threat too. As the truth sink in, she shuddered again, then swiftly clutched his t-shirt and cried out, "Why don't you understand? He can do anything! He was the one responsible for your accident and he can do it again!" She clutched his t-shirt more furiously and cried out loud, "I cannot endure that one more time, Abhi. You don't understand it. I love you." She leaned forward and buried her tear-stained face on his chest.

Now he shouted aloud, "And you don't understand, I love you too! I will make him pay for what he has done to me and...to you!" He wrapped a hand around her shutting his eyes and rocked her.

She trembled at the intensity of his voice, then murmured quietly through her tears, "I don't understand our love Abhi. I really don't. We claim to love each other and still keep so many secrets away from each other."

His jaws clenched as she let it out. He muttered quietly, "I don't have any more secrets. You've already figured out everything."

"But I do." He needed to know. He needed to know her deepest secret.

The pang in her chest returned with full blast as she gave in to her fear and insecurities and her life's uncertainty. She pulled away from him and dragged her up on her knees before him. Then with an abrupt impulse, cupped the sides of his head and dragged it down until their lips crashed with each other. It was nothing like a sweet romantic kiss. It was urgent and blended with negative emotions like grief, heartache, frustration, and fear of loss.

But he responded almost immediately. His hand automatically flew to her bare neck as the warmth flowed from his palm to her skin. The kiss became fiercer and more demanding that for once her chest wavered fearing it to be her last kiss shared with the love of her life. However, the way he kissed her, it replaced the knot in her chest with a silent assurance. He kissed her beyond passionately.

She sensed the fire burning inside her, gradually spreading all over her skin. She impulsively brought her hands up to circle his neck and dug them in his hair. His hand dropped around her waist as he pulled her closer until their torsos collided and this subtle friction cut her out to present.

She parted from him, catching air. His curious brooding eyes focused their entire attention on her, while her eyes stung to look at them. They were gleaming with so much longing. She dropped her gaze, still holding on to him and murmured through tears, "My darkest secret. You need to know. I need to tell you. My secret. Before... it's too late... and I'm... long gone."

Concern crossed his face as lines of worry appeared on his forehead when he inquired, slightly panting, "What secret?"

She blinked as a tear rolled down her face. "Will you come with me to my room? I can't do it here. This place is too... open." Her face burned with abashment and humiliation but most of all, because of fear. Fear for his anger and rejection.

She was too mortified to look at him as she pulled back and arose on her feet.

He followed her, confused and equally curious. "Why do you need to go to your room to tell me a secret?"

She bit her lower lip and wiped off the tears, too flustered to make eye contact with him.

"Please!" She whisper-pleaded, looking down on the floor. Her pleading was tainted with a peculiar kind of sadness. It felt... empty.

When the pain is too much, you cannot feel it. You rather feel numb.

He seemed to accept that and didn't object thereafter. She walked toward her room. He followed her behind.

An uncomfortable silence between them, and running thoughts inside their heads. As per the demanding circumstances, she knew keeping it gray wasn't a choice. As the burden of the forthcoming revelation sink in, her left breast throbbed severely that she feared she might pass out.

So long had she hidden it inside of her; no one knew it except her family. But the person walking behind her, had become an important part of her life that she could no longer hide secrets from him. Also, now that they were closer than before, she could not entirely rely on her fate and wait for until everything would be... normal, which apparently was her... hyper-fantasy.

Once they reached her room, she took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. It would be unexpected for him and if anything, she needed to be prepared for the consequences. Her mind was mostly dwelling on his rejection.

After a silent, stretchy uncomfortable moment, she slowly turned to face him. He remained considerate of her silence and never once acted impatient and she was truly grateful to him for that.

When she turned around and focused at him, he looked worried, his brows were knitted in a frown.

She inhaled deeply and took a step toward him. She was so damn positive that at any moment her fake composure, which she took a great effort to hide till now, would collapse in front of him. She needed to act before her fear overpowered her will to reveal the truth.

Without taking her eyes off him, she took a hold of his free hand and placed it flat on her chest, right over her heart. Abhiraj's eyes followed their hands' movement before they settled back on her face, confused.

