The Lion and the Cage
The rain outside lashed against the glass windows. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red, a storm mirroring the one boiling inside Naina’s chest. She stood near the heavy oak desk, fists clenched, eyes blazing. Om lounged casually in his leather chair, watching her with a smirk, as if her anger amused him.
Naina Singh
(Angry) “I don’t care who you are, Mr. Roa. You have no right to treat me like I’m your property.” Her voice trembled, not with fear, but with fury. She jabbed her finger at him, standing her ground.
Om Prashant Roa
(smirked, leaning back in his chair) “Property? That’s an interesting word. Tell me, Naina, who taught you to fight like a cornered kitten?” He tapped his fingers on the armrest, his eyes glittering with dangerous amusement.
Naina Singh
(furious) “I’m not a kitten. And I don’t fear lions either.” She stepped closer, her chin raised defiantly. The storm outside thundered as if backing her courage.
Om Prashant Roa
(chuckled darkly) “Bold. Very bold. But you’re standing in my den, Naina. And in my world—lions don’t ask. They take.” His tone was low, almost like a growl, his gaze pinning her in place.
Naina Singh
(glared) “Then maybe it’s time someone reminded you lions can bleed too.” Her eyes flashed with fire, her voice slicing through the heavy air.
Om stood suddenly, the chair scraping back. His towering frame loomed over her, but she didn’t flinch. He moved closer, invading her space, his breath brushing against her skin.
Om Prashant Roa
(whispered, smirking) “You hate me now. But hate… is just another flavor of obsession. You’ll learn that soon.” He tilted his head, studying her like prey refusing to bow.
Naina Singh
(hissed, stepping back) “I will never learn anything from you. You’re nothing but a monster hiding behind power and money.” Her nails dug into her palms, but she refused to let him see weakness.
Om Prashant Roa
(smirk widened, brushing a hand across the desk) “Monster? Perhaps. But monsters don’t hide, little dove. We rule.” He poured himself a drink, the clink of glass echoing in the silence. He sipped slowly, never breaking eye contact.
Naina Singh
(angrily) “Your rules disgust me. People whisper about you, about the blood on your family’s name. Do you think I’ll bow because of fear? You’re mistaken.” Her chest heaved with every word, her courage raw but unshaken.
Om Prashant Roa
(arched a brow, amused) “So, you’ve heard the rumors.” He set the glass down and leaned across the desk, his eyes darkening. “But tell me, Naina—do you think rumors scare me? Or should I show you why they exist?” His tone dripped with threat, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
Naina’s breath hitched, but she lifted her chin higher.
Naina Singh
(fiercely) “Do it. Show me. Break me, threaten me, cage me. But you’ll never have me. Not my loyalty. Not my love. Not even my fear.” Her voice cracked but burned with unyielding fire.
Om Prashant Roa
(stunned for a moment, then smirked darkly) “Brave. Stupid, but brave.” He circled her like a predator, his eyes raking over her without shame. His presence pressed down like a shadow.
Naina Singh
(spun to face him, trembling with rage) “Stop circling me like I’m your prey! I’m not afraid of you.” Her voice echoed in the room, fierce as the thunder outside.
Om Prashant Roa
(leaned closer, voice low) “Then why is your heart racing?” He placed his hand over her wrist suddenly, his touch firm and possessive. Her pulse hammered beneath his fingers.
Naina Singh
(snapped, yanking her hand away) “Because I hate you! Every second I’m near you, I feel suffocated. You make me sick.” Her eyes brimmed with angry tears, but she refused to look away.
Om Prashant Roa
(stilled, smirk fading into something darker) “Good. Hate me. It’s better than indifference. Hate keeps you tied to me, Naina.” His voice was dangerously soft, his eyes burning with something unspoken.
She shoved him back suddenly, surprising even herself.
Naina Singh
(shouted) “I’ll never be tied to you! I’d rather burn than belong to a man like you.” Her chest rose and fell violently, her whole body shaking with rage.
Om Prashant Roa
(straightened, smirk returning slowly) “Careful, little dove. Fire attracts lions. And once I’ve tasted your defiance… there’s no going back.” He ran a hand through his hair, chuckling darkly as though her rebellion entertained him more than submission ever could.
The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Naina’s eyes burned with hatred; Om’s eyes gleamed with dangerous fascination.
Naina Singh
(gritted her teeth) “You think this is some game, don’t you? My life isn’t your toy.” She slammed her hand on the desk, the sound sharp and final.
Om Prashant Roa
(smirked, leaning in close) “Everything in my world is a game. The only question is—will you play, or will you lose before the first move?” His words dripped like poison, daring her to step into his shadows.
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