Chapter - 1 “Who is he...?"

Waking up, bathed in the beautiful light of the sun, I opened my eyes and reached for my phone to check if there are any notifications as I slept in till 2 pm.

I saw there were a few missed calls and texts from my best friend, Archi.

I smiled when I saw she tried to reach me, knowing well she will probably be furious as I didn’t answer any of her calls nor texts, so I dialed her number trying to reach her.

The phone rang but she didn’t answer, but that was ok, as I knew she will call me back. Archi is my long-term best friend who I know for the last five years since I completed my schooling.

We both are from India. The cheery, family-oriented... Indian families are fun, spicy food, jolly nature, fun-loving peoples, love music with high bass, adventures, party lovers..... And so on.

My family is dear and loving but has some strict rules that I have to follow.

Today is my birthday and I am turning 23.

Knowing my mom, she will surprise me with a birthday cake, and just thought of it made my mouth water. She is amazing to cook and makes the best cakes ever.

I make myself get off of the bed and walked toward my room’s attached bathroom to do my morning rituals. When I heard my phone ringing as a small smile appears on my face. I get back to my room to pick my phone and greeted me with an angry voice.

“Where were you? I call you like a hundred times. You always ignored my calls. At least answer dammit and say you are busy if you are.” I can’t help but smile widely as muttering my ‘Sorry.’

“No seriously, it’s your all-time drama, Ammy.” She complained again, and I feel bad to make her that much annoying to me.

“Okay fine, sorry. I was sleeping.” I apologize again but in low voice this time.

“Who sleep till 2 pm, Ammy.” She laughed at my reason as asked in a teasing tone.

“Happy birthday. And get ready we headed out tonight.” She said happily.

I shallow at the thought of going out and especially at night, which I bet my family wouldn’t allow ever and my friend is well aware of that fact too but still planned night out, that’s why I denied her politely. “You know I can’t.”

“Oh please, don’t start again. Just get your ass at my place fast and don’t make any excuses. Say your mom you have to go out for some urgent papers submission or anything, you know better than that.” She let out in a more stern voice like ordering me, and before I could say or deny again, she cut the call but not before said to wear something sexy.

I stay still, sitting on the bed, eyeing at my phone screen which is showing my mom’s contact no. I’m debating with myself, to call her and lie as my friends want me to, or tell her the truth? But I know she will say no, and I don’t want to lie to her.

I sighed tossing my phone on the bed, and that was when I heard that voice say, “I want to go out and we are going, that’s final.”

My mind panicked as I heard her demand, no way I can’t go out, and for a night out is a big no-no. “Please Shadow, I don’t want to lie and go out for hangout with friends.”

I request inside my mind so she can hear and understand my point. But deep down I know it’s useless because she will do what she wants and I always end up regretting in the end.

Oh if you are thinking that I have lost my mind, don’t worry I am not going to deny it guys. But in my defense, I have only one thing to say. It's all started three years ago when I was on a trip to the mountains with my friends, I got in an accident which I don’t exactly remember.

But after that accident, I started hearing the voice of a girl inside my mind who is exactly the reverse of me and made me do things which I never dare to do in my horrible nightmares.

I don’t know if I lose my mind or not but this is true, and when I try to find out what’s wrong with me. I learn her name which suits her personality perfectly.

Shadow.

I snap out of my thoughts when she said what I didn’t want, “Nope we are going to have some fun, no excuses Ammy.”

With that said, I felt a terrible headache as I always do before I would pass out, and with that, the darkness wraps around me into it...

***

I’m in a lounge with my two friends because they arrange a private party for me which only includes some close friends from work and study classes and their dates of course.

Archi and Suzanne are my best friends. I’m the younger one in our group, and also an immature one according to my friend’s description of peoples.

I am enjoying my time with a drink and loud music whilst checking a bunch of notification on my Instagram account. Well, it’s my second and last drink since I always get a hard time handling my drinks.

When Archi shift closure to me and whispered in my ear. “Don’t turn around yet, there’s a handsome hunk staring at you for a while.” I sighed and shake my head at my friend’s words.

My friends are crazy when it comes to my dating life..... ‘Because I’m, 23 today and the only member in our circle who have zero dating experience’, and my logic of being single doesn’t fit well with their small brain cells.

