Guilty Pleasures

17

"Letting go of someone you love is hard, but holding onto someone who doesn't even feel the same is even harder..."

He had taken his time to study her before slowly dozing off and it had been the last time he had seen her in weeks.

That morning he had woken up to his sheets being ice cold, the signs of her being present the previous night completely erased. All that remained was the soft strawberry scent hovering within the room to torture him.

He had studied the CCTV footage in his room diligently when he had woken up confused and dazed by her absence; only to find that she had left in the depths of the early morning once she was sure he was completely asleep.

She knew he was a light sleeper, and some how she had expertly executed her escape route successfully for once. Raghav had cursed himself before trying to get in contact with her. But just like a cycle they had ended up back to square one: back to her childish avoiding.

His hand raked through his now curly hair, attempting to soften down the flames of his hair whilst his inner ones began to rage.

He had gotten into contact with her assistant, after she had begun to send Krishna to give him outstanding payments for the rent, and yet he received no information regarding her.

His patience had begun to wear thin. It didn't take much anyway, but he was getting restless.

And that is exactly why our designated 'hero' found himself standing almost hesitantly outside her house, his eyes locked onto those of her fathers. That Sanki Budhe.

He cursed mentally, a string of curses following in Telugu flowing at the tip of his tongue.

"What the hell are you doing near my home!" The elderly man began.

Raghav suppressed the eye roll, leaning back against the car he had parked moments ago. The regret of even coming here spreading through his veins as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring back uninterestingly.

"I need to speak with you daughter."

"And why would I give you permission to do that?"

"She's your daughter not your possession, she does not require your permission."

"Living under my roof yes she does."

Raghav laughed. Kicking off the tyre and standing so he was towering over the man in front of him.

"The roof that is only stable through her money? Through her blood, sweat and tears. Are you talking about that roof?"

Raghav shook his head. "You should really have some shame, but I haven't come here for you or to give you a lecture in moral science, your daughter can do that after she comes out to speak to me."

Vijay Deshmukh stared back at Raghav Rao unrelenting.

"Listen to me Sanki Budhe, either you go get her, or I go in myself."

"You won't be able to handle the storm that will come with those actions of yours Raghav Rao."

Raghav allowed his hands to slip into his pockets, a smirk spreading on his features.

"I am the storm."

He barged past Vijay, but his steps were pulled to stop in front of the woman who had taken any ounce of peace he had achieved despite the tragedies of his life.

"Ms Deshmukh. I need a word."

"Another time Mr Rao. I am quite busy at the moment."

"I wasn't asking."

"Well I wasn't inviting you for a debate." She fixed him with a glare.

She turned to her father. "Baba go inside."

"But Pallavi-" "Baba." She hurled, her father shrinking back into the house whilst glaring at Raghav who could do nothing but pass him a smug look.

That fell however the moment Pallavi walked around him to continue on her journey away from him.

His hand clasped her forearm pulling her to halt.

"Where have you been?" He asked trying to conceal the worry in his voice.

"Around." She answered vaguely.

"For fucks sake Pallavi-"

"Raghav I am busy. If you've come to ask me for my whereabouts than I have been in this city only, for I have no intention of leaving Hyderabad, and not even the so called Don of this place can kick me out. If I want to leave it will be on my terms and my terms only Mr Rao. So don't worry, both sets of challenges you've thrown my way are still very much in motion."

"Technically you started them."

"And technically you're once again wasting my time. Rest assured that I will complete your challenges. You have no other reason to see me Mr Rao. Your rent has been paid, your shop in perfect condition so please don't come unannounced to my house for no real reason unless it's concerning work. Thank you."

"Is that all we are? Professional-"

She cut him off.

"You said it yourself Mr Rao, that I should learn to separate my personal life from my professional life. I am doing that only. This is how our fate began and this is how it shall stay. Now if you'll excuse me I'm now running late for a meeting."

Within seconds she had left, leaving Hyderabad's Don gaping. For once an opponent had matched him well enough. He felt a smirk pull at the corner of his lips, as he pulled back his shades to watch her form retreat.

Because she had now seemingly retreated into the woman he had first been acquainted with, and he loved it. He saw the fire, and now he wished to play with it.

Sadistically He was enjoying this.

Pallavi leaned against her scooter, collecting her breaths and her thoughts after he had knocked the air out of her through his mere presence yet again.

After that night they had shared she had gone back to strengthening her resolve, finally deciding that enough was enough. She couldn't keep bowing her head and her morals for him every night. She was tired, of the half signals, of the way they bent the termed relation they had, and so she chose to step away. To close herself off before she could hurt herself more through her own expectations.

A sign escaped her lips as she fastened the helmet to her head, she had taken a stand, she had made a vow to herself this time for those around her and she would stick by it.

Even if it meant she had to die everyday to uphold it. Because stubbornness was firmly cemented in our heroine, and she would no longer bow down to her guilty pleasure.

She was a Queen in every right, and the crown that had slipped because of him was now firmly placed back on her head, her murderous aura parallel to his.

She left the scene soon after, a sigh omitting from her lips as she set off again to chase a dream that was in no way her own.

But her family came above everything, and it was for them that she had now sacrificed her pawn of desire on the board.

Her guilty pleasure now in ruins...

TBC

Authors note: Hope you enjoyed this one. See you tomorrow for the next update x