"Can you promise me one thing?" She whispered, too torn to voice out nice and clear.

He didn't utter a word but nodded, probably too occupied within himself about the reason for her absurd actions.

She whispered again, "After I tell you my darkest of secret, promise me you'll not hate me." She paused momentarily, giving him time to absorb her words then said again, "Because I can understand your rejection but I can't stand your hatred."

He frowned but his eyes stayed on her face. He didn't understand what she was saying. "What are you talking about? Why do you even think I'd ever hate you?"

"Please!" She pleaded. Her tears were again on the brink of falling down; they made her vision hazy.

He hesitated for the slightest of a moment. Perhaps thinking about a better phrase to assure her, then said tenderly, "I love you, Priyasha. How can I ever hate you?"

"Because, after seeing my true skin, you might change your opinion," she blurted out, as the streams of tears rolled down her face.

His frown deepened. The vagueness of her words had him perplexed. But, before he could ask her something more, she abruptly stepped back letting go of his hand and pulled her top over her head. Without thinking much, she unclasped her bra and threw it along with her top at her feet. Angling herself to the right, finally she revealed the most unexpected, most beastly, angriest and deepest secret of her. Her hideous, ugly burned skin exposed itself to the person she had fallen in love with.

The monstrous letter R engraved on her skin, exposed itself as a cruel reminder of her past. Due to shame, she couldn't make eye contact with him anymore. Her head hung low as she covered her breast with her arms little much she could and broke down.

Meanwhile, Abhiraj stiffened at the suddenness of her actions. But when his eyes landed on her naked torso, he froze on his place. All blood left his face leaving it pale. His jaws clenched as his eyes lingered on places where she bore the burn marks and cuts. When they finally landed on that hideous R, his eyes turned red almost immediately and he visibly shook from anger. His fists turned into angry balls as it took all his efforts not to shout and upset her more.

For a whole minute no one talked, she too occupied in remembering her nightmare and reliving the pain all over again, and he too infuriated to form any distinct words. After a while, she finally bent down and slowly picked her t-shirt and covered her chest, sobbing silently.

"He did those to you?" He finally gritted his teeth while eyeing her angrily. It wasn't really a question, rather a statement.

Relentless tears fell from her eyes uncontrollably as she nodded.

When he said nothing else, she mumbled through her tears, "Perhaps, I always knew you'd hate me after knowing this. I understand. I'm sorry." She sobbed and tried to push past him to leave the room and hide from him. She felt beyond humiliated right now. She should have known. Things would never be good for her, and now she must accept that she really belonged to that monster... and there's no way to escape it.

Her insecurities kicked in, as she tried to run away. But, could not.

He grabbed her wrist abruptly and pulled her toward him. Her eyes made their ways to his angry ones.

"You should record this little information in your head." He gritted through his teeth; his voice was angry. "I love you and everything that is related to you. Even those burn-marks you have on your pretty skin. It doesn't matter to me who gave them, if they are parts of you, I'll love them as much as I do you. And. Don't. Ever. Forget that." He warned her. She had never seen him this aggressive. He was practically fuming.

Her eyes wavered for a split second before she clutched his shirt tightly, burying her face into his chest. He wrapped his hand around her, holding her delicately. One of his hands rested on the bare skin of the small of her back, while the other one held the nape of her neck gently. Although she was aware of her breasts against his chest, which allowed him to feel her soft flesh through the thin fabric of their clothes, she didn't care at that moment.

She mumbled while sobbing uncontrollably, "I wanted to show you this, so you could know... how evil he is. He's - he's the devil. He can go to any extent to get what he wants."

At those words his embrace on her tightened.

She sobbed desperately. Her tears didn't seem to cease from falling. "He's impossible, Abhi. He can do anything. He... he'll take me away..." She trailed off and a bitter sob erupted from her.

"No!" He growled and tightened the frantic hold on her, as if it was a gesture to show his claim on her. "You are already taken!"

She shuddered. "Can I request you something?"

He consented, along with his fingers spreading apart on her bare skin, feeling the curve of her spine as he traced his hand closer to her upper back.

