Chapter 11 - A Gift and a Mystery

Adhya sat in her tiny office, flipping through designs, a pencil tucked behind her ear as she scribbled notes. The Gucci project was exciting, and she was determined to prove her worth.

Just as she was about to take a sip of coffee, the door swung open without warning.

Reyan stood at the entrance, his presence commanding as always. His dark eyes flicked over her desk before settling on her. "We're going out."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

He didn't repeat himself. Just turned and started walking away.

Adhya scowled, scrambling to grab her bag before running after him. "Where are we going? And what do you mean we? I have work, you know!"

He barely spared her a glance as they stepped into the elevator. "I need to pick a gift for a friend's daughter. I don't know anything about shopping for kids, so you're coming with me."

Adhya folded her arms. "So, let me get this straight. Mr. I-Am-Too-Busy-For-Nonsense actually needs help? From me?"

He exhaled sharply. "Unfortunately, yes."

She grinned. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

The drive was surprisingly smooth. Adhya, being her usual chatterbox self, filled the silence with everything from office gossip to why croissants were better than donuts.

Reyan didn't contribute much, but she noticed the way he listened, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel in a slow rhythm.

When they reached the boutique, he surprised her again. He opened the car door for her.

Adhya smirked, about to make a joke, when she felt his hand hover over the top of the door frame—protecting her head as she got out.

She paused for a fraction of a second, something warm blooming in her chest.

But instead of acknowledging it, she teased, "Aww, Mr. Malhotra, I didn't know you had such gentlemanly manners."

"Get inside," he said flatly.

She giggled and skipped ahead.

Inside the store, Adhya took charge, selecting a beautiful charm bracelet for the little girl, explaining each detail while Reyan stood beside her with his arms crossed, nodding occasionally.

Then, something else caught her eye.

A delicate gold chain with a tiny butterfly pendant, lined with subtle diamonds. It was elegant, simple, yet breathtaking.

She admired it for a moment before shaking her head and looking away.

But Reyan noticed.

"Wrap this too," he told the saleswoman casually.

Adhya frowned. "Wait, what? Why?"

"It's a gift."

"For who?"

He adjusted his cufflinks, looking utterly disinterested. "Malini."

Adhya's stomach twisted.

Oh.

She shouldn't care. She really shouldn't.

But she did.

And she hated it.

For the rest of the shopping trip, she was noticeably quieter, biting her lip as she nodded along to whatever Reyan said.

He didn't comment on it.

When they returned, Reyan walked straight to Malini's desk, placing the tiny gift bag in front of her.

Malini's eyes lit up. She made sure Adhya was looking before she gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, sir, you shouldn't have!"

Adhya rolled her eyes so hard she was surprised they didn't get stuck.

Malini opened the box, pulling out the necklace—except it wasn't the one Adhya had liked.

It was a completely different design.

Adhya exhaled slowly, feeling slightly better but also more confused than ever.

Why would Reyan lie?

Did that mean there was someone else?

Her heart clenched at the thought, but she quickly shook it off. It wasn't like she cared.

Right?