Vaishu paced restlessly across her room, her eyes flicked again and again to the mobile lying on her bed. The screen stayed blank, no calls, no messages. Reyansh leaned against the doorframe, watching her with concern.
“Vaishu, sit down for a second,” he said gently.
She huffed in frustration and dropped onto the bed, snatching up her phone.
“I’ve been calling him all day, Ansh. Actually, for the last three days.” she muttered, scrolling through her call history. Her thumb pressed the dial button again, but once more, the call went straight to voicemail. She sighed, her voice trembling with worry. “I’m really scared, Ansh. What if he’s shutting himself off again? He was doing so well lately. Laughing, talking… it finally felt like we were getting our old Ayaan back. And now, nothing. No calls, no texts, not even a single message. I don’t want anyone to have a wrong feel and I don’t want him to feel that we are behind him all the time so I haven’t called his PA or anyone yet ” Her eyes glistened as she looked up at him.
Reyansh walked closer and sat beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, listen to me. Don’t jump to conclusions, okay? I checked with the CSO this morning and he said, Ayaan was at the office yesterday. He’s probably just… dealing with something, you know how he gets.”
Vaishu shook her head, frustration and worry clouding her face. “That’s exactly what scares me, Ansh. Whenever Ayaan starts ‘dealing with something,’ he shuts the whole world out. It’s Saturday, Ansh. He’s supposed to be here, at home ” her voice trembled as she continued.
Reyansh exhaled deeply, “Alright, let’s wait till evening. Maybe he just needs some time alone. But if he doesn’t show up or call by then, we’ll go to his villa ourselves. No more waiting, no more guessing.” he said finally, his tone calm but firm.
Vaishu nodded wordlessly and leaned against his chest, seeking comfort in his steady heartbeat. Reyansh wrapped an arm around her shoulders, resting his chin lightly on her head.
The whole family was on edge, feeling as though Ayaan had turned into a ghost and vanished from their lives. Ishaan spoke with his father and learned that Ayaan had been staying at his villa, but when he talked to the CSO, something about the man’s tone felt off despite his assurance that everything was fine. He felt uneasy and informed his father that he would accompany him to Ayaan’s villa that evening to check on him personally.
Meanwhile, at the villa, Ayaan stood near the tall glass window and his expression was unreadable. The CSO entered and bowed respectfully before him.
” Sir, I did exactly as you instructed. I made sure to plant the seed of doubt…. subtly, but effectively. And I’ve just heard from one of the staff that the boss, madam, and Ishaan sir are planning to visit here by late evening to check on you.”
A slow, knowing smirk curved Ayaan’s lips. “Perfect,” he murmured, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. “Everything is unfolding just as planned. Proceed with the next phase and keep me updated.”
“Yes, sir,” the CSO said, giving a quick nod before turning to leave.
Once the door closed, silence reclaimed the room. Ayaan walked to his desk, picked up his tablet, and opened an app. A small green indicator blinked to life on the screen, the live audio feed from the hidden bug planted in Zara’s room.
Zara felt as though she was running on pure sugar and adrenaline. Her room looked like a fashion hurricane had struck, clothes were scattered everywhere, and half her wardrobe lay draped across the bed. She stood in the middle of the chaos, hands on her hips, huffing in exasperation.
“God, what am I even supposed to wear for our first date? I don’t even know where he’s taking me or what kind of outfit would fit the place. I’ve never had anyone in my life, let alone been on a date, so obviously, I never bothered buying elegant dresses.” she groaned, flopping onto the bed.
“Should I wear something professional? Arghhh, just shut up, Zara, haven’t you seen those models and actresses in the magazines? Well, you’re definitely not one of them but at least try to match his standards.” She ran her fingers through her hair, staring at the pile of clothes helplessly.
Her lips curved into a dreamy smile as she picked up a soft, flowy dress and held it against herself. “My Ayaan should be mesmerized the moment he sees me, he should just… lose control and kiss me right there.” she said to herself out of excitement.
