FF: ADDICTION- DISCONTINUED. Note in First Post. - Page 3

Something glinted in Omkara's eyes which sent a chill down Ishana's spine. Not taking his eyes off her, he lifted one hand and beckoned someone over his shoulder. Two bodyguards came running up the steps towards them and Ishana looked from them to Omkara and back again, wondering what was happening. Was he going to order them to carry her away? Was he telling them to learn her face so that they would know she was and forever would be persona non grata?

When Omkara smiled up at her without so much as a trace of warmth, the chill spread through her body until she felt it in her fingertips. Omkara muttered something to the bodyguards and they nodded, turned their looming countenances towards her and began ascending the steps.

Before she even realised there was a need to run, they had grabbed her and were firmly marching her down the steps behind Omkara. "Wait. What're you doing? Where are you taking me? Let go." But though Ishana struggled, yanking her arms so fiercely she all but dislocated her left shoulder, and kicked violently, the men leading her were much too strong. She watched as Omkara put on his sunglasses and slipped into the driver's seat while she herself was forced into the back, a prisoner between his stoic lackeys.

Omkara didn't know what he was doing. It had been a long time since he'd felt like this. He was used to maintaining an almost punishing vice on his emotions, on his actions, on himself- but this woman with her impudence at turning his threat into a challenge... it ignited something within him that was at once both infuriating and exhilarating.

He knew the impulsive decision he had made was probably insanity, had no doubt at least one member of his family would call it that. What would Riddhima think? She'd probably break up with him. 'Good.' Screamed that traitorous part of him which had flared to life at Ishana's unrepentant response to being exposed. The shameless, impulsive part of him which completely overwhelmed reason. It was the same part of him which had turned him into a drug addict, he knew it was, knew the consequences of giving in to this bleak hole within his soul. He didn't care.

Pulling up in front of the Oberoi mansion he stepped out of the car, simply telling his bodyguards to "Bring her in."

He paused by one of the guards in front of the house. "Gather everyone. I have an announcement."

"Yes, Mr Oberoi."

Ishana was silent as she was guided up the steps. Omkara didn't know if she had given up fighting or was simply biding her time and planning her escape. He didn't turn around to look. At that moment, he couldn't bring himself to look at her.

"Om, what the hell are you doing?"

"Shivaay, I'm not here to ask for anybody's opinion. I'm here to tell you all something and I want you all to listen. This woman," he pointed at Ishana, still not looking at her, "will be living in this house. I want a room prepared for her immediately."

"What are you-"

"SHUT UP, ISHANA." Om's scream was so loud it made Dadi clutch Priyanka's arm for support. His voice was back to it's normal calm as he continued, as though announcing what he wanted for breakfast. "I have an idea for a new art project and she will be helping me with it. Her fees are extortionate, but she's wiling to do anything for money. Isn't that right, Ishana?"

Omkara noticed Shivaay and Rudra's faces darken, their bodies stiffen. They, if nobody else, knew something was seriously wrong with Omkara. That he was toeing an extremely dangerous ledge.

"I said, isn't that right, Ishana?"

He tilted his head slightly towards her, she was staring at him, her mouth a tight line of fury. Her entire body was shaking.

"Ishana says yes." He smiled at his family. "Once she has earned her money, she will leave however until my project is over, Ishana will be like my shadow, silent but ever present. I thought I should inform you all as to who she is and what she is doing as you will be seeing her around quite often. She is a liar, so I would not encourage communication, but you are free to attempt to engage her while bearing that warning in mind. I do not wish to discuss this further." This targeted at his brothers who he knew were the only ones who would ignore it.

Omkara strode towards the steps, marching swiftly past his family and roughly shaking off the hand Rudra placed on his shoulder as he passed.

He paused at the foot of the steps. "Ishana." His voice low, commanding. "Follow me."

For the first time since he had threatened her, he looked into her eyes. Omkara was a master at noticing nuances, at reading emotions, so much so that he could even tell the fluctuations in Shivaay's mood. And Ishana was no Shivaay. Her emotions blazed openly across her face, in her eyes. She was furious, determined- that same look of challenge from earlier- but beneath it all he could sense a vulnerability. What was it? What was she-

He smirked as she looked away, marching towards him and determinedly avoiding the worried glances of his family members. It was shame.

His devious little con woman was humiliated.

Good.

She came to a halt beside him and stared at the ground, refusing to look at him. His family watched as Omkara Singh Oberoi, not the kind and wise man he had become but the unprincipled addict he had once been, leaned over and whispered something into Ishana's ear before snatching her hand in his and pulling her up the stairs behind him.

Ishana dug her heels in halfway up the stairs, yanking her hand out of Omkara's grasp. She asked him something, too quiet for anyone but him to hear. Omkara looked surprised, then he shrugged and nodded. Though they couldn't hear him, they all saw his mouth form the word "Done."

A few moments later, they heard the sound of a door slamming. Rudra and Shivaay looked at each other, and for a second, neither moved.

And then, as though both hearing the sound of a starting pistol at exactly the same time, they spun on their heels and ran up the stairs behind their brother, desperately hoping they would be able to stop him before he did something he would forever regret.

Step Three- The She-Demon

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As those of you who read my rambling notes on Promises may know, I don't plan ahead and so have no idea what my characters are going to do until I start writing the chapter. This was... unexpected. But I guess I'll trust the Omkara and Ishana of my imagination to lead the way. 😆

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, do let me know your thoughts either way.