The Price of Protection

Chapter 9: The Unexpected Sweetness

🌙 The Dark Encounter

Siddhi immediately went to the kitchen and began to prepare a special remedy. She didn't make just any dessert; she crafted a soft, star-shaped sweet cake designed with herbal properties to neutralize the intense spice and soothe stomach irritation. The texture was deliberately light, melting effortlessly in the mouth.

Carrying the tray, Siddhi walked up to the third floor and gently knocked on Veer Kapoor's bedroom door.

"Get lost, or I will kill you!" Veer's harsh, angry roar came through the wood.

Siddhi sighed, unfazed. She knew retreat was not an option if she wanted to prevent chaos that could affect Aryan. Taking deliberate, soft steps, she pushed the door open and slipped inside.

The room was plunged into darkness, illuminated only by the faint, silver glow of the moonlight pouring through the massive window. Veer, stripped down to his waist, was standing before the glass, his powerful back to her. The scene was cinematic, the moonlight outlining his muscular physique.

As Siddhi approached, Veer spotted her reflection in the windowpane behind him. His fury exploded.

"I told you! No one is allowed in here! How dare you disobey me and step inside my room?" he roared, spinning around and lunging forward.

In one swift, violent motion, Veer grabbed Siddhi's neck, his fingers tightening instantly. He slammed her back against the cool window. Siddhi's back met the glass, the tray in one hand, the other instinctively grabbing her wrist to prevent him from fully cutting off her air.

"You know I can kill you if I want," Veer hissed, his eyes blazing with manic anger.

Siddhi's gaze remained steady, locking onto his. Veer felt a strange jolt. She was not terrified; she was entirely calm, concentrating only on maintaining her footing and loosening his grip.

He smiled, a dark, predatory curl of his lips. "You are not scared of me."

Siddhi managed to speak, her voice slightly strained but controlled. "That person is scared who have bad intentions. Why should I be scared when I don't have any?" She delivered her calculated blow. "And one more thing, Karan, Big Brother is not home. If you create chaos, Aryan might hear the servants talking about it. That's why I came to your room."

Veer was genuinely surprised. She hadn't come to seduce him; she had come to protect his nephew's peace of mind.

Siddhi didn't waste the momentary lapse in his concentration. With a sudden burst of controlled force, she maneuvered the hand holding the tray and snatched one of the sweet cakes. Before Veer could react, she popped the cake into his mouth.

Veer was completely shocked. His hand released her neck, raising his fingers to his mouth, where the unexpected sweetness was melting. Siddhi, now free, took several long, steadying breaths, forcing herself to maintain her balance.

Veer watched her, utterly speechless, chewing the cake.

Siddhi calmly placed the tray on the bedside table. She turned back to him, her expression soft with professional care. "Please eat a few more of the sweet cakes. I made them specifically to soothe your stomach. The sweetness will help balance the spice."

Veer, still silent, watched her every movement. Without another word, Siddhi turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

💘 The Obsession Named

Veer walked to his bed and sat down, staring at the tray filled with the star-shaped sweets. The cake was delicious, melting instantly, and already his stomach pain was receding.

He picked up the tray and ate another. He then looked down at his hand, the one that had been wrapped around her neck. He brought it up slowly, touching his fingertips, remembering the feel of her skin. So soft, like cotton, and fair, like white.

A slow, possessive smile spread across his face, a look more dangerous than his anger.

"Tara," he murmured, giving her a sweet pet name based on the star shape of the cake. "You are something unique. I want to touch you again. I don't know what this feeling is, but I want it."

👏 The Legend of Tara

Outside the room, Siddhi met a relieved Gopal. He rushed to her, concern etched on his face. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Gopalji," Siddhi reassured him. "I need to sleep now. My exam is tomorrow, and I need to wake up early."

Gopal watched her walk away, his face alight with a surprised smile. The other servants, peeking from the shadows, were amazed. The quiet, masked caretaker had accomplished what no one else dared to attempt—taming Veer Kapoor. Siddhi was already becoming a legend in the Kapoor villa.

"Go and sleep. Good night, child," Gopal said, shaking his head in wonder.