As Vihaan watched from across the room, his gut churned with disgust. Men with lecherous grins and roaming hands seemed to think Gauri was their plaything, and his blood boiled at the sight. Without hesitation, he strode across the room, his eyes locked on Gauri.
Gauri, lost in her own world, didn't notice him approach. But as a firm hand wrapped around her wrist, she spun around, startled. Her eyes widened in surprise, scanning the stranger's face, but she couldn't place him behind the disguise.
"Let's go," Vihaan growled, his voice low and commanding, as he pulled her toward the exit.
Gauri's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape or someone to help her, but Vihaan's grip only tightened. He stopped at the reception desk, peeling off a few crisp notes to pay for a night with Gauri.
As the receptionist handed Vihaan a key, Gauri's eyes grew wide with shock and fear. She tried to pull her hand free, but Vihaan's grip was unyielding. "What do you think you're doing?" she spat, trying to keep her voice low.
Vihaan's eyes locked onto hers, a fierce intensity burning within them. "We need to talk," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the music, as he dragged her toward the stairs, leading her to a fate unknown.
Vihaan pulled Gauri into a dimly lit room, the door creaking shut behind them. The air was thick with tension as he turned to face her, his eyes burning with an intensity that made Gauri's heart race.
Gauri backed away, her eyes fixed on Vihaan's, as he began to approach her. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. Her hands trembled as she raised them, palms outward, in a futile attempt to ward him off.
"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "don't come any closer."
Vihaan's face was a mask of determination, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing. He kept moving forward, his steps slow and deliberate, as Gauri continued to back away, her eyes wide with fear.
The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in around them, as Vihaan's presence seemed to fill the space. Gauri's breath came in short gasps, her heart pounding in her chest, as she desperately sought an escape from the terror that loomed before her.
Vihaan's hands rose to his face, and he peeled off the disguise, revealing his true identity.
Gauri's eyes widened in shock as she stumbled backward, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Mr. Vihaan!" she stammered, her voice trembling.
Vihaan's face broke into a low, amused chuckle, the sound sending shivers down Gauri's spine.
"W-why are you laughing, Mr. Vihaan?" Gauri asked, her voice shaking as she tried to process the sudden turn of events.
Vihaan's chuckle grew louder, his eyes glinting with mockery. "I'm laughing at your hypocrisy, Gauri," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Some while ago, you were standing in front of my mom, arguing with her, saying she was misunderstanding and judging your character… and you defended yourself so proudly. My cousin brother even took your side after you left—he supported you. I wish he was here now, to see you for who you really are."
Gauri's face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears as his words sliced through her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Vihaan's next words cut her off like a blade.
"Don't bother lying, Gauri. I've seen enough. The question is—what were you thinking, getting yourself involved in something like this?"
He leaned closer, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Oops, tell me… how much are they paying you?" His tone dripped with mockery, as if the answer didn't matter, as if he already knew.
Gauri's face burned with shame and humiliation, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. Her voice cracked when she finally spoke. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Vihaan…"
Vihaan's expression hardened instantly, his voice laced with disgust. "I didn't expect you to be so cheap, Gauri. Just how low will you stoop for money?"
Gauri's eyes filled with tears, her body trembling. She raised her shaking hands as if trying to shield herself from his words. "You don't understand, Mr. Vihaan… I had no choice…"
Her voice broke, desperation raw in her tone. "I had to do it… I didn't have any other option. Please, you have to believe me."
But Vihaan's jaw tightened, his anger unrelenting. "Save it, Gauri. I don't want to hear your excuses. You're just a…" He paused, his lips curling in disdain. "You're just a disappointment."
Gauri's body shook with sobs, his words cutting deeper than any blade. She stumbled back, her heart shattering at his scorn.
Vihaan's gaze locked onto hers, burning with intensity as he stepped closer. In a sudden rush of emotion, he leaned forward, attempting to kiss her.
But Gauri's instincts surged—her palm lashed out, connecting sharply against his cheek with a resounding slap.