Toxic ~ Even if we can't be together in the end - Chapter 23 Up ! - Page 20

Originally posted by: Sunshinegirll

Loved the story. Awesome updates👏. Eagerly waiting for the next update

Originally posted by: _Rai_

First of all, so very sorry for voting and commenting this late. But, I just didn't want to read this story stuck in work or anything, I wanted to read it alone and peace which i did today. It was amazing as usual. Where do I even begin? The cocky Aditya and sassy Zoya already have stolen my heart. I love the way u portray Zoya's character here. She isn't like other typical damsels and I always have wanted to see women out in this colour of confidence. The way u play with words is beautiful and I love how u maintain Aditya's jerk-like behaviour through out. I love him this way. Kudos to u. Stay blessed.

Originally posted by: ArhiMaria

Harsha, can't you see
I'm calling
A story like yours should wear a warning
It's dangerous
I'm falling

There's no escape
I can't wait
I need a hit
Harsha, give me it
You're dangerous
I'm loving it

Too high
Can't come down
Losin' my head
Spinnin' 'round and 'round
Do you feel me now?

Oh,
With the tone of your story
I'm on a ride
It is toxic I'm slippin' under
With a taste of a poison paradise

I'm addicted to it
Don't you know that it's toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that it's toxic? ❤️

---------------------------

I never thought there would come a day when I would be quoting/changing songs and what not!😆 What can I say with the latest chapter I can't help but be reminded of the Britney Spears number that I just penned down for u. Infact, it was going through my mind as I was reading the chapter. The song is so apt for Adit and Zoya's relationship at this moment. Zoya knows that her equation with Adi is so totally toxic yet she can't help but be drawn to him just the way he seems to be drawn to her.

He goes hot and cold but it seems like it all comes out of sheer frustration, he is mad at her for leaving and his verbal spats and hurtful words get even worse when he suspects that Zoya is not opening up about her true feelings about perhaps why she left him.

Speaking of Zoya, she is just super awesome, even if she feels completely vulnerable inside she does not show it, kudos to her and to you for portraying her the way you are! so so proud of her for not giving into her desires and jumping into bed with so many unresolved issues/misgivings. ( btw the scenes you created were pretty steamy and much appreciated, even if I am glad they didn't actually go all the way!😉)

I cannot wait to read our Mr Bipolar's perspective, I am sure it will shed some light on his true feelings just the way you have made me admire Zoya, I already know you will make me appreciate Adi too.

Originally posted by: sezo

That was worth the wait. It would be nice to have both perspectives. Thanks for pm as always

Originally posted by: reddyr

Beautiful chapter. I love how you write. Its like reading a well written mills and boons novel. I love zoya's. portrayal so much. And I freaking love how she refused to have sex with him. Way to go self control. Usually in stories the woman always gives in to the man. Heart over mind. But this zoya is badass. Mind over heart. Cant wait for the next update. Do write soon

Aditya's POV

One week later.

Vanilla.

It surrounds me, infiltrating my senses as I creep towards consciousness. It smells spicy, all women with just a hint of sweetness.Awareness returns a piece at a time.The smell seems to waft around me in a slight breeze that I can feel chafing my skin, warm, fragrant and equally irritating. I realize that I have a pillow under my head.More alertness reveals that I was stretched on my side, a blanket covering my lower body. The room is dim, heavy drapes shutting the windows. The only light came from lit candles scattered all over. How many times did I have to tell her that I disliked scented candles ? And hated damned vanilla.Arms encircled me from behind, clutching my chest in a soft grip.

"Where are we ?"

Who I was with wasn't in question, even though my head still felt foggy.

"In your hotel room"

Oh yeah, right. We were in Washington DC.

Acquisition. Contracts. F**k me.

Her fingers started making lazy circles on my chest, lips trailing sweet kisses on my back, her nails digging my abs, teasing and tantalizing. Expecting. And, I was so not in the mood right now. Normally I would totally go for a round in the morning. You see wasting morning wood is blasphemous in my book. Utter disrespect for God's gift.

Just not right now.

My head was pounding and I could feel an inevitable headache creeping up. Frigging hell. I discreetly check the wall clock. 10 in the morning. Just five hours for the final meeting. Five hours. Dammit.

Have I mentioned that I love my job?

