Bought bride
STORY SUMMARY: A cold-hearted businessman becomes infatuated with one of his employee's innocent sister who wants nothing to do with him,
Hi, I have no idea where I was going with this one but here it is Please let me know what you think
Please forgive spelling errors
The coldness in her hands bite into the delicate bones of her long fingers. Mehek shuddered, as the wind picked up.
"I will marry you She said, her voice held no emotion. Her shoulders slummed in surrender. Without looking up she felt him smirk.
"I told you. Within a week you will come and tell me you want to marry me He said, he was handsome. Perhaps the most handsome man, she had ever seen. He had everything any girl would want in a man. She should have been happy. But, how could she? She had not chosen to fall under his eye. She had not wanted anything to do with him. A man like him would crush her. Slowly bit by bit.
But she could not be selfish she had to think of her family. Her family. She reminded herself.
He inched closer to her bringing her out of her thoughts. His hands cupped her pale cheeks that had slight rose hue due to the coldness.
His touch was warm.
"Don't She protested taking a shaky step backwards.
He grabbed her wrist and jerked her against him. He was so warm. Mehek was engulfed in the scent of his cologne. She could feel his heart beat against her chest.
She always feared him, when he looked at her. His eyes always were so intense they had made her feel uncomfortable.
"You are mine now he said, holding her close to him. Mehek tried to push him away. But he was strong. So very strong it was impossible to move.
"Stop this. We are not married yet. You have no right to touch me like this Mehek protested. Her cheeks felt warm.
He let go of her. Mehek exhaled relieved.
"We will marry in three days, until then you are safe. Your family will get their money. In instalments. You are lovely Mehek but I trust no one. I need to be sure you will remain and fulfil your end of our bargain He pulled out a small rectangular book and took out a fancy pen.
"Money motivates. What was it you told me once. You would only marry for love. He laughed. Mehek felt her eyes prick. She would not cry.
He held out the cheque. She could not bring herself to take it. How was she better from any common wh**e? She was far worse. wh**es just sold their body, she was selling her entire being for a life at being Shaurya Khanna's toy.
"Having regrets? He asked, he lifted her hand and pushed the check into her hand.
"It's too late now to change your mind His voice was harsh. There was emotion in his eyes. But before she could recognise it he turned away.
Mehek shoved the cheque into her pocket, of her thin coat.
He pulled something out of his pocket.
A little round velvet box.
He opened it. Mehek felt the air leave her lungs when he opened it. Inside was nestled the loveliest ring she had ever seen. It was flower shaped with pretty diamonds surrounding it in an intricate design.
He took her hand and pushed the ring into her ring finger. For a moment, she imagined what it would be like for someone other than him standing in front of her with this ring. Asking her to be his and not forcing her but she could not her vision grew blurry she blinked and when it cleared. He was closer to her. His finger touched one of tears.
Mehek wiped them roughly and tried to walk away. His hand grabbed her wrist.
"My driver will leave you home
"No, I will manage She protested.
"Your life is about to change. You are no longer simply Mehek you are mine. You will do as I say she allowed him to walk her to his car.
The drive from outside his office till her home barely registered to her.
"Mehek He had leaned, in and broke her reverie. She felt the warmth of his breath against her ear. She flinched.
Mehek got of the car without a word and quickly opened the old rusted gate and went inside. Only when she was inside she heard the car drive off. Mehek walked up the steps slowly.
"Mehek where were you Mohit her cousin asked her as she slowly, her shoulders were slummed. Yet she tried to look happy.
"Where did you get this? Mohit grabbed her hand and stared at the ring that sat there.
"Mohit Mehek said half chocked.
"I had to make things right Mehek whispered. Mohit's face grew pale.
"Mehek please tell me you did not go to him?
"He wants to marry me. Mehek said faking a smile.
"Mehek I have seen the way he looks at you. For the past 6 months, I have seen how he has done everything he can just to be near you. You never once ever responded to any of his advances and now you expect me to believe that you suddenly want to marry him
"Mohit everything is going to be ok. Mehek said holding back her tears.
"And you will give yourself to that psychopath. He is ruthless Mehek. I worked for him, I know him far better than you. He doesn't date girls he just sleeps with them and leaves them. He's a monster. If someone left one of his books the wrong side in his office he throws a fit. Over the last 6 months he has had over 6 different secretaries because nobody could deal with his behaviour. Whatever lies he fed you. I don't want to hear Mehek go give him that ring back. I will not allow you to marry someone like him Mohit said.
Mehek wished she could. But she could not. Mohit knew nothing of the real debts nor could she tell him. What else could she do?
