Priya.

I don't know what I was expecting but I thought my heart would burst out. He slowly started to remove it, his eyes never leaving mine.

And at the exact time, all the lights went off.

The ballroom and everything surrounding it was engulfed in complete darkness.

I pushed myself away from him.

I have to get out of here!

I am so shocked now, I started to panic, for the first time after my accident, I am starting to feel things I shouldn't.

"Wait!" I heard him, but my phone was already vibrating.

Uncle is waiting for me!

Rohan.

"Wait!" I tried to grab her, but she has already disappeared through the door.

"Naina?" I called out, following her through the darkness.

My insides were twisting painfully.

It's not Naina!

"Naina..?" I called out again, refusing to believe that voice inside me.

I never felt this before with anyone else! I think I could recognise her anywhere, anytime.

But Naina will never run away from me!

The moment I spotted her, I knew it subconsciously, it was Naina!

You didn't even see her face! you know it too, she was similar, but not the same.

I gripped her beautiful mask in my hands.

I am going to find out who you really are!

Neev.

I stilled as darkness engulfed me, I was searching for Riya, but I can't see her anywhere.

Something is wrong!

I knew it when the ballroom was engulfed in darkness.

Something is really wrong, I could feel it!

"Riya!" I shouted as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness.

But everyone has started moving and talking and I know I am not doing a good job searching for her.

My insides were still twisting uneasily.

I never thought Nirosha will do that! I was trying to search for Riya when she blocked me.

Riya saw it! Riya saw her kissing me!

I am feeling like killing someone now!

How the hell am I going to make her understand? I mean, Nirosha seemed drunk and it was so unexpected, I couldn't move away!

Why are you so bothered, Neev?

We are going to get engaged, of course, I will be bothered!

A fake engagement!

That evil voice inside my head said again.

I don't want her to misunderstand!

And...I like her.

I heard the loud bang and turned to that direction, people were screaming and moving away.

What the!

I moved in the direction.

"Leave her!" I heard someone shout.

And just like that, the lights were back. The loud music was back and the party resumed.

I still moved forward through the dancing bodies.

"Riya!" I saw her.

She was standing in a corner, her mask gone, she looked weak and terrified.

My blood boiled as I took in the situation.

She was cornered by three men in masks, a guy in full white was defending her, now ready to throw a punch if the others take any steps forward.

I walked to the front and touched the first one, I punched him straight when he turned to me.

I removed my mask in anger, I am no longer thinking straight, I wanted to beat the daylights out of them.

I take the second one as Riya's saviour took the third one.

"Neev!" I heard Sachin appearing beside me, joining the fight.

Riya was still leaning to the wall in the corner.

"Who are you?" I heard Sachin trying to take off the mask from them, but the man was not allowing it.

Sharath, Sreejith and Praveen from college appeared next and took the guy I had been dealing with.

"Go and take care of Riya, I will deal with them here!" Sachin said. "And try to get out of here before it becomes big like last time"

Riya!

Her name penetrated through the dark and red storm of my anger.

"Are you alright?" I reached near and gripped her shoulder.

She looked at me.

"Neev!" she hugged me tightly. "Please...save me" she whispered, "save me..."

"Don't worry, I got you" I hugged her to me, I could feel her whole body shaking.

"Are you ok? what happened?" I supported her to me, now worried.

"She's okay, I think someone spiked her drink" I looked up at the person in white, his mask still in place.

"Who are you!?" I asked sternly.

No, I don't trust anyone.

"Is it important now? we should take her to a safe place" he took a step closer and I hugged her tightly to me.

"Stay right there" I ordered. "I don't trust you"

"Likewise Aldrick," he said darkly.

All the men who were attacking were caught by the guys now. luckily, the music was still loud and a major portion of people was still unaware of the fight.

"I am taking her out, please control the situation," I told Sachin and others and they nodded.

"And I will deal with you lat-" I stopped as I saw him missing, the guy in white who was there was missing.

Riya was weak and she leaned to me, I supported her against me.

"I am taking Riya back, don't lose them, I want to know who hired them," I said as they were still struggling with their prisoners.

