Shadows of control

30. A risky move.

Author's pov:

Sofia was standing outside naira's room. She was concerned for her. Naira simply wanted to marry the man she loved, but her recent argument with Ansh had left her feeling down. Sofia decided to talk to Naira and knocked on her door.

Naira was sitting on her bed after hearing the knock she invited the person in
"Come in."

Sophia sat beside Naira, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment.
"Naira,"
she began, her voice filled with a hint of reproach,
"you were the one who gave me hope in the darkness,
What happened to that spirit now?"

"Oh really?"
Naira retorted, a bitter smile playing on her lips.
"Your husband surely knows. Why don't you ask him?"

"Don't lose hope, Naira,"
Sophia reassured her, her voice gentle.
"I'll talk to him. We'll figure this out together."

"He's my brother Sofia!"
Naira replied, her voice filled with resignation.
"We've grown up together, I know very well, once he makes a decision, it's final for him."

"If he's your brother, I'm his wife,"
Sophia asserted, her voice firm.
"If he won't let you marry Leo, I'll make him."

"Are you sure?"
Naira asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Sofia smirked
"I'm very sure"

Naira gave Sophia a tight hug, her eyes brimming with gratitude and hope.

******
Ansh was engrossed in his work. Sofia, unable to capture his attention, cleared her throat.
"Ansh,"
she began, her voice soft yet firm.

He looked up from the screen
"What?"
he asked, his tone impatient.

"I think we should give Naira and Leo a chance,"
Sofia said, her voice steady.
"If they truly love each other, we shouldn't interfere, the whole family is with them except you."

Ansh shot Sofia a death glare, his eyes cold and intense. Although their relationship was normal now, she was still afraid of him a bit . She felt a chill run down her spine, her heart pounding in her chest. Without a word, she turned and left the cabin, her steps heavy with dread.

Sofia thought about the words which she gave to Naira. She had given Naira a hope. But here she was taken back by just his one glare then talking to him in words was so far.

*******

Ansh was there in this cabin, waiting for someone.
Leo, a man of few words, strode into the room, his presence commanding attention. He paused, his gaze fixed on Ansh, who stood by the window, lost in thought.

"Why the sudden meeting?"
Leo asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Ansh turned to face Leo, his expression unreadable.

Ansh removed his blazer, tossing it onto the chair. He rolled up his sleeves, the veins on his forearms bulging as he flexed his muscles. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes as he fixed Leo with a steady gaze. Leo, in turn, studied Ansh, his own expression unreadable. The tension in the room was palpable.

Ansh leaned against his desk, he crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze fixed on Leo.

"Will you ever betray me for a girl, Leo?"
Ansh asked, his voice low and menacing.

Leo, unfazed by Ansh's menacing tone, met his gaze with unwavering loyalty.
he replied, his voice steady.
"I'd die for you before I'd betray you."

Ansh gave a smirk
"Then prove it,"
He said, his voice dripping with menace.

Leo's eyes narrowed.
"What do you want me to do?"
he asked, his voice low.

Ansh leaned forward, his eyes boring into Leo's.
"You have to leave her,"
he said, his voice low and deliberate.

Leo's eyes widened in surprise.
"Leave who?"
he asked, confusion evident in his voice.

"Naira,"
Ansh said, his voice cold.

"She's not just some random girl to leave"
Leo replied, his voice firm.
"I fucking love her man!"

Ansh let out a bitter laugh.
"Love? "
He took a pause.
"Love can be built after the marriage. It's not essential to love someone before you marry them."

"Not everyone is like you, Ansh!"
Leo spat, his voice filled with contempt.
"To drag a girl forcefully to the aisle, threaten her life, and take advantage of her vulnerability... that's not love, it's pure abuse!"

Ansh's jaw clenched, after hearing the word "abuse".
He was about to bit the shit out of him but he controlled himself. For a moment, the room was silent.

"No matter how you're treating her now, before a few days you were treating her as your sex slave and that doesn't change the reality"
Leo spat, his voice filled with disgust.
"And now you expect me to follow your example?"

Ansh lost his patience. Within few seconds, he took his steps forward and punched Leo's face with all his might.

"Mind your fucking words,"
Ansh growled, his voice thick with anger.

Leo wiped the blood from his lip, a smirk playing on his face.
"That's your reality, Ansh,"
he taunted.
"Don't be offended so easily."

Ansh's eyes were burning in rage.
"You'll regret this, Leo,"
he growled, his voice low and menacing.
"Mark my words."

"Let it be done here and now,"
Leo retorted, his voice filled with defiance. With a swift movement, he lunged forward and returned the punch to ansh on his face.

Ansh smirked after receiving a powerful punch, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light.
"Win against me if you want to win her."

Another punch landed on ansh's face. Both the men started throwing powerful punches at each other. Each punch was a testament to their strength and determination. They were both well-built, two titans clashing. Nothing less than demons themselves.

Antonio rushed into the cabin after hearing the noise, his heart pounding. He saw Ansh and Leo engaged in a fierce brawl. He didn't have the courage to jump in between and stop them he knew he could be badly injured seeing their aggression, he ordered the guards inside they tried to separate the two men. Just then, Sofia burst into the room, her voice sharp and commanding.
"Stop!"
she shouted. The fighting immediately stopped, both men freezing at her command.

"What's wrong with you guys?"
she demanded, her gaze sweeping over the two men. Both Ansh and Leo, panting and bruised, looked up at her.

"Where words can make things, why are actions needed?"
Sofia asked, her voice filled with disappointment

"Even children act more mature than you two,"
Sofia scolded,

Leo and Ansh, still panting and bruised, exchanged a guilty glance. They knew Sofia was right. Their childish behavior had nearly led to disaster.

"Everyone out!"
Ansh commanded, his voice echoing through the room.

Everyone went out at his one command including Sofia she was still worrying from them and didn't want to leave but she was left with no option.

Ansh fixed his t-shirt, then walked over to Leo.
Gently, he brushed the dust off Leo's shoulders.

Ansh eyes were bored into Leo's, his gaze was intense
He ordered in his bossy voice
"I Dare you to broke her heart"
Ansh growled
'If you want yourself dead"

Leo was stunned. He hadn't expected such a reaction from Ansh. A surge of relief washed over him as he realized that Ansh had finally agreed. With a grateful heart, Leo pulled Ansh in a tight hug and Ansh patted his back.