"Please Mohit let me marry him Mehek begged.
"If you can give me one good reason then maybe I will believe you The rest of her family had accumulated around.
"I am in love with him Mehek lied. Kanta Chachi looked down guiltily. Mehek could not let her down. She was the one person who had looked after her and brought her up after her parent's demise.
"Jooth mat bola
"We are getting married in 3 days Mehek announced. She heard the gasps but kept her face straight.
"Mehek you are going to ruin your life and I will not sit here and watch it. If you are going to marry that asshole If you marry him I want nothing to do with you anymore
"No. Mohit Kanta Chachi protested.
"Mom. No let me speak today
Mehek nodded shakily.
"Fine. I will go. She said, Mohit stared at her shocked.
"You love Shaurya Khanna so much that you will now leave your whole family even. Wow money must mean a lot
Mohit did not mean all of this. Mehek went towards Kanta Chachi and hugged her discreetly pushing the cheque into her hand.
"Mehek I am sorry please forgive me
"Bas. Everything will be ok now
She slowly said goodbye to everyone.
Mohit walked of angrily. Mehek picked up a picture of her family. It was all she would take. To give her strength. To go through with this.
"You can't leave now. It's far too late. It is not safe. I will explain to Mohit Kanta chachi protested.
"No. I will go Mehek said. She pulled her phone out and dialled Shaurya's number.
"You are missing me so soon? He drawled.
"Can you come and get me? Mehek asked.
"Why
"Please don't ask questions
"Eager to start our life together?
"Please come quickly
She cut the call before he could say anymore.
She heard the car within minutes arrive. She walked slowly towards the door. This was the last time she would see this house. This house she loved so much. The house she grew up in. The house she had sold herself for.
Shaurya had gotten out of the car.
Mehek walked slowly towards him.
His arm went around her shoulder. Mehek allowed him to insert her into the car.
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Mehek placed her cheek against the window of the car. Her chest hurt, she gulped as sob escaped her.
Shaurya reached out to touch her. Mehek pushed his hand away.
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They were married. It was not some big fancy ceremony. Mehek had preferred it being just a paper marriage anyway.
He had given her another ring. This one was plain gold.
Shaurya had insisted on her staying in his room. Since she had arrived. Mehek had still not grown used to its opulence. She had cried the first night until her eyes had felt like sand paper. She felt his shadow fall over her.
He was silent but the scent of his cologne always alerted her of his presence. She looked up at him.
He placed his arms around her bringing her against his chest.
He tipped her face towards his and leaned in. Mehek felt her dry eyes begin to prick. Just when she thought she had cried enough.
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Mehek lay in his bed, naked. Silently crying. His arm was wrapped possessively around her. She could not move. Despite it being so cold, the warmth he exuded made her feel warm.
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Dawn broke over the horizon, signifying the start of something new. Mehek found herself awakening. She tried to move but Shaurya's arm held her. She slowly tried to push it away.
"No He said, and kissed her shoulder. She tried again but he pulled her against him.
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Mehek was unsure how many times he had taken her. It was as if he could never be satisfied. Her centre hurt but ached at the same time. Betraying her each time he took her. She was ashamed. When he had eventually fell asleep again she had made her escape. It was passed afternoon. She pulled out some clothes he had bought for her blindly and went to the bathroom. She gasped when she saw herself in the mirror, her neck was covered in red marks so was the rest of her pearly white skin. She touched them and then flashes of him touching her and kissing her everywhere evaded her thoughts she shook her head. Her lips were bruised. She blushed uncomfortably. She limped slightly towards the shower. She felt as though she could almost still feel him inside her. She turned on the hot water and washed herself.
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Mehek sat down at his dressing table and brushed her hair. He was sitting upright in the bed a sheet covering just his bottom half.
He watched her as she brushed her hair lifelessly.
"You act as though I am some kind of, devil that has tricked you into hell He mused. Mehek looked away and just sat there putting her brush down.
"God will never forgive you for this Mehek said softly. He stood up the sheet fell away. Mehek looked away. He walked towards her.
"Luckily I don't believe in god. I don't sit in the temple asking god for things he can't give me. I have gotten this far in life on my own. If your god exists he would have never let you marry me
"You have my body that is all you bought Shaurya but you will never have my heart or my mind. Those are things that cannot be bought
"This sounds familiar He mocked. Mehek bit her lip.
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6 months ago.
"Mohit what is this? Mehek asked holding up a fancy envelope. The letters SK were in gold on it. It looked like a fancy invite to something. It was addressed to Mohit.
