This chapter is dedicated to Anshreeja. Thank you for reading this book and voting on it. You really made this authoress happy.

And a huge thank you to all of you that read my book. You make me happy just by reading this piece of work. Your votes and comments is the cherry on pie. So thank you.

I guess some of you don't like mature scenes too much, so you can skip the part between

*★,°*:*.°★* 。and *★,°*:*.°★* 。

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"Who?" I ask but he dashes away without answering, getting lost in the crowd of guests.

My curiosity strikes yet again and it takes me forward to the room. My hands come at a stop at the door knob, before retracting and knocking on the door twice. No answer. I knock again, no answer. I look around to see if anyone is watching, but seeing everyone is busy, I push open the door only to be engulfed by a blanket of darkness.

Light seeps into the room through the door, while I stand in between blocking the light. The room appears empty. My eyes wander around the partially dark room looking for a light switch. Why would someone call me in a dark room?

I take two steps forward trying to locate the switchboard, when all of a sudden the door closes behind me with a thud and I immediately turn to meet utter darkness. My eyes take a moment to adjust before I can make out the figure of a man.

"Who's there? What do you want?"

Why did I even come here? I am an utter fool.

He doesn't answer but only turns the lock before moving to the other side and the room fills with light. I close my eyes momentarily blinded by the intensity of bright light. I am relieved that he switches on the light, since my vision is much better in bright light than dim light.

But my momentary relief vanishes when my eyes set upon his face, it takes me moments to recall his face, "You? What are you doing here?" Obviously I know what he's doing here. My eyes scan the room for anything that I can use to protect myself. I immediately regret leaving my gun back home. But I can surely shou-

"Don't even think of that," he says, pointing the barrel of the revolver at me.

"What do you want?" I ask, my flight or fight senses kicking in. There are guests outside sure he wouldn't shoot me, right?

"It's a wonder that the beautiful doctor remembers me."

I scoff at his idea, "How can I not? I saw your face before I fainted that day."

"My face? Oh yes, I brought you here actually. And you seem to be quite enjoying the company of the Sheikh." He says, his sly gaze skidding over my entire body as I feel bile rise up in the back of my throat.

"Why do you want to kill me?" My heart stills in my chest, while my eyes repeatedly look at the barrel pointed at me fearing a bullet would whiz past it straight into my chest. Thousands of scenarios flit through my mind, going back to my training days, on how to disarm a man. But my skills are rusty, if they indeed can be called skills. More like instincts and the need to survive. From this distance I can't outdo him, so instead I converse with him while looking for an opportunity to strike.

"Kill you? Nah. That would be a waste after bringing you here. I am here to take you."

"Take me where?" I probe.

"You needn't worry about that, sweetheart. Now turn around with your hands raised." He commands pointing with the pistol. I obey, not finding another way, while my heart goes into an overdrive from panic.

I hear a shuffling noise behind me followed by a pop. His boots strike the marble floor making a noise with each step he takes and with each step he takes, my panic increases several fold while my instincts scream at me to take action. I feel his presence behind me and unlike Basheer, his presence repulses me, makes me want to vomit.

He grabs my breast from behind me and twists it in a vile, inhuman way, I bite my lips hard to keep myself from lashing out, "I am gonna have a taste of you but before that I need to inject this. Such a fragile little thing you are." His touch repulses me, makes me skin itch like poison ivy.

Seeing he's rather distracted grabbing me, I pay no heed to the vile sensation of his touch, I use my elbows to lock his hand grabbing my breasts and then twist it behind him. Seeing that his other hand comes up with the needle, I use my free hand to twist the needle pointing it at his neck.

"I am anything but fragile." I whisper, before injecting the liquid with a push of my thumb. At that moment the door bursts open. I look up to find Dr. Nizamuddin standing in the doorway and beside him is Apa. As soon as I see them, my hands move quickly and efficiently hiding the needle behind the man holding with another hand.

"What happened Nehali?" He asks, his eyes moving between me and the man slouched against me.

"Uhh. . . someone called me here. The room was rather dark. So when someone came from behind, I acted on my instincts and. . ." I continue, "I seemed to have hit a nerve, he's unconscious. Help me put him to bed."

Dr. Nizamuddin narrows his eyes at me, uncertainty evident on his face but he anyway comes to help me lay him on bed. I tuck the injection behind his body. If he moves, the needle will pierce his skin, not my fault.

"I saw the man following you into the room." He says. My eyes move to Apa who's standing wordlessly at the door. What is she doing here?

Seeing my stare, she comes forward, "I was passing by when he was about to break the door."

"I found this man at the hospital the other day, looking for you. Since you don't have family here, I found it odd. He said he was a patient of yours but when I asked for his history he excused himself with a lame reply. So, when I found the door locked, I found it suspicious. I didn't want to alert him, so I didn't call for him, instead I broke in." He shrugs looking at the broken lock.

Why was he looking for me?

"Thanks for the concern, I appreciate it. But uhmm. . . I will sit here and wait for him to wake up. I need my answers from him."

"But, it won't be safe for you to be here alone. I will stay with you." He says taking a few towards me, concern etched on his face.

I happened to take care of myself just fine.

"I-" But I'm cut off as Basheer strides into the room.

"I will stay with her." He says, eyeing Dr. Nizamuddin.

"You weren't here when she needed you. I was. Just return to whatever you were doing." He states, making me frown. Why would he talk to him like that?

"Well I am here now. So you can leave now." He says putting one arm around me and pulling me close. I try to wriggle out of his grip, feeling embarrassed. My eyes flit past Apa once, her expression curious as her eyes are fixed on Basheer's hand resting on my waist.

