Writer's pov

Café Mystére

Lechu was sitting in her cafe staring at space. She was sighing a lot from time to time immersed in deep thoughts. That looks in her eyes tells that she has lost all hope in her life.

Jasmine hopes into the cafe like she got some breaking news. She wandered her eyes and caught Lechu for whom she actually came there.

" Are you mad ? Are you completely nuts ? '' Jasmine shouted at Lechu and sat in front of her. Lakshmi frowned her eyebrows and stared at Jasmine not understanding what she was saying.

" We just chatted with me a few minutes ago ? " Lechu asked

" After hearing everything how can I stay there calm ? Even after knowing everything you are still with that moron ? What happened to you Lechu ? Why are you torturing yourself  ? " Jasmine asked frantically.

" Do you think that I am dying to be with Dev ? I am also annoyed like I wish I could just vanish from here. But I can't do that. I have lots of issues Jas. You can't even think about it. This cafe is my only hope now " Lechu said emotionally.

Jasmine looked around and saw the empty cafe then gave an unbelievable look at Lechu.

" Yeah I can see that " Jasmine mumbled.

" First you make your employees work properly. Where are they ? Whenever I come here they won't be here. They behave like lazy lads " Jasmine asked for her employees who were not at cafe that time.

" They went out ." Lechu replied in a lazy tone and continued blabbering.

"  At first my marriage with Dev, then his revenge, Nisha's death which happened because of my appa, then he left us, now again Dev..... Do you think that I can be normal after all these " Lakshmi laid her head on table and whimper.

" Now a days I don't feel like to go back to Rathore villa but there is no other place for me to go. If I didn't see there then Dev will find me from any hole in this world. I can't even go and hide somewhere properly for few days. " Jasmine went completely silent after knowing her situation. She patted her back and sat there without saying much.

"Ms Adrushta Laksmi got a registered letter. " Lakshmi stood from her place and looked at the postman all confused. He forwarded the letter to her and got her signature before leaving.

What is it ?" Jasmine enquired

"Let me see first" Lakshmi replied and open the seal to see what's inside.

Her eyes became wet after going through the matter typed inside that letter. Letter crumpled within her hands and she looked at Jasmine helplessly.

"what is it ? Did Dev send any divorce papers again ? " Jasmine asked. Lechu shook her head as no and looked at Varun who came back to the cafe that time. Behind him Nina, Ishaan and Ria also came to the cafe.

Varun understood something was wrong and came to Lakshmi to see what is in that letter.

"This shop and this property has kept for auction. Either she needs to pay half of the amount within a week or she will lose this place through auction" Varun read the letter and informed others .

Ria's face became pale after hearing the news, She looked at Nina who stood beside her like What's next.

"How much do you need to pay ?" Jasmine enquired

"Jasmine... don't even think about it. It's much more than you can imagine. " Lakshmi replied and sat on the chair feeling weak.

"There is no one to help me in this situation." Lakshmi whimper. She sighed and looked at varun.

"I can't do anything" She said.

It was a complete silence after that because nothing was there to discuss. The amount was huge like they can't even borrow it from someone unless it has to be Dev.  But Laksmhi knows well he is the one who pulled the strings to make this auction happen this much early .

.......................

T

hings were really not normal  after Dev and Lechu came back to Rathore villa. Lakshmi was spending each day in fear of Dev and he is behaving like he owns her. Parvathi is always keeping an eye on Dev but she can't do anything for Lakshmi as  Dev was standing strong for her and he doesn't seem like the one who will give up on her for anyone or anything.

As usual Lechu started doing the house chores at early morning itself. She was still struggling with everything but from there she could not escape to anywhere.

On the other side Dev was bounded with lots of other issues regarding his office   C City as well as Cosmos because of the case. Lavanya's father was pulling his revenge on Dev putting immense pressure on the case through his political power.

As days passed Parvathi and Dev's fight gets severe. Both were arguing for every simple thing.  Everything was for Laskshmi. As for Dev he wants her back only for him and for Parvathy, needs Lakshmi as her own daughter who can carry on her legacy by all means. Every night when Shiva comes back he witnesses Dev and Parvati fight and now it has become a routine . Nowadays Shiva's presence was nothing for for mother and son duo. Back then at least both would have gone silent or lower their voice when they sensed his presence inside the house.  Shiva feels likes he has became an side role or an unimportant character in Parvathy and Dev's life. It made him a bit uncomfortable.

"Lakshmi is my friend's daughter , which means she is like my own daughter. I will take care of her and for that I don't need anyones permission or help. With god's grace I have enough to live an feed those two girls" Parvathy shouted at Dev

"Lakshmi might be your friend's daughter but right now she is my wife. So literally I have every right to take care of her and protect her. You don't have to think much about it. If I can take care of Lakshmi then I can definitely take care of her sister also. " Dev shouted back..Shiva was watching their fight from balcony and sighed heavily. He crossed his arms and stood there like he had no idea about what to do with these two.