I picked up Riya into my hands and slipped out through the emergency exit.

* * * * * * *

Neev.

I sprinkled some water in her face.

"Riya?" I shook her slowly. We were in the parking lot of the hotel, she was lying in the passenger seat of my car.

"Riya" I called her again and she slowly moved.

Relief flooded through me.

"Neev?" she slowly opened her eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked her and she slowly nodded.

"Yes," she said, then started to get up. "I want to get out of your car," she said.

"What?" I was confused at her. She seemed to be full of energy all of a sudden.

"You, Nivin Rosh James Aldrick, are a player!" she pointed her finger at me. "and I don't want to be around you!" she said.

She's talking about the kiss!

"It wasn't me! I never thought Nirosha will do that!" I said quickly.

I don't know why I am explaining this to her, but I felt a need to, I can't let her misunderstand me!

"Sure, you're Mr Universe for girls to come around you!" she said angrily while trying to get out of the car.

"Wait, we should go back now" I blocked her with my body, but she pushed herself out of there.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore!" she said, her eyes flashing in anger.

"Wait a minute!" I said, now noticing her. "You are still high!" I stated.

She's not herself, she looks drunk!

"Keep your distance from me and go to her, Nirosha, she might be waiting for you," she said.

Whoa!

"Are you jealous?" I smirked at her.

"Ha! jealous? me? Riya? over my dead body, Neev!"

"Yea sure" I chuckled.

"I am.not.jealous!" she turned to me one last time before starting to walk away.

"Riya, wait!" I called out to her, but she didn't even turn back.

I sighed, I locked my car back and started to follow her.

"Where are you going?" I asked as I reached her.

"Somewhere far away from you!" she said.

"Why?" I looked sideways at her face. "Are you trying to avoid me again?" I asked.

"You can go back to her," she said.

"I don't want to," I said.

"Why?" she stopped and turned to me.

"Because I like someone else," I said, now looking into her eyes.

She stared at me for a moment before taking a step back.

"You are doing that again," she said, starting to turn away, fanning herself. but I grabbed her hand.

"Doing what?" I asked her.

"Making me feel strange!" she said.

"I am making you feel strange?" I asked her.

I really wanted to know her answer, I brought her slightly closer.

"Don't...touch me!" she exclaimed. "It's bad enough my heart is out of control when you are near!"

I know I should not be this happy to hear it, but I am!

"In a good way or bad way Riya?" I asked, still not letting her move back.

"I don't know! you just appeared from nowhere and make me lose my focus and I feel all these weird feelings! It's so out of my control and you just kissed me that day without my permission! you are totally confusing me, I think I don't like it!" she said.

Wow!

Riya is more interesting when she's drunk!

I smiled. "I think you like it, you are lying now," I said. "and you don't have to get confused, I am feeling "strange" around you too," I said.

I have a feeling she wouldn't remember anything tomorrow.

"Really?" she looked at me, my eyes landed on her lips, I just wanted to kiss her senseless now.

"Really" I nodded. "unfortunately, unlike you, I am not confused, I am so sure of everything I want to do and it's more difficult for me" I confessed.

It was true, I don't think I can hold back much longer, she's tempting me, especially after that kiss, now that I know how she feels in my hands, I want to do much more.

But I also know I can't do it, she is someone with a clear focus on what she really wants, she loves family and her dream is to be in a real family.

And that was holding me back all these time.

But I am getting swayed now, I am protective and possessive of her, even today, I was out of my mind when I saw them attacking her. I am not sure of what I should do about this engagement anymore.

Just make it a real one, Neev, and she would never leave your side.

That voice in my head has been whispering inside my head for quite some time now.

I don't believe in marriages...

But can you watch her with someone else? away from you?

"Wow..." Riya squealed happily and get out of my hands.

"Riya!" I shouted as she started to run, I followed her.

"Stop there! where are you-Riya!" I shouted again, but she just kept on running.

I followed her to the lawn area and she slumped down.

"What in the world are you-"

"Shhhh" she touched her index finger to her lips and pulled me down with her.

"What?" I asked and she pointed to something far away.

