Chapter 28
That evening, Shauna drove her car toward Suveer Malhotra’s home.
A strange unease had settled in her chest, and it only seemed to increase as the distance to his house decreased.
In a few minutes, she was going to come face-to-face with her.
Amara Malhotra. The woman Akash had chosen… all those years ago.
Her jaw clenched. Old fury rushed through her at that thought.
She breathed in and out, keeping her churning emotions at bay.
Akash had offered to pick her up earlier, but she’d refused.
She needed a little space from him because, since last night and then this morning, being around him felt…
dangerous. Like every carefully buried emotion was clawing its way back to the surface, demanding to be seen, to be felt.
She suddenly felt too much for him, and now she didn’t quite trust herself around him.
Last night and this morning were further proof of how vulnerable she was to him and how much she was beginning to crave him.
This morning, she’d finally reached home sometime after ten, only to be met with a barrage of questions about him from her family.
She’d managed to deflect most of them, giving her parents and brother just enough to satisfy their curiosity without revealing too much.
She’d spent the day with her mom, Raashi, and Rhea, shopping for her wedding.
But with each passing hour bringing her closer to this moment, her emotions had gotten all muddled up.
And that’s why she had insisted on coming here alone.
Her thoughts were all over the place when it came to this dinner and Amara, and she knew that if he’d been near, she would’ve told him everything…
how much it had hurt that he’d dated Amara back then, that he’d chosen another woman over her.
How that had hollowed something inside her.
To the world, she’d pretended it hadn’t mattered when it had mattered more than anything.
And for some inexplicable reason, it still did.
She exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm as she eased her car into the sweeping driveway and cut the engine, the sudden silence pressing in around her. For a moment, she didn’t move.
Ahead of her, Suveer Malhotra’s mansion stood tall and imposing.
Two storied and elegant in a way that spoke of old money and older power, the structure carried a vintage charm, from its arched windows to the wide verandah wrapped around the front.
Warm lights from the house spilled out into the evening.
It should have looked inviting. But it didn’t.
She stared at the facade, breathing hard. She inhaled and exhaled until her composure slid back into place like armor. This was just dinner. She reached for the door handle, paused for the briefest second, then pushed it open and stepped out.
A uniformed staff member led her through the house. She barely noticed the elegant interiors, the high ceilings, antique furnishings, and quiet luxury woven into every corner. As they reached the main living room, the sound of voices grew louder. It looked like everyone had already gathered.
She paused at the threshold, her gaze sweeping the room. Janak sat comfortably with Dheer and Suveer Malhotra, deep in conversation, looking entirely at ease. But her attention didn’t linger there. It moved, searching, until it found him.
Akash stood across the room with Vir and Amara. The other woman said something, and he laughed.
Something sharp twisted inside her. Irritation flared, laced with something far more possessive. The sound of his laughter, directed at someone else—at Amara—grated against her nerves. A wild, irrational urge seized her heart.
Mine.
He was hers. Her fiancé. The man she was going to marry.
And for one reckless second, she wanted nothing more than to cross the room, drag him away from Amara, and make that fact unmistakably clear.
Suddenly, Akash’s gaze lifted and landed on her.
Without a word, he left Vir and Amara and walked toward her, a smile spreading across his face.
Shauna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as he reached her.
His hand came to her waist, pulling her in as he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Hey,” he said. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Something in her eased.
“Come,” he added, taking her hand, his fingers threading through hers. “Let me introduce you to my friends. Last night, you didn’t get to meet them.”
He led her first toward the seating area where Janak sat with Dheer and Suveer Malhotra. All of them stood as she neared.
“Ah, Shauna,” Janak said, a smile flickering across his face. “You’re here. Good.”
She leaned up to press a kiss to his weathered cheek.
She straightened and greeted Suveer Malhotra. “Hello, Mr. Malhotra. Thank you for inviting us to your home. It is lovely.”
“Janak mentioned your engagement to Akash,” Suveer said, his gaze steady and appraising. “I thought it best to see for myself whether the two of you can truly take Sehgal Media forward.”
God, this man was quite insufferable, and she hated that she had to attend this dinner just to satisfy him.
“Be nice, Grandfather,” Dheer said lightly from Suveer’s side. “Tonight isn’t about business.” His gaze shifted to Shauna, and he offered her his hand. “My siblings and I would like to welcome you into our midst. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
She shook his hand. “All good things, I hope.”
Dheer gave her a small nod, his expression easy.
“Oh, don’t listen to him,” Vir drawled from behind them. “He’ll give you the dull, boring version.”
Shauna chuckled, turning toward him.
Vir leaned in just a fraction, lowering his voice, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Stick with me tonight, and I’ll tell you everything. All the stuff Akash won’t admit out loud also.”
“Absolutely not,” Akash added.
“Absolutely yes,” Vir countered.
Vir was still as mischievous as ever. They had hung out a few times in the past before everything had changed. She’d liked him then too.
Vir stepped forward and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “How have you been?”
“I’m good,” she replied, smiling just as easily.
“Did you enjoy last night?” he asked rather innocently. “I’m pretty sure my friend did.”
Shauna laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit. I keep seeing your face on all the billboards, and here you are, just the same.”
“Only to the people who know me,” Vir said with a grin. “As for the billboards, what can I say? Everyone loves me.”
“Ignore him,” Amara cut in from the side. “At this point, the billboards are less about his work and more about sustaining his ego.”
She playfully shoved her brother aside to stand in front of Shauna.
“I’m Amara,” the other woman said, offering her hand and studying her carefully.
