Ayaan and Ishaan flew to Delhi to attend the conference arranged by Suryadev. Ayaan hated leaving Zara and the babies, so the plan was made simple that they would fly early in the morning and return by evening as soon as the conference ended.
The moment the jet landed in Delhi, Ayaan called Zara on video and she answered with a bright smile.
“I thought you would be busy discussing things with Ishaan bro or barking orders at Sameer,” she teased.
He rolled his eyes. “We don’t give a damn about this conference and you know it. Anyway… how are you and how are our babies?” he asked, his voice softening instantly.
Zara turned the camera toward the crib where Rehan and Zavi slept peacefully.
“Good they are asleep. Take care, sweetheart. I’ll call you the moment the conference ends.” he said blowing her a kiss and noticed Ishaan doing the same with his wife. Then the brothers stepped into the waiting Bentley. Cameras flashed as the car rolled out of the airport with guards following them front and back in multiple vehicle. The reporters chased for a glimpse of the billionaire brothers.
The Bentley passed through the gates of the PM’s office and stopped at the grand porch. A security officer opened the door while their personal guards followed behind. Ishaan and Ayaan entered the building and the staffs, officials and ministers gathered at the entrance to receive them with a warm greeting.
They walked with quiet authority with Sameer and Ishaan’s PA following closely. As soon as they stepped into the conference hall, familiar businessmen approached them. The Rey brothers exchanged polite greetings and subtle signals, each one already aware of the role they were expected to play.
With a curt nod from the attendants, Ayaan and Ishaan were guided to their seats near Suryadev’s at the front. Ayaan’s gaze drifted to the back of the hall, where a space had been allotted for the government-appointed photographer and cameramen, all poised with their equipment to cover the meeting.
Every top businessman in the country had arrived and taken their allotted seats. When the MC announced the arrival of Suryadev, the entire hall rose to their feet. Ayaan and Ishaan, however, remained seated for a moment and Ayaan rolled his eyes, openly irritated at the idea of showing respect to a man they intended to destroy without leaving a trace.
But for the sake of maintaining appearances and because every movement of the Rey brothers was being watched and recorded, they finally stood. Suryadev entered the hall, folding his hands in a polite greeting to the men and women present before taking his seat.
After a brief formal exchange, the lights softened and Suryadev adjusted the mic with a practiced smile.
“I want to thank each and every one of you. Your businesses have strengthened the nation’s economy, provided stability and carried us through difficult years. Now, I request your continued support. Help us create more employment opportunities. Help us take this nation to its next stage of growth. My government stands with you and will continue to stand with you.” he said and polite applause filled the room.
Then the floor was opened for responses. One by one, businessmen shared their views except Ayaan and Ishaan who remained silent and observing.
Instead of support, most of the speakers expressed blunt dissatisfaction. They pointed out that the current government had made business operations unbearably difficult for the past five years. Several stated openly that they were hesitant to invest in any new ventures under these conditions.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair with a faint smirk touching his lips. This was exactly what he expected, exactly what he wanted.
Ishaan met his gaze, as their unspoken plan unfolded perfectly before them.
Suryadev cleared his throat, attempting to smooth over the growing tension in the room.
“I understand your concerns, But I want to assure you all that my government has been doing its absolute best. And we will continue to support you. We are prepared to provide every opportunity needed for your businesses to thrive in this country.” he said, forcing a reassuring smile.
A few businessmen nodded politely but the dissatisfaction still lingered heavily in the air. Trying to regain control of the situation, Suryadev shifted the focus.
“I would especially like to thank Mr. Ayaan Rey for his upcoming venture in the food sector, an initiative that will create thousands of jobs ” he said.
“I’m not launching it anytime soon.” Ayaan’s calm yet the interruption sliced through the hall. All heads turned to him. Whispers rippled across the room at the audacity of openly contradicting Suryadev in front of the nation’s top minds.
