His Deadly Desires

Chapter - 6

"She's intelligent and confident. She has a thirst for knowledge and keeps bombarding me with questions. I'm exhausted from all her curiosity," Jo Gu sighed and looked at the director with a hint of sadness.

Laksh Wilson observed Jo Gu with interest, then nodded. "Take a seat, old man."

Confused, Jo Gu sat down in front of Laksh and looked at him quizzically. "I know I'm not too old to handle her. But even if I'm tired, I won't retire until I find someone as capable as you to be my assistant," Laksh asserted firmly, his voice low.

A smile appeared on Jo Gu's face as he shook his head. "You're truly stubborn."

Laksh Wilson smiled back and winked at him, waiting for his further insights.

"She's a quick learner. Her ability to catch up is impressive," Jo Gu explained.

Laksh Wilson rose from his seat and walked towards the glass wall, his hands still tucked in his pockets. His smile grew wider.

"Make sure to deliver her my meal every day, and I'll happily devour her lunchbox. The food tasted like it was made by a mother's loving hands," he commented with nostalgia evident in his voice.

Jo Gu gazed at Laksh's straight and determined back, a touch of sadness in his eyes. Now, he understood the reason behind the director's request to have Ashu's lunchbox delivered.

In the evening…

"Hello."

"Ashu, did you leave?"

"Yes, mom. What's wrong?"

Ashu Davies balanced her mobile phone between her shoulder and ear as she rummaged through her messenger purple bag, searching for her face mask.

Oblivious to the warm gaze following her from the presidential floor, she made her way out of the massive building.

Laksh Wilson, from his lofty vantage point, observed her slender figure disappearing into the bustling traffic, struggling with the leering gazes of men and the challenges posed by her limited means of transportation.

"Mr. Jo," Laksh called out.

"Yes?" Jo Gu, engrossed in his files, turned around to face the tall man.

"Where does she live?"

"She? Who?"

Laksh's emphasis on the pronoun left no doubt in Jo Gu's mind about whom he was inquiring.

"I'm not entirely sure of her exact address, but she was asking about a short walking street from here to the south hills. I asked her why she wanted information about the path, and she replied that she lives near the south hills and wants to reach home quickly. I believe she walks back home. Poor girl."

As Ashu Davies vanished from Laksh's sight, he turned away with a smile and headed back to his desk.

Jo Gu sighed and shook his head, his gaze shifting to the incomplete project file. He had spent thirty years working for this empire, having started as the assistant to Laksh Wilson's late father, who had passed away from a heart attack when Laksh was only three months old. Back then, the company wasn't as expansive or among the top fifty richest companies. During that challenging period, Laksh's mother had taken the reins of the empire and worked tirelessly to keep the business afloat. When the boy turned eighteen, he began involving himself in the company's affairs. His intelligence and fearlessness were truly commendable. Balancing his studies with managing the company, he proved himself within a decade, making the company the richest, with himself being the youngest businessman in the process.

Jo Gu had witnessed the company's highs and lows, and he held genuine admiration for Laksh Wilson's business acumen, which had propelled the company to new heights, seemingly touching the clouds.

...

"Hey."

Vedh Balon greeted Ashu Davies with a warm smile as she entered her house

"Oh, you're here!" She was genuinely happy to see him.

"Look what he brought for us?" Hina Davies, Ashu's mother, walked overjoyed towards the study table placed in the corner of the living room.

It was brand new and beautifully designed.

It looked expensive. Ashu glanced at Vedh Balon, her expression serious.

"Did you...?"

Vedh Balon smiled warmly, stood up, and approached her.

"This is a gift for the lovely daughter of my aunt, who always cooked delicious meals for me. It's not for you." He was clever, trying to divert the true purpose behind the gesture.

"I can't accept this." Ashu remained firm.

"Ashu, I've already argued with this young man. He's not going to listen to me," Hina Davies spoke helplessly.

"Why did you do this?" Ashu asked him.

