Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 33

Aarohi POV

However, despite my assurance, the atmosphere of the mansion cast a sombre shadow, evoking a sense of unease within me.

As I approached the chamber, a sense of unease washed over me, intensifying with each step. The dim light cast long, eerie shadows, amplifying the mansion's already foreboding atmosphere. I raised my hand to knock, but before I could make contact, a strong grip seized my wrist and pulled me into the room.

Startled, I looked up to see Dev towering over me, his hand firmly pinning mine above my head, pressing me against the wall. The sudden closeness made my heart pound erratically, each beat echoing in my ears. His breath, warm and steady, brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

With his deep, hoarse voice, he leaned in and murmured, "I’ve been waiting for you," his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that left me breathless. The gravity of his presence and the weight of his words enveloped me, making the world outside that chamber fade away.

"I-I wa-was," I stammered, my lips struggling to form words as the closeness between us overwhelmed me. A lump formed in my throat, and beads of sweat gathered around my temples, making it clear how deeply his presence affected me.

Sensing my discomfort, Dev loosened his grip on my wrist and took a step back. The distance he created left me wondering if my reaction had hurt him. His eyes reflected a mix of regret and concern.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice heavy with remorse. "I shouldn't have touched you without your consent. If you ever feel uncomfortable because of me, please tell me immediately. I don't want to do anything that makes you uneasy."

His sincere apology tugged at my heart, and I couldn't bear to see him so regretful. "Your touch didn't make me uncomfortable," I explained softly, trying to ease his guilt. "I was just startled by the suddenness of it all."

His expression softened, the tension between us beginning to dissolve as understanding dawned in his eyes. I marvelled at how this man could enchant me so utterly, feeling as though he might be the very death of me.

Stepping back, he patted the bed, gesturing for me to sit, while he took a seat across from me. Once settled, I asked, "Are you okay? I saw the news reporters bombarding you with questions."

He nodded, his expression calm. "I'll take care of everything. Don't worry. But I wanted to ask you as well, do you want to make our relationship public?"

His question took me by surprise, revealing his sincerity and the depth of his feelings. Grasping the implications, I replied, "I don't want to be the centre of attention. We’ve just started dating, and I think we should take our time before making any public announcements."

He listened intently, then nodded in agreement. "I agree," he confessed, his eyes reflecting understanding and mutual respect for my concerns.

"I bought you these pastries since I didn't know your favourite flavour, so I got one of each," he said, walking towards the table and offering me the pastries. I approached, only to be pleasantly surprised by the assortment laid out before me. Then it dawned on me, "Oh yeah, he's rich."

"I like chocolate," I said, selecting a pastry, and inviting him to join me. I smiled as he picked up a white cake and a vanilla one. As we ate and chatted, he asked, "Where is this from?" Following his gaze, I realized he had noticed the scar on my arm.

As my smile gradually faded, memories of the incident came rushing back, vivid and haunting. "I fell from a cliff into the sea when I was young," I began, my voice cracking under the weight of the recollection. "I was in a coma for two months," I continued, the gravity of those words hanging in the air. He listened intently, his eyes full of empathy and concern, then asked softly, "Are you scared of water now?"