Dedicated to all of you who supported 'Bittersweet Love' :) Love you all!

[Unedited version, you have been warned]

Riya Mehra.

"Riya Mehra?"

"Welcome sir, that's me, what would you like to have?" I asked cheerfully.

I am Riya Mehra, 24 years old and I work here at 'soulmate', I know, it's a little cheesy, but it's a small shop with a few staff, we are the best gift shop in town with flowers, chocolates and cakes.

The men looked out of place in our little shop.

"We are Ananth's friends," one of the men said and I froze.

I remember the phone calls, they had contacted me a couple of times and I had made it clear that I don't want anything to do with Uncle Ananth, who was my guardian at the orphanage I was in.

"I told you not to come," I said.

"Yes, but our chairman would like to talk to you"

"I am not interested," I said slowly, not at all convinced. "I told you that when you called"

"Just think about it Ms.Riya, contact us if you change your mind" They put a shiny golden card over the counter, in front of me.

Joseph Aldrick.

"Wait a minute," I said, now reading the card. "Aldrick? The same Aldricks who found the 'NEST' orphanage?" I asked in surprise.

I know Aldricks, everyone does, they are one of the richest and powerful families in the country. They sponsored the same orphanage I was brought up too.

"The same," The man told me. "I am Joesph Aldrick's PA Jayaprakash, you can call me JP"

"Why..what does he want to talk?" I asked hesitantly.

"You will have to ask him that yourself," He said, making me confused.

What's going on? Joseph Aldrick is the chairman of Aldrick corporation and he is a friend of Uncle Ananth? what does he have to do with my guardian?

"I am grateful, but no. I was alone all these years, I think I can take care of myself now" I said."There was a time when I was looking forward to meeting my family, I had a lot of questions too, but it's not important now" I said firmly.

"It will be easy for you if Joseph sir is interested in you, you don't know what you are missing"

"Thank you, but I think I am happy here," I said again.

"Think about it well and contact us if you change your mind," one of them said again. "Give us a call anytime" JP added one last time before walking out.

I sighed as I watched them reversing their luxurious cars.

I still can't believe it, how much my life changed after I met Uncle Ananth, my guardian some months back.

I grew up in a little orphanage named "NEST". Like everyone there, I too wanted to be a part of a family.

As other children got adopted, I always waited for them to pick me up, but it never happened.

When I started to have serious depression, they told me that my dad is coming to take me away one day and since that day, I would always wait for him. After a couple of years, when I turned 6, I suddenly realised it - Nobody's coming for me.

It was around that depression time, I got sponsored. yes, that means nobody else could adopt me and also that I have to stay there in the orphanage as long as I am old enough.

I started to get everything I want. My guardian took care of my studies and things too. On my eighteenth birthday, he gifted me a photo and a bracelet.

I saw the face of my birth mother that day for the first time in that photo and the old pearl bracelet that belonged to her.

Since then, I always wanted to know who had sponsored me, but I couldn't find out as Uncle Ananth didn't want to meet me in person. when I insisted, he said he will meet me one day soon.

Nothing changed much until I got a call one day, about six months back now, telling me to come to the city hospital.

You could imagine my shock when I saw my guardian for the first time in 18 years on his deathbed.

I wanted to question him a lot, I wanted to ask him why he sponsored me, if he knows anything about my biological parents and all that but I couldn't get any answers from him.

Since then I tried my hardest to not expect too much from life. It was really hard for me first. I found myself imagining my family life and I also used to find all sorts of excuses for my family, reasons for making them abandon me in the orphanage, but not anymore.

Any hope of finding my family just vanished along with Uncle Ananth, who had promised me that he will find them for me.

Actually its plain and simple-They don't want me, and as painful as it is, it helped me to move on, never to look back.

It's working now, too bad they have to come now, I know I'm not going to sway now. It took me so much time to get settled in my life. I have promised myself that I won't get swayed anymore.

I am not that naive girl anymore. I have also promised Uncle Ananth that I will be safe, it's the only way I could pay him back now for taking care of me all those years.

"Are you daydreaming early in the morning?" I snapped out of it as Jijo, my coworker came inside.

"Uh.."

"Did we have customers this early? I saw the cars" he said.

"No, they were just visiting" I shrugged, now turning back to my work and starting to arrange the flowers.

Jijo was giving me a look, but I don't feel like explaining.

"Are you still arranging it? it's time everything is ready!" We heard Stella, our boss's shout and Jijo practically ran inside.

Stella is very strict and grumpy and starts complaining as soon as she appears in the shop. It's ironic she is even the owner of such a romantic shop.

