Mumbai

Somewhere

A big old house

INAYA POV:

I stormed into the basement, my eyes fixed on the two men tied with chains. Luca wisely stepped aside, knowing better than to intervene.

"Tell me your boss's name and who gave the order to kill him two years ago," I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

The men's eyes were half-open, their gazes darting between me and Luca. "We don't know, we just got orders from our leader," one of them stammered. "We shot him, but I don't know who gave the order."

My frustration mounted.

I had already killed their leader in New York, leaving a note for Lucifer, but he hadn't taken action. "Tell me who gave the order, or I'll show you hell," I warned, my voice cold and menacing. "Even if I kill you, you'll rot in hell."

The other man pleaded, "Leave me, please. I don't know anything."

I closed my eyes, my anger boiling over. "Tell me, I know you're lying."

I walked over to a table laden with weapons - guns, knives, daggers, and acid. I picked up a dagger, its blade glinting in the dim light.

I approached one of the men, tearing off his forearm sleeve to reveal an eagle tattoo.

My eyes narrowed. "You're lying. You're one of Lucifer's men." I cut into his arm, just above the tattoo, and he screamed in agony. "How dare you lie to me?"

I moved the dagger to his collarbone, a smirk playing on my face as he begged for mercy.

His screams echoed through the basement, his flesh torn, his blood dripping onto the ground.

I hadn't tortured anyone in the last two days, too busy traveling from New York to India.

Yesterday, I had visited Shaik's mansion, and today was my third day in India. I was determined to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.

I took acid from the table and poured it on another man's chest.

He is screaming in pain, which is music to my ears. I torture my enemies for fun. I'm a heartless bitch 24-year-old who doesn't give a damn about others' feelings.

I took a dagger and peeled his chest skin like an onion.

"You know my hands are itching to shoot both of you, but I prefer to torture. I know you won't reveal Lucifer's real name because you're loyal to your boss..." I said, cutting his nails. My guards' faces are pale, gazing at me in my devil Queen form. Yes, I am the Devil Queen, a Queen without a crown. I wield the power that makes everyone shiver, a power that surpasses what a queen can hold.

I'm fcking devil Queen of my domain

They're screaming in pain as I take out their nails one by one.

They're puking blood from their mouths - eww,

Chii

I take steps back.

I'm so bored torturing them; I want to try new ways to torture them.

I glance at Luca, who's busy on his phone with no expression on his face.

"For God's sake, Luca, do something! I've been torturing them for the last two hours, and you're playing fucking Candy Crush on your phone? Who made you an associate and agent?"...I roared.

He lifted his head, no expression on his face.

"Your love, ma'am, he hired me". he said in a robotic voice.

I sighed.

my love? yes, he hired him - Luca, the Italian agent and hacker, cunning and ruthless, with no emotion on his face. This bastard can find anyone's information in 24 hours.

Why is he a trustworthy man? Even I got scared of him when I first saw him, with his full tattoos on his hands . I don't know how Meera fell for this jerk.

Poor she

I glance at my wristwatch; it's 12 noon. I walk out of the basement, and Luca follows me.

"Luca, I want his name. Do whatever it takes; I won't stop until I get Lucifer's real name before the marriage"...I say, and he nods.

The guard opens the backseat door, and I sit down.

"My mansion..."I say, leaning back in my seat and closing my eyes.

I will make him pay; he will beg for mercy for his life. Just wait, Lucifer, until I catch you. The day I lay my eyes on you will be the start of hell on earth for you.

car, drove to the mansion. Some bloodstains on my suit, but it's expensive, fuck it. But my mind still lingered on his memories. How much I regret saying those words to him, it still hurts. I want to apologize to him."

I entered the mansion, went straight to my room, took a shower, and changed into a white suit. I called Meera while heading downstairs, and after two rings, she answered. "Meera, come home," I said, cutting the call short.

I sat on the couch, watching TV, and decided to watch the new Doraemon movie. Yes, I'm 24, but I still love Doraemon! After an hour, Meera arrived. "Ma'am, where do we have to go?" she asked, sitting down. I shook my head, rose from the chair, and walked towards the car. Meera sat in the passenger seat, and I told the driver, "MIRAE Industry." He nodded and drove to the company.

"Ma'am, you should take rest; you look pale, and your eyes are red," Meera said in a concerned voice. I rested my head on the backseat, closing my eyes. "No, Meera, I want something to distract me. Only work can distract me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yes, I want to distract myself from the turmoil in my head, from the past memories that I can't handle. I want him, I need him, I want his arms around me, his kisses, his embrace. I want to sleep while hugging him, but reality hit me like a slap. My car stopped in front of the company.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the lobby, which was luxurious and designed to my taste. Every country branch building was designed by me, and I had a keen eye for interior design. I approached the reception desk, where a receptionist looked up at me with a polite smile. "How may I help you?" she asked.