Giggling, she twirled in front of the mirror, humming a tune, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Ayaan couldn’t help the smirk but his lips also curved into smile as Zara’s giddy voice echoed through the recording. He picked up his phone and for a long moment he looked at a lot of dresses and finally chose one. He typed a quick message to his stylist before shutting his laptop with a soft click.
Ayaan contacted the manager of Rey’s hotel with his usual composed yet authoritative demeanor. He instructed him to send a chef to his villa immediately with clear orders to prepare Zara’s favorite dishes that he had noticed recently. The manager, though curious, assured him that the arrangements would be made without delay.
Three hours later, Zara was in her room, her hair tied up messily and her face covered in a thick layer of homemade face pack. She was humming to herself and just then, the doorbell rang.
She froze mid-tune and blinked. “Who could that be? I didn’t order anything…” she muttered.
Peeking through the peephole, she saw a man standing there, dressed in a crisp black shirt and tailored trousers, holding a large box.
Her eyes widened and she bolted to the kitchen sink. She splashed cold water on her face, scrubbing away the face pack in a hurry. Her cheeks were still damp when she rushed back and pulled the door open.
Before she could say a word, the man handed her the box with both hands. “Madam, this delivery is for you,” he said politely.
“For me?” she asked, baffled.
“Yes, ma’am. Ayaan sir has personally chose this for you “, he said with a slight nod and turned to leave before she could ask anything more.
Zara looked down at the elegant black box, tied neatly with a satin ribbon and her heart skipped a beat.
Zara closed the door behind her, still puzzled, and carried the elegant box to the couch. Her heart thudded with curiosity as she ran her fingers over the smooth satin ribbon before tugging it loose. She lifted the lid with a soft rustle and her breath caught in her throat.
Inside, nestled carefully in layers of tissue paper, lay a breathtaking royal blue gown. Beside it sat a pair of sleek black pumps that looked straight out of a designer catalogue. But what truly made her heart skip a beat was the small velvet jewelry box resting on top.
With trembling fingers, she opened it and gasped softly. Inside lay a delicate diamond chain with a teardrop pendant, perfectly matched with a pair of tiny diamond studs that sparkled with understated elegance. It was simple, yet impossibly beautiful.
A neatly folded note lay beneath the gown. Zara unfolded it carefully, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.
A little surprise for the most beautiful woman. Can’t wait to see you in this. I hope you’ll love it.
P.S. — I might have hugged you a few too many times to know your size. Still, don’t hesitate to call if it doesn’t fit.
– A
Zara’s lips curved into a soft, breathless smile as she pressed the note to her chest.
She picked up her phone, her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment as her heart fluttered wildly. She wanted to call him, to hear his voice, to thank him properly but the warmth spreading through her chest made her shy away from the idea. Instead, she smiled to herself and began typing.
Thank you, loved the surprise and can’t wait to meet you.
P.S. – You’ll have to wait to find out if you were right about the size.
– Z
She hit send and then stared at her screen. Every passing second stretched longer than the last as anticipation built inside her.
Ayaan glanced at the screen and he wanted to ignore it, he should have ignored it. But something inside him stirred restlessly and pressed a heart emoji and sent it before tossing the phone aside.
He pulled his hair in frustration as if the pain could steady him. His reflection in the darkened window stared back, a man caught between what he called desire and destruction.
Tonight would change everything. The pieces were already in motion, every step carefully calculated for what was to come. He had crossed lines that couldn’t be undone, and now, there was no turning back. Whatever waited beyond this night, it was bound to be inevitable and irreversible and he was totally ready without any regret.
Zara was putting the finishing touches on her look when her phone suddenly blared with a call from an unknown number. Curious, she answered, only to hear a man’s polite voice on the other end. The driver informed her that Ayaan had sent him to pick her up.
