Shivaay went behind Annika to see her standing near the lake. She was facing to the lake with folded arms. He went to her and kept hand on her shoulder startling her and was about to move back when he held her arm pulling towards him preventing from falling in lake.

"What will happen with you if I don't be around to save you", he said shaking head making her frown.

"Don't save then! I didn't asked", she said taking back her hand.

"Actually you're associated to my company now so I need to take care of you", he said nodding making a serious face. She closed eyes huffing and turned around again.

"Thank you for saving, Sir! Go now", she said with a frown. He chuckled.

"Well I am also a friend of yours so I want to know something", he said making her look at him.

"Who's that man? Why you came from there as soon as you saw him?", her face turned neutral listening him and looked down.

"It..it's nothing such Shivaay, I was feeling uneasy so I came here", she stammered saying making him roll his eyes.

"You're really bad in lying. Take my advice, don't try to lie next time", he said turning her towards him.

"T..that's your wish to ag..agree or not, I said the matter", she said looking here and there. He made her chin up and nodded.

"Just say! Maybe I could help you", he said making her sigh and nodded meekly.

"His name is Daksh. Daksh Khurana. He's my co-actor 6 months ago for a movie. He's being so clingy since then. Tries to come close to me, touch me, in fact he even spread rumours that we're dating, though I declined for same to media but he's always behind me. I am sure he's here because of that reason only. He's a creep, the way he looks can make a girl feel disgusted", Annika said with an irritated face.

"Oh god! Annika you could have said to me or anyone else. Do Gauri and Bhavya know about it? Have you ever voiced out any such thing to anyone?", he asked looking at her concerned.

"No Shivaay.. They have no point. He hasn't done anything about which I have proof, he'll say that I am trying defame him and I don't want to worry Gauri or Bhavya so I didn't told them. He know my karate skills so have never touched till date but the way he look at me and his words", she sighed making a disgusted face.

"I will be with you now, don't worry! I won't let him come close to you. It's my promise", he said making her smile gratefully at him.

"Th..that's really sweet of Shivaay. Thank you. I was feeling so uncomfortable suddenly. You know I was offered a movie, the storyline was really promising but I rejected because he's there too. I just get so self conscious around him", she sighed and looked at him. He smiled and gave her a side hug.

"Annika you could have said na, and friends don't say thank you and sorry", he said softly making her smile and nods.

"Umm..Shivaay when I am sharing everything with you, I want to share something more", she said as they parted. He nodded.

"You remember, when you came to call..call me for lunch, I felt someone looking at me when I was changing. I feel it's him", she said closing eyes tightly.

She opened his eyes to see his jaw clenched, there was a visible anger on his face. She saw his adam apple moving slowly and the veins of his nerves were showing.

"Shivaay?", she called out softly to which he held her hand and started taking her towards lunch area. She looked at him confused and held his hand as they came near and came in front of him.

"I won't leave that man Annika! How dare he look at a girl like that", Shivaay hissed in anger and was ready to launch when she held his arm tightly and pulled him away.

"Shivaay I am not sure! If this thing comes out wrong, he'll say I am trying to defame him and if media will get to know about it, I will be in problem, even you as you're working with me", she said making him look away and hit his fist on the tree.

"Fine! I won't do anything now but if..if I will see any of his cheapness with you, don't expect me to control or think about freaking media. If he can make a matter, even I can. Bigger than him", he said in cold voice making her scared for a moment but she nodded blinking.

"Calm..calm down for now and let's go, everyone must be searching for us", she said and he nodded. They went back to lunch area to see everyone is talking smiling with Daksh. He looked at her who looked little uncomfortable.

"I am with you", he whispered. She looked at him and nodded lightly and smiled.

"Hey guys! Where you went?", Arnav asked spotting them. Both walked to them.

"Nothing just like that. You leave that, who is he?", he asked looking towards Daksh who was looking towards Annika.

"You don't know him Shivaay? He is one of the most famous villain of Indian cinema. Daksh Khurana, Annika must be knowing about him. Right Annika?", Malika said smiling and looked towards Annika. Before Annika could say, she was interrupted.