"Call the manager. I want to speak to him," I said in a firm tone. The receptionist, Ms. Sharma, took a glance at me and her expression changed. "You don't have an appointment, and he doesn't meet people like...," she started to say, but I cut her off.

"Meera," I said, turning to Meera, who was standing beside me. "Call the manager." After two minutes, the manager came running out of the lift, looking nervous. He stood in front of me, i folded hands on my chest.

"Now, tell me, Mr. Khana, is this how you train your employees to show attitude to the company CEO, who they are working for right now?" I said loudly, so everyone could hear. He shivered, knowing that one wrong word would cost him his job. Ms. Sharma also looked nervous, her eyes cast downward.

"Sorry, ma'am," she stuttered. "Sorry, ma'am, this mistake will not happen again."

I gave him a cold, authoritative look. "Go, Mr. Khana. I want my cabin in 1 hour. Arrange a meeting after 2 hours, and every team leader must be there." He nodded, "Okay, ma'am," and scurried off.

I turned my heel and walked towards the lift, observing how my employees were working. They didn't know that their lives depended on their work today. After roaming around the entire office, I checked every team and saw that they were working perfectly, at least they had some fear in their eyes. I smirked proudly, knowing that my employees were on track.

"My mansion..."I say, leaning back in my seat and closing my eyes.

I will make him pay; he will beg for mercy for his life. Just wait, Lucifer, until I catch you.

The day I lay my eyes on you will be the start of hell on earth for you.

drove to the mansion. Some bloodstains on my suit, but it's expensive, fuck it.

But my mind still lingered on his memories. How much I regret saying those words to him, it still hurts. I want to apologize to him.

I entered the mansion, went straight to my room, took a shower, and changed into a white suit.

I called Meera while heading downstairs, and after two rings, she answered. "Meera, come home," I said, cutting the call short.

I sat on the couch, watching TV, and decided to watch the new Doraemon movie.

Yes, I'm 24, but I still love Doraemon! After an hour, Meera arrived. "Ma'am, where do we have to go?" she asked, sitting down.

I rose from the chair, and walked towards the car. Meera sat in the passenger seat, and I told the driver, "MIRAE Industry." He nodded and drove to the company.

"Ma'am, you should take rest; you look pale, and your eyes are red," Meera said in a concerned voice.

I rested my head on the backseat, closing my eyes. "No, Meera, I want something to distract me. Only work can distract me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yes, I want to distract myself from the turmoil in my head, from the past memories that I can't handle.

I want him, I need him, I want his arms around me, his kisses, his embrace. I want to sleep while hugging him, but reality hit me like a slap.

My car stopped in front of the company.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the lobby, which was luxurious and designed to my taste.

Every country branch building was designed by me, and I had a keen eye for interior design.

I approached the reception desk, where a receptionist looked up at me with a polite smile. "How may I help you?" she asked.

"Call the manager. I want to speak to him," I said in a firm tone.

The receptionist, Ms. Sharma, took a glance at me and her expression changed. "You don't have an appointment, and he doesn't meet people like...," she started to say, but I cut her off.

"Meera," I said, turning to Meera, who was standing beside me. "Call the manager." After two minutes, the manager came running out of the lift, looking nervous. He stood in front of me, i folded hands on my chest.

"Now, tell me, Mr. Khana, is this how you train your employees to show attitude to the company CEO, who they are working for right now?" I said loudly, so everyone could hear. He shivered, knowing that one wrong word would cost him his job. Ms. Sharma also looked nervous, her eyes cast downward.

"Sorry, ma'am," she stuttered. "Sorry, ma'am, this mistake will not happen again."

I gave him a cold, authoritative look. "Go, Mr. Khana. I want my cabin in 1 hour. Arrange a meeting after 2 hours, and every team leader must be there." He nodded, "Okay, ma'am," and scurried off.

I turned my heel and walked towards the lift, observing how my employees were working.

They didn't know that their lives depended on their work today.

After roaming around the entire office, I checked every team and saw that they were working perfectly, at least they had some fear in their eyes. I smirked proudly, knowing that my employees were on track.

Meera informed me that my cabin was ready, and I emerged from the lift on the 12th floor.

I entered my cabin, sat down in my chair, and Meera stood in front of me.

