Ayaan and Zara were seated on the couch in the gazebo, watching Rehan and Zavi ride in happy little circles while the nannies followed closely behind, holding their sippers and feeding them milk between the rides.
“I’ll have to leave in two days. Are you sure you will be able to manage them?” Ayaan asked softly, wrapping his arm around Zara’s shoulders.
“They already make a fuss when you are away even for a single day. And this time, you are planning to be gone for at least four or five days. They are used to having both of us around all the time. But don’t worry, we shall manage. You can video call them as often as possible.” Zara replied with a faint smile.
Ayaan groaned at the thought of leaving his family.
“Let me talk to Dad and Mom. You all can stay at our beach house until Ishaan bro and I return. The kids will love playing by the seashore,” he suggested and Zara hummed in agreement.
After their evening walk in the garden, they headed back to their room to freshen up. Rehan and Zavi were taken to Ishaan and Pari’s wing for playtime with Ved and Saanvi after their school and homework hours.
Inside the bathroom, Ayaan and Zara stood beneath the warm spray of the shower.
“Ayaan, I want you to be safe. Remember, you have a family waiting for you. I need you… our kids need you.” Zara whispered and her voice trembled.
Ayaan felt the depth of her fear as she spoke.
“He is a very dangerous man, I’m sure he’ll come prepared with backup plans. Don’t underestimate anyone or take things lightly. Be alert of everything and everyone around you. I trust our men but don’t rely on them alone. Think wisely. Look around before you take even a single step toward that monster. One mistake could destroy us all.” she said softly and paused gathering her strength.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you—I do. I trust your instincts and the way you handle things. But I’m scared… scared of losing my family. I’m nothing without you. I love you, Ayaan.” she mumbled and rested her head against his chest as tears slipped down her cheeks, blending with the falling water.
Ayaan gently turned her to face him and kissed her eyes tenderly.
“I know you are scared about this journey but trust me, I will come back safe and strong. I’m far too selfish and possessive to leave my wife and children in anyone else’s care… even our own family.” he said firmly yet softly.
He cupped her face to look at her and his gaze was intense.
“I love that they take care of you but I want to be the one who does everything for you three. I would never compromise on anything that could put me in danger. I’d burn the world down if I had to—just to return to you and our children. We have suffered too much. We have lost too much. Even the universe wouldn’t dare stop us from living happily now. I love you, sweetheart. Stay strong. I’ll call you often, you are my source of strength.” Ayaan said and Zara wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly.
Ayaan and Zara arrived at the dining area and saw that the family had already gathered. Rehan and Zavi were seated in their places next to Reyansh.
“Dad, I think you all should plan a stay at our beach house until Ishaan bro and I return. The kids would miss me and it might be difficult to manage them here. At least there, they will be distracted by playing at the seashore and involved in more activities.” Ayaan suggested, serving food onto Zara’s plate.
“We could manage the little kids, but what about the grown-up kid?” Reyansh teased looking at Zara and she gasped as everyone burst out laughing.
“Papa, you are teasing me” she exclaimed but Reyansh and Vaishu only smiled at her words.
“No child, I’m stating facts. We can distract the kids with toys, the beach, movies… but what about you?” Reyansh said with a grin.
Zara swallowed hard to stop her tears. Ayaan gently held her hand under the table and shook his head reassuringly. Zara nodded in understanding and they continued with dinner.
Two days later, Reyansh and the rest of the family, along with the kids, left for the beach house, while Ayaan and Ishaan flew to Maldives with Sameer and the CSO. They stayed at the villa for two days.
On the third day, once they received confirmation that Nafel’s security team would be arriving at the cruise via special yacht and that permission had been requested for them, Ayaan instructed the head of security on the cruise to handle the incoming men and escort them according to the cruise’s protocols.
Later, upon receiving a message that Nafel had arrived in Bali, Ayaan and Ishaan boarded a helicopter and made their way to the cruise.