"It's so cute! I want it!" she said and I saw a bundle of orange fur.

"I love kittens!" she said.

"I am allergic to-" I started but she was already following it on all the four, still slow and careful not to scare it away, her white gown was dragging through the ground, staining it from the grass and mud.

I took a deep breath.

Drunk Riya is not only interesting but also dangerous!

"Riya, can we just go back-"

"Neev! you scared it!" she flashed me a look and started to follow it again.

"Riya, wait, I will get you another one if you come with me no-"

"No!" she said. "I am not coming with you till I get him," she said stubbornly.

"But we can't-"

I stopped again, she was already following it.

She was stooping down again, the poor kitten seemed to be afraid of her now.

She started to murmur under her breath. "One..two..." She jumped at him, but she lost her balance and fell down before I could reach her.

"Are you alright?" I helped her up.

"it's gone," she said, looking around.

I grabbed her hand and started to drag her but she just sits down on the ground.

"I am not coming until I get him!" she said adamantly.

"Sir? Are you alright? do you need any help?" one of the hotel staff reached us, looking concerned, apparently, he thought Riya is feeling ill or something.

"No.." I dragged off. "wait a minute!yes, can you please help me find an orange colour kitten?" I asked.

"Sir?" he looked at me confused.

I pulled out my wallet and pushed some bills to his hands. "find me an orange kitten, it went that way" I said.

He looked up at me, his eyes lit up.

"Sure sir!" he said.

So ten minutes later I was walking her back to my car, the kitten safe in her hands and she was cooing it.

I started to cough again. I am allergic to all sorts of furry things.

"Isn't he a beauty?" she looked at me happily.

"Sure" I murmured, now taking her in, her white dress was no more white, her hair was a mess, the little tiara on her head was askew.

I smiled at her, I couldn't seem to control it anymore and I laughed again as she looked up at me.

"Can I take a picture?" I pulled out my phone.

"Sure! it looks cute!" she smiled.

"Really cute" I chuckled as I take a photo.

"There he is! milo!" I heard a voice and turned around.

A girl around ten years was running towards us.

"Where did you find him? he is a stubborn thing, thank you so much for finding him" she reached near Riya, who just moved back.

"He's mine!" she said. "I found him, so he's mine!" she said firmly.

"What rubbish! milo is mine! he belongs to me!" the girl glared back.

Oh God! please have mercy on me!

"Riya, let's just return him back, it's -"

"No!" she said firmly. "he's mine Neev! I am not giving him back" she said. "I can't believe you are taking her side!" she exclaimed.

And I can't believe she's fighting with a ten-year-old for a stupid kitten!

So another ten minutes later, we were in the manager's cabin.

Riya was still not ready to let go and the girl's parents were not taking it lightly.

"Sir please, it's the first time I have to deal with things like these!" the manager said pitifully.

Me too.

I never thought Riya could be so stubborn, she was that sweet and innocent person.

"Wait a second," I said, dragging Riya to a side.

"Riya, I will get you another one, I promise you, a same, orange coloured with lots of these stupid furs" I started to talk to her, but her eyes widened again.

I stopped, now following her eyes and watching a purple coloured potted plant on the other side of glass wall.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed. "It's the love plant! oh my God! I was searching for it and I couldn't find it anywhere!" she placed the struggling kitten to my hands and moved towards the glass, pressing her face on it and looking at the poor plant.

I was horrified at the kitten as it struggled in my hands and returned it to the rightful owners.

They started to go back, still scolding and cursing.

"I am sorry sir, sorry ma'am," I told as I tried hard not to breath in, I was already holding from coughing and my hands were starting to itch from touching it.

"Neev, I want it" Riya turned to me, pointing towards the plant. "I really really really want it," she said.

"We will get one from outside Riya," I said, but I already knew what's going to happen now.

"No!" she said. "I want it now!" she started.

I looked at the manager, who was watching her with worry, I can't blame him since she was a sight to see.

"Can I buy that plant?" I asked him.

"I am sorry sir, that's MD's office and he's very fond of it," he said.

"I will replace it tomorrow itself," I said to him. Now that I know talking to Riya is not going to work, I tried to talk to him instead.

