𝕊𝕒𝕚𝕪𝕒𝕒𝕟

Chapter 14

Hello Pretty People
I am back with a new chapter 

Hope you are liking the story so far

I reach the library, and after taking a few deep breaths, I step inside. As I glance around, my eyes land on Tara sitting by the window, her attention focused on her laptop. She's listening to music through her headphones, completely absorbed in her own world. She looks effortlessly stunning in a black sleeveless dress, paired with black boots, and her white tote bag hangs loosely from the chair.

The sunlight filters through the window, casting a soft glow on her face, making her look almost ethereal. There's something about the way the light dances across her features that makes it impossible for me to look away. I can't help but be captivated by her beauty at this moment.

As I stand there, lost in thought, she suddenly turns, and our eyes meet. Her face lights up with a bright, genuine smile, and in that instant, everything else fades away.

Her smile sends a rush of warmth through me, and I can feel my heart race as I try to compose myself. For a second, I forget where I am, who I am, and all I can focus on is how radiant she looks. It's as if the entire library fades into the background, leaving just the two of us at this moment.

Tara pulls her headphones down to rest around her neck, still smiling, and waves me over. My legs feel heavy for a moment, but I push myself forward, walking towards her with what I hope is a confident stride. Each step feels slow, like time itself has stretched, making me aware of everything—her gaze on me, the quiet hum of the library, the soft rustle of pages from the tables around.

"Hey," she says as I approach, her voice warm and inviting, like we're the only ones here.

"Hi," I manage, my voice sounding quieter than I intended. I take the seat across from her, noticing the way the sunlight dances across her hair, casting a soft, golden halo. It's hard to believe how natural it feels just being near her, yet every second is filled with a strange, nervous energy.

Tara tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, still smiling that bright, mesmerizing smile, and I can't help but wonder if she feels it too—this quiet, unspoken electricity between us.

The silence stretches between us, comfortable but charged, until she breaks it. "Shall we start then?" Her voice is soft, but it brings me back to reality.

I nod, still not trusting myself to speak. I'm supposed to be here for work, for this project, but everything feels too personal.

She glances down at her notes, then back at me, her smile still in place but with a hint of curiosity. "Do you have anyone in mind whose interview we should take?"

I pause, thinking about her question, but my mind is elsewhere—on the way she makes everything seem less cold, less heavy. Finally, I force myself to focus. "Not really... Do you?"

"I am thinking about my father—Raghav Malhotra," she whispers softly, so quietly that I almost miss it. There's a hint of hesitation in her voice, and for the first time, I notice the nervous energy she's trying to hide. Her usual confidence seems to waver, and it's like she's carrying something more than just this project on her shoulders.

I take a sharp breath, trying to keep my tone steady. "Yes, I'm fine with it, You know I am a big fan of his" I say, but then I add, "but you don't look okay. Is something wrong?"

Tara glances down at her notebook, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the page. For a moment, she doesn't answer, and the silence feels heavy between us. I can tell she's thinking carefully about her response. When she finally looks up, there's a vulnerability in her eyes that I haven't seen before.