"You've got a good job, and aunt was telling me how tired you get from working while sitting on the couch. She wanted to save money to buy you a study table. But I thought I should buy one instead. She was worried, and I couldn't let her do that when she can cook a meal for me even in the middle of the night." His words were straightforward and sincere.

"You did this just to make her happy?" Ashu asked.

Vedh Balon nodded slowly, a warm smile on his face.

"Really?"

Vedh Balon chuckled, glancing at Hina Davies, who beamed with pride.

"I'll be back."

Ashu Davies turned around and went to the bedroom to freshen up.

Hina Davies and Vedh Balon were delighted that they had pulled off the surprise without Ashu suspecting anything.

The three of them sat down for a meal, chatting happily, but Vedh Balon noticed the faint sadness in Ashu Davies' smile during dinner.

As she started clearing the table, he approached her slowly, observing her petite face lost in thought.

"Ashu."

"Hm." She didn't look up.

Hina Davies paused at the kitchen door, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.

"I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

"I'm going to the terrace. Come join me soon." He swallowed nervously, turned around, and quickly made his way outside.

Hina Davies smiled slightly and retreated back to the kitchen. She truly liked Vedh Balon and was convinced that he had fallen in love with her beautiful daughter during their childhood, when Ashu started attending school with his sister and him. She eagerly awaited the day when he would finally propose to her daughter and free Ashu from a challenging life, becoming her life partner. However, she couldn't fathom why Vedh Balon had never mustered the courage to propose to Ashu.

On the terrace…

Vedh Balon gazed at the glistening night sky and let out a deep sigh. There was an inexplicable heaviness in his heart, and he longed to see her at that very moment. Why was she running late? Seeking solace, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, his hands resting on the terrace railing. His eyes shifted from his parked car in the parking lot. Despite his family living nearby, he preferred to stay alone in this old, dilapidated apartment. His heart was tied to this place, and he yearned to be close to her always.

Vedh’s keen eyes traveled from the car to his palm, the same palm that he had once raised to gently caress her hair when she was in tears that night.

A faint smile graced his lips as he flicked away the half-smoked cigarette, letting out another heartfelt sigh.

As he turned around to glance towards the terrace door, he caught sight of a stunning girl in white nightwear gracefully approaching him. Her long, silky hair danced in the breeze, and she bestowed upon him a sweet smile. His breath caught in his throat, and a rush of overwhelming emotions surged within him, urging him to embrace her.

Swiftly, he restrained his feelings and turned away with a sense of awkwardness. He found himself swallowing repeatedly, his face growing warm with the intensity of his emotions.

"Vedh"

As Ashu Davies stood behind him and called out to him in her sweet voice, Vedh Balon tightly shut his eyes, momentarily unable to catch his breath. "Hey," she called again when he didn't respond, her voice laced with confusion.

Letting out a sigh, Vedh Balon turned back with a warm smile, and she returned the smile. "You were lost in deep thought, unable to hear me. What's going on?" she asked cheerfully.

Vedh Balon smiled at her question and shook his head.

"Don't you think you're being childish?" She asked.

Feeling shy, he turned away to avoid being caught by her gaze. Ashu Davies stood beside him, her eyes fixed on his flushed face as she bit her lower lip.

"I think you're missing your girlfriend," she remarked, causing Vedh Balon's eyes to widen in surprise.

"I think you're the one being childish," he retorted, looking away.

"Stop it," she replied, and he averted his gaze.

"Who's the lucky one? Won't you tell me?" She teased.

"Ashu... Are you out of your mind?"

"Am I? Is it wrong to have a girlfriend at your age?"

"What did you say?" He grew annoyed and turned his head to look at her.

"I'm an old man?"

"I don't have any problem if you admit it."

"What..." He furrowed his brow and glared at her as an elder would.

"Okay, okay. Let's make a compromise."

Vedh Balon sighed and regarded her face.

"You can tell me who your girlfriend is, and I'll accept that you’re not an old man." She said.

Vedh Balon finally smiled and shook his head at her innocence. She smiled back and gazed straight ahead, where he had been looking. Standing side by side, they both looked ahead, their hearts calm.

"I don't have a girlfriend," he spoke softly.