"No, Amma, I'm fine. Just a small headache."
"Yes, yes, I'll take the tablet."
"No, I'm not skipping meals."
"Okay, love you too. See you soon."
Aria ended the call with a sigh, rolling her eyes as she placed her phone down. Leaning back in her chair, she massaged her temples, hoping for even the slightest relief.
"You should probably head home—no point in massaging your head," Paul's voice cut through the silence. He was standing in the doorway, iPad in hand, an expectant look on his face.
"I wish I could," she muttered, "but you know how it is, Paul. The Tanishq proposal needs to go out today, we need this win."
Paul exhaled dramatically. "I've canceled all your other appointments. Shaunak will be here with the proposal by six, and then you can rest. You have to take care of yourself."
Aria sighed again, this time with resignation. She dragged herself from her desk to the couch, pulling the blanket from the ottoman over her body. Sleep came almost instantly.
The chime of her phone and laptop jolted her awake thirty minutes later.
Before she could even register what was happening, Paul burst in, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Aria, you won't believe this—Kabir Oberoi just emailed us! He wants to meet you tonight about a potential partnership for his resorts! This is huge!"
Still groggy, Aria grabbed her phone. A few unread messages from an unknown number.
Kabir Oberoi:
Hi Aria Vijay, I'm Kabir Oberoi. I got your number from Vikas at TAJ. He mentioned you worked with him and your team on the Mysuru property launch. My assistant should have already reached out to yours about a work dinner tonight, but I thought it might be a bit too much, especially since you're a lady.
Kabir:
Hope to hear from you soon.
She read the message twice, her brows furrowing.
Something about it rubbed her the wrong way. Too much, especially since you're a lady? Was that... flirtatious? Condescending? Both?
Her stomach knotted, though she wasn't sure if it was annoyance or intrigue.
She looked up at Paul, her voice sharper than she intended. "Confirm with his secretary and let them know we'll book the table. Get a reservation at The Sky. Ask for the usual table."
Paul, oblivious to her irritation, was back within minutes. "Done. Just spoke to his assistant. The reservation is at his resort—Veda Islands." He paused. "They're sending a car for you. What time should I tell them to pick you up?"
Aria's grip on her phone tightened. Of course he is.
It wasn't the dinner itself or even the resort that bothered her—it was the way Kabir had assumed control. Choosing the venue. Arranging transportation. Dictating the terms.
She was Aria Vijay. She built her name from the ground up. No one called the shots for her.
"I'll drive myself," she said flatly, shutting down the conversation.
Paul raised an eyebrow but knew better than to argue.
Shaunak arrived soon after, proposal in hand. Aria meticulously went through each slide, making last-minute changes before sending him off. But her mind kept drifting back to Kabir.
An hour later, she found herself deep in research. Kabir Oberoi. Veda Islands. Business ventures. Past collaborations.
She wasn't going to this meeting blind.
Glancing at the clock, she realized it was already 7 PM. If she didn't leave now, she'd be late.
Standing, she smoothed down her beige blouse, grabbed her jacket, and headed to the car.
Sliding into the driver's seat, she flipped open the mirror and touched up her makeup. Her kohl-lined eyes stared back at her. Not conventionally beautiful, but striking in her own way. Petite, barely 5'2, a bit plump—but her presence was larger than life. Expressive eyes, a smile that could melt hearts, a dimple that softened her sharp edges.
She ran her fingers through her brown wavy hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders.
Satisfied, she started the engine, input the location into the GPS, and pressed play on her favorite playlist.
As the city lights blurred past her window, she exhaled slowly.
Time to meet Kabir Oberoi.
The cityscape gradually faded into the background as Aria followed the GPS route toward Veda Islands.
As she crossed the private bridge leading to the resort, the sheer grandeur of the place came into view. Nestled amidst lush greenery, Veda Islands was a seamless blend of luxury and history. Inspired by India's ancient palaces, the architecture boasted intricately carved sandstone facades, Mughal-style domes, and temple-like pillars that spoke of a bygone era. Yet, it wasn't ostentatious—rather, it exuded a quiet elegance, where nature and design coexisted in perfect harmony.
Lotus-filled ponds lined the driveway, their delicate pink petals glowing under the soft golden lights. Banyan trees stood tall, their roots intertwining like an embrace from centuries past, grounding the space with an earthy stillness. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air, carried by the evening breeze, while the distant sound of a flute playing Raga Yaman added a mystical charm.
Aria pulled up to the grand entrance, where a valet in a pristine white uniform immediately approached to take her keys. She stepped out, adjusting her blouse, squaring her shoulders. This wasn't just another business meeting. She wasn't sure what it was yet, but she could feel it in her bones.
The distant sound of a veena being played somewhere within the resort added an almost ethereal quality to the atmosphere.
Aria pulled up to the grand entrance, where a valet, dressed in crisp ivory and gold, immediately opened her door. She stepped out, smoothing her blouse, her heels clicking softly against the stone pathway.
Inside, the lobby was a masterpiece—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes, polished marble floors reflecting the warm glow of antique chandeliers, and plush seating areas that felt both opulent and inviting. The air carried a faint hint of sandalwood and fresh roses.
