Hey Pearlies, thank you very much for your votes, comments, and for adding this book to your reading lists. A big shoutout to  AeyshaKhan7   fathimasafy   HPfan21forever  isharai16  Taareyians  for your lovely comments. 

...

I took a shower and wore clothes from Manik's wardrobe. Today's outfit is Manik's sleeveless vest, paired with his trousers and his leather jacket. I looked at myself in the mirror and damn I almost look like the lady boss. All is good but one thing is still bothering me. Manik's name on my forehead is still visible. No matter how many times or how hard I tried to rub it never went away. 

I came out with a frown and found Manik getting ready to take a shower while he was busy speaking with someone on the phone. He raised his eyebrows while speaking making me curious about the conversation. Nevertheless, I understand nothing. It all sounds difficult. But something caught my eye. It is his muscular chest. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not drooling over Manik but I am examing his chest visible from his vest. There is no ink? But how is that possible? I clearly remember smearing the same ink used on my forehead which is non-erasable but it magically disappeared from Manik! 

Did he do external surgery? 

As soon as he stopped speaking the phone I blocked his way. "How to get flawless skin like yours?"

"You want to know my skin secret?" he asked in confusion.

I smacked my forehead understanding how my words might reach him. "I mean, how did you remove the ink? I am pretty sure they were permanent. Mine still didn't get clear then how did you clear yours?" 

He looked at his chest and then at my forehead with a smirk. "I am not sure. Maybe your vegetable friends helped me?" He walked past me leaving me alone in the bedroom.

My vegetable friend? Did he paste the vegetables on his chest to cover the ink? Should I also cut the green, long, thin vegetable and stick it on my face? But it is green and people might spot it! I need something matching my skin tone. What vegetable shall I use? 

After raking my head I found no clear answer so I asked the problem creator. "Manik, what vegetable did you use for your chest?"

I was surprised to see Manik standing so close to me all of a sudden. There was a cotton ball in his hand and it was wet. "What is that in your hand, Manik? Don't tell me it is the orange liquid!" 

He looked at the cotton and smirked. "So, what if it is the 'orange liquid.' Will you kiss me again?" 

His words brought back many memories. The first time I kissed him was when he tried to put that burning orange liquid. I felt hot all of a sudden with Manik's sole attention on my lips. I tried to run away from him but was pulled back to his chest as he twisted my arm behind me. 

"Accept it, Nandini. You can not escape from The Boss."

I scoffed at his words. "I will not accept it and will find my way to escape from all this mess, Mr. Call-Me-Boss." 

This time all the mischievous glint in his eyes is replaced with a serious look reminding me about the close proximity. My left arm snaked around his neck while the left arm was locked behind me. His breath fanning as bent lower matching my height. I am confused as to whether to anticipate a kiss or the burning orange liquid. Whatever the situation I decided to close my eyes as tight as possible trying to prevent anything from happening. 

The cotton touched my forehead and surprisingly it did not burn. I opened my eyes and saw Manik carefully wiping my forehead. He made me stand in front of the mirror and made me see my reflection. There is no ink on my forehead, It is gone! 

A huge smile broke on my face. "Manik, it's gone! How did you do it? I've tried all day and the ink did not even budge. What vegetable was on the cotton? What did you paste on my forehead? Can I touch it? Will the ink appear again if I touch it?"

Manik blew a heavy breath from his mouth. "You ask too many questions! It's just Olive oil!"

I frowned. "Olevoil? I did not eat it. Can you describe what that vegetable looks like? Is it healthy vegetable or junk food vegetable?"

Manik shook me by my shoulder preventing me to speak further. "Stop overthinking!!!" He kept a bottle in my hand and hurried inside to take a shower. 

I read the label and smiled sheepishly. It is Olive Oil and not Olevoil. If it's oil why did he say vegetable? Looks like Manik needs a class about types of oils and vegetables. Anyways, I am at least happy that I no longer have to sport a tie on my forehead. 

Good news first thing in the morning, Yay!!

I walked out to have my breakfast, well considering the time it might be LukFast. I found Navya with swollen, red eyes and a bruise on her left arm. "Are you alright? Navya, what happened?"

She instantly covered her arms with a shawl and shoved me away. "You can never have my place. Mr. Harshad Malhotra will marry me and only me."

