Sanju entered Aryan’s cabin and found him seated calmly, working on his laptop without the slightest hint of tension. For a moment, she stood puzzled. “Did Ranjith really call me here just because Maya was coming?” she thought. She had expected Aryan to at least look disturbed by Maya’s presence. But here he was unbothered and focused. Pushing her thoughts aside, she walked over and sat opposite him.
“Aryan, what’s happening?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Aryan looked up with a soft smile. “Nothing is happening, baby.” He leaned back comfortably. “Looks like your business partner is here, so I called you.”
Sanju frowned. “She wanted to meet you. But… you look so cool.” There was surprise in her voice, as if she had expected him to be at least a bit shaken.
“She has nothing to do with me,” Aryan replied calmly, his tone unwavering.
Sanju leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. “You’re right. I don’t know what drama she’s going to perform now.”
“She will do nothing,” he said with complete confidence.
She narrowed her eyes. “How are you so sure?”
Aryan gave her a knowing look. “I know her father. So, she won’t try anything. Just wait and watch.”
Maya sat in the reception area, her foot tapping impatiently against the tiled floor. Her phone buzzed relentlessly, the screen flashing Nanda’s name again and again. With a frustrated sigh, she finally answered.
“Why the hell are you calling me repeatedly?” she snapped.
“Madam, please. Sir wants to talk to you,” Nanda replied nervously and handed the phone to Chandrasekar.
“Dad, why don’t you leave me in peace for some time?” Maya groaned.
“Maya, don’t do anything stupid. Just leave from there,” Chandrasekar warned, his voice firm.
“No, I won’t. I will confront Aryan today,” she declared, determination lacing her words.
“Maya, remember you’ve signed a partnership contract,” he reminded her.
“I do remember,” she shot back.
“If you remember, then don’t expect me to remind you of every clause mentioned in it,” he said, tone turning sharper.
“Now what? Just be quick, Dad,” she demanded.
Chandrasekar didn’t hesitate. “Maya, it’s clearly mentioned in the clause that if any employee is involved in harassment or violence, they will be terminated from the job. But if any partner is involved in such an activity, the partnership will be cancelled. The victim party will then own the entire business and also get ₹100 crore as compensation.”
Maya’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected such a heavy clause to exist.
“But why didn’t you tell me this before?” she asked, voice low with disbelief.
“It’s quite normal to have such clauses in major business deals. This isn’t some simple partnership, Maya. Leave now—it’s for your good, and for the good of the business,” Chandrasekar urged.
“I will,” she muttered, ending the call just as Ranjith approached and saw her still waiting.
“Maya, shall we go?” he asked.
“Hmm,” she replied softly.
There was something different about her now—quieter, more composed—but Ranjith chose not to question it. He simply gave a nod and led her to Aryan’s floor using his access. When they reached Aryan’s cabin, Ranjith knocked gently on the door.
Inside, Aryan glanced at Sanju, then raised his voice. “Come in.”
Ranjith entered, exchanging a silent signal with Aryan before turning back to Maya. “Maya, please.”
Maya walked in, her gaze scanning the room. Aryan sat confidently in his leather chair, while Sanjana sat across from him. The air was calm, professional—even distant. Maya paused, letting her mind absorb the power dynamic in the room. Then, exhaling slowly, she looked at Aryan, her frustration tucked behind a mask of confidence.
“Hello, Aryan,” she said, steady.
“Hello. Sit down, Ms. Maya,” Aryan responded, his tone cool and authoritative. “I don’t encourage any sort of unprofessionalism at my office. If you had official matters, you should’ve contacted Pradeep. Now, what made you want to meet me? Please keep it short—I’m running out of time.”
“Aryan, I heard you were back from vacation. Our families share a good bond, so Dad and I thought of inviting you and Sanjana for dinner,” she said, her voice measured.
“Thanks for the invite, Ms. Maya.” Aryan remained polite but detached. “As you know, I’ve just returned from vacation. I’m quite occupied, and Sanjana will also be busy, especially since your cosmetics business launches soon. Time might be tight, but I’ll consider your invite and let you know through Ranjith. Convey my regards and thanks to your father as well.”
“Hmm. Okay, Aryan. Looking forward to meeting you soon,” Maya said, forcing a smile.
“Anything else?” he asked pointedly.
“Nothing,” she replied.
“Great then. We have a meeting now,” Aryan said, subtly signaling her time was up.
“I’ll leave. Bye.”
Maya stood, shot a cold glare at Sanju, and walked out. Ranjith followed her silently, escorting her to the elevator.
Inside the cabin, Sanju sat frozen, trying to process everything that had just unfolded. Aryan noticed her trance and snapped his fingers in front of her.
“Sanju?”
She blinked and looked at him. “What just happened now?”
“She came to invite us for dinner,” Aryan said with a slight shrug.
“Are you serious?”
“You were listening, weren’t you?”
“But didn’t she create such a scene to meet you? Was it really just to invite us?”
“Sanju, she must’ve learned about the harassment clause. That’s why she changed her tone,” Aryan replied coolly.
“Hmm. Very cunning,” Sanju muttered.
“She is. You need to be extra cautious around her. Pradeep will handle her, but still—be careful,” Aryan advised.
