Boundless Obsession

Chapter 11: THE DEVIL'S WORKOUT

5:55 AM. Niya's eyes snapped open. Not because of an alarm. Because of fear.

Knock. Soft. Then the door opened. No privacy. Rule 7.

Vyan stood there. Already in black gym gear. Sweatpants. Tank top. Tattoo snaking up his left arm - a devil's wing. Hair damp. He'd been awake for hours.

"6 AM," he said. Voice rough from sleep or something darker. "You're late."

"By five minutes," Niya sat up. Blanket clutched to her chest. Not for modesty. For armor.

"Five minutes is five minutes less Ayaan has oxygen." Vyan walked in. Dropped clothes on her bed. Black sports bra. Leggings. "Wear this. Gym. Now."

He left. Door open. Watching. Always watching.

Niya changed fast. The clothes fit perfect. Of course they did. He owned everything about her now. Even her size.

Gym. 6:03 AM. Floor-to-ceiling windows. City still dark. Treadmill. Weights. Boxing ring in the corner. Vyan was already on the mat. Doing push-ups. Shirtless. Muscles moving like liquid steel.

"Late," he said without stopping. Voice steady. "Ten burpees. Penalty."

"I don't—"

"Rule 4, Niya." He stopped. Stood. Sweat glistening on his chest. Scar across ribs more visible now. "Don't make me repeat myself."

Niya dropped. Burpees. One. Two. Arms shaking by five. She hadn't eaten properly in days. By ten, she collapsed.

Vyan crouched beside her. Not helping her up. Just watching. "Weak," he tsked. "I don't own weak things. We fix that."

He stood. Held out a hand. Niya stared at it. Then ignored it. Pushed herself up. Legs trembling.

Vyan's eyes flickered. Approval? Annoyance? "Treadmill. 5K. Now."

Niya got on. Hit start. Legs felt like lead. Vyan leaned against the wall. Arms crossed. Watching every step. Every breath. Every drop of sweat.

"Why?" Niya gasped at 2K. Chest burning. "Why... gym?"

"Lesson 2," Vyan said. "Discipline. Control. Your body belongs to me, Niya. I won't have my property breaking down." He walked closer. Hit the speed button. Faster. "Also... I like watching you suffer. For me."

The belt moved faster. Niya stumbled. Caught herself. "You're... a psychopath."

Vyan laughed. Real laugh. Dangerous. "And you're running on my treadmill. In my clothes. In my house. So what does that make you?"

4K. Niya's vision blurred. 4.5K. Her lungs were fire. 5K. The machine beeped. She hit stop. Staggered off. Fell.

Didn't hit the floor. Vyan caught her. One arm around her waist. Pulled her up. Against him. His chest was hot. Sweaty. Hard. Her face pressed to his neck.

"Good girl," he whispered. Not mocking. Almost... proud? "You didn't quit."

Niya could feel his heartbeat. Fast. From workout or from her? She shoved away. Hard. "Don't touch me."

Vyan let her go. Raised hands. Mock surrender. "Rule 4, Ms. Sharma. But fine. No touching. Today." He grabbed a towel. Tossed it at her. "Shower. Breakfast. Then office. You're my PA now. Remember?"

He walked out. Leaving Niya shaking. From exhaustion. From his touch. From the way 'good girl' made something ugly curl in her stomach.

Shower. Hot water. Niya scrubbed her skin. Like she could wash him off. The VR chain stayed on. Mocking her.

Dining room. 7:30 AM. Breakfast. Protein. Eggs. Fruit. No coffee - he took it away. "Bad for stamina," he said.

Vyan was in a suit now. Back to CEO. No sign of the gym Devil. Except his eyes. Still watching.

"Eat all of it," Vyan said, reading reports on his tablet. Not looking up. "You burn 2000 calories today. Minimum. I checked."

Niya stabbed her eggs. "You checked my... calories?"

"I check everything, Niya. Your blood type. Your allergies. Your school records. Your last boyfriend." He finally looked up. "Rohit. Dumped you in college. You cried for three days."

Niya's fork froze. "You invaded my privacy."

"You signed it away," Vyan tapped his pocket. Contract. "Page 7. Clause 12. 'Employer has right to full background and medical access.' You didn't read it, did you?"

Of course she hadn't. She signed to save Ayaan.

"Finish," Vyan nodded at her plate. "Car leaves in 10 minutes. VR Group office. Floor 90. Your desk is outside mine. Where I can see you."

Office. VR Group Tower. 90th floor. All glass and steel. Employees froze when Vyan walked in. Whispers. Bows. Fear.

Niya's desk. Small. Right outside his office. Glass walls. No privacy. He could see her. Everyone could see her. The VR chain visible to all.

His assistant - the woman from yesterday - approached. "Sir, board meeting in 1 hour. And... Ms. Malhotra is here. Again."

