Vikram~
As I raised my glass, the room erupted in a chorus of cheers and applause, the clinking of wine glasses harmonizing with the joyful din. I smiled from the heart, overwhelmed with gratitude for the ones who had come to celebrate this most special of days.
My engagement to Amrutha Matthews; the woman, whom I'd come to adore for the last few years.
Woman? Nah.
She's no ordinary woman - she's a goddess incarnate. Her divine presence is almost surreal, leaving some to wonder if she's too good to be true. But I know the truth: she's the embodiment of perfection, a heavenly being who has descended into my life, blessing me with her love.
Some even say she's too good to be true!
Screw the cynics! They're too caught up in the negativity of this world to acknowledge the existence of exceptional beings like Amrutha - shining examples of compassion, integrity, and generosity in a sea of cruelty, dishonesty, and greed.
A world which is full of money minded and profit greedy souls suckers. Like me!
My Amrutha was a breath of fresh air, unlike anyone I'd ever met. Her kindness and soft-spoken nature were a stark contrast to my own rough edges. She possessed an innocent optimism, believing in the goodness of the world, unaware of the darkness that lurked within me. Her naivety sparked a fierce protectiveness in me, a desire to shield her from the harsh realities I knew all too well. And as I watched over her, that protectiveness blossomed into something more profound - love.
It was at our company's monthly charity event that I first laid eyes on her. A volunteer, she spent the entire day toiling under the scorching sun, her dedication unwavering. Despite the chaos of rambunctious children, she never once showed a hint of irritation, instead responding with a gentle smile that left me utterly captivated. That smile, soft and demure, was hesitant to reveal her pearly whites, yet it still managed to create adorable dimples on both her cheeks, leaving me utterly smitten.
Whenever her fragrance envelops me, I'm met with an uncontrollable blush, my eyes helplessly drawn to the depths of her brown pools. I'm left speechless, breathless, and utterly entranced by her presence. Her effect on me is nothing short of mesmerizing, a gentle yet potent spell that renders me completely captivated.
" What are you thinking, Vikram? " my smile widened.
" Soch rahan hun, yeh nayab cheez mujh jaise nacheez ke haath lag kaise gayi. " Amrutha giggled, but sombered up the next second.
" I should be the one grateful, Vikram. Grateful to you for coming into my life, for bringing this all to me. " her eyes wandered to the vast hall and stuck there, while mine stuck on her angelic face.
She turned her gaze back to mine, and we locked eyes for a moment, the air thick with anticipation. Then, I leaned in, drawn by the irresistible pull of her lips. Our kiss was a slow, languid dance of love, a tender fusion of hearts and souls. Time stood still as we savored the gentle, sweet caress of each other's lips, the world around us melting away in the warmth of our embrace.
Amrutha smiled in between the kiss, " I lov- "
" Sir! "
" Vikram! " I stumbled back with the force.
Two deafening gunshots shattered the air, leaving my eardrums reeling. A cry of pain followed, snapping me out of my initial shock. I sprang into action, my heart racing with fear, and charged towards Amrutha. I found her huddled in the corner, her face a picture of anguish, as if a million emotions were warring within her. Her eyes were wide with terror, her skin pale, and her body trembling like a leaf.
She shouldn't have witnessed all this shit.
I dropped to my knees beside the man who had taken a bullet for me, my heart racing with gratitude and concern. " Tarun, you're going to be okay, " I said, trying to reassure him, " but we need to get you to the hospital, now. " he groaned, his face contorted in pain, as he clutched his arm, his fingers stained with blood.
I quickly dialed my manager Karthik's number, my voice urgent as I spoke. " Karthik, it's an emergency. We need you here, now. " I then turned to my assistant and instructed, " Please, get Amrutha out of here, take her somewhere safe. " as I spoke, the guests began to disperse, sensing the escalating chaos, and I knew we had to act fast to contain the situation.
An hour later, the doctor's words brought a wave of relief: Tarun was out of danger. As I let out a sigh of gratitude, my security team arrived at the scene, their eyes scanning the area before settling on the lifeless body at the back of the stage, concealed from the crowd's view. But Tarun, still shaken, had already caught sight of the corpse, his gaze fixed on the grim reminder of the violence that had just unfolded.
An assassination was sent to kill me. Instead, we found him in the back of the stage, dead.
He was shot at the head, right between his brows," Tarun shot him? "
" No " then who was it?
" Sir, the CCTV footage is ready. " walking up to him, I leaned in to have a view of the laptop screen.
The video footage revealed a scene: Amrutha and I stood on stage, addressing the guests, oblivious to the danger lurking behind the decorative curtains at the back of the stage. A man, hidden from view, held a gun pointed directly at me. The moment Amrutha and I parted ways, he took aim and pulled the trigger. But in a split second, Tarun intervened, taking the bullet meant for me. Yet, in a stunning turn of events, the instant the gunman fired, an unseen force seemed to pierce the air, striking the man dead.
Probably another bullet, but who could be that shooter?
" I need the footage from the other angles of the hall. "
The footage showed that the bullet had passed through the gunman's body and exited on the other side, creating a gruesome scene. However, due to the angle and obstruction, the person who had fired the bullet remained invisible, hidden from view. Only the victim, the gunman, was visible, his body crumpling to the ground, while the identity of the mysterious shooter remained a puzzle.
" Sorry Sir, it can't be acquired. " ofcourse, the shooter knew it. That's a smart move of him!
" I think, the man is there for your assassination, Mr. Singhal. " I knew that too, Shit Sherlock.
This wasn't the first attempt on my life, but what troubled me was that the person who shot the gunman seemed to have made it look easy. If someone else had been able to kill me, why did he intervene? What was his motive? The question swirled in my mind, refusing to let go. Had he been trying to protect me, or was there something more complex at play?
Karthik said, examining the man closely, " You know, I have seen this man somewhere before."
I gazed at the lifeless body with a scowl, feeling no remorse. ' Let him rot here for all I care, ' I thought, but I knew Amrutha would disapprove of such callousness.
I turned to Karthik, my voice firm, " Get rid of this body, and make sure not a single word of this failed assassination attempt leaks to the media. " Karthik nodded swiftly, already moving to carry out my instructions with his usual efficiency.
I reached for my phone to check in with Amrutha, ensuring she'd arrived home safely, but my attention was diverted by a notification. I tapped on it, and a message from a familiar, yet ominous, number appeared. The same number that had been sending me unsettling messages. The words were identical, too - the same twisted treats, the same unnerving phrases. A thrilling shiver ran down my spine as I read the message, the familiarity of the threat making it all the more intriguing for me.
" The game's afoot, " I thought, a sly smirk spreading across my face, " Indeed, the war has begun. " My eyes gleamed with evilness.
~•~
Ohhh...the war ;p the first ever chapter of this book with the hero's pov, but is he really the hero? Or a tainted soul in disguise?
And what about the mysterious shooter? Who could it be? A well-wisher or the culprit himself?
Hehe...add WOD to your library to get notified about the chps and find out the real villain with the upcoming plot :D
Also don't forget to give your reviews on this chapter and to vote and support.
Stay healthy and stay grey 🩶