“The point, big boy,” she said, her tone sharp. “Is… that this deal in Mumbai is critical. The board is watching every move, and so is The Media. You might be the golden boy of the industry, but even you can’t afford to screw this up. I’m trying to make sure your charming tendency to ‘improvise' doesn’t tank a deal worth millions.”
I glared at her through the screen, but she smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“Dear brother,” Sasha squinted a little. “The project you’ve been waiting for—the list of palaces shortlisted for five-star resort conversion—has already been forwarded to the Queen. She’s impressed by the proposal. The Jaipur and Jodhpur deals are leaning in our favor. But…”
“But what…?”
“There’s a complication,” Sasha said, her voice steady but laced with concern. “The Queen is a staunch feminist. The rumors about your ex-girlfriend have resurfaced, and they’ve done enough damage to make her—and a lot of others—reconsider doing business with you.”
“The deal for the London palaces was already finalized,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, but then you appeared publicly with your ‘little girlfriend,’ and now the old news is back in circulation.”
“Why do you have a problem with Kiara?” My voice sharpened.
“I don’t have a problem with her,” she replied, her tone hardening. “I have a problem with people talking shit about you. And right now, that’s exactly what’s happening.”
“She’s nothing like Shivanya,” I said, my voice softening instinctively.
“Yeah, I know that,” Sasha said with a sigh. “But the media doesn’t care. They’re digging up the past, and everyone’s asking the same question: What happened to Shivanya Patel? There are articles implying she was last seen with you, and—”
“For the hundredth time, Sasha, I didn’t kill her.”
“I know that, Manav,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “But the Queen doesn’t. If you don’t address this, the media will keep spinning their nonsense, and you could lose another few billion.”
“I’m not making any goddamn statement,” I said coldly. “Let people believe whatever the hell they want. And stop wasting my time.”
Sasha didn’t flinch. Of course, she didn’t. “Manav, this isn’t about her anymore. It’s about you. Your reputation. Your business. People need answers, and as much as you’d like to pretend this doesn’t matter, it does.”
“Kiara has nothing to do with this, and I won’t drag her into my mess.”
“Manav,” Sasha said quietly, her voice softening for the first time in the conversation. “This isn’t just about Kiara or Shivanya. It’s about you taking control of the narrative before it controls you. You may not care about what the world thinks, but the people who depend on you—your team, your investors—do.”
“I’ll handle it,” I said curtly.
“I’m Team Manav, remember?” Sasha’s exasperated sigh came through the screen. “But if you want to close this deal, I have a suggestion.”
I leaned back, already dreading her so-called solution. “Go on…”
“Take Kiara with you.”
“Take her where?” My brows furrowed.
“To Mumbai. If she’s seen by your side, the media will back off, and the Queen will be more inclined to trust you. Problem solved.”
My jaw tightened. “I’m not dragging Kiara into this circus just to close a deal, Sasha. That’s not happening.” My voice was clipped as I disconnected the Zoom call and slammed the laptop shut.
Sasha’s words echoed in my mind:Take Kiara with you.
I stared out of the floor-to-ceiling window of my living room. It wasn’t just a deal. It wasn’t just about the money. It was about integrity, my name, my reputation—all of which were already hanging by a thread thanks to the rumors surrounding my past.
But dragging Kiara into this? Turning her into a shield against the vultures circling overhead?
No, Thank You!
My mind wandered—her fiery spirit, her unfiltered words, the way her laugh could light up an entire room. She deserved better than this circus. Better than me, even.
I stopped pacing, my hands bracing the edge of the desk as I stared down at the closed laptop. If I took Kiara to Mumbai, it would change everything. Not just for the deal but forus. The media would dissect every glance, every touch, every word between us. And what if she got hurt in the process? Could I live with that?No.
