Author's Pov,
Rudra's gaze followed Pihu as she made her way towards the door, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. But suddenly, Rudra's phone rang, interrupting the moment and catching both their attention. Pihu instinctively stopped in her tracks as Rudra answered the call, his tone slightly curt.
Veer, on the other end of the line, informed Rudra that his car was ready for his departure. Rudra's voice remained cold and authoritative as he responded, "Okay, I am coming." He ended the call, but the traces of disappointment were evident in his tone. Pihu couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and confusion at his sudden change of mood.
Without missing a beat, Rudra turned his attention back to Pihu, his words cutting through the air with a commanding tone, "Ms. Pihu, stop. Come, I will drop you off at your home."
Pihu is taken aback by the sudden change in Rudra's tone and his offer, hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond as her fear of Rudra's presence intensified.
Rudra is noticing Pihu's hesitation, softened his expression slightly, realizing the impact his words had on her. "I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I just thought it would be safer for you to have a ride home and secondly think as a one of the way of me thanking you." he explained, his voice carrying a touch of sincerity.
But Pihu's heart still raced with conflicting emotions, as She couldn't ignore the lingering sense of danger that surrounded Rudra, nor the knowledge of his involvement in the mafia, so she mustered the courage to decline Rudra's offer. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, trying to mask her fear and hesitation. "It's fine, Mr. Rathore. You don't need to drop me. I prefer to go home on my own."
As Pihu declined Rudra's offer, a sudden change came over him. His expression turned stoic, and an icy aura seemed to emanate from him, evaporating any traces of warmth. His voice carried an unmistakable edge as he spoke, "Ms. Pihu, I don't appreciate hearing 'no' as an answer. When I say I am dropping you, you should simply follow, or generally the consequences will not be pleasant for those who dare to defy me."
Pihu's heart raced with a mixture of fear and defiance. She knew she had to be careful with her words and actions, as crossing paths with someone like Rudra could have dire consequences. So, she decided to tread cautiously and agreed with Rudra's silent dominance for the time being. With only a few days left in her internship, Pihu timidly nodded, agreeing to Rudra's command.
Leaving Rudra's office, they made their way towards the elevator, descending to the underground parking lot, which Rudra used exclusively. Veer observed Pihu's evident fear of Rudra as they walked together.
As Pihu's eyes scanned the line of luxurious cars, a mix of shock and acceptance washed over her. It was undeniable that Rudra's status as a mafia and a billionaire demanded the need for such high levels of security. The sight of those gleaming vehicles stirred a fascination within her, one that she couldn't deny.
As she approached the cars, she couldn't help but admire their sleek designs and opulent interiors. Each vehicle exuded power and elegance, a reflection of Rudra's own persona. Pihu found herself drawn to the allure of these magnificent machines, momentarily forgetting the danger and complexity that surrounded her.
(Please ignore background)
Internally, Rudra chuckled at Pihu's shocked expression, thinking, "My love, you better get used to this, because soon all these luxuries will be yours. I know how hard you're working to achieve them. But don't worry, love, all you need to do is command me, and I'll give you anything. Soon, you'll be ruling the world with me."
They arrived near the car, and as Rudra opened the car door for Pihu, she hesitantly entered and took her seat. Rudra joined her, but Pihu made sure to keep a significant distance between them, sticking close to the car door. Veer occupied the front passenger seat, and they began their journey towards their destination.
An eerie silence filled the car, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Pihu's mind was filled with prayers and thoughts. "Please, God, what have I done to deserve this? I hope this ride ends soon, and our paths never cross again."
Meanwhile, Rudra keenly observed Pihu's every movement, her attempts to make herself invisible. He refrained from commenting, not wanting to further scare her. Deep down, though, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of desire and protectiveness towards her. He longed to hold her close, to shower her with love and protect her from the world's darkness. He reassured himself, "Don't worry, my love. Just a few more days, and you'll be mine. I'll treat you like a queen."
Suddenly, Rudra's attention was drawn to something, prompting him to abruptly command, "Stop the car." The driver complied, bringing the car to a halt at the side of the road. Veer turned towards Rudra, questioning why they had stopped in the market area. Pihu, unable to comprehend Rudra's thoughts, looked at him curiously, but remained silent.
Rudra approached Veer, whispering something to him. Veer exited the car and made his way towards the market area. Pihu watched the unfolding events with curiosity but didn't know how to respond, so she quietly sat there.
After 15 minutes had passed, Pihu's impatience grew. She was about to ask if she could go on her own when suddenly, Veer returned with a small cake box in his hand. He handed it to Rudra, saying, "Rudra, here."
Rudra nodded in acknowledgment, accepting the cake box from Veer. The car resumed its journey towards Pihu's house. Rudra turned his head towards Pihu, extending the box to her. Surprised by his gesture, Pihu was about to decline, but Rudra interrupted her, saying, "Take it as a thank-you gift." Not wanting to argue with Rudra after her failed attempts before, Pihu accepted the box silently. Exhausted from the day's events, all she wanted was to reach home and sleep in her comfortable bed.
Rudra, on the other hand, felt pleased that Pihu accepted his gift without resistance. He anticipated her joy upon opening the box, knowing her favorite black forest cake awaited her inside. His lips twitched upward slightly, but more importantly, a sense of peace washed over him in the presence of his beloved.
As the car glided through the city streets, the atmosphere remained tense and silent. Pihu's mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts, contemplating her situation and the enigmatic man sitting beside her. She couldn't help but steal glances at Rudra, whose piercing gaze seemed to hold a depth of emotions she couldn't decipher.
Rudra knows that her love is stealing glance of him with many question in her mind but doesn't said anything. As they neared Pihu's apartment, her anxiety surged, fueled by the fear of Shivani discovering their encounter. In a barely audible voice, she called Rudra and spoke softly, "Mr. Rathore, please drop me off at near the society gate."
Rudra's instinct was to deny her request, but instead, he responded in a cold and distant voice, "Okay." Pihu couldn't help but notice the sudden change in his demeanor, leaving her puzzled and unsure of what had caused such a shift. However, knowing that she wouldn't be seeing him again, she chose not to dwell on it.
As the car came to a halt near the society gate, Pihu prepared to step out. She turned towards Rudra, her voice filled with a sense of formality, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Rathore." It was a gesture of courtesy, a way to acknowledge the power he held over her and the warning he had given her earlier.
Rudra nodded briefly, his face betraying a mixture of emotions that Pihu couldn't quite decipher. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a hint of regret or longing, but it was quickly masked by his usual composed expression. "You're welcome, Miss Gupta," he replied in a restrained tone.
With that, Pihu stepped out of the car, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. As she watched Rudra drive away, a sense of relief washed over her. She was grateful to be free from his intimidating presence, yet a part of her couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic man who had stirred such a tumultuous storm within her.
Little did she know that Rudra's thoughts lingered on her, his desire to claim her grew stronger with each passing day, and he planned meticulously for the day when he could finally make her his. But for now, he had to bide his time, waiting for the opportune moment to reveal his true intentions.
To be continued...............