Chapter 12 Manav
I lost my train of thought mid-conversation with Justin as my gaze drifted to her. Kiara was flipping through her diary, completely oblivious to the fact that she’d somehow taken up permanent residence in my mind.
“Sir…? Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” I muttered, fumbling to focus. “Uh… Why didn’t we move forward with the project handover?”
“Sir, we need your approval before locking the deal.”
“I’ll call you back.” My eyes refused to leave Kiara, who was now tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, completely unaware of the chaos she was causing in my head.
“Sir, Mr. Bellington—” Justin’s voice cut in sharply, trying to pull me back into the conversation.
“Mr. Bellington?” I replied distractedly, “What about him?”
“He’s scheduled another meeting with you tomorrow,” Justin informed me, but my mind was already elsewhere, fixated on a million things that weren’t this conversation.
“No meetings yet. I need to visit the property first.”
“I’ll take care of it, Sir,” he replied quickly.
I was just about to refocus when a knock sounded at the car window. I turned to see her standing there. “Hi…?”
“Hi,” I muttered, unlocking the doors. She slipped into the passenger seat.
As she settled in, I tried to collect myself for the two-hour drive ahead. “How were the mosquitoes?”
“You didn’t have to come with me, you know that, right?”
“Says who…”
She stared at me for a moment. “Have you considered professional help? You know, for that permanent scowl?”
“Why?”
“I think there might be some chemical damage in your brain,” she replied, her voice deadpan as her eyes stayed on the passing scenery. “You are…”
“Please continue,” I said, glancing at her briefly before returning my focus to the road. “I’m very much interested in knowing what’s wrong with me.”
“You’re grumpy. Over-handsome. Eyes like a hypnotist. You work too much and take dares way too seriously…” She paused to take a dramatic breath as if letting all of that out had been exhausting.
I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting to keep the smile from creeping onto my face. “Please, feel free to go on…”
“I don’t need you to babysit me from now on. I can take care of myself,” she said, throwing her hands up before leaning back against the headrest and closing her eyes.
Why the hell am I smiling like an idiot right now?
____________
“Did I sleep the whole way?” Kiara’s sleepy voice broke through my thoughts, pulling my attention to her as her eyes met mine.
“Yeah… You might want to check your phone. Someone’s been calling you non-stop,” I replied, glancing at the map as I navigated the final few turns.
“Thanks for the ride!” she said, disappearing toward Roy’s mansion. I handed the keys to the valet, trying—and failing—to clear my head.
I wasn’t in the mood to review the Beaufort property today, but Dad was right—I couldn’t delay this any longer.
Today was the day to finally analyze the blueprints of the building that had been stuck for six months.
It wasn’t procrastination—it was exhaustion.
My mind was too fried to focus on schematics or budgets right now.
Maybe a cold shower and a glass of whiskey would fix this mess.
Just as I turned to head inside, a scream pierced the air. My head snapped around—Kiara.
I caught sight of her bolting out of Roy’s mansion, her face pale with terror.
The security team was already scrambling, voices barking into radios, but my feet moved before I could think.
“Kiara!” I shouted as her trembling body collapsed into my arms. She was shaking like a leaf, her eyes wide with panic, and her breath came in ragged gasps.
“There’s… there’s someone…” she panted, barely managing the words.
“Where?” I signaled the security team to surround the building with a quick wave of my hand.
“Inside… there are people… they are…” she trailed off, gasping for air, unable to finish her sentence.
“Did they hurt you?” I asked, holding her tighter as her knees seemed to give out beneath her. She shook her head faintly. Her eyes shut, as if trying to block out the memory, and her forehead came to rest against my shoulder.
“Calm down,” I said softly, trying to steady both of us. “Stay here. I’ll check.”
“No… don’t leave,” she pleaded, clinging even tighter.
“Alright,” I murmured, “I’m not going anywhere.”
The security team, ready to storm the mansion, froze as the main gate creaked open slowly. The tense silence was deafening as everyone’s eyes turned toward the shadows moving closer.
“Whoa, whoa… take it easy,” I said, signaling the guards to lower their guns as the people coming out of the gates finally emerged into the light. Kartik and Meeta.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” I snapped, waving off the security team, who immediately lowered their weapons but kept a watchful stance.
“Hello to you, too, buddy!” Kartik said, raising his hands in mock surrender as he walked toward me.
Kiara’s grip loosened as her trembling hands fell to her sides. She stepped back a little, nervously rubbing her palms together.
My eyes flicked back to her. “They are friends…”
Meeta stepped forward with a teasing smile and hugged me. “Thanks for the grand welcome,” she said, glancing at the tense security team. “You outdid yourself this time.”
I squeezed Kiara’s shoulder gently, a small gesture to anchor her. “Come on, let’s get inside.”
She nodded, her shoulders finally loosening a little as she turned to the overly affectionate couple. Offering a small, polite smile, she extended her hand. “I… I thought someone broke in,” Kiara murmured, still rubbing her hands together.
Before Meeta could respond, I interjected firmly, “They’re not going inside the main house. They’ll stay in the cottage.”
Kiara’s smile faltered as she turned to me. “Why?”
“Trust me, I’m doing you a favor,” I said, shaking my head and gesturing toward Kartik and Meeta. “The level of PDA they’re about to display will mess with your head.”
Kiara raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. “At least someone here believes in romance.”
“I like her!” Meeta beamed at me.
“Yeah, well, you two are staying in the cottage. No arguments,” I said, motioning to the servant to take their luggage.