Vyan's jaw ticked. "Send her in."

Niya looked up. Malhotra?

A woman walked in. Late 20s. Model. Red dress. Red lips. Red nails. Expensive. She went straight to Vyan. Kissed his cheek. Possessive. "Vyan, baby. You didn't call."

Vyan didn't move. Didn't push her away. Didn't welcome her. "Tara. I'm working."

Tara's eyes landed on Niya. Then the VR chain. Her smile died. "Who's this?"

"My new PA," Vyan said. Flat. "Niya Sharma."

Tara walked to Niya's desk. Looked her up and down. "PA? Since when do you hire PAs who dress like..." She trailed off. Smiled. Fake. "Cute chain. Gift from a boyfriend?"

Niya's blood boiled. Before she could answer, Vyan spoke.

"From me," he said. Still flat. But his eyes were on Tara. Cold. "It's mine. She's mine. Any problem?"

The office went silent. Everyone heard. Tara's face went white. Then red. "Yours? Vyan, we've been—"

"Sleeping together," Vyan finished. Stood. Buttoned his suit jacket. "Past tense, Tara. We're done. You have 10 minutes to clear your things from my penthouse. My staff will help you."

Tara gasped. "You can't just—"

"Rule 1," Vyan said softly. "Don't tell me what I can't do. Especially not in my building." He looked at security. They moved. "Escort Ms. Malhotra out. Cancel her access card. Permanently."

Tara was dragged out. Screaming. Crying. "You'll regret this, Vyan! I know things about you!"

Door shut. Silence. Employees pretended to work. Typing extra loud.

Vyan looked at Niya. "Lesson 3: What’s mine, I protect. What’s not... I discard." He went into his office. Glass door shut.

Niya sat there. Shaking. Not from fear. From rage. He'd just used her. To dump his girlfriend. To mark territory. 'She's mine' - like she was a car. A company.

Her phone buzzed. Text. From Vyan. Inside his office. 10 feet away.

"Coffee. Black. No sugar. Now. And Niya?"

She looked up. He was watching her through the glass.

"Smile when you bring it. Like a good fiancée."

Niya stood. Walked to the pantry. Hands shaking so bad she spilled coffee. Made another. Took it to his office.

Didn't knock. Entered. Set it down. Hard. Coffee sloshed.

Vyan didn't look up from his laptop. "You forgot to smile."

"Go to hell."

Now he looked up. Slowly. Smile spreading. That nightmare smile. "Rule 4, Niya. But I'll let it slide. Once. Because..." He stood. Walked around the desk. Until he was in front of her. "You looked like you wanted to kill Tara. For touching me. Admit it."

"I didn't—"

"Lie," Vyan whispered. "And what's Rule 2?"

His hand came up. Touched the VR chain. Finger traced it. Touched her skin. "Punishment for lying, Ms. Sharma..."

The door burst open. The assistant. Panicked. "Sir! Hospital's calling. It's about your brother—" She stopped. Saw them. Close. Vyan's hand on Niya's chain.

Vyan dropped his hand. Instant. Mask back on. "Put them through."

Speaker. Doctor's voice. "Mr. Rathore, Ayaan Sharma opened his eyes 5 minutes ago. He's asking for his sister."

The world stopped. Niya's heart. Her breath. Everything.

"Ayaan?" Her voice broke. "He's awake?"

"Yes, ma'am. He's weak but conscious. Vitals stable."

Niya turned to Vyan. Tears streaming. Not caring who saw. "I need to go. Now. Please."

Vyan studied her. For three seconds. Three years. Then nodded. "Take my car. Driver's downstairs. You have 2 hours."

Niya ran. Didn't say thank you. Couldn't. Ran out. Down the lift. Into the Bugatti.

"City Hospital," she told the driver. "Fast."

The whole way, she cried. Relief. Terror. Ayaan was awake. But for how long? What if Vyan changed his mind?

Hospital. Room 301. She burst in.

Ayaan. Eyes open. Pale. Thin. But alive. He saw her. Smiled. Weak. "Didi..."

Niya collapsed by the bed. Held his hand. Kissed it. "I'm here. I'm here, baby. I'm not leaving."

"Who... was that man?" Ayaan whispered. "On video... yesterday. Said he'd take care... of us?"

Niya froze. Vyan. He'd video called Ayaan? When?

"He said... you're his... family now," Ayaan's eyes closed. Exhausted. "Is that true, Didi?"

Niya looked at the VR chain. At her brother. At the machines keeping him alive. All paid by Vyan.

She lied. For the first time to Ayaan. "Yes, baby. He's... family. He saved you."

Ayaan smiled. Fell asleep.

Niya's phone buzzed. Vyan: "2 hours up. Car's waiting. Or do I tell the doctor to stop treatment? Your choice, student."

She stood. Kissed Ayaan's forehead. Whispered "I'm sorry."

And walked back to Hell.