"Behind the mask of innocence lies a hunger for revenge, where power reigns supreme and secrets dictate the game."
•••
Ananya's light conceals dark shadows.
Secrets fester.
Revenge fuels.
Betrayal lingers.
Obsession rules.
What will Trayaksh do whe...
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"Bande ko dekh kar use kaam diya jaata hai, Anya." Trayaksh shook his head slowly, finding her endearingly naïve.
(A person is given work based on their abilities, Anya.)
Ananya crossed her arms, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "So, there is something even the great Baba of Delhi couldn't do?"
His smile grew, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Sure is."
"And that is?" She goaded, raising an eyebrow.
"Staying away from you," He said softly, each word carrying a weight only he understood. "Aapse dur rehna mujhe aata hi nahi. I'm afraid God hadn't put that ability in me."
(I don't know how to stay away from you.)
Ananya swallowed hard, her heart betraying her with a faint flutter. She tried to push it away with a scoff. "You talk too much."
"And I can do more than talk," He fired back smoothly. "Just unchain me, and I'll prove it."
"Tsk," She replied, rolling her eyes with disdain. "Since you're so capable, I'm sure you'll find a way to do it all while staying chained."
His eyes darkened, his smirk melting into something far more dangerous. "You're challenging me, sweetheart."
Ananya uncrossed her arms, her anger bubbling to the surface like lava. "No. I'm just tired of you. Why don't you go find your beloved Ritika and leave me alone?"
The mention of Ritika made him recoil slightly, his expression twisting into a grimace as if he had stepped into dogshit.
"You must be really angry to torture me with words like that," He muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
Her lips pursed into a tight line, but she stayed silent. The tension between them hung heavy, thick as smoke, until Trayaksh broke it.
"She told me something," He said, his tone growing serious. "That you're the daughter of Onalika Sen—the owner of Mumbai's top red-light district."
Her eyes widened, her composure cracking. "She said what?"
"That was the talk last night. I walked into that café for one reason. You." His eyes never left hers, boring into her with an intensity that left her breathless. "Do you think anyone or anything else could tempt me away?"
Ananya's resolve faltered, and before she realized it, she had moved closer to him, sitting beside him on the bed. Her proximity sent a jolt through him. He was hyper-aware of every movement, every shift of hers.
