Hey cuties!

Firstly, a sincere apology to all of you for leaving without an update or an announcement. It was totally my mistake, but I got completely swept up in my cousin brother's wedding! It was so hectic with all the pre-wedding rituals and Haldi. I honestly thought I’d find some time to write, but I didn't expect my cousins to be around me 24/7.

They didn't let me write a single chapter!

To make matters worse, they kept checking my phone—which is so irritating, right? I actually had to hide my Wattpad app for a few days just to be safe! I thought I’d be free after the wedding, but then came my cousin's half-saree function. I’m honestly exhausted.

My house became a total jungle of clothes and jewelry; my sleep schedule is a mess, and I’m just drained from the back-to-back functions.

I’m getting back on track now and will be following our old update schedule again. Thank you so much for checking in on me and asking if I’m okay—it truly means a lot 🥺. Once again, I'm sorry for making you wait so long for an update!

Love you all! ✨💖

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The room was draped in the soft, silver glow of the moonlight, the only sound being the rhythmic hum of the air conditioner and their synchronized breathing. After the fire and intensity in the washroom, the bedroom felt like a sanctuary of raw, lingering desire.

Devarsh and Nidhi were tangled together on the oversized bed, lost in a sleep that was more like a deep, sensual trance.

Devarsh’s heavy, muscular arm was wrapped like an iron band around her waist, pulling her back against him so firmly that there wasn't a sliver of air between them.

Nidhi had shifted in her sleep, turning slightly towards him on her side, her body instinctively seeking his heat.

She was wearing one of his crisp white formal shirts—the fabric oversized on her petite frame, the sleeves rolled up, and the scent of his cologne clinging to the threads.

The top few buttons had come undone in their earlier restlessness, leaving the smooth, ivory skin of her chest exposed to the cool night air.

Devarsh, even in his sleep, was a man possessed by her. His face was dipped low, buried in the soft swell of her chest. His mouth was still firmly attached to her left nipple through the slight opening of the shirt, his lips creating a gentle, unconscious suction even as he dreamed.

Nidhi’s hands were curled tightly into the nape of his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling his head even closer as if she were afraid he might pull away.

"Mmm... Devv," she whimpered softly in her sleep, her back arching slightly as his stubble grazed her sensitive skin.

The sensation woke him up. His eyes didn't open immediately, but his grip on her waist tightened, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of her hip. Sensing her movement, he didn't pull away instead, he let out a low, vibrating growl and sucked her nipple deeper into his mouth, his tongue swirling over the hard peak through the thin cotton.

"Ahhh... ah," Nidhi moaned, her eyes fluttering open to find the room bathed in shadows. She felt the wet heat of his mouth, the weight of his body, and the possessive way he was holding her.

Devarsh slowly lifted his head, his eyes dark and heavy with sleep and lingering lust. He looked up at her, his lips glistening. He didn't say a word. He just moved his hand from her waist, sliding it slowly up the inner thigh of her bare leg, his touch searing.

"I told you... I’m not letting you go," he rasped, his voice a deep, morning-rough rumble that sent a shiver straight to her core.

He leaned back down, not for her nipple this time, but for her lips. He kissed her with a slow, agonizing sweetness that tasted of promises and possessiveness, while his hand continued its steady, upward journey under the hem of his shirt.

Nidhi let out a broken moan, her legs tangling with his, her heart hammering against his chest. In the quiet of the night.she realized she never wanted this night to end.they didn't realise when they went to sleep.

.

.

.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden. Nidhi stirred slowly, her senses returning one by one.

The first thing she felt was the damp heat on her chest. She looked down to see Devarsh, looking like a helpless child in his sleep. He was still latched onto her through the open buttons of his white shirt, his breathing deep and steady.

"Mmm..." Nidhi moaned lowly, the sensation sending a tiny shiver through her.

She looked at his face—so peaceful, so different from the man who barked orders at work. She slowly reached out, her fingers dancing through his hair, massaging his head. Who would have thought? she wondered. From hating each other to this.

Reluctantly, she began to pull away. "Devarsh... let go," she whispered. As she gently eased his mouth away from her skin, Devarsh let out a small, subconscious whine, his brow furrowing as he felt his comfort disappearing.

"Shhh... it's okay, go back to sleep," she cooed, patting his head softly like she was soothing a baby. He settled back into the pillow with a huff, and Nidhi slipped out of bed, heading to the washroom.

