Chapter Twenty Two.
Ira walked down the stairs, her tote bag slung across her shoulder, her day finally over.
Her eyes caught sight of something that made her slow.
Alia.
She was standing with Mrs. Rathore in the living hall, that flawless smile of hers still in place as if the shouting match from earlier in Devraj's room never happened.
I thought she left, Ira frowned, forcing her gaze away and continuing toward the double doors.
But Alia's eyes had already found Ira, following her every step until she disappeared through the entrance.
"...and that will be best, okay my dear?" Mrs. Rathore's voice floated on. "I know there was a little misunderstanding, but Devraj will come around. Just give him time. I'll talk to him myself."
Alia's lips curved, though her fingers tightened around her designer bag. "Of course.." she murmured, masking the sting beneath practiced grace.
"How long has she, Ira, been working for Devraj?" she asked lightly.
Mrs. Rathore smiled, oblivious to the shade behind the question. "About a month now. And I must say, she's the most amazing caregiver we've ever had for Devraj.."
Alia's jaw flexed. A month? That was long, too long. Devraj never tolerated anyone near him for that long... not unless..
Her mind replayed the way his eyes had darted toward Ira, not with indifference... but with something else.
"He's different.." she thought, her smile fading as her gaze lingered on the door Ira had just walked through. I need to find out why.
~??????~
Outside, the late afternoon air was cool, brushing against Ira's cheeks as she made her way down the quiet road that curved through the Singh Rathore estate.
She checked her phone and sighed.
"Where is he?" she muttered, Kunal should've been here by now.
A low hum of an engine broke her thoughts. A car slowed beside her, tires whispering against the pavement.
Ira stiffened, pausing when the tinted window rolled down.
Alia's face appeared flawless, calm, but her eyes glimmered with something else.
"Need a lift?" Alia asked sweetly.
Ira blinked, taken aback. "No thank you, ma'am. I'm fine." she said, smiling politely before resuming her walk.
Alia's smile wavered. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel, and she pressed the brake sharply. The car jerked to a stop.
Her gaze trailed after Ira's retreating figure. You really think you're just his caregiver?
Her jaw tightened. "We'll see about that." she murmured under her breath.
Alia pushed the door of her car open and she stepped out, and leaned casually against the car door.
"Mrs. Rathore told me you've been working for my Devraj for a month now, yes?" she said, her tone light, but her eyes didn't match the softness in her voice.
Ira halted mid-step, confusion flickering across her face before she turned. "Yes, I have. Is there a problem, Ma'am?"
Alia's gaze traveled slowly from Ira's simple outfit to the bag on her shoulder, then back to her face.
Beautiful, but can't be Devraj type, too...simple. I'm not taking chances.
There was a faint, almost imperceptible smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Ira felt something uneasy stir in her stomach.
Alia crossed her arms, her chin tilting. "You'll need to stop the job."
For a second, Ira thought she'd misheard. Her brows knitted. "Sorry? What did you say?"
"You heard me, Ira. You need to quit."
The words hung heavy.
"Why?" Ira asked, head tilting slightly, her voice calm but edged.
"Because I said so." Alia replied smoothly. "And from what I hear, Devraj's already getting much better."
Ira exhaled, patience thinning. "You didn't employ me to work for him, that's one. And two, I'm not quitting on your accord. I don't even know who you are to listen to you."
"I'm Devraj's woman." Alia said, each word landing with precision.
Ira gave a short, polite smile that didn't hide the irritation behind it. "And I don't care, still not a valid reason to tell me to stop. When i was getting employed, i met Mrs. Rathore not you. Please, I don't want any misunderstanding, I'm only there to do my job. Excuse me."
She turned to leave, but Alia's voice followed, silken and sharp.
"How much?"
Ira froze. Slowly, she turned back again."What?"
"How much would it take?" Alia straightened, "I'll triple whatever he will pay you."
For a moment, Ira just stared at her, and then she sighed, the disbelief slipping into her eyes.
Is she serious?
A bitter laugh almost escaped her. And to think I actually praised her earlier. Well... that's on me.
Her fingers tightened around her tote strap as she gave a small, tired smile.
"Miss Alia.." Ira began, "I find what you just said... disrespectful."
Her smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Again, you still haven't given me a valid reason to quit. Also, the pay here is more than enough, but i thank you for your generosity."
Something flickered in Alia's eyes, annoyance, then fury.
She pushed off her car and took slow steps toward Ira.
"Staying close to Devraj that long must have given you...wings." Alia said, her tone deceptively calm. "Is that what is giving you the nerve to talk back at me?"
Ira frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Devraj never allows any woman near him.." Alia went on, her voice dipping lower, her smile tightening. "Let alone talk to them. And he doesn't... stare."
Now they stood face to face, two women, worlds apart.
"I'm just his caregiver." Ira said evenly.
"Which he seems to have a soft spot for." Alia countered with a cold chuckle. "Don't play dumb, Ira. I saw it. The way his gaze softened when he looked at you... Devraj never looks at me like that, But he is to...you."
