"I can't risk you in danger, not now not ever.", his words were still ringing in my ears. 

What followed next was- Silence

Stunned silence from my side and awkward, I repeat awkward silence from Mr Khanna's side, at least that's what I imagined until he took a step back.

"Let's go.", he said without looking at me. The ride to his Igloo was painfully long. As soon as we reached our destination, he threw a quick glance towards me and marched inside.

Bah! as if I was expecting him to open the car's door for me. Chivalry and Mr Khanna don't go along.

I took my sweet time, casually coming out of the Camaro and walking inside the mansion and following him to his study. Mr Khanna gave me a pointed look which I ignored, of course.

"So, about earlier...", I trailed off presuming about getting a response from him but of course I'm a fool, Mr Khanna won't speak anything until he wants to.

'You realised you called yourself a fool.'

'Oh hey, I thought you went to the Himalayas.'

'I wish I could but my bad! I'm stuck with you Avni. You should be happy I'm always with you.'

"Miss Mehta are you going to continue or you're just planning to stand there and stare into oblivion.", Mr Khanna's voice came, I was surprised how his eyes were glued to some papers but still he knew what I was doing. He sometimes makes me believe in my theory of him not being a Homosapien.

"Yes, about that...", I paused finding a more approachable way to start," How did you know there was a mole in your system?"

"That's what you want to ask?", he asked shuffling through the files. I just hated those bundles of sheets at that moment, for God sake someone's talking to you and you're being an ignorant apple.

"Yes." or maybe no.

"Yesterday in the conference I saw Vidyut gesturing something to him.", his answer was short and crisp. 

'Avni It seems he's charged to speak. Like, oh hey Mr Khanna today you spoke 20 sentences which means you need to pay 20 bucks.', the way my conscience said it, I couldn't help but laugh.

And somewhere the theory made sense to me.

"Oh.", was all I said to him before an uncomfortable silence prevailed between us. My insides were chanting me to ask about that sentence he said to me but I couldn't muster any courage, what if it was just a misconception, I can't let myself get embarrassed in front of him again and again.

"I shall leave then.", I mumbled and was about to go when his voice stopped me in my tracks.

"And may I ask to where?", he said, eyes still on his stupid papers.

"No.", as soon as the word skipped my mouth, a glare was shot towards me by Mr Khanna.

"Let me rephrase, you are not going anywhere.", he said looking dead into my eyes.

"Why so?..for your kind information Mr Khanna I'm no hostage, I am a free independent woman and I can go any-darn-where.", I said in a confident voice.

He stood up from his chair and advanced towards me and, me being me stood frozen at myself.

"Miss Mehta, will you do me a favour?", he asked standing right in front of me. A smirk graced my lips, stars! am I becoming evil or what?

"Goodness gracious Mr Khanna what has happened to you today? First, you asked for my help, then you apologized to me..."

"I did not.", his loud and clear words interrupted me.

"Of course you did, you forgot you apologized to me and told me you can't risk anything involving me and all that.", I said giving him a curious glance.

He hesitated, he did I could have sworn and a very very light red hue covered his cheeks, it was so light that if it wasn't for my sharp eyes, I must have missed this unbelievable sight.

"You are blushing.", before I knew, words escaped my throat.

"I am not.", he spoke and returned to his chair this time glaring at those papers so icily, I was afraid I'd watch them become ice sheets."Now do me a favour and go back to the guest room and let me do my work."

"Mr Khanna I can't."

"And what may I ask you can't?"

"I can't stay here with you. I'm a self-dependant woman and I can't stay here knowing I'm no less than a burden to you. You already did so much for my mother. I can't give you more troubles.. it'd be taking advantage of you and it's against my self-respect as well. ", I said sincerely.

"Even when I say that I want you to stay here.", he asked staring deep into my eyes.

"And why would you say that?"

"Because I- I don't want Dwayne to be near you."

"I'm sure, he won't be. The number of guards you have recruited for my safety, I'm positive he won't come anywhere near to me.", I said softly, a slight smile gracing my lips.

"But I'm not.", his words were immediate, an urgency was visible in his voice.

"You realize you're not trusting your own people."

"I do not trust anyone but myself Miss Mehta."

"But you did trust me.", I whispered, the smile on my face grew more.

"Why are you smiling?", he asked looking at me like I had grown two heads.

I shrugged and was about to leave when a warm hand clutched my wrist. Mr Khanna was holding me, my breath hitched when I looked into his eyes. They were intense.

"I won't let him take you."

"I know.", the smile still plastered on my face

"I mean it, Miss Mehta."

"I know you do."

"Then don't go.", was that desperation in his voice.

"I have to.", I said softly unwrapping his fingers from around my wrist and moving towards the door.

"Miss Mehta?"

"Hmm?"

"I lied to you.", he said all of a sudden stopping me at the threshold." I lied to you when I told you, I kissed you just to irk Vidyut."

"Why would you do that?", I asked in disbelief. 