Nivin Aldrick. (AKA Neev)

Seriously? Grandpa wants me to come "home" right now!? what's his problem anyway?

I looked over at Sachin Dixit, who was calm and collected. We were close friends before, but not anymore.

"Sachin, I don't care about that college, what does he want anyway?" I am really irritated.

"You were absent for the past one and half months and you can't attend this semester! They must have informed your grandpa"

"Do me a favour, just mind your own damn business Sachin, why do you even bother to come here?" I said again, irritated.

We both were in my clubhouse, loud music was still blaring all over the place.

"your grandpa personally called me to ask about you, they are searching for you," Sachin Dixit aka sachu told me.

I sighed.

What part of it is that he doesn't understand? why does he keep coming even though I have made it very clear that I don't care a damn!

"I didn't want anyone to disturb me, that's why I switched my phone off!" I said, now taking another bottle of beer.

That was true, my gang has just won the Racing today and it's our celebration time.

"You better hurry, grandpa seemed really angry"

"he's always angry" I shrugged. "I have something to do now"

"Don't tell me that you are participating again! you just won the race today!"

"My bet's been already placed, I can't back out now"

"What should I tell him if he calls me again?"

"Tell him that you couldn't find me" I took a sip from my bottle and shrugged.

"He will know where to look if he hears about the race, don't make him angrier"

"Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked him. he can be really annoying sometimes.

"Neev!" a high pitched female voice called and I turned around to see a sexy redhead coming my way. I grinned and turned around. sachin sighed.

"Oh..Don't come here anymore, Sachin, it's not a place for someone like you"

"Don't tell me that I didn't warn you" Sachin looked exasperated, looking even angry now. "and I'm not coming back here again"

"What a pity, it took you so much time to decide it," I said, taking another sip.

"Fine! Do whatever you want" Sachin walked back.

"Neev!" Jason, one of my team's shout made me spill the drink.

"Fu**! what the hell Jaso-" but I stopped as soon as I saw them in the doorway.

Grandpa already sends his bodyguards!?

I jumped up and started to run to the back exit. but my expectations were crushed when the door was opened and there stood Mr.Philip, my Grandpa's chief security officer.

"Nivin, you know you can't get away!" He stated the fact, his eyes gleaming merrily.

Let me tell you, he's the second thing I hate in this world and yes, we have a little bit of history too.

"I sure can" I instantly changed the direction.

I will take the stairs and find a way out!

Adrenaline pumped through my vein. It was like racing again.

"block the stairs!" Philip shouted. Two of the bodyguards ran towards it.

He always knows how to detect my plans! I will take the door then.

I ran towards the door, the bodyguards placed at the door looked surprised but started to run towards me.

I pushed the roundtable to them, successfully tripping them and reached the door and in front of the last two bodyguards.

I fisted my hands and looked at them in warning.

"Sir..chairman want us to bring you," they said as they inched closer.

stupids! They know that they don't have a chance against me!

I punched the first one and gave a spin back kick to the other.

"Neev!" Rick's voice rang in warning, he is my other teammate.

"Give me the keys" I shouted and Sid, the third one held up the keys. I ran towards him but Philip was already there. I stopped dead in my track.

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

"Why do you think your grandpa especially sent me to escort you?"

"I said I'm not coming" I insisted.

"Then you have to defeat me first, you know the rules," he said, I hesitated, I don't want a fight to break out in our club.

"The first lesson in fighting is to never hesitate!" within minutes I was on the table, wrapped up by limps.

"Aah," I tried to move away.

"You are drunk, do you think you have a chance against me?" Philip whispered.

"What the hell does he want?" I shouted.

"He wants me to bring you home"

Home?

Yea...I forgot to mention the first thing that I hate the most in this world, That's family.

"No way in hell I am coming to that hell hole!" I said fiercely as he and other three bodyguards dragged me out of the club.

"Apparently you are" I heard the voice and stopped struggling. In front of me was a smug Sachin.

"You asshole! you brought them here! I am going to kill you!"

"I warned you Nivin Aldrick"

"Sachin Dixit, I will find you" I shouted after him as he started his car and drove off.

"That bloody-"

"Just come with us quietly boy" Phillip growled, now trying to force me inside the car.

Suddenly there was a roar of an engine and the gypsy came straight at us, they all scrambled away, leaving me.

"Neev! Come on!" I heard my biking gang, All of them were holding their hands out from the open jeep.