"It is the companies year end party. I don't want to go just having joined. I hardly no anyone
"It looks so fancy. Why don't you go? You will be able to meet people and make friends Mehek pointed out.
"I am not like you Mehek Mohit muttered. Mehek shook her head, he was shy. He found it hard to make friends with people. While Mehek had always loved to meet people. Talking was her ultimate favourite things to do.
"Can you take someone else with you? She asked, he nodded.
"I will come with you
"Mehek, it is western style party you would have to wear a dress or something
"I will borrow one from Nehal.
"Fine we will go
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"That dress is too revealing Mohit said frowning. Mehek ignored him.
Compared to Nehal she was much curvier so the white material felt somewhat strained against her breasts.
"It is fashion mera bhai you just chill She told him playfully. Despite not really liking it she pretended to be comfortable in it. And tried to avoid pulling it down. It was all Nehal had that would fit her and she could hardly go out and buy a new dress.
"Let's go The rest of the family had gone out thankfully no one would see her in this dress.
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The party was held in one of the most expensive halls in Mumbai. Mehek found herself in awe as she entered in. Feeling a little out of place as the people at the party had clothing far better than mohit and her, she tried to make the best of it.
"Mohit your boss must be really rich Mehek noted. Mohit rolled his eyes.
"He is the owner of Khanna group. Shaurya Khanna. I have seen him once or twice.
"You must get into his good books Mohit laughed almost. Shaking his head.
"He would never even notice me
"Tonight, he will Mehek said with a wink. Mohit looked at her with wide eyes.
"No Mehek. Please don't Mohit begged. Mehek rolled her eyes. Mohit was so shy that even a hi to his boss would seem like a big deal to him.
"Mohit, I thought you said you were not going to come A short pretty girl told him. She looked at Mehek and frowned.
"Sonal, this is my little sister Mehek she changed my mind He explained at the word sister, Sonal's face lit up. Mehek made an excuse to allow them to talk and wandered towards the balcony.
A hand brushed the back of her back.
"Hello
"Hi She replied without looking up. She inched away from the touch.
From the corner of her eye she could see a handsome man standing next to her.
"I always remember faces. That I hire. And I personally hire all of them. But you I have never seen before so you must be someone's date Mehek turned and was a little stunned. He was more handsome than she had thought. In a dark blue almost black suit and crisp white shirt.
She felt a light blush touch her cheeks.
"I am here with my brother She said, "So you are the boss?
"Shaurya Khanna He said, Mehek was used to the way men would look at her but there was something different about Shaurya. When he looked at her it felt so intimate that it twisted her stomach uncomfortably.
"Mehek Sharma. Mohit Sharma's sister She introduced smiling.
"Would you like to dance? He asked.
"Ok Mehek said unsure if refusing him would be a good idea. She moved towards the doors inside but he held her wrist for a second her heart skipped a beat. Mehek stared up into his eyes as he carefully pulled her close to him. His one hands were lightly on her waist. Mehek placed her hands reluctantly on his shoulders.
His hand began to lower, Mehek pulled away.
"What are you doing? She asked stepping away from him.
"Accepting the invite you just gave me. You are the one wearing a dress that barely covers your lovely body, begging to be touched He tried to reach out and touch her. Mehek looked at him with disgust.
"You are sick
"And you are denial. Tell me you don't feel the attraction sweetheart I felt it from the second you walked into the room. Your pretty smiles and bright eyes looking at everything with awe
"I am going to go to my brother and leave. I will pretend this did not happen. Please do not ever touch me or look at me again
He stared at her incredulous.
"Any girl at this party would die to be touched by me
"Not me.
"Well we are going to have to see about that.
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Over the next week Mohit was promoted. Mehek could not help but think this was all a set up and that Shaurya was up to something. When she had left that party that day he had watched her with cool detachment.
But she had a feeling his last words to her would haunt her.
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"Take this to Mohit, Mehek Kanta chachi said passing her a tiffin.
"Ok I will go
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"Mehek you should not have bothered I could have easily picked something up from the office
"I did not Kanta Chachi sent me He hit her playfully.
"You know Mehek since that party sir gave me a new job. You brought me so much luck He said smiling. Mehek hugged him.
"Now that you know it, a chocolate every now and then would not hurt Mehek said sneakily.
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Mehek did not know at the time she was being watched.
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Mohit walked her to the bus stop and left her there. The bus was late Mehek looked at her watch when she looked up a white expensive car had stopped in front of her.
The tinted black window rolled down. Mehek gasped. Shaurya Khanna.
"Tum
"Come I will drop you home
"No thanks
The bus came. Mehek walked towards it.
