Page 226 of One Hellish Passion

“Talk to me,” he snapped. “Just talk to me, Maya. Your voice is my only solace for now.”

Maya swallowed the uneasiness. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“I can come there. Where are you? Office?” she checked her watch. “I can reach in 15 minutes.”

“Don’t,” he exhaled. However desperate he was to have her by his side, he denied. “Don’t miss your work. I am fine.”

“You come first,” she assured. “You always will.”

“I know that. But you don’t need to do this.”

“But why? I can, Ranveer. I will ask for a quick break from Vikram and...”

“Because you are not the boss there. You need permissions. And breaks like these will only affect your performance. I will pick you up from work in the evening at your regular time. I am feeling much better now. Don’t worry.”

He didn’t lie. He really felt better talking to her, arguing.

“Okay,” she muttered. “I will find an alternate solution for situations like these in the future.”

She probably had found one, but that means she will have to go shopping or order it online. Online shopping was better. She can gift him. He will like it.

*******************

Paradise

Adira yawned, flipping through the TV channels in her room. She was bored. This house had every amenity to enjoy, but she didn’t feel like utilizing any, especially because Ranveer Malhotra was not around. This morning, before she reached the breakfast table, she found out that Ranveer and Maya had left for their respective offices. She wondered if they purposely ignored her. Last night, Ranveer’s confrontation about his feelings for Maya left a bitter taste in her mouth. However hard her mind urged her to accept it, her heart couldn’t. Ranveer was in love now, but he could hate her someday, or the worst-case scenario, forget Maya if she died. Yes, death was all that could separate the two from each other. She quickly headed to the closet and opened the drawer secretly. The gun was intact and loaded. That night when Garima met her on the streets, Adira had a gun hidden in her dress. She had no clue she would wake up in Paradise the next day with the gun still with her. No one was allowed to enter this fortress without a thorough check by the security, but since she was unconscious that night, no one checked her. So, utilizing that chance, she had hidden the gun in the drawer, waiting for the right time when she could put it to use.

***************

Ranveer patiently waited for Maya to come out of her office premises. She didn’t make him wait for long. Martha followed Maya like a shadow, keeping her eyes everywhere on the surroundings. Maya reached Ranveer and placed her palms over his chest.

“You look a mess,” she muttered. “Tell me everything.”

Ranveer nodded and opened the door for her to get inside. Martha took the other vehicle. The vehicle sped on the road, and Ranveer began sharing the information he got from Nitin today. Maya froze. She had a slight clue it had something to do with Ranveer’s mother; otherwise, this man wouldn’t lose his mind that easily.

“Dev Malik is a monster if he did this,” she scowled. “Why don’t you give those proofs to the police? Let them investigate.”

“I don’t want to waste time on that. My sources are tracing the clues, and we will soon know who the blackmailer is,” he replied.

Maya was convinced. She then recalled the gift she wanted to give him. She opened her purse and quickly removed the box.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“A gift,” she pouted. She never gifted him anything before. This was the first.

“It's not my birthday, and neither our anniversary.”

“You think I will gift you anything monetary on your birthday or our anniversary?” she teased, rubbing her palm over his thigh. Ranveer gripped her wrist.

“Behave,” he whispered.

“Damn you,” she mouthed before passing a cocky smile. “Open the gift, right now.”

He let go of her wrist and opened the box. It was a photo frame with their marriage picture in it. Him kissing her forehead. He recalled this was clicked just after they took those seven vows of togetherness.

“This is for your work desk,” she explained. “When you have a bad day at work and wish to see me, you don’t need to wait.”

Ranveer was enchanted by her idea. That was truly unmissable. He would keep it on his working desk tomorrow. He pulled her closer and pecked her lips.

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