"Good morning, Ms. Valare" the receptionist greeted me on Monday morning the moment I stepped inside the building.
I offered a polite nod and walked straight toward Avin's cabin, my heels echoing faintly against the marble floor. I stopped just outside his door, doubt creeping in again. Was signing that contract really the smartest thing I had done?
Before I could knock, his voice cut through the silence.
"How many times do I need to tell you that?" he snapped over the phone.
"You're not a kid anymore, Vihaan! Now shut the hell up and clean your trash."
I flinched.
I knocked anyway.
"Hm. Come in."
When I entered, Avin was standing near the glass window, his back to me, and the phone was still pressed to his ear. He didn't bother turning around. He ended the call before turning around.
"How can you let this happen, Shru-"
"June?"
His expression shifted instantly, surprise flashing across his sharp features. He clearly hadn't expected me this early.
"I'm sorry" he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I thought you were my assistant."
"It's fine" I said softly. "You already look stressed."
"Hm." He exhaled and gestured toward the chair across his desk. "Sit. Sit."
I took the seat, watching as he straightened his blazer and regained his composure like nothing had happened.
"So" he began, slipping back into work mode, "we're meeting the casting director today. I called you so we could go together. You'll explain the characters. That way we find the perfect cast."
"Okay" I replied.
A knock interrupted us.
"Come in."
A young woman hurried inside, eyes apologetic. "Sir, I'm really sorry. I'll handle this-"
"Why will you handle it, Shruti?" Avin cut in firmly. "It's not your fault. Let him deal with it."
The way his tone softened just slightly told me everything. He took care of his people. Fiercely.
"Okay, sir" she said quietly and left.
"Ms. Valare" he turned to me again, businesslike, "the casting crew will arrive shortly. Be ready."
He handed me a leather-bound diary. "Use this to jot down character details."
We moved to the conference room moments later. The space was cool and minimal, glass walls reflecting the city outside.
The casting director arrived first. Tall, messy-haired, somewhere in his thirties. He shook hands with Avin confidently. More members followed, filling the room with low chatter before everyone settled.
"So, June?" Avin prompted.
I straightened.
"The female lead is Jhanvi Chauhan" I began. "Young, ambitious, deeply passionate about her career. She meets a man in the rain and falls in love without knowing who he truly is. His name is Agastya Kundal. A powerful leader of a mafia group."
I paused, watching their reactions.
"She discovers his dark truth and tries to escape him. Instead, Agastya kidnaps her and confines her in his apartment. The story revolves around his obsessive devotion. He never chose the criminal world. He was forced into it by his father. But Jhanvi refuses to understand."
I swallowed.
"In the end, he attempts to leave the group for her. He's shot by his father's men. Whether he survives remains unknown."
"That's interesting" the man said, leaning back.
"So, Purab" Avin asked, "what do you think?"
"I've read Roses Blooms in Rain before" Purab replied, glancing at me.
"But hearing it from the author herself adds depth."
He leaned forward. "There's an unresolved mystery. Who killed Jhanvi's father when she refused to marry Agastya? Agastya claims innocence. And the anonymous texts exposing his secrets. Those remain unanswered."
"If you look closely" I said calmly, "there are several loose ends. I planned to resolve them in the sequel."
"Interesting" he murmured.
My mind drifted briefly.
While writing Agastya, I had unconsciously imagined Ishaan Khanna. His debut film Inaam had shaken the industry. His face, his presence, his intensity-it all fit.
"The moment I got your call" Purab continued, "I researched actors suitable for Agastya. And I believe Ishaan Khanna fits perfectly. Facial structure, height, aura. Everything aligns."
My breath hitched.
Avin didn't even hesitate. "He's a good friend of mine. I'll handle him. Now, let's discuss Jhanvi."
This was actually happening.
"What do you think, June?" Avin asked. "Any face in mind?"
I cleared my throat. "It would be better to cast a new face for Jhanvi. Ishaan is already well-known. Two established faces might cause one to overshadow the other."
Purab nodded. "Agreed. I'll open auditions from tomorrow."
He stood and extended his hand. "Nice meeting you, June."
I stood and shook it briefly before pulling away.
"It'd be better if you shared your number" he added with a smile. "So I can send you the audition list."
"No need" Avin said sharply, standing.
"Send it to me."
He stepped closer, casually draping an arm around my shoulder. "Better for your privacy, right? Ms. Valare?" he whispered, followed by a wink.
My pulse spiked. "Y-yeah."
I quickly slipped out from under his arm.
Once they left, Avin turned to me. "Do you know about Purab?"
"No?"
"That explains the handshake" he said dryly.
"Keep your distance from him."
"Why?" I asked.
"He's infamous" Avin replied. "Great at casting. Terrible human. Rumor says once he takes interest in a woman, he doesn't stop until she agrees to sleep with him."
My eyes widened. "Oh… thanks."
"It's nothing" he said simply.
But the way his gaze lingered told me otherwise.