Shadows of control

41. Unbelievable!

Sofia's pov:

My first day has been going great so far. Everyone's been so welcoming and friendly here.

I was quietly working at my desk when I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in,"
I said

And Bella walked in.

I stood up to greet her, but she motioned for me to sit back down. She took a seat across from me, and I wondered what she wanted.

"So, Sofia,"
Bella began
"how's your first day going? Everything alright?"

"It's going great, thanks! Everyone's been really nice and helpful."
I replied politely.

She was in Deep thought for few minutes then she finally asked me,
"Does Ansh know that you're working with me?"

I don't want to share my personal life with her but I'm grateful that she gave me a job at the right time in a new country. So I won't mind sharing a bit.

"No, probably not," I replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Sorry, Sofia," Bella said,
"I shouldn't interfere more, but is there something wrong between you two?"

How could she ask this when she, herself is one of the reason.

"We're separated,"
I replied firmly, hoping to satisfy her curiosity.
I guess that's what she wanted to hear.

She looked at me, shocked, and said in disbelief, "What?"

"But he loves you, right? I...I mean you both love each other then...."
she asked, her tone laced with doubt and hesitation.

She's saying as if Ansh has confessed his love for me in front of her.
"Love?"
I replied, a bitter smile playing on my lips.
"Yeah, he loved me, I guess."

"Yeah, he truly loved you, girl,"
Bella said, her facial expression shifting to one of pity and understanding.

"Don't mind if I share this thing with you, Sofia," Bella said, her tone hesitant.

I nodded in agreement.

"Actually, Ansh and I dated for two years," Bella began, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"He was loyal throughout the relationship, a constant in my life. Our bond was so strong that people were used to be jealous."
A nostalgic smile playing on her lips as she remembered about their past.

Bella continued,
"But I was the one who messed up. I lost him. He was the most ever gentle guy in my entire life. He never raised his hand on me, though he was a dark personality who belonged to the total dark world"

My heart clenched as I heard,
'He never raised his hand on her' I had assumed physical abuse was the reason for their breakup. If he hadn't physically abused her, then why me? A wave of confusion and self-doubt washed over me.

Bella's eyes softened as she spoke,
"And I was jealous of you, Sofia, when I heard you were his wife. But never mind, let's leave that in the past. I just want to make something clear: this man will never come between our work. We shouldn't let any personal grudges affect our professional relationship."

I was, taken aback by Bella's confession, felt a strange mix of emotions. I nodded slowly, my voice barely a whisper.
"I understand"

Bella gave me a relief smile, as if she was  expecting a more arrogant reaction from me. I suppose she thought I'd be jealous, and to some extent, I was. After all, I had a thing for that man.

******
Author's pov:

"I think he's dead,"
Leo muttered , as he watched Ansh killing a man in a really gruesome way. The man's eyes were gone and his tongue was ripped out. Ansh is really good at killing people brutally. After he finished, he stepped back from the body. It seems like he's back to his version, the one who used to kill people without thinking twice.

Leo ordered the men to take the body out.

As they both moved out of the basement, Leo said flatly
"One man wants to meet you"

Ansh glanced at his phone, a frown creasing his brow. "For what?"
he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

"About the orphanage land, I tried to convince him to forget about it but he isn't ready"

Ansh growled,
"End it by yourself .I don't have time for these people."

Leo sighed heavily because many people are behind that land and they want to have it at cost, but Ansh is not letting that happen and Leo has to deal with it all the time.

Leo's phone buzzed, interrupting the tense silence. It was Mr. Smith. After a brief conversation, he turned to Ansh with grim news.
"Mrs. Smith wants her land back,"
he said.

Ansh ran a frustrated hand through his hair. This was getting out of hand. Too many people were getting involved in the orphanage land deal, turning it into a major headache. Without a second thought, he got into the car, ready to confront the issue head-on.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Ansh wasted no time in heading straight to Mr. Smith's office. As he entered, he found her seated behind her desk. She stood up upon seeing him and greeted him with a polite nod.

Ansh leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity.
"I've been clear from the start. Once I own this land , it's mine. And that's final."

Mrs. Smith was a bit afraid. She said,
"I know, but people aren't letting us live peacefully here. It's better if I sell this land and place the orphanage somewhere else."

Ansh sighed
"There's no need to sell the land. I'll provide a new location for the orphanage"

Mrs. Smith hesitated,
"But I'll  not be able to pay the amount "

Leo interrupted
"Consider it as a compensation, you don't have to pay"

She was shocked.
She politely requested,
"Please have a seat. I need to make a quick call."

They both settled into the chairs. Ansh's gaze fell upon a photo on the desk-a picture of little Sofia.

Leo chuckled seeing Ansh lost in her photo.
He teased
"She's just a kid bro hesitate a bit"

Ansh shot Leo a death glare and Leo looked away trying to control his laugh.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Smith, observing their interaction, couldn't help but ask,
"Do you know her?"

Leo chuckled nervously,
"Of course, she's his wife now."

Mrs. Smith's eyes widened in disbelief.
"His wife?" she exclaimed.

her voice filled with shock.
"But I thought she was married to her college sweetheart."

Ansh's jaw clenched, he asked straight without any hesitation
"Who was he?"

"I don't know who exactly he is, but I've heard Sofia mention him many times,"
Mrs. Smith replied cautiously.

Leo knew now he had to do research on that man so he could die by Ansh's hands peacefully.
He asked,
"Can you tell us something more?"

"He's her current husband " Mrs. Smith replied.

Ansh's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"What nonsense? I never even met her in college,"
he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I forgot it was just a one-sided crush on her part,"
Mrs. Smith apologized, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Leo burst out laughing, his laughter echoing through the room.

"For fuck sake will you shut up, LEO?"
Ansh growled,

"Yes, please continue,"
Leo said, suppressing a smirk.