23-04-2026, 09:55 PM
Chapter 2: The Drive to Nowhere
The black Mercedes glided through Chennai’s late-night streets, the city lights flickering across the tinted windows. Inside, the silence felt suffocating.
Bhaskar sat beside Malavika, legs spread wide, taking up more space than necessary. He hadn’t spoken much since leaving The Leela Palace. His phone was in his hand, fingers scrolling through messages even now, as if the woman he had just gotten engaged to was barely worth his full attention.
Malavika kept her hands folded tightly in her lap, the diamond ring feeling heavier with every passing minute.
Bhaskar finally glanced at her, his expression flat and business-like.
“You’re quiet,” he said, more like an observation than concern.
Malavika looked at him. “Everything happened too fast tonight. The engagement… and then the news about Shekar uncle.”
Bhaskar gave a short, dismissive snort. “Shekar’s accident doesn’t change our plans. The marriage is fixed. One year.” He leaned back, eyes flicking over her body casually, the way one might inspect a new car. “Until then, you stay with me. The apartment is ready.”
Malavika shifted uncomfortably. “I thought I could stay with my uncle for a few more weeks… at least until things settle.”
Bhaskar didn’t even pretend to consider it. “My mother already arranged everything. Two bedrooms. You can have your own space.” He paused, then added with a slight smirk, “But we need to look like a proper couple now. The board will be watching closely, especially after tonight. So no silly ideas about staying separately.”
The car pulled into a quiet upscale street near the beach. A sleek 25th-floor building rose ahead of them.
When they reached the penthouse, Bhaskar stepped out first without offering his hand. Malavika followed, feeling the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. The private elevator ride was silent except for the soft hum of machinery. Bhaskar stood scrolling on his phone again, barely acknowledging her presence.
The elevator doors opened straight into the luxurious apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows, expensive minimalist furniture, and a view of the dark sea. It was beautiful, but it felt cold.
Bhaskar tossed his jacket carelessly onto the couch and loosened his tie.
“Welcome home,” he said flatly, as if reading from a script. “For the next year, this is where you live. My mother stocked the master bedroom closet with clothes for you. Your size.”
He turned toward her, eyes once again scanning her figure — not with desire, but with the satisfied look of someone who had just acquired a valuable asset.
“You should change and rest,” he continued. “We have an early day at the office tomorrow. I need you to start learning how things work.” A small, irritating smile tugged at his lips. “And Malavika… try to act a little warmer in front of others. We’re engaged now. You’re mine — at least on paper. That’s what matters.”
Malavika felt a chill. There was no affection in his voice, no warmth. Just cold calculation. He wasn’t looking at her as a woman, or even as a partner. She was simply the 10% stake that would help him climb higher.
She took a small step back, her full breasts rising with uneasy breaths.
Bhaskar didn’t seem to notice her discomfort — or if he did, he didn’t care.
“Two bedrooms,” he reminded her again, already walking toward the main one. “But don’t forget why we’re doing this. It’s business. Everything else… is just formality.”
He disappeared into his room, leaving Malavika standing alone in the middle of the vast living room, the weight of the ring and the unfamiliar apartment pressing down on her.
This was only the first night.
And already, she felt trapped.
The black Mercedes glided through Chennai’s late-night streets, the city lights flickering across the tinted windows. Inside, the silence felt suffocating.
Bhaskar sat beside Malavika, legs spread wide, taking up more space than necessary. He hadn’t spoken much since leaving The Leela Palace. His phone was in his hand, fingers scrolling through messages even now, as if the woman he had just gotten engaged to was barely worth his full attention.
Malavika kept her hands folded tightly in her lap, the diamond ring feeling heavier with every passing minute.
Bhaskar finally glanced at her, his expression flat and business-like.
“You’re quiet,” he said, more like an observation than concern.
Malavika looked at him. “Everything happened too fast tonight. The engagement… and then the news about Shekar uncle.”
Bhaskar gave a short, dismissive snort. “Shekar’s accident doesn’t change our plans. The marriage is fixed. One year.” He leaned back, eyes flicking over her body casually, the way one might inspect a new car. “Until then, you stay with me. The apartment is ready.”
Malavika shifted uncomfortably. “I thought I could stay with my uncle for a few more weeks… at least until things settle.”
Bhaskar didn’t even pretend to consider it. “My mother already arranged everything. Two bedrooms. You can have your own space.” He paused, then added with a slight smirk, “But we need to look like a proper couple now. The board will be watching closely, especially after tonight. So no silly ideas about staying separately.”
The car pulled into a quiet upscale street near the beach. A sleek 25th-floor building rose ahead of them.
When they reached the penthouse, Bhaskar stepped out first without offering his hand. Malavika followed, feeling the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. The private elevator ride was silent except for the soft hum of machinery. Bhaskar stood scrolling on his phone again, barely acknowledging her presence.
The elevator doors opened straight into the luxurious apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows, expensive minimalist furniture, and a view of the dark sea. It was beautiful, but it felt cold.
Bhaskar tossed his jacket carelessly onto the couch and loosened his tie.
“Welcome home,” he said flatly, as if reading from a script. “For the next year, this is where you live. My mother stocked the master bedroom closet with clothes for you. Your size.”
He turned toward her, eyes once again scanning her figure — not with desire, but with the satisfied look of someone who had just acquired a valuable asset.
“You should change and rest,” he continued. “We have an early day at the office tomorrow. I need you to start learning how things work.” A small, irritating smile tugged at his lips. “And Malavika… try to act a little warmer in front of others. We’re engaged now. You’re mine — at least on paper. That’s what matters.”
Malavika felt a chill. There was no affection in his voice, no warmth. Just cold calculation. He wasn’t looking at her as a woman, or even as a partner. She was simply the 10% stake that would help him climb higher.
She took a small step back, her full breasts rising with uneasy breaths.
Bhaskar didn’t seem to notice her discomfort — or if he did, he didn’t care.
“Two bedrooms,” he reminded her again, already walking toward the main one. “But don’t forget why we’re doing this. It’s business. Everything else… is just formality.”
He disappeared into his room, leaving Malavika standing alone in the middle of the vast living room, the weight of the ring and the unfamiliar apartment pressing down on her.
This was only the first night.
And already, she felt trapped.
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