Hey Pearlies, thank you very much for your likes, comments and adding this book to your library. A special shoutout to VeenuDhawan mayamadhuvanthi ashuban  PriyankaBhati4 BBbiggestfan theonlycoconut  isharai16 ManzitaStha  KusumLataMalik AakritiArya8 dishtaniya  for your lovely comments. I really enjoy reading your comments. 

...

"You are next, Miss Nandini Murthy." Manik said coldly slashing both of my parents throat's with his hands. 

I woke up with a start and looked around me and found no body inside the tiny room. I sighed in relief that it was only a nightmare. I immediately hugged myself myself to be strong. I have nobody in this world, all thanks to the monster sleeping peacefully in his mansion. 

Miss Nandini Murthy!

His voice still vibrated in my ears. It was as if he is sitting behind me and caging me with his strong hands. I could still feel his breath on my nape while he called my name. 

I snapped out of my thoughts and stood up. My name! He called me by my name. He killed my parents and kidnapped me from my own house. So he is the living proof about my identity. Manik is my only chance to prove my identity to everyone. 

I clapped in joy. I am getting smart day by day.

I completed my daily chores as fast as I can and walked the same way towards Manik's secret path. I stood in front of the door and knocked at it twice but he did not open the door. "Manik" I called but got no response. I pushed the door and its locked. 

Is he showing attitude? Is he still asleep? Or is he dead? Holy Moly! Manik had medical history of internal bleeding which I couldn't complete the last time. I think he must be unwell again. I must save him before he dies and my identity remains a mystery forever. 

I tried wriggling the door to open but it didn't budge an inch. There were no stones around to break the door as well. Should I call Dhruv or Mr. Malhotra for help? No, that will be a bad idea. They might not know how to stop internal bleeding. And Manik might die if we could not save him on time. So I decided to enter inside his room by climbing anything and jumping inside the building. 

There was a pipe made of cement next to the wall so I held the top latch with my left hand and kept my foot on the bottom latch. I climbed one more step only to realize there are no more latches above and I am three feet above the ground. Now how do I get down or get into the mansion?

"Why does your brain work so different?" Manik's voice startled me and I lost my grip. I thought I will fall on the ground and closed my eyes tightly. 

I slowly opened my eyes and a pair of chocolate brown eyes were staring already at me. My arms were around his neck while he held me in his arms. Thankfully, he caught me in time before I could fall on the ground. I tried to get down but his grip was tight. I looked back at him and he was still staring at my face as if he was lost in some thoughts. 

"Manik?" I poked his eyelash and he came to his senses. He carefully let me down and I got my balance. He is in his sleeveless black vest and jogging tracks. He had air pods in his ears and a smirk on his face. 

"What is Miss Nandini Murthy doing here?" 

"I thought you were dead like before and I am trying to save you." I answered.

"Before?"

"Yes, the day you kidnapped me you were almost dead due to internal bleeding. I tried to save you even when I did not have knife and bandage. You know I planned to use the lamp stand to cut you and curtains to dress your internal bleeding." I informed him about my presence of mind.

"And how were you planning to sew up everything after your successful surgery?" he questioned and I scratched my head trying to remember what I planned that day.

"Actually, there was no need that day. Though I planned to stop your internal bleeding you woke up yourself because you were under some medication. I thought you were dead and that was the reason you did not wake up."

He sighed. "You were planning to do the same now by climbing the electric pipe?"

"Yes, I might not have the surgery instruments with me right now but I can create them as soon as I enter the room." I said.

He took a step forward and I took a step back, "Nandini, even I haven't been to school, like ever and studied at home in the same way you did at your home. But still I haven't lost my common sense." he paused. "You must either be a stupid or mentally unstable to trust Navya and get manipulated by her." 

He pushed me aside, unlocked his door and went inside. What the hell is his problem? I am trying to save him even though he is my enemy and here he is giving me lecture about How To Be Smart 101. 

Wait, did he just say Navya? Happy tears pooled in my eyes. Manik actually know a lot of things. He knew my name, my parents, my house address and even Navya manipulating me. I felt huge burden lifting off my shoulders. He will be my savior. I immediately raised my hand to knock his door but retreated. 

Manik is an egoistic piece of crap. He will never help me if I request him. I need to put him in a situation where he has no chance but to admit the truth. He was scared of Dhruv catching me in his room, a mere soldier according to him. Now what if, his mother finds out everything? Naughty smile rose on my face. Of course, who wouldn't be scared of their mother. I would piss my pants if I were in this situation in front of my mother.

Satisfied with my plan I marched towards the entrance of the mansion. There were guards around and in no way I can get inside and meet Niyonika. I spotted Dhruv carrying two buckets of black liquid with his both hands and moving inside the mansion. 