"He brought it from Brazil, it's not your common plant, it's-"

"I know what it is! it's a love plant and I want it now!" Riya said, marching to the manager.

I took hold of her.

"Relax, I will get you that" I tried to calm her down.

*   *   *   *   *

I attended the call.

"Yes, Rohan?"

"How's Riya? is she alright?" he asked me.

Sachin and the guys must've filled him about what happened.

I looked at her, She was now sleeping blissfully in the passenger seat, the potted plant was still in her hands.

I sighed.

You should ask me if I am alright!

"She's good, still a bit drunk," I said. "What about them? did you hand them over to the police?"

"I am sorry Neev," Rohan said. "Sachin said they handed them over to the security team but someone cut off the power again and they escaped!"

"What!?" I said. "All of them escaped?"

"Yes, they were well planned, someone inside was helping them," Rohan said.

"So we don't have anything now!?"

"Unfortunately, we don't," Rohan said. "but I am planning to check the guest list today, I will let you know if there's something"

"Okay, " I said.

I too want to know who all attended the party.

"And Neev," he said from the other side. "listen, grandpa heard about the
Incident and he might call you guys when you are home!" Rohan said.

"What!?" I asked.

I can't imagine a drunk Riya talking with him!

"Yeah, so you have to bring her back to her senses, do something-anything, you have until midnight, grandpa knows the party will get over by midnight so make sure she is in her right sense before that" Rohan said.

I disconnected the call. I looked at my watch.

I have about 1 hour left.

You are going to kill me Riya!

I changed directions and speeded, I know I can't take her to grandpa like this, she was covered in dirt, her clothes were no more white in colour.

*   *   *   *   *

"Come on, open your eyes Riya, we are here!" I tried to wake her up, but she was still sleeping.

We were already at the parking lot of my penthouse.

I leaned to remove her seat belts and still for a moment when I came close to her.

You don't have time for this, Neev!come to your senses!

It was difficult to focus as I was so close to her, I unbuckled her belt and tried to remove the plant pot from her, but she was still having a good grip on it.

"Sir" One of the security reached me. he was the one who usually helps to brings everything to my apartment.

I removed it from her hand and handed it over to him.

I saw him looking at Riya, something snarled inside of me, I covered her with my body.

"This is my fiancée," I said, a bit sternly.

"Yes, of course, sir, sorry," he said quickly, moving away.

I turned back to her again.

I know I have to carry her.

So five minutes later, I was in the elevator with a sleeping Riya in my hands.

I watched her as she slept, taking in every detail, I liked the fact that she feels so right in my hands.

She's the only girl I have carried like this.

It feels good to take care of her. The feeling was nice, that I have someone to look after.

I pressed in my password and walked in. I set her down in my settee and sprayed some water on her face again.

She frowned in her sleep.

"Riya, wake up, we don't have time," I said as I sit down beside her.

She slowly opened her eyes and stared straight at me.

"Nee..v" she said. "I...wanna sl..eep" she started to close her eyes.

"Riya!" I shook her again.

What the hell did she take to be like this? she was so excited half an hour ago and so depressed now.

She really looked tired and weak.

This won't do! I have to reach the family house!

I removed her tiara from her hair and let her hair fall freely. I removed her ornaments next.

I know there's only one way to wake her up now!

I got up and removed my jacket, unclasped my watch and rolled up my sleeves then I turned to her.

I lifted her up again and dragged her to the bathroom.

"Riya?" I called her softly one last time, but she was leaning to me, her body still supported by me.

I turned on the shower.

And water started to run over us.

She's doing all sorts of things to me!she's testing my patience and making it very difficult for me to control around her!

I started to feel her body through her now-wet dress and it didn't help even one bit.

Neev...focus, you can't have inappropriate thoughts now, you have to go back.

But She was looking so tempting, her white dress has now started to stick to her body, my hands around her waist could feel her skin through her wet dress.

My eyes came to rest on her lips, water droplets were dripping down it and flowing down along her neck in a tempting way.

If I can just bend a little... I can kiss her...

--------------------------

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