Vyom's POV

My shoes clicked the marble floor as I walked towards the boardroom. Kavya's steps echoed beside me,

"The Singapore team has already been informed about the preponement of the launch, Sir. The board is waiting."

I nodded looking at the upcoming glass door of the boardroom. I walked in through the door and I took my seat at the head of the table. Hriday was already beside me in his charcoal suit, calm and always. I declared,

"I've decided we'll be launching the Singapore project by this evening. The Singapore team is ready, and I'd like to discuss the final logistics before the launch."

Mr. Vijay Kashyap was beside me, in a dark suit and grey hair. Papa's old friend with whom Papa established this company. He is Papa's old friend and The Kashyaps have always had loyal friendship along with business strings with us.

He nodded, "That's unexpected, Vyom. The date was to be 29th..."

I nodded, "I decided for convenience, Uncle."

He looked at me for a moment as if reading something. Then he nodded showing a gesture of agreeing. The meeting went well. Everything was aligned and ready. And for once I thought this time the Uzan group can't turn it down.

---

By the evening, we were in my office. Hriday and I. And then the door opened with a knock, Kavya marched in, startled, eyes wide slightly,

"Sir, the project's launch failed. The legal team from Singapore said there's been an issue regarding legal clauses. The auditors' team came without informing."

Hell with that!

I wanted to roar. To— to flip the entire fucking desk!

I forced myself to stay calm, "You can leave, Kavya. We'll discuss it with the Singapore legal team tomorrow."

As soon as Kavya left, Hriday spoke with his voice having a calm frustration, "Breathe, Vyom."

I gritted, "How did they do it! Someone— no, not someone but the Uzan group informed the Singapore auditor so they can barge in for an inspection! So we have to stop the launch! I'm telling you, Hriday. The Uzan group is nothing but a shell company of Rajesh Rai!"

Hriday nodded as his palm rested warm on my shoulder,

"Rai isn't the one behind it, Vyom. Rajesh Rai isn't the man who executes like this. There has always been rivalry between Singhanias and Rais, but when my team dug in they found Uzan isn't a shell company owned by Rais."

I exhaled long.

Hriday added, "I'll meet you tonight at the Diwali celebration. We'll have it figured out, Vyom."

I didn't need to reply but I gave him a slight nod. I looked at the floor-to-ceiling window. Mumbai scattered beneath. I picked up my blazer from the back of the chair and walked out of the office with Hriday.

---

Avyukta's POV

Ugh...

I can't decide which one goes better with this. I love the oxidised silver Jhumkas but my lehenga tonight has a gold border.

And I'd definitely not like to be a metallic joke in Diwali celebration.

Fine, Avyukta. Let's do the gold once tonight.

I stood up and walked towards the nightstand's drawer, opened my jewellery box and took the gold ones. It had peridot details. Perfect...

I walked back to the vanity while I put the Jhumkas on.

Then the dupatta... The minaudiere...

And lastly the outfit check.

I narrowed my eyes as I stood in front of the full length mirror with warm light bulbs at the edges.

My deep-pink coloured lehenga and open hair.

I smiled once— it looked too much.

Smiled again— yep. That's what we need tonight, the angelic smile Dad wants me to fake as his only daughter.

I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself, "Utterly Hilarious..."

And I walked outside of my room, heading downstairs at the hall. My lehenga swaying with each step. My Jhumkas caught the chandelier's light and I descended through the curved staircase.

Dad must be waiting...

✷✷✷

(Hey! I hope you liked this chapter. They are going to collide soon...

And I'll be honest, I'm quite curious to know if you guys are genuinely liking this story. Like it's my first one and I'd love to have a comment or something. It motivates me a lot...

My Instagram account—daring._darling

It will have sneak-peeks.

Stay tuned, darlings!🍷)