"Meera, tell James to handle every deal and handle everything in New York. If there's an important meeting, arrange it online. And I want this branch's information on sales and marketing in front of me in 2 hours," I ordered. She nodded and left.

I opened my laptop and looked at the sales figures, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

I wanted to do something big after my marriage. I thought to myself, "INK EMPIRE WILL BE MINE. I will merge MIRAE INDUSTRIES and INK EMPIRE, and this will be a big shot for me." I could handle them separately, but I wanted to create a empire.

Just then, Meera informed me that everyone was waiting for me in the meeting room.

I nodded, closed my laptop, and stood up, ready to take on the meeting and make my vision a reality.

I entered the meeting room, and everyone greeted me as I took my seat in the head chair. "So, my dear employees, let me introduce myself. I'm Inaya Shaik, the CEO of MIRAE, and your boss for the next few months. If I find any mistakes in your work, you will be fired. And I will give you all a challenge: after two days, we will have another meeting, and whoever gives the best presentation will be promoted by me personally. I will also give them a two-month bonus. Get ready, lucky guys," I said in a cold, authoritative voice, but with a hint of excitement and enthusiasm.

I rose from my chair, walked towards my cabin, and emerged ready to work again, ready to take on the challenge and make my vision a reality.

Meera handed me all the sales files for the India branch, and I was checking through them when my phone rang. I saw that it was an unknown number and answered it, putting it on speaker. A young boy's voice came through, "Didi, it's me, Faizan. Dadu wants to come home early because the Khan's family is coming."

I replied, "Okay, Faizan, I'll be there in an hour." He hummed in response, and I asked, "How did you get my number?" He replied, "Dadu gave it to me." I hummed and said, "Okay, bye. I have some work, but I'll try to come to the mansion on time."

I cut the call and engaged myself in work again, glancing at the clock and realizing it was already 7 pm.

Shit

Fuck

I'm late

I grabbed my car keys and started driving full speed, not caring about other vehicles.

I didn't want to be late, not because I was excited about the marriage, but because I didn't want to tarnish my family's reputation.

I didn't want to act like a bratty daughter and bring shame to my parents.

I knew they were counting on me, and I didn't want to let them down.

My car halted in front of the mansion, and I saw many guards and eight luxurious cars.

I knew Dadu would choose a family that was equally wealthy and influential as ours.

I walked into the main hall and saw a couple in their mid-50s sitting beside my mom and dad, along with two girls, a young boy, and a man around Adeen bhai's age.

My mom saw me and walked towards me, saying, "Lo aagye meri beti" (Oh, my daughter has arrived).

Everyone's attention was on me, and I, being used to people's attention, put on a expressionless face.

She made me sit beside the woman whose son was going to marry me.

I thought to myself, "I can't believe this is happening." I turned my head and saw Adeen bhai sitting with his wife, Hayat didi, and my cousin, Chachi, and Chachu. Everyone seemed happy except me.

The elders were talking, and a guy came and sat beside Adeen bhai. I turned my head to see his face and wore a blue suit. He was handsome... wait, he was the one who crashed into me last night!

"Oh my God, please don't tell me I'm going to marry him!" I thought to myself, my heart sinking with dread.

ZEESHAN POV:

Now, we're heading to Shaik's mansion.

My whole family is coming, except for Chachu and Chachi, who left for Dubai last week from the Halde Dabai branch.

Our cars halt in front of Shaik's mansion, and we enter.

Adeen's parents welcome us with warm smiles as we seat ourselves in the main hall.

Even though Shaik's mansion is massive, it feels cozy.

"So, call Inaya, I want to meet my daughter" Mom says with excitement, her eyes shining with happiness.

"She's working and will come in 15 minutes, sorry," Adeen's mom replies with a sad smile.

"It's okay, Amira, I can understand. Inaya loves being an independent woman" my mom assures her, and Adeen's mom nods in agreement.

Just then, I receive a call from Fahad. I excuse myself and walk towards the garden to answer it.

"Sir, we've discovered that our New York team leader transferred $15 million to his account over the past two years, and he and his team are involved in a murder. We're trying to trace who transferred the money, but we can't find any leads. His team members are also on the run, constantly changing countries like they're trying to escape from someone," Fahad says.

I hum in response, intrigued by the mystery. 'Who are you, devil queen?' I ask, my mind racing with questions

"Did you find out about the letter? Who is she?" I ask, my anger simmering.

"No, sir, we just discovered that she's also a mafia member, involved with the Italian and Russian mafias. I'll try to find more information, sir," Fahad replies.

"Not try, Fahad! Inform our teams! I want to know how she had the guts to leave a threat letter for me!" I roar, my anger boiling over.

