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The sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains of Vanya's room, casting a warm, golden glow that bathed everything in a soft, serene light.
It was a perfect Sunday morning—the kind that invited lazy stretches under thick comforters and the bliss of sleeping in. The faint chirping of birds added to the tranquility, making it feel like time had slowed down just for her.
Vanya stirred, pulling the blanket tighter, savoring the few extra moments of rest. She wasn't one to get up early, especially not on a Sunday. But her peace was abruptly shattered by the incessant buzzing of her phone on the bedside table.
Grumbling, she reached out blindly, her fingers fumbling before finally grabbing it. Vihaan's name flashed on the screen, and she rolled her eyes, already annoyed at whatever reason he had to call this early.
She answered, voice thick with sleep. "Vihaan, what the hell? It's barely morning."
"I'm downstairs," Vihaan's deep, no-nonsense voice shot through the phone. "Get ready. I'm here to pick you up."
Vanya blinked, sitting up instantly. "Pick me up? For what? I didn't agree to anything."
There was a pause, followed by the faint sound of a car door slamming. "Not everything requires your permission, Vanya. Just come down."
His tone was cool, almost commanding, with an edge that irritated her.
"Excuse me? You can't just show up out of nowhere and expect me to jump. What do you want?"
"Less talking, more moving," Vihaan replied, impatience seeping into his words. "I'm not in the mood to answer questions today."
Vanya's frustration bubbled over. "You think you can just boss me around? I'm not one of your business deals you can command at will."
He let out a short, sharp laugh. "And you think your arguing is going to change anything? Vanya, you have five minutes. Either come down, or I'll come up. Your choice."
She opened her mouth to snap back, but he had already hung up. The abruptness of it made her stare at her phone in disbelief.
He was impossible—arrogant, controlling, and utterly infuriating. But beneath her irritation, there was something else she couldn't quite shake.
As she tossed the phone aside, her mind drifted back to the party last week. She hadn't planned on paying much attention to Vihaan that night, but he had surprised her.
She had watched from a distance, hiding in the shadows, as he effortlessly maneuvered through the room. There was a quiet power in his movements, a sharp intellect behind his every word, especially when it came to supporting his brother, Rudrakansh.
Vihaan had an innate talent for reading people, twisting situations in his favor with ease. He was manipulative, yes, but also fiercely loyal. His words, though laced with sarcasm, carried weight, guiding conversations and bending outcomes to his will.