"Of course Annika know me. Right Annika? We've worked together and people loved us together", Daksh said with a smug smile making Annika feel irritated. She smiled lightly and nodded.

"Yeah we've worked together", she said softly. Daksh started walking towards her making her nervous. She was about to move back when she found Shivaay standing in front of her, between her and the creep.

"Shivaay Singh Oberoi", Shivaay said with a neutral face forwarding his hand. Daksh had a frown seeing Shivaay in between but cover up it and gave in his hand. Shivaay was trying to control his anger.

"Now if you excuse, I meet Annika!", he said and was about to walk to Annika when he came in front again and held Annika's hand.

"Annika remember I needed to tell you something about upcoming design. Actually I have made them, not Malika! Can we go and see it?", he asked looking at Annika who caught off guard. He widen his eyes making her nod.

"Uh..yeah..yeah! We need to, that's what we're talking about. We can leave to farmhouse then?", she said stammering in begining to which he nodded.

"Yes of course! Malika, you people can come seeing off Mr. Khurana. It's urgent. Hope you don't mind Mr. Khurana", he said bringing a fake smile on his face.

"Of course I won't mind. After all I am living nearby your farmhouse, I will see you guys anytime by night. Actually my shooting is happening near", he said and looked at Annika who had wide eyes. He smirked making her look away irritated.

"Can we leave Shivaay?", she asked to which he nodded looking at Daksh. Giving a quick hug to others, Annika walked towards the car.

"Shivaay..everything is fine right?", Arnav asked standing beside him who was looking at Daksh talking to girls.

"Everything is fine. Listen, take care of girls and don't let them go anywhere without you people", Shivaay said confusing Arnav.

"What happened?", he asked to which he looked at Arnav and patted his shoulder.

"Do as I say, please. I know they're capable of themselves but we're away from home, this is new place for them. Just stay alert", Shivaay said to which he nodded. Bidding bye to them, Shivaay went to the direction Annika went.

He saw her leaning to car with folded arms thinking something. Sighing, he went to her and bumped his shoulder with hers making her look at him. He smiled raising his eyebrows.

"Thank you", she said softly making him frown.

"Annika...I think you still don't consider me as your friend. Again thank you", he said to which she held her earlobe closing one eye. He chuckled and nodded.

"You're indeed a friend. I felt so confident when you're beside", she said making him smile.

"You're my friend and it's my responsibility to protect my friend", he said making her smile.

"I wish we met before. How strong our friendship could have been" he looked at her and came in front of her.

"Who said now we can't? See, for one year anyhow we have to keep seeing each other's face. You're little annoying but a sweet girl to be friend with", he said making her mouth wide open.

"Haww! If I am annoying na, you're irritating", she said twisting mouth.

"Best combo", he said with an impressed face making her laugh.

"Let's go now. Let's feed you with some chocolate delight to freshen your mood. Your friend is a good cook too", he said winking making her chuckle but her eyes widened.

"How do you know I want chocolate?", she asked getting inside the car to which he gave a knowing smile getting inside the car.

"Observation? Malika want chocolate when she's sad, irritated, stressed. I have seen Bhavya and Gauri too as same. My own drama queen aka Rudy also want chocolate so I guessed", he said started the car.

"Great observation Mr. Oberoi", she said chuckling making him chuckle and they left for farmhouse.

|••••|

"Annika, you freshen up. I will be in kitchen. We'll decide and make something", he said to which she nodded and went to freshen up while he went to kitchen to prepare ingredients.

She went to kitchen after taking a warm shower to see Shivaay humming music taking out ingredients. She tiptoed from behind and suddenly kept hand on his shoulder startling him.

"You got scared?", she asked laughing seeing his hand on his chest and looking at her horrified.

"Annika! Don't give me heart attack woman!", he said making her chuckle.

"What are you thinking to prepare? Let me tell you, I am amazing in baking", she said amazing him.

"That's great! So you suggest something?", he asked leaning to slab folding his arms.