She sniffled, "I-I don't know if I could... have my freedom again... if he gets successful in reaching me." She paused for a quick moment before adding, "I don't know if my consent would even matter then. I - I don't know if I could- I could even see you after this night."

"Why are you being so pessimistic?"

"No!" She shook her head. "You don't know him. He's heinous... devil. He- he can do anything for his sick intentions. If he can cause your accident and escape from the spot unnoticed, he sure can keep his words and snatch me away. I know this, because, I have had several encounters with him in the past. I know him... better than most of them."

His body tensed up, but he kept quiet.

She prolonged the silence for a moment, then quietly requested, "Can you give me this night?"

He froze for a quick second, before pulling apart from her, and staring down at her, confused.

She gazed up at him through blurred eyes and whispered again, "Make love to me."

Her words had taken him by surprise as he whispered, "Priyasha!"

"Please..." She wept, too heartbroken and discomposed, too ashamed to meet his gaze. "For once... I want my consent being valued." She shamefully begged, lowering her head and sobbed.

"Priyasha!" He pulled her flush against his chest and promised, "Mark my words, he'll suffer for whatever he has done to you."

"Please." She sobbed.

He once again pulled apart and looked down at her. She dragged her weight up on her toes, letting go of her top she was holding against her chest and raked her arms around his neck as she pulled his head down. He seemed to hesitate. "Think again."

"I did," she whispered through tears.

"You sure, you want this?"

She looked dead in his eyes. "Yes. Do it."

"There will be no way back."

For once, their thoughts matched. She could predict the same future for herself. There'd be no way back. From Romeo... there was no way back.

She responded, "That's the reason... I want this."

He studied her face searching in the eyes, then gave in. His lips crashed down on hers with lightning speed claiming her mouth. Her eyes flickered close at the sudden bliss when their lips got lost in each other. His free hand instinctively wrapped around her waist. Her hands went up behind his head, clutching his hair. His hand grazed up stopping at the base of her neck. She moaned in approval against his mouth. A deep, primal growl rose from his stomach sending shivers down to her core.

In a more favorable time, their intimacy could have been a dream come true for her. But the urgency working in her system right now, didn't let her savor the moment in peace.

She gave in to the urgency more than her modesty and helped him lift his t-shirt then pulled it over his head.

Their bare bodies collided with each other in urgency. He pulled her even closer to his chest. Her nipples hardened instantly grazing onto his firm chest. He once again claimed her mouth and a muffled groan reverberated from his chest.

Abhiraj raised his hand and caressed her cheek. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she deepened the kiss. The kiss was urgent and demanding. Wanting to kiss her to the end of the eternity, he tugged on her bottom lip, a gesture to seek permission. She whined and he took this opportunity to slid his tongue into her mouth. His tongue grazed along hers earning another muffled moan from her. Their tongues rolled together, dancing in a rhythm.

In other circumstances, this moment could have been the carnal reverie she had dreamed innumerable times. But, now... it was only screaming of insecurities and uncertainties at the back of her mind.

He broke the kiss needing air and stared at her face. Her eyes were still closed, trails of tears coating the slits of her eyelids, he took the moment to graze his thumb over her now almost swollen lips.

"Think again," he repeated as a bare whisper. It sounded like he struggled a lot to let out those two words.

In response, she asked softly, "Do you regret your decision now?" while opening her teary eyes at the same time, making him stiffen at once.

"I'd never," he replied but his voice was low. "You're beautiful Priyasha. The most perfect woman, I've seen in my entire life. Well, after my Maa, of course."

At that, her lips tilted up at the corners. She nodded. "Yes, she was pretty."

"You are pretty too."

He pulled lightly on her hair exposing the neck as he nibbled softly on her skin. Her head thrown back in a wanton desire for more. She let out a moaning cry right before his lips met hers and engulfed the moan of her sensual pleasure. Once again, they broke the kiss, needing air. He pushed her down slowly on the bed. She lied down and stared into his eyes. If she could just get lost in his aesthetic galaxy eyes, it'd have been the most convenient escape for her. They glowed fiercely, craving something beautiful, and she knew exactly what that was.

