KANNAN'S POVMy day was going well, but I couldn't shake the weird feeling urging me to go home early. Thoughts of her consumed me—wondering what she was doing, if she was thinking of me too.Arvalan mentioned how she had sneaked out. The very idea made my blood boil. How dare she disrespect me like that? What if something had happened to her? Reckless. I left for home, my mind set on confronting her.As soon as I walked through the door, the servants scurried out of my way, sensing it was not the right time to cross me. I made my way to our room, the sound of running water confirming she was in the shower.Perfect.I took a glass and poured myself a drink, sitting on the sofa as I waited for her. She needed to learn a lesson, and I was determined to teach her one. I want to fuck her senselessly until she listen to me.As she stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around her, droplets of water glistening on her shoulders, I felt my anger waver. Her serene eyes met mine, and it was as if she had a calming effect on the storm raging inside me.I stood up from the sofa, my resolve faltering as I approached her. The anger that had fueled my steps home began to dissipate, replaced by a conflicting mix of emotions. Her soft skin beneath my fingertips was like silk, and the simple touch was enough to melt away the edges of my fury. Her eyes widened when she saw me, the shock evident on her face. I could feel my anger rising again, but I kept my voice steady."Princess, did you go somewhere today?" I asked, my tone deceptively calm.She backed away slightly, her voice trembling as she replied, "No."I scoffed, standing up and slowly approaching her. "There won't be a second time asking princess."She backed up against the wall, clearly unnerved by my presence. "I just went to get some fresh air," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.My hand shot out, gripping her jaw firmly and forcing her to look into my eyes. "didn't i say not to go outside? it's dangerous" My voice was low, dangerous.I growled, my face inches from hers. "You're mine to protect".Before she could respond, she crashed her lips onto mine, catching me off guard. The taste of her mingled with the alcohol on my breath, and for a moment, I lost myself in the sensation. But then she pulled back, whispering apology.My anger surged again, but this time it was mixed with something else—desire. Wrapping one arm around her waist and the other around her neck, I pulled her closer, crashing my lips back onto hers in a harsh, demanding kiss. I needed her to understand the gravity of her actions, to feel the intensity of my emotions.When we finally parted, both of us breathless, I whispered, "I'm not the kind of man you can play games with, Princess. Remember that."Leaving her standing there, dazed and confused, I walked away, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She needed to understand the consequences of her actions, but she also stirred something deep within me, something I couldn't ignore.SARA'S POVAfter Kannan left, I retreated to the bathroom to change into my night suit. As I slipped into bed, the sheets still carrying his scent, I cursed him silently. I had grown accustomed to the comfort of his arms, the warmth of his presence lulling me to sleep.But tonight, he didn't come. Part of me wondered if he ever would. I tossed and turned, the emptiness of the bed feeling like a weight on my chest.Eventually, exhaustion overtook me, and I drifted into a fitful sleep, my dreams filled with his enigmatic presence and the unanswered questions that lingered between us.He came near me, and before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine with a harsh, demanding kiss. My fingers instinctively traced the scars on his chest, each one a mark of his mysterious past. His eyes, dark and intense, never left mine, growing darker with each passing moment as he positioned himself above me.He left my lips, trailing hot kisses down my neck, causing me to curl my toes in response. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and an undeniable urge for more. His hand moved from my neck, tracing a tantalizing path down to my boobs, which seemed to ache for his touch."Princess," he whispered, his voice a deep, husky growl that sent shivers down my spine. The sound of that single word, filled with a mixture of possession and desire, made my heart race faster. His touch, his presence, everything about him was intoxicating, and I found myself lost in the moment, unable to think of anything but him."Kannan," I moaned his name, my voice barely a whisper. He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered, "I want you, Hari."At the sound of "Hari," I froze. A pang of guilt and confusion burned in my chest, and suddenly, I jolted awake.It was just a dream.I cursed out loud, frustration boiling over. My mind was a chaotic mess, torn between the reality I was living and the deception I was maintaining. How could a dream feel so vivid, so real? And why did it leave me with this strange mix of longing and despair? The scent of Kannan still lingered on the sheets, a constant reminder of the man who dominated my thoughts. Trying to shake off the remnants of the dream, I took a deep breath, hoping to find some semblance of calm.I felt wet between my legs, a reminder of just how vivid the dream had been. It left me wondering how long it had been since I last had sex. The desperation I felt for Kannan, even in my dreams, was startling.As the morning light streamed through the curtains, I sat up, trying to shake off the remnants of the night. The bed felt empty, and my body ached with an unsatisfied longing. The dream had stirred something deep within me, something I hadn't realized I missed so much.I pushed the covers aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The house was quiet, and I took a moment to gather myself. Today was another day in this complicated masquerade, and I had to keep my wits about me.I needed to focus, but the lingering heat from the dream made it difficult to think about anything else. I got up and headed for the bathroom, hoping a cold shower would help clear my mind and wash away the remnants of the night's fantasies.After slipping into a comfortable, loose long hoodie, I decided to try cooking to distract myself. Though my past attempts in the kitchen had been disasters, I remembered attending a cooking class. It was supposed to be a five-month course, but I had only managed to attend for two weeks.Determined to impress Kannan with my cooking skills, I