(Scene continued from the last chapter)

The moment their lips met, a spark turned into a roaring flame between them. The temperature of the room seemed to grow warmer, thick with unspoken tension. Sarfaraaz deepened the kiss, his lips claiming hers with more intensity, and before Tania could take in it, he rolled them over, pinning her beneath him without breaking their connection.

Tania gasped, her heart racing as she felt the weight of him above her. His strong hands framed her face, holding her in a way as if she was the most precious thing in his world.

Her mind was spinning, torn between the fire consuming her and the will to push him away though the last part didn't have enough power.

Instead, her fingers instinctively clutched at his bathrobe, pulling him closer, despite the rapid thudding of her heart. Sarfaraaz's lips moved with a slow but commanding rhythm, sending shivers down her spine.

He broke off the kiss to look at her hazel eyes which were clouded by desire too which made him want more. Sarfaraaz's lips descended on hers again, this time with a raw hunger, his kiss deep and commanding. She tried to match his pace, but he overwhelmed her, dominating every part of her until her mind spun, lost in the fever of his touch. Tania moaned softly, overwhelmed by the flood of sensations.

He pulled away for a brief moment, his breath ragged, their eyes locking. The desire in his gaze mirrored the heat within her.

Sarfaraaz trailed his lips down her jaw, leaving a path of heat in his wake. Her body trembled beneath him as he placed wet, lingering kisses along her neck, each one sending electric jolts to her core. When his mouth found the sensitive spot on her collarbone, he bit down gently, drawing a louder moan from her.

"That's it, my Édesem" he murmured against her skin, his voice a low growl.

His gaze traveled lower,  grazing the edge of her bathrobe. When his lips brushed against the exposed skin of her cleavage,  she shivered violently, her breath catching in her throat, she gasped, "Raaz!". Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

Sarfaraaz froze for a moment, lifting his head to meet her dazed eyes. "What did you call me, Hazel?"

Her mind was foggy, her thoughts scattered. "What? Sarfaraaz... I think," she panted.

He smirked, his expression softening with a rare warmth. "No, you called me Raaz... and I liked it. Though, I'll be anything you want me to be, Hazel."

She blushed furiously, realizing what she had said. "Well... Sarfaraaz is too long to say... in moments like this," she stammered, her face heating further as the words slipped out.

He let out a low chuckle, brushing a stray strand of hair from her flushed face. "I like Raaz. It suits me," he whispered, his voice still thick with desire, though tempered with control. "But...that's enough for today, Hazel. You need rest."

Even though his body ached to claim her, to make her his in every possible way, Sarfaraaz knew she wasn't ready.

This wasn't the moment to act on impulse, not when she was emotionally vulnerable, overwhelmed by the grief of the day. He wanted her, but he wanted her to be sure, to want him fully and without hesitation.

"And I liked your thankful gift. Good night, Hazel," he murmured, his voice deep and filled with barely controlled longing. He got off from her.

Tania's heart pounded in her chest, her body still buzzing from the intensity. "Where are you going?" she asked softly, her voice laced with confusion.

"To the balcony," he said, glancing at her briefly. "I need some cold air. Sleep."
__________________________

After half an hour, Sarfaraaz returned to the room, the cold air calmed the aching need burning within him.

When his eyes landed on the bed, he was met with a sight that made his heart skip...a rare and beautiful view only meant for him.

His Hazel lay there, sleeping peacefully, her face adorned with an adorable pout. The robe had shifted, rising to her mid-thigh, revealing more of her delicate skin. A glimpse of her cleavage was visible and her collarbone adorned with his mark..a hickey, yet even in such a state, she looked pure and innocent, completely unaware of the power she held over him.

Sarfaraaz couldn’t help but smile to himself. This side of her, so vulnerable and unguarded, was something the world would never see. This precious view is only for him..

"Kis feleségem" he muttered.
(My little wife)

He slipped into bed beside her, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber. Gently, he pulled her into his embrace, her warmth against him easing the tension that had gripped his body for so long. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead softly, as if sealing a silent promise between them.

Then, with a contented sigh, he closed his eyes.

That night, for the first time in years, Sarfaraaz slept without the haunting nightmares that usually plagued him. With her in his arms, peace finally found him.
_________________________________

Somewhere

A man in black suit slammed his fist on the table, the impact making the man standing before it flinched.

