ENIGMA

Manipulation

The door clicked shut behind Advik, the sound echoing through the room, sending a jolt through Ruhani. Her heart raced as she slowly turned, watching him approach with an unsettling calmness.

“Who’s got you smiling like that?” His voice was low, commanding, tinged with suspicion.

Ruhani fumbled with her phone, quickly locking the screen as she set it aside, her pulse quickening. “Oh… just chatting fwith Tiyasha and the girls,” she managed, her voice shaky but trying to sound casual.

Advik’s eyebrows lifted slightly, his dark eyes piercing through her. He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “And what, exactly, is so funny that you’re laughing like a schoolgirl?”

The tension between them was thick, and Ruhani knew she had to be smart. She couldn’t just ask for what she wanted—he wouldn’t go for that. She needed to soften him first. Rising from the bed, she walked toward him with deliberate slowness, her steps light, almost sensual. Her fingers brushed his arm as she came to stand beside him, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

“Adi…” She spoke softly, her voice delicate, almost vulnerable. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us… and about you.” She placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingers. “I realize I’ve misunderstood you… for a long time.”

Advik didn’t move, but his eyes tracked her every motion, sharp and calculating. “Have you now?” His tone was cold, but she could sense the curiosity lurking beneath.

Ruhani nodded, letting her hand trail down his chest, inching closer to him. “You’ve always been there, protecting me, caring for me in ways I didn’t appreciate before. You do everything because you love me… because you want what’s best for me.” Her voice trembled slightly, the vulnerability in her words wrapping around them both.

For a brief moment, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes, a softening of his usually hard gaze. But it was fleeting. "And?" he prompted, his voice steady, but less harsh now.

She took a slow, deep breath, her hand sliding lower, teasing the edge of his belt. "I want to show you that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve given me so much—your love, security, this home… everything." Her voice was breathy, her body pressing lightly against his. "I want to make you happy too."

Advik’s gaze darkened slightly, his suspicion creeping back in. “What are you trying to get at, Ruhani?” His voice was low, laced with warning.

Before she could answer, he moved, gently pulling her into his embrace, his arms encircling her in a way that felt both protective and possessive. She leaned into him, her lips grazing his ear as she continued, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I just want to give you everything, Adi. I want to be the wife you deserve, to make you proud.”

He chuckled softly, his hand tracing down her back. “Is that so?” he asked, his tone playful now, the power dynamic shifting as he played along.

Her fingers danced along the waistband of his trousers, her body brushing closer against his. “I was hoping you’d let me do something for myself… just this once. Something small.” She let her lips graze his jawline as she whispered, “Let me spend the night at Tiyasha’s. Just for a girls’ night. Nothing crazy, just a little fun.”

Advik’s expression shifted instantly, his jaw tightening as his hand shot up to grab her wrist, stopping her teasing movements. His grip was firm but controlled, the message clear. "No."

“You think you can just charm your way into my good graces?”

Ruhani’s heart sank at the finality in his tone, but she didn’t pull away. She moved closer, her lips brushing his neck as she whispered again, “Adi… please. Just one night.” She kissed his skin lightly, testing his reaction, her fingers tracing slow circles on his chest. “It’s just one night. I’ll be back before midnight.”