Priyank felt restless and knew he was getting too hot under his pants for a reason he didn't want to acknowledge.
He couldn't believe how much he wanted her. In his whole life, he had never been aroused by women, but this girl's mere words could make him wild with desire. He felt like a beast, and he hated himself for it.
Priyank took deep breaths, trying to control himself. It wasn't something he wanted, at least not now.
He went into his study and turned on the camera. Yes, he had cameras all over his house, except in his mom's room.
Priyank saw Priya, at first not talking, and then making a deal with his mom not to tell him about what she had said. He whispered to himself, "How can someone be this naive?"
"She can be, and you love her for it," his conscience replied.
Priyank smiled as he watched his mom lovingly feed Priya, making it seem like they were mother and daughter. At least for a day, it was a good distraction. She had come into his life and swept him away with her innocence, and he was loving every moment of it.
Priyank observed how content Priyank seemed with her things, and it irked him that she was so happy with his mom and not with him, driving him to the brink of insanity.
Struggling to calm himself, he sought to quiet his raging hormones, already enduring more than he could bear. The thought of how much worse it could get was absurd.
Sighing, Priyank entered the study room's attached bathroom, shedding his clothes before stepping into the shower to contemplate the situation.
Under the cold water, he attempted to soothe his senses, but thoughts of Priya, who had undeniably occupied his mind more than necessary, persisted. Her face lingered in his mind, an undeniable presence that he couldn't shake. He loved her with every fibre of his being, yet his anger threatened to consume him. He yearned for resolution, but the turmoil within him was unnecessary.
Priya's influence was driving him to the brink of madness, clouding his judgement and leading him down a path he knew was wrong. It was maddening to think that things could ever be right. If she continued her behaviour, he wouldn't be able to tolerate it. His frustration was reaching a breaking point, and he couldn't fathom the extent of his emotions.
Everything was slipping through his fingers, his desires overpowering him. He struggled to regain control of his raging hormones, refusing to succumb to forceful actions. Despite his inner turmoil, he remained steadfast in his principles.
His conscience taunted him, highlighting his transgressions and the lack of ethical behaviour. He couldn't deny that his anger had clouded his judgement, leaving him unable to escape the consequences.
After the cold shower, he dried himself and dressed, his eyes betraying the internal struggle he faced. Despite his inner turmoil, he looked impeccable in his fitted blue suit, his commanding presence undeniable.
Leaving the study room, he appeared refreshed and energetic, despite a restless night. He was accustomed to minimal sleep, preferring to make the most of his waking hours.
“Let's work”,
Priya finished her pasta and inquired, "Daisy Aunty, what do you usually do all day?"
Daisy smiled at Priya's endearing use of names, "I mostly just stay at home and do nothing much."
"Don't you get bored doing nothing all day?,”Priya probed further.
"I do get bored, so I try to help with cooking and other tasks,” Daisy admitted.
Priya nodded thoughtfully, "Why don't you do something more? Mother Mary always says that girls should work and be self-sufficient."
Daisy's pride swelled at Priya's words, "I used to have a business, but when Priyank started his own successful venture, he insisted I take a break, so I did."
"Why would he stop you from working? How could he do that? It's not right that you had to give up your job because of him. He's a bad guy," Priya questioned.
"He's not that bad, Priya. It's just his temper. He didn't want me to work because of my health. He's concerned about me and wants me to rest," Daisy reassured her.
"What health condition, Aunty?,"Priya pressed.
Daisy affectionately patted Priya's head, "It's nothing, dear. You ask so many difficult questions, but always stay true to yourself, just as Mother Mary advises."
"I love Mother Mary and all my friends at the orphanage. It's a special place for me,”Priya beamed.
Priyank arrived and overheard Priya's words. He stood at the gate, exuding confidence, and declared, "Surely you're coming with me to the office. As you said, everyone needs to work. You are going to work too. I will not feed you for free; do some work."
Priya and Daisy turned their heads towards Priyank, who stood there in all his glory, dressed impeccably. Priya asked him, "What?"
"Just as you're telling Mom, surely you need to work too. Nobody here is going to feed you for free."
Priya, with widened eyes, responded, "I'm just in my first year and attended the first day two days ago. How can you tell me to work? I don't even have a degree to work. Why do I need to work? I'm not a freeloader."
"Is that so? Because it doesn't seem like you're not free, as you live rent-free in your so-called orphanage, being a freeloader on them and now teaching my mom how to be independent, when you are not even independent enough to spell correctly," Priyank raised his eyebrows and asked.
Priya felt deeply hurt by his words. She felt the sting of his words, making her eyes teary. How could she be a freeloader? Mother Mary never made her feel this way. She's just 18; how can someone expect her to earn it? She can earn it after graduation. But now, he's just insulting her with nothing else. Tears started flowing from her eyes, realising how she was being made to feel like a burden, something her Mother Mary never let her feel.
Daisy saw Priya in tears and angrily said, "What the hell are you doing, Priyank? Why are you behaving like that? Look at what you did. Why make her cry?,” Daisy hugged Priya and started patting her back, "It's fine. He's just wrong. You are not a burden to anyone."
"Who said she's not? She's 18, still living with Mother Mary in an orphanage when, according to the rules, she should leave. But there she is, still living with them. How clueless she can be, trying to teach you without having a brain in her head," Priyank emotionlessly answered.
Daisy couldn't believe she was hearing her son talk like that.
"I'm not going anywhere, Auntie. I want to be here. What work can I do with my leg and hand injuries? I have college too; that's why I'm taking a holiday today," Priya started crying hard and said.
"We're not playing here, dear. When I say we're going, we're going. There's no way I'm going to let this slide. You're coming with me, no matter how much you cry. You're just going to hear me out, rather than crying your eyes out," Priyank interrupted.
"Eyes cry, not asses," Priya, while crying, said.
Priyank knew this was her usual response, so he ignored her remark. He said, "Cry from wherever you want, but be ready in 10 minutes. We're leaving from here. Your dress will be prepared here, Mom. Leave her. I don't have time to waste on this so-called drama."
Daisy sighed and spoke, "You can go with him, Priya. It's fine. His office has a comfortable space. You're going to like it there. I think it will be fine if you leave with him, because that's something that just needs to be done."
Priya couldn't understand why Daisy's words had suddenly changed. She replied, "But I really don't want to go anywhere. If you want to send me anywhere, please send me home. I really can't be here."
Priyank, in an authoritative tone, said, "You can go from here. I can handle this brat by myself. She's coming with me in ten minutes. You don't have to worry about it."
Priya felt scared when he said this. It scared her, but she hugged Daisy more tightly, not wanting to leave her at all.
Daisy felt uneasy and didn't know whom to help—her son or Priya, who was sweet and innocent and needed her help but didn't know if she could provide it.
There was something inside her telling her that she was making a mistake, that things shouldn't have gone this way.
"Priya, it's fine. Just try to understand, child."