married 💍 to the devil 😈 itself

distance and despiration

*Cristilla’s POV*

The car ride to the Omkara mansion felt heavier than usual.

A man believed he owned me. Shivaay Omkara. Cold, dangerous, and impossibly rich. Let him believe it. I wasn’t going to crumble under his claim.

If he wanted to play the devil, then I’d learn how to fight back.

My first move was simple: independence. I needed money. Not his money. Mine. If I could earn enough, I would pay off the debt he took in my name and walk away with my head high.

A part-time job. That was where I would start.

*Shivaay’s POV*

I couldn’t concentrate on a single thing. Every report, every call, every decision — it all led back to her. Cristilla.

My wife.

The word felt wrong in my mouth and right in my chest at the same time. I didn’t understand it. And I didn’t like not understanding it.

Distance. That was the only solution. If I wasn’t near her, maybe I could think clearly again. Maybe I wouldn’t want to touch her when she fought me.

I picked up my phone. “Marcus,” I said when my bodyguard answered. “Buy me an apartment. Far from the mansion. Do it today.”

“Any specifications, sir?”

“Nothing extravagant. Just far.”

I ended the call. Falling for her was not an option. It was a weakness. And Shivaay Omkara didn’t have weaknesses.

*Narrator’s POV*

Shivaay left the mansion within the hour. He told his driver it was business. In truth, he was running from a woman who unsettled him with nothing more than a glare.

Cristilla, meanwhile, was restless. She hated feeling helpless, hated that Shivaay’s absence left a hollow space she didn’t ask for.

She needed answers. And she needed to stay busy.

She found Donald in his study.

She knocked twice before entering.

“Come in,” Donald said, looking up from his papers. “Cristilla.”

“Good evening, sir,” she said. “Is Shivaay here? I need to discuss something with you.”

Donald set his pen down. “You know my son. He’s cold. He avoids me unless there’s a fight or a problem that needs fixing.”

Cristilla nodded, but the disappointment was sharp. She had no idea where Shivaay went.

_Argh. I hate this._

She left the study and pulled out her phone. Scrolling was better than thinking.

Then one post stopped her.

*HIRING: Delivery Rider – Interview Today. 3 Stages. Final Stage in 1 Hour.*

Her breath caught. The location was 15 minutes from S&D Corporation. Her dream company.

It wasn’t much. It wasn’t glamorous. But it was a start.

She grabbed her purse and ran out the door before she could talk herself out of it.

*Jasper’s POV*

I checked my phone. Again.

Tenth time in an hour. No calls. No messages.

What if she was sick? What if something happened to her after she walked out of the acting hall?

_Stop it, Jasper. Stay positive._

I checked the time. Sixth time. I was running late.

Why did I even think she had my number? She probably tossed it the second she left. She was avoiding me.

It didn’t matter. I would find her.

I headed to Tommy’s place. He owned a popular eatery in the city, and today he was hiring delivery riders. I’d promised to help with interviews.

Fifteen minutes later, I walked into the back room. Heads turned. I was used to it. Handsome. Wealthy. Italian-German bloodline. Women stared. Men sized me up.

But I wasn’t Shivaay Omkara. That man was a different breed. Too rich. Too ruthless. Too cold to be real.

“Hey,” I said to Tommy.

“Jasper. You’re late.”

“As always.”

I scanned the room. And froze.

Her.

Cristilla sat in the waiting line, her back straight, her jaw set. She looked nervous, but she didn’t look like she’d run.

“Tommy,” I said quietly. “Who’s that?”

He followed my gaze. “Applicant. Name’s Cristilla. Came for the delivery job. I already told her no.”

“Why?”

“No experience. She’s never ridden a delivery bike. She’d be a liability.”

“Hire her.”

Tommy blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Hire her,” I repeated, my voice firmer. “Put her on training. Start her slow. I’ll cover it.”

“Jasper, she can’t even—”

“Do it.”

He sighed and nodded.

*Cristilla’s POV*

This was the third time I’d cursed myself since leaving the interview room.