"He took her to the graveyard where Major Shafiq was present! The same graveyard he hasn't set foot in for years! How is this possible? Didn't you report that he hated her? Then why would he take her there? You fools!" His voice was cold but seething with fury.

"S-sorry, Boss. We didn't think it would turn out like this..." the man stammered, his voice shaky.

"Make her disappear.....before he starts meeting Major for her again. The secret may go out if Sarfaraaz talks with the major Shafiq. And I didn't want this to happen even in my wildest dreams. Do you get it!" he roared.

The room went still as the roar echoed, making the air thick with tension. His eyes glowed with a dangerous fury, every word laced with malice as he glared at the man trembling before him.

"I don’t care how you do it," he continued in a voice sharp enough to cut steel. "Make it clean, make it untraceable."

The man before him nodded, but his knees were buckling, his fear palpable. He knew failure meant a death sentence.

"One more thing," the mysterious man leaned forward, his voice a low growl. "Don’t underestimate Sarfaraaz. He may seem distracted by that girl, but the moment he gets wind of this... he’ll become a monster you don’t want to face. So handle it discreetly. And no loose ends."

The man nodded again, fear squeezing his throat. The mysterious man's cold smile returned as he leaned back in his chair, satisfied with his decision.

_________________________

As I snuggled into the soft, warm surface beneath me, a familiar scent enveloped me. It was comforting and protective. My arms hugged it tighter, feeling safe, until a deep groan snapped me out of my peaceful state. My eyes flew open, and the reality of what I was resting on hit me like a  thunder.

I was lying on Sarfaraaz’s bare chest. Half my body draped over him, my hands wrapped around his torso as if I had claimed him in my sleep. Panic surged through me as I realized how close I was, how much of him I was feeling. Worse, his robe had come undone, revealing his perfectly sculpted abs.

I tried to shift away, but then..God help me....my thigh brushed against something... hard.

"Fuck," he muttered in that low, dangerous tone that both thrilled and terrified me.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat as his intense gaze locked onto mine. Before I could process what had just happened, his voice cut through the air, thick with warning.

"Don’t give me that innocent look or ask anything, Hazel," he rasped, his tone dark. "If you touch me again, or ask something, I’ll take you right here, and I won’t be soft... or sweet."

My face burned hotter than the sun, blood rushing to my cheeks as realization dawned.

Oh, God.

I quickly moved away, trying to put distance between us, turning my back to him. My heart was pounding so loud I thought it would burst out of my chest.

"Why... why didn’t you get up earlier and change into your... clothes?" I stammered, desperate to shift the focus.

His low chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "Well, my Édesem, how could I when you were literally sleeping on me?" His voice was teasing, dark, and so effortlessly seductive it made my head spin.

I heard him get up. He leaned closer for a second before saying, "I’m going for a shower... a cold one."

I fanned my face, still flushed from the whole interaction. "Damn this Devil. I’m feeling hot first thing in the morning," I muttered under my breath, my pulse still racing.

What just happened?
___________________________

( Five days  Later)

It’s been five days since we returned home, and I’ve been doing my best to make sure she doesn’t feel like a prisoner in this house. I filled her wardrobe with designer clothes, jewelry, shoes....anything she could ever want. But none of it seems to matter to her. She said she was fine with what she already had, and questioned ,  what's the point if I wouldn’t even let her step outside.

But I can’t let her out, not yet. Not with the danger we had to face when last time I took her outside. Her safety is everything, and I can’t afford to compromise that.

Today, as I came back from the office, my eyes instinctively searched for her. It’s become a habit these past few days...hugging her, breathing her in my system, feeling her warmth the moment I walk through the door. And I plan to keep it that way. Forever.

But she wasn’t waiting for me this time. I went to her room, only to find it empty. Concerned, I headed straight to my study, where I found her in the most adorable sight.

My Hazel had fallen asleep, leaning against the chair, with her devilish cat 'Marshmallow' curled up in her lap, sprawled across an open book.

This evil creature always find it’s way to be in her arms or lap.

I approached quietly and gently lifted the cat from her lap. That evil cat swiped at me with its claws, hissing in protest.

"Shh… Hey, son of the devil, let your momma sleep peacefully," I whispered.