One night when Lakshmi came back to Rathore villa after closing her cafe Dev's car stopped right infront of her scooty. She lost her balance and was about to fall. Dev pulled the break very rashly.   Zahir wasn't driving the car which made Lechu a bit confused because it happens rarely. Lakshmi tried to ignore him and walked towards her room through the backyard. She got startled a little when Dev pressed the horn loudly. Lechu ignored it like she is deaf and walked ahead but the horn didn't stopped.. She moved faster to avoid him and opened the door of her room.Lechu was so tired and just wanted to bang herself on bed.

Before she could open the door someone pulled back the knob and slammed it on her face. Lechu felt the presence of Dev just behind her. Her eyes opened widely and she began to pray for not making this scene into a reality.

" Are you deaf ? " Dev jammed Lechu between him and the door before shouting. Still she didn't looked at his face. But she could sense his smell. That mixed smell of his cologne and his sweat along with the liquor.

" Please please please..." Lechu keeps on mumbling with a fearfully.

" Come with me " Dev ordered.

" No.... " Lechu pushed him back and spatted at him.

" Such a weak rejection." Dev replied sarcastically.

" Dev if you don't leave now ..... I will ..."

" Call Parvathy mom " Dev asked interrupting Lechu. She frowned her face and looked at Dev.  She understood something was wrong and he is showing so much confidence.

" She is not here ." Dev added.

" Maybe went to make some plans to destroy me forever"

" Whatever.... I just don't care about it. I am all okay with it. I also want to see what she can do to win against me. But  this night is for us to celebrate my dirty little girl " saying this Dev scooped her up from floor and took Lechu towards his room.

While Dev was carrying her his aunt and few other maids were watching them. Dev was least bothered about what's happening around him. Right now in that world it was only Dev and Lekshmi bounded with his pure lust and love for her. Dev dropped Lechu on his bed and watched her crawling back to a corner side of the bed. She looked really uncomfortable when Dev came close to her.

................

" Dev . .. "

" Dev ..... "

Looking at the ceiling of his room Lechu kept on calling Dev who was lying over her unconsciously. She laid back on the bed without moving and not disturbing Dev for some time. But not for much time. Lechu  pushed him to a side as she couldn't handle his weight on her. He fell asleep fast since he was drunk. Lechu stood from bed and adjusted the straps of her dress. One of the straps broke it's hemming when Dev aggressively tried to pull off her dress and started kissing her.

But Lechu wasn't bothered about it. She looked around and grabbed Dev's phone first. Then his watch and all electronic devices near to him. She walked towards the pool side and found that secret door which he takes care of like his life .

Lechu remembered all stupid failed trials she did last time and gave extra attention not to repeat the same. She carefully tried to open the door and instead of his iris scan she tried the second option which was pin number. She did a wild guess but fortunately the pin was the same as his phone password. She already noticed his phone password before. His phone and even the watch started alarming when the door opened but this time both were with Lechu. She stopped for a second before entering to room.

" My stupid brain, this is not the time to wake up my guilty nerves. I don't want to be a good girl here. Yes I am a bitch and worst girl in this world. But I will do this for myself" she calmed herself and her mind when she began to feel guilty for entering into the room.

A room with 3 walls painted pitch black. She saw a specially designed keypad at the centre of the room but nothing other than that.

" Hell with these techie assholes. What should I do now" she felt angry looking at that empty room. In reality it was an AI room which Dev designed and only he knows how to operate it. Even the commands only his voice works there.

Since there was nothing much to do there for Lekshmi she just took few photos with the help of Dev's phone itself and sent them to a number. That contact was same as what she saved in her phone as Bobby. Once she finds out that the images are seen Lechu quickly cleaned up all the traces and made the phone looked same like before. While trying to delete the photos including from the cloud she found few other photos of Lakshmi in his phone.
Most were taken without her knowledge.

" Bloody pervert. Was he stalking on me ? " Lechu mumbled and began to delete them but stopped her stupid act. Then looked around a bit with an evil smile and went through all other photos of her's.

" Agrhhh this one is out of focus. If he should have asked me to pose I would have gave him nice clicks " she mumbled. Lechu was enjoying it somewhere. Whatever it is.... That feeling of getting to know that someone is really admiring her and got feelings for her.... It's a great feeling.

" So Mr Devil notices me everyday. Damn from next time I have to be dressed up a bit more and be careful about my facial expressions" Lechu smiled and quickly went to keep Dev's items back to its place.

................