"Stop them!" Philip shouted, but it was too late, I was already halfway to the jeep, Rick and Sid pulled me in and Amy gave them a flying kiss before driving forward, leaving a shocked Philip and gang behind.

"Yea...we did it!" Guys gave hi-fi as I slumped down the seat.

"They know our club now," I said darkly. "I am going to kick his ass when I meet Sachin," I said darkly.

"It was about time anyway," Rick said.

"Guys, Jason is not picking up" Amy called out from the front.

"He must've passed out already," Sid said, "Let's celebrate the whole night then, let's go!" he shouted.

So ten minutes later we were at Jason's place.

"Jason, open the-" I stopped when his room came into view.

"Something is wrong," Rick said, we all took in the surrounding, his house was a mess.

"Jason" we ran inside.

"Oh my God! Are you alright?" Amy helped him up from the floor, he was only half conscious and beaten up, the sight made my blood boil.

"Who did this to you?" I was furious now.

"Simon" he whispered slowly. "I'm sorry..he took..that bike," Jason said. "I..I think I can't do it tomorrow, my hand is..sprained"

"If you can't do it, He is not going to do it too" I took the nearest cricket bat.

"Guys, we have to take him to the hospital now," Amy said.

"You guys go ahead, I have some things to settle," I said in fury.

"Wait, I'm coming with you" Rick followed me.

Riya.

"What do you mean she is ill?" I asked sister Theresa as she opened the door for me.

"Mamma" I rushed to her side.

"Shh..let her sleep, she's tired," She told me.

"She's pale, she lost weight! How long has been it?"

"It started three weeks back, we thought it will be okay, but the tests revealed her kidneys are gone, we need to do the dialysis once in a week"

"Oh God! Why didn't you inform me!"

I can't believe that they didn't tell me this! they know how much she means to me!

No, she's not my biological mother. she's one of the mentally depressed patients abandoned in the orphanage. she is not harmful, she lives in her own world and she never talks, not even once had I heard her talking.

She is someone who has been there all the years. even when every child get adopted or every staff get transferred, she's the only one who stayed in the orphanage.

So to me, she's the only one who's been stable in my life for the past 24 years and I care her a lot, that's why even though I am out of the orphanage and living in a small house, I still come back to take care of her.

I don't know about blood relationship much, but she's like a real mom to me, she is one of the people who I love the most in this world.

"We didn't want to make you worried!" Sister Theresa told me. "but.." she stopped, hesitating a while.

"What is it, sister? "

"I am afraid that we can't keep her here for long, she will be transferred to any hospitals, we can't afford her treatment Riya," she said.

My world practically stopped. I can't accept it.

"No..you..you know she is afraid of unfamiliar surroundings..she will need to see me once in a while..we can't do that! I-"

"Riya, think about it calmly, it's for her treatment, for her good"

"You know she might go back to the depression again! she's my mamma...I can't..not see her"

"We will request the authorities to transfer her to any nearby hospitals"

"But.."

"Riya, this is a little orphanage, and we have to take care of everyone here, the management will surely help her, we don't have a choice in this matter" she explained me slowly.

My eyes started to blur, I looked over at mamma. I know what sister Theresa said is true.

I kissed her slowly on the forehead.

"Please get well mamma" I whispered, sister Theresa gently pulled me out of there.

"Let her sleep now," she said and closed the door.

"Please tell me all the details of her transfer tomorrow, I will stop by here on my way to work"

"Don't worry too much Riya" sister wiped my tears. "God will surely find a way," she said

"Then play her favourite tones, She relaxes when she hears it," I said.

"I know," Sister said. "We will take care of everything here, You take care of yourself child"

My phone started to ring, I wiped my tears and attended the call. it was Annie, my workmate.

"Riya, you better get here fast, Stella is about to go mad, she will fire you if you can't make it," she said.

"Okay! I will be there in 10 minutes" I said. I said goodbye to the sister and started to hurry.

I will surely find a way mamma, don't worry, I will protect-

"Whoa!" I stopped dead in my track as the two men blocked my way.

"I told you she will be here," the first one said happily and I took a step back.

It was vivek's people, the notorious loan shark in our area.

"Look, give me two days, I will pay you-"

"No need to hurry dear, you can always take your time paying us back"

"In Fact, our boss will love it if you can make some time for him, come with us now," the second one said.

I know what they meant by that and I know I should be offended too, but I knew exactly what kind of people they were when I get the loan, Vivek was the only one who gave me the loan without any security, I had no choice then.

"I can't," I said firmly. "I have already paid you half of it, just wait for two days-Hey! what are you doing! leave me!" I started to struggle as they tried to drag me.