Ira blinked, staring at her in disbelief. Did she just-?
"Miss Alia, I really don't want any iss-"
"How would you feel." Alia cut her off, her voice trembling slightly, "if the man you love, the man you've stood by through everything, suddenly started giving his attention to another woman?"
Her gaze hardened. "Tell me, Ira. Would you be happy?"
Ira said nothing, her expression unbothered.
"I'm sure you wouldn't be." Alia said softly, bitterness dripping from her voice. "That's how I feel now."
There was a long, heavy silence. Alia's chest rose and fell, she was angry.
She leaned closer, her perfume thick and suffocating.
"Devraj. Is. Mine."
Ira sighed and adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her calm composure only making Alia's fury burn hotter.
"Miss Alia.." Ira said, her tone firm but polite.
"I have no personal relationship with Mr. Singh Rathore.
He's my employer, nothing else, i don't know what sort of things runs through your head.
." She paused, her eyes locking with Alia's.
"And if you're this insecure that you'd want me to quit.
.. maybe you don't trust his love for you.
"
Her voice softened, but the next words hit like a dagger.
"That is... if there's any love to trust."
Alia's expression faltered, just for a heartbeat. "Yes, there is!" she snapped, "Devraj and I...we're getting engaged soon."
Ira only gave a small shrug. "Then you have nothing to worry about."
Alia's mouth opened, ready to retort, but the sound of an engine pulling up silenced her.
A sedan rolled to a stop nearby. The back door opened, and Kunal stepped out, straightening his shirt before hurrying over.
"Ira, I'm so sorry for coming late.." he said, slightly breathless. "My car..something's wrong with it."
Ira's entire expression softened. "It's fine, Kunal." she said with a smile.
Alia's eyes darted between them.
"Am I interrupting something?" Kunal asked, glancing between the two women.
"And you are...?" Alia asked.
"Kunal." he replied easily, offering a hand, which she ignored.
"Who is she to you?" She asked
"My fiancé, Miss Alia." Ira replied sweetly, before Kunal could speak.
Then she stepped closer to Kunal, her hand brushing his chest, fingers grazing the open collar of his shirt. The gesture was subtle, but intimate enough to make her point clear.
Kunal flushed, his throat bobbing as he tried to keep his composure.
"Maybe this will give her the hint." Ira thought, her smile never fading. "So she'll stop breathing down my neck."
"Fiancé? You-" Alia echoed, her brows arching.
"We're leaving now." Ira cut in, her voice calm and final. She linked her arm with Kunal's and guided him back toward the car.
Alia stood there, silent, as the car pulled away, then it disappeared down the road.
Her jaw clenched. "She'll be a problem." she muttered to herself, her voice low and venomous. "I need to get her out of the way before it's too late."
With one last glare in the direction the car had gone, Alia got into her own vehicle, the tires screeching softly as she sped off.
~??????~
Ira fingers toying with the hem of her dupatta, her gaze distant as her teeth caught her lower lip. Her thoughts wouldn't stop circling.
Why does she think there's something between me and sir? The thought echoed, twisting her chest.
And what "stare" was she even talking about? If anything, Mr. Singh Rathore looks at me like he's trying to peel my thoughts apart, like his eyes want to bury themselves inside my soul, or maybe it's just anger. She frowned faintly.
Definitely anger. And it's scary as hell and sometimes it's so hard to read him.
Her train of thought broke when Kunal's low voice filled the space.
"So... fiancé, huh?"
She blinked, then looked at him. His lips tugged into that half-grin she always found impossible to resist.
Heat rose to her cheeks before she could stop it, and she giggled softly.
"Well, you are, aren't you?" she teased.
Kunal chuckled, his gaze flicking to her lips for a heartbeat before meeting her eyes again. "I know." he said, his tone playful, "but you sounded a little... territorial back there."
Ira tilted her head, smiling. "Well, am I not supposed to be?" she murmured, enjoying how his throat worked as he swallowed.
"You are very handsome, Kunal. She was staring at you. I couldn't let her." Her voice dipped lower, teasing, as she leaned closer.
He is so cute...
Her fingertip brushed his chest, just where his shirt hung open. It was innocent in her mind, just a playful touch, but Kunal's breath caught.
The soft drag of her finger against his skin sent a shiver through him. His pulse stuttered under her touch, his hand tightening on his thigh as his gaze lingered on her lips.
"Ira..." His voice came out rougher than he intended. "You're making it hard for me."
Her brows pulled together. "What do you mean?" she asked, blinking, unaware of the tension thick in the air.
God... she has no idea what she's doing to me.
How can someone be this innocent and still so damn tempting? One smile, one little touch, and I'm already losing control.
She teases without even realizing it, like sin wrapped in softness.
If she keeps looking at me like that... she'll be the death of me.
Kunal cleared his throat, forcing a chuckle, his chest rising and falling faster than usual. "N-nothing. Forget it."
She looked at him, puzzled, then glanced away with a little shrug. "By the way.." she said after a beat, "what happened to your car?" Her voice was soft again, almost curious, eyes drifting to the driver through the rearview mirror.
