Author pvo///

The air in the basement was thick with the scent of blood and burnt flesh. The walls seemed to absorb the screams, trapping them in the suffocating darkness.

"Please... please, I'm sorry..." The man's desperate pleas were cut off by his own agonized shriek as Vrishabh tightened his grip on the heated iron rod.

Abhishek, standing to the side, observed with a cold detachment before throwing another metal rod toward Vrishabh. It landed in his grip with a dull clang, the red-hot tip glowing menacingly in the dim light.

Vrishabh stepped closer, his movements slow, deliberate. The man tied to the chair thrashed, his wrists straining against the tight bindings. His breath came in ragged gasps, eyes wide with sheer terror.

Abhishek smirked, gripping the man's shoulders and forcing him still. "Ready," he said, to the man ,his voice was calm.

Vrishabh simply pressed the burning metal against his eye.

A bloodcurdling scream tore through the basement, a sound so raw, so filled with agony that even the air seemed to shudder. The smell of burning flesh thickened, suffocating. The man convulsed in his restraints, his cries morphing into broken, painful sobs.

The heavy metal door creaked open.

Raj stepped inside, his gaze landing on the gruesome sight before him. His face twisted in mild disgust as he exhaled sharply. "Is this really the first thing I have to see in the morning?"

Vrishabh remained silent, only letting go of the iron, letting it clatter to the floor as the guards stepped in to drag the barely conscious man away.

Raj leaned back in his chair, watching as the bloodied man was dragged away, his whimpers barely audible now. He shook his head, exhaling as if this was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

Vrishabh, however, remained motionless for a moment. Then, without sparing another glance at the ruined man, he spoke.

"Cut him into pieces," his voice was eerily calm, the weight of his words heavy in the suffocating air. "Pack them nicely and send them to Raghvendra Singh as a gift."

The guards stiffened but nodded immediately.

Vrishabh's smirk deepened, something dark glinting in his eyes. "It's his anniversary today. He'll be so happy."

Raj let out a short laugh, shaking his head."Your father must be losing his mind if he still thinks sending spies will change anything."

A muscle in Vrishabh's jaw twitched. His eyes darkened.

"You want to be the next gift vrishabha sent him?" Abhishek Said

Raj chuckled, standing from his chair. "Alright, alright. Message received."

Vrishabh's glare didn't waver, but he said nothing.

The basement fell silent once again, except for the distant sound of flesh being dragged.

Abhishek stormed toward Raj, as he remembers something, fury darkening his features.

Raj, seeing the murderous look in his eyes, immediately shot up from his seat, hands raised in defense. "It's not my fault, okay?" he blurted, his voice just a little too quick.

Abhishek's jaw tightened. "You bastard, you're the one who showed Sumati that damn video, didn't you?" His voice was low, dangerous lethal.

Raj smirked, though there was a nervous twitch at the corner of his lips. "What was I supposed to do? She asked. And you know I'm loyal I just showed her the clip where you were drunk and passed out at the bar."

Abhishek took a step forward, fury crackling off him like a live wire. "You fucking snake."

Raj shrugged, that damn smirk still on his face. "Relax. I was just being honest. And anyway, I haven't even shown her everything yet."

Abhishek stilled. His breath slowed, controlled, but the rage in his eyes deepened. "What do you mean?"

Raj sighed dramatically, then leaned in just slightly. "Well, there's another video. The one where that girl was all over you...."

Abhishek's nostrils flared. "She didn't fucking touch me. I was dragged into that shit."

Raj tilted his head, fake innocence dripping from his voice. "Yeah, but Sumati doesn't know that, does she?" He chuckled. "And let's be real... after seeing this next one? You won't just get hit with a pan this time. She'll burn you alive."

Vrishabha ignored the all drama and walked toward his room, stripping off his blood-stained clothes and tossing them aside before stepping into the bathroom. The hot water washed away the remnants of blood, but the darkness inside him remained.

After changing into fresh clothes, he made his way to Avani's room. As he pushed open the door, his gaze immediately swept across the space only to find the bed empty. His brows furrowed.

His jaw clenched. Where was she? Then, the faint sound of water running reached his ears. His eyes flicked toward the bathroom, and without hesitation, he pushed the door open.

Avani stood there, her back to him, gathering the blood-stained clothes and bedsheet, her hands gripping the fabric tightly. He could see the stiffness in her shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing?" His deep voice broke the silence, making her jolt.

She turned slowly, her fingers tightening around the stained sheet. "I-I'm washing them," she murmured.

