Chapter:3 Secrets Unveiled

Isha’s POV

It had been a few days since the meeting with Aarav and his family, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. There was something about the way he carried himself—calm, composed, but with a hint of danger beneath the surface. His words echoed in my mind, especially his assurance that I could back out if I wanted to. In a world where family decisions were practically set in stone, his offer felt strangely… generous.

Still, there was a part of me that couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that there was more to him than he let on.

My thoughts were interrupted when my best friend, Ananya, called. “Hey, how’s the mystery fiancé?” she teased, her voice full of excitement. “I’ve been dying to hear all about it.”

I laughed, trying to keep my tone light. “It’s still early. We only met once.”

“But…?”

“But there’s something off about him. He’s polite, he’s respectful, but there’s this… wall. Like he’s hiding something.”

“Maybe he’s just guarded. I mean, he’s a businessman, right? That’s a competitive world.”

“Maybe,” I conceded. “But I don’t know. It feels like it’s more than that.”

“Well, look at it this way,” she said. “You have time. Get to know him, see if the mystery unravels. Who knows, maybe there’s more to him than you think.”

I sighed, leaning back on my bed. “I hope you’re right.”

Aarav’s POV

Across town, Aarav sat in his office, staring at the city skyline. His thoughts were far from business, drifting back to Isha. He knew she was suspicious, and he couldn’t blame her. Their meeting had been polite, yes, but she had seen through his act. She had sensed there was more beneath his calm demeanor.

The door to his office creaked open, and his right-hand man, Dev, stepped inside. Dev’s expression was serious, and that was never a good sign. “We have a problem.”

Aarav’s eyes hardened, and the calm mask slipped into one of authority. “What is it?”

Dev hesitated. “There’s been another shipment delay. The men say there’s interference from our rivals.”

Aarav’s jaw clenched. “Rivals.” He spoke the word like a curse. “Which group?”

“Rumors point to the Oberois.”

Aarav’s eyes narrowed, and the air in the room felt colder. “The Oberois are getting bolder. They’re testing us.”

Dev nodded. “We’ll take care of it, but I thought you should know.”

Aarav’s mind raced. The Oberois were becoming a thorn in his side. But now, with Isha in the picture, the stakes were even higher. One wrong move, one exposed secret, and everything could fall apart.

“Handle it discreetly,” Aarav ordered. “I don’t want any trouble getting back to the Kapoor family.”

Dev gave him a knowing look. “This is about the engagement, isn’t it?”

Aarav’s gaze sharpened. “The Kapoors are our allies now. I can’t risk losing that.”

Dev raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t press further. “Understood.”

As Dev left the office, Aarav’s thoughts turned back to Isha. She was different—sharp, observant. A part of him admired that, but another part knew it made her dangerous. He had to keep her close, yet far enough from the truth.

He wasn’t sure how long he could walk that line.

Isha’s POV

Later that evening, I found myself thinking about Aarav again. As much as I wanted to dismiss it as a passing curiosity, there was a part of me that felt drawn to him. I couldn’t shake the feeling that, beneath the calm surface, there was something deeper—something he was struggling to hide.

Just then, my mother called out. “Isha, come downstairs! The Thakurs are visiting!”

“Again” My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting this sudden visit. I quickly freshened up and went downstairs, my mind swriling with thoughts.

Aarav was already seated in our living room, looking perfectly composed as usual. He stood when he saw me, a polite smile on his face. “Hello, Isha.”

“Hi,” I replied, feeling the weight of his gaze on me.

Our parents made small talk, and Aarav’s mother, Meera, brought up the wedding preparations, but my attention was fixed on Aarav. Something about his calmness felt forced, almost like he was playing a role.

When the conversation turned to us, Aarav’s mother suggested we go for a walk again. We stepped out into the garden, and as the cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, I felt the tension between us build.

“Did you know about this visit?” I asked, breaking the silence.

He shrugged. “I had a feeling. My mother likes to keep me informed about family matters.”

I studied his expression. “And what about business matters?”

Aarav’s eyes flickered, but his expression remained neutral. “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know… You seem like you have a lot on your mind.”

For a moment, he was silent, and I thought he might deflect the question. But then, his eyes softened. “Business can be complicated. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate work from personal life.”

His honesty surprised me. “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. After all, isn’t that what this whole arrangement is about? Building trust?”

He smiled, and for the first time, it felt genuine. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

As we continued walking, the silence between us felt different—less like a barrier and more like a bridge. For the first time, I felt like we were beginning to understand each other.

But even as we spoke, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. There was so much more to Aarav Thakur than he was letting on, and I was determined to find out what lay behind the mask he wore so well.

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