Shauna held her gaze for a brief second before reaching out and slipping her hand into Amara’s with a composed smile.
Dressed in a soft green shift dress that complemented her golden complexion, Amara carried herself with an easy grace. Her almond-shaped eyes were sharp yet warm, and her hair fell in perfectly styled waves, framing a face that was undeniably beautiful.
Something tightened in Shauna’s chest. She could see why Akash would have fallen for her all those years ago.
Akash’s grip tightened on her waist, drawing her closer against his chest. “We’ve all been friends for far too long, and they are an integral part of my life. You will meet them often.”
Vir gently tugged her away from Akash, slipping her hand through his arm.
“Leave your lover boy for a bit,” he said with a grin. “Come, let me get you a drink. We’ve opened a lovely bottle of white. Will that do? Or are you in the mood for something else?”
“Wine is good,” Shauna said, her gaze flicking back toward where she’d left Akash with Amara.
Vir cleared his throat. Her eyes flicked to his and found him watching her with a knowing glint.
“I’m glad to see the fire burns from both sides,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
He handed her the glass of wine. “For years, Akash has spoken about you with nothing but irritation and annoyance. But there was always something beneath it. Something he never quite admitted. I always suspected you meant more to him than he ever let on. I’m glad to see I was right.”
A tendril of hope lit up in her chest.
Could that be true? Had Akash also always felt something for her too, just like she had always felt something for him? And if so, then why had he dated Amara back then? Or were his feelings more recent? God, it was all so confusing.
“I’m sure it wasn’t like that,” she said, keeping her tone light despite the chaos in her chest.
Vir’s lips curved. “Oh, it was exactly like that. It has been like that since he first set eyes on you.”
She frowned, trying to make sense of his words. Vir took a slow sip of his drink, then glanced past her shoulder, his smile turning smug.
“I know him better than he knows himself,” he said casually, his gaze returning to her.
She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure you’re exaggerating what he feels for me.”
“Well, allow me to prove it. I bet that in about three seconds, he’s going to walk over here, pull you close, and make it very clear that you’re his.”
“What?” Shauna gasped, bewildered. “Why would he do that?”
Vir lifted a hand to touch her face, and she instinctively backed a step.
“Stay still and let this play out,” Vir said, laughing. He shifted a strand of her hair away from her face, tilting his head, gazing at her in mock adoration.
She blinked. What the hell was Vir playing at?
“Three… two…” Vir began counting. “…one—”
Shauna barely had time to turn when a strong arm circled her waist, and she was yanked against a hard chest.
“Stop touching my woman, you fucker,” Akash growled.
A sharp thrill raced through her at the unmistakable possessiveness in Akash’s voice. Vir laughed and shot her a wicked wink.
“It was all in fun,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Shauna knows that.”
“Asshole,” Akash muttered, his hand tightening on Shauna’s waist. “Go find your own woman to flirt with. This one is taken.”
Vir rolled his eyes. “Please. Engaged women are not my thing.”
With a naughty smile, he backed away from them, leaving her and Akash alone.
“He’s just too much at times,” Akash said, his voice low near her ear.
“He’s sweet,” Shauna chuckled.
Akash’s hand tightened on her waist. “Are you calling another man sweet while standing in my arms, Shauna?”
She turned to face him, moving closer. She arched a brow. “Are you jealous of your best friend?”
“What if I am?”
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief.
His grip on her waist tightened as he pulled her even closer. “How many times do I need to remind you that you are mine?”
Her heart thundered with pure happiness. “You’re mine too. Don’t you forget that either.”
A throat cleared and they both turned to see Dheer watching them, his arms crossed. She moved slightly away from Akash, but his hand remained at her waist, unmoving.
“Here I thought I’d have to work hard to convince grandfather to support you two,” Dheer said dryly. “I suppose that won’t be necessary. You’re doing great. Anyone with eyes can see you have chemistry in spades.”
Shauna glanced around and found both the older men watching her and Akash. Across the room, Amara and Vir were both grinning, looking highly entertained.
Dheer swept a hand out. “Shall we all head for dinner?”
Akash led her to the dining table, which was already set for seven people. Suveer sat at the head of the table with Dheer to his right, while Akash sat to his left, with Shauna and Vir next to her. Amara sat facing her, between Dheer and Shauna’s grandfather.
To her surprise, dinner unfolded easily, the conversations around her light and entertaining. Vir took center stage, launching into stories from his film shoots, outrageous mishaps, dramatic co-stars, and behind-the-scenes antics that had everyone laughing.
Shauna found herself smiling often. She slid a glance at Akash.
He was different here, more relaxed and unguarded.
He laughed freely, adding comments, trading easy banter with Vir and Dheer, completely at ease in a way she hadn’t seen often.
Amara fit into their midst just as naturally, matching her brothers and Akash beat for beat, ribbing them mercilessly, her dry wit landing just as sharply. Shauna found herself watching her.
So far, Amara had been nothing but warm, witty, and completely at ease. And with Akash… there was no tension between them, nothing lingering, only the easy familiarity of an old friendship, exactly as he’d said. Perhaps, she had been jealous for no reason.
At the head of the table, Suveer seemed to soften too, occasionally adding a line to Vir’s stories, while her grandfather leaned in, trading banter with him that spoke of an old, familiar friendship.
Her heart eased. Everything around her felt natural. Normal. And she didn’t feel like she was on the hot seat like she had expected. It looked like convincing Suveer Malhotra to back them wouldn’t be so hard after all.