The Ethereal Love

CHAPTER 23

Hrida Pov

"KAMINI! DAYAN! CHUDAIL!" 
I screamed without thinking, my voice shaking the air between us.

But something stopped me, a fleeting glance at him—he looked shocked too. 

His eyes jerked open like he hadn't even realized what was happening. I smacked his chest with all my frustration.

He winced, though I knew he was faking it.

"Hrida, stop," he said, trying to calm me down.

"Didn't you see she was about to sit on you?" I yelled, my heart pounding, my words laced with fury and disbelief.

"I swear, I didn't notice," he said, looking straight into my eyes, the hint of sincerity in his voice that made me question myself for a second. 

But the rage inside me wouldn't let it go. I stood up, ready to storm out, but before I could take a step, his hand gripped my wrist, pulling me back.

I glared at him. 

"Mr. Malhotra," I sneered, trying to remind him we were not in some playful moment,

"the vase is right there!" I pointed sharply at the table beside him, trying to distract him, anything to get away.

But instead, he pulled me toward him, and before I knew it, I was sitting on his lap, exactly where I had seen that woman a moment ago.

My breath hitched as anger mixed with a confusion that had my heart racing.

"Let me go!" I demanded, trying to push myself off him, but he didn't budge.

His arms tightened around me, locking me in place as if we were playing some twisted game.

His lips hovered near my ear, and I felt the heat of his breath before he whispered,

"I'm sorry. I'll pay more attention next time, I swear."

My cheeks flushed red. Not from embarrassment—no, from the mix of emotions swirling in me: fury, frustration, and something else I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

I wriggled, trying to break free, but he only tightened his hold on me.

"Don't," he whispered again, this time softer, more commanding.

I was fuming.

The nerve! But then, I looked down at my heels and smirked. I had an idea.

Without warning, I brought the sharp point of my heel down on his leg, hard.

"fuckk!" he yelped, releasing me instantly as he rubbed his leg in pain.

I took the chance to spring up from his lap, a satisfied grin spreading across my face as I watched him wince.

I couldn't help it—I laughed.

His expression, the way he tried to pretend it didn't hurt that bad, was too funny to ignore.

I gave him a final smirk, turned on my heel, and marched out of the room, still feeling the rush of everything that had just happened.

But deep down, I knew he had a way of getting under my skin, no matter how mad I was. 

Before I could reach the door, I felt his hand pull me back once again.

Annoyed, I turned to face him, looking directly into his eyes. He held my gaze, his expression softening.

"Let me go," I demanded, though my voice lacked the force it had moments ago.

He studied me for a second longer, then asked quietly,
"Are you sure you're not still mad at me?"I huffed and crossed my arms.