realized that I only knew how to prepare maggi, which wouldn't be suitable. Then, an idea clicked: my favorite dessert that my mom used to make.Feeling a surge of excitement, I dismissed the chef, telling him I wanted to handle things myself since he was done with the morning preparations. As soon as he left, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.I started gathering the ingredients for the dessert. My mother's recipe was a cherished memory, and I hoped that making it would not only impress Kannan but also bring a little bit of home into this unfamiliar place.I measured out the flour, sugar, and other ingredients, carefully following the steps I remembered. The process was surprisingly therapeutic, and I found myself humming softly as I mixed the batter.Despite my determination, my cooking skills proved to be as disastrous as ever. After putting the dessert in the oven, I realized I had no idea how long it was supposed to bake. Panicking, I started frantically Googling for the baking time on my phone. Just as I found the information, I smelled something burning.I quickly ran to the oven and yanked it open, pulling out the baking tray. To my dismay, the dessert was burnt on one side. Half of it was charred and unrecognizable, while the other half looked somewhat salvageable.I stared at the burnt mess, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment. This was supposed to be my way of impressing Kannan and showing him a different side of me, but instead, it seemed like my efforts were going up in smoke.Determined not to give up, I carefully cut away the burnt parts, hoping to save at least a portion of the dessert. It didn't look nearly as perfect as I had imagined, but maybe it would still taste okay.I plated the salvaged pieces as best as I could, trying to make them look presentable. With a sigh, I decided to give it a try. Maybe Kannan would appreciate the effort, even if the execution was far from perfect.Kannan's annoyed voice echoed through the kitchen. "What the hell is going on here?"I turned and followed his gaze, seeing the chaotic mess I had made. Flour dusted the counters, utensils were scattered everywhere, and the lingering smell of burnt dessert filled the air. I cursed my hygiene habits and couldn't help but chuckle a bit, trying to hide my embarrassment. Scratching my head, I gave him a sheepish smile."I was baking for you," I said, trying to sound casual.Kannan looked at the burnt dessert and then back at me, his expression unreadable. "In a big mansion, small mistakes happen," I added quickly, attempting to downplay the disaster.His eyes softened slightly, though his face remained serious. "Is that so?" he said, arching an eyebrow.I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I wanted to surprise you with something sweet. It didn't turn out exactly as planned, but... it's the thought that counts, right?"Kannan stepped closer, his gaze shifting from the burnt dessert to me. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes now, mingling with the annoyance. "You really are something," he muttered, more to himself than to me.I held my breath, waiting for his next reaction, hoping he might find some humor in the situation.Kannan questioned, looking at the dessert, "Have you ever been to a kitchen before?"I felt a bit offended and proudly boasted, "Yeah, I even took a cooking course for five months."He looked at me in surprise, and I felt a surge of pride. "Why did you take a cooking class?" he asked.While decorating the dessert with cream, I said nonchalantly, "I took the cooking class for my ex."Silence fell in the kitchen. I glanced at Kannan and noticed his eyes had darkened. The playful amusement was gone, replaced by a tense seriousness.His voice was low when he finally spoke. "For your ex, huh?"I nodded, suddenly regretting my words. "Yeah, I wanted to surprise him with meals he liked. But... things didn't work out."Kannan stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Why are you telling me this, Hari?"I fumbled for a response, feeling the weight of his stare. "I just... wanted you to know I've tried. Even if it didn't turn out great, I wanted to do something special for you."Kannan's annoyance and anger were still evident, so I quickly tried to lighten the mood. "My ex wasn't even half as handsome as you," I said with a playful smile.He raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly but still intense. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he asked, a hint of a smirk appearing."Maybe," I replied, trying to gauge his reaction. "I didn't know you were so possessive."Kannan took a step closer, his presence commanding. "Possessive?" he repeated, his voice low. "You have no idea."I swallowed, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Well, now I do," I said, attempting to keep my tone light.He studied me for a moment before speaking again. "Hari, what's mine is always mine i don't share and I don't take kindly to lies or secrets."I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I understand, Kannan. I was just trying to do something nice for you, even if it didn't turn out as planned."He studied me for a moment, then his expression softened just a bit. "Next time, maybe ask for help before burning down the kitchen," he said, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.I laughed nervously, relieved the tension had lifted slightly. "Deal," I replied, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and gratitude.As we stood there amidst the mess of the kitchen, I couldn't help but feel a strange connection forming between us. It was complicated, intense, and full of unspoken emotions, but it was there, growing stronger with every interaction.After breakfast, Kannan left for work, and I was left with the remnants of my attempted dessert. Curious, I took a small bite. It was terrible—burnt on the outside and undercooked on the inside. I grimaced, wondering how Kannan managed to eat any of it without a word of complaint. My heart started pounding at the thought of his gesture. He hadn't even mentioned how bad it was; he just ate it without a single word.I sat down at the kitchen table, staring at the half-eaten dessert, feeling a mix of embarrassment and something else—a warmth spreading through me. Kannan had his moments of being harsh and unyielding, but this small act of kindness, this unspoken understanding, touched me deeply."He must have hated it," I thought aloud, shaking my head. "But he still ate it. Why?"i found myself smiling like there is no tommorow.