He lowered himself and sat on the edge of the bed then met her eyes, still hesitating whether to agree on what she demanded from him.

She averted her gaze, then mumbled quietly, "I'm scared, Abhi."

His voice suddenly turned harsh and venomed. "He's going to suffer for his deed."

She stated sadly, "I don't want to lose you."

He moved, turning away from her and sat on the edge of the bed. Then he looked up and stared at the open window. A cool breeze blew past making the curtains flutter at the exact moment.

"Why is everything my fate brings in my life are accompanied by cruelty and loss?" He murmured, not particularly asking her.

She rolled on her side grabbing his hand, but said nothing.

He shifted his focus back on her and extended his hand to touch her dampened face, then brushed his thumb on her cheeks to wipe off the tears from her face. Priyasha closed her eyes leaning onto his touch. The warmth radiating from his palm made her feel inexplicably safe. He leaned forward and pushed her on her back. Hovering over her, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"If these marks bother you," he murmured while tracing his index finger along the mark across her belly button, then reached down and kissed it softly making her squirm in the process. "I will change the feeling of them on you."

She gazed up at him, more tears pooled in her eyes as she dragged her right arm up and covered her eyes with it.

He traced another below her right breast and placed a soft kiss on it too. "Beautiful." She shivered but didn't pull away her arm. She knew she looked like nothing but a mess. But she had no idea how could he find her marks, her tainted and flawed skin... her in a nutshell, beautiful.

He shifted his weight and reached to her left side, then slowly outlined the R with his excruciating feather touch. "If this hurts you," he whispered on her skin causing it to erupt goosebumps. "If this symbolizes something you hate..." He kissed it deliberately, his lips lingered on the spot longer than before. "Would you like its meaning to be replaced by ... something you don't hate?" he whispered, expectantly.

She shuddered when he removed her hand from over her eyes. They were coated with a thin film of tears.

"Look at me... Isha."

Her heart should have fluttered inside her chest. She should have felt the butterflies in her stomach. She should have experienced the gush of euphoria all over her... those would have been most normal feelings to have when he renamed her with a new name.

But... it hurt.

Her inside ached to hear her new name. She didn't deserve that much love and adoration. Because this feeling was temporary. She knew it'd pass tomorrow. She was certain of it. Hell! She was actually convinced by that insane maniac's threat.

Abhiraj repeated, "Look at me."

She glanced up into his eyes. They shone, but there was a hint of a familiar sadness.

"Mostly, I'm called by my last name, Roy," he mumbled, looking dead into her eyes. "Would you like to own my name?"

Her heart stopped beating for a while. In this compromising situation... he was proposing her.

In response, she reflexively reached up and wrapped her hands around his neck, burying her face on the crook of his neck. How could she love this elegant man more? Her tears wet his skin too as he wrapped his hand around her and rocked.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered in her ear.

A silent moment later, he slowly lowered her down on the bed, coming along with her. She swiftly caught his plastered hand and supported it from getting hurt. His eyes darted toward it where she had caught it.

He muttered under his breath, "Never wanted it to happen like this."

She closed her eyes and turned her head sideways. A trail of tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes. "Neither did I," she whispered.

"Both of us are broken tonight," he murmured and shifted his gaze back on her face.

A heart wrenching sob erupted out of her mouth. She threw her free hand over her eyes and cried desperately. Would life ever be considerate toward her? She was tired of tolerating its angry blows since her childhood.

Abhiraj lowered himself between her legs and put most of his weight on his right arm and buried his face on her neck. He whispered, "It breaks my heart each time I see you cry, Isha. Please stop crying."

A pang shot through her heart when he called her Isha again. In a more favorable time, she would have blushed darkest of crimson. But now, all she did was lie there vulnerably under the man she loved, while her mind raced with the thought of another man who had ravaged her in the past.

Abhiraj lifted his face and looked down at her. "Isha?"

"Hmm."

"Look at me."

She removed her hand from over her eyes and stared into his just to find his was gleaming with warmth, assurance, longing and most of all... love, and she lost herself in those beautiful eyes. Then ever so slowly, she nodded. Warmth filled her chest when he dug his head one more time on the base of her neck, placing a gentle kiss there.

