Chapter 14: 🍁chapter twelve 🍁

When Shantanu woke up in the morning then found the bed empty.

Shantanu searched the entire house, but there was no trace of Rudra. Shantanu thought that he must leave the house after getting up. He got ready for office as usual.

While heading to the office, Shantanu was preoccupied with thoughts of Rudra, wondering whether he should ask him about last night or just pretend to be oblivious.

After reaching the office, Shantanu pushed aside thoughts of Rudra and began working on his project.

On the other hand, Rudra was sitting in his cabin, and he was also thinking about Shantanu, debating whether he should thank him or simply let the matter slide. His struggle with his own thoughts was broken when someone entered the room, Rudra looked towards the door to find Rajeev standing there.

Rajeev was wearing a maroon three-piece suit that made him appear even more handsome and appealing. Although Rajeev was older than Rudra, his height was slightly shorter than his younger brother. His height is 177 cm whereas Rudra's height is 179 cm. His body is slim but fit, with a round face and deep brown eyes.

In contrast, Rudra had a broad, muscular, and solid physique., his symmetrical face featured a strong jawline and sharp facial features that made him naturally attractive and photogenic. His eyes are blue, slightly round, and expressive, often conveying a mysterious and deep feeling. Rudra’s serious demeanor left a lasting impression on others.

Without paying much attention to Rajeev, Rudra picked up a file and started reading it. Rajeev is used to Rudra’s aloof behavior, didn’t mind it. He stepped in and sat down in a chair. Rajeev silently observed Rudra, which began to irritate Rudra.

“Why are you here?” Rudra asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the file.

Rajeev rolled his eyes in a bored manner and replied, “Why, can’t I come here?”

Rudra gave no response, and silence enveloped the room once again.

After a brief pause, Rajeev couldn't hold more and asked, “Where were you last night? ”

Rudra closed the file abruptly and placed it on the table, then looked at Rajeev with the Stoic face “Why do you want to know?”

Rajeev locked his eyes with Rudra and said with determination “I’m your elder brother. Don’t I even have the right to ask this much?”

With a sarcastic smile, Rudra replied “Quite convenient for you to remember now that you’re my elder brother.”

Rajeev couldn’t respond to this, and his face turned sad.

Rudra noticed Rajeev’s sad expression, closed his eyes for a moment, and then, with a serious look he chided “Why don’t you do me a favor? Please keep your family away from me and my matters. This is my company, and no one else has any claim over it.” Rudra’s voice grew stern as he spoke last last line.

Rajeev responded with equal seriousness, “No one is trying to take your company from you, Rudra. That family is your family too.”

With a sharp tone, Rudra disagreed, “They are not my family, especially Sushma Sanjay Oberoi.”

Rajeev sighed deeply and looked helplessly at Rudra. Before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door. Rudra permitted the visitor to enter, and Mona came in mannerly. She greeting both men respectfully. The cold atmosphere in the cabin made Mona nervous and she stammered while informing for which she came in “Sir, Mr. Shantanu is here... He says he needs your approval for something.”

“Send him in,” Rudra replied coldly, his tone was intimidating.

Mona quickly left the cabin as she didn't want to get sandwiched between these two brothers, and a few moments later, there was another knock at the door. Shantanu entered holding a file, greeted Rudra, and smiled briefly at Rajeev.

Rudra’s eyes narrowed as he noticed Shantanu smiling at Rajeev. Instead of sitting beside Rajeev, Shantanu chose to stand next to Rudra and handed him the file. “Boss, I’ve shortlisted a few stars. Please review them so I can email them for endorsements.”

Rudra took the file and started looking at the names.

“Boss, I’ve also gathered information about their previous work and upcoming projects,” Shantanu added, his tone focused on the task.

Rudra carefully read through the details and was also listening to Shantanu's words.

He asked moving his eyes from file to Shantanu “Can you contact all of them? ”

Shantanu moved closer to Rudra's chair, opened the relevant page of the file, and pointed to the contact details of the stars or their PR teams. “I can’t guarantee it, but we can try reaching them through these channels,” Shantanu said, appearing very serious about his work, paying no attention to either Rajeev or Rudra.

“Okay,” Rudra replied curtly, resuming his review of the file.

