Chereads / Shade in the darkness / Chapter 2 - Meeting the Monster...

Chapter 2 - Meeting the Monster...

Ruhi returned home after finishing school but did not leave her house. She went to her aunt's home. Aunty is her father's only sister. Since she didn't marry and had no children, she lives alone. Her benefactor is Ruhi's father, Bandara. Ruhi cares about her aunt, so she becomes like her daughter. Her mom died when she was ten. Nayomi has been her mom since then. In addition to her father, Ruhi had an older sister. Ruhi is more familiar with her aunt than with her older sister.

"It was great having you stay with me for a few days."

She's excited about her visit since she will live with her for a while.

"Oh? I'm coming every day. Not just today."

While telling, Ruhi laughed.

"That's not like other days. You've been here with me for a week. That makes me so happy."

She got a tight hug from Ruhi. Her eyes were filled with joy. Every once in a while, she visits her aunt's house. Something happened this time, so she had to stay with her aunt. Ruhi's father is a businessman. He is talented at work, but unexpectedly, his business failed, so he took some money from his partner. A few days ago, his father explained this to Ruhi.

"Is something wrong with you, Dad? What is the reason you look so depressed?"

One day, Bandara arrived very late at home. His stress caught Ruhi's attention at the time.

"No, darling. I'm fine. I worked a lot today. That's why? Nothing else."

Before his daughter grabs him, he tries to escape.

"You don't have to lie to me."

"No, Ruhi..."

"I want to hear the truth from you, Dad."

Bandara was unable to escape his daughter any longer. She reminded him precisely of her mother. She understands the burdens others bear and is very caring, kind, and understanding.

"I'll explain it to you."

His business became bankrupt after the stock market dropped. A friend of his helped him collect some money to escape the disaster. The secret was now out, but Ruhi didn't think much about it. His entire story was told to her that day.

"Don't worry. There is something we can do. You can sell some shares of your company. At least you'll be able to cover your debt."

"Oh... yes, I could handle that. How did I forget that? You're my angel."

Bandara is happy after getting an explanation from Ruhi. However, Ruhi forgot to ask how much money he had brought from his friend. That day, their discussion flowed smoothly. But the war turned out badly when Ruhi was caught after his father's secret had already been revealed. After two weeks, Bandara arrived home sobbing. That day, only Ruhi stayed at home.

"We have big trouble, Ruhi."

"Why? What's going on?"

Ruhi is scared after hearing his worried tone. The shocking thing is that he is breaking down.

"I lied to you. That money did not come from my friend."

"Well, who gave you?"

"I've heard he's a businessman. A friend recommended him to me."

He describes the case he faced.

"It's okay. I don't need to know who he is or what he's doing. But can you tell me what's happening?"

"If I can't pay him on time, he will demand your sister."

When Ruhi found out, she was shocked. There's no idea what she should do. Her view of the situation changed abruptly.

"Dad, what should we do now?"

"I don't know, Ruhi."

Ultimately, she realised that her dad had taken money from a gangster. Usually, he would demand money or property to get back his allowance. Still, now he's asking Ruhi's older sister for it.

Her elder sister is Annie. She had already graduated from high school and performed several modelling shows while remaining home. It's no secret that she likes to work in fashion. As revealed by her father, this man saw Annie on a modelling program, although he did not elaborate.

"It's obvious that Bastard is psychotic."

Ruhi was extremely irritable due to this headache and wanted a solution immediately. Her thoughts wandered as she lay there contemplating what to do.

"Dad, do you have a friend in India?"

The question suddenly popped into Ruhi's head. Upon hearing her voice, Bandara was stunned. It took her a long time to understand what she was asking him about his overseas friend.

"Yes."

"Have you kept in touch with him?"

"I know he usually talks to me, but why do you want to know about him?"

"Each of you has a passport."

Trying to understand what his daughter pointed out was a challenge for Bandara. He cannot get an answer to any of the questions she asks, and she doesn't stop asking.

"What was the duration of his warning?"

"One month."

"Fine, that's enough."

