The Corporate Monster ✅

F R E E D

Krithi stole glances at Aniket while they both arranged her clothes form her suitcase into their closet. The closet was monstrous enough to fit a whole football team; and so the couple did not have the chance to argue again. Once the suitcase was empty except a black box, Aniket picked it up with curiosity. The only things that were in the suitcase were Krithi's extensive amount of diaries, and her clothes. She had packed them when she had an argument with her mother after Aniket's 'funeral' and left her house.

There was a small golden lock palaces in the box. It's glittery surface made him curious. Krithi hates makeup and often chose to brush through her long hair with just her hands. She had never needed artificial powder to cover her marks, because all her pores resided within her heart. "What's this?" He asked, jiggling the lock.

Krithi turned from the other side of the closet, gasping. She lunged for the box, retrieving it one full sweep. "It's not your problem."

Aniket squinted his eyes with suspicion. "No secrets, remember?" He asked, reaching for the box. Krithi hugged it to her chest, but Aniket grappled for it. He took hold of it, examine the box carefully.

What could she be hiding in this?

"It's not yours! Give it back!" She said. She tried to grab for it, but her held it above his head, one hand pushing Krithi by her head gently. She struggled against his strong grasp, but gave up. "Just give it back, will you? There's nothing in there!" She lied.

"Oh, yeah? Then what's this?" He asked, shaking the giant box.

"No! It could break!" She yelled. "Ok, fine, fine. Just give it back, and I'll tell you."

"Show me." He asked.

Krithi sighed, nodding reluctantly. He brought his had down and Krithi instantly grabbed it out his hand.

"You promised!" He whined.

Krithi squished her nose, guilty. She didn't want another fight.

"Fine."

She walked over to her suitcase, unzipped the first compartment and retrieved a small silver key. She stomped back to her husband, inserted the key in the  keyhole, and looked up at him, gulping. "You have to promise not to make fun of me. It was a gift for you. I-I never used them."

"Just open it, Krithi."

She closed her eyes, and twisted the key. There was a click and the lid opened to reveal what Aniket had never expected of his wife. He glanced back at her blushing cheeks, and smirked.

"Really, Krithi?" He asked, trying his best not to laugh.

She swatted his chest. "You said you wouldn't make fun of me." She said, pouting her lips.

"No, I never said that or promised anything. Honestly, I thought you had a perfect memory." He said, clicking his tongue mockingly.

She closed the lid, grabbing it out of his hands. "We're not using them. It was a stupid idea." She said warningly.

He closed their space, breathing on her ear. "I didn't say anything about using the toys. Are your proposing we should?"

His hoarse voice made her gasp and shiver form her toes. She was not expecting this twist. She thought the gift would go with her till her grave. "No!" She said, pushing him away.

She stumbles back, her cheeks crimson from the thoughts swirling inside her head.

She dropped the box as he took her by the hips and trapped her against the wall. She heaved for breath as he forced her arms above her head and imprisoned them with his hand. "The truth." He said. "I want the truth."