Kunal exhaled, trying to compose himself. "It just... stopped working. Had to call my friend to send his car, and his driver came with it."
"Oh." She nodded faintly, her gaze lingered on the driver's reflection in the mirror for a second longer than usual, her mind still half-occupied... but not with the driver.
~??????~
Back at the Rathore Mansion...
Devraj's knuckles whitened around his crutches as he pushed himself up from the bed, jaw clenched tight.
Every movement was precised, but the frustration in his eyes said otherwise. He was halfway to the bathroom when the door creaked open.
Alia stepped in.
His entire body stiffened. Fury darkened his expression almost instantly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He snapped. "Didn't I tell you to leave?"
Alia flinched but walked towards him anyways, her eyes searching his face.
"Devraj..." she began softly, "I just came to talk. Please. I know I hurt you. I know what I did. what I caused. But I'm here to make things right."
His stare was ice. He took a step back with his crutch when she dared to move closer.
"You can't fix anything. Get. Out." The edge in his tone made her freeze. "I won't repeat myself."
But Alia's desperation broke through her restraint.
"I saw the way you looked at her." she said suddenly.
That stopped him.
Devraj's gaze lifted, dangerous now. "What?" he said, though his voice came out like a warning.
"I'm talking about, Ira.." she whispered.
The name, her name, hung in the air like a match to gasoline. His eyes flickered, betraying him for half a second. But, Alia caught it.
Her lips trembled into a small, knowing smile. "You don't look at women, Devraj. You never have. You can't even stand them close to you, and yet with her, you acted... different."
Devraj's jaw tightened..
"Use the door if you're done talking.." he said at last, turning toward the bathroom.
His grip on the crutch was so tight his knuckles turned white.
"Did you know." Alia's voice followed, trembling slightly, "she has a fiancé?"
Devraj froze mid-step.
The faintest twitch pulled at his jaw. His throat bobbed as he swallowed the rising anger, but it was too late, his control was slipping.
Alia saw the storm build in his eyes and smirked faintly, a trace of bitter triumph curling her lips.
I don't know what Ira means to him, but that will have to stop. He can't look at other woman, aside me.
"Leave, Alia.." Devraj said again, his tone colder now, but the tremor beneath it wasn't anger alone, it was jealousy. A dark, consuming kind.
"She has a fiancé, Devraj." Alia pressed on, as she following his every step.
"Stop talking, Alia.." Devraj growled, each word jagged, his chest heaving as his breathing became erratic. He limped toward the bathroom, clutching both crutches like lifelines.
But Alia didn't stop. She didn't see it, the way the air thickened, the storm building behind his eyes.
"She was even clinging to him when he came to pick her up a few minutes ago."
That one sentence cracked something inside him. Devraj froze mid-step.
His muscles tensed violently, his eyes dilating, pupils blown wide with raw, dark emotion, his hand on the crutch trembled slightly..
Alia, so close, had no idea that the aura around him had shifted, every inch of him radiating danger.
"Raj.." she said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, "listen... you can make her leave, and I'll stay here now, take care of you, I am here now. We can-"
Her words were sliced off by the violent crack of his crutch hitting the floor.
Devraj's hand shot out with terrifying speed, wrapping around her neck.
The pressure was suffocating; Alia gasped, clawing at his wrist, but his grip only intensified. Air left her lungs in a harsh, panicked rush.
Devraj's mind screamed with images he could no longer ignore, Ira, laughing, leaning on Kunal, touching him... smiling. Every second Alia's words lingered twisted the knife further. His control snapped.
The hand around Alia's throat held tight, almost bruising, veins standing out as his muscles coiled like steel cables.
"D..Devraj-" she choked out, clawing at his wrist, but his grip only tightened. His eyes were wild now, blackened by something primal.
"I. TOLD. YOU. TO. LEAVE." he hissed, every word slow and venomous. His eyes, locked on Alia's wide, terrified ones.
Alia's eyes widened in horror. She'd never seen him like this, his jaw flexed, his nostrils flaring, his stare so cold it felt inhuman.
She tried to speak, but no sound came out.
He pulled her close, so close she could feel the dark heat radiating off him, hear the sharp catch of his breath, the tendons in his neck tightening with fury.
"I will kill you.." he said, a soft growl that trembled with rage and obsession, "if I see you next to me again... or anywhere near... my Ira. She is mine. Not Kunal's."
Finally, he released her abruptly. Alia stumbled back violently, wheezing, coughing, clutching her neck where his grip had left angry red marks blossoming into a bruise.
Devraj picked up his fallen crutch with shaking hands and limped toward the bathroom.
"Get out." he muttered without looking at her.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Alia remained frozen for a heartbeat, then shakily pressed her hands to her neck, her body trembling. Her chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, her mind racing.
"Oh my God... what is wrong with him?" she whispered hoarsely, voice shaking as the adrenaline and fear coursed through her veins.
She finally stumbled out, leaving the door closed.
????