Arjun's POV
Arjun sat at his desk in his sprawling office, the blueprints of his luxury hotel project spread out before him. The Rathor Group was poised to revolutionize luxury hospitality, and this project was his crown jewel. But lately, obstacles had appeared out of nowhereâpermits delayed, suppliers backing out, and investors suddenly hesitant.
At the center of it all was one man: Mayank Ahuja. A rival businessman with a penchant for dirty tricks, Mayank had been a thorn in Arjun's side for years. And now, it seemed he was determined to sabotage the project at every turn.
"Mr. Rathor," Arjun's assistant, Vikram, entered hesitantly. "The zoning commission just informed us that they've put a hold on the permit for the east wing expansion."
Arjun's jaw tightened. "Did they say why?"
"They cited some... irregularities. But sir, I've confirmed everything was in order on our end. This reeks of interference."
Arjun leaned back, his eyes narrowing. He didn't need Vikram to spell it out. He knew who was behind this.
"Mayank Ahuja," he muttered, his voice laced with venom.
"Yes, sir. Should we escalate?"
Arjun nodded sharply. "Get our legal team on it. I want every detail of his involvement exposed. And Vikram?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Make sure he knows this isn't a game he'll win."
But even as Arjun spoke with conviction, his mind wandered. Mayank wasn't just attacking his businessâhe had also taken an interest in Sia.
Flashback: Sia and Mayank's First Meeting
The Mehta family's annual charity gala was an opulent affair, with glittering chandeliers and champagne flowing freely. Sia had attended reluctantly, her parents insisting she needed to socialize more.
She had stood by the balcony, trying to escape the stifling atmosphere, when a smooth voice interrupted her solitude.
"Not a fan of parties?"
She turned to see a man in his late thirties, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His sharp features and confident demeanor immediately set him apart.
"I prefer quieter settings," she replied politely.
"Mayank Ahuja," he said, extending his hand.
"Sia," she replied, shaking his hand briefly.
Their conversation had been brief but memorable. Mayank had an air of charm, but there was something about his smile that felt calculated.
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Sia's POV
The library had always been Sia's sanctuary, but tonight it felt heavy with unease. Her phone buzzed yet again, and she picked it up reluctantly. Another message from the same unknown number. This time, it wasn't just cryptic words.
Her eyes widened as she opened the attachmentâa series of pictures showing Arjun with Riya. The images were intimate, steamy, and incriminating. Her heart clenched painfully.
"He went to London for his project, didn't he? Funny how his priorities seem split."
Sia stared at the pictures, her breathing shaky. But even as her emotions churned, she found clarity. She knew these weren't real.
"They're morphed," she whispered to herself. "Riya is in London, but Arjun wouldn't... he wouldn't do this."
Her faith in him held firm, but the weight of the situation was too much to bear alone. Without hesitation, she dialed her best friend, Neha.
Sia Shares Her Burden
Sia met Neha at their favorite café, a cozy corner table away from prying eyes. Neha immediately noticed the tension in Sia's face.
"Sia, what's wrong?" Neha asked, concerned.
Sia slid her phone across the table. "These," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Neha picked up the phone and gasped as she scrolled through the images. "What the... Sia, where did you get these?"
"They've been sent to me, anonymously. It's not the first message either," Sia explained, her voice trembling. "But Neha, I know they're fake. They have to be. Riya's in London, and yes, Arjun went there last week, but... I trust him."
Neha's expression softened. "You're right. These are morphed, and you know why? Because whoever sent them doesn't know what you two have. They're just trying to mess with your head."
Sia nodded, tears threatening to spill. "But why, Neha? Why would someone go to this length?"
Neha's jaw tightened. "Whoever's doing this has an agenda. It's not just about you or Arjunâit's about causing chaos."
Aarav Joins In
As they talked, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"There you are." Aarav approached their table, a smile playing on his lips. "Sia, I've been looking for you. Ready to go?"
Sia looked up, grateful for his presence but hesitant to leave. "Actually, Aarav, could you join us for a bit? Neha and I were just... catching up."
Aarav raised an eyebrow, glancing at Neha, who suddenly seemed very interested in her coffee. "I'd be honored to join," he said, pulling up a chair.
The conversation shifted, and Aarav's natural charm lightened the mood. He leaned toward Neha with a teasing smile.
"So, Neha, how do you survive Sia's melodrama on a regular basis?"
Neha rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "It's a full-time job, honestly. But someone has to keep her sane."
"Admirable," Aarav replied, his tone playful. "But I have to say, if you ever need a break, I'm available for moral support. Or dinner."
Neha raised an eyebrow. "Is that your attempt at flirting, Aarav?"
He grinned. "Did it work?"
Neha shook her head, laughing. "You're impossible."
"Impossible to resist, maybe," Aarav quipped, earning a laugh from both women.
Sia's Thoughts
As the evening went on, Sia felt some of her tension ease. Aarav and Neha's banter was a welcome distraction, and their lighthearted interaction reminded her of what matteredâtrust, connection, and loyalty.
But deep down, she knew this was far from over. Whoever was behind the messages wouldn't stop until they had what they wanted.
As Aarav offered to drop Neha home, Sia caught a glimpse of the way Neha blushed under his teasing gaze. For a moment, she forgot her own troubles and smiled.
Perhaps, even in the midst of chaos, there were small sparks of happiness waiting to be nurtured.
Mayank's Shadow
Meanwhile, in the shadows of his penthouse office, Mayank smirked as he watched his plan unfold.
"Sia's loyalty is admirable," he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "But loyalty has its limits. Let's see how far she's willing to go before she starts questioning everything."
Mayank's phone buzzed with a notification. His associate had sent him updates about the project delays and Arjun's growing frustrations.
"Time to turn the screws a little tighter," he said, his voice dripping with malice.