The house was quiet when I finally reached home.
Avin had insisted on dropping me, but I refused. There was no way I could let him see where I lived. If he found out I lived in the Menezes estate, he would definitely start asking questions, and that was the last thing I needed right now.
I quietly unlocked the door and slipped inside.
The lights in the living room were dim, and the house felt unusually silent. Not wanting to risk running into Dad, I quickly climbed the staircase and hurried to my room.
Luckily, he wasn't there.
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a slow breath.
Then I changed out of my clothes. I couldn't explain it, but after what happened with Neer, I still felt uncomfortable… as if his ugly presence was clinging to me.
Once I was done, I went downstairs to grab something to eat. Writing always made me hungry, and right now I was craving some good snacks before starting tonight's work.
After grabbing a few things from the kitchen, I was heading back to my room when I heard voices.
They were coming from my father's study.
I slowed down.
For a moment I wondered if everything was alright. The tone sounded serious. I stepped closer to the door, about to knock, when his voice reached me clearly.
"Samuel, she's doing great… but I don't think she'll ever be ready for this."
My hand froze mid-air.
"I don't think she can handle Menezes" he continued.
My chest tightened.
"She's been in contact with AK's. If she-"
I stepped back before I could hear the rest.
So that's what he thinks of me.
I stood there in the hallway, staring at the floor.
I had always been a topper in school. I had scored the highest grades in college. I worked hard for everything.
Yes, my relationship with Neer had been a mistake. And Dad had never liked him.
But that didn't mean I was incapable.
Talking to my uncle and saying I couldn't handle Menezes…
Why does he even think that?
A sharp frustration burned in my chest.
Without thinking much, I walked back to my room, grabbed my car keys, and left the house again.
I needed air.
I drove aimlessly through the city.
The sky slowly darkened as streetlights flickered on one by one. The moon rose quietly above the buildings, and stars began appearing across the night sky.
Eventually, I stopped my car along an empty street.
I parked carefully by the side and got out, walking toward a small bench placed near the bicycle parking area.
The street was quiet.
Peaceful.
Exactly what I needed.
I sat down and pulled out my phone, scrolling absentmindedly through my messages.
Then my finger stopped.
"Kachua."
Neer.
I opened the chat.
Dozens of messages.
Apologies.
Excuses.
Begging.
But not for me.
For my father's company.
I scrolled through everything slowly, reading every message again.
The manipulation.
The lies.
The way he made me believe he actually loved me.
I tapped his name.
And deleted the entire chat.
Just like that.
It's finally over.
I took a deep breath and looked up at the night sky.
"It's over..." I whispered to myself.
Suddenly, headlights appeared.
A black car slowly stopped in front of the bench.
The street was already empty.
A small wave of nervousness crept over me.
I hadn't even told Dad I came out.
The car door opened.
For a second I thought about running.
But curiosity held me in place.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Messy hair.
Sharp jawline.
Then my mind caught up.
Ishaan Khanna.
"Is your car broken?" he asked casually, running a hand through his hair.
"Oh… um…" I stammered. "No."
Why was I suddenly nervous?
Of course I was.
He was my celebrity crush.
Well… he still was.
He glanced around the empty street.
"Then why are you sitting here alone?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Aren't you afraid? Something could happen. Not everyone is like me."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Oh… I just needed some peace" I replied quietly.
"In pajamas?" he asked, looking me up and down.
My eyes widened.
Right.
I was wearing pajamas.
Great.
Embarrassment flooded my face.
He stepped forward and casually sat beside me on the bench.
My heartbeat sped up.
"It's okay" he said gently. "You don't need to be afraid. I'll give you company. I promise I won't disturb your peace."
I nodded quietly.
"So… break-up?" he asked suddenly.
I looked at him.
"I thought someone said they wouldn't disturb my peace."
He laughed softly.
"Well… curiosity."
I crossed my arms.
"Why assume I broke up? It could be something else."
"Alright, alright" he chuckled. "Fair enough."
He extended his hand slightly.
"I'm Ishaan Khanna."
"I know" I said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"You know? I was wondering why you haven't asked for a selfie yet."
"I didn't want to disturb your peace" I replied calmly.
He nodded slowly, amused.
"Hmm."
"By the way… your name?" he asked.
"Oh… I'm Ar-"
I stopped myself.
Aria, what are you doing?!
He's going to work with you soon!
"Ju-"
His phone suddenly rang.
"Excuse me" he said, standing up.
He walked a few steps away and answered the call.
"Okay, okay… I'll be there."
After hanging up, he looked back at me.
"You should go home now" he said. "I'm leaving too."
Then he added with a small smile,
"Be careful next time."
He got back into his car and drove away.
I sat there for a moment before standing up and walking back to my car.
Soon I was driving home again.
Today had been a complete rollercoaster.
The audition.
Meeting Arnav and Avin.
The fight with Neer.
And then… unexpectedly meeting Ishaan.
Now I understood why so many actresses wanted to work with him.
He was sweet.
Polite.
A complete gentleman.
And his smile…
It was genuine.
Warm.
I felt strangely excited about working with him.
Maybe signing that contract with Avin was actually a good decision.
Back in my room, I lay down on the bed and opened my phone.
I started playing Ishaan's music videos.
One after another.
And somewhere in between watching them…
I fell asleep.
Bonus:
"Samuel, she's doing great" Andrew said quietly over the phone, leaning back in his chair as he stared at the city outside his study window. "But I still don't know if she can truly handle Menezes."
He paused for a moment, listening to the voice on the other end.
"I heard she's working with AK" he continued thoughtfully. "If she succeeds there… then I won't think twice before handing the company over to her."
Samuel chuckled softly from the other side of the call. "You sound like you're testing her."
Andrew sighed, rubbing his temple.
"I used to think that putting the pressure of the company on her shoulders would only break her" he admitted. "I thought she wouldn't be able to handle it."
His gaze shifted to the framed photo on his desk - a younger Aria standing proudly with a trophy in her hand.
"But now…" he said slowly, a faint smile appearing on his lips, "watching her work day and night… I'm starting to realize something."
He leaned forward slightly.
"She's more desperate to prove herself than I ever expected."
Andrew let out a quiet breath.
"After all… she's my blood."
Samuel hummed thoughtfully.
"So what exactly is she working on with AK?"
Andrew shook his head lightly, even though Samuel couldn't see him.
"I don't know. She hasn't told me anything about it."
A small amused smile appeared on his face.
"Maybe it's supposed to be a surprise."
Samuel laughed.
"Well, Srivansh is one of my closest friends. I might try asking him."