After setting the cat aside, I carefully scooped Tania up into my arms. She barely stirred, her soft breathing steady as I carried her to my bed. I pulled the blanket over her and kissed her forehead. My room is closer than hers...well, it’s just convenient this way.

Besides, it feels just right to have her here.

After making sure she was comfortable, I headed downstairs, only to run into my uncle.

I offered him my salaam.

"So, that’s the bride of our family Shanaya was talking about," he said in his calm tone. "Son, why did you keep this a secret?"

Hearing Shanaya's name made my fist clench.

What should I tell him?

"It just happened, Uncle. I’m sorry for keeping it from you," I said, avoiding his gaze.

"Alright. It’s good to see you’ve decided to settle down and become a family man."

Family. I’ve never imagined it for myself, but ever since she walked into my life, the thought doesn’t seem like a dream. Somehow, her presence, her smile is healing parts of me I didn’t even know were broken.

"Anyway, I came here to invite you to the year-end party. You must bring my daughter-in-law and my grandson, Muneeb. Don’t worry, it’ll be safe. I know how important that is to you," he reassured.

Will it really be safe to take them? My mind spiraled with doubts.

_______________________________

(Two Days Later)

Sarfaraaz waited downstairs, his eyes occasionally drifting toward the stairs as he anticipated Tania’s arrival.

She was upstairs, getting the royal treatment from the best makeup artist in the city, though he knew Hazel didn’t need much to look perfect.

She always did, effortlessly.

The moment she came into view, descending the stairs, his breath caught in his throat. She looked like an angel gracing his dark world....a vision of elegance and beauty in a shimmering gown that compliments her curves just right. Her modesty shone through with the scarf delicately draped over her hair, softening the glow of her innocence.

"Isteni..." (Divine), he muttered in Hungarian, his eyes never leaving her.

She approached, fidgeting slightly, clearly nervous. He reached for her hands, enveloping them in his warmth.

"You look breathtaking, Hazel. No need to be nervous," he said, his voice soothing, making her cheeks flush.

But then he added, "You’re missing something."

Tania gave him a questioning look, watching as he pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket. Her breath hitched the moment he opened it. Inside was the wedding ring she had sold a long time ago.

He knew.

Her heart raced, dreading his reaction, but he didn’t snap.

Instead, he gently took her hand, slipping the ring back onto her finger, then kissed it.

"Ise dobaara utarne ke baare mein kabhi mat sochna" voice was soft, but firm.

( Never think about taking it off again)

Confused and touched, she couldn’t help but ask, "Why... Why are you being so nice to me?"

He sighed softly, then cupped her face in his hands, his tone gentle yet sincere. "Because hurting you doesn’t make sense anymore. And I’m trying to make you comfortable... so I can ask for your forgiveness."

Tania’s eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat at his words. For a brief moment, their gazes locked, the world around them fading into nothing.

“Mamu!” A tiny voice broke the spell, pulling them back to reality.

Muneeb appeared, cradled in Nanny Haya’s arms, looking adorable in a tuxedo that matched Sarfaraaz’s.

"My prince!" Sarfaraaz exclaimed, scooping Muneeb up and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Ooo, Tania Auntie, you look like a princess!" Muneeb said, wide-eyed in awe.

Tania blushed at his cute compliment.
She come ahead and placed a soft kiss on his other cheek.

"And You look handsome"

"Nope, my boy," Sarfaraaz muttered, casting a glance at Tania, his voice filled with warmth. "She’s the queen."

"Alright, let’s go," he added, as they prepared to leave for the night.

____________________________

(At the Party)

They arrived at the party royally. They looked like a happy couple with one kid. Being the daughter of a multimillionaire she was used to such gathering but with Sarfaraaz she felt nervous.  Her captor, her forced husband now introducing her publicly....a step she never anticipated.

As Sarfaraaz guided her through the crowd, his hand possessively resting around her waist, he led her to meet his uncle and aunt.

Sensing her nervousness , he gave her a reassuring nod, silently telling her to relax. His family welcomed her warmly, though Shanaya merely offered a cold, dry smile.

Tania, cradling Muneeb in her arms, stood off to the side after Sarfaraaz excused himself to speak with an acquaintance. It wasn’t long before Shanaya appeared, her presence dripping with malice.

"Being a nanny suits you" Shanaya remarked, her voice laced with venom.

