Chapter 7
Mumbai
It was Monday morning, the day she’d been waiting for.
Shauna walked into the offices of Sehgal Media with a bounce in her step.
Her future awaited inside, and today she was going to claim it.
The Maldives already seemed far away. She’d returned last evening, her mind already planning today’s meeting with her grandfather.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to distract her from it today.
The familiar hum of the office greeted her as she entered the lobby. The rhythmic ding of the elevators, the low murmur of conversations as people readied themselves for work, all of it was music to her ears. It felt good to be back.
Sunlight caught the bold silver letters spelling out Sehgal Media, setting them aglow above the reception desk, and a quiet pride filled her chest. This was the company’s main headquarters.
Though she often worked out of offices across the world, returning here always felt different.
This was the nerve center, the place where decisions were made and everything truly came to life.
To her, Sehgal Media wasn’t just a company.
It was her family’s legacy—an empire her grandfather had grown from a single news channel into a billion-dollar powerhouse.
What began as Global View News, their 24-hour network known for fearless journalism and in-depth reporting, had expanded into Sehgal Studios, a film and digital production house redefining mainstream storytelling, and SEHVA, a premium streaming platform delivering lifestyle and reality originals directly to millions of screens across the country.
And it was all thanks to the brilliance and foresight of her grandfather, Janak Sehgal.
She’d worked at Sehgal Media for six years, ever since she’d turned twenty. She’d started out working at their London division while studying in college. Since then, she’d poured herself into her work, and now years later, she’d earned every bit of respect that came her way.
She’d earned her position as Creative Director, and she loved her work.
Greenlighting films and formats, guiding teams, managing talent, shaping the creative voice of both Sehgal Studios and SEHVA until it felt instinctive and unmistakably theirs…
this was where she belonged. SEHVA was her baby.
She’d been there right from its inception to the massive success it was now.
SEHVA had now entered the big leagues, standing toe-to-toe with global streaming giants, and she couldn’t have been prouder.
But today she wasn’t at the office just to work. Today, she was ready for more, and she knew it in her bones that her time had come.
Her heels clicked confidently against the polished marble floor as she made her way toward the elevators.
Today, she was going to tell her grandfather her heart’s desire.
That she was ready for more. That she wasn’t content to wait on the sidelines anymore.
She wanted a seat at the table. She wanted the chance to prove that she could lead, not because she was a Sehgal, but because she’d worked for it.
She’d spent years learning the business from the ground up, but now she wanted to work at the helm by his side and under his guidance.
She wanted to claim this legacy built by her grandfather, as her own.
Her phone rang. She smiled when she saw who was video calling. Moving to a quiet corner, she answered, and Rhea’s face filled the screen.
“Hello, baby sis,” Shauna greeted.
Rhea lifted a brow. “Being ten minutes older is not a lifetime of superiority, you know.”
“It absolutely is,” Shauna said triumphantly.
Being fraternal twins, they didn’t look alike.
Shauna was taller, with a more angular face and wide, deep-set eyes that always made her look like she was analyzing the world.
Her sister, on the other hand, had soft doe-shaped eyes that tipped slightly at the corners, giving her an effortlessly sweet expression.
And now, motherhood had added a warm glow to her that made the contrast even clearer.
“Say hi to Vayu,” Rhea said, shifting the phone.
Shauna’s eighteen-month-old nephew toddled into view, freshly bathed, his hair fluffy and rebellious as Rhea gently combed it. Shauna’s heart melted.
“Hi, my handsome boy,” she cooed, wiggling her fingers. “How are you? Are you feeling better?”
Vayu grinned shyly, then darted off-screen.
“Vayu, careful!” Rhea called before looking back at Shauna, still smiling. Rhea looked happy, settled, and content in a way that made Shauna’s chest ache with joy.
“He’s doing good,” Rhea said. “No fever. He’s already been causing trouble since morning. So naughty. He knows we were all worried about him being unwell, so he’s taking full advantage and making everyone run after him.”
“So adorable,” Shauna said. “Come back soon. I miss him and you a lot.”
“I should be back next week. So, tell me, how was the Maldives?”
An image of brandy-colored eyes and a naughty smile filled her mind. She brushed it away instantly. No. She wasn’t thinking about him.
