Chapter 19

Daniel woke from a deep slumber, his senses still clouded by exhaustion. As his vision cleared, he noticed the girl lying unconscious beside him. A flicker of concern crossed his face as he moved closer, kneeling beside her.

“Hey… wake up,” he murmured, gently shaking her shoulder. There was no response.

Frowning, he reached for a glass of water and sprinkled a few drops on her face. Still nothing. Panic settled in his chest as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected almost immediately.

“Yes, Dany?” came the voice from the other end.

“That girl is unconscious. I tried waking her, but she’s not responding,” Daniel said, his voice edged with worry.

“Check her breathing,” the voice instructed.

Daniel leaned in, his fingers hovering near her nose. Her breaths were faint, barely perceptible.

“She’s breathing, but it’s really low,” he reported.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. She’ll be removed from there soon.”

Daniel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Okay. What do I do next?”

“Leave the city. You’ll receive air tickets. Stay away for a few days—I’ll update you later.”

“Alright. But where am I supposed to go?”

“You’re flying to the Maldives.”

“The Maldives? When?”

“Tomorrow.”

Daniel sighed but nodded to himself. “Okay. I’ll be ready.”

Not long after, a group of masked men arrived at his house. Without a word, they carried the unconscious girl away, leaving behind a sealed envelope.

Daniel opened it to find his air ticket—and a hefty sum of cash. A smirk played on his lips. With this kind of payout, disappearing for a few days didn’t seem like such a bad deal. He headed to his room, eager to refresh himself and pack his bags for the journey ahead.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Aryan and Sanju returned to the mansion. This time, something felt different. A warmth lingered between them, an unspoken energy neither could ignore. A blush painted Sanju’s cheeks as memories of their time together, and their kiss played in her mind.

Kousalya greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome back, Sanju. Hope you enjoyed a lot.”

Sanju’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Of course, Maa. It was wonderful.”

The moment the words left her mouth, her mind betrayed her, recalling the way Aryan’s lips had claimed hers. Heat rushed to her face, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Kousalya’s sharp eyes caught the change in her expression. “Why are you blushing, Sanju?”

“What? N-no! Nothing like that!” she stammered, flustered. “I’m going to my room now.”

Aryan, seated in the living room, scrolled through his phone, feigning distraction. But his eyes flickered towards Sanju as she climbed the stairs.

Each step she took sent a wave of nervous excitement through her. Sharing a room with Aryan now after everything felt different. Butterflies swirled in her stomach at the mere thought of it.

Meanwhile, Aryan leaned back, his jaw tightening as he watched her disappear from sight.

How am I supposed to stay in the same room with her now? His self-control was hanging by a thread. How do I act normal? And how is she feeling about all this?

Sanju changed into her casuals and sat on the balcony, letting the cool air kiss her face. No matter how much she tried to distract herself, her thoughts kept returning to him, to the way his lips had moved against hers.

Later that night, Sanju hesitantly made her way upstairs after dinner, with Aryan silently following a few steps behind. As she entered their room, she paused near the doorway, her back still turned to him. She could feel his presence close behind her, the warmth of his nearness sending an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.

Neither spoke for a long moment. Both wrestled with their thoughts, their hearts racing in sync. Finally, Aryan broke the silence.

“Sanju…”

She didn’t turn but hummed softly in response.

“Are you upset with me?” His voice was gentle, cautious.

Sanju shook her head. “No… no.”

“Then why do you seem different?” he pressed.

She swallowed. “Nothing like that… I’m just… normal.”

Aryan chuckled lightly. “No, I know you’re not. Listen, Sanju. I would never do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If anything I do ever bothers you, please tell me. I don’t want to trouble you.”

Sanju turned her head slightly, her heart fluttering at his words. “I never meant any such thing,” she whispered.

Aryan took a step closer. “So… should I assume that you liked it?”

Sanju’s breath hitched. Before she could reply, he moved even closer, his chest brushing against her back. She simply nodded.

A slow chuckle escaped his lips. His fingers traced a featherlight path along her arms, up to her shoulders. He leaned in, inhaling the delicate scent of her hair. Sanju closed her eyes as a wave of warmth spread through her.

“I know this is all new,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. “We’ll take our time… slowly.”

She gave a small nod, her body betraying her emotions.

Aryan gently swept her hair to one side and placed a lingering kiss on the nape of her neck.

“Shall we sleep?” he whispered.

Sanju, still lost in the moment, could only nod.

With a satisfied smile, Aryan stepped away and walked toward the closet to change. Sanju exhaled a deep breath, pressing her hands to her flushed cheeks before hurrying to her side of the bed. She pulled the blanket up to her chin, still blushing.