She approached the front desk, where a poised receptionist greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good evening, ma'am. Welcome to Veda Islands. How may I assist you?"
Aria straightened her shoulders. "I'm Aria Vijay. I have a meeting with Kabir Oberoi."
The receptionist barely had time to respond before a woman in a sleek black saree stepped forward. "Ms. Vijay?"
Aria turned to her.
"I'm Mr. Oberoi's secretary. He's expecting you. Please, follow me."
She led Aria through an open-air corridor, where carved wooden pillars framed views of a stunning infinity pool that overlooked a dense, moonlit forest. The path opened into a private lounge—dimly lit, intimate, with flickering candlelight casting shadows against the deep mahogany walls.
And then, she saw him.
Kabir Oberoi stood near the bar, a glass of whiskey in one hand, the other casually tucked into the pocket of his tailored charcoal trousers. Late thirties, his salt-and-pepper hair only adding to the air of effortless authority he carried. He wasn't just handsome—he was the kind of man who commanded attention without trying. His lean yet well-built frame was evident even through his open-collared dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms that looked strong, veins subtly lining his skin.
When he saw her, his lips curled into an easy, knowing smile. He placed his drink down and strode toward her, extending a hand.
"Aria Vijay," he said smoothly, his voice like warm silk. "Finally, we meet."
She took his hand—and the moment their palms met, a small jolt shot through her, like a current of something unspoken passing between them.
Her eyes widened for the briefest second before she masked it, but he caught it. Of course, he did. His grip was firm, his skin warm, and when he finally let go, her fingers tingled.
"Please," he gestured towards a secluded table, pulling out a chair for her. "Let's talk."
She sat, trying to regain her composure as he took the seat opposite hers, his dark eyes watching her with an intensity that was both unsettling and intriguing.
The conversation started professional—about her work, the Taj launch, what she envisioned for potential collaborations. But there was something in the way he spoke, the way his lips curled around certain words, that made her hyper-aware of him.
"You were spectacular at that launch," he said, sipping his whiskey. "The way you commanded the space, the precision in every detail... I knew I had to have you."
Her breath hitched.
He smirked, clearly noting her reaction. "For the project, of course."
Aria forced a chuckle, reaching for her wine. "Of course."
But she wasn't imagining the way his eyes trailed over her lips when she took a sip.
The air between them shifted.
At some point, the conversation drifted, becoming less about work and more about them. About lives outside of boardrooms and presentations.
"You work too much," he observed, tilting his head. "I can see it in your eyes."
She raised a brow. "And what do you see?"
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower. "Someone who carries the world on her shoulders but hasn't let anyone take care of her in a long time."
A slow burn ignited in her chest.
Before she could respond, Kabir's fingers brushed against hers on the table. It was the lightest of touches, yet it sent a shiver through her.
Aria swallowed, willing herself to ignore the heat pooling low in her belly.
She should pull away. She should remind herself why she was here.
But she didn't.
Instead, Kabir's hand shifted, tracing the back of her palm with a featherlight touch, his fingertips barely grazing her wrist. Her pulse fluttered beneath his touch, betraying her.
She exhaled sharply, and his eyes darkened.
"Tell me to stop," he murmured again, just like before.
She didn't.
In one slow, deliberate movement, Kabir reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering at the curve of her jaw.
Then, he leaned in.
She didn't realize she was holding her breath until his lips brushed against hers—soft at first, testing.
And then he kissed her.
A deep, unhurried kiss, yet filled with a promise of something more.
He tasted of whiskey and something undeniably masculine, his lips moving against hers with a confidence that made her toes curl. She responded instinctively, tilting her head, allowing him to deepen the kiss.
Her hands found his chest—hard, warm, solid beneath his shirt.
And then, she felt it.
The hard length of him pressing against her, even through layers of fabric.
Heat flooded her, pooling low in her stomach, and she barely suppressed the whimper that threatened to escape.
She was fully clothed, and yet she could feel the wetness growing between her thighs, her body betraying just how badly she wanted this. Wanted him.
Kabir must have felt it too, because he groaned against her lips, his grip tightening at her waist as he pulled her just a fraction closer.
"Aria," he whispered, her name like a prayer against her skin.
His lips moved to her jaw, her pulse point, teasing, tasting.
She gasped, her fingers digging into his biceps as his thigh pressed between hers just enough to make her ache. She could feel the hard length of him, pressing against her soft stomach.
And just when she thought she might completely lose herself in this moment, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Kabir stilled, his breath heavy against her neck.
Aria's heart pounded as reality came crashing back in.
She pulled away slightly, trying to catch her breath, while Kabir exhaled a low curse under his breath.
A pause. Then, a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Saved by the bell," he murmured, echoing his own words from earlier.
Aria swallowed hard, forcing herself to step back.
This was dangerous.
This was not what she had planned.
But as she met Kabir's gaze, filled with heat, amusement, and something else she couldn't quite place, she knew one thing for certain—
This wasn't over