"Hey Dhruv," I chirped and he spilled the liquid on the ground. "Oh no, at least a glass of black water is wasted."

"Water?" He questioned. 

"Of course, water is in liquid form. This is water. Did you think it is a crow because its black?" I laughed and he widened his eyes. 

"Not me, please." he hurriedly went inside the mansion and I closely followed him. The guards did not stop me as they must have thought I am with Dhruv. "Wait, you must not be inside the mansion." he said realizing my presence inside the weapons room. 

"Too bad, I am already inside. But don't worry, I won't disturb you. I am here to meet my future husband, Mr. Malhotra." I ran away and he started chasing me trying to stop me. 

My feet halted at the scene in front of my eyes. The Malhotra's were happily having their breakfast with plenty of colorful food in front of them. Navya was also sitting with them and having her food. She blushed every time Harshad tried to pick anything from her side. Mr. Malhotra only had eyes on his mother and the food. Niyonika kept serving them more food with a bright smile on her face. 

Wow! Navya gets to have all this while I am living in the servant quarters with nobody around me. 

"Miss, please go to your quarters." Dhruv panted behind me finally finding me. 

His voice broke their family time and looked at us. Navya had the most visible expression of disgust to see me here than anyone else. "What is a servant doing here?"

I will tell her who is the servant soon. Humph!

"My queen, I have something to say. And I doubt even this Miss Classy know about it." I said rolling my eyes at Navya.

"Look, we had this talk earlier. You must be staying in the quarters until we decide something." Niyonika said to me.

I walked further "My parents were dead not by an earthquake but someone killed them mercilessly. And that is none other Manik Malhotra. He killed my entire family." 

As soon as these words slipped from my mouth there was a pin drop silence followed by the guards pointing their weapons at me. They were keenly observing the situation and waiting for any wrong move to trigger their guns. 

Mr. Malhotra stopped eating and kept staring at his plate while Navya rolled her eyes clearly not believing me. Niyonika folded her hands above chest and raised her eyebrow, "My son, Manik? Were you an eyewitness or just repeating some story?"

"Yes. I saw with my own eyes. Manik killed my entire family. He was so hungry for satisfying his ego. He wasn't satisfied with just killing my family. He searched for more and finally vanished my entire existence." I yelled while angry tears just rolled down my eyes. 

For the first time Mr. Malhotra looked up at met my eyes. After a brief eye lock he stood up and walked towards me in his usual white suit. He tried to wipe my tears and at that moment he looked like an angel. 

His hand was held just before he could touch my face by none other than the Monster Manik. "Looks like we are having an interesting breakfast this morning." Manik said announcing his presence. 

Everyone present in the room bowed their heads and did not dare to look up. They made a gesture by touching their left shoulder where their name plates were placed on their uniform and shouted "Boss" in a union. Even Navya did not dare to look up. This place turned so powerful. All the bulky, strong and armed people were bowing their heads, surrendering themselves to the presence of their Boss, Mr. Manik Malhotra. 

"My son, Manik. Is she telling the truth? Did you kill her family?" Niyonika questioned. 

Only Niyonika, Harshad and me were looking him in the eye. Yes, me too, I am not afraid of him now that he is in front of his mother. 

"Manik?" He faced his mother. "Last time I remember I am The Boss of Malhotra Empire. I would prefer if you could address me the same." He said and scratched his chin. "Since I belong to a mafia family my hands were always red with enemy's blood. So, I might not remember her parents even if I killed them." 

My blood boiled with his reckless answer. He is so manner less even in front of his mother. At this moment he look like nothing could destroy him. 

"Really you don't know my parents? Okay, I don't want to argue. Just tell them my real name and her real name." I said pointing towards myself and Navya. I don't want to involve into their family matters. Mr. Malhotra is already boiling with anger by the way Manik is treating Niyonika. 

"Who are you?" He questioned. 

"Me. Nandini Murthy. Miss Nandini." I said trying so hard not to pull his neatly gelled hair in front of the world. 

"She is lying. I am Nandini Murthy." Navya yelled still looking at the ground. 

Manik raised his eyebrow at his family. 

"Manik, I don't know why you are doing this, but please don't take away my identity too. I have nothing to live if you ignore me." I sobbed. 

He lifted my chin with his finger and dangerously came closer, "I. Don't. Know. You."

He left the room and I slumped to the floor while everyone relaxed. I lost my only chance to prove my identity. 

...

Precap

Hey Pearlies, how is the update? 

What's wrong with Manik and his monster avtaar?

Now what must Nandu do to prove her identity? Any ideas?