The Broken Vow

2

Thank you so much for the 60 votes on the last chapter! Can we get 65 votes on this chapter?! ;)

Adarsh Khanna 

The media raved about the Agnihotri heiress's beauty, often using words like ethereal and transcendent to describe her. But as I studied the woman in front of me, all I saw was a terrified woman. Was it because of her nyctophobia? Claustrophobia? Or something else entirely? Considering she was pretty easy to startle, it could be anything.

Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks. Beads of sweat glistened on her otherwise flawless tan skin. Her mascara was smudged underneath her eyes. As she blinked slowly, the weight of reality began to settle in.

She suddenly stood up, fear replaced by her usual snark and fire. "What are you doing here?"

I rose from the floor as well, adjusting my jacket's lapels. Anirudh Agnihotri had summoned me to rescue his precious daughter, and as the subservient employee he presumed me to be, I had come 'running.'

"Like I said, I'm here to save you, Butterfly," I replied coolly, using the nickname that always managed to make her angry. She had an unhealthy obsession with butterflies - wearing a butterfly ring and even having one tattooed on her collarbone. And not to forget the butterfly conservatory in her house and childish stickers on her bedroom ceiling. Didn't butterflies symbolize freedom, Was the princess' gilded cage really so suffocating? A sneer tugged at my lips, barely concealing my disdain. "I'm your lawyer."

Confusion flashed across her face, her brow furrowing as she tried to piece together why her father had sent a corporate lawyer instead of a criminal lawyer. But, it was fleeting. Her eyes hardened, meeting mine with a glare that could have melted steel. "Took you long enough," she taunted. "Did you stop for take out or something?"

"I did actually," I replied with a smirk. "Being the knight in shining armor is a lot of hard work."

She rolled her eyes. "Who said you are a knight in shining armor? You are the devil incarnate in tight and ugly suits."

"Your flattering words wound me so deeply. How will I sleep today?" I placed a hand over my heart in mock distress, noting how her eyes followed the movement.

"Get me out," she snapped, glaring at the policewoman who had accompanied me. "Now, my stupid lawyer is here as well. Open this door."

"Say please," I said, holding up my hand to stop the officer from unlocking the door. I knew I was pushing it, but I couldn't help myself. There was something about Aahana that always made me want to crack that ice cool nonchalant facade.

"Please for what? It's your job to get me out of here." Her voice was haughty, but there was a tremor underneath. Whatever had happened tonight had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. I noticed her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her designer dress, a tell-tale sign of her discomfort.

I shrugged. "It is. But it's still a nice thing to say."

"You aren't my father to teach me manners," she snapped, crossing her arms defensively.

"Well someone has to teach you," I said, my tone deliberately light. I turned to the police officer and offered a practiced charming smile. "Don't you agree, Mrs. Khurana?"

"She has been rude," the policewoman agreed, her eyes flickering between us with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"I'll tell my father about this misbehavior," Aahana said defiantly, but the threat rang hollow. We both knew that the last thing she wanted was his attention right now.