Chapter 18: The Unexpected Visitor

Reyan was seated in his office, his sleeves rolled up, fingers lightly drumming on the desk as he discussed something with Aarav, who had casually dropped by unannounced.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Reyan remarked, eyeing Aarav, who was comfortably sprawled across the couch in his office, looking like he owned the place.

Aarav smirked. "I got bored. Thought I'd visit my soon-to-be brother-in-law. You know, check if you're treating my sister well."

Reyan arched a brow. "And?"

Aarav grinned. "So far, I don't hate you. Let's see how long that lasts."

Reyan chuckled, shaking his head. "You're just here because you had nothing better to do, aren't you?"

"That too," Aarav admitted shamelessly.

Just then—

BAM!

The door burst open with all the subtlety of an explosion, and in marched Adhya.

Reyan and Aarav both turned to see her standing there, hands on her hips, her usual mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I knew it!" Adhya pointed at Aarav dramatically. "You're here, lazing around, and didn't even tell me!"

Aarav sighed. "Adhya—"

"And you!" She whirled toward Reyan. "Why do you look so relaxed? Shouldn't you be buried in work? Struggling? Losing your mind?"

Reyan smirked. "Why? Does the thought of me suffering make you happy?"

Adhya grinned. "Immensely."

Aarav chuckled. "She's impossible."

Reyan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes dark with amusement. "Tell me something I don't know."

Adhya narrowed her eyes. "I heard that."

Reyan smirked. "Good. I meant for you to."

Aarav, watching their banter, shook his head in exasperation. "You two sound like an old married couple already."

Reyan and Adhya froze.

A beat of silence.

Then, simultaneously—

"Ew, Aarav!" Adhya wrinkled her nose. "Take that back!"

Reyan, on the other hand, just chuckled darkly. "Don't tempt me."

Adhya shot him a look. "Oh, please. You should be grateful you get to bask in my presence every day."

Reyan smirked. "Grateful? You mean tolerate?"

Adhya gasped dramatically. "Excuse me?! Tolerate?!"

"Yes," he said smoothly. "Like one tolerates a particularly annoying mosquito buzzing around their ear."

Aarav burst out laughing.

Adhya glared. "You're literally the most insufferable man I've ever met!"

"And yet," Reyan said, leaning forward on his desk, his voice low and teasing, "you can't seem to stay away from me."

Adhya's face heated up.

Aarav, thoroughly entertained, clapped his hands. "Oh, this is fun. Please continue."

Adhya huffed and plopped onto the couch next to Aarav. That's when she noticed something in his hand.

Her eyes narrowed. "What's that?"

Aarav smirked. "Oh, this? Just some pastries from your favorite bakery."

Adhya's jaw dropped. "You brought pastries?!"

Aarav casually handed the bag over to Reyan. "For him."

Adhya gasped. "What?! You brought something for him but not for me?!"

Aarav grinned. "Yep."

Adhya turned betrayed eyes to Reyan, who took out a pastry and took a very slow, deliberate bite.

"Wow," he said, clearly enjoying himself. "So soft. So delicious."

Adhya gawked at him. "YOU'RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE!"

Reyan smirked. "Am I?"

Aarav shook his head, amused. "You really do have the patience of a saint, Reyan."

Reyan chuckled. "Not really. I just enjoy watching her suffer."

Adhya lunged for the bag, but Reyan, being faster, snatched it away effortlessly.

"Not so fast," he said smoothly. "You didn't bring me lunch when you forced me to take you out last time. Consider this payback."

Adhya gaped. "That's not fair! You're holding a grudge!"

Reyan smirked. "I always play fair, sweetheart."

Aarav, watching them, simply shook his head.

"You two are exhausting."

Adhya crossed her arms. "Tell me about it."

Reyan just ate another pastry, looking like the king of the world.

Adhya narrowed her eyes, plotting her revenge.