We were in a deserted area and I started to panic.

"Leave me" I shouted as I saw the car waiting. I know it was my last chance, I elbowed the one who was holding me hard.

"Ouw..you bitch!" he let go of me, but the second one gets hold of me now.

"Where do you think you are going!?" I heard his voice before they covered my face with something.

I felt the strong smell of chemical before the darkness engulfed me.

Nivin.

"What's the plan?" Rick asked me.

I didn't answer him, I just started to walk in as soon as we were there.

Simon is our enemy in racing, it has been like that always. we know they play dirty all the time, they are cold blooded too but it was the first time his team dared to touch mine outside the competition and I intend to teach him a lesson today.

"Hey! who are you? stop there-" I kicked the security officer inside the small generator room and rick locked it.

We got in the elevator and pressed the button, yes, I know where he lives.

As soon as we were on the floor, I started to walk to his apartment.

Riya.

I opened my eyes with a start.

They have tied me up in a corner. the room was unfamiliar.

It might be vivek's apartment! I have to get out of here before he comes! I have heard about all the bad type of people who are living here. Even the police are reluctant to come here!

Of all the places, the bastards have to take me here!

I started to untie my wrists, I have a special talent in these things, thanks to Uncle Ananth, I know a bit of these.

Within five minutes I was free. I tried to find a way out but all the doors were locked.

My eyes landed on the glass window to the balcony and I set to work.

It took a whole 10 minutes to remove it and I came out of it.

I am standing in 7th or 8th floor. The next door balcony was only a few feet away and only joined by a narrow concrete. I closed my eyes tightly for a moment.

Okay Riya, you can do it,  just keep calm, don't look down.

I slowly started to climb down carefully.

I successfully reached the neighbouring balcony and tried to look inside. My only way out is through this apartment.

I slowly opened the door, there was no one around. I started to move fast and stopped when I heard that breaking sound from the door.

I slipped inside the curtains.

Dear God! what's happening? I thought there was no one inside!?

"Simon" I heard the yelling and the doors being opened and closed.

I tried to calm my nerves, but my heartbeat started to go overdrive.

"Do you think hiding will work? "I heard that dangerous voice before I was being dragged away.

"Aah," I cried out as my hand was twisted back and I was whirled around before slamming to a hard wall.

I automatically looked up at my captor.

Dark and dangerous eyes full of fire, his eyes narrowed, taking me in. his 6 feet two inches height towering over me, I could still feel the power of his muscled body against mine.

He is no joke.

"It's a girl!" he said.

"Leave me" I struggled out of his hands, it was difficult as I was practically slammed to him.

so just like that, he let go of me, making me lose balance and stumble backwards and that's when I saw the other one, ready with the cycle chain.

"Where's him" the leader guy who manhandled me took a threatening step towards me.

Uh..huh!

"Look, I'm not..it's a mistake..actually-" I started, but he cut across me.

"Tell me where the f**k he is! I know you are only one of his toys, so tell me the truth and we won't hurt you!" he shouted rudely, his eyes were taking me in disgust.

My eyes widened as the meaning of what he meant sank in.

"Mind your words, mister! I don't know who you are talking about-" I was cut again by another angry voice.

"Who the hell gave you permission to get in here!?" two guys were standing at the doorway, looking murderous.

Great! just what I need now.

"Simon," one of the boys from behind said in anger.

"You bastard!" the dangerous one who was cornering me left me to pull Simon inside the room and slammed him on the wall, hard. I flinched as I saw the blood.

Jeez! I have to get out here!

Things and curses were flying around the room and I tried to miss all the things now flying across as I tried to slip away.

"HIS GIRLFRIEND IS GETTING AWAY, STOP HER, I THINK IT'S WITH HER"

I heard the shout very well and as soon as I was at the door, he was blocking me again.

"Where's it?" he asked me.

"Look, I'm not actually-"

"Where the hell is it!" he raised his voice and I flinched back, before I knew it, my jacket forcefully opened as he started to check my body.

That did it, I got angry.

I removed the jacket in force, surprising him, I turned around and kicked him in the middle with all the strength I have.

He looked surprised as he stumbled backwards and hit the wall. I leaned to take my jacket away.

"I told you! you have the wrong person" I said to his "very shocked" face and fled before he tried to stop me.

"That's her!" I heard another shout as soon as I was outside.

Oh God! it's Vivek's people!

I started to run.

Nivin.

"Neev! I got it, it's here" I heard Rick's voice and snapped out of it.

