THE IInd DECISION

41. secrets revealed !!

Ayan Pov:-

As I said, "Come inside," her head lifted, eyes meeting mine with a look of confusion, almost like she was trying to decipher the meaning behind my words. I brushed my hands gently from her shoulders down to her palms, entwining my fingers with hers, guiding her to follow me. She hesitated but eventually did, the office empty except for a few guards at the entrance. We walked into my cabin, and as soon as we were inside, I turned, holding her waist, and lifted her onto my desk.

Her face flushed with uncertainty, clearly battling an inner turmoil. She sat on the glass table, looking vulnerable yet strong, and I took a seat in my chair in front of her. She was so small compared to me, her legs dangling off the desk, my knees barely touching her calves.

A surge of protective instinct overwhelmed me. What would happen to her ? My mind raced with not so good thoughts and i smiled playfully.

"Ashi," I said softly, breaking the silence. "Say it."

She lifted her gaze to mine, her face a deep shade of crimson, her hair loosely tied in a bun, a small black bindi on her forehead, and just a hint of sindoor visible where I was this close. Her neck was adorned with a delicate mangalsutra, a small diamond pendant barely visible under the edge of her blouse.

"What?" she murmured, still looking unsure.

I pushed my chair closer to her, closing the space between us as I leaned in. "Ayan... tell me your story."

She shifted slightly, playing with her fingers nervously, eyes cast down. "Ay... Ay... Ayan, tell me your story."

I let out a soft laugh. "Not like that, jaan. Look into my eyes when you say something."

She hesitated but eventually met my gaze, her cheeks reddening even more. "Ayan, I want to know..."

I took a deep breath. "And then, will you forgive me?"

She nodded with a shy smile, a small dimple forming on her right cheek, so subtle that it was only visible from this close. Only I get to see this, I thought possessively. No one else.

I sighed, leaning back slightly, trying to compose myself before I spoke. "Ashi, you know I'm Ayan Singhania. The world knows that. But no one knows who we really are... My great-grandfather, Pradeep Singhania, and Manmohan Singh were best friends a long time ago. They built the business together, a partnership that thrived. But Manmohan's son had other motives. He wanted the entire company in his name, and after a bitter fight with my father, things escalated. I still don't know all the reasons behind it, but my father refused to give in.

"I was ten years old when I saw them shoot him, right in front of me on my birthday . I cried for help, but no one came. People just watched as his blood soaked my shirt. I couldn't do anything, Ashi. Some people finally took him to the ambulance, but by the time we got to the hospital... it was too late. After that day, I never celebrated my birthday again. Even though Maa tried, I could see the pain in her eyes. She took over the company, raising me and Riya. Riya was only six at the time.

"Maa sent me abroad to study. I spent 14 years there, graduated from an Ivy League university, and that's where I met Navya. She was adopted by foreigners but was originally from India. We got married, but honestly... we were never husband and wife. We were always just friends. I can't even remember a single day when it felt like we were more than that. We joked, fought, laughed... she hated mint chocolate just like you.

"One day, they kidnapped her. They called me, demanding I hand over everything. But everything was still in my mother's name. They had her tied to a chair, and I couldn't fight, Ashi. I couldn't risk it. And then... they killed her. Right in front of me. We tried to find a heart donor, and we almost succeeded, but it was too late. It was as if Navya didn't want to be saved after seeing Manmohan Singh's face. She refused. Even on her deathbed, she said, 'No, Ayan, no.' I was distracted, and they captured me. After that, I hunted down everyone involved. I killed every last one of them. But I haven't reached Manmohan... not yet and that day I could not hold my anger and I said those harsh words to you...."