I try my best not to show bored expressions on my face as slowly turn around to see who is ‘handsome hunk’ my friend just mentioned, to give my stupid friend satisfaction that I at least listen to her.

My heart skips a beat as I choked on my drink and instantly turn back in my seat. What the hell!! Mate!..... Fuck, no! ‘For crying out loud, its real-life babes, not any shifter romance novel or twilight movie set.’ I muttered to myself.

I shut closed my eyes as lay my head back on the couch. My mind keeps repeating the incident that happens mere seconds ago.

I turn to look at that handsome hunk and saw an approx 6′ feet tall man in a dark blue business suit. He looks like a model from the gym magazines’ front page, and those raven color hairs and sharp facial features.

And then boom!..... I looked up and my eyes locked with his dark green color eyes, and I feel a sudden blast of heat eruption insides my body as my heart skips a beat whilst only one thought is buzzing in mind like a fire alarm *MINE!*

I think it was the last bow and I’m officially lost my mind because I know I’m not drunk enough to imagine things from romance novels.

I shoot open my eyes as jumped a little in my seat when someone’s hand land on my shoulder.

Suzanne.

I put my hand on my heart and bestow her a death glare whilst cursed her in a low voice so nobody other hears.

“Fucking hell woman, are you out of your damn small piece of the brain.”

She replied while chuckling “No my lady, it’s you.”

I ignore her and gulp my drink in one shot.

“So......?” She asked with an innocent girl’s face, my friends are anything but innocent. Nah, not in thousands of years.

“So.......what?” I asked as roll my eyes at her silly act. She signs from her eyes behind me toward the hunk.

“Um...off-limit,” I replied before putting a fork full of white sauce pasta in my mouth.

“C’mon missy, I know he’s your type, ” this time it comes from the other side. Archi comments whilst bump her shoulder with mine.

I turned towards her as raise my brow in a questioning manner, “Oh, and from since when you know my type?”

Which makes her shut her mouth but another evil is still on and ready to trick me.

“Babe's birthday sex with hunk is not a that bad idea,” she said and flutter her lashes innocently. “And the perfect opportunity to lose your ‘v -card’. Huh?” She winks at the word ‘v-card’.

I open my phone and pretend to busy as ignoring both hounds while thinking of a smart comeback. Which I find soon, I turn toward them and announced in low voice with an evil smirk on the face, “Who says I have my ‘v-card’ any more.”

With that both froze in her seats, with eyes widened like saucers, mouth open..... Fuck! I know I am an expert in lying, but the expressions on their faces are priceless make me want to take pictures of their shocked faces as a memory. I chuckle lowly and turn my attention back on my phone again.

But they recovered faster than I thought and cave me in for more hot updates. Goddamn, friends are a disaster sometimes so, to ignore their questions and innocent pout faces, I drag both of them to the dance floor with me and join other friends in dancing.

***

My hair are a mess with sweat by the time I leave the dance floor and sit back on my previous seat. My phone is vibrating like crazy inside my bag, I pull it out.

And here it is 7 missed calls from mom, 5 from dad. I sighed and shake my head. My family is super crazy when it comes to me, they still think I’m a 5yr old’ toddler who gets lost in a crowd and never finds a way back home.

I asked a waiter for the bill since it’s my treat, and tell my friend it’s time to head back.

The waiter comes after minutes said the whole place is already paid for tonight and handed me a bouquet of red roses and chocolates with a note.

My brows knotted in confusion while I asked him who paid and send these gifts, he just said a man and left. What the heck! frustrated and confused I open the note and start reading-

It is written in neat cursive handwriting and says,

“Nothing is off-limits for you, princess. Happy Birthday my love❤”

Noting else mention no contact no. No name or any identity, who’s he? If I said I’m shocked then believe me it’s an understatement. I look around for any sign, if I am lucky enough to found this mysterious man, but guess I’m not.

I’m from some high self-esteemed persons who hate to take favor from others. I know articles don’t get enough stipend but still, I’m capable to pay my bills on my own and my inner self-dependent female hate him, whoever Mr. Richey rich he is.

I didn’t tell my friends anything about that note and Mr. Mysterious Richy Rich. And departed soon after that...

***