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The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the park in a soft, warm glow, casting long shadows and painting the world in an almost dreamlike palette. It was the kind of evening that whispered the promise of magic. It felt like one of those moments I only read about in books.
Vyan has asked me to meet him at our favourite spot- a quiet, tucked- away corner of the botanical gardens where we'd spent sometimes not too often. It was a place that held memories of laughter and shared secrets. I thought this was just an ordinary evening.
I walked through the garden paths, my scarf fluttering in the light breeze. When I reached the clearing, I stopped. The scene before me was breathtaking.
A path of lillies, my favourite flowers, led to a small wooden bench. The bench was draped with fairy lights and around it were lanterns glowing softly like fireflies. The entire setup felt surreal like stepping into a fairytale.
Standing in the middle of it all was Vyan, dressed in a navy blue t-shirt and jeans. His ever- charming smile grew wider as his eyes found mine.
"What's all this?" I asked, with a mix of awe and curiosity. He walked towards me.
"Just something I wanted to do for someone very special."He said.
My cheeks flushed and bit my lips to suppress a smile."You didn't have to go through so much trouble." For a moment, the world around me seemed to fade away.
"Avni" he began, his voice soft but steady. "I've been thinking about this for a while now. From the moment I met you. You're kind and everything is good."
After saying this, he went to bring something. When he came back, my heart thudded in my chest as he extended his hand to give me a bouquet of lillies.
"Will you accept me?" He said. My breath hitched. I stared at him, my mind racing but then the sincerity in his eyes melted away all my doubt.
"Yes" I whispered.
Author's P.O.V
They spent the rest of the evening sitting on the bench. She was just talking about their future and he was smirking inside that his first mission was successful. At that moment, Avni believed in the love he professed, in the dreams she painted for them.
But what Avni couldn't see- what no one could see- was the shadow lurking behind Vyan's smile. Beneath the surface of his perfect proposal was a man with secrets.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. The message, unread, contained details of his latest dealings. Vyan had mastered the art of balancing his two lives, and tonight he was determined to make sure Avni saw only the version of him he wanted her to see.
Because for Vyan, love wasn't just about affection. It was about control and Avni, sweet and trusting had just handed him the reins.
Avyay leaned back in his leather armchair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, his piercing hazel eyes fixed on the city lights outside his study window. The silence was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in," he commanded, his voice calm but carrying a weight of authority.
Tanish entered, followed by two of Avyay's trusted men. The air in the room shifted, a palpable tension hanging between them.
"Sir," one of the men began hesitantly, "we've gathered some... concerning information about Vyan Barua."
Avyay's eyes narrowed. But something about the way his men looked uneasy unsettled him further.
"Speak," he said, setting his glass down with a deliberate thud.
The man exchanged a glance with Tanish before continuing. "He's not who he pretends to be. Vyan is connected to a human trafficking ring operating under the radar. He uses his charm and resources to lure women into trusting him, then sells them off like commodities."
Avyay's jaw tightened, his hand gripping the armrest of his chair. "And Avni?" His voice was dangerously low, calm yet crackling with underlying fury.
"He's been grooming her," the second man added, his voice heavy with guilt. "Winning her trust, making her believe in his love, while planning to make her his next victim. He's good at hiding his tracks, but not good enough to fool us."
Tanish stepped forward. "We have evidence. Bank transfers, connections to the traffickers, and even his conversations about Avni. He's planning something big, and it involves her."
Avyay stood up, his imposing figure casting a shadow across the room. "He thinks he can disrespect any of the girls and walk away unscathed?" His voice was sharp, laced with venom. He turned to Tanish. "Track him. I want every move of his monitor. I want to know where he is, who he is with, and what's his planning. I'll handle this personality."
Next morning
Meanwhile, Avni stood in her flower shop, arranging a bouquet of fresh roses, her face lit up as Vyan walked in.
"Hey, beautiful," he said, flashing his perfect smile, leaning against the counter. "Thought I'd surprise you."
Avni smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You didn't have to."
"I wanted to," he replied.
"You deserve the best," he said, placing a hand over hers. But then his grip tightened slightly, his tone shifting just a fraction. "You know, I don't like it when you talk to those male customers for too long. Makes me... uncomfortable."
Avni blinked, surprised. "Vyan, they're just customers."
"Maybe," he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "But you're mine, Avni. And I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."
She laughed nervously.
He said, his tone playful but with an edge. "Promise me you'll be careful. For me."
Avni nodded, brushing off the strange moment as overprotectiveness. But as he pulled her into a hug, his eyes darkened briefly, a flicker of control and possession that went unnoticed by her.
Back to Avyay
Later that night, Avyay sat in his car, his men updating him further. His phone buzzed with a picture of Vyan and Avni from earlier that day, laughing together in her shop. The sight stirred something within him-a mix of frustration and a protective instinct he didn't yet want to name.
"Bohot hi galat kar raha hai." Avyay muttered, his hazel eyes blazing with resolve. And he doesn't know who he's dealing with. Avni doesn't deserve to be caught in his web."
Turning to Tanish, he ordered, "Prepare everything. I want to know every corner he hides in. By the time I'm done with him, he'll wish he'd never been born."
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That's it for today's chapter.
Share your thoughts on this chapter.Let me know if I am going too fast with the story line.
I know this chapter is short. But please understand my situation
Next update would be a bit slow as my exams are near.
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