Veins of Elysium: The Ruined Soul

Chapter~12 | First Meet : First Talk

ARYAMAN'S P.O.V

Today, I wasn't heading to the office because I was working from home. I had the mansion all to myself, and it was perfectly quiet, just the way I like it. Crowded and noisy places have never been my thing. After finishing my work, I checked the time - 5 PM. Perfect timing. I wrapped everything up, grabbed my car keys, and headed out to the bakery.

Now, the bakery isn't really my scene because I don't like sweets at all, but I was on a mission to get my cutiepie, Aarohi, her favorite chocolate croissant. Shaurya and Aarohi were coming to my parents' house for dinner, and I knew how much she loved those croissants. It's a small gesture, but it means the world to her. Seeing her eyes light up when she gets her favorite treat is worth the trip. After picking up her favorite treats, I planned to head over to my parents' place.

I know Mom will be over the moon tonight because she can finally relax now that all the Singhania drama is over. This morning, when I was eating my breakfast, Mom called me, asking how I managed to gather so much evidence against Sulekha. She was shocked and ecstatic. Hearing her happy voice made my day because she's my rock, and I never want her to feel sad or upset. Knowing she's happy makes me feel relaxed and satisfied.

When I got inside the bakery, I noticed some workers using a fogging machine outside due to the rise in dengue cases. The bakery manager asked the customers to stay inside until the fogging spray effect dissipated.

I had plenty of time, so I started scrolling through my phone, catching up on some emails and messages. But then, I felt that strange sensation that's been haunting me lately -my heartbeat picked up, an inexplicable rush of adrenaline and I knew something was up. I tore my eyes away from my phone and looked around, and there she was: Ms. Baani Singhania, in the flesh.

She wasn't wearing anything fancy-just beige baggy trousers, an oversized brown hoodie, and her long curly hair wrapped up in a bun. And damn, she looked ridiculously hot! She was standing near the counter, bent down over the glass display, her hand caressing her right cheek. She seemed lost in thought or maybe just confused about what to order. I couldn't believe she was struggling to decide what to eat. I watched her closely, unable to tear my eyes away. There was something captivating about her.

Finally, after what felt like forever, she gave her order. There was a childish glint in her eyes, and her cheeks had this rosy glow that made her look utterly adorable. She rubbed her hands together, and her lips curled into the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. I noticed she had a gap between her middle teeth, and it might sound crazy, but that made her look even hotter, sexier, and spicier.

She didn't have those sharp, model-like features. Her chubby cheeks made her a perfect mix of adorableness and seductiveness. Today, she wasn't radiating that composed, cold, and assertive aura I'd seen before. She had this free-spirited, angelic vibe, which was unexpected and intriguing. She was completely different from the person I met on the funeral day. Today, I felt something I never imagined I'd feel for her. She seemed different, like a whole new person, and I hated her for that.

I hated that she, being a nobody in my life, was consuming my thoughts. I hated that she was disrupting my peaceful aura and that she was breaking down walls of possessiveness and dominance that I never wanted to rebuild. Why the hell was she affecting me so much? This wasn't attraction; it was something toxic that I didn't want to reveal, especially not to her. No matter how controlling, composed, and resilient she seemed, to me, she was just a fragile little girl asking to be dominated and controlled. And there was no way in hell I wanted to do that to her. No way. Never.

After noticing the gradual trickle of customers leaving the bakery, I decided it was time to wrap up my stay. Rising from my seat, I gathered my bakery bag and made my way towards the exit. As I reached out to grasp the handle, an unexpected surge coursed through me, rendering my body momentarily numb.