A little later, Nidhi emerged, looking fresh in a simple, elegant kurti set. She was pinning her hair when she saw Devarsh sitting up, rubbing his eyes and looking completely disoriented. With his messy hair and sleepy eyes, he looked adorable—a side of him only she was allowed to see.

Devarsh’s eyes found her, and a slow, sleepy smile stretched across his lips. In two long strides, he was across the room. He didn't say a word; he just pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent.

"Tired?" Nidhi whispered, her hands automatically finding his head to massage the tension away.

"Hmmm..." Devarsh mumbled into her skin, his arms tightening around her waist.

Nidhi smiled, leaning her head against his. "So... since someone is so sleepy, can we take a day off? Just stay here?"

Devarsh pulled back just enough to look at her, though he kept her close. "I wish. But Arjun is on leave today. If I don't go, the office will turn into a circus."

Nidhi laughed softly. "Right. The big boss can't have that." She looked at him amusingly. "So, Akka and Bava finally left for their honeymoon?"

"Yes," Devarsh said with a smirk. "Finally some peace for them. Now, go, go... let me get ready or we’ll be late for the office."

Nidhi gave him a playful push toward the washroom. "Go! I'll wait for you at breakfast."

The dining hall felt massive and strangely silent as they sat down. Usually, Arjun would be cracking jokes or Divya would be teasing them about something, but today, it was just the two of them.

"It’s too quiet," Nidhi remarked, serving him some breakfast. "I actually miss Arjun’s nonsense."

Devarsh looked at the empty chairs and then back at her. "Enjoy the silence while it lasts, Nidhi. Once we get to the office, it’s all going to be files, meetings, and stress."

They finished their meal in a comfortable, intimate silence, both of them knowing that as soon as they stepped out the door, they had to be professionals—but the marks hidden under their collars told a very different story.

The day at the office was moving at its usual pace. Nidhi was busy with her tasks, but her eyes kept drifting toward the glass partition of the main cabin.

Devarsh was completely buried in his work, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he reviewed a stack of reports. He hadn't looked up once.

Nidhi sighed, leaning her chin on her palm and resting her elbow on the desk. She watched him with a dreamy expression, a playful mischief bubbling up inside her.

"Eppudu pane naa... oksari nannu choodochu kadha Devarsh garuuu..." (Always work, work, work... can't you look at me just once, Devarsh garu...) she whispered to herself, her lips forming a small, cute pout.

Just as the words left her mouth, Devarsh’s head snapped up. His sharp gaze landed directly on her, pinning her to her seat.

Nidhi’s heart skipped a beat. She stumbled over her own breath, her composure shattering instantly. She felt caught—like a child who caught eating chocolate at night.

Her mind went into a frantic scramble, her thoughts tripping over each other as she realized he might have actually heard her.

She sat up perfectly straight in a second, her back stiff as a board. Did he listen to that? Please tell me he didn't hear me! she screamed internally.

She grabbed the nearest file and stared at it with intense, fake focus. She slowly, cautiously, lifted her eyes just a fraction to see if the coast was clear.

Devarsh was still looking at her. He wasn't just looking he was watching her deeply, his eyes burning with an unspoken intensity. A slow, knowing smirk formed on his lips—the kind that told her he had heard every single word of her whispered complaint.

Nidhi’s eyes locked with his for a split second, and the heat in that smirk made her stomach flip. Panicked, she immediately downed her head again, burying her face in the file and pretending to read the same line over and over, her heart racing against her ribs.

Devarsh leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving her. He didn't say a word, but the silence in the office suddenly felt heavy and filled with the same electricity they had shared in the washroom.

He picked up his phone and typed a quick message, his smirk widening as he hit send.

Bzzzt.

Nidhi’s phone vibrated on her desk. She peeked at it

Devarsh: If you want me to look at you that badly, why don't you come inside and give me a better reason to stop working?

Nidhi felt her ears turn bright red. She didn't dare look up. She knew if she did, she’d melt right there under his gaze.

Nidhi’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her heart hammering against her ribs. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her professional cool, and typed back with a defiant spark in her eyes.

Nidhi: "I'm not looking at you! And you... you should do your work rather than watching me, Mr. Devarsh! 😤"

She hit the send button with a triumphant little tap, watching through the glass as Devarsh picked up his phone. She saw his eyes scan the screen, and for a second, the stern Hitler of the office disappeared, replaced by a man whose face broke into a genuine, handsome smile.