Ayaan didn’t blink. “The project isn’t moving forward right now,” he added in a firm and final tone.
Suryadev’s smile faltered for the briefest second. ” Mr. Ayaan, our government would do its best to provide the much needed support for your new venture ” he said and then attention shifted to Ishaan.
” I have no plans on expansions. Not until this government shifts its focus back to genuine industrial development. At present… the environment simply isn’t favorable.” Ishaan said and the hall fell silent again.
Two brothers.
Two direct refusals.
A united message delivered without raising their voices.
And Suryadev sat there, realizing the narrative had slipped out of his hands. He announced that the meeting would resume after a short break and his PA instructed the staff to serve refreshments to everyone in the hall. Suryadev walked out, clenching his fist and whispered something sharply into his PA’s ear.
Ayaan and Ishaan exchanged a knowing smile, this was exactly what they had anticipated. Their moment was interrupted when Suryadev’s PA approached them.
“Sir wishes to meet you both in his office. Privately,” he said and the Rey brothers smirked.
They rose to their feet, buttoned their blazers and followed the PA toward Suryadev’s private room. The PA opened the door and Ayaan and Ishaan stepped inside. Both Suryadev and Ayaan, Ishaan’s guards stood outside the room.
Suryadev was already waiting and the moment the door closed, he pressed a button under the desk, turning on the jammer. He wanted a conversation no one could overhear.
“Please, let’s have an open discussion. No cameras. No audience. Just the three of us. It’s time we resolve this… coldness between us.” Suryadev said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Ayaan raised an eyebrow, pretending confusion. “I’m not sure about what you’re talking about.” he said so innocently and Suryadev’s fake smile shattered.
“Stop it, I know what you are doing. I’m requesting you to release my son and end this war against me.” Suryadev said and Ayaan smirked, shaking his head slowly.
Ishaan folded his arms with his expression unreadable.
“We can consider it, if you step back from every attempt to sabotage my mother’s campaign. Every single one.” Ayaan said calmly.
Suryadev inhaled sharply and felt cornered but still tried to negotiate.
“I can take Vaishnavi ji back into the party. I’ll give her any seat she wants. Tell me what position she prefers and I’ll make it happen.” he offered quickly and Ayaan laughed cruelly.
“We’re not interested in your scraps,” Ishaan said gritting his teeth.
Ayaan leaned forward. “But we have a better offer for you. You get your son back, we would hand over every piece of evidence about your involvement in the bomb blast, your contacts with Nafel Razaq and your link to the terrorist group but in return you will stay out of our business, family and my mother’s campaign ” he said almost gritting his teeth and a heavy, suffocating silence prevailed in the room.
Suryadev’s eyes widened, shock hit him like a blow. His face paled and his hand trembled ever so slightly before he clenched it into a fist.
“Fine, I won’t interfere with Vaishnavi ji’s campaign. I’ll pull back completely. But I want every evidence ” Suryadev said.
” Before the elections, I’ll come to you with a final deal. A real one. You will listen and we shall decide where this ends.” Ayaan said with a satisfied nod.
Suryadev swallowed hard, the reality of his position settling into his bones.
“Okay… for now, I want this conference to be a success. And I know that won’t happen unless you both allow it,” Suryadev said, almost pleading.
Ayaan and Ishaan exchanged a glance and gave a silent nod, agreeing to stay quiet for the rest of the session.
With that, the Rey brothers turned to leave, the power in the room shifted entirely to their side.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Suryadev paced inside his office, frustration boiling over. He slammed his palm against the desk, teeth clenched. He had expected the brothers to know a few things, after all, his son Advik was in their custody but the depth of their knowledge terrified him. With elections drawing near, the fear of losing everything crept into his bones.
He quickly sent a coded message to Nafel that the Rey brothers know everything.
Steadying his breath, he returned to the conference hall. True to their word, Ayaan and Ishaan remained silent, allowing Suryadev to run the meeting to his satisfaction. With the tension defused, a few businessmen finally agreed to open new ventures, create employment opportunities and invite foreign collaborations to strengthen the nation’s economy.
