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Veil of Obsession

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chapter 3

The First Rule of the Don

The next morning, Ahaana woke up to find her room filled with books, soft clothes, and fresh breakfast.

A note sat on the tray:

> "You’re not a prisoner anymore. But you’re not free either.

– S"

---

Training Room, Later That Day

Samaar stood watching her from a distance. She was learning self-defense from one of his bodyguards—by his orders.

Samaar (to his advisor):

She needs to survive. Even without me.

Advisor:

She’s changing, sir.

Samaar:

No. I’m the one changing.

---

Same Night

Ahaana opened a drawer in her room. Inside: a passport, a bundle of cash, and a one-way ticket to India.

A second note:

> "You can run. Or you can stay.

Choose wisely.

– S"

She stared at the ticket for a long time… then closed the drawer.

Ahaana (softly):

You don’t scare me anymore, Samaar.

But I still don’t trust you.

Dubai – A week later

Ahaana stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her saree. Samaar’s mansion had become a prison with silk chains. But something inside her had shifted. She was no longer a victim. She had started to play the game.

She heard footsteps. Samaar entered, his gaze scanning her face, unreadable.

Samaar (coolly):

You’re starting to look like a queen. Maybe you’ll led her through a hidden backdoor of a high-end club. A meeting was waiting.

Inside the VIP room, a dozen men sat in a circle, talking business. Among them was a man she recognized: ARJUN MALHOTRA, a ruthless arms dealer who had crossed paths with her father once. a good one.

Ahaana (smiling faintly):

Is that a compliment or a warning?

He smirked, but there was a flicker of something darker behind his eyes.

Samaar,

You’ll see.

Just then, the phone buzzed. Samaar’s expression turned cold.

Samaar (into phone):

It’s done. Move in.

He hung up and turned to Ahaana.

Samaar:

You’ll be coming with me tonight. Reeva’s planning something. And I don’t like surprises.

---

Mumbai – Late Night

The private jet landed. Ahaana was tense. Mumbai. The heart of the underworld. She hadn’t been here in years. Too many memories.

Arjun (smiling coldly):

Samaar Raichand. Finally. It’s been too long.

Samaar (glaring):

Get to the point, Arjun. This isn’t a social call.

The door slammed open. Reeva walked in—her heels clicking like a countdown to chaos.

Reeva (smiling at Ahaana):

Did you miss me? Or was it Samaar who kept you company in the shadows?

Ahaana’s hands clenched. The woman was insufferable.

Ahaana (cutting in):

What is this about, Samaar?

Samaar (cold):

A deal. But it’s more than business. Reeva wants to take everything I built—and this is her way of getting it back.

Reeva smirked, stepping closer to Samaar.

Reeva:

You’ve always been mine, Samaar. But I’ll take her from you—just as I took everything else.

Ahaana shot a glance at Samaar—eyes burning with a mixture of anger and curiosity.

Ahaana (whispering):

Is she your weakness?

Samaar (low voice):

She’s a ghost. And ghosts have no power over me.

---

The Deal – A Hidden Warehouse

The deal was going down in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Mumbai. Ahaana and Samaar stood side by side, watching the exchange unfold. Arjun’s men brought in crates, stacked high with weapons. But something didn’t feel right.

Reeva’s smirk flickered. Something was about to happen.

Samaar’s eyes narrowed.

Samaar (quietly to Ahaana):

Stay close. This is not just business.

Suddenly—gunfire erupted. Chaos broke out. Arjun’s men turned on each other. Samaar shot two men down before they could even aim at him.

Ahaana ducked as bullets ricocheted around them. Samaar pulled her behind a stack of crates.

Samaar (grabbing her arm):

Get out. Now.

But Ahaana hesitated. She saw something in Samaar’s eyes—a crack in his stoic mask.

Ahaana (breathing heavily):

I’m not running. Not from you.

The shootout continued. Samaar’s men fought fiercely, but Reeva’s betrayal had set them all up. Arjun had planned it all along. And now, the trap was closing in.

Samaar (yelling):

Get her to the car!

Before they could move, Arjun stepped into the open, gun in hand.

Arjun (mockingly):

You really think you can stop this, Samaar? You’ve already lost.

The man’s finger tightened on the trigger. Samaar leaped forward, throwing himself in front of Ahaana. A bullet grazed his side.

Ahaana (screaming):

Samaar!

Samaar (gritting teeth):

Stay down!

He pulled his gun from its holster, firing two shots—one hitting Arjun in the chest, the other piercing the arm of a nearby henchman.

Samaar (panting):