Auction day

Finally that day has come. Today was the day of Lakshmi's cafe auction. Varun, Ishaan, Ria and Nina all were standing way behind the auction hall very nervously. They looked at Lekshmi who was clinging to Parvathy. She promised Lechu with the cafe. Whatever it takes she will get that cafe for Lekshmi.

" Hope Mrs Rathore won't step back in front of junior Rathore. " Ria said

" Both mother and son are filthy rich. That I know but who is more rich.... We will understand today " Ishaan replied.

" Varun, what are you thinking ? Who will win ? " Nina asked to Varun.

" Whoever it is ... It shouldn't be Dev. " He replied in a very serious tone.

Meanwhile Dev made an entry to the auction hall along with his right hand Zahir, his manager Mohit and his legal advisor Gaurav. It was indeed a grand entry. People who were present there were only looking at Dev. Lechu's jaw dropped watching how stylishly Dev made his entry but only Parvathy didn't budged from there. She made it look like Dev didn't even existed.

Gaurav and Zahir sat at back where Lechu's friends were sitting. While Mohit accompanied Dev. Nina felt a bit uncomfortable when Gaurav sat just beside her. She was grinding her teeth because of his presence.

" We have some unsolved things to finish. Once this cafe comes legally under C Citty... I will come to the cafe and solve everything one by one. Don't vanish anywhere " Gaurav said to Nina more like a threat.

" Stay away from me or you will get burnt " Nina spatted back and glared at Gaurav. That intensity in her eyes made Gaurav shut his mouth quickly.

Dev came and sit right beside Lekshmi. Suddenly she started shivering and her heart started to beat faster. Her hands were cold like ice. She couldn't meet her eyes with Dev thinking about what happened last time by sneaking into his secret room.

Lechu was literally sitting inbetween two daredevills. She clutched her hand more to Parvathy. Lechu wanted Parvathy to win this auction then only she can get her cafe and run it like she wants. If it is Dev then all plans are ruined. She was damn sure that he would rule her like a king and make her his slave.

" Don't be nervous Adhu.... I will get your cafe for you. Then no one will come and scare you with anything " Parvathy assured her and stared at Dev.

Dev was a little nervous. He was not that much confident about this auction but still he didn't showed it in front of Parvathy.

Auction started , initially it went slowly and both Parvathy and Dev remained silent. Dev was nervous and that's why he did a mistake by making first call watching the price going up. Mohit couldn't even get time to stop Dev.

There was a smirk on Parvathy's face meanwhile and the amount Dev called was bit more.

" Dev you and Parvathy mam are the strongest clients here. Don't disclose our range so fast. See ... Parvathy mam is still silent. She is a waiting to see you opening your mouth " Mohit adviced Dev.

Auction continued..... Lechu's eyes was about to popped out hearing the value going up for a mere cafe and little plot on which it is located.

It even went up than the amount authority needed. So the rest of amount will be given to the owner who is none other than Lekshmi. She felt like crying because if she would have got this money way before she could have atleast saved her father. But this plot.... The feelings she got with it ..... nothing can be compensated.

Finally Parvathy called out her amount which was huge. Dev was tasting his failure in front of Parvathy slowly. He couldn't admit it though. Moreover he couldn't admit that Lechu is loosing from his grip. He closed his eyes and called out for next bit more than what Parvathy said. Mohit held on Dev's hand not to call more but Dev was not ready to loose.

Parvathy was not at all affected by this. She scoffed at him and called out next amount which was much more than what Dev's. People who were present there started mumbling each other talking about the unbelievable amount for a small plot.

Since there was no one to call over Parvathy's amount officers decided to go with that amount  but then suddenly they got an unexpected announcement.

" There is a concealed tender "

Hearing the announcement Dev sat back in a confusion.

" Who it can be ? " Mohit doubted

Parvathy was also not expecting that and they announced the amount. Unfortunately the amount was way bigger than what Parvathy called. It made everyone wonder thinking who bought the plot for such an huge amount.

" Mr Shiva Pratap Singh Rathore...
Rathore groups " this time Dev and Parvathy together became shocked. They both turned back and looked at Mr Rathore who made entry along with his assistants.

Parvathy could atleast stare at her husband for playing behind their back but Dev couldn't even do that.

" Even though how strong the lion becomes in front of it's father a cub is still a cub and king is always king " Mohit said to Dev which was clearing mocking him.

" Mohit.... " Dev yelled at Mohit.

Parvathy was watching her husband and while he was finishing the paper works. Only few sign were needed from his side rest will taken care of by his assistants and legal advisors. When Mr Rathore left from there Parvathy quickly ran behind him without thinking much.

" Aren't you going ? " Mohit Asked to Dev.

" Do you think that l left with a chance there ? " Dev spatted back.

Dev just took a glance at Lechu and walked out from there like a looser. Lechu looked at the staff of the cafe like everything is over. Even they couldn't digest what just happened there now.

*********

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