Shaurya got of his car.
"Get in the car
"No
"I will create a scene
He grabbed her wrist. People had begun to look at them.
"You think I am scared of you? I don't like you. I thought you understood that at the party. Leave me alone I am not the kind of girl you seem to think I am. Thank you for promoting my bhai but if you are doing it with ulterior motives stop. Money will not buy me. I will never be yours
"One day you will come to me. Then we will see how all these if you are able to stick to all these noble middle-class ideals He said, his eyes held dark determination. Mehek ignored the fear that settled into her.
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A few days later.
The patterns on the stain glass, enchanted her. Mehek traced her index finger against it in awe.
"You should be enjoying the party She recognised the voice instantly. But rather than turning around she remained still.
"Stalking me? She asked finally when the silence began to bother her.
"No, I was invited. Mehek turned around and looked at his shiny black shoes. She could almost see her reflection in them.
"I guess it would be too much to hope that you would avoid me or something Mehek said glancing up. He was wearing a grey suit.
His dark black eyes were watching her with the same intensity that always unsettled her.
"Blue looks good on you He said appraisingly. "Well most colours suit you Mehek blushed uncomfortably. She felt oddly exposed in the sari.
She looked downwards again.
"Well I should get g... Mehek began to say but paused when she saw his eyes harden.
"Still running away? He asked, Mehek bit her lip and said nothing and went down the steps.
"We come from two different worlds Shaurya this whatever it is you want from me will never work
"You don't know what I want
"I don't want any part of it
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Mehek walked downstairs.
"Mehek where were you? Her chachi asked.
"I was just finishing dressing up She lied.
"Mohit's boss came She said excitedly.
"Can you believe such a big man came for my birthday party
"Mom please stop. Just be normal with Shaurya sir.
Shaurya had found his way back. Mehek felt his eyes on her, she pretended not to notice. Ajay her neighbour came a little late.
He always liked hanging round her.
"Mehek He made a bee line towards her.
"Look we are matching He said twirling. Mehek almost laughed at his light kurtha. It was so outlandishly Ajay that it was endearing.
"Chachiji happy birthday He said happily holding flowers out to her. She took them from him and went to speak with his mother.
"Mehek when will we get married? He joked. Placing his arm around her shoulder.
Mehek pushed it away.
"Never She said walking backwards.
"Mehek don't be like that... Ajay said walking towards her.
Mehek bumped into someone. She looked up and gasped. Shaurya Khanna. His hands gripped her arms steadying her. There was bleak coldness in his eyes that she had never seen before.
Mohit came to her and pulled her aside.
"Sorry sir He apologised. Ajay looked at Shaurya confused.
"Who are you?
"This is my boss Mohit said awkwardly.
"Shaurya Khanna
"Ajay Agarwal, Mehek fianc Mehek almost said no it was a joke but held back. His expression did not change.
"Mohit you did not say that there was going to be a wedding in the family Mohit looked at Ajay and rolled his eyes.
"Ajay dreams of marrying Mehek sir.
"How... He seemed to struggle to find the words. "Sweet He said finally.
"Does Mehek wish to marry Ajay as well? He asked looking at her. Mehek felt sick, his controlled expression frightened her.
"No. She always refuses him Ravi Chacha called Mohit aside.
Mehek walked off with Ajay in tow before anything else could be said.
"That man is weird Mehek. He looks at you weirdly Ajay said shuddering. Mehek said nothing. Little did she know that like all falls this was just the push that started an irrevocable chain of events.
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Now.
Mehek pushed her hair behind her ear as she ate.
Shaurya placed an envelope near her.
"A present for my bride He said, Mehek looked at it wearily.
"How long before you become bored of me? Mehek asked. Shaurya frowned.
"That is nothing you should worry about
"You should do your best to hold my interest
"I will never forgive you for what you have done to me nor will I ever try to gain your favour
"Well I think you should at least try and gain my favour after all I am you husband and my happiness will affect your families' happiness
Mehek distracted herself by opening the envelope. Inside held two tickets.
"You know if you really want to give me a gift you can go to this place alone She said sarcastically.
"No, I fear going on your honeymoon on your own would be rathe weird
Mehek pushed the tickets back into the envelope, without looking at them properly.
"How long will we be gone She asked.
"A month Mehek nodded. Yet her insides twisted uncomfortably.
"What about your job?
"My company can run itself for a while
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INDEX
Page 1 chapter 1
Page 2 chapter 2
Page 4 chapter 3
Page 5 chapter 4
Page 6 chapter 5
Page 7 chapter 6
Page 9 chapter 7
Mangal Lakshmi
