the once crore Deal

Chapter 4

The One Crore Deal - Chapter 4

​"Is it necessary to smoke?"

​Zartash’s voice was soft, yet it carried a sharp, piercing edge that cut through the silence.

​She stood a few paces away, her gaze locked onto Isfand. He was lounging on the large grey sofa in the center of the lounge, his long legs stretched out. A slim cigarette dangled from his lips as he used a silver lighter. Thin grey smoke filled the luxurious apartment. A few feet away, on an accent chair, Nina lay unconscious, her heavy makeup smudged and clothes dusty.

​"No," Isfand said, meeting Zartash’s gaze directly. "Without it, life feels hollow. It is the only thing that stays loyal."

​Zartash crinkled her nose in disapproval. "Are you crazy? You know it is injurious to health!" Despite her scolding, she looked breathtaking in the simple black dress Isfand had bought her.

​A low, husky laugh rumbled in Isfand’s chest. "You are very intelligent, Zartash."

​To the world, Isfand Yar Wali was a ruthless mafia prince, but his magnetic charm was undeniable. When he laughed, he looked devastatingly handsome—human, even, beneath his hardened exterior.

​"Where... where am I?" Nina suddenly bolted upright, clutching her throbbing head in panic.

​Instantly, both of their heads snapped toward her. Isfand’s hand instinctively brushed against his jacket pocket where his gun rested.

​"Are you okay? Did you hurt anywhere? Do you need water?" Zartash’s kindness immediately overrode her caution, rushing over to help.

​Nina blinked, fixing her gaze past Zartash onto Isfand, who stared coldly.

​"Who are you? Was it only my car you could find to jump in front of?" Isfand’s voice was ice cold.

​"Isfand, why are you talking like that? She's hurt," Zartash whispered, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

​The soft friction of her touch made Isfand instantly drop his harsh posture.

​"My name is Nina," she sobbed theatrically. "Bad people were hunting me down, and I collided with your car out of fear. Please, keep me here for a few days. If I go back, they will kill me!"

​"You cannot stay here," Isfand said bluntly.

​Desperate, Nina grabbed Zartash’s hands. "Please, tell your husband to let me stay. He'll listen to you!"

​"He is not my husband!" Zartash stammered, a furious blush flooding her cheeks as she glanced at Isfand.

​"Please, whoever he is, just tell him once."

​Zartash looked at Nina, then turned her wide, pleading eyes toward Isfand with an expression he could never resist.

​Isfand let out a heavy sigh in defeat. "Fine. Not more than a few days. You will stay in the store room, and you won't come out without permission." He turned and stormed down the hallway, slamming his bedroom door.

​The next morning, Zartash felt much better. When she finally opened the shopping bags Isfand had brought earlier, her breath hitched. Inside were exquisite, branded clothes matching her exact choice and size. How did he know? Her heart fluttered.

​After taking a refreshing shower and slipping into a stunning white frock, she stepped out into the lounge—and froze.

​Nina was standing dangerously close to Isfand near the kitchen counter.

​"You have such a nice house, a beautiful life... why didn't you get married? A handsome man like you should have a girlfriend," Nina purred, her fingers sliding over Isfand’s hand.

​Behind them, standing at the kitchen threshold with a ceramic mug, Zartash froze. She found herself waiting for Isfand’s answer.

​"Are you lonely? I can make you happy," Nina whispered.

​A sharp pain bloomed in Zartash’s chest. Jealousy? She didn't know. Turning back, she blinked away stinging tears and retreated toward the kitchen.

​Isfand’s eyes had caught Zartash the moment she appeared. Completely ignoring Nina, his gaze fixated solely on Zartash in her white frock and wet hair. With a violent jerk, he ripped his hand out of Nina’s grasp.

​"I need the kitchen," Zartash muttered brokenly, trying to hide her trembling lips.

​Isfand immediately brushed past Nina and marched into the kitchen. Zartash looked like a pure white rose.

​"Zartash..." he whispered softly, stepping close enough for her to catch his scent.

​She defensively shifted away. "Are you angry?" he asked like a persistent child.

​"Why would I be angry? What relation do I share with you? It's your choice, stay with whoever you want!" she said, her voice shaking as she stirred her tea.

​The words pierced Isfand's heart: What relation do I share with you...

​Frustrated, Isfand retreated to his room, took a cold shower, and emerged with only a towel around his waist. To his shock, Nina was sitting right on the edge of his bed.

​"You're done?" Nina purred, eyeing his water-drenched, muscular chest appreciatively.

​"What are you doing in my room? Get out," Isfand growled dangerously.

​"I just came to call you for breakfast..." She stepped closer, her hand reaching toward his bare chest.

​That was the breaking point. Isfand’s hand shot out, grabbing her waist and yanking her flush against him. "In Isfand’s life, there is zero room for mistakes," he hissed, his eyes blazing red. He shoved her back aggressively. "Now get out. Let's go outside."

​Minutes later, Isfand sat in the lounge trying to cool his temper while Zartash worked in the kitchen.

​Calculating and malicious, Nina strolled past Zartash and intentionally slammed her hip into Zartash's arm.

​Crash!

​Boiling hot tea splashed directly over the back of Zartash’s hand. A piercing, heart-wrenching scream echoed through the flat as her soft hand turned blisteringly red.

​"What happened?!" Isfand launched himself across the room.

​Before Nina could react, Isfand’s hand whipped through the air.

​SLAP!

​The thunderous blow knocked Nina violently against the wall before she slumped to the floor. "I told you there is no room for mistakes!" Isfand roared, shaking with murderous rage.

​Ignoring her, he dropped to his knees before Zartash, frantically pulling out the medical kit. With trembling hands and utmost reverence, he applied soothing ointment and wrapped clean gauze around her fingers.

​"Are you okay? Does it hurt? I'm so sorry, this is all because of me," he babbled restlessly, his eyes full of pain.

​Tears shimmered in Zartash’s eyes, but looking into his tormented face, her anger and jealousy completely vanished.

​"I'm okay now," she whispered softly. In that quiet moment, his wild panic and undeniable care were the ultimate cure to all her wounds.

He gently lifted her bandaged hand toward his face, his thumb lightly brushing her knuckles with a lingering, protective warmth that sent a shiver straight down her spine. The air between them grew thick, heavy with unspoken feelings and a magnetic tension that neither of them could escape. Nina was still trembling in the corner, forgotten in the shadow of their intense connection, but neither Isfand nor Zartash cared. For Isfand, the cold, ruthless killer of the underworld, this fragile girl had become his ultimate weakness—and his greatest salvation.

"Don't ever... test my patience like this again," he murmured, his voice husky and dropping to a dangerous, intimate whisper as he leaned closer, his dark eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. "Neither with her, nor with your own safety."

Zartash's breath hitched as his gaze lingered on her lips. In that suspended heartbeat, the chaos of the world faded into nothingness, leaving only the fierce, undeniable pull drawing them together.