I'm the heir to Meridian Corp, one of the top conglomerates in India. Yes, yes, my father started the firm. But that doesn't mean I didn't bust my ass to get where I am-because I did. It also doesn't mean I don't eat, breathe, and sleep work to earn the reputation I have, because I do. I head the Legal team at Meridian Corp though my work is not restricted to this department. You see, Meridian Corp is on an expansion spree. Acquiring new companies to expand and diversify operations. Right now, my job duties are similar to that of a plumber. I keep things moving, ensuring that nothing clogs the pipes which are chock full of egos and lassitude. And we just keep on rolling.

I had solid legal work under my belt as a defense attorney before joining my father's business. I had successfully defended the lowest of the low before being considered worthy by Harshvardhan Hooda.I was the shark. I was the one clients asked for and the prosecutors feared. They knew it and so did I. I am not exactly proud of my previous clientele. If you were to ask some sanctimonious environmental or civil rights lawyer - I was scum. Afterall, I gave freedom to the undeserving. To the guilty. If you think that I lose sleep over it, save your breath. Because I don't.

It was business. Pure and simple.

If I hadn't taken up their cases someone else would have. My unsavory work earned me a boatload of money and my clients their freedom. When Harshvardhan Hooda, also known as my father, offered me a position at Meridian Corp., I took it up. Gladly. Not because of some sudden moral awakening, but because it was my birthright. Harshvardhan Hooda is smart enough to acknowledge the fact that genetics trump going public. Who wants to pass on his company to a board of directors ? Or even worse some middle class, scholarship funded hardworking employee. That would be just plain ass stupid.

Her hands get more fervent in their exploration. And, as much as my dick would hate me for it, it was time to stop the ship before it sailed too far.

"What did you drug me with ?" I ask even though I knew the answer. How ? Well, let's just say that I had used the trick a time or two before.

"Just a tablet of sleeping aid"

"Ramona..." I groan in frustration. But, when I tried to turn around to look at her, she tightened her hold, not releasing me.

"I can't look at you and say this" she said quietly, her soft voice sounding sad.She took an audible shaky breath. "I am getting married" she admitted.

Okay. This was unexpected.

I pried off her fingers and turned around. Her hair was a tangled mess with mascara still clinging on her eyelashes. The sheet had pooled at her waist giving me an unrestricted view of her upper body. I smile.

Now, I know some women have issues with their bodies. Maybe you've got a little extra junk in the trunk ? Get over it. Doesn't matter. Naked kicks modest's ass every single time. Men are visual. We wouldn't be f**king you if we didn't want to look at you. Ramona had no problem being naked.And it was sexy - damn sexy. "Goodmorning" she whispered huskily. I didn't remember much from last night but taking in our nudity and nail marks on my shoulders it didn't take an Einstein to guess.

"You serious ?" I ask just to make sure, it was not some pathetic attempt to make me jealous.Though Ramona had never been clingy. But, wasn't there always a first time for everything?

She gave me a tentative smile and reached over the side table to fetch her purse. She took out a diamond ring and slapped it on my palm. Her face beaming with pride and happiness.

"Beautiful" I slide the diamond on her ring finger."Why did you not tell me before ?"

"I wanted this week with you.Who knew I was sentimental ?"

I smirk at her off-handedness. Ramona was a textbook case of a girl with daddy issues. But, that didn't concern me. For me, she was convenient.I had done my share of playing the field but currently, Meridian Corp put more than enough on my plate to pursue a hookup. And I liked our arrangement than sleeping my way through the city bars. Ramona kept things discreet. Having my name splashed on the tabloids wouldn't fetch me brownie points with the governing board. The best perk was the that she knew there was no 'us'. Would never be. Not now, not in the future. And, had no hopes of bearing my children. In fact, she pursued other men while sleeping with me. Perfect. Just my type of girl.

I draw her into my arms and kiss her forehead "I am happy for you. You deserve this Ramona. White picket fence, prince charming and the whole goddamn fairytale"

She sighs and burrows deeper in my arms.

What ? Come on, don't be like that. I want Zoya, no question. But, don't expect me to act like a monk until that happens. The thing women don't understand is that a guy can want one woman and still f**k another one. Hell, a guy can love a woman and still screw ten others. It's just that simple. Alright, I'll explain. Sex is a release, purely physical. That's all. Calm down - don't start throwing shoes and eggs. At least to me, it is. Your boyfriends and husbands are your loyal slaves. Better ?

Maybe you'll understand my point of view if I put it this way. You wash your hair, right ? Well, suppose your favourite shampoo is Pantene. But the store is out.All they have is Garnier. What are you going to do ? You are going to use Garnier, right ? You may want to use Pantene, but all said and done you use what you have to keep that mane clean and glossy. You get what I come from ? Good.