"If we have all ingredients, how about chocolate truffle cake? We'll make for everyone", he smiled seeing her excited child-like smile.

"Done! Let's make truffle cake. I will get all the ingredients", she nodded hearing his response.

Collecting all required ingredients, they divided the works. While he was mixing all the ingredients, Annika was melting chocolate for cake and dressing.

Something naughty came in her mind. Taking some chocolate on her finger, she smeared it on his cheek. He gasped and looked at her with narrowed eyes to see her giggling. He took some chocolate and applied on her cheek.

"Haww! I just took a shower, Shivaay", she said frowning. Her nose turned pink making her look cute.

"I too took shower in morning, Annika", he said and applied chocolate on her another cheek and giggled. She narrowed her eyes and took the flour and emptied bowl on his head widening his mouth.

"Run for your life Annika!", he said picking up the packet of flour making her scream laughing and started running around. He ran behind her all around the kitchen and living area. She was running giggling, showing him tongue while he was running behind to catch her.

Taking a long stride, he pulled her wrapping arm around her waist. She turned and her feet slipped making both of them fall on couch. He was above her while she held his shoulder giggling. He looked at her smiling who was smiling with closed eyes panting and opened her eyes. She moved a bit and the flour from the packet fell on both of them turning them white.

Both looked at each other and bursted in laughter. He turned other side laying on the couch and both laughed.

"We look like white ghosts", she said laughing making him chuckle.

"How do you know ghosts are in different colours?", he asked making her giggle.

"Just like that. Though white is prominent, remember cartoons from childhood", she said making him chuckle.

"Yeah! Of course! Now we both need shower", he said making him nod. Getting up, he helped her to get up.

"You go take shower. I will clean up this mess and take shower", he said dusting his shirt.

"Why? I will also help you! We both messed up na, infact I started", she said ruffling the flour from her hair.

"Annika. Don't debate, go and take shower. I will see it. I don't want any further discussion on it", he said and walked kitchen area making her frown.

"Tadibaaz", she muttered and went to take shower again.

As she came back, she saw kitchen and living area cleaned up and new ingredients kept on slab. She decided to start making the cake. Soon he joined her. Both started baking bake together talking on random topics. He kept making her laugh with his jokes and incidents in life.

"You're a pro, girl", he praised seeing her decorating cake with beautiful designs from cream over it. She gave a dramatic bow and chuckled.

"Let's refrigerate it for sometime, till then how about we make dinner for all?", she asked to which he nodded.

"Let's make some spaghetti and meatball, that will be enough", he said to which she agreed. While she prepared for meatballs, he prepared spaghetti.

"Omg! What a heavenly smell I can smell", they heard voice of Malika telling them that others are here.

"Hey guys! When you came?", Annika asked turning off stove.

"Just now but I see Shivaay finally has a cooking partner apart from Om", Arnav said looking at Shivaay who was stirring the spaghetti.

"Arnav bhai, even I help bhaiya", Rudy said pouting making others chuckle.

"Well that's true, she has really good culinary skills", he said standing beside Annika and both hi-fived.

"What you guys prepared? I am really hungry. The car got punctured in between so we had to push car till farmhouse", Rudy said with a tired sigh.

"Aww! Everything is prepared Rudy, you guys freshen up. Me and Shivaay has prepared some really tasty chocolate truffle cake and spaghetti with meatballs", Annika said making him smile widely.

"You're the best didi, truffle cake is my favourite", he exclaimed hugging Annika. Other chuckled while Annika ruffled his hair.

"Yeah your didi is best, I didn't helped", Shivaay said rolling eyes.

"Bhaiya, don't get jealous. My first love will always be you and O", Rudy said making others go awe.

"You all get freshen up. Me and Shivaay will arrange dining at backyard", Annika said to which all agreed and went to freshen up.

Shivaay and Annika decorated the dining area and arranged food there. Shivaay brought some wine to go well with dinner. After sometime, everyone came to backyard where Shivaay and Annika were waiting for others talking to each other.

"I see some serious friendship is going on here", Gauri whispered to Annika and eyed towards Shivaay with teasing smile.