His eyes darkened. "Leave it. The maids will handle it."

"No." Her voice, though soft, held an edge of defiance. "I don't want anyone else to do it. It's my blood... I don't want them to feel uncomfortable because of me."

For a moment, he said nothing, only watching her. Then, without another word, he moved.

Before she could step back, his arms were around her, lifting her effortlessly.

She gasped, struggling against him. "Put me down..."

One dark, warning glare from him silenced her. Her breath hitched as he carried her to the bed and laid her down.

His stormy gray eyes locking onto her deep brown ones. The air between them grew heavy, charged. His gaze drifted to her lips soft, tempting, slightly parted as if inviting him in.

Without hesitation, he claimed them. His lips consumed hers, deep and demanding, as he tangled her into a searing kiss. He sucked on her lower lip before nipping it, only to soothe it with a slow, teasing lick. His hand slid behind her head, fingers threading into her hair as he pulled her even closer. His other hand found its way to her waist, gripping firmly as he molded her against him.

Just as the kiss grew more intense, a sharp sound cut through the silence.

Avani gasped, attempting to pull away, but Vrishabh didn't let go. Instead, he deepened the kiss, making her breath hitch. Only when she was truly out of air did he finally release her, his forehead resting against hers as she panted.

Her dazed eyes flickered toward the source of the sound.

Puppy.

The tiny puppy stood at the side of the bed, barking furiously, his tail raised in defiance.

Vrishabh's jaw clenched. Without a word, he reached down and grabbed puppy by the scruff, lifting him effortlessly.

Avani's panic spiked. She scrambled up, her voice urgent. "Please... leave him!"

But puppy wasn't afraid. If anything, he barked even louder, growling at Vrishabh as if he were the biggest threat in the world.

Vrishabh raised a brow, as if unimpressed.

At that moment, the puppy twisted in his grip, breaking free. Instead of running, the puppy let out one last sharp bark before dashing toward the door stopping only to look back at Avani as if urging her to follow.

Avani swallowed hard, unsure of what to do.

Vrishabh's jaw tightened, but Avani hesitated at first, She hurried after the puppy, her heartbeat still erratic.

Puppy led her straight to the kitchen.

Inside, Sumati was busy preparing breakfast, her hands moving skillfully over the dishes. The moment she saw them, she smirked knowingly.

"Good job," she murmured, glancing at puppy before turning to Avani.

Avani blinked in confusion.

Sumati wiped her hands on a cloth, her expression amused. "I told him to bring you here for breakfast," she revealed, nodding toward the smug-looking puppy.

The puppy, clearly pleased with himself, strutted over to his bowl as Sumati served him, her affection obvious.

Avani couldn't help but smile as she watched. It had become a habit now having breakfast here, in the warmth of the kitchen, rather than in the cold silence of the dining hall.

Sumati placed two plates on the small table, a familiar routine by now.

She knew Vrishabh never ate breakfast.

And that was the only reason she was spared.

Because if he did, she knew exactly how it would go.

Every time he ate at home, he made her sit on his lap. Fed her himself.

Just the memory made her stomach tighten.

She was about to sit when....

A sharp sound made Sumati's head snap toward the doorway.

Her expression hardened, her usual warmth vanishing instantly.

Avani knew that look.

Sumati was kind, patient, someone who never got angry easily.

There was only one person in this house who could make her blood boil like that.

Abhishek.

Avani barely had time to register his presence before he cleared his throat, his voice filled with mock innocence.

"Water. I need water." His gaze was fixed on Sumati, a slow smirk playing at his lips.

Sumati's jaw clenched, but she moved, filling a glass. When she placed it on the table in front of him, it wasn't gentle it was a clear message.

Abhishek picked up the glass, but not before flashing her a knowing look.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Avani glanced between them, confusion knotting in her chest.

There was something here something unspoken.

And for some reason, the tension between them unsettled her more than she could explain.

As Avani finished her breakfast, chatting with Sumati about random things, she finally made her way back to her room. She hoped Vrishabh had already left he usually went offline by this time.

She had canceled her plans to go to college today; the lingering soreness in her body served as a reminder of everything that had happened.

Sighing, she reached for her door and pushed it open...

A loud sound made her flinch.

Her heart jumped as she turned toward the bathroom. The noise had come from inside.

Cautiously, she moved forward, her fingers trembling as she gripped the doorknob.

She hesitated.

Then, slowly, she pushed the door open just a crack....

And the sight before her made her freeze.

_____________________________

Vote and comment ✨