She reached up and clutched a handful of his hair and pulled him closer. A longing moan left her as she gave herself up completely to him.

Abhiraj pulled back for a brief moment before lowering his head and placed a kiss in between her breasts. She squirmed and her eyes fluttered shut, feeling the pleasure from that wet kiss. He kissed again, but this time it was on her left areola. She whimpered, but laid still. Priyasha's heart thudded against her rib-cage at his full attention on her. His warm breath fanned against her bare skin causing goosebumps to erupt all over. Priyasha tightened her grip on his hair as he clasped his mouth over her left nipple which had already puckered up with all the previous treatment.

"Ah-" A whine escaped her mouth as he skillfully tortured the sensitive flesh. Moisture pooled between her legs while she attempted to stop her moaning by biting her lower lips.

He stopped his movements abruptly. "None of that. I want to hear you." She was in a daze when Abhiraj's husky voice entered her ears. She released her lips obediently before he went back to what he was doing.

All of her insecurities and fears became hazy and distant at that moment. The world seemed to consist of only the two of them. Priyasha felt him shifting to the other side to give her other nipple the same attention. She whimpered again, along with feeling the bulge in between her legs.

Instinctively, she pressed herself to his member while grazing her hands along his shoulders. Her eyes were still half closed. A passionate fire ignited between the two of them as she lost herself in the heat of the moment.

He released her a moment later and moved back up. Tugging on her pajama bottoms gently, he whispered, "You're absolutely stunning."

It made her blush but she adjusted her position anyway so that he could yank both her pajamas and underwear down her bare legs. They slid down easily with minimum effort from him. He then got rid of his own pants and positioned himself at her entrance.

"Isha, look at me."

Priyasha felt his fingers touching her jawline lightly. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at him. In the semi-darkness of the room, he looked familiar yet different. He dragged his finger and rubbed his thumb over her lips. "May I make love to you?" His soft voice made her heart flutter. This sweet man was making her crazy with his love and honorableness.

She didn't think twice before nodding her consent, and he gladly accepted it. He trailed his fingers down her torso until it reached at her opening. All the while they held each other gazes. His eyes were boldly showing the burning desire and she found herself drowning in them. He pressed his hand on her opening for a few seconds before sliding one finger inside her and at the same time nudged her clitoris with his thumb. She could feel more moisture dripping out of her in the meantime. She sucked in a sharp breath as he emphasized on his next words. "You've got to trust me."

"I do," she whispered almost immediately. Her throat ached.

He casually flicked her clit and enunciated his next words slowly, "No matter what happened in the past, or what future will bring, I don't care. Just keep this in your mind... I'll always love you till my last breath."

Her eyes teared up again as she could distinctly feel the intensity behind his every word. She nodded and whispered, "I love you too."

"I love you more." And with that he entered her slowly. Her breath hitched in her throat.

It was nothing like her experiences with that beast, Romeo. Abhiraj was considerate and careful with her. His every movement was screaming of how much he cared for her, loved her. His eyes gleaming with such yearning that she almost passed all her doubts regarding her tainted body into oblivion.

He moved slowly, taking all the time they still had. It was evident from his eyes and actions how much he truly considered her the most beautiful woman on earth. It brought the pure longing right in the middle of her chest. She selfishly wanted his love and adoration to clean the tainted dirty space inside her. She not only wanted it... she needed it.

He leaned forward and claimed her lips tentatively, until she mumbled his name, "Abhiraj!"

Both of their breathing turned more labored with every passing moment. She wrapped her hands around his neck while he placed his forehead on hers and increased his pace slowly.

"Isha... I love you... you're beautiful... absolutely... gorgeous... stunning... Isha... my love... you're mine..." he kept mumbling and kissing her, on her forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks... lips.

He took her to such heights she never knew was possible. Time seemed to slow down while she waited in anticipation. Soon she felt herself nearing the edge. He roughly grazed his hand over her disheveled hair and placed a kiss on her temple. Everything was in perfect tune and her body arched to meet his. Their sweaty bodies mingled with each other and they could both feel they were soon going to touch the high. As their combined passion built up, she dug her nails on his back along with him hitting the sweet spot at the same time. She saw stars.