Upon arriving at meeting room in their personal and private deck, the CSO played a video showing the deck where they would be meeting Nafel. Ayaan and Ishaan studied the security arrangements and noted the men stationed at strategic positions on the deck.
“Everything is taken care of, sir. Nafel has only committed to a twelve-hour stay on the cruise,” Sameer reported and the Rey brothers nodded in agreement.
“Alright, we have five more hours before the meeting. Let’s rest until then,” Ayaan said. He arrived at his room and immediately called Zara.
“Hello, appa” came Rehan’s cheerful voice, followed by Zara’s warm laugh. Ayaan smiled as he saw Zara holding the kids on her lap.
“My babies,” Ayaan said softly, leaning closer to the screen. Rehan and Zavi leaned in as well and planted little kisses on it.
“How are you all doing? And how did you manage to cheer up the little monsters? I’m surprised they are smiling already. Did they even get used to my absence in just two days?” Ayaan asked and Zara laughed at his words.
“No, papa set up a small inflatable pool and filled it with tiny fishes. He gave fishing rods and taught them how to fish. That did the trick and they are completely hooked now. By the way, when is your meeting?” Zara said with a smile.
“Five more hours. I have checked everything, so don’t worry, we will be fine,” Ayaan assured her.
“It’s already been three days and we are missing you,” Zara said. Before Ayaan could reply, Rehan and Zavi poked Zara’s cheeks, signaling they wanted to show him something.
Zara understood immediately. She picked up a bowl from the nightstand and showed the tiny fishes to Ayaan.
“Rehan and Zavi caught these fishes” she said and the kids clapped their hands excitedly.
“Appa, fish… fish” they shouted in unison, holding up a fish for him to see.
“Oh my god, such a huge fish? Did my little Rehan and Zavi catch such big fishes? Very good, catch more and appa will give you kisses and toys. I love you” Ayaan said and the kids beamed with joy.
He blew kisses to them through the screen before ending the call.
Late in the evening, Ayaan received a call from the CSO that Nafel would be landing in a few minutes. He and Ishaan immediately headed to the helipad to receive him.
As the helicopter touched down, Nafel stepped out, followed closely by his right-hand man and personal bodyguard. The CSO and his team positioned themselves in front of Ayaan and Ishaan, while Nafel’s men formed a line before him.
Ayaan stepped forward to greet Nafel, with Ishaan beside him.
“As-salam-alaykum, Ayaan bhai, Ishaan bhai,” Nafel said, embracing them. The Rey brothers returned the greeting.
“Waleykum-as-salam,” they replied and then led the way to the meeting room, both of their men following closely.
Inside the meeting room, Ayaan and Ishaan took their seats opposite Nafel, while their men stood behind them and their were weapons at the ready.
Ayaan groaned and leaned back in his seat, his elbow resting on the armrest.
“I think we should hold this discussion in private. Both our men can wait outside. I don’t think you will be worried since they are all armed.” he said, glancing at the armed men around the room.
“You may keep your own gun or anything else that makes you feel safe but you can be assured that my brother and I are unarmed,” Ayaan added calmly.
Nafel hesitated for a moment, studying Ayaan, Ishaan and the men in the room. Then he looked at his chief of security, who shook his head in silent disapproval and whispered something into Nafel’s ear.
Finally, Nafel turned back to Ayaan and Ishaan.
“Let the men wait outside the room but our security chief will remain. After all, this is our first meeting and a little defense is necessary.” Nafel said and Ayaan nodded in agreement.
In the next moment all the men stepped out, leaving only the two security heads in the room.
Nafel leaned forward, his gaze was sharp and commanding. ” I stood by my words and did what you asked for. Now that Suryadev is no more in picture, I want my business operating in all countries immediately, starting with your home country. I want a meeting with all the diamond merchants without delay, so we can finalize the deal.” he said and paused trying to read the men seated opposite to him.
“I am willing to pay twenty percent profit from all other business deals as well, but the business must start at the earliest ” Nafel demanded.