Nidhi felt a flutter in her stomach. He's smiling because of me, she thought, her own lips twitching.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated again.

Devarsh: "I can do much more than just seeing, Nidhi. Don't challenge me in my own office."

Devarsh: "And If you don't stop biting your lip while reading this, Nidhi, I’m going to come out there, drag you into this cabin, and lock the door. And believe me, I won't be stopping even if you ask"

Nidhi’s breath hitched. She looked up, and this time, she didn't look away. Devarsh was leaning back in his leather chair, his phone resting on the desk, his eyes locked onto hers with a look that was both predatory and incredibly romantic.

Nidhi typed again.

Devasrh chuckled and sent another text.

Nidhi broke into a beautiful smile.

Nidhi had just settled back into her work, her face still flushed from the wicked messages he had sent. She kept her head down, but her eyes would occasionally peek toward the main cabin.

Inside, Devarsh was mid-sentence in a report when his phone lit up on the desk. He glanced at the caller ID, and his entire demeanor shifted instantly. The playful, smirking husband vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp alertness. He stood up abruptly, pacing the length of his cabin as he listened to the voice on the other end.

Nidhi noticed the change immediately. She saw his jaw tighten and his eyes turn icy. He hung up the phone and grabbed his blazer from the back of the chair.

Instead of calling her inside, Devarsh stepped out of his cabin and walked toward Nidhi's desk. He didn't stop, but as he passed her, he slowed down just enough to catch her eye. He signaled her with a sharp, serious nod—a silent command. He pointed to his watch and then to her lunch box, indicating she should eat on time and not wait for him.

Nidhi looked up at him, worried by the sudden darkness in his expression. She gave a small, quick nod.

Devarsh didn't go to the boardroom. He pressed the button for the basement. He assumed Arjun had followed his instructions to bring the MP there for a conversation. His head security had messaged him: “Target is secured. Awaiting your orders.”

He reached the dimly lit basement, the air smelling of damp concrete and motor oil. He expected to find the security head handling the dirty work, but as the heavy metal door creaked open, he froze.

The sound of dull thuds and pained groans echoed through the space. A figure was Relentlessly kicking the MP, who was tied to a chair, bloody and gasping for air.

It was Shiva, his best friend, who was currently delivering a brutal kick to the ribs of the man tied to the chair—the MP who had drugged Devarsh.

"Shiva!" Devarsh called out, his voice echoing loudly through the concrete room.

Shiva stopped for a fraction of a second, his chest heaving with exertion as he glanced sideways.

He saw Devarsh standing there, his jaw clenched so tight the muscles were pulsing. Despite seeing his friend, Shiva didn't stop. he turned back and delivered one more brutal blow to the MP’s face, the sound of the impact echoing like a gunshot in the silent basement.

Devarsh’s patience snapped.

He strode forward, the polished soles of his shoes clicking dangerously against the concrete. He reached out and forcefully pulled Shiva back, his fingers clutching Shiva’s collar in a white-knuckled grip.

"That's enough!" Devarsh growled, his voice a low, lethal vibration.

Shiva didn't flinch. He looked Devarsh straight in the eyes, his own gaze burning with a protective fury that mirrored Devarsh's own. For a tense moment, the two best friends stood locked in a silent battle of wills.

Devarsh eventually exhaled, his grip loosening as he realized Shiva was acting out of the same raw protective instinct he felt for Nidhi. He released the collar and instead clutched Shiva’s hand firmly, pulling him away from the bloodied man and toward a smaller, private side room.

As they walked, Devarsh gave a single, sharp nod to the head of security.

The man understood the unspoken command instantly.

"Clean this up. Get him to the hospital under a fake name. I want him alive for now," Devarsh ordered over his shoulder.

The security team moved in, unbinding the same man who arranged the party who is also a business man and preparing to move his broken body. As Devarsh and Shiva walked away, but the man his face a mask of bruises and blood—slowly lifted his head. He watched the two men with a chilling, evil look in his eyes. His body was broken, but his mind was already weaving a dark, venomous plan to destroy the one thing Devarsh loved most.

Devarsh pushed Shiva into the small, private room and clicked the lock shut. Shiva didn't speak immediately he just paced around Devarsh, his eyes scanning him from top to bottom, checking for any lingering signs of the drugging or any injuries he might have missed.