She came undone underneath him. The orgasmic bliss rippled through her whole body so intensely that she could only comprehend when his release followed. The rest didn't even matter. He let out a small groan, collapsing on top of her smaller frame, which was still shaking from the bliss. From the little jerks, she could still feel him inside her. After taking a short moment of composing himself, he rolled over lying on his back. Instinctively, she rolled to her side facing him. She placed her head on his outstretched arm and wrapped an arm around his chest.

"Thank you," she whispered. Her lips brushed against his bare skin.

He folded his arm and ran through her hair quietly, without responding verbally. She nuzzled closer to him and kissed the side of his chest. A few minutes later he mumbled, "We need to call your friend for more security."

Her tears had almost dried on her face by now. She looked up at his face. He was gazing thoughtfully at the ceiling fan. She cupped his face and nodded. A heavy sigh left him.

A little assurance pulsated at the back of her mind. She had no regret for whatever happened a few moments ago. In fact, considering her freedom already at stake, she was at peace. Although she wasn't sure what fate had in store for her, she was mostly convinced she could at least cope with the cruelty and beyond cruelty tortures for a while.

Afterwards, when she called Jeet to inform him about Romeo's warning and threat, he went furious and concerned at once. He cursed aloud and scolded her for not calling him immediately. His rough tone scared her even more, but she didn't let Abhiraj realize it. Nonetheless, Jeet promised her extra security even though she was already under police protection. He told her he'd come in person with more security in the morning. Jeet asked her not to panic because he'd do everything in his hand for her safety.

For a quick second she reminded herself of the metaphor she had read somewhere.

There are three kinds of humans. Sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. A sheep closes its eyes from the danger. A wolf basically symbolizes the danger. But a sheepdog protects the sheep from the dangerous wolves. It's because of their sacrifices, the common men could sleep peacefully every night.

Obviously, Jeet and people like him belonged to the third category.

But she didn't know if any of it could stop Romeo from getting his way to her. She wasn't even sure, why was she being so pessimistic. As if his voice alone was toxic enough to convince her about her inevitable fall. His existence still had the similar effect on her. No matter how much the men around her were promising her safety, she was feeling in her gut, something bad was waiting for her in the near future.

She was still unwilling to let go of Abhiraj after their lovemaking and held onto him close in order to convince herself she'd just disappear in his arms. They just laid there together quietly, clad in each other's arms. She was too drawn within herself to manage a small chat, and him, too much worried to disturb her quietude. At one point he drifted off to sleep. But she could not. She spent the rest of the night looking at his sleeping peaceful face. Cause, she didn't know if she could ever see him again if things went wrong.

The thing was, she trusted him... but she didn't trust her fate.

13th August

First thing in the morning that took her in surprise was the doorbell. It went off around six in the morning, while she was still trying to get some sleep. It startled her in alarm while Abhiraj stirred in sleep shifting his hand as she quickly slid out of his grasp. Putting on her clothes, she marched toward the door when it rang again.

She peeked from the peephole to find an anxious looking Jeet along with two more people in common dress. Must be his officers. She quietly opened the door and let them in.

The very first, impatient and unexpected action from Jeet, caught her off guard. He abruptly caught a hold of her arm and led her to the far end corner of the living room, while the officers stood at the doorway.

Once they were at a moderate distance from the officers, he released her hand and asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, then shook her head quietly biting her lower lip. A frown crossed his face as his eyes traveled over her full frame, studying her top to bottom. She felt flustered at his intense scrutiny.

"Priya, what did he say?" Jeet inquired carefully.

She sighed, looking away. "He threatened he's coming to get me."

"Today?"

"Today."

"When?"

"I don't know."

He averted his gaze from her and eyed around the place. "Where's Abhiraj?"

She flinched. She couldn't just say, 'in my room'. She had to choose a much safer answer. "Sleeping."

"Hmm," Jeet mumbled as his eyes knitted in a frown.

