OWNED BY THE DEVIL 5

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• AUTHOR'S POV •

• NEXT MORNING •

Anvi didn’t know that eyes followed her now.

Eyes that belonged to a man who had ended lives without blinking.

Aurelio Romano — the devil Italy feared — had landed in her world like a silent storm.

And she? She was the first thing he hadn’t wanted to destroy.

But want and ruin…

They’re often the same in stories like this.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*slowly open her eyes* *yawns* what time it is.

She rubbed her eyes and checked the clock.

7:15 AM.

Late. Again.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

crap *got up immediately*

ANVI SINGH [FL]

Why, why I am always late *run into bathroom*

Cold shower. Coffee. Grabbed her office bag. Headphones in. Chappals on.

A normal day.

Except…

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*walked out of her apartment*

There was now a car which from now on will be parked near her building everyday.

A man in a black hoodie always at the chai tapri.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*looks here and there* why since yesterday I am feeling like someone's watching me? *mumble to herself*

And a sense—subtle but growing—that someone was watching her too closely to be coincidence.

– Nearby Rooftop of her office–

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*watching outside*

He stood behind darkened glass, eyes locked on her from across the road.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*walking with Tia while sipping coconut water*

She was sipping coconut water with her friend, laughing about something. That smile.

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

That f*cking smile. *jaw clenched*

Aurelio’s fingers curled around the railing like he was holding back a beast inside him.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*giggles* and you know, that foreigners was super hot too

TIA SHARMA [FL FRIEND]

*teasing smile* hmm hmm hot huh.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*blush* shutup tia, I am just being honest.

TIA SHARMA [FL FRIEND]

*laughs*

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

I want to hear her voice. *said to mercello*

MERCELLO [ML RIGHT HAND]

*handed him the tiny receiver*

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*took it*

One tap, and Avika’s laughter echoed in his ear.

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*close his eyes*

Aurelio closed his eyes for one brief second.

And smiled.

It was terrifying how that sound soothed something feral in him.

MERCELLO [ML RIGHT HAND]

*shook his head*

LORENZO MORETTI [ML FRIEND]

*enjoying while eating apple* gone case *murmur*

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*working*

Her desk phone rang.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*pick up* hello

CALLER

📲Hello. This is for Avika Singh? *deep accent and charming voice*

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*blink* 📲Yes… this is she.

CALLER

📲Hi. I’m calling from Solé Publishing Italy. Your editor shared your story pitch with us. We'd like to schedule a call about it.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*froze*

ANVI SINGH [FL]

(Italy? What?)

She hadn’t sent anything abroad.

But the voice was kind, calm, smooth like velvet.

CALLER

📲Would you be free for a coffee sometime this week? I’ll be in Mumbai. I’d love to meet you personally.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

📲Uhm… okay. Sure, I guess. *said hesitantly*

The call ended. She sat stunned.

ANVI SINGH [FL]

I am not dreaming right?

ANVI SINGH [FL]

*pinched herself* ouchhhh~ no way, it's true *start kicking on air*

What she didn’t know was — it wasn’t a publisher.

It was him.

And he had already decided to enter her world through the door that she left half-open.

. . . . . . . . .

• NIGHT •

• Aurelio’s Room •

Aurelio sat by the window, twirling a pen.

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*smilling*

Her voice echoed in his head. Her laugh. Her awkward “uhm.”

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*poured himself whiskey*

LORENZO MORETTI [ML FRIEND]

*entering* So, Aurelio, you're setting up coffee dates now? What next? Bollywood romance?

Aurelio didn’t laugh.

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*turn*

He turned slowly, eyes like knives.

LORENZO MORETTI [ML FRIEND]

what if she likes someone else *smirk*

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

Doesn't matter. If anyone touches her. Looks at her. Thinks of her — they’ll die screaming. *low dangerous voice*

LORENZO MORETTI [ML FRIEND]

*raised his hands in surrender, amused* Obsessed already, huh?

AURELIO ROMANO [ML]

*sip his whiskey*

Aurelio didn’t answer.

Because yes.

He was.

And obsession was just the beginning.

Catpaglu author

🍿