The Crimson Thread Ep 11

C O N T I N U A T I O N

E P I S O D E 11

The Royale – A high-end lounge filled with the rich and powerful. The low hum of conversation blends with the soft jazz playing in the background. Inside, in a private VIP section, Steven Valentine sits with Kaiser Liz and Archer Ros, their presence commanding the space around them

Aarav leans back on the leather couch, his gaze sharp, yet relaxed. He’s here, but he doesn’t belong. Not yet.

Archer Ros(ML BFF)

(grinning) So, Aarav, you don’t drink?

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(shrugging)Not in the mood.

kaiser Liz(ML BFF)

(chuckling)You’re not much of a talker either, are you?

Aarav gives a small smirk but doesn’t respond. He’s observing, calculating. The power dynamics here are clear—Steven is the leader, the one people fear. Archer and Kaiser are his trusted circle. Everyone else? Background noise

Steven Valentine (ML BFF)

(finally speaking, his voice calm but firm): Why did you come here, Aarav?

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

Does it matter?

Archer Ros(ML BFF)

It does if you’re sitting with us.

Before Aarav can respond, his phone buzzes on the table, the screen lighting up. The name flashes—Aish Calling...

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(lips curled upto smile)

kaiser Liz(ML BFF)

(raising an eyebrow): Someone important?

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(picking up)Give me a second.

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

Aish... Everything okay?

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

(soft sigh)You didn’t call.

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(rubbing his temple)I’ve been busy.

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

Figures. You leave and suddenly time doesn’t exist for you anymore.

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(glancing at the others, lowering his voice) That’s not true. How’s everyone?

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

The same. Maa and Baba ask about you every day. Same with Mumma and papa.

Aarav exhales, staring at the glass in front of him, but his mind is somewhere else—home.

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

You should call them.

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

I will

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

(softly) Do you miss us?

Aarav doesn’t respond immediately. He grips his phone a little tighter

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(Low voice) You know I do.

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

Then don’t forget why you left. Don’t lose yourself there, Aarav.

Something in her voice makes his chest tighten. She knows him too well

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

I won't

Aishwarya Mukherjee (FL)

liar.....

Call ends

Aarav places his phone down, expression unreadable. The group watches him

Archer Ros(ML BFF)

Didn’t sound like a random call.

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

It wasn’t

kaiser Liz(ML BFF)

Family?

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(Nodding slightly) My life

Steven Valentine (ML BFF)

Family’s important. You don’t seem like the type to forget that

Aarav Singhania(Ml)

(Meeting his gaze) I don’t.

Archer and Kaiser exchange glances. Something shifts in the air—subtle, but there. Aarav isn’t just another face to them anymore. He’s someone worth keeping an eye on.

kaiser Liz(ML BFF)

(grinning)Good. Because once you’re in with us, we’re family too.

Aarav leans back in his seat, his mind still half in the past. He came here to stay in his own lane. But somehow, he’s already deeper than he planned.

END

Author

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Author

See you in the next chapter 😘