"Okay, sir," Fahad responds, before I cut him off.

I walk back into the hall and sit down beside Adeen. There's a girl sitting beside my mom, and I think it might be Inaya. As she turns her head towards me, our eyes meet, and I feel a spark of recognition."

"Inaya, my nemesis, my heart betrays me by yearning for you. Your eyes, once bright, now dimmed by sorrow, still manage to pierce through my soul. Your skin, pale and fragile, like a flower that's lost its bloom, only makes me want to protect you more. Your lips, soft and pink, whisper tales of unspoken words that I'm desperate to hear. Your hair, raven-black, frames your face like a work of art that I can't help but admire. I claim to hate you, but my heart is drowning in its desire for you. Let me be the one to unravel your mysteries, to discover the truth behind your haunting eyes, even if it means surrendering to my own defeat."

What am I thinking? Why am I feeling the need to protect her? No, Zeeshan, you can't let your heart lead you astray like this.

She killed your love, she's a murderer. My heart mocks me.

But my feelings persist, urging me to protect her, even after just one meeting and a brief eye contact. Am I falling for Inaya? My heart scoffs.

I silence it, shutting off the internal dialogue.

She's staring at me, her gaze lowering, and I wonder if she's shy.

But no, she's typing something on her phone, her expression unreadable. Why are her eyes so empty? She switches off her phone and places it on her lap.

I notice she's wearing a white suit, and I wonder if she works in a company.

Adeen tells me she completed her graduation in New York, and I suspect she might be working in her father's company.

Adeen's father built his own company from scratch, and his physique is impressive, like a bigger, stronger version of Adeen. He has a great love story too, one that involves fighting with Adeen's grandfather and marrying his enemy's daughter, whom he fell in love with in university.

"You're so beautiful, beta, and innocent, just like Amira," my mom says to Inaya, who nods in response. My mom and Adeen's mom are childhood friends, just like my parents, who have their own great love story, which I'll tell later. But for now, I'm focused on Inaya.

Seriously, Zeeshan, why are you so fixated on Inaya? Is she that important? My heart questions. Yes, my mind responds, to destroy her, to crush her soul.

"'So, beta, we've heard that you're working in a company and helping your dad," my dad asks, seemingly reading my mind. I also want to ask her this question.

"No, uncle, I work in MIRAE INDUSTRIES," she replies, her voice blank and emotionless, without a hint of shyness or nervousness.

I can see her face, and she again turns her head towards me, our eyes meeting in a brief, intense gaze. Those hazel brown eyes seem to pierce through me.

"Amira, why don't we let Inaya and Zeeshan talk? They're going to get married, after all," my mom says, assuring Adeen's mom, who nods in agreement.

Our dads remain silent, knowing better than to interfere when the women are talking.

"Why not, Inaya, beta? Take him to the garden," Adeen's mom suggests. Inaya nods and stands up, walking towards the garden without looking at me.

I follow her, her hair flowing in the air, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She takes each step with confidence, as if she holds power.

As we walk into the garden, she stops in front of a bench and silently sits down.

I sit on the other side of the bench, and a pin-drop silence ensues.

I'm nervous, freaking nervous. Even when I was killing the Italian boss, I wasn't nervous.

He thought he could destroy me with a single snap, but I still killed him. I know what I am - a Lucifer, ruler of the dark world. Now, I'm freaking nervous in front of a 24-year-old girl.

I break the silence, saying, "Assalam walikum."

I sigh,

feeling awkward. "Walikum assalam," she responds with a firm tone, her gaze still fixed on the flowers.

INAYA POV:

Aunty, you think I'm so beautiful and innocent, just like my mom, I think to myself, but little do you know, I'm a 24-year-old heartless bitch who doesn't give a damn about other people's feelings.

Uncle asks me, "So, beta, we've heard that you're working in your dad's company and helping him." I want to scream, I'm the CEO of MIRAE INDUSTRIES, a million-dollar company, not just some employee! But I reply firmly, "No, uncle, I work in MIRAE INDUSTRIES."

Aunty intervenes, "Enough with the questions. Amira, why don't we let Inaya and Zeeshan talk? They're going to get married after all." Aunty assures Zeeshan, whose name seems familiar to me, but I shrug off the thought.

My mom says, "Why not, Inaya, beta? Take him to the garden."

I nod and stand up, walking towards the garden with Zeeshan following me.

We sit on a bench, and after an awkward five minutes, he breaks the silence with a husky low voice, "Assalam walikum."

I respond, "Walikum assalam," my gaze fixed on the flowers.