Now back to the woman in my arms. A very naked woman. Dammit.

"You have the contracts with you, right now ?" I sigh and grab my T-shirt and boxers from the floor.

Competition for acquisitions is fierce. You have to entice them, make them want you, make them believe no one else can do for them what you can. It's kind of like getting laid. But instead of getting a piece of ass at the end of the day, I get one step closer to being the CEO. But, you have to be careful. Very careful.An acquisition doesn't always result in profits. A bad acquisition is like a parasite which will eat away the parent, one quarterly dividend at a time.

"There you go" Ramona hands me three files. She takes my cue and starts dressing up. I open the curtains and let blinding sunlight wash into the room. Christ. I shake my head to dispel any remnants of sleep. Drugged sleep. Ramona did me a favor. Maybe I should thank her. Maybe. Anticipation and apprehension - the good kind, of closing a deal is my caffeine. I just can't bring myself to doze off peacefully the night before the big day.

"You should dress up and leave" I mutter as I flip through the first file.

"We have five hours before the meeting" she looks at the wall clock. Puzzled.

"I know. But, since you no longer work at Meridian Corp., I don't see the reason for you to be there"

Silence. I continue to scan the papers.

"What ?" she screams like a banshee. Christ almighty ! I just lost my eardrum.

"You heard me" I close the file and approach her. There was no escaping this conversation. I sighed.My father respects people who will do the unpleasant thing, often the necessary thing. Watch carefully - I am going to make Papa dearest proud.

Unpleasant but necessary.

"I can't have you making decisions on my behalf "And I meant it - partially. I had a sort of kinship with Ramona. Don't look at me with those wide eyes screaming incest. What I mean is that Ramona understood me on a subconscious level. She was not big on sharing and confession but her little acts spoke volumes. Hell, we might have fallen in love - if we had met before. Before, Zoya butchered my heart, cleaved it into pieces and left it for the dogs.

Don't tell anyone I said this - I'll deny it until death - but I had fallen hopelessly in love with Zoya Qureshi. Her naive beauty called to me. Still does. Like a damn red siren. Thank god and all their saints that she dumped me. I was chock full of sentiments and righteousness before. And infinite stupidity. Don't believe me ? Sometimes even I can't. Hell, I wish I had a time machine to smack my young, stupid self. I aspired to be a civil rights lawyer. And achieve what ? Goodwill and prayers by taking pro-bono cases. Yep, I was really stupid. But, that's a story for another time.

Talking about the red siren - oh God, her guileless charms can make a saint sin. I have to admit - this new Zoya is more inviting. She wears her sexuality like a frigging crown. She gives back as good as she gets. Eight years ago she was shy in bed and gladly followed my lead. For all her sassy comebacks, I can bet every last penny in my account that she is still timid between the sheets. You might think I am a manwh**e - believe me, I am not. My only motive of ensuring that Zoya comes to Aloha was to face her. Not bed her. What do you chicks call it - get a closure ? Yep, closure. I paid Neel Kundra 1 crore and 20 lakhs for two things. First, get me the frigging drafts. Second, ensure that the Aztec Group's project falls into that undeserving idiot's lap. You know who I am talking about - Arjun Mehta. From there, it was a fifty-fifty chance. As a norm, Chief Architect's send their associates to complete the final survey. But, you never know. Arjun might have sent some other associate instead of his direct junior. And how lovely would that have been ?

Coming to your next question - then why did I use the drafts in court if I knew it would land Zoya in a hot mess ? Well, because I didn't give a rat's ass to her or her career. Before you tag me as some jealous ex-boyfriend who couldn't handle a girl dumping him, let me straighten out a few things. I planned to put the blame on the junior associate irrespective of the name, caste, gender and creed. Had some other girl shown up in Aloha ? She would have faced the same consequences. I didn't design this whole scheme as some sort of payback. I just didn't care enough to spare Zoya from the consequences. Before. Before that evil witch decided to cast her spell by batting those innocently salacious eyes at me. I decided to retract my plans after talking to her just once. Yep, that's it. Just once. The vixen needed just one simple meeting to flip everything. It was too late to gather new evidence so I went ahead with the drafts. But, subsequently set things into motion to save her career from facing the axe.

As you would have guessed by now - I lied. I lied to her face.

"How much ?"

