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Abhi's car stopped in front of Pragya's hostel, killing the engine.

"I can take it from here." Pragya gets out of the car, not waiting for Abhi.

"Love..." Her eyes roll whenever he uses that word. It's making her uncomfortable in many different ways.

"Why would you call me that?" She snapped, getting irritated and uncomfortable.

"Won't you invite me to your house or hostel whatever?" His tone carried a teasing edge, the sarcasm barely concealed beneath his smirk.

"It's a girls hostel. No boys allowed." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Too bad, we need to change your place."

"Excuse me. It's something I need to decide."

"For your safety, we need to make some changes."

"This is the safest area and I have been living here for the past two years. So, zip it man." God, someday she is gonna lose it.

"You are too mean."

"I Am."

A smirk was playing on her lips but it slowly faded as she saw Abhi coming out of the car. He walked slowly and deliberately, closing the distance between them, while she backed away. The cool metal of the car met her back, halting her.

He was just an inch away from her. Her breath hitch as she felt his breath on her. His hands came up, bracing on either side of her, caging her in.

"What are you doing?" She tried to sound bold, but her voice came out as a whisper.

He didn't answer. Instead, His hand reached her face, brushing a strand of hair. She flinched, feeling his touch, which made her uneasy as well as suffocate.

"You are tough, that's what I like about you." His voice was low, almost a murmur, but it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

Is she? Maybe she is. At least, she is pretending to be one. But somehow she feels trapped by him. His actions affect her in a way she couldn't explain.

His intense look and closeness awakes some new feel inside her. She could feel his eyes on her lips.

"Don't worry." He gave her a wicked smirk. "I would never kiss you...... Until you beg me to." He said, tilting his head, studying her face.

Praya blinked her eyes, as her pulse quickened. She gulped, still feeling his warm breath on her. With a satisfying smirk, Abhi moves away from her, leaving her frozen.

Casually, he climbs inside his car. "See you tomorrow Love." Before she could understand what was happening around her, he was gone. His car disappears down the street.

"What the hell just happened?" She muttered, her voice barely audible to herself.

**********

Abhi's mansion was a symbol of his wealth and authority, its imposing structure standing tall on the outskirts of the city. A long, paved driveway led to the grand entrance. He got down from his car and passed his key to one of his servants, who took it and disappeared.

Inside the mansion, it was minimal yet luxurious. The dark-shade walls with bright lights give it a grand look. The furniture was aligned in a way, it decorates the place. Even though the place was cozy, the atmosphere around it felt lonely.

Abhi shrugged off his blazer and sank into a sofa. The leather creaked under his weight as his shoulders slumped in exhaustion. He rubs his temper trying to fend off the headache brewing behind his eyes. After all the noise and chaos the entire day, the silence around his house gives him the peace he needs for the day.

But his peace was interrupted, when he heard footsteps approaching him. "What's now?" Abhi didn't open his eyes, his voice tried to maintain calmness as much as possible.

"Mr. Arora is here to see you." His servant told in his usual professional tone.

"Bring him in." Hearing  Abhi, the servant bows his head in approval and exits from the place.

Within a few minutes, Dharmesh comes into the hall and settles on the sofa, opposite to Abhi. Even Though Abhi didn't open his eyes, he sensed and noticed all the movements of Dharmesh.

"What do you want?" Abhi asked without lifting his head.

"I think we need to discuss the upcoming marriage." Dharmesh's posture was rigid, trying to show him dominance and authority.

"I think we have already discussed it." Abhi tried to hold his tone as calm as possible.

"Why do you wanna marry Pragya when my daughter Madhurima is the one who is gonna inherit all my properties?" His tone was filled with confusion and disgust. As if he despises the idea of it.

Finally, Abhi lifts his grace and looks at Dharmesh, whereas his lips curve to a wicked smile. His laughter echoed the place, making Dharmesh's heart beat faster. It's not a good sign if Abhi laughs.

Abhi leaned back, his wicked smile widening. "Do you think it's a business deal, Mr. Arora?" He asked in a casual tone, as if Dharmesh should have known it by now. The air felt thicker as silence continued.

Dharmesh's hand starts to fidgety sofa leather. "What do you mean by that?" Dharmesh asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Abhi held his wicked smile and he got up and marched towards Dharmesh. He bent, coming deadly closer to Dharmesh's face. Even though there was Air Conditioner, he could feel sweat bread forming on his forehead.

"Do you think I need your permission to marry Pragya?" He blinked several times, as if trying to clear the fog clouding his mind. "This deal is to repay you the debt."

"I don't understand." Dharmesh whispered, more to himself.

"For allowing and feeding Pragya under your shelter. I don't like my future wife to be in debt." Abhi said, tiling his head slightly.

Dharmesh squared his shoulders, but his voice cracked as he stammered, "What if I don't allow you to marry her?"

Abhi's grin becomes bigger and scarier. "You know what happens when someone crosses my path. Do you want that fate?" Abhi asked, mimicking like a puppy.

His eyes darted around the room, as if searching for some invisible help. "No one's gonna help you, Dharmesh...." Abhi's voice came as a whisper, holding authority and sarcasm. "Pragya is mine and I don't need anyone's permission to get her."

Dharmesh's lips parted to speak, but no words came out. His heart raced, beating louder than he could hear. He had heard from others that provoking Abhi was dangerous, but this was the first time he was witnessing it firsthand.

"I think I have made myself clear, have I?" Dharmesh nods his head quickly, not wanting to get into trouble. "Good..."

Dharmesh didn't realize that he was holding his breath, until Abhi moved away from him. When Abhi showed the exit, Dharmesh didn't waste any time and rushed out of the house.

Once he was outside, he exhaled, holding his chest. It's good Madhurima didn't marry this man. He is dangerous.

To Be Continued...

If you guys liked this chapter, please show it through your votes and comments. I will try to update the next chapter this Sunday.