Shades of Lies ✔ [Completed] #Book1

35. The Checkmate: It Was My Game

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Athulya's POV

My mindset had been crystal clear from the very beginning – enough of people taking advantage of me. Even when I returned to India with the resolve to lead a simple, peaceful life, far away from the mafia, illegal dealings, and fighting clubs, here I am in Italy, planning to teach him a lesson. Life has a way of defying my plans.

Leaving him in shock, I walked away. I could almost picture him still expecting a call from me, anticipating my acceptance of his first option. But Athulya is not that easy; now, I'll be the one presenting the options.

Hailing a taxi nearly a kilometer away from his base, I found myself standing in front of his club. The place held memories that I'm not proud of, and yet, there I was, ready to snatch away his most precious possession right from under his nose. It felt intriguing, like falling in love with problems – a mutual affair between me and the challenges ahead.

I strolled into the establishment, concealing my icy demeanor and malevolent intentions beneath a deceptive smile. As I located an unoccupied seat near the drinks, a wave of regret washed over me. Reflecting on my past actions, I couldn't help but acknowledge that I had been nothing short of a jerk. The foolish girl that I used to be haunted my thoughts.

The bartender, keen on offering his services, inquired about my drink preferences. However, my gaze was fixed on a particular individual, and I opted to dismiss the bartender's unwelcome intrusion.

I bided my time in the dimly lit room, surrounded by the rhythmic beats of the music and the laughter of the dancing crowd. The atmosphere was alive with energy, but my attention was singularly focused on him. He was caught in the midst of a dance with a vivacious girl, their bodies moving in harmony to the music, but the moment his gaze intersected with mine and I refused to look away, he extricated his hands from her waist and began making his way towards me. Our eyes remained locked in an unrelenting stare, concealing the evil smile that lurked just beneath the surface.

As he made his way towards me, I couldn't help but notice the flicker of desire in his eyes, a lustful gleam that betrayed the magnetic pull he felt. It was evident in the way his gaze lingered, hungrily tracing the curves of my silhouette as he moved through the crowd.

My intentions, however, were anything but pure. Concealed beneath the veneer of a charming interaction, a sinister plot unfolded. The evil intentions in my mind were shrouded by a facade of alluring looks and subtle smiles. While his thoughts were clouded with desire, my purpose was laced with a dark agenda, a strategic move in the intricate game we found ourselves entangled in.

Our eyes locked in an intense gaze, his reflecting desire and mine concealing a sinister intent. The dance floor transformed into a silent battleground, with the music as our backdrop. Amidst the charged atmosphere, our interaction unfolded as a intricate dance of emotions. Each step he took drew him further into the web I had woven, where his lust clashed with my cunning malevolence.

Seated side by side, he anticipated a conversation to unfold. Little did he know, the prey had embraced its role and approached the hunter. I wrapped my hands around his waist, subtly revealing the concealed weapon. With a determined glare, I pressed the gun against him.

"The longer you stay silent, the longer you get to breathe," I declared through gritted teeth, a sly smile playing on my lips. Rising from our seats, my hand maintained its grip on his back, both of us wearing deceptive smiles. As we strolled away, I sensed a hint of jealousy from a girl nearby. Ignoring her, we moved towards the back, the thump of his nervous heartbeat palpable.