The other day, the grand reception had taken place. Many guests had been invited—most of them business partners and friends. The evening’s exhaustion had taken a toll on everyone, and by nightfall, the entire household had fallen asleep early. After all, everyone had to resume their work the next day.
The Rajput family was seated at the dining table when the couple, Aakash and Shashi, arrived for breakfast. The morning air was filled with chatter, most of it centered around a shocking headline from the news:
> “23 anonymous men found dead in Delhi two days ago, all missing their heads and hearts. In a chilling development, Karnataka police have now found 2.3 heads near an abandoned 150-year-old fort close to the Trivandram bridge. Forensic reports confirm a DNA match. But who did this? Is it a political stunt or a business rivalry? And the most disturbing question—why are the hearts still missing?”
The room fell silent, the atmosphere charged with disbelief. Everyone was visibly shocked—except Shashi. She seemed entirely unbothered, casually sipping her morning coffee. With every sip, a smile played on her lips.
Sarthak was the first to notice.
"Why are you smiling, Shashi?" he asked, frowning.
She simply shook her head, and her smile widened.
Everyone was stunned. It was the first time they’d seen her smile like that.
“It doesn’t seem like everything is alright…” Aparna murmured, her eyes narrowing.
“The news,” Shashi replied cryptically.
Everyone looked at one another, confused. What was so amusing about such horrifying news?
Only if they knew.
“It’s Didu,” Akriti suddenly choked on her drink. “What?!” she exclaimed.
“How?” Sarthak asked, still processing.
“The hearts are missing... and only Laksha Oberoi loves keeping something memorable from every moment,” Shashi said proudly, her smile now a smirk and her eyes gleaming with mischief.
The Rajputs already knew Laksha was involved in the mafia world. But they never imagined she'd strike in India. She was the infamous Japanese Mafia Queen, after all.
“Thank God she didn’t do anything in our city, otherwise there’d be a curfew by now,” Shashi quipped, casually rising from her seat. “Anyway, I’m getting late. I should leave. Bye!”
“Beta, breakfast?” Aparna called after her.
“It’s fine. I have a habit,” Shashi responded.
“You’re not going anywhere without having breakfast,” Aparna insisted.
“Ma’am, it’s fine. I have a habit,” she repeated.
Aparna frowned, gently placing her hand on Shashi’s cheek.
“Mom, Mamma, Af, Ma, Ammi, Amma… Mummy. Call me any of these, beta. But please—not ‘Ma’am’.”
Shashi blinked rapidly, trying to compose herself. Aparna noticed the reaction but said nothing more.
“There’s no pressure, beta. But at least... try,” she said softly.
Shashi gave a small nod and walked out.
---
Evening:
Everyone had returned from work, except Shashi. Her phone was switched off, and tension was thick in the air. Aakash had tried calling her several times. Sarthak was visibly agitated, barking orders at the guards in the living room.
“Are you appointed to enjoy here? Do you even know who she is?! What if something had happened to her? Are you guys fu—”
Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps interrupted. Heads turned. There she was—their Shashi, walking in with visible exhaustion on her face.
“What’s happening? Is everything alright?” she asked.
Akriti immediately stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.
“Thank God you’re safe,” she whispered.
Shashi frowned, clearly confused by the dramatic reaction. Before she could question further, Sarthak spoke up.
“Go freshen up, Shashi. We’ll have dinner together.”
She nodded, went upstairs, and returned soon after a quick shower. That night, they all ate peacefully.
---
Later That Night:
Shashi sat on the bed, her laptop on her lap, specs perched on her nose, headphones in place. She typed away with laser-sharp focus.
Aakash, seated on the couch, simply stared at her.
This messy bun with a pen holding it together... those petal lips, long lashes—uff, wifey, what have you done to me? You’ve turned this jerk into a puppy. You’re my magician. In just three days, your scent has become my oxygen. Your skin... it glows, baby.
Those were his thoughts as he watched her.
Once she was done, Shashi cleared the bed, did her night routine—moisturizer, lip balm, warm milk—and finally crawled under the sheets.
“Listen, did I kick or slap you in my sleep?” she suddenly asked.
“I slept on the couch,” he replied.
“Why? Just because it’s a contract doesn’t mean you’ve lost your rights. If you’re uncomfortable sleeping next to me, just tell me—I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“No... aap kabhi bhi couch par nahi so sakte…”
([You can never sleep on the couch…])
“If I can sleep there, why can’t you? You’re so tall, how did you even fit on that thing?”
“Fine. Let’s sleep on the bed.”
“And if I kick or slap you, just wake me up.”
They both lay on either side of the bed. Aakash was about to turn off the lights, but then he remembered—she slept with them on. He smiled, turned his head to the pillow, and whispered:
“Good…”
But she was already fast asleep.
His hand rested near his face—until hers slid over it. He opened his eyes and looked over, surprised. Her small, soft hand lay over his large, rough one. And then—without thinking—he intertwined their fingers.
There was no intimacy between them, not yet. But in that moment, this—this simple hand-holding—felt more intimate than anything he’d ever experienced.
You look like a cute little baby, mi alma, he thought.
I never believed in butterflies. But you—just by existing—make me feel them. Don’t do this to me, baby. Please…
---
Author’s Note:
Hey lovelies,
Hope you liked this chapter!
She’s the sister of a mafia queen... but do you think she might be like her too?
Please comment and vote if you enjoyed it—
Your feedback is always welcome, and yes, feel free to po
int out my mistakes!
With love,
Lava23
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