LUST ROYALE

Chapter 4

-- Chapter 4 ---

Nandita lay awake that night, unable to sleep as memories of the day's events flashed in her mind. The engagement had been a beautiful affair, but something about Ekaksh's intense gaze unsettled her. She knew all too well what it meant when a man like him showed interest. She had dealt with powerful men before, but Ekaksh seemed different—dangerous in a way that wasn't just about his wealth or status.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from one of her mafia contacts.

"Boss, ran into trouble with one of the shipments. Need your direction."

Sighing, Nandita quickly typed out her instructions and sent the message. Just as she was about to put the phone down, it buzzed again. This time, it was Inaya.

Inaya: "Hey, you still awake?"

Nandita: "Yeah, what's up?"

Inaya: "Ekaksh asked about you. He's curious."

Nandita: "What did he say?"

Inaya: "Nothing too obvious, just the usual. But Nandu, he's intrigued. Be careful. You know how men like him are."

Nandita rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time. Inaya knew her too well. She replied with a quick, reassuring message.

Nandita: "Don't worry, I can handle him."

But even as she typed those words, a strange feeling gnawed at her. She wasn't worried about Ekaksh's interest in her. She was worried that she might find herself interested in him.

The wedding festivities kicked off in full swing. Udaipur's royal atmosphere added a touch of grandeur, with colorful drapes, music, and laughter filling the palace grounds. Nandita found herself blending into the crowd, but her mind was always on alert, scanning for any potential danger. Despite her calm demeanor, she knew that the underworld never rested, and her enemies could be lurking anywhere.

As the guests mingled, Nandita caught sight of Ekaksh approaching her from across the courtyard. His presence demanded attention, and she noticed several women eyeing him, but his focus was solely on her.

"Nandita," he greeted, his voice smooth, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You look stunning."

"Thank you," she said politely, her tone cool. "Enjoying the festivities?"

"I am. But I find myself more interested in you."

Nandita raised an eyebrow, not surprised but still wary. "Why's that?"

Ekaksh smiled, a slow, calculated expression. "You're a mystery, and I like unraveling mysteries. There's more to you than what meets the eye."

Nandita's heart raced, but her face remained impassive. He was fishing for something. Did he suspect her true identity? "Everyone has layers, Ekaksh. Perhaps you should focus on your cousin's wedding rather than on unraveling me."

His smirk widened. "I think I'll do both."

Before Nandita could respond, Inaya appeared, dragging her away to join the other guests. Nandita cast a glance over her shoulder, noticing Ekaksh's intense gaze still locked on her. It was going to be a long few days.

Later that evening, as the sangeet function began, Nandita found herself seated next to Advait, watching the dance performances. Despite the celebratory mood, her instincts told her something was wrong. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her—someone other than Ekaksh.

Advait leaned in, sensing her tension. "You okay, Nandu?"

She nodded but didn't let her guard down. "Just... something feels off. Maybe I'm overthinking."

"No, trust your gut. You've never been wrong before," he said, his tone serious now. "Want me to check around?"

Nandita hesitated, but then shook her head. "No, not yet. I'll handle it. Stay close, though."

Advait nodded, and the two of them remained alert, even as they outwardly appeared relaxed.

Meanwhile, across the room, Ekaksh watched them closely. His interest in Nandita had grown beyond simple curiosity. There was something about her that set her apart from anyone else he'd ever met. And the more he learned about her, the more intrigued he became.

As the night wore on, Nandita excused herself and stepped outside to get some air. The cool breeze helped clear her mind, but the uneasy feeling didn't leave her. She heard footsteps behind her and instinctively tensed, but when she turned around, it was Ekaksh.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace.

"I wasn't startled," she replied smoothly. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

Nandita glanced at him, debating how much to reveal. "You seem like someone who's used to getting what he wants."

Ekaksh's lips twitched in amusement. "And you seem like someone who's used to keeping people at arm's length."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It's safer that way."

"Maybe. But it's also lonely."

Nandita held his gaze, the tension between them palpable. She didn't have time for distractions, especially not ones like Ekaksh. But something about him drew her in, no matter how much she resisted.

"You should stay away from me," she said quietly, her voice laced with warning.

Ekaksh stepped closer, his voice equally soft but filled with determination. "I don't think I can."

The next morning, Nandita received a call that left her cold. One of her men had been ambushed during a deal. It was a clear message from a rival gang, and she knew she had to respond. But with the wedding in full swing, she couldn't leave Udaipur without raising suspicion.

She met with Advait in private, outlining a plan. "I'll need you to handle things from here," she said, handing him the details of the retaliation plan. "I can't leave Inaya's side right now."

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay? What if something happens?"

"I've got it under control. Just make sure the message is loud and clear."

As they spoke, Ekaksh watched from a distance. He had been keeping tabs on Nandita, and while he didn't know the full extent of her secret life, he was starting to piece things together. He had his own contacts and had already started digging deeper into Serenity Empires, and the more he uncovered, the more fascinated he became.

Later that night, as the pre-wedding celebrations continued, Nandita's phone buzzed again. The retaliation had been successful, but it came with a warning—the rival gang was planning to escalate the conflict.

Nandita's face remained calm, but inside, she knew she was running out of time. She couldn't keep both worlds separate for much longer.

And Ekaksh, watching her from the shadows, was determined to find out just how deep her secrets went.