She bit on her lower lip again unable to stop the words that came out of her mouth without warning her beforehand. "He's agreed to give you the evidences."

Jeet exclaimed in surprise, "He did?"

She nodded, still looking elsewhere. "His only concern is to save Permabell from collapsing."

Jeet stared at her, frowning. "What else did he say?"

"Debdutta Roy transferred the shares after changing his previous will, which had Abhiraj's name as his inheritor."

Jeet scowled but kept shut. It was unlikely. She was expecting a much more intense reaction from him which never came, and she blurted out after a moment, "Debdutta Roy is his father."

"I know that." Was Jeet's calm but solemn response.

Now, it was her turn to be shocked. She eyed him stupefied then shook her head, sighing. "Of course, you do. It's your job. Right."

That was when Abhiraj walked out of the corridor, probably looking for her and met Jeet standing with her. His eyes moved between them before settling down on her. Then as quickly as he came, he went back. Priyasha took a shaky breath before anchoring her attention back to Jeet and noticed him scowling, looking at the way Abhiraj went.

"What happened?"

Jeet snapped angrily, "He's partly responsible for this entire mishap, Priya. How can you not see that?"

She flinched but looked away, keeping shut.

"He should have sought legal help from the very start. At least after getting the evidences against them."

She had nothing to say against that. She knew Jeet was right. Abhiraj made quite a few mistakes and a lot of people are suffering alongside him.

Probably, including her.

Deciding it would be best not to stretch the discussion, she told him to wait until she was done with her morning chores, in response to which Jeet nodded and joined the officers.

Fifteen minutes later, when Abhiraj handed Jeet the pen drive, he said, "Thank you. I'll do whatever I can to keep Permabell safe. Also, it'd require a lot more work, we still have to talk to Mr. SatyaMohan Das."

Abhiraj only nodded curtly as a response.

After that, Jeet declared, the two officers would stay with them and there was other two downstairs, keeping a close eye on every person entering and exiting the building. She nodded understanding and mumbled a thank you to Jeet, to which Jeet gave her a reassuring hug. After that, he left as he had work in the headquarters regarding the HereMoney case. It would not be very convenient if they miss the opportunity to arrest Nanda, Vishwa and Debdutta Roy because now they have the evidences.

Jeet mentioned about Sanjay's assassination too making Abhiraj sit upright. He visibly tensed. Police were able to track down the assassin who killed Sanjay, and he indeed was one of Vishwa's men.

The crime branch recently had news of the drug trafficking happening in Lucknow which would be convenient for the case against these bloody criminals. Although, Jeet didn't elaborate on that, but it was quite perceivable, his focus was mainly on Vishwa and Romeo.

Before leaving, he reminded Abhiraj one more time to call him anytime he'd require his help. Abhiraj nodded his agreement. Then the men exchanged a stern handshake which was a good sign... somewhat.

After Jeet left, the officers sat down on the couch and started discussing business. Priyasha stood up and exchanged a flurried look with Abhiraj but didn't spoke in front of the officers. She decided to take a shower. She needed one, anyway.

Her mind raced with what Jeet told her. Satyamohan Das was a major part in the HereMoney scam. If the evidences could help Jeet take down Nanda, Debdutta Roy's name would definitely come down along with him. That would mean one thing. Hundred percent shares would go to Mr. Das. At least, Permabell wouldn't collapse if Abhiraj could convince Mr. Das. That was what Abhiraj wanted anyway.

She could only hope things would be favorable, if not with her life... then at least with the employees of Permabell.

She lathered up the soap over her body absentmindedly when she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Who?"

"Unlock the door." Abhiraj. What did he want now?

Priyasha grabbed a towel to cover her up then unlocked the latch and stepped aside. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer but entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing?" She repeated staring at him in awe, feeling self-conscious suddenly.

He turned to her and her face flushed feeling exposed.

"Would you mind?" He whispered then went past her to the shower area. "Come here," he said then reached for the hem of his t-shirt.

She noticed that and stood immobile on the same spot.