Devarsh sighed, walking toward a heavy wooden chair and sinking into it. He gestured for Shiva to take the seat opposite him. "Vizag nundi eppudu vacchav?" (When did you come from Vizag?) Devarsh asked, his voice finally losing its edge.

"Night flight ki vaccha," (Came by the night flight,) Shiva replied curtly, still looking tense.

"Morning vacchi appude start chesava?" (You arrived this morning and started all this already?) Devarsh poured a glass of water and pushed it toward his friend. Shiva glanced at the glass but didn't touch it.

"Endhuku cheppaledhu?" (Why didn't you tell me?) Shiva demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"It was a small issue..." Devarsh began, trying to wave it off.

"It was NOT! He drugged you, that bastard!" Shiva’s voice suddenly roared, echoing off the walls. He slammed his fist on the table. "And you’re saying it’s a small issue? What if something had happened to you? Did you even think about Nidhi? If that bastard had succeeded, do you have any idea what her life would be like right now?"

Devarsh went quiet. The reminder of Nidhi’s vulnerability hit him harder than any punch. He leaned back and sighed deeply.

"Sorry. It was my mistake not to tell you. I thought I could handle it without dragging you back here."

Shiva stared at him for a long moment, the anger slowly draining out to be replaced by raw concern. He stood up and stepped toward Devarsh.

Devarsh stood as well, and in an instant, Shiva pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. Devarsh smiled, patting his friend’s back, realizing just how much Shiva had been panicking since he heard the news.

They pulled apart, and Devarsh cleared his throat. "Asalu vadu ekkada dorikadu?" (Where did you find the man?)

Shiva let out a dry, dark chuckle. "Morning Walking velthunnadu... lakkochesa." (He was out for a walk... I just dragged him here.)

Devarsh chuckled as well. Only Shiva would have the guts to snatch a sitting business off the street in broad daylight. They sat back down, their faces turning serious as they got into the logistics of the situation.

"We should do something before they strike again," Shiva said, his voice low. "Murali and his father... they aren't going to sit quiet after what happened to their pawn."

Devarsh nodded slowly. "I have a plan for Murali. He thinks he's playing a game of chess, but he doesn't realize I've already taken his Queen."

The tension broke slightly, and Devarsh leaned forward with a wink. "So... how is your secret girlfriend?"

Shiva’s tough exterior cracked for a second. "She is fine," he said, looking away to hide a small smile.

"Good. Now... how’s my sister?" Shiva asked, his voice softening. Even though they were best friends, Shiva always viewed Nidhi with the protective eye of a brother.

Devarsh stood up and grabbed his blazer. "She is okay. She's upstairs in the office right now, probably wondering where I disappeared to. Come, let's go meet her."

Shiva stood up, adjusting his shirt. "Let’s go. I need to make sure she’s not being troubled by her husband too much."

Devarsh laughed as they headed toward the elevator, the two most dangerous men in the city walking side-by-side to meet the one woman who held both of their hearts.

Devarsh and Shiva stepped out of the lift, their presence immediately commanding the attention of the entire floor. As they walked toward Nidhi’s workspace, Devarsh’s pace slowed. Through the glass, he saw Nidhi laughing, her face lit up with a genuine, bright smile as she chatted with Sravan.

Nidhi had always viewed Sravan as the brother she never had, and Sravan treated her with the same protective affection. But to Devarsh, the sight was like a Matchstick to a powder keg. His jaw tightened, and his hand curled into a white-knuckled fist at his side.

Shiva caught the movement and let out a silent, wicked smirk. He knew Devarsh better than anyone. Even back in college, Devarsh had used Shiva like a shadow to ensure no guy ever dared to breathe too close to Nidhi. he was a fiercely possessive husband.

Ahem.

Devarsh cleared his throat, the sound sharp and cold as ice. The laughter at the desk died instantly. Nidhi and Sravan looked up, startled.

Sravan stood up quickly, his posture straightening. "Good morning, Sir."

Devarsh didn't return the greeting. His eyes were fixed on the files on Nidhi's desk. "Is the work I assigned to you finished, Sravan?"

"Yes, Sir. I completed the quarterly audits," Sravan replied politely.

"Good. Then you're free to handle the new vendor reconciliation reports for the next three years. I've just sent the raw data. Go and check your mail," Devarsh said, his tone final and dismissive.

The smile vanished from Sravan’s face as he realized he had just been handed a week’s worth of tedious work in a single senten