"80 lakhs. I paid him thrice the money he would get to win the case for the Group and he supplied me with the directives and intricacies of the design. I built my whole case on it. Neel wanted the money which I gave him and also the word to keep him out of the whole blame loop that would ensue. The designer coming to Aloha was to be framed"

"That's me. Arjun was right - you are the ultimate shark"

Technically speaking, I didn't lie about the money - I paid Neel 80 lakhs for the drafts and additional 40 lakhs to pull some dirty strings and ensure Arjun gets the project. So, my conscience is clear on the money part - no lies there.

What ? I am a lawyer - it's my job to find loopholes.

About the ensuing career destruction - I saved her and some. Got her a frigging promotion while I was at it. Yes, my intentions were not noble from the starting but in the end, I did play the perfect nice guy. Now, didn't I ?

You still don't believe me ? You should. I had to summon every inch of control to stop when she said 'No' in that dark library. When I had her half-naked quivering body in my arms. When her mouth was telling me no but her body was screaming yes.When just a little nudge would have sent her tumbling down her mountain of modesty right into my waiting arms. But, I controlled myself. I did the right thing. You should be proud of me. And, the award for Mr. Willpower goes to ... Aditya Hooda.

Talking about willpower. I take a deep breath to sort out the mess named Ramona.

"You hadn't slept for thirty hours. Working non-stop... like a goddamn machine Aditya" Ramona's voice brims with concern "I was looking out for you."

"I appreciate your sentiments behind the act. Don't you worry sweet thing.You will receive glowing letters of recommendation from my office" I reply flippantly.

"But...but why ?" her voice cracks a little "Is it because I am getting married ?"

"Don't flatter yourself. I would have screwed you every day and twice on Sunday, even after your marriage. I just don't like people assuming and deciding for me" I shrug.It was the truth. Partial truth. And she was right. Her getting married complicated our relationship too much for my liking. Like I said she was convenient before but not anymore. Listen carefully people - I am teaching you a life-saving skill here. You can thank me later.

If it costs you your peace of mind, it's not worth it.

"You wouldn't have slept if I hadn't put the pill in your drink. Today's meeting would have been a disaster. And you know it" She pauses to take a deep breath "Are you sure you want to do this to us ?"

Ah, I was wrong. Ramona did think there was an 'us'. Alright, let's get this over with.

"There was no 'us' Ramona." I motion towards her bag kept near the oval wooden center table "You better get moving"

"So, you are just going to toss me aside like...like trash ?" she whines. Yep, she whines. And I thought she was intelligent. Intelligent enough to take my words at their face value. Why did she have to act like such a ... such a woman ?

"Aditya" she turned back to look at me. Her one hand poised at the knob and the other held her bag.

Oh darn, I need to go through this clause again. It smells of a loophole - a disaster in waiting. I look up from my file. "Hmmm ?"

"You are an asshole" she stated calmly. As a matter of fact. Can't really disagree there. So, I just shrug.

Most women would be infuriated with my lack of response but not Ramona. Told you, I like the girl. She cocks her head, studying me. Like I was some specimen under her microscope. It is unsettling.

I flip to the next page.

"Why do you wear this facade ?" she asks, completely relaxed as if I hadn't just fired her unceremoniously. I keep my eyes trained on the file. She takes my lack of response as encouragement and continues "Who is the real Aditya Hooda ?"

Wow.That's some deep question to ask.I raise an incredulous eyebrow "You want to psychoanalyze me?"

"This charming humourous and yet brutal to-be CEO image you portray is complete bullshit. I shared your bed and your mind for ten months, give me this- tell me why do you do it ?"

"I can't be you. You leave a trail of bodies with your glares. People are afraid to approach you Ramona. That's the problem. Some free advice - tone down your temper and you will reach great heights in your career"

"Atleast I know who I am"she raises her chin defiantly.

"And I know exactly who I am" I say with every ounce of confidence I possessed. "What unsettles you, Ramona, is that even after ten months you have no idea what kind of a guy that is"

She stiffens and her fingers ball into a fist. I sigh. What did I just tell her - temper, temper. The woman would never learn. Our eyes meet for an extended moment. "Bye Ramona" I say uselessly as the door bangs shut.

I flip through to the next page but my head is still pounding. Dammit. I should have asked her to make me a cup of coffee before dumping her. Oh, well we live and learn.

I grab a fresh change of clothes from my bag and head towards the shower. Nothing like a cold shower and triple strength coffee to wake up the dead. Afterall, I had an acquisition to make and people to fire. And yeah, a girl to seduce. Fun times.