The transition from the chaos of their past to the serene, sun-drenched halls of the French mansion felt like a dream. But for Nandini, the dream had a slight, icy edge she couldn’t quite explain.
As they entered the master suite, the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the rolling lavender fields. The scent of fresh flora and expensive wood filled the air, yet Nandini lingered by the door, her eyes darting toward the empty hallway once more.
Manik noticed. He dropped their carry-on bags and stepped into her space, his large frame instantly providing a sense of security.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
"Still feeling it?" he whispered, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"It’s just... so quiet, Manik," she murmured, leaning her head back.
"Back home, there’s always the sound of traffic, or Cabir barging in, or Papa calling out. Here, the silence feels heavy."
Manik turned her around in his arms, his gaze softening.
"The silence isn't heavy, Jaan. It's just peaceful. No memories of the accident, no guilt trips from the past, and no one to judge us. Just you and me."
He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, and for a moment, the 'uneasiness' she felt was pushed to the back of her mind.
Determined to shake off her mood, Manik spent the afternoon making the mansion feel like a home. He refused to let the servants do everything.
Manik decided they should cook their first meal together. It resulted in more flour on Nandini’s nose than in the bowl.
"Mani..what ru doing..Ur litreally making me bathe in flour" she said irratatingly hitting his shoulder he laughed she made pout!
"Oww nandu baby is angry.." he said smiling she looked at him and took flour and poured on him he looked at her with shock. She started laughing
Manik watched her laugh, a genuine, bell-like sound that he hadn't heard in weeks. He trapped her against the marble counter, his hands covered in dough, and leaned in until their breaths mingled.
"I could get used to this version of you," he murmured before tasting the sweetness of her lips.
She responded wrapping her hands around his neck!
After few minutes they broked kiss!
He rested his forehead on hers both were breathing heavily!
She looked at him and said
"You are distracting mee ok let's do work" she said he made innocent face
They continued the work.
Later, they walked through the private vineyard attached to the estate. The golden hour sun turned everything amber. Manik held her hand firmly, his thumb stroking her knucklesa silent reassurance that he wasn't letting go.
"Are you happy, Manik?" Nandini asked, looking at the horizon.
Manik stopped walking and looked at her. The shadows under his eyes, which had been there since that day, seemed a little lighter.
"I'm with you, Nandini. That’s the only place I’m ever truly happy. France is just a beautiful backdrop for us to start over."
As night fell, the mansion took on a different character. The antique clocks ticked with a rhythmic thud that sounded like a heartbeat.
Manik was in the study taking a quick business call. Nandini, dressed in a silk nightgown, walked toward the balcony of their room to close the sheer curtains. As she reached for the latch, she froze.
In the reflection of the glass, she saw the door to their suite creak open just an inch.
"Manik?" she called out softly. No answer.
She turned around quickly. The door was shut. Tight. She walked over and pulled it, finding it locked from the inside, just as Manik had left it. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
Jet lag, she told herself. Manik is right. My mind is just playing tricks because everything is new.
When Manik entered the room ten minutes later, he found her sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging a pillow. He immediately sensed the shift in her energy. He sat beside her, pulling her into his lap, cocooning her in his warmth.
"Nandu, talk to me," he commanded gently.
"I just... I feel like we aren't alone, Mani. I feel like someone is watching us from the corners."
Manik sighed, rubbing his hand up and down her arm. He felt a pang of guilt. Had his own trauma and his desperation to flee the country rubbed off on her? He needed her to feel safe.
"Look at me,"
he said, lifting her chin.
"This house is a fortress. There are security guards at every gate. The staff is vetted. But most importantly..."
He took her hand and placed it over his heart.
"I am here. Nothing and no one can get past me to get to you. I promised your Papa, and I’m promising you. You are my world, Nandini."
He began to trail kisses down her neck, distracting her senses, replacing her fear with the familiar fire of his touch. He laid her back against the silk pillows, his eyes dark with an intense, protective love.
"Tonight, just focus on us," he whispered against her skin.
"Forget the past, forget the distance. It's just Manik and his Nandini."
As he pulled the duvet over them, holding her so close there wasn't an inch of space between them, Nandini finally drifted off to sleep. But outside the door, in the long, dark corridor of the mansion, the floorboards gave a tiny, almost silent creak, as if someone had just shifted their weight, standing guard in the shadows.
They were in illusion of peace not knowing someone was watching their every moment
Screen freeze
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I hope you like it ❤️
Alfiya ❣️
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Captivated By Him
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