As Shantanu glanced around, his gaze fell on Rajeev, who was using his phone. “This person looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?” Shantanu wondered, trying to jog his memory.

Rudra suddenly started coughing, drawing Shantanu’s attention back to him. Shantanu quickly poured water from a nearby jug and handed it to Rudra. “Your throat doesn’t seem okay. Maybe it’s because of the alcohol you drank. Have you taken any medicine?” Shantanu’s voice was filled with concern and care.

After drinking the water, Rudra calmly said, “I’m fine.” His eyes instinctively lingered on Shantanu’s face, noticing the evident care written all over it, possibly because they had spent the previous night together.

Rajeev stared wide-eyed at Shantanu, unable to believe that someone as stubborn, grumpy, rude, and domineering as Rudra would actually listen to someone. Even when Rudra was unwell, he never went to the hospital or took medicine for headaches, colds, or fevers. Sometimes he doesn't even pay attention to his illness and his body asks for rest.

Raising an eyebrow, Shantanu said in a hint of mocking tone “I can see that, Just listen to your voice—it’s so hoarse. Avoid cold water for a few days, okay?”

Rudra replied with a dismissive “Hmm,” focusing back on the file, his grip tightened on the file and his expression hardened. Shantanu got annoyed at Rudra’s cold response, thought "Grumpy jerk ! Here I am worrying unnecessarily about him, and he doesn’t even care. He didn’t even thank me after troubling me so much yesterday. Go to hell, I don't care too."

Meanwhile, Rajeev was still in shock because of Rudra’s behavior. He started coughing but received no offer of water to him. Rudra glanced at him briefly before returning his gaze to the file again, while Shantanu asked gently, “Are you okay, sir?”

Rajeev gestured with his hand, “I’m fine,” and adjusted himself on the chair, still looking at both men in disbelief. Rudra handed the file back to Shantanu and said, “Contact them and schedule the meetings.”

“Okay,” Shantanu replied, taking the file.

Rajeev couldn’t take his eyes off Shantanu. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” Rajeev said curiously.

Shantanu shifted his gaze from Rudra to Rajeev and replied politely, “Sir, I have joined recently.”

“Oh, which department?” Rajeev inquired more.

“Fashion Designer,” Rudra interjected coldly before Shantanu could answer.

The harsh tone startled both Rajeev and Shantanu. Annoyed, Shantanu thought, Why is he always angry? Rudra’s face was once again stern and serious giving the vibe of a cold and domineer boss.

“Third floor, B block?” Rajeev asked, ignoring the piercing eyes of his younger brother.

“No, fifth floor,” Shantanu replied gently.

Rajeev was shocked again, and glanced at Rudra to confirm that Shantanu was saying truth or not but Rudra looked irritated. Choosing not to question Rudra further, Rajeev turned back to Shantanu and asked in astonishment, “Are you part of 'The Elegant' ?” Rajeev couldn't believe that Shantanu is working on the fifth floor just after joining the company.

Rudra said in irritation, “Why? Do you have a problem with that? ”

Irritated himself, Rajeev retorted, “Rudra, I’m not talking to you, so keep quiet and let me have conversation with him.”

Rudra glared at Rajeev as if he would turn him into ash with his gaze. While Rajeev was used to Rudra’s rude behavior but Shantanu felt extremely uncomfortable witnessing their argument.

What’s happening here? Why are these two arguing like school boys? "  Shantanu shouted in his mind.

“If you don’t want to talk to me, then you shouldn’t be here,” Rudra said angrily and glared at Rajeev intensely.

Shantanu was feeling awkward so he decided to leave. “Umm, I think I should go now... I have a lot of emails to send.”

Rajeev quickly interjected, “Wait, I want to talk to you.”

“Leave,” Rudra growled.

Shantanu looked helplessly at both men, while Rudra was fuming with anger and Rajeev looking at him expectantly to have conversation.

What will Shantanu do now? Will he stay or follow Rudra’s orders and leave ?

To find out, keep reading “Chained Heart: RuShan.”

This story revolves around the main characters Rudra and Shantanu. It’s a BL story. If you don’t like gay couples, please refrain from reading, as I don’t want any hate comments either.

How was the chapter? Did you like it?

I hope you weren’t bored.

Please support my book.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and share my story.

Thank you!