My Tainted Devil's Love

Chapter 8: Arrival of Papa and Ma

Sari’s POV

I was scribbling furiously when the phone rang but I ignored it. Second time, it broke my concentration and I decided to pick it up finally.

“Hello?”

“It’ll be a miracle if you start picking up my calls in the first go.” Theo’s sarcasm made me sigh as I put my pens on the desk and headed to the balcony for a private conversation.

“What’s that noise? You’ve invited a guy in your place?” He asked angrily.

“Theo… Stop it! You didn’t catch any female voice, did you?” I whisper yelled through the phone.

“I told you there shouldn’t be any boys there, or you can pack your bags from here as well.” He threatened annoying me.

“I won’t! I am paying my rent and that’s no basis to throw me out. He is my friend and we needed to prac—” (clearing my throat) “—to complete a group project, that’s why they are here.” I nervously explained.

They still don’t know about my singing passion and they wouldn’t appreciate me appearing on TV as a popstar. It is against the family’s reputation, they say.

“Okay. Atleast inform me because you can’t trust guys these days. Anyway, I called to let you know that Papa Rayon and Mama Dolly will be here tomorrow.” He sounded tired.

“What? But—I can’t come, Theo. You know how they love publicity and I need to avoid it.” I explained half-heartedly.

“I thought so. No worries then, I’ll try my best to arrange a ‘no-media’ meeting for you. Just- try and receive my call on time, will you?” He asked and from the sigh he let go, I know probably he was massaging his temple.

“Sure, thanks Theo.” I beamed jumping in my place as he just ‘hmmm’ed and ended up the call.

See, he isn't that bad.

He knows how much I love my grandparents but the issue is, Papa and Ma would have paparazzi tailing them like crazy; capturing every little thing they do and they love it!

They love to show off so you can already imagine how well-maintained they must be; keeping in mind about every trivial thing they do.

The others were already leaving when I returned. So, I closed the door before revising my work and felt asleep on the desk itself.

***

The doorbell sounded angrily, disturbing my sleep. I groaned at the lack of sleep and the aching body, moving around the furniture to find my way towards the door.

“Who’s it?” I asked through the intercom.

“If, you’ll open your eyes.” Frustration could be heard from a mile.

With droopy eyes, I opened the door before finding my way to the day bed throwing myself on it. It must be Friday and Theo is here to ensure I’ve healthy stock in my kitchen for the coming week. He always does that from last year.

“Why aren’t you still ready?” His question surprised me.

He stood there with crossed arms giving me displeased look.

“You are wearing shorts? The weather outside is cold Sari, why you have to be so careless?” He asked again, making him seated on the couch.

He was eyeing the surrounding for any dirt, he even did that before sitting and I curbed the urge to roll my eyes at him.

“Isn't it Friday?” I asked sleepily not caring about him.

“No, it is Thursday and like I said, Papa and Ma have already reached home. They’ve a business get-together after which you can meet when others are busy mingling.” He said impatiently.

I was already sitting straight and rushed to my room to freshen up. Getting ready, I saw him lazily browsing through my books.

“Meet me at 9 outside okay?”He asked without turning around.

“Okay but I need to buy something for them, what do you prefer?” I asked brewing coffee for the both of us.

He already has brought a take-out and I served it on plates handing him one.

“You know they’ll love you even if you turn in empty handed.” He pointed it out as a ‘Matter-of-factly’ and I grinned.

That was true. My grandparents support me more than Theo and I know I can count them in for anything.

“Don’t! They aren’t exactly happy about your decision and just to give you heads up- they’ll influence you to change it.” He gave that charming-boyish grin which might have swayed Katelyn.

I sighed dejectedly; I am so done with this conversation that it erased the excitement of meeting them.

“Thanks.” I mocked him and we ate our breakfast in silence.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked and I nodded.

We silently made our way to his car and he had disguised more likely hidden him well from being caught with me. It was a silent ride except he urging me to try entering business world (for trail maybe) not having to give up on anything else till we were about to reach my college.

My eyes landed on the Oh-so-sexy Professor, leaning against his car looking right in our direction.

