Page 26 of One Hellish Desire

“Whenever you complained of this as a child, I used to sing you lullabies. But now you're grown. You don't need a grandmother's lullabies anymore. You need a wife whose presence can give you restful sleep.”

We both awkwardly shift in our seats this time. Daadi may have said it innocently, but Vikram stares at me as if imagining me in that role. I focus back on the jewelry to avoid his gaze when a house help knocks on the door.

“Daadiji, you asked me to remind you about the flower garland.”

“Oh yes, I'll make it myself to offer at the temple tomorrow.”

As Daadi gets up to leave, she tells me, “Maahi, you wear those bangles and tell me if they fit.”

Now I'm alone with Prince Pompous. I can't even ask him to leave. I try on the bangles, but one won't slide easily onto my wrist. That's when he takes my wrist in his hand.

“Easy,” he mutters gruffly. “You'll hurt yourself.”

Hurt? He's concerned for my wellbeing, seriously? Where was this concern when he demanded I hand over Devki Estate? He slides the bangle over my wrist, then strokes the skin there to soothe the redness. The rub of his fingers against my skin electrifies every fiber of my being. Why do I feel this way when he touches me? I clearly dislike him and his arrogance. Being charged by his touch should be impossible, yet here I am. I struggle to free my wrist from his grasp, but he tightens his hold and meets my eyes.

“I heard what Daadi had desired about we two,” he says huskily.

His deep voice threatens me further. I don't reply - it's unnecessary to extend that conversation. But just to put him in his place, I retort.

“I'm glad she didn't actually propose us being together now. Know why? You would never settle down here, and I would never leave Daadi alone to settle abroad with you. Which means...our long-distance marriage would never work.”

I expect him to hurl hurtful words again. Instead, he just grins as if he is not convinced. Whatever it is, I’m least interested in finding out. Shrugging free of his grasp, I walk away unable to bear him any longer tonight.

CHAPTER 8

VIKRAM

I'm at Devki Estate again, barely able to contain my eagerness to make this place mine. The only obstacle right now is the estate’s current owner - Maahi. I'm here to examine the legal property transfer papers she and Daadi signed, hoping to find some clause I can tweak to my advantage. My argument with her over this estate at Leela Mahal didn't go well, and I'm certain she'll never willingly sell it to me. So I'll have to employ more complex measures for my own gain.

“Here it is, Sir,” Shukla says, handing me the legal documents, which I pass along to my lawyer, Roy.

Roy scrutinizes the papers thoroughly before smiling back at me. I know he's found a solution to my problem. Once Shukla leaves us alone, I get down to discussing it.

“Give me good news, Roy. I want this estate from her, at any cost,” I repeat firmly.

Roy sets the papers down. “I’ve both good news and bad. The bad news is, even though Maahi now owns this estate, she's not the sole owner.”

Not the full owner? Who else has a stake besides Maahi? I don't interrupt, letting him finish.

“Your grandmother gifted this estate to Maahi and whomever she marries in the future. Currently the land belongs to Maahi, but she still cannot sell it to anyone, even if she wants to, until the co-owner - meaning her ‘husband’ - agrees to it. Once they're married, her husband will get half ownership, and then they can mutually decide however they want to use this property.”

My head spins. Mutually? Marriage? Maahi's husband? What the hell? This means even if I persuade Maahi, she won't be able to sell to me until after she's married. I'll have to wait for her to get hitched?

“Maahi co-owning Devki Estate isn't just bad news, Roy, it's awful!” I snap.

Roy's grin has me wondering what devious plan he's concocting.

“But...” he adds slyly, “Since she's not the sole decision maker yet and needs her better half to decide this. We have a chance here.”

I rub my temples, still hung up on how I'll convince that fool Shyam Trivedi, if she happens to marry him in future. Will he even agree?

“And here's the good news,” Roy continues.

I hope it's actually good. I give him my full attention.

“You'll have to give up your single status, Vikram.”

“What?” I growl.

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