"Come here," he repeated while her heart thudded double-fast. She walked ahead and stood in front of him. He struggled slightly to get rid of his clothes while she bit the inside of her cheek to keep her calm.

"We need to talk," he said. "I couldn't ask you outside in front of the officers."

Her gaze dropped on his bare chest as her cheeks took a shade of crimson. The thought of them showering together was beyond her imagination. She nodded and turned him around then put a dollop of the liquid soap on her palm and spread it over his back. "Keep your hand away." She pushed his plastered hand away as she worked on his body.

"What did you tell your friend regarding my engagement with Permabell?"

"There's no need. He already knows." She took the hand shower and splashed water on him making the soap lather up. "You don't have to worry about Permabell. If Jeet is taking the responsibility, it will be alright."

He suddenly fell quiet. A few silent moment later, she murmured, "I have asked Jai to bring Vijay." Still, he stayed quiet.

She dragged her hands from below the base of his neck to along his shoulders and down his back and continued speaking while he didn't even make a sound. "You need to make peace with him first. He's your friend. He cares for you."

She knew he was listening despite being muted. "And..." She splashed more water on his back as the lather washed away with the water. "One more thing. After things go all right with Permabell which I'm positive will be soon, don't let Jai engage in these kinds of dangerous tasks. He's too young to do risky life-threatening work. He deserves a normal life. Jai loves his family. He deserves to stay with them. I don't want him to get hurt engaging himself in these kinds of high-risk wrangle."

As soon as she said that, he turned around wrapping a hand around her waist, dragging her closer to him. "Why are you like this... Isha?" He whispered. "Why do you always keep everyone else's thought ahead of you?"

Her face burned with their sudden intimacy, her each cell ached wanting something more. "I don't know what you mean?" She gulped; her breathing lost somewhere inside her throat.

He leaned in closer to her ear, grazing his cheek on hers and breathed out, "I'll never get enough of you... Isha."

Her cheeks took a bright red tint as she pushed him away. "I- we- you need to put your hand away from water."

But he didn't listen to that. Instead, he leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips earning a shiver from her. He let go of her after that and took the hand shower from her grasp. "I'll not let that bastard do anything to you."

Her eyes followed his hand as he unwrapped the towel around her and threw it aside, then moved the shower-head over her skin washing the lather away. His eyes followed the lead of his hand movement deliberately.

Goosebumps erupted throughout her skin wherever his eyes hovered over, as she whispered, "You can't stop him. If he has made his mind, he'll do it anyway."

"Why do you always think high of his ways?"

She took the shower from him and said, "Because it's truth. And I cannot deny the truth." She shifted the showerhead over his hair. The water ran down over his head covering his eyes, nose, cheeks... lips. Her gaze dropped on his lips and they twitched.

She whispered quietly, "I want you to be okay. They are both after your life."

"There are officers sitting in our living room. They have weapons. I have my men here too."

"I know." Her gaze swept up to his eyes. "But you need to understand it first. If he cannot take me out of here, he most probably will shoot me dead right away. He's crazy, absolutely unpredictable."

His hand flew up around her neck as he clutched a handful of her hair and tugged on them causing her to throw her head back, exposing her neck. Her eyes fluttered close, relishing the pleasure.

"Why can't you stop worrying?" He groaned and lowered his face on her neck, placing numerous feather-kisses on a particular sensitive spot there. She let out a whimpering moan. He quickly released her hair just to cup her face as he brushed his thumbs over her lips. "I'll do everything for you. If that means, killing that bastard, he surely will die in my hand. Stop worrying."

She exhaled a shaky breath, struggling to cope with whatever wonderful things he was doing to her, as she mumbled, "I wish I could do that." The soon those words left her mouth, she felt the presence of his soft lips on hers. The kiss was sweet, reassuring, yet claiming and begging. A wanton muffled moan escaped her lips, just to be subdued by his lips. She held the shower head against the back of his neck and placed her other hand on his upper arm as he wrapped his hand around her and pulled her closer.

And then, she requested him for something she never thought she would to anyone, no matter how miserable her life would become.

The two words rolled out of her mouth as she shuddered at the thought of the inescapable.

"Save me."