Obsessive Flames of Love

Diana

05th September Inside the community at Malabar Hills, Mumbai.

With a fresh breeze, the bright sun covered in greyish clouds emitting slight illuminations giving enough warmth on a calm day. A red car halted near the 50-floor skyscraper apartment. The wind from the serene sprawling beach hit his body giving chills.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Glanced at the beautiful sea, his spirit uplifted. Inhaling the briny air, a tall man with built muscles hugged his clothes with a few strands of messy hair falling onto his right eye. A crafty smile plastered on his contented lips walked into the 40th story with a stack of files.

The main door as wide as it was tall left ajar welcomed him with the lavish, sophisticated interior. The glossy white marble floor, decorated with designed artistic paintings that dominated the walls, every color is bold and painted with such precise lines that it almost looks like a mosaic.

The walls coated in whitish-grey, perfectly placed furniture, and the beach view enveloped with the large glass windows reaching the rooftop gave a definite rich socialite house look.

Holding the documents in one hand with a puckered forehead, Farhad entered the home office when Diana was discussing a business proposal. Looking at the graceful woman in the swiveling chair, fiddling with the buttons on her white blazer while engaged in a call, his footsteps paused.

Hearing the footprints, she turned around, and her eyes rolled off to her wrist. Her lips with cherry red lipstick spread across them pressed into a thin line while her eyes narrowed. “I’ll call you back later. Something urgent came up.” Diana said and hung up.

Raising her head, “you were late by twenty minutes.” Her grumpy voice caught Farhad, and his palms started sweating. With fumbling steps, “I got the invitation, Mam.” Farhad blurted not to make her annoy any further.

With a nod, “At what time is the business gathering?” Diana questioned Farhan while checking a few documents without giving much importance.

“At 08:00 PM tonight.” He handed the invitation to her.

“Mm-hmm.” She gave a satisfied nod by looking at it.

“I have a piece of information useful to you.”

“What is it?”

“The President of Chauhan Group of companies is going to attend today’s event.”

She squinted, and in an instant, her eyes lit up. Kept her files aside, “is it correct?” A piercing glare with a suspicious look from her made him swallow hard.

“Yes, mam,” he said with a difficulty staying still.

“It’s not like his usual style.” Diana lost in her thoughts with her legs crossed and stared at the ceiling while trying to interpret.

“Also, mam…”

Snapped back, “Hmm.”

“Harish was nowhere to be found.”

“I know that.”

“It was done by Mr. Rudra. I prophesy that he found out about you.”

With that, her expression changed into an obnoxious look. “No way. Harish won’t sell me off.” Diana shouted in rage.

“But mam, Mr. Rudra won’t go easy on those who went back against him.”

“So?”

“It’s a high possibility that Harish might say about the deal between you.”

“I don’t want any assumptions. Get me a clear report on what Rudra found out.” In a strong pitch, she said and dismissed him.

…

08:00pm. Luxurious Taj Lands Banquet

The venue was full of booming lights with the Panoramic View of the Arabian Sea. In the dark night, with the illuminations reflecting on the turquoise blue water with high tides, it appeared awestruck. By the looks of it, it resembles a grand event, though it’s just a gathering of top business magnets.

Inside the banquet hall, the tables were arranged with decorations. Loud chatters were heard when all the guests were present, including Diana, but the one man for whom they were waiting has yet to come. With the delay, she’s becoming anxious and began roaming restlessly.

Her floor-length velvety upholstery hugged her hourglass figure, and with a slight smile on her cherry-red lips, she radiated an elegant socialite aura. “It’s been months since I spoke to Rudra. Today I hope I got a chance, but he’s nowhere?” Her chords were visible on her slender neck exposed by her off-shoulder.

“Hey, Diana.” One of the guests approached her with a cheerful smile.

She glanced at him, with narrowed eyes, gave a forced smile, “Hey Ankur. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good. How’s it going with you?”

“Yeah. Everything is good so far.”

“Let’s have a few drinks?” He asked with a mischievous grin.

She hesitated for a while, but other people started approaching her. Soon, she was surrounded by a bunch of rich heirs. Her brown eyes roamed across them, took a deep breath, while her palms curled, “ahem.”

Looking at her uneasiness, “Any problem, Miss..?” One of the guests asked.

“Nope! It’s perfect.” With that, she raised her glass, “Cheers.”

“Cheers…..”

Everybody sucked up to her since she’s way too beautiful in everything for them.

“You look beautiful, Ms. Diana.”

“Your charm is amazing, Ms. Diana.”

She blushed while setting her flowy hair, “Thank you.” Though she’s with people who were praising her, her riveting nut brown eyes were desperately searching to find him.

After around two hours, when the party was almost nearing its end, an imposing figure entered the venue. An unapproachable vibe, a king like demeanor, his tall and manly aura immediately caught the attention.

There was the scraping of chairs as people got up to address him. Many wanted to talk with him, but they won’t dare to provoke him. So, naturally, only a few will interact with him. His obsidian-black eyes penetrated through Diana, and a shiver ran across her spine. She averted her gaze while touching her throat.

“Come on, Diana. Go and address him.” She muttered to herself in encouragement.

“His stare is intimidating.” She thought while her forehead twinged in sweat with the uneasiness in her. A tight knot formed in her belly by his icy gaze.

“Ugh. I couldn’t stand it. Never in years he looked at me like this. What’s wrong?” With that, she strode towards Rudra and gave her hand to elicit him. “Nice meeting you, Rudra, after so long.”

An unruly smirk lingered on his lips, “Nice meeting you too.” He shook his hands and cleaned them with a tissue instantly as if she’s dirt.

With that, she felt offended, but suppresses her urge. “We wore matching costumes.” She said boastfully to maneuver him. “If I knew it beforehand, I wouldn’t even consider making an appearance here.”

The arrogant mask Diana had was crushed by Rudra in front of many people. Her face drained off-color when he added one more thing. “Nice try with Harish.”

Diana’s face went pale, and she trembled in fear. “It means he knew it?” Realization shivered her, and she left the place in a hurry when Rudra’s lips curved up in a victorious sneer.

…