Her heart fluttered at the mention of his name. She took one last look at herself in the mirror and with a deep breath to steady her racing pulse, she grabbed her clutch, locked the door behind her, and stepped outside.
A sleek black BMW waited at the curb, the driver stepped forward and opened the door. Zara smiled nervously, her palms damp as she settled into the plush leather seat.
The drive felt both endless and fleeting. Her heartbeat quickened as the car passed through the grand iron gates of a sprawling villa, the pathway ahead illuminated by golden lights that shimmered like fireflies.
Before she could reach for the handle, the door opened and Ayaan stood tall and composed, dressed in a black shirt with rolled-up sleeves and beige trousers. Under the warm glow of the porch lights, he looked effortlessly striking, a vision of charm and quiet power. His smile was enough to make her pulse stutter.
He extended his hand, and Zara placed hers in his, stepping gracefully out of the car. Ayaan’s gaze swept over her, lingering just a moment too long. The off-shoulder royal blue gown hugged her curves perfectly, stopping just below her knees. The teardrop pendant he’d chosen gleamed softly against her skin, resting like it had found its home.
He drew in a sharp breath, forcing himself to steady the rush within. “You look… breathtaking and ravishing” he murmured, his voice low as he brushed a fleeting kiss against her lips.
Zara’s cheeks flushed crimson, her shy smile tugging at his heart. Ayaan slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close as he guided her inside the villa.
“This is my villa. I come here when I need time for myself.” Ayaan said, his voice smooth and low.
Zara stepped inside, her eyes widening at the sight, the vast living room shimmering with golden lights and fresh blooms. At the center stood a candlelit table, soft music weaving through the air.
Ayaan came up behind her, his arm sliding around her waist as he buried his face in her neck, inhaling her lavender-and-musk scent. “Looks like the outfit fits you perfectly. Do I get rewarded for my choice?” he murmured, lips grazing her skin.
Zara closed her eyes as his warm breath and a soft kiss trailed along her nape.
“Let’s have dinner before I change my mind or the kind of hunger I plan to satisfy,” Ayaan said with a teasing smirk, pulling out a chair for her before taking the seat opposite.
“I don’t cook… I have never been in kitchen in my life so I called my chef to prepare something special for our date. I hope you’ll love it.” he admitted.
He served her plate, and Zara took a bite. A soft moan escaped her lips. “This is amazing… the food’s heavenly,” she murmured, smiling.
Hearing her moan, Ayaan’s gaze darkened, his eyes fixed on her with quiet intensity. The rest of the meal passed in near silence, only the soft clink of cutlery and the thick, unspoken tension of desire filling the air.
Ayaan rose from his chair and extended his hand toward her. “May I have the pleasure of a dance with the beautiful lady?” he asked, his voice low and charming.
Zara chuckled softly and placed her hand in his. Ayaan pulled her closer, guiding her arms around his neck while his hands settled firmly at her waist. Ayaan couldn’t avert his gaze from her. They swayed gently to the music, lost in the rhythm and each other’s warmth.
Ayaan pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, then another to her cheek, his lips grazing her earlobe as his control began to slip. Just as the moment deepened, a sharp ping from his phone shattered the trance.
An alert from the CSO. His family was close to the villa.
Ayaan’s one hand moved up to her cheek and his thumb traced her soft cheek. He noticed the way she blushed under his touch. His thumb moved to her lips and brushed her lower lip.
” Thank you for coming… You made this night unforgettable. You may not realize it, but the truth is, because of you, I finally feel like myself again “, Ayaan murmured pressing his forehead against her.
He stepped back taking deep breathe and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Zara, you’re driving me crazy. I’m going insane… I can’t think of anything except you,” he said, rubbing his face as he fought against the rush of emotions.
“Fuck…” he muttered and then, gripping her nape, he pulled her in and captured her lips in a desperate, hungry kiss.
They were too lost in the kiss and the door swung open.
*****************************
A/N:
Please like and comment
Take care and thank you