She was cheered up by his answers to her questions. For her mission to be completed, that was enough.

"Can you tell me what you are planning, Ruhi? Would like to know what you are planning."

He couldn't wait long without getting an accurate answer, so he asked her.

"This is what needs to be carried on."

Ruhi revealed the plan. She recommended he obtain a visa secretly without revealing anything to the man, for her sister and him. Before taking the Indian visa, Ruhi advised her father to verify this with his friend.

"Dad, please be careful. It would be much better if we didn't tell them about our idea. Okay."

"I get it, darling. I have some contacts with people. I hope to get some assistance from them. In that case, I will be cautious."

"Make sure our plan doesn't fall apart, dad."

There is a plea from Ruhi to her father. According to Ruhi's plan, her sister will be shipped to India within two weeks. He also hoped he would do his job as carefully as he could this time. As soon as he is dropped, he will return here.

After a few days, her father was able to get visas for both of them. He was pretty pleased with his younger daughter's idea. Ruhi and Bandara explained everything to Annie upon picking up her passport. Rather than moving in with that guy, she was glad to fly to India. Her career in India has already been planned. Her happiness spreads like wildfire.

"Thank you so much, sis. Nobody can do it better than you. Sincerely, I don't want to meet that man. Don't we know what kind of man he'll be?"

"You don't have to worry. I'll take care of it."

Her sister's intentions made Annie happy. She knew Ruhi was good at this kind of stuff.

"However, Ruhi... you live alone in this house. Like something has appeared to you."

"Don't think I'll be staying here alone. What about Nayomi Aunty?"

"I guess he can do something for you since you're a girl."

" It's you he's focused on, not me. You've got to take care of yourself, not me. I'm not as pretty as my sis."

Annie feels perfect after hearing Ruhi's words. It's upsetting her that her sister might be frustrated after moving to the country. She's likely to get hurt if he understands this quickly.

"You're awesome, sis. I'm not like that. Make sure you're safe, okay?"

It was Annie's last words before leaving.

Their secret wasn't noticed that day, so they moved that night. Ruhi led the way back to school when they left as if nothing had happened. When Ruhi left school, she went to her aunt's house.

" Aunty, I'll be heading to the tuition class."

Due to her exam, she has to take some extra classes. She doesn't want to attend those classes, but her father's pressure forces her to attend them. Most of her friends are also visiting.

"Okay. Take care."

"Okay. Ah..., I forgot to tell you. Suppose someone asked about our sister and dad. Dad went on a business trip out of town, and sister went to a fashion show out of the country."

Before Ruhi left Nayomi's house, she said those words. Likewise, Nayomi agrees.

 ***************************

She came home on her bicycle around 6 o'clock. It was already late, and the surroundings were quite dark. From a distance, she noticed some cars stopped near her aunt's house.

"What the heck is going on? Why are there three cars outside my home?"

After seeing those cars, Ruhi was surprised. Those sound like super expensive bodyguard cars. Those cars were familiar to her. The first is an Audi A8/S8, the second is a BMW E39MS, and the third is a Volkswagen. She remembers right. Her ability to tell the brand of any car is no surprise. Since she was 5, her hobby has been collecting car pictures and discovering what's new in cars. That's weird for a girl, but she loves it. As Ruhi was speculating about the vehicles, he approached the house. As soon as she saw those bodyguards, she was startled. Each wore a black suit and sunglasses, making them look like beasts.

"Whoa, what's this?"

While thinking something had happened to her aunt, Ruhi cried inside. As soon as she got there, she ran into the home before those bodyguards grabbed her.

"Aunty... what's happened? Are you okay?"

After entering the house, she saw that her aunt was okay, but someone was sitting on the couch. He looked familiar.

"Ruhi, these guys want to talk to you. He's here for you."

"But why?"

"I don't know. He didn't say anything to me but asked about your father. I said he was on a business trip."

Listening to Nayomi's words, Ruhi learned that her father had gotten money from these people. The reason they came here is because of that. Instead of showing her shocked face, Ruhi decides to relax.