Ayaan kept his expression calm but firm. “We can start business in my home country but I cannot agree to call all the other diamond merchants together. That is not acceptable and their business is not my concern ” he replied shrugging.
Nafel’s eyes narrowed but before the tension could escalate further, Ishaan stepped in. “Let’s not let tempers flare. We just started so why don’t we take a moment to refresh ourselves?” he said, his tone neutral yet persuasive
He looked at the CSO with a nod and within few minutes a chef entered, pushing a trolley loaded with food and drinks. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the room. Ishaan poured drinks for everyone and the chef served the refreshments with meticulous care.
The small pause, the clinking of glasses and the subtle movement of the chef seemed to cool the air slightly, giving everyone a moment to collect themselves before the negotiations resumed.
Ayaan took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes fixed on Nafel. ” We can begin operations but lets discuss bigger issues before us ” he said with a smirk.
Nafel’s jaw tightened but he made no immediate response, taking in the situation as the room settled into a tense, cautious quiet.
“Why did you want my mother dead? Why did you join hands with Suryadev and Pratap?” Ayaan asked and his voice was cold as he sat on the table directly opposite Nafel who looked alarmed. His his eyes darted to his chief security officer and froze on seeing him fall unconscious on the floor.
In a sudden move, Nafel sprang to his feet and pulled out his gun. Before he could aim, Ayaan swung his leg across the table and kicked the weapon clean out of his hand. The gun skidded across the floor.
Nafel shouted for his men outside the room, but no one came. Ishaan calmly turned on the massive plasma TV mounted on the wall. Nafel froze seeing his men sprawled across the deck, disarmed, tied up and firmly under the custody of Ayaan’s forces.
Ayaan leaned forward and his jaw was clenched. “Now tell me, Nafel. Why did you want my mother dead?”
Nafel’s shock lasted only a second and then he laughed. “You bastard, how dare you try to trap me? Don’t forget, my father is still out there. He will tear your family apart piece by piece.” he spat and threw his head back and laughed again before sinking into the chair with a smug smirk playing on his lips.
“And did you really think I wouldn’t plan ahead before meeting you?” Nafel asked and Ayaan, Ishaan exchanged a brief glance, then shrugged casually before turning back to him.
“This cruise is under my control. Did you really think I walked in here unprepared? I sent my men a month ago. They are stationed in every corner of this ship. They have clear instructions to blow up the cruise if they don’t receive a call from my security head. So if you kill me, you die with me… along with every ounce of wealth you have hidden here.” Nafel said leaning forward and smiled darkly.
For a moment, Ayaan and Ishaan looked stunned, then they burst out laughing.
“Did you really think we wouldn’t know who boarded our cruise? All your men who came aboard a month ago were kept alive until now. I let them live because I needed you to board. Their purpose is over so they are no longer needed.” Ayaan said coldly. He turned slightly and met the CSO’s gaze and he gave a single nod in return.
In the next instant, Nafel watched in horror as live footage flashed across the screens, his men were being taken down in multiple locations across the cruise, one after another.
Ayaan looked back at him and his eyes was devoid of mercy. “Now, you are completely alone.” he said quietly.
Before Nafel could react, Ayaan kicked him hard in the chest, sending him crashing backward. Ishaan grabbed Nafel by the collar and rained down punches, one after another, not giving him a moment to breathe.
“You wanted to know whether we were doing business with Dario while dealing with you, didn’t you?” Ishaan asked delivering one final punch before straightening up.
Nafel spat blood and slumped against the wall, his breathing ragged. “If Dario were here, he would never do business with men like you. He would have turned the entire underworld against you.” he sneered weakly.
Ayaan stepped forward, his voice calm but lethal. “Nafel, don’t you want to know how your security chief and all your men lost consciousness so easily?” he asked and turned his gaze toward the chef standing silently near the trolley.
“Dario, explain it to him.” Ayaan said evenly. The weight of the name hung heavy in the air.
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A/N:
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