Chapter 2 | Him
Morning monotony has been my thing for a long time now. I’ve been practicing it as a routine for almost half my life now. Getting up and getting out to run for a mile or two, mostly because it’s what brings peace in the background chaos of my mind.
A dedicated fitness regime has ever since helped me feel grounded, or my rage fits would have left me in pieces. Depression would have otherwise crushed whatever was left of me after mom’s death.
To ground my anxiety even further, I kept myself busy in activities that in turn triggered others. Stealing data being one of them, and honestly it has been paying me off really well. Taking up a career in data science and specializing in cyber security has not been a bad decision after all.
A regular coder by day, a professional hacker by night. And a professional killer after midnight.
But not all of my methods are corrupt. Investing in crypto and real estate has also been one of my hobbies and have proved greatly helpful in covering my tracks. While also being of great use in buying myself the peace that I normally crave, away from the insanity of people.
I bought myself a few housing units here just because it looked serene by definition. Outskirt of the city goes well with my vibe, I guess. It was also close to my private workplace hidden in the middle of the forests about fifteen minutes from this place.
Little did I know it would become the one thing I needed to buy me the proximity that I desired all these years.
The moment I spot a red rose, her face when she acknowledged my roses last night flashes through my mind. I pluck and hide it inside my tee, on purpose.
An old marriage ritual I heard about as a kid. If you bind yourselves in each other’s blood, then the forces of nature bind you together forever.
That’s precisely my goal with her, so why not?
I make sure the thorns prick on my skin enough to draw blood, before hiding the spots beneath the jacket and hoping she hurts herself for the sake of the ritual.
And no, that’s not mean.
Shutting away the moral police inside my head, I smile to myself before shaking off the picture from my delusional ass of a head.
IT’S 7 IN THE MORNING, so the usual crowd of the day is mostly absent. Only a few fitness freaks jogging alongside children rushing for their school bus and some oldies who like getting up early for the fresh air.
I turn a right, walk for few, and then another left crossing the arched gateway and the gardens, on my way back to my penthouse.
Straight ahead is a temple. I spot two people inside and can’t deny but one of them is really hard to take my eyes away from. Not that I could ever cheat on my muffin, but the woman has an intriguing similarity to her.
I get inside joining my hands, as the woman turns to face me. My jaws drop to the floor and I desperately try shutting my stupid – stupid mouth that seems to have locked in place. You’ll look creepy if you keep staring at her with your jaws hanging down to the fucking ground. My mind yells.
My baby stands right before me, her soft gaze grazing my face, looking absolutely divine in a red Anarkali.
The sudden confusion on her features makes me realize that I’ve been staring at her while she’s holding something out for me.
“Oh – I’m – I’m sorry... I mean Thanks! I mean thanks for this...” Thanks? What the hell are you doing? Say something...start some conversation for God’s sake. Receiving the prasad from her, I try to force my voice box which is almost too stunned from the suddenness of our first real meetup.
She smiles with a nod of acknowledgement, before heading out.
Goddamn, follow her out!
“Are you – are you new around here? Never seen you before.” It’s difficult to conceal the nervousness and the obvious excitement in my voice.
“Yeah, I moved here three days ago.” That’s all I get from her, before she starts leaving again.
She’s not into making small talk to strangers. I know it and kind of love it!
Following her out, unconcerned even if it looks creepy, I keep asking questions for the sake of making some kind of conversation.
“Occasion or just a devotee?”
“Devotee, but kind of an occasion too.” Her cheeks redden just a bit before her eyes meet mine again, “It’s for my first job. I am supposed to join on Monday. So, I was like – why not show some gratitude...” She laughs softly. God I could die for that laugh.
“Right, bribing God is totally acceptable.” Shit! That joke was stupid and unneeded.
But then she laughs again. A sheepish grin flashes on my lips, while a series of curses flood inside my head for thinking of putting my mouth on hers right in front of the temple.
Getting a hold of that addictive laughter, she smiles at me, “You live here?”
Yes – I did it! She’s making progress.
“No, I’m staying at a friend’s place.” I lie blatantly, returning the smile.
“Oh, okay.”
That’s it!
Silence screams between us, begging me to say something before she starts walking off again.
“Wait – So, are you free anytime soon –” The words leave my mouth before I get a chance to assess if the risk of asking her out is worth it. She could reject my offer, considering we’ve just met.
At least, that’s what she believes.
But now when I have taken the leap, I might as well try to salvage the situation. “I mean I could show you around. I come here very often so I know every nook and corner of this area... if you’re comfortable –”
Her brows furrow as she possibly talks herself out of the situation inside that sweet innocent mind of hers. But I’ll interrupt; because I have to somehow convince her into saying yes.
“I mean you would be surprised at how many hidden gems this place has.” I interrupt her thought process.
“I don’t know, maybe...”
Still unsure?
Can’t deny that I actually feel proud of her for not saying yes to a stranger right away.
“I won’t kidnap you; I promise... wait what’s your name?” The smirk on my face must look funny, because she is suppressing a chuckle. What she doesn’t know is that in my head, is a demon – looking at his meal with intent eyes.
I’m so afraid for you, muffin. So – so afraid!
She nods before offering me her phone, “The name’s Disha... Gimme your number. I’ll text you whenever I get time...”
“Pinky swears, you’ll call?” And the magical laughter that follows an eye roll at my choice of words, is freaking adorable. God help me! How bad I want to kiss her right now.
“I promise! Now, may I leave?” She smiles, signaling to the place where I am standing and I realize I was blocking her way the whole time.
No, you cannot. You’ll kneel right there while I shove my dick in that pretty mouth of yours.My gaze slips from her eyes to her pouty lips painted in ruby. A sinister smile rising at the thought of my cock smeared in her red lipstick.
I scoot to the side, making way for her to slide past, “As you please, ma’am. I’ll be waiting for that call, though.”
Her cheeks redden again; the reason – my good manners, possibly.
If only she knew.
She smiles while passing by me as I take in her chocolaty fragrance. This is going to be my favorite scent for a long time.
I release a pained moan, letting my dick get hard all over again. Suppressing the urge to let it rise and salute the beauty in front of me was one hell of an ordeal. But I for sure did not want to give her the impression of a total creep.
Not when I want her to see the gentleman in me. Which is entirely false, but she should not know that. Not for now.
That will be for her to find out when I corrupt her once and for all.