Chapter 4
781 Words
“Hate me all you want, Kiara… but you’ll never escape me.” — Rivan Shah
The glittering Mumbai skyline sprawled endlessly beyond the glass walls, mocking her. The penthouse was breathtaking high ceilings, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, walls of glass but to Kiara, it felt like a prison.
Her bare feet padded against the cold marble as she paced the massive living room. The city’s hum outside was drowned by the silence inside. Every tick of the antique clock on the wall reminded her that she was trapped.
The double doors creaked open.
Rivan Shah entered his presence like a storm in human form. He removed his suit jacket slowly, deliberately, as if he had all the time in the world. His obsidian-black shirt clung to his sculpted frame, and his expression was unreadable, save for the faintest curve of a smirk.
Kiara (snapping): “You think locking me up here will make me obey?”
Rivan (calm, smooth): “No, sweetheart. I didn’t bring you here to make you obey.”
(pauses, dark gaze locking with hers)
“I brought you here to remind you who owns you.”
She flinched but masked it with a glare.
Kiara: “I’m not your property, Rivan. You can’t just—”
Rivan (cutting her off, voice like velvet laced with venom):
“Can’t? Kiara, that’s cute. I don’t do ‘can’t.’”
She clenched her fists.
Kiara (sharply): “You’re insane.”
Rivan (smirking wider): “Obsessed. There’s a difference.”
Kiara grabbed the nearest object a glass of red wine and hurled it at him. It smashed against the wall, staining the ivory marble with blood-red streaks.
For a second, silence hung heavy. Then Rivan laughed softly, the sound low and dangerous.
Rivan: “Good. I like it when you fight. Makes taming you… entertaining.”
Before she could move, he was in front of her, caging her against the wall, one hand braced beside her head, the other gripping her chin.
Kiara (struggling): “Let me go!”
Rivan (whispering against her ear):
“Scream all you want, princess. No one can hear you here.”
She shoved him back with all her strength, surprising him enough to stumble slightly.
Kiara (yelling): “I HATE YOU, RIVAN! Do you hear me? I HATE YOU!”
Rivan (grinning darkly): “Louder. I want the whole damn city to know who you belong to.”
Her rage boiled over. She slapped him hard, the sound echoing in the silent penthouse.
Rivan didn’t flinch. Instead, he caught her wrist mid-air when she tried to slap him again. His grip tightened not enough to hurt, but enough to warn.
Rivan (low, deadly calm): “Careful, Kiara. You’re playing with fire.”
Kiara (glaring, voice trembling with fury): “Then watch me burn.”
Hours later, when the penthouse fell silent, Kiara made her move.
She tiptoed to the door, clutching her bag close to her chest. Every muscle in her body screamed for freedom.
She had just reached the elevator when a deep voice sliced through the darkness.
Rivan: “Going somewhere?”
She froze.
Turning slowly, she saw him leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, gaze like sharpened steel.
Kiara (lying): “I… I needed some air.”
Rivan (stepping closer): “Air? Or freedom?”
(pauses, smirking coldly)
“Bad news, princess. Neither exists without my permission.”
She ran.
Kiara bolted for the staircase, barefoot, heart racing. But before she could make it past the first landing, Rivan’s arm snaked around her waist, yanking her back against his chest.
Kiara (thrashing, screaming): “Let me go, you psycho!”
Rivan (growling softly into her ear): “Never.”
She fought like hell kicking, clawing, yelling until her throat burned but he only held her tighter, dragging her back to the penthouse.
Kiara (spitting fire): “I’ll never forgive you for this!”
Rivan (dark chuckle): “Who said I wanted forgiveness?
Back inside, Rivan shoved the door shut and locked it. Kiara collapsed onto the couch, panting, glaring at him with pure venom.
Kiara: “Why are you doing this to me?”
Rivan (coldly): “Because your father destroyed everything I loved.”
(steps closer, eyes burning with hatred)
“And now, Kiara… you’re going to pay the price.”
Her breath hitched.
Kiara: “So this is revenge?”
Rivan: “No.” (leans in dangerously close) “This is justice.”
But as he walked away, Kiara noticed something in his expression a flicker of something raw, unguarded, almost… broken.
And she realized one thing: Rivan wasn’t just obsessed with revenge. He was obsessed with her.
- Writer
