AUTHOR'S POV :-
Damien's voice sliced through the silence, cool and mocking.
"Hello, Miss Aruna."
Aarohi froze, her eyes narrowing . Her pulse quickened, but she refused to let it show. Lifting her chin, she met his gaze—black orbs unreadable, dangerous.
"It's Aaru, not Aruna," she corrected, her voice firm yet composed. "So if you're going to address me, do it correctly. And—" she crossed her arms, measuring his expression "—may I know why you're looking for me?"
Damien didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, a flicker of amusement ghosting over his lips as if savoring her defiance. Then, with an excruciatingly slow pace, he rose to his feet.
"I'm looking to be friends with you," he finally said.
Aarohi's stomach twisted, not from his words, but from the way he delivered them—smooth, calculated, dripping with something far from innocent. Before she could react, Damien stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her.
His hand brushed against the edge of her sleeve, barely a touch, yet charged with an unspoken threat. He dipped his head, his breath warm against her skin as he whispered,
"It would be... thrilling to be friends with you."
Aarohi's spine stiffened. A chill ran down her arms, but she held her ground, even as his voice coiled around her like a snake, suffocating, intoxicating.
She swallowed hard. This man was not looking for friendship.
He was looking for control.
And that terrified her more than anything.
Damien's sharp eyes locked onto the white bandage wrapped around Aarohi's neck, and for the first time, something unfamiliar twisted in his chest—concern.
His voice, usually cold and mocking, was laced with something else entirely as he demanded,
"Who did this?" His jaw clenched. "Name that person, and I'll kill them for you."
Aarohi blinked, startled.
Before she could react, Damien stepped closer, scanning her face for any sign of discomfort. It was deep… too deep. His hands curled into fists.
"Did you see a doctor?" he pressed, eyes dark with intensity. "No, wait—I'll carry you. It must be hurting."
"What—No, I—"
Before she could protest, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Aarohi's hands instinctively gripped his shirt as she gasped. "Aap pagal hain kya?! Mujhe neeche utaariye!" ("Are you crazy?! Put me down!")
Damien didn't even acknowledge her words. His grip was firm, his movements decisive.
With long strides, he exited the café, ignoring the curious glances from bystanders. He reached his sleek black car, opened the passenger door, and gently—almost carefully—settled her inside.
Aarohi crossed her arms, glaring. "I already visited the doctor."
Damien ignored her, fastening her seatbelt like she was some fragile porcelain doll.
"But I need you to be okay as soon as possible." His voice was low, unwavering.
Aarohi narrowed her eyes, heart beating just a little too fast. "But why are you so worried?"
Damien opened his mouth—then shut it. His expression shifted—like he was searching for a reasonable answer but failing.
After a moment, he exhaled and muttered, "I said I want to be your friend… so I'm just worried about my friend. That's all."
Aarohi stared at him.
Liar.
And the worst part? He knew it too.
The car pulled up at the hospital, and within moments, Aarohi was seated in the examination room. The doctor carefully checked her wound, but as soon as the needle brushed against her skin, a sharp sting shot through her neck. A painful gasp escaped her lips.
Damien, who had been standing beside her, turned to the doctor, his gaze darkening.
"Careful, doctor," his voice was dangerously low, each word laced with a silent threat. "If she feels pain again… I will slit your throat."
The air turned heavy. The doctor visibly tensed, his hands trembling slightly as he continued tending to her wound with extreme caution.
Aarohi glanced at Damien from the corner of her eye. His entire posture screamed protectiveness—anger burning in his eyes, jaw clenched tightly.
As soon as the doctor finished the check-up, he quickly scribbled down a prescription—probably eager to escape Damien's death glare. Once they exited the hospital and settled in the car, Damien started the engine and asked in a firm voice,
"Where do you live?"
Aarohi shook her head. "You don't have to drive me home. I'll go myself."
He turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow at her. "Address."
She sighed, knowing resistance was pointless, and reluctantly gave him her address. As soon as the words left her mouth, she muttered under her breath, "Pata nahi kaunsa kaala jaadu kar diya hai isne mujhpar… saari baatein manwa li isne."(I don't know what black magic he has done on me… made me agree to everything!)
But Damien heard her. His sharp senses missed nothing.
"What did you just say?" he asked, glancing at her.
Aarohi's eyes widened slightly before she quickly composed herself. "Nothing. I didn't say anything."
His narrowed gaze lingered on her for a second, but he didn't push. Instead, he silently entered her address into the car's navigation system and started driving.
Minutes later, they reached her apartment. Damien stepped out first and, like a gentleman—or perhaps a very persistent captor—opened the door for her.
Before she could react, he bent slightly, ready to scoop her into his arms once again.
Aarohi's eyes widened in alarm. "No, no, no!" she held up a hand, stopping him mid-action.
Damien frowned, clearly displeased. "You're injured."
Aarohi sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "Bhagwaan ne do-do pair chalne ke liye hi diye hai mujhe." ("God has given me two legs to walk!")
His frown deepened in confusion. "What?"
She rolled her eyes and translated with exasperation, "God has given me two-two legs to walk, so please let me walk."
A flicker of amusement crossed Damien's face, but he stepped aside, allowing her to walk toward the apartment building. Just as she reached the entrance, his voice stopped her.
"Wouldn't you ask me to come inside?"
Aarohi turned around, eyebrows shooting up. "Why?"
Damien gave her a straight-faced look. "Because I'm your new friend… and also a guest."
Aarohi folded her arms, scanning his face. New friend, huh?
After a moment, she huffed. "Fine. But don't expect royal treatment."
Damien smirked slightly, stepping behind her as she led the way inside. This was going to be interesting.
As they stepped inside, Damien's eyes roamed over the apartment. It was nothing like he had expected. The space was big, elegant, and dripping with class—every detail reflecting sophistication and beauty. His gaze flickered to Aarohi, a silent question lingering in his mind.
His eyes settled on a nameplate near the entrance, and without looking at her, he asked, "Who is Aruna?"
Aarohi, who was about to take off her shoes, paused and turned to face him. "She's my friend. This apartment belongs to her and me both. And that is her café."
Damien gave a slow nod, processing her words. "Then why do you run that café? And where is she?"
Aarohi crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "I don't think we're close enough for me to share everything."
The corner of Damien's lips lifted into a smirk. "Not close enough?" he echoed, taking a deliberate step toward her.
Aarohi instinctively took a step back.
His darkened eyes held a dangerous glint, and his movements were slow, calculated—like a predator stalking its prey.
Another step.
She moved back again.
Her heart pounded as her back suddenly hit the edge of a table. Trapped.
Damien didn't stop. He closed the remaining distance between them, standing so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
His breath was warm, teasing, as he leaned in—so close that his lips hovered just beside her ear.
His hand slid to her waist, fingers barely grazing the fabric of her dress as his grip firmed just enough to make her breath hitch.
Then, in a voice that was dark, deep, and deliciously dangerous, he murmured, "Now… are we close enough to share things?"
As Damien's lips barely brushed against the soft skin of her neck, Aarohi's breath hitched—a shiver running down her spine. His grip on her waist tightened slightly, his touch both possessive and teasing.
But just then—
BANG!
The main door swung open.
The sudden intrusion shattered the moment. Aarohi gasped, snapping her head toward the entrance.
Damien, however, didn't move away. His body went rigid, his jaw clenched. His sharp gaze snapped toward the intruder, his expression shifting from shock to something far darker—dangerous.
His eyes darkened like a brewing storm as he coldly asked,
" what are you doing here?" .......................
________________________________________
and for spoilers you can follow me on instagram my insta id : @anaya_inkspire .