"And being a bitch suits you the best" Tania shot back with no hesitation. 

"Why did you spike my drink Shanaya? What were you thinking? I trusted you to go to a wild party like that" she asked looking straight to her eyes.

Shanaya’s eyes darkened as she smirked. "You’re sharper than I think. Why did I spike your drink? Because you took something that was supposed to be mine. My Sarfi."

Oh..That's new information.. Tania thought.

"First of all Sarfaraaz is not a thing. And I didn’t take him from anyone. He found me. If you want him, go ahead....if he wants you too." She added with a smirk, though deep down, the thought of him wanting anyone else made something burn inside her. And she didn’t want to think about it.

Her reply makes Shanaya clenched her fist in anger.

"And by the way, his name is Sarfaraaz. Though I prefer to call him Raaz when we’re... you know..." Tania trailed off with a teasing grin, deliberately leaving the sentence unfinished.

"You..." Shanaya snapped. 

"Stay away from her, Shanaya" Sarfaraaz said in a deep, cold voice from behind. 

He took Muneeb in his arms and grabbed Tania's hand and said "Let's go".

As the clock almost  struck midnight, the rooftop filled with excitement as everyone gathered to watch the fireworks.

"I heard your last sentence, Édesem. Next time, I'll make sure you scream louder saying 'Raaz.' You seemed to like it so much," Sarfaraaz whispered huskily into Tania’s ear.

His words sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm not doing anything like that with you," she quickly retorted.

"Okay, we'll see about that," he smirked, enjoying her flustered reaction.

Suddenly, the lights went out. At first, Sarfaraaz thought it was part of the fireworks display, but the panicked murmurs of the crowd made his heart race. Grabbing Muneeb tightly in his arms, he called out, "Hazel… you're with me, right?"

No response.

He swiftly pulled out his phone, turning on the flashlight. His eyes scanned the crowd frantically, but there was no sign of Tania. Instead, he spotted a small card on the floor. Picking it up, he immediately recognized the monogram... a panther.

Flipping it over, a message in Hungarian stared back at him: "Hogy érzed magad, barátom?" (How are you feeling, my friend?)

"Marco, you bastard," he growled, crushing the card in his fist.

As the fireworks from the party illuminated the night sky, Sarfaraaz's gaze fixated on the helicopter soaring above, he knew it was carrying the one person who mattered most....Tania.

His Hazel.

The woman who had just been by his side a few moments ago, her flushed face still etched in his mind. Now, she was gone, snatched away by Marco, his old rival from Hungary.

His heart pounded, a mixture of fury and desperation swelling inside him. His eyes turned bloodshot as he stormed out of the party, the fireworks echoing like the fuse to the explosive rage building within him.

Without hesitation, Sarfaraaz called Rahat.

Rahat picked it up and said,"Hey man, I was about to call you about the evidence we got from Tania's phone...."

"We'll talk about that later," Sarfaraaz cut him off, his voice as cold as ice. "I need our best men. Marco has taken my Hazel, and we're going to burn his entire empire to the ground. He'll pay for this with his life."

There was a brief pause before Rahat replied, "Yeah, don’t worry. We'll find her."

Hanging up, Sarfaraaz gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind focused on one thing....bringing Tania back and making Marco pay. But first, he had to ensure Muneeb's safety.

As he drove towards home, an inferno of destruction and vengeance burned deep within him, ready to annihilate anything that stood in his way.
__________________________________

I fluttered my eyes open, disoriented, finding myself in a dark, stuffy room.

Wait...my hands and legs were tied. Panic surged through me as the familiar weight of restraint brought back memories I wanted to forget. Those horrible days when Sarfaraaz had kidnapped me.

How did I end up back in this nightmare?

I was just with Sarfaraaz, blushing at his shameless words... Then something was pressed against my nose, and after that..darkness.

Oh no. I've been kidnapped... again.

Who is the fucker this time? I cursed silently.

"Szépség..." a voice spoke with a thick foreign accent, cutting through the silence. "Szépség (Beauty) , you're awake?"

"Who are you?" I spat, struggling against my binds in vain.

"Your husband knows me well, Szépség. It's strange that a lion like Sarfaraaz found a lamb like you, Can you satisfy his animalic need?" the man taunted, his fingers brushing my jaw.

Bastard!

I leaned forward sharply, headbutting him, earning a pained groan from him.

