Chapter 18
The days were flying. Sabrina checked the time.
It was almost eleven at night. She was sprawled on the sofa in the living room of Aditya’s suite, her head resting in his lap, scrolling on her phone, while he watched the news on the TV.
His eyes still on the screen, he took her hand in his and kissed it.
Her heart lurched. He didn’t need to tell her in words that he liked her and cared for her.
He showed it in so many different ways. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her oh so casually all the time, the way he kissed her every opportunity he got, even small pecks like just now, and the way he made love to her.
.. It was all so heady and so goddamn addictive.
Aditya was so charming, so adorable and so irresistible that she had to keep warning her heart not to fall for him.
She sighed. So quickly they had gotten so comfortable with one another. Three weeks had passed since the night Aditya had again claimed her as his in every possible way, and she had to admit these weeks had been the best in her life.
Shauna and Akash had become a constant in their lives.
After their dinner together, both of them had vehemently refused to socialize with one another, but each of them had insisted on being with Aditya and her.
Which is why, on some weeknights, Aditya and she would return to her apartment, where she’d cook dinner for Shauna and him.
They would gather at the dining table, laughter ringing through the small space as Aditya and Shauna traded stories about Raashi, Keya, and Rithwik, their mischievous college escapades, and travel adventures.
On other nights, Akash would join them, and they’d head out to explore restaurants across the city, trying new places and sampling everything from street food to high-end fusion menus.
No matter how the evenings began, they always ended the same. Each night, she found herself back in Aditya’s hotel room, surrendering to him all over again.
The weekends, however, were entirely reserved solely for them.
She treasured those days most of all. They would slip away from everyone else—no Shauna, no Akash, no interruptions.
Sometimes they wandered through bustling markets, laughing as he teased her into buying things she didn’t need.
Other times, they walked along the Marina, ice creams in hand, the sea breeze tangling her hair while his arm curled protectively around her.
And then there were days they didn’t leave his suite at all, choosing instead to stay wrapped in each other, tangled between sheets and whispered conversations that lasted until dawn. Those were the best.
She smiled. She hadn’t felt this alive, this happy, in years.
Aditya Wahi had completely taken over her life, and she was loving every second of it.
This between them was supposed to be temporary.
She’d insisted on it. Yet why did it feel like the lines were blurring between them?
She was beginning to feel things she’d promised herself she wouldn’t.
Aditya Wahi was starting to mean something to her.
And that realization shook her to the core.
Stop it, she scolded herself. She couldn’t afford to do more with him.
She couldn’t afford to feel more for him.
That path was dangerous for her and for him.
However, her heart sank when she recalled that only three days were left of her time here in Singapore.
Only three more days of Aditya and all this joy.
No matter how much she craved being with him, she knew their affair couldn’t survive once she returned home.
She had a lot of baggage, and he deserved to be with someone free of it.
His hand squeezed hers, distracting her from her morose thoughts. She looked up again and found him reading something on his phone, his brow creased.
“Well, damn!” He sighed.
She sat up. “What happened?”
“I have to go to Zurich. My flight leaves in six hours.”
“Oh…” Her voice sounded calm, but a sadness took over the calm she’d just been feeling.
He faced her. “I’ve been looking for a ring for my mother.
It was a family heirloom she’d inherited, but my father had auctioned it off years ago to cover some of his bad deals.
I promised my mother I’d find it for her.
I’ve been tracing it for a while now, and recently, while I was in Dubai, I met with Steffi Wharton, the CEO of Tiffany’s.
She used to work with Sotheby’s around the time my dad had used their services to auction the ring.
She’s tracked down the people who’d bought it.
They’re willing to meet, but it has to be in Zurich, and it has to be tomorrow morning.
And if they agree to sell, then I will have to wait a day more, maybe two. ”
The ache in her chest tightened. He’d be gone for her remaining days here.
