Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Nine •

Mr Kapoor has given the advance payment along with a photograph of Nandani," Cabir said, placing the briefcase containing the cash and the photograph on the table.

Manik took hold of the photograph, his gaze fixated upon it, capturing the attention of his friends.

"Just staring at the picture isn't going to kill her," Abhimanyu quipped, striving to lighten the tense atmosphere.

"Buddy, we can still reject this contract if you want to," Cabir teased.

"We won't do that." Manik abruptly turned on his heel and strode to the bar.

"Why is this happening to me? I've never given a second thought before slaughtering someone, so why am I obsessing over Nandani? Why can't I just shoot her?" he muttered.

"I'm going to kill her. I'm going to close this chapter today."

After making up his mind, he dialled Cabir's number. "Get me Nandani's location right now," he commanded.

"His mood has become quite mercurial since meeting Nandani; changing with the wind," Cabir noted.

"Did you hear what I said, Mr Dhawan?" Manik shouted. "Can you tell me where she is right now?"

"All right, alright. Please calm down," Cabir soothed him. "Give me 30 minutes and I'll get back to you."

"I'm not a patient person. I can't wait another thirty minutes, so you better hurry."

In a frenzy, Manik hung up the phone after uttering those words.

He sat on the stool and started boozing. He was preoccupied with Nandani's thoughts. Her melodious voice was ringing in his ears. Her angelic face flashed before his eyes.

Cabir finally arrived at the bar after twenty minutes. "She's at Cafe de Flore with Dr Aryaman Khurrana," he informed.

Manik hastily took his gun and phone from the counter.

"Where are you going?" inquired Cabir, as he scratched his ears, and looked puzzled.

"To kill Nandani," Manik drawled as he left for the cafe with his men.

Manik's heart pounded in his chest as he reached the bustling cafe. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped his senses.

As he emerged from his sleek black Lamborghini, a wave of silence washed over the crowd. All eyes turned towards him, a mix of fear and curiosity in their gazes. They knew that somebody within the thong of people would be his next target.

With every step he took, all eyes followed him. His gaze swept across the cafe, searching for Nandani.

Suddenly, his eyes met hers, "Belle," was all that came out of his mouth. He fired a shot into the air, and the crowd started running helter-skelter. Sitting casually, he put his leg on the table and stared at her.

In the chaos, he saw Aryaman holding Nandani's arm, trying to quietly lead her out of the cafe. However, before they could make their escape, Manik's men swiftly blocked their path.

"Mister, flee for your life, for I won't hesitate to end it," Manik issued a chilling warning.

"Doctor Aryaman, please just leave," Nandani implored, her voice trembling.

"I won't leave you, Nandu," Aryaman declared, his grip on her hand tightening.

Manik's brows furrowed, his face contorting with rage, and his jaw clenched tightly. He glared at them.

"What is your problem? Why are you following her? You murdered her fiancé and snubbed her joy. Why can't you just let her be at peace, now?" Aryaman snarled.

Manik shot Aryaman in the right shoulder without thinking twice.

"Doctor," Nandani shouted in fright as he collapsed to the floor, surrounded by a pool of blood.

She took long strides towards the devil, angrily, and grabbed his collar. "You heartless bastard, why did you shoot him? You had enmity with me, so why drag Doctor Aryaman in it?"

"Because that motherfucker dared to touch what's mine," he seethed.

Manik suddenly realized what he had said, and it left him shocked for a moment.

Nandani stood frozen in sheer terror, her heart pounding within her chest.

"Kill me if you want to, but please let me take him to the hospital," she implored, her voice a mere whisper. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot, tears cascading down her cheeks.

Manik with a subtle gesture signaled his loyal men, following which they lifted the unconscious Aryaman and exited the café.

"What are you going to do with him? Stop," Nandani shouted, as she ran towards the exit. However, Manik grabbed her delicate wrist in an iron grip, forcefully pulling her closer to him.

"Leave me alone, you devil. You are a coward, not a mafia boss," she writhed in his grasp.

Manik pulled out his gun and pointed it at her head.

"What are you waiting for? Go ahead and pull the trigger?" she roared.

"Don't dare to challenge me, Nandani. It would take me but a fleeting moment to end your life," he responded calmly and yet dangerously. His burned with rage.

Nandani retorted. "You think I am afraid of death? Ha! I scoff at your feeble attempts to scare me. Did you hear that? You're nothing but a pathetic loser and a coward. What do you think: killing people will make you look cool or strong? No, it only shows that you are a bloody wimp who is afraid of people. That's why you murder them," she bellowed. "Go ahead, kill me. Take my life if you dare. But mark my words, I won't bow before you. Did you hear that? Pull the damn trigger.”

She paused before continuing, "You are a wicked man who killed your own parents. Shame on you. Correction, 'man' doesn't suit you. "You are not even worthy of that title."

Manik's body temperature rose and he could feel his blood boiling. A vein from his neck popped out, and he pushed Nandani against a nearby wall, throttling her neck.

"Apologise to me right now," he growled.

"I....I...will never apologise,"

"If you apologise to me, I will let you go unharmed," he snarled. "Otherwise, you'll have to pay for it."

Her voice though weak carried a defiant tone. "I will never apologise to you," she managed to utter. "I despise you and I'd rather die than beg for my life."

Manik's grip loosened, and Nandani collapsed to the floor panting heavily.

As his anger subsided, he unleashed his frustration by kicking a nearby chair. His intense gaze now softened.

With a mixture of regret and concern, he knelt down in front of her. Gently, as if handling the most delicate porcelain doll, Manik lifted Nandani's chin with the tip of his index finger.

"What spell have you cast on me?" Manik asked her gently. "I'm in love with you, Nandani Murthy."