He asks, "So, Inaya, you've completed your studies, right? Or do you want to continue?" I reply, "No, I'm a graduate."

My stomach churns with turmoil, and my heart sinks with guilt.

I can't do this marriage. "Mr. Khan, why did you accept this proposal? You should say no," I say, feeling like I'm betraying him. I can protect them; I don't need this man beside me.

He asks, his voice deep with hatred and venom, "What's your reason for accepting this proposal, Inaya?"

I reply, "I have my own reasons; I can't say no to my grandfather."

I feel his gaze bore into my soul, and I turn to face him, my brown eyes locking onto his.

I nodded, trying to appear confident, but my heart was racing with fear.

My phone pinged with a notification, and I quickly checked it, my eyes widening as I read the message. It was from my grandfather, and his words sent a chill down my spine.

"If you think about saying no to this marriage, I will take out MIRAE INDUSTRIES and ink empire. You will be left with nothing, and you will have to sleep on the streets. You know how heartless I can be, so say yes to this marriage like a good granddaughter."

He is indeed mafia boss

Retired

Yahhhhh

Fck it

This Oldman

How can he do this me ?

Why he so eager me married'off?

What's so special on this guy who sat beside like a gorilla?

I felt trapped, with no other option but to agree to the marriage.

But I vowed to myself that I would take control of the situation once I had the chance.

I would marry Zeeshan, but I would also make sure to divorce him and take back what was rightfully mine.

I took a deep breath and spoke in a cold, detached voice, "No, Mr. Khan, I'm fully accepting this marriage, and my answer is yes."

Zeeshan's eyes widened in surprise, and a smirk spread across his handsome face.

I felt a surge of anger and resentment towards him, and I had to restrain myself from scratching his face.

If he didn't give me a divorce, I would make sure to make him regret ever crossing me.

I will kill him .

If say no, if he say yes

I will give him my Gucci bag

But he is man what he will do

My mind mocked

Yes, he is man

1 week later

AUTHOR POV:,

Shaik's mansion shone brightly with lights, filled with the happiness of the Shaik and Khan families, two of the most powerful families in the land.

Their friendship had blossomed into a relationship, and they had arranged an engagement ceremony in the grand garden, spanning five acres. Celebrities, businessmen, and politicians had all been invited to this grand event.

As cars halted in front of Shaik's mansion, a 6'7" guy stepped out of a Rolls Royce, wearing a white sherwani that accentuated his broad shoulders.

He looked like a Greek god, but his blue eyes were filled with hatred for his fiancée, Inaya Shaik.

Zeeshan Khan, the groom-to-be, stood on the grand glass stage, waiting for Inaya with his friends and family.

As the ceremony was about to start, everyone became silent, gazing at the person walking towards the stage. Inaya Shaik looked like a goddess in her red long dress, her open hair framing her eternal beauty.

Zeeshan's breath hitched as he beheld her beauty, feeling an intense attraction towards her.

He thought to himself, "Come Inaya, I'm waiting for you. I'll destroy your life, crush your soul. I'll make you regret every day why you're alive, why you didn't die with your sister."

Little did Zeeshan know that Inaya was already a broken soul, living like a thing without dreams.

Her only aim was INK EMPIRE, which she had sacrificed her life for over the past eight years.

She no longer wanted anyone; she wanted power, control, and revenge. Her last goal was to kill Lucifer, the man who had destroyed her life. Inaya's soul had crushed the day her love died, and she had been living a lifeless existence since then.

Their chase had just begun, with a tangled web of revenge, power, and destruction. Only one of them would emerge victorious in the end.

The chaso has begin started

Glimp

A pair of piercing eyes, black as coal, gazed intensely at the beauty before him, Inaya Shaik. The owner of those eyes was a towering figure, 6'7" with a chiseled physique, 8 packs, and broad shoulders. A well-built man with a moon tattoo on the back of his neck, his upper body was naked, showcasing his impressive muscles. He held a wine glass in hand, observing everything from a large screen in his massive study room.

With a cold, dominating voice, he spoke, "You look like mine. I will make you mine soon, just wait for me, sweetheart." His words sent a shiver down the spine, exuding an aura of confidence and control. The room seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves were drawn to his presence. The air was heavy with antici

pation, as if the very fate of Inaya Shaik hung in the balance.

The man's gaze was fixed on Inaya, his eyes burning with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the screen. His presence was commanding, his dominance palpable. The study room, with its grandeur and luxury, seemed to shrink in comparison to his imposing figure. The only sound was the soft hum of the screen, as if it too, was under his control.