Hello my cute little orchids, I had to make some updates here cause I accidentally posted an old draft instead of the actual chapter 😭🙏🏻

And I'm sorry about it. Y'all can read this now. This is the final one.

Enjoy ✨

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CHANDANI

MALHOTRA MANSION:

The first thing I noticed was silence.

Not the kind that gives comfort but the one that unnerves.

But warmth too as I was covered in a comfortable thick and soft blanket, softer than anything i'd ever felt. And the cloud-like pillow.

Where am I?

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw myself lying in a soft bed, in a big- no, huge room. Polished furniture, soft lights, elegant sheer ivory curtains, marble floors that made me feel like I was in a palace.

Everything looked quite expensive.

My head throbbed with a full rhythmic ache. I hold my head with my hands. I slowly sat up wincing at the pain. How did I come here?

Wait. W-who am i?

I started freaking out as I tried to remember my name but couldn't. And that only made me feel a sharp pain in the head.

I look down at myself. Just then, I heard faint sounds outside the room.

"How is she?"

"Mr. Malhotra, she has got hurt in the head. And... there's a possibility of her suffering from memory loss. Temporarily."

I clutch the blanket tighter around me in shock. My heart pounding like crazy. 'What the hell is happening? Who's that? And- are they talking about me?'

"I'll take your leave now, Mr. Malhotra"

And I heard the sound of footsteps walking away.

After a few moments, a gentle knock on the door made me come out of my thoughts. A man walked in who looked like he was probably in his 50's. He had a gentle smile as he walked to me. He sat on the bed, but at a safe distance.

"You're awake. How are you feeling now, beta?"

I was still feeling scared and uneasy. I clutched the blanket tightly bringing it up to my chin in fear.

A soft smile appeared on his lips,

"Don't hesitate, beta. You can tell me, is your head still hurting?"

He looked safe.

"I- I think so..."

I didn't know what else to say. Cause I was in shock and confusion. Seeing this expression, I knew even he didn't believe my words.

The man asked me calmly,

"What is your name, beta?"

I lowered my gaze looking down at my clutched hands

"I...i...don't know"

The man frowned but then his expression softened again and he sighed,

"I'm extremely sorry, beta"

I look at him confused. "Sorry... for what?"

His expression changed again. He looked sad. And guilty. He thought he was responsible for this. So he gently placed his hand on my head and spoke in a fatherly tone,

"You will stay here till you don't get well. You won't be leaving this place until then, hm? I'll take care of you, beta."

Hearing his gentle words, a smile made its way to my lips but it didn't quite reach my eyes. Cause his calm words reminded me of someone. But I don't know who.

My vision gets blurry. Hands shivering. Eyes flashing white as I hear something-

A man hugging a little girl in his arms. The little girl was sniffling softly as the woman next to them continued to shout, but the man gently calmed the little girl and said,

"My daughter isn't lying!"

I snapped out of the daze hearing a voice. That was Mr. Malhotra, he looked very concerned

"Beta, are you ok? Why were you breathing so unevenly? Look, you are sweating too."

Tears well up in my eyes in confusion. I was feeling very overwhelmed. I couldn't remember anything. Except that one man I just saw. Why? Who is he?

"Can you recall anything? Do you remember your parents? Your family?"

Mr. Malhotra asked hoping I would say yes though he knew what my answer would be.

I shook my head. And he let out a sigh in disappointment.

I heard another knock on the room door. This time, a young woman walked in with a tray in her hands, placed it on the table and turned to us, "Hello, Ma'am. I'm Reema, a housemaid. If you need anything, you can call me out anytime."

She says with a smile and gives a slight nod to Mr. Malhotra and leaves.

As reema left, the man looked at me again and spoke,

"Take some rest"

THIRD PERSON

Later that night:

Chandani woke up feeling thirsty. She looked around and saw a bottle of water. She grabbed it but realised it was empty. Yawning and stretching, slowly she got up and walked out of the room.

It was dark. As she reached the kitchen, she stood at the counter to fill her bottle up.

She gulped down some water and sighs in relief.

But suddenly felt someone's presence behind her. She turned around but saw no one.

Just as she was about to leave, she stumbled.

Chandani tightly shut her eyes. But when she didn't feel the fall, she slowly opened her eyes to realise someone was holding her.

She looked up to see a man holding her.

His features were carved like a stone. Sharp gaze, perfectly trimmed beard, sharp jawline. Cold eyes.

But it was dark. And she couldn't see his face. Neither could he.

She was surprised to think who this man was.

Without thinking twice, she screamed "Chor! Ch-" but before she could wake up the entire mansion, he placed his hand covering her mouth muffling her screams, gritting his teeth in irritation.

"Chilao mat! Aur mere hi ghar me mujhe hi chor bula rahi ho?" He spoke.

Chandani's eyes widened in shock as her scream got trapped behind his palm. His touch wasn't harsh, but commanding- his grip firm enough to silence, yet not hurt.

He leaned in slightly, and whispered close to her ear, voice deep and sharp.

"Tumhein agar chillana hi tha... toh kam se kam pehle dekh toh leti kisko chor keh rahi ho."

Her breath hitched.

Her heart thudded violently against her chest, louder than any words she could speak. She could feel his body heat, the masculine scent of his cologne-expensive, subtle, dangerous.

Just then, Mr. Malhotra walked into the kitchen.

But before Mr. Malhotra could see them, the man swiftly pulled Chandani behind the tall wooden partition near the storage nook-tucked between the kitchen cabinets and the recessed corner space.

Just as the man moved his hand away from her mouth to hold her in place, Chandani gasped.

And in the next second, he covered her mouth again.

Not with his palm this time.

But with his own lips!

Chandani froze. Her eyes widened. And her heart pounding in her chest so loud that she could hear it.

Her hand did reach up onto his chest to push him away, but she couldn't. She remained motionless. As his lips were still on hers. He wasn't being gentle. But not cruel either. His one hand was wrapped around her holding her waist while another pinned her hands above her head to the drawers behind her.

He kissed her like she belonged to him.

Even though they didn't know each other's names.

His scent continued to overwhelm her senses. And then-

He broke the kiss hearing the sound of a glass clinking. And footsteps sound slowly fading indicating that Mr. Malhotra went back to his room, unaware of whatever happened in the kitchen.

The man finally pulled away. Slowly and deliberately.

He leaned in again and whispered,

"That was better than screaming"

And left. Leaving Chandani breathless and alone in the darkness.

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Heyyyyy my cute little orchids, guess who just posted chapter 3 out of nowhere 😉 hehe.

Did you like chandani's first kiss?

And do not forget to vote! Pretty please ? 🥺

One last thing, make sure to follow me on instagram for sneak peeks and cute edits 💓: @/purpleorchidsss

See ya 👋🏼