106.
Aarav was back in Udaipur, settling into a routine again as Aarya resumed school. Both he and Shaurya had agreed not to change her school mid-session—it would only confuse her, and she might have to repeat the same standard elsewhere.
With Eve away, Aarav had hired a nanny, though the decision hadn't come easily to him.
"I guess you'll be traveling a lot now," Yug said, leaning back in his chair as they waited for their coffee.
"Yeah," Aarav exhaled, glancing down at his phone for a second before locking it. "I just... don't like being away from Aarya for too long."
Yug gave a small nod. "Don't worry. I'll check on her every day."
Aarav smiled, softer this time. "I know you will."
Their coffees arrived, and Aarav wrapped his fingers around the cup, letting the warmth settle in.
"By the way," Yug continued, "we got that new project. Did you think about it?"
Aarav nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. I want your team to take it."
Yug blinked. "Wait... seriously?"
"Yeah," Aarav said simply. "Your team's more consistent. And honestly, I haven't seen much progress from mine lately." He took a sip, then added, "You've been putting in the work, Yug. You deserve this."
A slow smile spread across Yug's face. "Didn't expect that, but... thanks."
A brief silence followed before Yug spoke again, a little more casually this time. "So... what's Shaurya planning to do? Just stick to the mafia side of things?"
Aarav let out a quiet breath. "I don't know."
He stared into his coffee for a second before continuing, "There's a press conference in France this November. He doesn't want to go. Doesn't want to be in the public eye at all, actually."
Yug frowned slightly. "That's not like him."
"Yeah," Aarav said, nodding. "But I think he's just... tired. Of everything."
Yug leaned forward a little. "Makes sense. When he was here, he actually looked... lighter. Less on edge."
Aarav's lips curved faintly. "I noticed that too. I told him the same thing."
They both fell quiet for a moment before Aarav nudged the conversation forward again.
"You're going to the conference too, right?"
"Yeah," Yug nodded. "Let's just hope they don't reschedule it. I'm not missing the wedding."
"They better not," Aarav chuckled.
Then, almost instantly, his expression shifted—mischief flickering in his eyes.
"By the way," he said, turning to Yug, "you kissed him. Now what?"
Yug nearly choked on his coffee. "I—"
They stood up, walking toward Yug's cabin, but Aarav didn't let it go.
"You can be honest with me," Aarav added, pushing the door open.
Yug ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "I don't know what I'm thinking right now."
Aarav leaned against the desk, arms crossed, waiting.
"He's... very different from me," Yug admitted. "And that should make things easier, right? Like, obvious. But it's not."
He paused, staring at the floor for a second.
"I just can't figure him out. Or maybe..." he let out a small, frustrated laugh, "maybe I can't figure myself out around him."
"Opposites attract," Aarav said with a casual shrug.
Yug didn't look convinced. Not even a little.
Aarav narrowed his eyes at him. "Alright, what exactly are you so confused about?"
Yug hesitated, then said it anyway. "He's... bigger than me."
Aarav choked on his breath. "You've already seen his thing? Damn, that was fast."
"Ew, no!" Yug grimaced. "What is wrong with you?"
"I'm just saying—you're not being very specific here," Aarav smirked. "So what did you mean?"
"I meant physique," Yug sighed. "I've always preferred people who are... I don't know, a bit leaner than me? That sounds weird."
"No, it doesn't," Aarav said, patting his back. "I get it."
He paused for a second before adding, a little more thoughtfully, "In my first relationship, I was the top. Completely. I never even questioned it. But then Shaurya happened..."
Yug glanced at him. Aarav just shrugged lightly.
"I never thought I'd be comfortable being a bottom for someone. Not until him. Or maybe I just never liked anyone enough after that first relationship to even figure it out. But Shaurya? He makes me lose my mind." Aarav looked up sighing, already missing his man.
"Again," Yug cut in, exasperated, "we are not talking about sex."
Aarav raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Relax." Then, with a small grin, "But don't act like it won't matter later."
Yug rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
"For now," Aarav continued, softer this time, "just... enjoy it. The beginning? That spark? It's rare. Don't overthink it to death."
Yug ran a hand through his hair, clearly still stuck. "I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling."
"I think you do," Aarav said quietly. "You're just trying to make it logical."
Yug looked at him.
