[FEATURED IN WATTPAD INDIA PROFILE]
❝Pioneering the art of constructing love, my Kanmani.❞
Xavier teased her skin, slowly caressing her cheeks and her lips trembled.
❝You don't dare!❞
And he kissed her.
------
When he had compromised his dreams and...
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Xavier strolled down the hallway toward Satya's cabin, only to notice her smart glass was set to privacy mode.
Hmm...? That was new.
Satya had always been a little anti-tech about this feature; in fact, she'd practically snarled when he suggested installing the smart glass panels in the first place.
"What is there to hide?" she'd said, clearly annoyed, when he'd argued the glass would give him some peace from the world. After some grumbling, she'd finally caved, and he'd even had one installed in her cabin too. Yet here she was, using it for the first time in two years.
For a split second, it felt like there was a wall between them. Satya was normally about as approachable as a sunflower, and every Xhasis employee could vouch for that.
He caught a muffled sound from inside. Better knock first. "Satya?"
"Oh, shit—" he heard her mutter. After what felt like ages, she finally answered, "Xavier... yeah, come in."
He nudged the door open and peeked inside. A brow shot up when he saw a familiar face standing next to her. "Narayan?"
He glanced between them, noting Satya's flushed cheeks as she fiddled nervously with her saree pleats.
Closing the door behind him, he stepped in. "Thought you were in Mumbai," he drawled, seeing Satya's expression grow pinker by the second. "But it looks like you've got some... important business here in Chennai." His brow arched, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
Narayan Anantharajan—Satya's late fiancé's friend. That was all he really knew about the guy.
A long time ago, Satya had shared with him the painful story of her past. She'd lost her fiancé in a horrific accident, leaving her in a coma for six months, and she'd let everything spill one night after a bit too much to drink. She'd poured out years of heartache, and it had broken his heart a little to know how much sorrow she'd buried under her strong, calm exterior.
He'd never seen her date anyone, except that one time she was coaxed into going out with him. Back then, his own heart was still raw from Subhadra's departure, leaving him unable to handle anything beyond friendship. Luckily, Satya hadn't wanted anything more, and what began as a quiet companionship had blossomed into a deep, lasting friendship.
She never pried into his personal life, only knowing what he'd chosen to share. But he knew almost everything about her. She chatted freely with him, maybe because he made her feel comfortable, allowing her to share openly.
But this... this was a new development.
Ah, women and their little secrets.
Across the room, Narayan's glare practically had its own gravitational pull. "Hello to you too," he said, his tone radiating "Don't mess with me."
"Xav, did you need something?" Satya chimed in, picking up on the tension radiating from Narayan. "Is it urgent?"
"Depends," Xavier shrugged, which made Narayan groan.
"I'll head out," Narayan announced, turning to Satya. "I'll see you later," he murmured, leaning in to say something quietly that made her blush an even deeper red. He lifted her right hand, giving it a small kiss. "Bye, love."
Xavier cleared his throat, feigning innocence.
Narayan grabbed his coat, brushing past Xavier with a deliberate shove. Real mature, Xavier thought, muttering, "Asshole," under his breath.
Silence filled the room. Satya seemed intent on studying anything but him as he settled into the chair across her desk, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
"If you're looking for my approval, I say yes," he said, startling her. She looked up, and he grinned. "Seems like a good guy, based on what you've told me. Though he clearly hates my guts." He flashed her a mischievous grin.
"With your charming personality, who wouldn't want to be your bestie?" Satya retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And why would I need your approval?"
"As your adopted kid, don't you think I deserve a say?"
"I am not your mother!" she snapped, though her expression softened at his grin.
"Oh, so now you abandon your only child for that handsome guy?"
"Xav..." she groaned, "Shut up!"
Well, well, well, he thought, leaning back, watching her.
"You usually share everything, but this?" he asked, shrugging.
"It's... complicated, Xav."
"Yeah," he nodded.
Her eyes softened. "You're the person I trust most, but I've got my reasons for keeping this one to myself."
He raised a brow, a little surprised. "I'm not accusing you of anything, Satya." He shook his head, his voice genuine. "Can't you see? I'm just... happy for you."
Her shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. "Oh! Thank you."
Handing her a stack of files, he quipped, "Finally, I might be free from you." She shot him a look, making him laugh. "I might be a good listener, but damn, sometimes you really make me question that."
As he left her office, a grin plastered on his face, he heard her muttering a string of insults in his direction.
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Do tell me what you feel about this and the upcoming chapters, always open to positive criticism.
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