I still can't believe it, that girl had turned a tigress within seconds, I was not expecting it from her and I was taken by surprise.

You lost to a girl, that too half your size!

Soon the atmosphere cleared. two of Simon's people were already on the floor.

"That's enough, let's go," I said and Rick joined me.

"Who the hell was that girl then?" he asked when we get inside the elevator.

I clutched my sides, it's still hurting from her kick. "no idea" I said as I pressed the button.

"Hey there" someone else stopped the doors closing and we find a man looking out of breath.

"Where's she? where's she gone?" he asked us.

"Boss..she's gone, she escaped" someone shouted from behind him and the 'boss' cursed loudly, He got inside the elevator and pressed the button hard.

"That bitch! getting money is not enough for her, she's playing me now?"

"Is he talking about that girl-" Rick stopped. All of us looked around as the elevator stopped midway!

"It's her! that bitch!" the man with us started to call her all sorts of names.

"What!?" I asked angrily. "We are locked inside!?"

Don't tell me that tigress locked us in!

Riya.

Ha! serves you right, pervert!? you want me to pay back your money using my body? bloody rascal!

"It's stopped now, they are stuck in the elevator," the security told me.

"Thank you uncle, you saved my life!" I thanked him.

He was locked up and calling for help when I was running out so I opened the door for him.

"Just wait here, I will call the police now," he told me and I nodded. he hurried inside.

"She may not be far"

"Boss will kill us if we lose her!"

I heard the voices.

Shit! They are still following me!

"She is here! I found her" the first one saw me.

I started to run again. I tried to speed up, but my body protested, my muscles were starting to ache, I couldn't even breathe properly.

Don't give up Riya...

I could finally see the main road ahead, still buzzing with life even if it was past 11 pm.

"Catch her, she is going to get away"

I ran for my life and hide in the shadow. I wanted to catch my breath or else I know, I can't run much, I tried to cross the road this time.

There was a loud screech and I stilled, my eyes widened as the bike was coming straight at me. I closed my eyes tightly.

"Do you have a death wish!?"

I opened my eyes when the angry guy shouted, he was starting to take his helmet off. The bike was stopped just in front of me, the smell of burnt tyre filled my nose.

It was my last chance. I ran to him and hop behind him.

"please help me," I said urgently, still watching vivek's men closing on me.

"What the he-" the biker seemed startled.

"Please..you have to help me..go..go..they are after me" I started to beg. I saw the surprised pair of eyes watching me through the mirror, then it shifted to the men, who was crossing the road now, he accelerated and we flew forward.

Ten minutes later, I was sure that they are off the track.

"please stop here," I said and we came to a halt and I jumped down.

"Thanks a lot for helping me..you saved my life today," I said while I started to move back. "sorry for troubling you," I said again.

"Wait a minute" he removed his helmet, but I was already away. starting to run again.

"Hey-" he started.

"Bye..thank you, I will never forget your help"

Nivin.

"Vivek," The one beside me said angrily. "I live there! I don't know why you took me here" he added.

The officer took no notice of him and walked to me.

"what's your name?"

I didn't say anything.

"Name Mister, tell me your name" he raised his voice. I didn't move.

"What's with the glare? look down you bloody-"

"That's Joseph Aldrick's grandson, Nivin Rosh James Aldrick," someone said and we all turned to the door.

I saw Uncle jayaprakash, the PA of my grandpa.

Why did grandpa personally sent Uncle JP here? it has never happened before.

"Joseph Aldrick!?" The officer looked flustered.

Uncle JP came inside. "Thank you, officer, I will take him home now," he said cheerfully.

"Of Course sir, it was a misunderstanding" officer said quickly.

"It's not, I am the one who beat up the residents there, it was me who locked up the security too," I said.

"Er.." the police officer coughed nervously.

"I will take him then," Uncle JP said cheerfully.

"Ah...of course, sir" officer said.

"What about me then? I told you, I am a resident there, you can't arrest me!" the one named Vivek said angrily.

Nobody paid any attention to him.

"I am not coming," I said firmly.

"Of course you are coming, we are here to take you, do you think you can escape now?" Phillip said smugly from the doorway.

If I ever get my hands on that wench who locked me up in the elevator, I am going to skin her alive!

I fisted my hands, I know I have no way but visit grandpa this time.

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

Guys,

This story was first updated on 2014 and this is the unedited first draft. The setting and plot have a slight difference (Eg: Names are more of North Indian style while the story is taking place in Kerala) it won't affect the flow of the story.

Hope you will have a nice time reading it.

DO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK, I REALLY WANT TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS 😊