"Haan Anu, I see you are very happy around bhai", Bhavya teased making her hit on both of their arms.

"Shut up fools. He's just really nice that it's fair to be happy around him", Annika said whispering and looked towards Shivaay who was talking to Rudy serving him and ruffled his hair.

"Of course Annika", they said in chorus with sing-song tone. Annika rolled her eyes slicing cake for everyone.

Everyone were having their dinner happily praising Shivaay and Annika.

"The cake is yummiest", Rudy said moaning.

"Tera cheat day toh kal hai na Rudy?", Om asked teasing making Rudy gulp the piece. Shivaay chuckled seeing his face.

"It's today O! Kya aap bhi! Bhul jaate ho", Rudy said taking another slice of cake making everyone laugh.

"Hope I am not disturbing you guys", all looked at the entrance of backyard to see Daksh standing there with a smile. The smile from Annika's face vanish seeing him and she shifted on her seat uncomfortably.

Others got up to welcome Daksh. Annika's eyes went on Shivaay to see him looking at her. He blinked giving her assurance who smiled lightly, nodding.

"Hello Shivaay", he said looking at Shivaay and then smirked towards Annika.

"Oh hello Mr. Khurana, how come you here?", Shivaay asked looking at Annika from corner of eyes.

"Was alone at the cottage so thought to come over here. I hope I am not disturbing you guys", he said and his eyes stopped on Annika. She looked away.

"Of course not Daksh, we're just having dinner. Come join us", Malika said to which he nodded and everyone sat down again to continue dinner.

"Hi Annika", Daksh said in a flirty voice and smirk but covered up with smile.

"H..hi Daksh", she said and concentrated to her dinner. Everyone were having dinner talking to each other. Daksh has a constant gaze on Annika making her uncomfortable. Shivaay was noticing everything and just controlling his anger.

"Oh the meatballs are finished", Malika said sadly.

"Not to worry Malika! There are more inside. I will go and bring them", Annika said excused to which Malika mumbled a thank you. Just then Shivaay got a call, he excused himself and went from there outside.

"I'll just come in a while", Daksh said and smirked getting up walking inside. Annika was coming taking meatballs when she saw Daksh in front of her with a devilish smile.

She moved other side to find him also moving that side. She glared at him.

"Leave my way Daksh!", she said to only see him moving ahead. She started moving back. She kept the bowl on table.

"Annika my babygirl! From how many days I am trying to have you...I mean to see you alone but sometimes your friends are there and now these people. Specially that Shivaay. I see he's really concern for you", he said walking to her. She walked behind and got pinned to the wall.

"He's just being a true friend and a real man", she said glaring to him. He was about to touch her cheek that she turned her face to the other side.

"Annika, just a small thing. Few nights with me. Neither anyone will know about it nor I will trouble you ahead", he said bringing anger to the peak of her limit. She slapped him tightly with angry eyes.

"Say a word ahead and I will show you who Annika D'souza is!", she said glaring at him who was holding his cheek.

"Annika D'souza huh? Let me show you who Daksh Khurana is!", he said holding her jaw tightly. Before Annika could shout ahead, she turned her to her back and twisted her arms behind, covering mouth from another. She wriggled and tried to come out of his arms but it got muffled.

He started pulling her towards upstairs and entered in a room leaving her mouth.

"Daksh I am telling you, I will kill you. Leave me, you'll regret", she shouted and started wriggling in his arms who was trying to kiss her. She was trying to push him when he pinned to the wall. She tried to move her legs but he locked it with his legs.

"Daksh you...Shivaaaay!", she shouted trying to come out of his arms. He was nearing to her lips and was inch away making her close eyes. Just then she heard a thud.

She opened her eyes and saw Shivaay standing there with bloodshot eyes and clenched jaw. Other came behind to see the commotion.

|••••|

Thanks for your votes and comments on the previous chapter. Keep reading, voting and commenting your views. They mean a lot to me♥️

Hope you liked the chapter. Do tell me how it was😁

Precap: SSO's anger

Love,
K♥️