The media quickly flashed clips of Ishaan and Ayaan, highlighting how different they had behaved between the two sessions, sparking a wave of controversy. But the Rey family stayed calm amid all the news and wild speculations.
Ayaan and Ishaan boarded their jet and Ayaan smiled when he saw Mithun joining them to return home after visiting Hari and Leela. The moment Ayaan settled into his seat, he removed his blazer in pure frustration.
“God, I’m starving,” he muttered loosening his tie.
Mithun immediately informed the staff to serve the food Leela had packed for the brothers. Neither Ayaan nor Ishaan had eaten anything during the conference, except sipping the water their guards had carried for them.
As soon as the plates were placed, both brothers began digging in. At the same moment, Ayaan dialed Zara’s number and she answered the call while standing in the balcony.
“Did you both eat ? ” she asked, already knowing how they were.
Ayaan tilted the camera toward the plate in front of him and Zara smiled as she settled onto the couch.
“Did you have lunch? And did you miss me, sweetheart?” he asked teasingly.
“Missed you a lot… especially Rehan and Zavi miss you a lot. They noticed your absence, they wouldn’t sleep for a long time. They are too used to you rocking them to sleep,” she said and Ayaan’s smile softened with pride. At the same time, his heart ached, yearning to return home and hold his Zara and his babies in his arms.
“Just a couple of more hours and I’ll already be there. Are they awake now?” he asked and Zara turned the camera toward the crib, showing the twins lying awake, quietly staring at the toys hanging from the ceiling.
Ayaan cut the call after speaking for a while and Mithun smiled, reaching over to ruffle his hair.
“You remind me of Rey when Ishu and Ishi were born. The manor had hundreds of staff even back then, but he never let anyone else take care of his little muffins except Asha aunty. He practically ditched the office and stayed home just to look after them. He always gave the best to his children. And now, I see so much of him in you and Ishaan. Especially you Ayaan… you never get tired of taking care of the twins. That’s exactly how Rey was with Ishaan and Ishika. At least your dad let Asha aunty to bath, feed and put you all to sleep but you let the nannies only to bath Rehan and Zavi. ” Mithun said fondly.
Ayaan smiled softly at his words. “Dad and Mom have been the best parents anyone could ask for, uncle. I messed up so much in my life that now I truly understand the value of relationships. I’ll always be grateful to Zara for giving me another chance at love and at life. She has given me everything. I’ll cherish her and our babies for as long as I live. They are my whole world.” he said.
Mithun patted his shoulder warmly and Ishaan smiled at his little brother, proud and fond.
Ayaan, Ishaan and Mithun arrived at the manor and Ayaan’s impatience was impossible to miss. He headed straight into the elevator without waiting for anyone. The moment he entered his bedroom, his eyes softened at the sight before him, Zara was feeding Rehan while Zavi lay on the bed, babbling happily.
“Give me five minutes, sweetheart,” he murmured, brushing a quick look at her before rushing into the closet. No matter how much he missed them, he would never touch his babies after being out the entire day without cleaning up first.
He took the fastest shower of his life and barely dried his hair before stepping back into their room. Zara looked up and he pulled her into a fierce, warm hug and buried his face in her neck.
“I missed you,” he whispered and kissing her softly. She smiled against his lips, her arms wrapping around him just as tightly.
Without a moment’s delay, Ayaan reached for the twins. The babies blinked up at him and their tiny lips curved into sleepy smiles at the sight of their father.
Ayaan’s chest tightened with pure contentment.
“There you are, my little angels, did you miss me ? Daddy missed you both a lot ” he murmured, touching his forehead to each of theirs. He smiled watching them making sounds.
In that moment, with his wife by his side, his children in his arms, Ayaan felt his entire world settle into place. Everything he fought for, everything he endured… it was all worth this.
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