"Te kibaszott kurva! (You fucking whore)" he cursed in his language.

Suddenly, the lights flickered on, revealing a tall man in his thirties, with long hair and a short beard. His face twisted in rage.

I didn't have time to react before I felt the sting of his slap, my cheek burning as the taste of blood filled my mouth.

"You bastard!" I yelled, glaring up at him.

"Oh, the doll can curse. I like that," he sneered, grabbing my arm roughly. I felt the sharp pain I don’t react to give this man satisfaction.

But this is gonna leave marks for sure.

"But don't make me hurt you too much before your husband gets here. He should see me torturing his pretty wife with own eyes" his eyes glint with dark amusement.

"He'll kill you before you even think about it. He'll make you regret ever laying a hand on me," I growled, my voice cold with conviction.

Because I knew Sarfaraaz. He wouldn't let anyone touch me. He saved me before, and I had no doubt he'd do it again.

Sarfaraaz always kept his promises, and he made a dark promise that only he had the right to hurt me.

So, I wasn't afraid. I would wait.

He was coming.

__________________________

Sarfaraaz stood at the entrance of Marco's secret den, his eyes burning with fury. Marco wouldn't even get the chance to be surprised that Sarfaraaz had found him so quickly. Because he will be dead before he could react.

The audacity. Marco had dared to touch his Hazel.

Sarfaraaz's men, along with Rahat, were already stationed at the back gate, taking full control of the situation. The house, outwardly ordinary, gave no sign of the underground empire it hid, but Sarfaraaz didn't care about appearances. He was here to annihilate.

Two guards stood at the front, barely registering the threat before the silenced shots rang out. In one breath, Sarfaraaz pulled both triggers, and in the next, their bodies hit the ground. The storm had begun.

As he moved forward, men fell one by one, bullets finding their mark effortlessly. His focus was unbreakable....he would find Tania and Marco. And when he finds that bastard he will give him the most painful death.

Descending into the basement, his heart stopped for a split second. Tania was there, sitting on the floor, calm but clearly in pain, her lips had a blood tent on them,  her hair cruelly yanked by Marco, who sat smugly, thinking he had the upper hand. But Tania's eyes met Sarfaraaz's, and in them, he saw relief as if she knew her monster had come for her.

"Welcome, Sarfaraaz. You found me sooner than expected," Marco sneered, tightening his grip on Tania's hair.

Sarfaraaz's voice was cold and venomous. "Let her go before I erase your existence from this earth."

Marco's lips curled into a sickening smile. "Tsk, tsk, the big bad monster, all in love now. But you can't have her. You've cost me too much, Sarfaraaz....my drugs, my money, my empire." His fingers dug into Tania's scalp as he continued, "Now I'll give the same pain by hurting your little wife. I know by taking your money I can't make you hurt because you have too much" Saying this he tried to strangle Tania.

In an instant, the lights cut out, plunging the room into darkness. Marco's grip loosened for just a moment....long enough. When the lights returned, Marco found guns trained on him from all directions, and Tania?

She was no longer in his grasp. She was by Sarfaraaz's side, safe.

Sarfaraaz pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We'll be out of here soon, angel," he whispered, his voice soothing her frayed nerves.

His attention then shifted to Marco, his eyes darkening with lethal intent. "Did you really think you could touch my woman and walk away?"

Sarfaraaz's voice was like ice. "Today, not only will you lose your life, but your entire empire is burning as we speak. Your drug storage... it's already on fire."

He paused, savoring Marco's widening eyes. "I won't hurt you. But I'll burn you alive."

Without hesitation, Sarfaraaz gave the order. "Tie him up and burn this place to ashes."

Ignoring Marco's screams and pleas, Sarfaraaz lifted Tania into his arms, cradling her in a bridal hold. As they walked out, the house exploded behind them, engulfed in flames. Sarfaraaz didn't even flinch as the fire raged, the destruction a testament to the lengths he'd go for her.

His eyes fell on Tania's peaceful  yet worn out face. She fainted due to the intensity of all these events, her body limp in his protective embrace.

His voice was low, barely a whisper, yet it carried the weight of his oath:"Every shadow that tries to touch you will burn to ashes, just like this. No one dares to take away the only light in my dark world."

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Chapter Aesthetics

Tania's outfit for the party

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