He must have read her expression because he said, “I could postpone. I know you’re leaving soon.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Please don’t do that. This ring sounds important to your mother.”
“It is.” His hand squeezed hers. “I’m so sorry to leave you.”
She kissed his cheek. Letting him go was going to be so damn hard. His phone beeped several times in succession. He read the texts and tapped quickly on his screen.
“Okay, change of plan!” Aditya sighed. “I’m going to be further delayed.
Rajiv posted in our boys’ group chat asking if anyone was going to be in Europe.
He needed a favor. Rithwik had agreed since he was in London, but now that I’ll be in Zurich, I’ll see to what Rajiv needs, so Rithwik can continue holidaying with the family. ”
Her heart warmed. She clasped his jaw. “You’re sweet.”
“I know that,” he grinned. “But honestly, we all try and help one another when we can. It’s second nature to all of us.”
“So, what’s the favor?”
“One of Rajiv’s sisters, Ananya, is a journalist. She owns Noir, the lifestyle and fashion magazine. Have you heard of it? They have an online version as well.”
“No…”
She didn’t have much of a presence online, letting Dilnaz take care of the social media for her catering company, ensuring that no picture of hers was ever put up. Apart from that, she rarely used the internet unless it was food or news-related or some schoolwork for Ahaan.
“Well, it’s a great magazine,” Aditya continued. “You should check it out. Anyway, Ananya’s going to Moscow to interview a Russian billionaire, someone she has a history with. While this man also happens to be Rajiv’s friend, he’s still worried about her and wants me to go check on her.”
Sabrina laughed. “He’s being way too protective. His sister is not going to like it.”
“For sure, she won’t. Ananya’s quite fiery and tough. But I get where Rajiv’s coming from. He has three sisters, and two are already in love with this man’s brothers. He just wants to ensure Ananya’s alright.”
“You seem to know her very well.”
“Actually, I am friends with all three sisters—Ananya, Navya, and Reina. They’re great. I was introduced to them at Rajiv and Sheena’s wedding, and we’ve been friends since.”
“That’s nice.”
His eyes glittered with mischief. “Rajiv once told me that Navya and Reina had a crush on me.”
“Um, what?” Sudden heat prickled in her chest. She ignored it to say, “Well, I’m pretty sure you charmed them.”
He pulled her in his lap, his nose trailing a slow line down her throat, making it hard to breathe.
“Have I charmed you?” he said against her neck.
“Me sitting on your lap proves you have.”
“Good…” His lips brushed her skin. “Because you’re the only one who matters…”
Her heart lurched, the jealousy giving way to something warmer. He said the sweetest things ever. She touched her head to his, hating that her time with him was being cut short.
He kissed her nose. “You look sad. Are you missing me already?”
“What if I say yes?” she whispered.
His gaze darkened instantly, a corner of his mouth lifting in a slow, knowing smile. “I’m going to miss you too. This, you and me, feels different, doesn’t it?”
It did. God, it did. But she could never allow it to become more. She had too many secrets, too much weight on her shoulders.
He brushed his fingers down her cheek. “When I’m with you, I feel… lighter. Like I’m breathing easier. I can’t even explain it properly. I only know that you’ve become important to me. Vital to my existence... I think I’m—”
She planted her mouth on his lips, silencing him, cutting off the words that could change everything between them. She wasn’t ready for that. She probably never would be. He deserved someone who wasn’t broken like her. Someone who could give him everything he desired.
A sharp pang of jealousy sliced through her chest at the thought of that woman who would one day have all of him. But this right now, was not that day. Tonight, for a few more hours, he was hers. She kissed him harder.
“No more talking,” she whispered against his mouth. “If tonight is the last time we’re going to be together, then make it count, Adi.”
“But we need to talk about after…”
“I said no talking…” She kissed his mouth.
He carried her in his arms as he rose. “Whatever you say, beautiful.”
She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of him. Tonight was going to be the end. She wanted it to be that.
Then why was she wishing for this night to never end?