MEETING THE DARKNESS

9

The dim, pulsing lights of the nightclub flickered through the air, a steady beat reverberating through the room as laughter and conversation filled the space. Dia entered the club with Elle, Sahasra, and Vivian, her mind still reeling from the previous night's events. Even though she had promised Elle she would explain everything to the girls and Kai, she still wasn't ready to expose the truth of her double life. There was too much at stake.

As they made their way through the crowded dance floor, Dia's eyes scanned for Kai. He had insisted on meeting up tonight, claiming he wanted to introduce them to someone important. A vague explanation at best, but Dia trusted Kai enough not to question it. He'd always been a bit of a mystery, even more so after she learned about his own secretive background.

When they finally found Kai lounging near the VIP section, his charming grin met them. "There you are," he greeted, pulling Dia into a quick hug before greeting the other girls. "I've got someone I want you to meet tonight."

Dia raised an eyebrow. "Is this one of your famous mystery surprises, Dexter?"

Kai chuckled. "Something like that."

They exchanged pleasantries with Kai's male friends, who were all chatting animatedly, but Dia could feel a prickle of tension in the air. Kai was hiding something—something big. She didn't know why, but she could sense it. The girls were absorbed in conversation with Kai and his friends, but Dia remained on alert, her eyes drifting toward the entrance of the VIP section.

That's when she saw him.

Viktor Martin, the man she had encountered months ago at Karishma's wedding in India, strode into the room with his commanding presence. He moved with the same quiet confidence she remembered, his sharp gaze cutting through the crowd as if he owned the space. But what shocked her most wasn't just seeing him again—it was the fact that he was here, with Kai.

Her heart raced as the memories of their first meeting came rushing back. The tension, the unspoken understanding, the undeniable chemistry despite their differences.

Viktor spotted her instantly. His eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of recognition in his gaze before a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Viktor," Kai called out, beckoning his brother to the group. "I want you to meet my friends."

Viktor's gaze didn't leave Dia as he approached, and she could feel the weight of his stare on her, even as the rest of the room blurred away. How could Kai not know they had already met?

Kai, oblivious to the undercurrents between them, gestured to Viktor. "Everyone, this is Viktor Martin. He's my brother and ........."

Dia didn't wait for Kai to finish his introduction. She took a step forward, her eyes narrowing. "What the hell is going on here?" Her voice was firm, cutting through the casual atmosphere. "Kai, why didn't you tell us Viktor was your brother?"

The group froze, all eyes darting between Dia and Viktor. Elle, Sahasra, Vivian, and the others stared in confusion, clearly shocked by Dia's outburst. They had no idea about her connection to Viktor—or about the storm that was brewing beneath the surface.

Kai blinked, his smile faltering. "Wait, what?"

Viktor's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the moment. "Nice to see you again, Miss Yadav." His tone was calm, almost mocking, as he casually adjusted his suit jacket.

Dia's stomach dropped. The familiarity in Viktor's voice was undeniable. She had never forgotten that night in India—how he had gotten under her skin, how his mere presence had left her unsettled.

Kai's face shifted from confusion to alarm as he looked between his friend and his brother. "Wait, you two know each other?"

"Know each other?" Dia echoed, her voice sharp. "We met months ago—at Karishma and Adam's wedding. Viktor Martin isn't just some business mogul. He's... well, let's just say our paths crossed unexpectedly."

Elle's eyes widened. "Dia, what's going on?"

Before Dia could respond, Viktor intervened, stepping closer to her. His imposing figure loomed over her, but she refused to back down. "You seem surprised," Viktor said smoothly. "Did you think we wouldn't meet again?"

Dia crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving Viktor's. "Yes, I knew Viktor. But I didn't expect to find out that he's your brother. Why didn't you ever mention it, Kai?"

Kai looked genuinely taken aback. "Because no one knows. Viktor and I keep our relationship private for a reason."

Elle, Sahasra, and Vivian exchanged confused glances, while the other men in the group watched the scene unfold in stunned silence. The tension between Dia and Viktor was palpable.

"But why?" Dia demanded. "Why hide it?"

Viktor answered before Kai could. "Because our lives are complicated, Miss Yadav." He paused, his dark eyes flashing with something deeper. "Our father is of Italian descent, and our mother was American. When she passed away, our father met Kai's mother, Maya. She's of Chinese origin, and Kai inherited some of her features. No one ever questions us being brothers because of our different looks... and our different surnames."

Viktor's voice softened, just slightly, as he mentioned his mother. "I kept my mother's surname. It's the only thing I have left of her."

There was a brief moment of silence as everyone absorbed Viktor's words. The revelation hung in the air like a heavy weight. Dia was caught off guard by the raw emotion she saw flash in Viktor's eyes for a split second. He hid it well, but there was pain there, pain that reminded her of her own losses.

"So... you two are brothers," Elle said softly, breaking the silence. "And no one knew?"

Kai nodded, running a hand through his hair. "We kept it under wraps because... well, it's complicated. Viktor has his world, I have mine. And sometimes, it's easier to keep them separate."

Dia's mind raced as she processed the information. Viktor and Kai—two men who lived in completely different spheres of influence but shared the same bloodline. No one would have suspected it. Kai's easy-going, charming personality was the polar opposite of Viktor's cold, calculating demeanor.

But now, she was standing in the middle of their world, and the realization hit her: she was in deeper than she thought.

Viktor's voice broke through her thoughts. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight, Dia. But it seems fate has a strange way of bringing people together."

Dia's jaw clenched. She didn't believe in fate, especially not when it involved someone like Viktor Martin. But despite her frustration, she couldn't deny the pull between them—the same pull she had felt at the wedding. There was something about Viktor that drew her in, no matter how much she resisted.

"Well," Dia said, her voice steady, "it seems we have a lot to talk about."

Viktor's smile returned, but this time, it was softer. "Indeed, we do."

Kai looked between his brother and Dia, still trying to make sense of the tension between them. "So... are we all just going to pretend like this isn't the most awkward reunion ever?"

Dia rolled her eyes, finally letting out a small chuckle. "I guess we'll figure it out, Kai."

As the group began to relax, the conversation shifted, but Dia couldn't shake the feeling that things had just gotten far more complicated. Viktor was back in her life, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she knew this was just the beginning.

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Hey guys! 

This is your author here! 

Gosh you will love Viktor in the future, I bet my soul on him.

You will get to know about their story in India and how they had met there.

Anyways With loads of love,

CARA