“Hmm, okay. You carry on with your work. I’ll leave now. Keerthy is coming today. I’ve already told Ranjith anna to bring her home before going to Pavi’s flat.”
She stood, moved to him, and gently kissed his forehead. Aryan responded with a soft peck on her lips. The moment was quiet but intimate.
Later, after refreshing herself, Sanju changed into comfortable clothes and waited eagerly for Keerthy’s arrival. As one of the guards drove the car into the mansion compound, the sound of the honk echoed through the house. Sanju, who had been waiting in the living room, rushed toward the main door, her face lighting up in anticipation.
Overwhelmed with joy at seeing her best friend after so long, Sanju rushed forward and engulfed Keerthy in a bone-crushing hug. Tears rolled down both their cheeks as the emotions poured out freely.
“Keerthy, I missed you a lot,” Sanju whispered, holding her tightly.
“Me too, Sanju. Missed you a lot,” Keerthy replied, equally emotional.
They sat down on the living room couch, still smiling through their tears. Just then, Kowsalya came in with snacks and beverages, her face lighting up at the sight of Keerthy.
Sanju quickly introduced them, “Keerthy, this is Kowsalya maa.”
Kowsalya offered a warm smile and said, “Welcome, dear. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Giving them space to catch up, Kowsalya quietly retreated to the kitchen to start on dinner, sensing how much the two friends had missed each other.
Sanju turned to Keerthy. “Keerthy, how are mom and dad?”
“We all are fine, Sanju. How are you and Aryan bro?” Keerthy asked, placing her hand over Sanju’s.
“We are fine, Keerthy. Life is cool and… I’m so happy,” Sanju replied, her voice glowing with contentment.
“I’m so happy for you, Sanju,” Keerthy said sincerely. “I knew Aryan bro would be the best for you.”
Sanju gave her a playful glare. “You too didn’t tell me anything about Aryan.”
Keerthy smiled guiltily. “Aryan bro didn’t want any of us to reveal it to you. Actually, he wanted to introduce himself… but so much happened.”
“I can understand,” Sanju nodded. “But I’m just so happy that I get to be with you once again.”
“Bro is the reason for this too,” Keerthy added. “Hereafter, he wants us to be together.”
Sanju blinked. “Why didn’t mom and dad come with you?”
“They’re comfortable over there, and dad has his job there,” Keerthy explained gently.
The two girls chatted endlessly, going over everything that had happened in the one year they’d been apart. Sanju eventually opened up about Maya and the trouble she was currently causing.
“Ranjith bro gave me a hint of her,” Keerthy said, her brows furrowed. “But I didn’t expect her to be this cunning.”
“All the bitches had to meddle only in my life,” Sanju muttered in frustration.
“You have me,” Keerthy smiled reassuringly. “So we shall handle her.”
“Pavi is very genuine and a true friend like you,” Sanju said fondly. “She gives a positive vibe to everyone around her. Actually, she’s the one who filled the void because of you.”
“I spoke to her once,” Keerthy said thoughtfully. “But that was enough for me. She gave me a comfortable space.”
As the evening deepened, the aroma of dinner filled the house, and soon Aryan arrived along with Ranjith. Keerthy stood up with a cheerful smile.
“Aryan bro, Ranjith bro! How are you?”
“We are fine, Keerthy. How are you?” both men responded warmly.
“I’m fine,” she nodded.
Aryan looked at her with a teasing smile. “So, ready to join ARC and your friend?”
“Yes, ready to rock,” Keerthy replied confidently.
“I’ve informed Pavi,” Ranjith said. “She’s well comfortable to share her home with you.”
“I’m too okay with that,” Keerthy replied with a nod.
“Keerthy, have dinner. I’ll drop you at Pavi’s place,” Ranjith offered.
“Please, let’s have dinner together,” Keerthy requested.
Aryan glanced at his watch. “Give me a few minutes, I’ll be back.”
Aryan and Ranjith went to refresh, and when they returned, they found the girls still immersed in conversation. They all gathered around the dining table and enjoyed a warm, lively dinner, filled with laughter and casual banter.
Later, Ranjith drove Keerthy to Pavi’s apartment, ensuring she was safely settled in her new place.
Meanwhile, back at the other side of the city, Chandrasekar stood silently, watching his daughter. Maya sat on the edge of the couch, her expression stormy and her lips pursed in frustration. She hadn’t uttered a single word since reaching home.
After a long pause, Chandrasekar finally broke the silence. “How long are you going to be in silence?”
Maya snapped, “What else do you expect me to do?”
Chandrasekar let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, Maya. You didn’t wait for a moment or take my consent before signing the deal. Now it’s like both Aryan and we are locked in this partnership. I know him very well—he will act wisely. And his people… they will never go or do anything beyond Aryan. So he’s on the safe side. I expect you to be the same, unless I plan something to get out of this.”
Maya’s tone was flat, but there was steel beneath it. “Hmm… okay. But that doesn’t mean I’ll wait for years. I need you to do something at the earliest.”
“Go sleep,” Chandrasekar said firmly. “Your business starts from tomorrow. Concentrate on the business.”
Maya just gave a faint nod and walked to her room. But even though her father had offered her clear and practical advice, her raging mind refused to settle. Instead, her thoughts were already spiraling—plotting, planning, and dangerously focusing on one person.
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