Are you falling in love? Her words from before flit through my mind. No, I can't let her see it, see that through our ruse. I try to put on an expression of ire on my face. But how can I when his hands are constantly tracing circles on my waist?

I wriggle out of Basheer's grip, putting on an impassive face before stating, "I can very well take care of myself. So please leave Dr. Nizamuddin and. . ." I say pointing at Apa as if I don't know her name.

" She's Hayat, Shaadab's aunt." Dr. Nizamuddin completes for me. Oh, that's new. So she has a family here." And I am Shadaab's uncle, she's my sister." He smiles. At that my eyes pop out of their sockets? What? How? They are freaking related!

There are others, they don't trust you. Her words come to my mind. Is he a spy too like Apa?

"Neha-" Dr. Nizamuddin starts but then stops seeing the expression on Basheer's face. I give him an apologetic look before looking down. I feel bad for him, he has been kind to me always but my situation needs me treat him the way I do. I feel bad for highlighting Basheer in the bad way, making him think that Basheer is indeed cruel to me.

He leaves shutting the door behind him. I move the body immediately, bedding over it to search the pockets. I land my hand on a glass bottle with the label, 'Valium'. Thank you Shivji, it isn't a poison. Just a sleep medication. So he wanted to sedate me. Did he . . . did he sedate me that day too?

In an abrupt motion, he turns me around, meeting my lips with his while pulling my body flush against his.

*★,°*:*.°★* 。

A rush of emotions akin to need and want floods through me, making my insides tighten in a delicious fashion. His tongue lashes against the insides of my mouth and for a moment it feels like he wants to engulf me. And I certainly don't mind that. His hands roam on my figure, passing over my breasts, going over every curve and bend as if reassuring himself that I was here with him. His touch sanitizes the previous vile touch of that man. His right hand cups my womanhood his palm on it moving it in slow, delicious circles, eliciting a moan from me.

"Ba-Basheer we are. . ." My voice trails away when his hot wet tongue lashes on the spot behind my ear. His mouth trails down my jaw, my neck peppering me with hot wet kisses. Each of it feels like a hot brand, claiming me as his. I wonder if he's leaving multiple hickeys on my skin. I might just use my hair to cover it up.

*★,°*:*.°★* 。

My eyes almost droop shut when they fall on the figure of the man lying on the bed. And the next moment, a cold dread washes over me as if a bucket of cold water is thrown at me. I feel extremely embarrassed. How could I start making out here of all places?

I push at his chest hard, this time managing to take him by shock, "Basheer. . ." I plead.

The haze from his eyes clears before he takes a deep breath, fisting the hair on his head, "I-I am sorry Nehali. I kind of got carried away when I heard. . ." He blows out a breath, "When I heard the commotion here and to find you with. . . with him. I was worried and. . ." He trails off.

"But, it was irresponsible of me to do so. I agree."He admits before his hand sweep through his wild mane, "Tell me what happened?" He asks.

My legs feel like jelly and what wouldn't I give to lean on him. But, I can't risk it again. We are kind of getting animalistic these days, lacking human manners. I eye the bed, no way I'm sitting close to that man. I saunter to the wall leaning against it, my back feels relaxed immediately.

"He-" I begin but a sudden thought makes me stop. My eyes flit to the door once.

"What happened?"

"I don't know-" I say and then repeat the same story over again.

"That's it?" He asks.

"Yes." I say motioning him to the door.

He gets me as he stops talking and instead strides to the door and pulls it open in one swift motion. Just as I have suspected Apa is standing there, eavesdropping on our conversation.

"What are you doing here?' He asks.

"Uhmm. . . I was just drinking water." She replies holding the glass of water up to prove the point, "I think, I will have some fruit juice, I will go." She says scurrying away.

It was uncharacteristic of her to act that way, all flabbergasted. Her usual self wouldn't be like this even when caught. She always portrays an aura of confidence. For a brief moment I wonder if it's Basheer that makes every female on earth weak in her knees.

He must be a vampire to possess such mind-boggling charm.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door clicking shut. I look up at him, the previous need and want for security returning. The overwhelming need to feel him close to me overtakes my rationality as I hurl myself into his arms. And finally the shock of the situation lands on me. What would have happened had I not been able to dodge him? Where would he take me, again?

His scent engulfs me, drowning my worries, "Where have you been?" I ask him.

"Are you okay, Nehali? I shouldn't have brought you here." He gushes.

I place my palm on his chest, flattening it before stroking him lightly there, "I'm fine. I'm alright. I just. . ." I missed you. But the words get stuck in my throat. I was never good at giving out compliments or expressing my feelings. They made me feel vulnerable.

Maybe he understands because in the next moment he tips my chin upwards taking my mouth in a slow languid kiss, unlike the ones we have had before. His lips move lazily against mine, taking mine in a slow dance, sucking and nibbling alternately but he does it with such gentleness that surprises me. I never knew he had in him to take a kiss slow. I was more attracted to deep kisses, but now that he kisses me with such care, my legs feel like jelly, barely standing up. And there's nowhere else I would be rather than here in this moment.

"Now tell what really happened. You can't distract me anymore." He pulls away, slowly putting a bit of space between so that he can see my face, "And who is this man?"

I sigh, taking a moment to calm my nerves from the kiss. I untangle my arms from his grip, giving myself the space I need to before I start, "This man is the driver I mentioned before in the car. The one I saw right before fainting. He called me into this room, then said something about taking me somewhere . . ." I continued relaying the entire exchange.

"Where would he want to take you?" He asks, "More importantly why?"

"I wish I knew. Only after he wakes up, we will find it out." And I hoped we did.

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Author's Note:

Early update, you guys happy?

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Love ya,

Aparajita🌸