They weren’t going to hire me. I had no experience. I’d ridden a bike once, years ago, and nearly crashed into a fence.

_Stupid. So stupid._

My phone buzzed in my bag. A message.

I didn’t want to look. What if it was bad news? What if it was Shivaay?

I tossed the phone onto the bed and pulled the covers over my head. He could wait. Everyone could wait.

*The Next Morning*

The alarm shattered the silence. I groaned and shut it off.

I moved on autopilot. Shower. Dress. Red gown with rose prints, black heels, hair pinned up with a butterfly clip. I needed to look like I had control, even when I didn’t.

I grabbed my bag.

Then I saw it.

A folded piece of paper on my dresser. My name written across the front in bold, sharp ink.

I didn’t remember putting it there.

My fingers hesitated before I picked it up

Alright, let’s do *Chapter 14* in professional mode too 👌

We’ll pick up right after that note Cristilla found. I’ll keep it long, tense, and app-ready with proper grammar, POV tags, and a cliffhanger

*Cristilla’s POV*

The paper felt heavier than it should have.

I unfolded it slowly.

_“Report to S&D Corporation. Delivery Division. 9:00 AM. Ask for Mr. Tommy. —J”_

J.

Only one person I knew who’d sign with a single letter.

Jasper.

My heart did something stupid — it skipped. I told myself it was anger. He had no right to pull strings for me. I didn’t need charity.

But I also didn’t have another job offer.

_Fine._

I folded the note, slid it into my bag, and left before I could change my mind.

*Shivaay’s POV*

The new apartment was silent. Too silent.

Glass walls. City view. No Cristilla yelling at me. No Donald asking questions.

I should have felt in control. Instead, I felt empty.

My phone buzzed. Marcus.

“Sir, your wife went out this morning. Alone. She’s headed toward the business district.”

“Alone?” My jaw tightened. “Why?”

“I don’t know, sir. She didn’t take the driver.”

She was running again. Always running.

“Track her,” I said. “But don’t approach her. Not yet.”

I hung up and stared at the skyline. She thought distance would keep me away from her.

She was wrong.

*Cristilla’s POV*

S&D Corporation was massive. All glass and steel. It made me feel small.

I asked reception for Mr. Tommy, Delivery Division.

He was waiting for me in a side office. Broad shoulders. Tired eyes.

“You’re the girl Jasper called about,” he said. No greeting.

“Yes, sir.”

He looked me up and down. “You’ve never done deliveries.”

“No, sir.”

“You can’t ride.”

“I can learn.”

Tommy exhaled through his nose. “Jasper said to train you. Said he’d take responsibility if you mess up. You start today. Shadowing only. No bike. No packages. You watch.”

Relief hit me so hard my knees almost gave out.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said. “One mistake and you’re out. Jasper’s name won’t save you twice.”

*Jasper’s POV*

I told myself I wasn’t waiting.

But I was at the eatery by 8:30 AM anyway.

When Cristilla walked in with Tommy, my pulse picked up. She looked exhausted, but she was here. She came.

“Morning,” I said casually.

Tommy nodded. “She’s shadowing today.”

Cristilla ignored me. “Where do I stand?”

Cold. Good. I deserved it.

“Follow me,” Tommy said.

For the next three hours, she watched. She asked questions. She took notes on her phone. No complaints. No tears.

By noon, I was impressed. And worried.

Because if she kept this up, she wouldn’t need me. And if she didn’t need me… she’d leave.

*Cristilla’s POV*

By the time I got home, my feet were killing me.

The mansion was quiet. Too quiet. Donald was out. The staff barely spoke to me.

I dropped my bag and went straight to my room.

My phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: _“You came.”_

My stomach dropped.

Me: _“Who is this?”_

Unknown Number: _“The man you’re married to. Come to the rooftop in 10 minutes. Alone.”_

Shivaay.

My hands shook. He was back. And he knew where I was.

I looked at the message again.

_Alone._

*To be continued…*