“STOP!” I whisper yelled trying to hide my face.

Theo was alarmed and he did it instantly, checking on me and around us for any danger.

“What happened?” he asked looking alert.

“I’ll have to get out.” I whispered not knowing why?

It wasn’t like he could hear us at this distance but still. Theo was a bit scared maybe thinking that I’ve started losing my brain. As he nodded and waited for me to get out, I ensured that there was no one around us watching.

“At 9!” he yelled before pulling out and I let his words fly in the air.

Every step towards the Professor increased nervousness making me perplexed. I hoped he hasn’t noticed me and I tried to slip away before he could—

“Wait!” His sharp voice sounded sexy.

I halted and closed my eyes praying it shouldn’t be me he asked.

“Ms. Anderson, aren’t you taught to greet your elders?” He asked but there was something in his voice that was off.

He wasn’t harsh and not gentle, it was more of a lazy tone as if he has just woken up and it somehow was getting to me.

“Yes.” I managed to speak getting tensed with his presence beside me.

He was close and it was disturbing my mind.

“Uh?” He asked which sounded right next to my ear.

“Good- (gulping hard) morning.” I said feeling uncomfortable not able to address him as sir, Professor or Mr. Martin but then again, it was his choice.

“Just good morning?” He asked mocking me.

I was now playing with the dirt on the ground with my shoes when he gripped my wrist and forcefully turned me around. My eyes searching anyone nearby, but found no one.

“Who dropped you here, Sari?” He asked with fierce tone and my heart beat faster.

The way he pronounced my name; it sounded so good making me doubt the right way to pronounce it.

His accusing look, pressed lips and tightened jaw scared me a bit and I lowered my gaze.

What’s he got to do with it? I can’t really tell it was Theo.

“It was- no one particular. I hired a cab!” I blurted out to sound confident.

“Cab?” the suspicion evident in his voice as his hold tightened on my wrist.

It can break any moment.

He laughed taking me aback but even though his voice was melody; he appeared scary.

“Was I born yesterday? You (he glanced at me up and down) can hire a Lamborghini as a cab?” He smirked insulting me and it hurt me somehow.

I gulped down the emotions trying to choke my throat and the pain that was increasing at his hold.

The lack of my response vexed him up as he increased the pressure on my wrist and gawked at my face.

“Was it your boyfriend? Tell me.” The way he mentioned boyfriend with such disgust would’ve confused me but right now, tears were falling because of the pain he inflicted on me.

“It’s-it’s hurting…” I tried hard not to cry but my voice came shaky and cracked.

At first, he narrowed his eyes at me in displeasure but then he smiled. His smile was one of a sunny morning after a snowy climate that warms my heart. Unfortunately, the pain was unbearable.

“It should… that’s what I want. Now tell me was it your boyfriend? Don’t dare to lie.” He threatened and the sinister smile on his face was enough to let me know he indeed was devil.

He was enjoying seeing me in pain but manage to look calm like he was unaware of my hurt. Anybody who would see him might think he is a true gentleman but he isn't.

“No, he wasn’t. I was getting late and he offered me a lift.” I lied through my teeth, trying to ease the pain.

My other hand struggled to loosen his grip but the more I tried, the more he caged my wrist.

He pulled me a little closer to him and gripped my shoulder tight. The sudden force dislocated my wrist and I screamed but he was quick to cover my mouth.

“Shhh… Stop crying, it will be fine.” He cooed and I stared at him in surprise.

“This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t dare lie to me but it’s okay! Next time, I wouldn’t appreciate you asking for a lift from any stranger!” He said in such a polite manner that boggled my mind.

“That’s an advice from your Professor.” He gave me a boyish grin which did summersaults in my stomach.

For a moment, I forgot I was in pain and this man was the cause of it but then he touched it and I flinched.

He strongly held it not letting me back away. He checked it with so much concern that made me think if this man had split personality.

“Let’s get it treated.” His authoritative voice made me follow more because I truly needed medical attention right now.

The pain was in my throat for not being able to cry openly; suffocating me. He opened the passenger side and gestured me to sit before taking the driver’s seat.