༒⊹₊VEDANT SINGH RATHORE⊹₊༒

I didn't plan this.

At least, that's what I wanted to believe.

And yet, here I was, in my car like some idiot with too much time on his hands.

My eyes found her the second she stepped out of her lane , dragging over her, taking in the details I had no business noticing.

A simple white kurti, soft and flowing, paired with those damn wide-leg jeans . And those jhumkas---silver ones, swaying with every movement.

I didn't even realize I was smiling until I felt the curve of my lips.

I pressed them into a firm line.

I am here to just check on her.

That's it.

She'd fainted last night. Anyone would make sure she was fine.

She looks fine as she got on her scooty

I wasn't following her.

Not really.

But my hands tightened around the wheel when she turned left, and I did the same.

Her hair whipped in the wind, those silver jhumkas glinting under the sun. I shouldn't be watching this closely.

I had places to be. Meetings to attend

A company to run. Calls to take. People to fucking kill.

And yet, here I was following a girl --something I had never done before in my life.

A muscle ticked in my jaw as I watched her pull into the parking lot of St. Regis Academy.

She parked her scooty, adjusting the strap of her bag before tossing her hair over her shoulder.

My gaze followed the movement, unwillingly drawn to the sight before me.

Her long, dark hair fell in waves down her back, a few loose strands framing her sharp features.

But it was her eyes that got me.

She hasn't noticed me yet.

I exhaled, leaning against my car.

What the hell was I doing here?

Right.

I should just leave before I do something.

I had no reason to be here. No reason to be watching her.

But then-

Mayank.

My brother.

He came running toward her, his face lighting up with joy.

And before I could process what was happening, he lifted her in his arms, spinning her around as she squealed in surprise like a... fucking lover's reunion.

She laughed.

A soft sound.

The kind I had never heard before.

No.

Mine.

The thought was so sudden and so violent, my grip on the wheel trembled.

My fingers curled around the leather of the steering wheel

My jaw clenched.

Why did it bother me?

Right. Why.

I feel like I am burning alive from the inside?

I shouldn't care.

He's my brother.

And yet-

I feel like ripping him away from her?

This isn't fucking normal.

My knuckles turned bone--white due to the force. A sick part of me wanted to watch longer. To see how far they'd go.

Would he kiss her?

Would she let him?

Would she-

No.

The thought sent a sick and twisted rage through my veins.

Before I could think, I slammed my foot on the accelerator And sped away.

I needed to get the fuck away before I do something I couldn't take back.

I am drowning in thoughts I never wanted to have.

Mayank and her.

Her and Mayank.

Fuck.

No.

Not fucking happening.

He is my brother. I should love him. Protect him.

But right now, all I wanted was to snap his fucking neck.

And that was when I realized---

I was the real fucking problem.

I wasn't supposed to feel like this.

Not for her.

Not for anyone.

But When I saw them together, so damn close-

I felt something I had no business feeling.

Something ugly.

Something sharp.

Something that made my blood fucking boil.

it feels like I'm about to lose your goddamn mind?

It shouldn't bother me ?

Yes? Then why does it feel like she's already under my skin? Like.. she belongs to me---and no one else

.

.

.As my car came to a halt, I pushed those thoughts aside because they meant nothing. I had an empire to manage, and emotions had no place in it.

The moment I stepped into my co, I knew something was wrong.

The entire floor was decorated.

Balloons. Ribbons. Flowers.

What the actual fuck?

The sight only made my blood boil more.

"Who the hell approved this?" My voice sliced through the air, making employees freeze.

"Will you all be covering the cost of these useless decorations?" I shouted as loud as my lungs were capable of.

Silence.

"Back to work! Now!" I barked, striding toward my office upstairs.

But the irritation didn't end there.

The damn decorations had made their way into my office as well.

I ran a hand through my hair, my jaw ticking as my PA, Ajay Singh, stepped in hesitantly.

"W-Welcome, sir," he stuttered.

I shot him a sharp look,"Who gave you permission to do this?"

He swallowed. "Sir... Vikram sir said-."

I exhaled, pressing my fingers to my temple. Of course.

"Clear this. Within five minutes." I ignored him

He nodded quickly before scrambling to get it done.

I walked to the window gripping the glass railing tightly as my mind flashed back to the image of Mayank and her.

Holding each other.

Her in his arms.

His hands on her waist.

Her laugh.

How... how could it be?

A bitter taste settled in my mouth As those things started replaying itself.

I didn't have time for this.

The sound of footsteps behind me made me straighten.

"Woah, nice decorations," Viaan commented as he walked in, casually looking around.

"Brother, I heard you exploded downstairs," he added with a smirk.

"Viaan, not now," I muttered, rubbing my temples.

He raised his hands in surrender. " okay, okay. Just checking."

"How's the deal with the Khanna client?" I asked, shifting topics

I need to focus on my work.

Viaan shrugged. "He's refusing. But I'll get it done."

I nodded, satisfied.

My gaze moved to Vyom.

Something was off.

He was quieter than usual.

I didn't even have to ask, but I did anyway. "What's on your mind?"

He sighed. "My grandfather."

I turned to face him fully, raising a brow. "What about him?"

Vyom pinched the bridge of his nose. "He wants me to marry a girl, get her pregnant, and have a child in one year."

The corner of my lips lifted in amusement as I exhaled, leaning back,we kind of have a similar problem,"So? What's your plan?"

But before Vyom could respond, Viaan burst out laughing, "Wait, wait-hold up... Did you just say 'get her pregnant'-IN ONE YEAR?!"

Vyom gave him a deadpan look. "Yes."

Viaan whistled. "Damn. . Marriage, honeymoon, baby-all in one year? Your grandfather isn't serious, huh?"

I chuckled, he isn't entirely wrong st least not this time.

As he continued "Forget dating. Forget love. Just straight to 'produce an heir.'... chal forget 'heir.' Your grandfather is treating this like some urgent business target like seriously --one-year deadline!?! " He said while barely controlling his laugh.

"That means this time, you'll need to work hard," I said nonchalantly

Vyom groaned,"You both are not helping."

Viaan nudged him, "C'mon, at least tel us---do you have any candidates in mind?"

Vyom shot him a glare,"No."

"So , what do you plan" I asked ?

Vyom shrugged, "Avoid it for as long as I can."

Viaan smirked,"Good luck with that, singhania ."

"Let's get back to our deals" vyom said irritably.