"Hi, I'm Ruhi."

When Ruhi answered, the man got up and turned to her. Now he knows who Ruhi is. Jayaweera was the guy who came to see her. Although Ruhi couldn't analyse him, Jayaweera did.

"Hi, my name is Jayaweera. I'm here because my boss needs to meet you."

Jayaweera introduced himself to Ruhi properly. She was shocked when she heard his boss wanted to meet him.

"Why?"

"Your dad sent you a letter. Now he wants to talk about that."

There was no way Ruhi could tell what was going on and what kind of note that was. Could he be lying? The plan doesn't include anything like that.

"Is it okay for you to come with us now?"

Before taking the next step, she thought for a moment. Also, Nayomi stopped them.

"Ruhi, don't go there. We have no idea who they are."

"Don't worry. My boss wants to discuss something with you. That's it. Once we're done talking, I'll drop you off. She's my responsibility."

The way Jayaweera said it, Nayomi couldn't hold her anymore. Besides that, Ruhi wanted to figure out what was happening and who his psycho boss was.

"That's okay, Aunty. I'll go with them. We'll see what his boss says and what Dad left. Okay."

"Be careful, my darling. Please come quickly."

Ruhi jumped into one of the cars. Jayaweera was sitting beside her. The car headed for the city. There was a luxury apartment in the town where Ruhi knew they'd be moving. The flat isn't like any other one; it is the city's most expensive and fancy apartment.

"Oh my gosh. I'm entering this building. You've got to be kidding me. Is it a mistake that I'm in heaven?"

Ruhi looked at the location and was confused. It looks like a palace. She's from a wealthy family, but not this rich. In her entire life, she's never seen anything like this.

"Please come this way."

Her bodyguards and Jayaweera accompany her to his boss's apartment. The whole building should belong to Jayaweera's boss, she understood. As Ruhi studied these points, Jayaweera and she entered an electrical elevator. Once they get off the 20th floor, they're in a room. This isn't a room. It's a house with more rooms. She couldn't make sense of what she saw. It's a pretty extravagant house. Ruhi thought he might be the wealthiest person in the world.

"Please stay here. My boss is going to be here shortly."

After that, Jayaweera walked inside. Despite that, she's scared to sit on the sofa because the whole house shows this person's wealth.

"It's all so beautiful."

It's been over 15 minutes, and no one has shown up.

" What the hell is going on? How come no one is coming? Could this be a prank?"

Ruhi's passion has dropped. She was too tired now that she had finished school and class. Her thoughts turned to leaving home after a few more minutes. Suddenly, Jayaweera and someone else arrived.

"Mr Roy Athapaththu."

Her memory recalls his name. The expression on Ruhi's face was surprisingly unreadable to Roy, who couldn't read it. It was hard for him to read the surprise in her eyes. An unexpected feeling of happiness swept over him.

"I could see those eyes again."

His mind was filled with an unpleasant feeling.

"He is my boss. It is he who wants to speak with you."

"Okay."

Jayaweera introduced his boss to Ruhi but did not mention his name because he believed she recognised it. Although Ruhi didn't tell him anything, she fooled him as if she knew nothing about him.

"Remember me?"

At last, he speaks.

"Ah.... Yeah. You came to our school, and your... name started with R and Athapath... Something like that. Sorry, I forgot."

Having stayed in Roy's home for more than 20 minutes, she wanted revenge and her aunt, who was worried about her return. He rarely knows how to apologise if he's made a mistake. This motivated Ruhi to create her drama. She also forgot Roy's name after hearing what he first asked, which caused Roy to be furious.

"So, are you pretending you don't know my name, or are you unaware?"

Ruhi remained silent while looking earnestly into his eyes for a minute after hearing his question.

"Do you have a significant issue with me forgetting your name? Was I asked to come here to discuss this matter?"

Without thinking, Ruhi spoke directly. Roy's passion dropped as a result of her words. In Roy's eyes, she is not like the other girls. If anyone came, she was crazy after seeing him and coming to his house. It was challenging for him to understand what kind of girl she was.

