ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

72

This chapter has 4000+ words and ends with a target so make sure you read till the end ❤️

*** Shanthi ***

I was worriedly walking back and forth when I heard the doorbell ring. I hurriedly opened it to find Vinod at the doorstep.

"Greetings, sweetheart," he said with a weak smile and stepped inside.

"Vinnu!" I said, relieved. "I was so worried that..." I paused as a sudden thought struck my mind.

"Was... he..." I hesitated, "was he dead?"

"I wish," he said, frustrated, but quickly corrected himself. "No, love, he wasn't," he replied politely.

"Then..." I asked again, "then was it... a break?"

Vinod stopped while taking down his weapons and looked at me.

"As unbelievable as it sounds, and as much as I hate doing it, I stepped away from torturing a man who very well deserves it," he replied. "And now," he said, tightening the dagger in his arms, "and now... it's killing every ounce of me to not go back and become the devil again... every last bit of control I had to restrain the devil..."

That... was scary. His eyes still carried the anger... the grip on his sword still showed how much he wanted to go back... The devil had not left him, and it was scary. Yet I took a bold step...

I stepped forward and held the dagger, looking into his eyes as if suggesting he let go- and to my surprise, he did.

"Are you trying to distract me with your beautiful eyes?" he whispered.

"I want my Vinnu back," I replied as I took the remaining weapons one by one and placed them on the table. He observed me, perhaps slightly offended, but didn't say a word. He simply smiled.

"Distract me then," he said, stepping closer, our bodies almost touching, as he took the last dagger from my hand and placed it on the table.

"I..." I hesitated, "I didn't plan on what to do after this..."

Vinod smiled in amusement.

"Shall I go get the powder for the herbal drink?" he asked. "That should give you enough time to plan."

"No," I shook my head.

"You don't want to make love tonight?" Vinod asked, surprised.

I immediately blushed. "That... that was a very direct question," I said, looking down.

"Expression of love is not a sin, sweetheart," Vinod whispered. "There is nothing wrong in being direct. If you are not ready for it tonight, then..."

"I said no for the herbal powder," I interrupted. "I don't want the herbal powder."

Vinod fell silent.

"I want us to have children," I added.

I could see the contentment in Vinod's eyes, but he paused in thoughtful silence.

"You might want to decide that on some other day," he replied gently. "It's a big commitment, and I don't want you to make that decision just to make me feel better."

"No, Vinnu, I did not-"

"I'll go get the herbal drink just in case," he interrupted. "It will be your decision in the morning anyway, and..."

He paused when I held him by the collar to stop him- and kissed him.

"It is my decision to have children. A well-thought-out decision," I said firmly. "No herbal drink!"