A few moments later, Aryan returned and slid into bed beside her. He tugged the duvet over both of them, then leaned in to press a soft kiss on the side of her head.

“Good night, Sanju,” he whispered.

She smiled against the pillow. “Good night, Aryan.”

Morning arrived with golden rays streaming through the curtains. Aryan stirred awake first, his gaze immediately falling on Sanju. She had inched closer to him in her sleep, her fingers clutching onto his T-shirt.

A small smile tugged at his lips. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. Slowly, he pried her fingers off his shirt and slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her.

After getting ready, he made his way downstairs, where Ranjith was already waiting for him.

“Good morning, sir,” Ranjith greeted.

“Good morning,” Aryan replied, buttoning his cuff. “What’s the update?”

“Sir, Daniel is set to leave for the Maldives tonight.”

Aryan’s jaw tightened. “Who arranged this for him?”

“Everything is booked under his name,” Ranjith said. “It must be her.”

A smirk played on Aryan’s lips. “So… she’s finally making her move.” His eyes darkened. “Time to bring her out of hiding.”

Ranjith nodded. “What’s the next step?”

“Arrange a success party in ten days,” Aryan instructed. “Invite all the business elites. Two important guests Mr. Chandrasekar and Naren.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Also, assign guards for Sanju’s protection. But make sure she doesn’t notice them.”

“Yes, sir,” Ranjith agreed before taking his leave.

Just then, Sanju appeared at the top of the stairs, her presence immediately drawing Aryan’s attention. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world around them faded.

“Good morning, Aryan,” she greeted, descending the stairs.

“Good morning, Sanju,” he replied, his voice softer than usual. “I have to go to the office today—urgent work. I’ll be back soon.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Get some rest,” he added.

Sanju smiled slightly. “Hmm… okay.”

They sat for breakfast together, sharing stolen glances between bites. As Aryan finally stood to leave, he turned back one last time. “I’ll see you soon.”

As Aryan and Ranjith arrived at Daniel’s home, they wasted no time. With a swift kick, they broke the lock and barged inside.

Daniel, who had been hastily packing his things, froze in shock. His face turned pale as he saw Aryan standing before him, his expression unreadable yet deadly.

“S-Sir… please… just let me go,” Daniel stammered, stepping back in fear. “I’ll leave. I swear I’ll go far away from here!”

Aryan tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “Where will you go, Daniel? The Maldives?”

Daniel’s breath hitched. His eyes widened in terror. How does he know?

“Sir, please…” he pleaded again.

Without another word, Aryan lunged forward, grabbing Daniel by the collar. With a swift move, he forced him to his knees, pressing a gun against his forehead. Daniel shuddered, his entire body trembling under Aryan’s piercing glare.

“Five seconds,” Aryan said coldly. “That’s all you have. Tell me what I want to know, or the next moment, your head will explode.”

Daniel’s throat went dry. “S-Sir, please—”

“Four.”

“I—I swear, I don’t know much!”

“Three.”

“Manasi!” Daniel blurted out. “Manasi gave me a number and told me to speak to a woman! She promised me more money, even a job!”

Aryan’s jaw tightened. “The number.”

Daniel’s hands shook as he recited it. “+91 *********”

Ranjith immediately took note of it, frowning. “Sir, it’s a Canadian number.”

Aryan’s smirk deepened. “Got the answer?”

“Yes, sir,” Ranjith confirmed.

Daniel let out a shaky breath. “Sir, I told you everything I know. Please… let me go.”

Aryan crouched slightly, looking Daniel straight in the eyes. “Oh, don’t worry,” he said, his voice eerily calm. “I will let you go.”

A flicker of hope flashed in Daniel’s eyes, only to be shattered the next second as Aryan pulled the trigger.

Gunshots echoed through the house. Aryan emptied the entire magazine, his face emotionless as Daniel’s lifeless body slumped to the floor.

Standing up, he dusted off his suit. “Ranjith, clear this up. No traces.”

“Understood, sir,” Ranjith nodded, signaling the guards to dispose of the body.

With a deep breath, Aryan turned and walked out. The weight of his rage lifted slightly, but his mind was already drifting elsewhere, to a certain pair of innocent eyes that haunted his thoughts.

Aryan strode into his office, loosening his tie. He dropped into his chair, rubbing his temples. He had silenced a threat, yet his mind refused to focus on work.

Every thought, every moment, kept circling back to Sanju, the way she blushed, the way she looked at him, the way she made his heart race in a way nothing else did.

His reverie was interrupted as Ranjith entered the cabin.