"Mr Jayaweera said that you have a letter that my father returned. How come? Could you please tell me why my father..."

"I'll get straight to the point. Your father sent this note to me before he and your sister ran abroad. We received it in the mail today."

An envelope was thrown at her by him. She didn't understand what kind of letter their father had given him. It wasn't part of their plan to do this. Grabbing the letter, she read it.

To: Mr Roy Athapaththu

I'm sorry for what I have done to you. I'm sorry for being unable to give you the whole amount at the promised time. Following our agreement, I must give you my daughter if I cannot pay the total amount. My daughter won't stay with you, and I'm sorry I can't do that. She doesn't like staying with you. It is time for us to move out of state. The younger daughter of mine will be given to you. My younger daughter is not as beautiful as my older one but is more intelligent and kind. I have no doubt that she will help you develop your organisation.

Since my younger daughter is in her final year of school, please let her go to school. Additionally, the house and two cars I own will be yours. For that, there is a separate letter.

I apologise for causing you any inconvenience.

Thank you, Bandara,

Her father's letter made Ruhi feel sorry for him. She knew Roy didn't like her. So he decided to make sure everyone was safe. Since Ruhi's not as pretty as her elder sister, he made the right decision when adjusting the girls. Because of that, he asked her sister instead of taking money. That's her most significant advantage.

"Don't tell me that's not your dad's handwriting. He's not at home and ran with his elder daughter somewhere else."

Roy told her in a high tone after she finished reading the letter. After a few minutes of silence, she started talking.

"I heard he was going on a business trip. I knew he borrowed money, but my sister and I had no idea it came from you, and my sister is on bail. What can I do for you because I can't do anything else? Is there anything I can do for you?"

She talks like an innocent girl because she knows she has to escape this mafia guy. As a result, she acts like she doesn't know anything. Otherwise, she and her aunt have a lot of problems with him. When she talks to him, she hides the truth from him.

"I think your dad is right. Compared to your sister, you're not as pretty as her. You cannot do what I ask of your sister."

Ruhi's blood started boiling when he said those words. When she saw his cunning smile, she tried to control her passion. Please don't worry. Relax, she told herself.

"Yes, I know. That may be why my dad changed his daughters. He's somewhat smart. Wow... You can't do anything for me since I'm a schoolgirl. Aren't you glad he uses his brain a little?"

Her head didn't bend for Roy. She spoke against him. There's no doubt she's a loose-tongued girl.

"I know you're right about that. I'm curious to see how long your father will hide your sister. It's no secret how capable I am. That's why you shouldn't doubt. Finding your sister isn't a big deal for me."

"Sure... I think we should see. Can't wait to see your results."

She didn't give a damn about his words. He knew she wasn't counting on him.

"Would you be able to tell me your next decision? I've got to go home because my aunt is waiting for me."

Roy gets angrier and angrier because of Ruhi's talk. Ruhi knows her words are cutting deep into his spirit, so he tries not to show it to her.

"I need you to work four days a week. On two days, you help Jayaweera; on the other two, you help my servant." 

"Okay. I'll make sure to do that for you. Anything else....? If there's nothing, can I leave now?"

Ruhi agreed without any complaints. Roy and Jayaweera were confused, too, and neither mentioned anything, so Ruhi left. She's dropped from the house by Roy's bodyguard.

"Sir, how should I arrange for her to work?"

After leaving Ruhi, Jayaweera asked his boss what to do. Ruhi might work in their office, he hoped.

"I think she needs to work in this house. Set up another table in your workroom for her."

Jayaweera was surprised at what he heard because no one had ever come to his house before, incredibly random girls. No one stayed longer than 5 minutes.

"Are you sure, sir? She's ..."

"I know Jayaweera. It's okay. She's not like other women. There's something weird about her, and she doesn't seem interested in me. All she wants to do is take care of her dad, especially her sister."

"Yes, sir. I will arrange everything. She's an adorable girl. The older master liked her too."