15. LINES CROSSED
The sunlight brushed against Vivan’s face. He opened his eyes, and he froze. Aarvi was asleep beside him not too close, yet close enough that he could hear her soft, steady breathing. She looked innocent, not the girl who had turned his life upside down.
Something tightened in his chest, a strange discomfort. He quickly looked away, running a hand through his hair as if brushing off the thought. “Stop it,” he muttered under his breath, irritated at himself. He got up quietly, and left for the gym, like he always did.
Later, Aarvi stirred awake as her eyes went to other side, it was empty.
Pushing the thought away, she got ready for the day.
As she came downstairs, she saw family members chatting, laughter echoing faintly, Amit and Kirti included.
Aarvi offered them a polite smile before heading toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was filled with the soft clatter of cups as Aarvi poured the tea. She was focused, That’s when she felt someone standing behind her.
She turned slightly and found Amit, much closer than anyone should be in such a space. "ch-chacha ji… do you need something?” she asked, stepping sideways to create distance.
He didn’t move back. Instead, he leaned his arm against the counter, trapping her space. “You work so much, Aarvi. Newlyweds don’t usually wake up this early, you know.” His words carried a casual smile, but his tone made her feel disgusted.
Aarvi’s grip on the kettle tightened. “It’s nothing… I’m used to it,” she replied politely, trying to edge away.
But he stepped more closer, lowering his voice just enough so only she can hear it. “Still… your husband doesn’t know how lucky he is. If I were him-”
Before he could finish, Kirti’s voice echoed from the hallway, calling his name. Amit straightened quickly, as if nothing had happened, flashing a smile that seemed almost scary. “I’ll go. You carry on.”
And then he left.
Aarvi’s heart thudded in her chest, her fingers trembling slightly as she placed the cups on the tray. His words, his closeness… it wasn’t right. She couldn’t ignore it.
By the time she carried the tray into the hall, her smile was back in place, but inside her heart thudded hard because of what happened few moments ago.
Later, when she found a moment alone with Kirti, she knew she’d have to speak. She couldn’t keep this to herself, not after the way Amit had looked at her.
Vivan descended the stairs, crisp in his suit, he took his seat at the dining table, and without a word, Aarvi sat down beside him. The staff moved, placing dishes on the table, serving plates one after another.
Amit leaned back in his chair, his tone laced with amusement. “So, Vivan… looks like your wife is adjusting well. She’s up before everyone, running around the kitchen like she’s been here forever.”
The remark sounded casual, but the way his eyes lingered on Aarvi made her grip the edge of her pallu under the table. She forced a small smile, but her discomfort was clear in the way she avoided his gaze.
Vivan’s eyes flicked from Amit to Aarvi. He caught the shift in her posture, the faint unease on her face. His jaw tightened. Setting down his spoon with calm, he spoke, his voice firm but polite.
“Chachu, Aarvi doesn’t need to prove anything here. She’s part of this family now. And in this house, comfort matters more than early mornings.”
The table went quiet for a beat. Amit gave a dry chuckle, muttering, “Of course, of course. Just an observation.” He looked away, but there was something unspoken in his eyes.
Aarvi lowered her gaze, her chest eased at Vivan’s intervention. He didn’t look at her, didn’t offer any reassurance, but the line he had drawn was enough.
Finishing his meal quickly, Vivan rose, adjusting his watch. “I’ll be late tonight. Don’t wait for me.” With that, he left for his office.
Aarvi watched him go. She felt something off, she didn't want him to go. Not because she liked his presence but because she is having strange feeling towards Amit and she can't shrug it off.
The glass doors of Singhania Enterprises swung open sharply, and the employees straightened. Silence followed the floor as Vivan Singhania walked through the office. He was not the kind of man who needed to speak, to command respect, his presence alone was enough.
Inside his cabin, he took off his coat, settling into the massive leather chair behind his desk.
The door suddenly pushed open without a knock. Vivan’s jaw tightened. Only one man dared.
“Good morning, Singhania!” Yuvan Solanki’s voice boomed as he walked in casually, his grin wide and unbothered.
Vivan leaned back in his chair, rolling his eyes. “One day, Yuvan, I’ll throw you out of that door.”
“Please, you’d miss me in ten minutes,” Yuvan smirked, dropping himself into the chair opposite. His energy filled the room. But underneath his playful demeanor, there was a sharpness in his eyes that only someone like Vivan could see.
Vivan sighed, shuffling through his files. “Spit it out. You don’t come uninvited this early without a reason.”
Yuvan’s grin faded, replaced with seriousness. “I just found out your new project… some of its details are out. Someone’s leaked information.”
Vivan’s head snapped up. The air in the room grew heavy. “Impossible. No one knows about it.”
“Exactly,” Yuvan said firmly. “No one, except you, me and Kiara and your team.”
Vivan’s expression hardened, his thoughts went toward rivals, competitors, faceless enemies. His grip on the pen tightened.
“Find out who it is,” he ordered, his voice low and dangerous. “I want answers, Yuvan.”
Yuvan studied him quietly for a moment, then gave a nod. “I’ll handle it. But Vivan… be careful. The closer the circle, the sharper the knife.”
Vivan sat back, the storm already darkening in his eyes. His empire was under threat and whoever had dared to betray him had just signed a death warrant.
~?~