Mystic Flames

2

Aaradhya was awakened by the mewing of seagulls flying high in the sky.

"Huh?" she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "Why are there so many fish washed ashore?"

Noticing something unusual weighing on her neck, she placed her hand on it and was astonished to feel a pearl string necklace. She carefully removed it and spent several minutes fanning the magnificent pearl neckpiece, marveling at its beauty.

"So it wasn't a human-saving dolphin after all. Someone must have saved me," she mused aloud. "If you're so unwilling to show yourself to me, I'll leave my pendant in exchange for this pearl necklace. I hope I can be of help to you someday."

She quickly donned her clothes, roasted and ate some of the fish, and began walking around the island, hoping to find some wild fruits. By afternoon, she heard the sound of a cruise ship's horn and rushed to the shore, yelling for help.

"Help! Help! Over here! Help! I am over here!" she cried, waving her arms frantically.

A man on the deck noticed her and quickly headed to a luxurious room.

"Master, there's a woman on the nearby island. Should we onboard her?"

The man inside, barely glancing up from his wine glass, waved his hand dismissively, indicating his permission. The deckhand rushed back and threw a safety rubber floating ring towards her. She hurried into the waters and secured the ring. The crew above started pulling her up and, after bringing her aboard, inquired about her situation, eventually giving her a room to rest.

Later, the man who had noticed her reported to his superior. "Mr. Sinha, the lady we saved says she has no memory of herself. She claims her sister wanted to drown her in the sea to kill her, but she was lucky to end up on that island."

"You may leave," said Mr. Sinha, his mind troubled by various thoughts. He swirled his glass of wine, a frown creasing his brow.

"Aradhya, you are so despicable," he muttered to himself. "You vicious woman. Since you say you've forgotten everything, how could you remember being thrown into the sea by your sister? How dare you plot against Meera. You have no heart. Your sister is so pure, and yet you paint her as evil. Are you so willing to get me back that you would stoop so low? Let's see how you deal with this."

He called for his bodyguard and ordered coldly, "Give her no food."

After a long, deep nap, she wakes up with her stomach growling in protest. She checks her surroundings, only to find the mini refrigerator empty, not a single stack of tea, coffee, or any snacks in sight.

"What kind of cruise ship is this?" she mutters, annoyance creeping into her voice. "It looked so luxurious on the outside. Maybe I shouldn't have judged it by its cover. Let's find the kitchen or food court."

Determined, she sneaks around the corridors, her footsteps light and cautious. Just as she's about to turn down another lane, a door nearby swings open suddenly. She stumbles and finds herself pinned against the wall, trapped in the infamous kabedon position by an unknown man.

"Where are you lurking around my room?" he demands, his voice a low growl.

"I... I... I was trying to find some food," she stammers, her heart pounding.

"Hah, you think this looks like a pantry to you?" His eyes bore into hers, a mixture of suspicion and amusement.

"Um... ugh," she mutters, struggling to look away from the handsome stranger still holding her in the awkward position.

"Were you trying to steal something, hm? Or did you want to get into my room?" he taunts his face inches from hers.

"I... I..." Her voice falters as she nervously bites her lip, drawing his gaze to her mouth. Seizing the moment, she headbutts him sharply across the jaw, breaking free and sprinting back to her room.

The next morning, she's jolted awake by vigorous knocks on her door.

"Miss, our Master has asked for your presence."

"Me? Why?"

"Don't ask questions. Get ready in 15 minutes and we will lead you there."

Quickly, she rushes through her morning routine and steps out of her room, only to be grabbed by two burly bodyguards.

"Hey! Leave me alone! I can walk," she protests, her voice rising in frustration.

"Stop dragging me! I can walk at my own pace!" she screams, but the bodyguards ignore her, dragging her through a series of corridors.

They finally reach a grand room and fling open the doors. Inside, a man sits on a huge vintage-looking sofa, impeccably dressed in a well-tailored suit. Bodyguards line the walls, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a king's court. The bodyguards haul her closer and drop her to her knees before the man she headbutted the previous night.

"Do you have anything to say, sweetheart?" he asks, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

"I... Um... I apologize sincerely," she stammers, her voice trembling.

"Lady, you bite the hand that feeds you and think you can get away with a simple apology? How about I sell you off to a faraway country?" he threatens, his eyes gleaming with malice.

In the blink of an eye, she springs towards him, her movement a blur of speed and determination. Landing gracefully on his lap, she shatters his wine glass with a deft flick of her wrist. The sharp crack of breaking glass echoes through the room, freezing everyone in place. She grabs his collar with a vice-like grip, yanking him forward with a ferocity that makes his eyes widen in shock. The jagged edge of the broken glass glints menacingly under the dim light as she presses it against his neck, her eyes blazing with an intensity that promises no mercy. The room holds its breath, the tension so thick it feels like the air itself might shatter.

"Quick drop your guns if you want your master alive, and turn the ship back and deboard me. Obey if you don't want your master dead in the middle of the sea."

"You dare? Drop the piece of glass or we will shoot holes in your body." screamed the panic-stricken lead bodyguard.

"Everyone get out, don't come uncalled." saying this his eyes glimmered in evil just like the diamond-studded cross earring in his ear.

"But master.."

"I am the boss if you didn't know." he mouthed with a glare.

As soon as the bodyguard left Aaradhya dropped her guard, seeing this he quickly got out of her grip.

"Get out, get out before I change my mind," he shouted in rage. As if controlling the beast to do any damage.

"What's is wrong with me? I should not let that heartless woman affect my mood. Damn woman, she said she will wear the pendant I gifted her forever but she .. did she buy this one and wear it on purpose to infuriate me or is it gifted by someone else." He punched the wall in rage. He saw as she deboarded the ship.

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Kabedon : The male forced the female to the wall, making a "dong" sound with one hand or leaning against the wall, leaving her completely nowhere to escape.