"Because I hated the way he looked at you.", he said and without waiting for my answer, walked away.

'What the hell.'

'Yes. What the hell.'

_____________________________

I was back at my place, my house but it felt empty, maa was not there. Mr Khanna told me she's safe and she's getting her treatment, yeah, he knows about her health condition. Well, 1 more favour added to the list.

Something in me tells Mr Khanna is not being himself. What has happened to him suddenly? A few days back he himself was finding ways to hurt me, what happened to him all of a sudden.

'He apologized to you. He wants to protect you. Hell, he's going to marry you in a few days. What's up with him.'

'Exactly.'

Talking about marriage. Why does he want to marry me, I seriously don't understand this man. He can protect me in many ways but what's up with his liking towards this wedding idea.

I internally sighed and walked towards my balcony, I sat down looking at the clear sky, my beautiful stars were visible, I smiled and it was genuine.

'the same smile that lit your face when you realized Mr Khanna trusted you?'

'Why do you always bring Mr Khanna in every conversation?'

'Darling I'm your conscience, I speak what's running in your mind without a damned filter.'

'What are you implying?'

'I don't know.'

'You are dumb.'

'And you are a brainless bimbo.'

'Did you just quote Mr Khanna's words?"

"Miss Mehta?", I heard his voice.

"Great now I'm listening to him even in his absence. I seriously need a mental check-up.", I spoke aloud in frustration.

"I agree, you surely do."

I turned around only to witness him standing near me.

"Stars! Now I'm even seeing him. Extra amazing!"

'Avni it's not your imagination, stupid!'

My eyes widened and I reached my hand to touch him and sure enough, it was him, in flesh and blood. Mr Khanna was standing in my house, in my room, on my balcony.

"What the freaking hell.", I exclaimed jumping and hit my back with the railing of the balcony.

Oh, my stars!

Just when I thought I was going to fall down and die, a warm hand wrapped around my elbow pulling me inside. Mr Khanna pulled me towards him, his cold eyes shining with something distinct.

"What the hell Ms Mehta, you could have fallen. How can you be so stupid?", his words were cold and stern but I don't know why warmth flooded my heart. 

"Uh-I.. Haa. What are you doing here? You scare...I mean you shocked me..yeah you shocked me and that's why I got nervous.", I said fumbling, like a 5-yr old kid who was just caught redhanded with cookies.

"That's not the point. The point is what are you doing at this hour on your balcony?"

"I couldn't sleep.", I said looking down in shame, now he would think that I'm a coward, paranoid girl.

But to my surprise, he didn't say anything. He just sat down in the gallery and that's when I noticed he wasn't in his suit, he was in a black t-shirt and some grey sweatpants. 

'And boy did he look good in them.'

'Shut the hell up.'

'Gee chill Avni, I was just stating facts.'

"Staring is rude Miss Mehta."

"I wasn't staring at you, I was staring at the plant beside you.", I said sitting beside him, maintaining a safe distance in case he gets annoyed with my presence and wants to throw me off the gallery.

"You know you can't lie for your dear life.", he said, a very tiny smirk gracing his lips.

"I can.", I said confidently.

He shook his head and turned towards me, his eyes shining in the moonlight," You intrigue me, Miss Mehta, almost fascinate me. "His silent confession caught me off guard." And I won't let anyone ruin that."

"Why?"

"Honestly I don't know." He said still looking at the stars.

"Mr Khanna?"

"Thank you.", I hesitated." You may be an arrogant, narcissistic, an A grade chauvinist but I'll always be thankful to you for what you are doing for my maa.", I said smiling genuinely.

A small smile graced his face and it was the first time I saw him smiling and boy was It beautiful. I think I was wrong when I said that his eyes were the most beautiful thing, his smile was even more beautiful.

"You're very welcome Miss Mehta.", he said, the smile still intact on his face.

A comfortable silence engulfed us, the stars twinkled at me as if telling me that what's going on is going great. Suddenly the cool wind blew and a chill ran down my spine due to the decrease in temperature. I was about to get up and grab a blanket when I thought to ask if Mr Khanna wanted one.

I looked beside me but he was nowhere in sight. Where did he go?

Just when I was about to get up, warmth engulfed me. I looked down to see a brown blanket being wrapped around me, I looked behind to see Mr Khanna coiling it around me, his face inches away and his eyes void of any emotions.

Once he was done, he took his place back beside me. 

"Mr Khanna?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're here.", I said truthfully.

"Me too.", he said sincerely.

_____________________________

I think I don't have words to describe how I felt while typing this chapter. 

Let me know if you think this character development is not convincing, I'll surely look upon your suggestion.

Thank you so much for reading. Next chapter-70 votes

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*P.S. sorry for giving you all that shock, actually something huge was coming up and I thought I had to take down this book but now we all good, I was genuinely touched seeing your all's love for this book. Thank you so damn much.I won't remove this book, not now, not ever*

Aapki seva mein sadev tatpar