“Sir, your schedule for today “

“Call Sanjana,” Aryan ordered without thinking.

A beat of silence followed. Then realization dawned on him. She wasn’t here.

His fingers tightened around the pen in his hand before he exhaled deeply, leaning back. “Forget it.”

Ranjith smirked. He’s already missing her.

“Get me a coffee,” Aryan muttered.

Ranjith turned to leave, suppressing a knowing smile. “Right away, sir.”

Aryan leaned back in his chair, running a frustrated hand through his hair. His mind was a mess.

“God, what have you done to me? What will I do without her? I can’t focus on anything!”

His thoughts drifted back to Sanju, her smile, the way she looked at him… He groaned, realizing he had officially become a lovesick fool.

“That’s it. I’ll ask her to join the office tomorrow. I can’t take this anymore.”

With that decision made, Aryan shut his laptop, grabbed his keys, and left for the mansion.

Sanju was no better. After Aryan left for the office, she had been restless, unable to focus on anything. No matter what she did, her thoughts always circled back to him.

Sighing, she stepped onto the balcony and gazed down at the garden. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Aryan standing there.

“Aryan?” she whispered, blinking in surprise.

Overcome with excitement, she ran downstairs, only to find the garden empty. Frowning, she turned around and there he was, standing near the birds.

She smiled in relief and rushed toward him, but just as she reached out, he disappeared again.

Pouting, she trudged back to her room, only to see him sitting casually on the couch. Her heart leaped with joy, and she immediately went to sit beside him.

As she leaned closer, so did he. Her breath caught in anticipation until suddenly, she fell onto the couch, and he vanished once more.

Sanju sat up, groaning. “Why am I seeing him everywhere?”

She shook her head. God, Sanju, you’ve gone insane. Maybe watching TV will distract me. But why is Aryan appearing everywhere I look?

Muttering to herself, she turned toward the door only to stop in her tracks.

Aryan stood there, arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the doorway with an amused smirk.

Sanju let out a deep sigh and walked toward him, stopping just in front of him and leaning against the opposite side of the doorframe.

“What am I supposed to do if you keep appearing before me everywhere I go?” she huffed, folding her arms. “Why did you even go to the office? You should’ve stayed home with me. Now look at me I’m going crazy without you!”

Aryan chuckled, pulling her forward in one swift motion. She stumbled, landing against his chest.

Sanju blinked up at him. “Wait… why aren’t you disappearing?”

Curious, she reached up and pinched his cheek. It felt real.

Her eyes widened. Oh God… he’s actually here!

She hesitantly looked up at him. “Are you… real?”

Aryan smirked. “Hmm… seems like someone missed me a lot.”

Sanju scoffed, looking away. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

Aryan leaned closer. “Stop lying. I just heard you talking to yourself about me. Did you miss me that much, sweetheart?”

Sanju’s cheeks burned. “I was just kidding.”

“Really?” He raised a brow. “Because I missed you a lot, baby.”

Her eyes widened at his words.

Aryan sighed, cupping her face. “It feels terrible being without you.”

Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. A soft gasp escaped her lips, and she squeezed her eyes shut as warmth spread across her face.

Aryan chuckled. “Your cheeks are pink. You look beautiful when you blush.”

Sanju squirmed. “Aryan… let me go.”

She avoided his gaze, but he wasn’t having it.

“Look at me, Sanju,” he said gently.

She shook her head stubbornly.

Smirking, Aryan lifted her chin with his finger, making her meet his intense gaze.

“You make every day harder for me, Sanju,” he murmured before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

Sanju swallowed, whispering, “You do the same to me, Aryan.”

His lips curled into a smile before he kissed her closed eyelids. Then, without hesitation, he pressed a feather-light peck to her lips.

Sanju’s breath hitched, her heart pounding wildly. But before she could react, Aryan deepened the kiss, pulling her into his arms.

She melted into him, her hands instinctively circling his neck.

With effortless ease, Aryan lifted her into his arms and carried her inside, never once breaking the kiss. Sitting down on the couch, he kept her in his lap, his arms securely around her.

After what felt like an eternity, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.

“Come to the office,” he murmured. “I can’t be without you anymore.”

Sanju could only hum in response, still lost in the moment.

Aryan raised a brow. “Say something other than just humming.”

She bit her lip. “I… I will.”

He smirked. “Why are you stammering? If you’re feeling cold, I don’t mind warming you up.”

Her eyes widened. “Aryan!” She smacked his chest, her cheeks heating up.

He chuckled, tightening his hold around her. “So? Will you come?”

She nodded. “I will.”

Aryan grinned. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

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