"You don't need to label anything right now," Aarav went on. "Just understand him. And yourself around him. The rest... it sorts itself out."
That seemed to settle something, at least a little. Yug nodded slowly.
A knock interrupted them.
"Umm... sir?" a staff member peeked in.
Both of them turned.
"Mr. Khurrana, Miss Falak Kapoor is here to meet you."
Yug frowned slightly. The name rang a bell. "Who?"
"The Bollywood actress, sir," the staff clarified. "If you're available, should I send her to your cabin?"
Aarav made a face immediately. "Bollywood people. I'm leaving—ugh." He grabbed his coffee like it had personally offended him.
Yug let out a small laugh. "Yeah, send her in."
The staff nodded and left.
"Why do you hate them so much?" Yug asked, raising a brow.
Aarav paused at the door, hand on the handle. "Can't trust them," he said flatly. "Shaurya warned me years ago—don't get involved with people from that industry. Too many snakes."
He gave a small shrug and walked out before Yug could respond.
Yug exhaled lightly, shaking his head, and turned back to his desk.
A few minutes later, there was a knock.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a woman in her late twenties stepped inside—poised, but her eyes gave away a hint of unease. Two men followed behind her, along with three bodyguards who stayed near the entrance.
Yug stood up immediately. "Miss Kapoor." He shook her hand politely before gesturing toward the chairs. "Please, have a seat."
As they settled, Yug's gaze shifted to one of the men. Recognition clicked.
"Mr. Jaiswal, am I right?"
The man smiled, nodding. "Absolutely. Apologies for the sudden visit, sir."
"No, it's alright," Yug said, sitting down. "What brings you here?"
"Mr. Khurrana," Jaiswal began, placing a reassuring hand over Falak's, "she's my bhatiji."
"I see." Yug nodded, turning to Falak with a faint smile. "I watched your first film. You've got real potential."
Falak's lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thank you so much."
"So," Yug leaned back slightly, "how can I help?"
Jaiswal hesitated, exchanging a glance with Falak before speaking again. "Sir... it's a bit difficult to talk about. But my niece is facing some trouble in the industry."
Yug's expression turned serious. "That's not uncommon, unfortunately. A successful debut can invite... unwanted attention. Jealousy, pressure..."
Falak didn't respond. She just looked down at her hands, fingers tightening slightly in her lap.
Jaiswal sighed. "It's more than that. The director of her film—he's been threatening her. Demanding... favors. He wants her to sleep with him. And if she refuses, he says he'll ruin her career. Or worse. Harms her family".
A quiet stillness settled in the room.
Yug's jaw tightened. "Ramesh Agarwal?"
Falak nodded slowly.
Yug leaned back, exhaling through his nose. "I figured."
For a moment, he said nothing, just thinking.
"I understand why you've come to me," he said finally. "But the most I could do directly is buy his company—and that's not really my area of interest."
"Please," Falak spoke this time, her voice soft but urgent. "Mr. Khurrana... you're close to His Highness Prince Aarav, right? If people even think there's a connection... it might scare him off."
Yug's gaze sharpened slightly. "What exactly are you asking me to do?"
Falak hesitated, then met his eyes. "Just... let it be known that we're associated. That there's something between us. It doesn't have to be real—just enough to send a message."
That would be a mess.
Yug leaned forward, fingers lacing together as he studied her carefully.
"Sir," Jaiswal added quickly, "we're willing to compensate. Properties, investments—whatever it takes. Just... help her out of this."
Falak's composure cracked just a little. "I don't want to become another story people whisper about," she said quietly.
Yug's expression softened, but his voice remained measured.
"Alright," he said after a pause. "I'll think about it."
Both of them looked up immediately.
"But first," Yug continued, "I want to speak to Ramesh Agarwal myself. I need to understand the situation from all sides. I can't make a move based on just one version of the story."
Falak nodded quickly. "Of course."
"Thank you for even considering it," Jaiswal added.
Yug gave a small nod and stood as they rose to leave. "I'll be in touch."
Once the door closed behind them, the room fell silent again.
Yug stood there for a moment before exhaling and reaching for his phone.
"Should I tell Ravi about this?" he muttered under his breath, unlocking the screen.
His thumb hovered for a second... then stilled.
"No. Not yet."
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, gaze hardening slightly.
"I need to meet that man first."
A brief pause.
"...and figure out who's actually telling the truth."