“Trust me. I won’t tell anyone,” I promise.
“Okay. I’ve been in one-sided love with Rey since my teenage years. I even wanted to propose after post-graduation, but my dreams were shattered when he announced he wanted to date my cousin, Aditi. So, I have no chance anymore; he’s with her now.” Her voice trembles with sadness, eyes already turning watery. And yet, I cannot help but smile. Foolish as it feels, I am glad I still have a chance.
The biggest relief? Amyra and Reyansh have never secretly been together, despite the gossip.
“That’s really tough, Amyra. Especially seeing him every day,” I try to sound sympathetic, though my heart is racing with quiet excitement.
“That’s fine, Karan. I’ll be okay. I’m on a mission to move on from him.” She glances at me with a short, sincere smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you move on soon,” I reply spontaneously. Amyra halts mid-step, giving me a suspicious look.
I need to cover it.
“I mean… since we’ll be working together, you’ll have less time to think about him and will eventually move on.” I cautiously correct myself, and she seems to buy it.
“We’ll see about it,” she responds.
The first session ends with employees gathering at the entrance, followed by a quick group photo. The afternoon session is the beach clean-up, which will begin after lunch. Amyra suggests announcing the pairings before heading to the beach restaurant, making it easier to start the second session immediately. I agree, and soon the host takes the microphone to announce the pairs; the staff has already collected the data. My eyes fall on Reyansh, who briefly speaks with the host before joining us on the right side of Amyra.
Did he plan something?
Let it go. Since Amyra and I are together in this, we will obviously be paired up. The host begins announcing employee IDs as people disperse to join their partners.
“ID no. B&T112 with B&T76.” My pupils dilated. I am paired with another employee, but not Amyra.
“All the best,” I hear her whisper as the assigned employee comes to join me.
“ID no. B&T107 with B&T108.” My mouth goes dry. 108 is Amyra’s ID and 107 must be…
“We’re a team now,” Reyansh’s gleeful voice rises beside me as he high-fived her. He lifts his gaze to meet mine, a faint smirk stretching across his lips. The pairings end with Amyra and Reyansh together, while I march to the host to clarify a few things.
“Why aren’t Amyra and I paired?” I ask.
“Sorry sir, Reyansh sir insisted,” the host replies meekly. My body freezes. My gaze lands on the duo, how his arm slings possessively around her shoulders. It doesn't feel like mere overprotectiveness. His closeness, his smirk… It feels like more than friendship and possessiveness.
But isn’t he in a relationship? Why is he so edgy over Amyra being with me?
Whatever it is, I’m not backing down. I’ll find a way to win Amyra’s heart… very soon.
Chapter 18
Reyansh
I have been watching everything from the background, noticing how Amyra and Karan smile while planting a tree together. I arrived late because I couldn’t bear the sight of them moving in sync, but as an employee, I have to fulfill my responsibility, so I drove myself to the venue, ignoring Amyra’s messages asking whether I started or not.
The moment I reached the entrance, my eyes went straight to the coastline where employees were busy with the Tree-Planting session, including Amyra and Karan.
They seemed lost in their own world until Amyra’s gaze finally found me, but the hurt settled in when she continued standing beside Karan instead of coming toward me, talking to him as if sharing her secrets.
I watch them closely as the first session wraps up and the afternoon session is scheduled after lunch, but not before announcing the pair-ups. I hear it was Amyra’s idea to make employees coordinate for a good cause. No doubt, it’s a brilliant plan to enhance harmony within the company, and I’m truly stunned by how effortlessly she leads this campaign, but there’s something I’m bitter about.
Since they’ve been doing everything together, I’m certain they will pair up, and the thought churns my stomach in ugly discomfort. Without thinking twice, I rush to the host and insist she pair me with Amyra. She agrees immediately. Seems like the privilege of being the future heir worked, and I return to Amyra’s side with warmth gathering in my chest.
“ID no. B&T107 with B&T108.” A wide smile pulls at my lips at hearing our IDs together.
“We’re a team now,” I say, raising my hand for a hi-five, and she looks just as pleased. My head tilts, catching sight of Karan losing his composure, and a faint smirk flickers before I return my gaze to Amyra.
Why does it feel like I won something by having her on my side for the evening?
