★ Trapped in His Darkness His obsession Her Nightmare★

Chapter 8 - Shadows and Sparks

[Scene: Midnight Tension - The Warehouse]

The eerie silence of the night mixed with the soft sound of rain against the warehouse walls. Pranavi was curled up in the armchair, trying to sleep, but after a while, she felt a subtle movement around her.

Her eyes fluttered open-

🔥 Vedant was missing. 🔥

Her heart stopped for a second.

She quickly tried to sit up, but just as she moved-

A warm hand wrapped around her wrist.

"Relax, I'm right here," Vedant's voice came through the darkness.

Pranavi turned, irritation flaring in her eyes-Vedant was no longer on the bed. He was sitting right next to her, by the armchair, his hand still holding her wrist.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped, pulling her hand away.

Vedant leaned back, completely relaxed. "You weren't sleeping. You kept shifting around. Thought I'd check if you were still alive."

Pranavi rolled her eyes. "I was fine."

Vedant smirked slightly. "Oh yeah? It really didn't look like it. You were adjusting your seat every two minutes."

Frustration bubbled up inside her. "Why do you even care? Just go back to the bed."

Vedant leaned in slightly, his deep gaze locking onto hers. "You can't force me, Ms. Rai. If I'm comfortable here, I'm staying here."

Pranavi narrowed her eyes. "So you're just going to sit here?"

Vedant stared at her for a long second. The air between them tensed.

"Am I not allowed to sit next to you without permission?"

🔥 The tension was thick. 🔥

Pranavi gulped, her heartbeat picking up. She looked away, acting as if it didn't affect her. "Do whatever you want, Rathore."

Vedant smirked at her response, but then, suddenly, his expression shifted.

"Are you really not feeling cold?"

Pranavi, already annoyed, snapped, "No! Why would I? The temperature is already so high in here!"

🔥 Vedant's smirk widened. 🔥

Without another word, he picked up his long black coat and draped it over her shoulders.

Pranavi froze.

For a second, she didn't know how to process this. "So... he does care about someone?" The thought crossed her mind, but she didn't say anything.

Vedant casually sat back in his place as if nothing had happened.

Pranavi glanced at him and huffed, "Go back to the bed."

Vedant observed her for a moment before smirking. "Why? Afraid you'll burn if I stay too close, wildflower?"

🔥 Pranavi's brain: ERROR 404. 🔥

She rolled her eyes and muttered in frustration, "Fine! Do whatever you want!" Then she shut her eyes, forcing herself to sleep.

But then-

Vedant took her hand.

Pranavi's eyes flew open. Shocked, she whispered, "W-What are you doing? Why are you holding my hand?"

Vedant gently squeezed her fingers and, with a smirk, said, "Just making sure you are not attacking any wild animal."

🔥 Silence. A comforting silence. 🔥

Pranavi stared at him for a moment, her mind unable to form a comeback. For the first time, being this close to Vedant didn't make her uncomfortable.

Neither of them moved. Their hands stayed connected, yet there was no awkwardness-only a strange sense of peace.

And slowly, without another word, they both fell asleep in the most comfortable place-beside each other.

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🔥 Next: How will this unexpected comfort change things between them? 🔥

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