“It was lovely,” Shauna replied. “I wish you’d been there.”
“I’m sad we missed it,” Rhea said. “Anyway, I just wanted to wish you the best for today. Excited?”
“A little nervous,” Shauna admitted. “I hope Grandfather understands.”
“He will,” Rhea said confidently. “He’ll be thrilled to give you what you’re asking for, so stop worrying. This is your destiny, Shauna. We all know it.”
Shauna couldn’t help smiling back.
Unlike her, her twin had never taken to the corporate hustle.
Rhea lived for art. She owned QubeArt, an elegant gallery in Mumbai, with her husband, Nirvaan Kapur, where she curated a striking collection of paintings and sculptures.
She had an incredible instinct when it came to choosing pieces, and Shauna was endlessly proud of her for chasing the life she’d always dreamed of.
“I tried getting Jiya on the call too,” Rhea went on, “but she didn’t pick up.”
Shauna’s heart warmed. Her twin and their best friend Jiya, their sister-in-law Raashi’s younger sister, were her unshakable support system. They knew about today’s meeting and were rooting for her.
“That’s okay. She’s probably asleep. It’s early in Paris,” Shauna said fondly. “It’s been a year, and I still can’t believe she married Rohan.”
Rhea chuckled. “Did you see their Eiffel Tower kiss selfies? I cannot believe she convinced him to do that and then posted them!”
“What? I haven’t seen them.” Shauna laughed. “Wow, Rohan has changed. I do like him now. He’s so much more pleasant, and he looks so happy.”
“Why are you both always gossiping about my friends?” a voice cut in.
An arm slid around Rhea’s shoulders and Nirvaan Kapur appeared on the screen behind her.
He leaned down to kiss his wife’s temple.
Nirvaan was the powerhouse behind QubeCore and QubeArt.
His game, StreetZoneX, had been voted the most-played game in the country three years in a row.
He was extremely accomplished, and the best part was that he was head over heels in love with her twin.
Nirvaan shifted his black-rimmed spectacles up his nose. “Don’t you two have anything better to talk about? It’s either Rohan or Akash with you two.”
Of course, Nirvaan would bring him up. He was close to both Rohan and Akash. Her heart gave an involuntary flip at the thought of him. Memories of what she had almost allowed to happen again with him threatened to overwhelm her. She pushed them away.
“Watching Rohan turn into a mushball is peak entertainment,” Shauna said lightly, pretending he hadn’t mentioned Akash at all.
“I agree,” Rhea concurred. “Rohan was a grouch before he fell for Jiya.”
“Rohan was never a grouch,” Nirvaan argued. “He just wasn’t a people person. Still isn’t.”
“Much like you,” Shauna teased.
He shot her a flat look that instantly softened the moment his eyes landed on Rhea. He whispered something into her ear, making Rhea giggle, her cheeks turning pink.
“Okay,” Nirvaan sighed. “I have ten minutes before I leave for work, and my son has finally given my wife a moment to breathe and is busy charming his grandmother. So unless you want to witness me doing indecent things to your twin, end the call, Shauna.”
Shauna groaned. “Ugh. You’re disgusting. Bye.”
“Call me right after you talk to Grandfather,” Rhea added quickly.
“I will,” Shauna promised, ending the call with a bright smile.
Excitement fluttered through her as she stood before the elevator bank, watching the numbers climb from the basement level. This was it. Soon, she’d have what she’d always dreamed of.
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. She stepped forward, then stopped short. A man stood inside with his back to her, his broad shoulders outlined by the overhead light. He turned, and her heart stuttered before it kicked into a frantic rhythm.
Akash.
He didn’t even spare her a glance. He tapped away on his phone while she stood at the threshold, her pulse misbehaving.
Images from that night in Maldives flashed through her mind, and this time she was helpless against their onslaught.
Her hands on his skin. His mouth on hers.
The way she had pressed herself against him.
She shuddered to think what would have happened had they not been interrupted.
Her stomach tightened.
No. She shoved the memories away.
The doors began to slide shut, and she rammed her hand between them to halt them. His eyes met hers, and the ice in his gaze stopped her short.
“Make up your mind,” Akash said, his tone cold. “Either get in or stay out.”