I blinked, trying to make sense of the words coming out of her mouth.
She took a breath. “The last time Manav got hurt… it crushed him. Completely. He was… devastated.”
“I’m not here to hurt him.” My voice was steady, but my heart ached at the thought of him in pain.
“I know,” she said, her tone sincere. “I’m here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor?”
“He’s been working tirelessly to close this deal in Mumbai. But there’s insider news that he might not make it. The decision-maker is the Queen, and… well, with all the rumors and controversies surrounding his last girlfriend and her disappearance, people are questioning his integrity. The Queen doesn’t think he’s the kind of gentleman she wants to associate with for a deal this big.”
My fingers trembled around the coffee mug.
“If this falls through, it could seriously damage his reputation—and the business.” She said, taking another sip of her coffee.
My brows furrowed. “How can I help?”
“There’s already a lot of buzz about you two being together, and people genuinely believe he’s in love with you. If you’re by his side, it could sway the negative perception of him.”
I glanced toward the hallway where Manav’s room was. “He hasn’t said anything about me going.”
“And he never will,” Sasha said, her voice firm. “Manav will never put you in a position where you feel obligated to help him. But without you by his side, he’s going to lose this deal.”
I stared at her blankly. “What would I have to do?”
“Just be yourself. Your presence will show that he’s not the man the rumors make him out to be. That he’s capable of… love, stability.”
I swallowed hard, glancing at the counter. I managed to pour some coffee from the machine.
Sasha’s expression softened. “Look, I’ve known Manav my entire life. He’s brilliant at what he does, but sometimes he needs more than just business strategies. He needs someone who can remind the world that there’s a human side to him. That’s where you come in. Trust me, he’ll want you there.”
Manav had been through so much more than I’d realized, and now I understood why he was so guarded. It wasn’t just about protecting himself—it was aboutprotecting everyone around him.
My heart clenched, and I looked away, trying to gather my thoughts. “Do you think he’s ready to trust someone again?”
Sasha’s gaze softened. “I think he’s already started. For the first time in years, he looks… happy. You’re breaking through the walls he’s spent years building.”
____________
I looked at Manav sleeping peacefully, the soft rise and fall of his chest a calming rhythm. I slid quietly beside him on the bed. It had been just ten minutes since I went downstairs for coffee and ran into Sasha, but I already missed this—the warmth, the safety of being close to him.
As if sensing my presence, his arm instinctively wrapped around me, pulling me closer into his embrace. My lips brushed against his stubble, and he murmured in a husky, sleep-laden voice, “Good morning—”
A happy smile spread across my lips as I leaned in, kissing him softly. His hand cupped my cheek tenderly while his other arm held me firmly against him. I kissed him deeper, letting myself get lost in the moment, in him. Manav’s lips moved against mine slowly, tenderly, as though he was savoring every second. His hand on my cheek was warm, his thumb brushing gently along my jawline, grounding me in the moment.
When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine, as he whispered, “I might get used to these good mornings.”
I chuckled softly, letting my fingers trail through his messy hair. “Well, someone looks like they slept well.”
“Better than I have in years.”His voice was warm, laced with sleep, and the slow, lazy smile that followed made my chest ache in ways I wasn’t ready for.
For a moment, we stayed wrapped in silence. I tilted my head up. His gaze was already on mine, fingers gently tracing the skin of my arm. I closed my eyes when his touch skimmed my chin.
“Cheeseball, what’s wrong?” His fingers grazed my chin gently.
I hesitated, then opened my eyes. “What time’s your flight?” I asked, voice unsteady.
“We’re meeting Dadi for breakfast in an hour. I leave after that.”