"But both of us lost yesterday's competition, and it's not like I've done something wrong." I am seriously confused about her wounds. "What about the marks on your arm?"

She held my wrist in her hand and I winced with pain. "I love Mr. Malhotra and I will love him even if I die." She stomped her feet and walked away from me. 

She is behaving differently these days. I am getting worried about her. I could not even eat my LukFast because of Navya. I walked mindlessly around the mansion without eating anything from the morning. I decided to walk in the garden to get some cool air and to think about everything. 

Unknowingly, I walked into a dark alley that I hadn't seen before. Where am I? The path was lit by lanterns in contrast to modern the Malhotra Mansion. It was stone walls and floor. The more I walked inside the more I got shivers down my spine. Slowly, I started hearing someone crying, or begging for their life. 

"Boss... I am begging you!" A weak male voice echoed throughout the area.

At the end of the alley was a huge room filled with men along with Manik and Cabir. A man was tied to a chair while blood oozed from his mouth as he begged Manik to leave him. I saw this man somewhere but I could not remember. Who is he?

"Honesty is much appreciated in Malhotra territory. You have breached it!" Cabir yelled. 

This is the first time I saw Cabir being this angry. Goosebumps appeared on my skin, my mind screaming to run, while my entire body froze to the spot. 

"I swear on my children's life, Boss. I did not steal the map from your locker!" The man cried. 

Shit! He was the cleaner who looked after Manik's laundry. I stole the map with his help but this man was innocent. 

My heart clenched looking at the state of the innocent man begging for his life. The blood on his face and injuries on his body explain how much he has been tortured till now. 

"You have three seconds to live." Manik after a long time finally spoke. 

No! Manik please don't kill him. 

"3" Manik counted as the man begged to spare his life. 

"2" 

"1" 

On the final count, Manik pulled the trigger and shot the man between his forehead. In a flash of seconds, the man who was crying fell dead. There was nothing I could do to bring him back to life. That innocent man who had children at home is dead. There was no guilt or pain in anyone's eyes present here. They were dealing with this situation without any humanity. 

All of a sudden someone closed my mouth and picked me off the ground and ran in the opposite direction. I was freed as soon as I reached the garage. "Please don't kill me." I cried.

"Shh! Nandini, it's me. Harshad." Hearing my angel's voice I felt relaxed. 

"Harshad! That man was dead because of me. I stole the map but he died .... instead of me." I cried as much as I can. That scene was still running in front of my eyes. 

Harshad shook me to bring me to my sense and made me face him. "Nandini it's not your fault. That man isn't dead. He was killed. He was killed by that monster Manik Malhotra. He would not hesitate to kill you if he saw you there."

"No!" Manik seemed so sweet these days and I can't believe him to turn out to be a monster again. What am I seeing? 

"Manik is good at manipulating everyone. He had manipulated me all these years and thanks to you I realized how cold-hearted my brother lives." Harshad sniffled. "I can't believe my brother who was my hero turned out to be a monster. I am so sorry about your parents, Nandini."

My parents were innocent too and Manik killed them as well. How much can a person become brutal? 

"So many innocent families are disappearing because of this demon and thankfully we have a solution in you, Nandini. Only you can save everyone. Please kill Manik and bring an end to everyone's misery." Harshad pleaded while holding my palms. 

The room around is spinning from the moment I saw Manik killing an innocent man. I freed myself from Harshad not able to give any answer at that moment. My legs wobbled as I walked in the garden outside the garage and my eyes were blurred. I could not differentiate reality and imagination. 

Finally, I gave in to the outside energy and fell to the ground with a thud. I fell weak. I have no energy left in me to even move. I just lay on the floor and stared into the empty space. Please end my pain.

"Manik! Manik!" Cabir yelled his name spotting me on the floor. He would usually address Manik as Boss in public but in a situation like this, he didn't care. 

Within a few minutes, I saw the guards around me trying to vacate the area as their Boss ran towards my lifeless form on the ground. All the men bowed to their knees as Manik bent to the ground to pick me in his arms. 

There was worry in his eyes and blood on his shirt which reminded me of his cruel act toward an innocent man. "I do not feel safe with you, Manik." Saying that I fell unconscious in his arms. 

...

Precap

How is the update?

Did you remember Manik's personal laundry assistant where Nandini stole the map?

What is happening in the mansion?