Page 14
Story: The Deceit
I step into my office, my mind still reeling from what happened inside the elevator. The feel of Vishnu’s grip on my neck, his dominance and that overbearing proximity between us scares me like never before. His presence in New York already feels like a tornado sweeping through the carefully constructed world I’ve built here. I pace back and forth, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor, each step echoing the rapid beating of my heart.
Yesterday, when I opened my door to find Vishnu standing there, it was like being hit by a tidal wave of emotions. Shock, fear, and an undeniable surge of attraction all warred within me. He looked even more handsome than I remembered, his features somehow sharper and more defined. And the way his eyes locked onto mine, even after all these months apart, sent a shiver down my spine.
I couldn’t help but notice how his body had filled out. For a moment, I was transported back to India, back to a time when his mere presence would make my heart race. But then reality crashed in, bringing with it the weight of my secrets, the ones I desperately wanted to keep hidden from him. I think back to the moment Vishnu saw my son. The shock and hurt in his eyes were unmistakable.
A knock at my office door snaps me out of my reverie. It’s Julie, my assistant, her face etched with concern.
“Simran? Are you okay?” she asks, stepping inside. “Who is that man out there? He’s inspecting the entire place like there’s some kind of problem.”
I force a smile, trying to appear nonchalant. “That’s Vishnu. It’s just... what he’s famous for. Don’t worry about it.”
“Famous for what exactly? He seems pretty intense,” Julie replies, her brow furrowing.
I sigh, realising I need to give her some kind of explanation. “He’s… an old friend from India. He’s very... protective. Just give him access to any information he needs, but nothing personal, okay?”
Julie nods, still looking puzzled. “Alright. Oh, and Peter is here for your meeting. Should I send him in?”
“Yes, please. Thank you, Julie.”
As she leaves, I sink into my chair, my mind whirling worry. Vishnu’s presence here complicates everything. I know he means well and is here to protect me. The threat I’ve been facing is scary, yes, but is it really worth upending my entire life over it?
Shaking my head, I try to focus on the present. Peter is an important client, and I can’t afford to be distracted while dealing with him. I open my laptop, checking the security feed outside out of habit. My breath catches as I spot Vishnu in the lobby, his eyes narrowed as he watches Peter approach. Even from here, I can see the suspicion in his gaze.
“God, this is getting serious, isn’t it?” I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair.
Just then, the door opens, and Peter walks in, all smiles and charm. I stand to greet him, pushing thoughts of Vishnu and the masked stalker to the back of my mind.
“Peter, welcome. Please, have a seat.”
“Who’s that dashing hunk at your office? Another client?” he asks, giving me a casual hug.
I try not to judge the sudden gleam in his eyes for Vishnu and keep my reply crisp.
“He’s a friend.”
“Your friend, huh?” Peter grins, and I shake my head with a chuckle.
As we dive into our meeting, discussing fabric choices and design concepts, I can’t help but feel a bit unreal. Here I am, talking about fashion and business deals, while just outside my door, my past and present are colliding in ways I never imagined.
I keep stealing glances at the security feed, again and again, watching Vishnu as he prowls around my boutique. His mere presence is both comforting and terrifying. I know he’ll do anything to keep me safe, but at what cost? What if he discovers about the choices I’ve made here?
As Peter talks, I nod and smile, but my mind is elsewhere. I recall the moment at my apartment door, feeling the electricity that sparked between Vishnu and me when our eyes met again after eighteen months. And then, there was this morning when his hand brushed against mine as he tried to enter my apartment and the way my skin tingled at his touch in the elevator.Bloody traitorous hormones!
I seriously need to think about the secrets I’ve kept hidden, as it all feels suddenly fragile, like a house of cards ready to topple at the slightest breeze.
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus on Peter. One thing at a time, I remind myself. Concentrate on this meeting now. Worry about Vishnu, the threats, and everything else later.
But even as I smile and discuss colour palettes, I can’t shake the feeling that my life is about to change drastically. Vishnu’s presence has opened a door to my past that I thought I’d closed forever. And now, standing on the threshold between who I was and who I’ve become, I’m terrified of what lies ahead.
CHAPTER 4
VISHNU
I stay vigilant in Simran’s boutique, my eyes constantly scanning the customers and staff for potential threats. The day unfolds around me, as Simran moves from one meeting to another, her voice animated as she discusses designs and patterns with clients and vendors. I can’t help but admire her professionalism, and the way she commands respect in this world she’s built for herself. I keep track of her every step, noting every person she interacts with, every door she passes through.
Julie, Simran’s personal assistant, has been a great help in explaining how things run around here. I learn that Simran offers home fittings for her elite clientele, a service she personally provides only for the most high-profile clients. It’s a clever business model, I think to myself, but it also presents security risks I’ll need to address.
As I study the boutique’s layout and security measures, I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something’s not right. The building’s security is subpar by New York standards, and the boutique itself has glaring vulnerabilities. The CCTV cameras are outdated, with blind spots that could easily be exploited. There’s little access control over who enters the areas where designs and fittings happen, which is another red flag. These flaws need to be fixed immediately.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14 (Reading here)
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189