𝓑𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷.

Chapter - 23

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Vihaan ~

 I watched Shivanya on the balcony, leaning against the railing. I could see her shoulders finally relaxing, her eyes closed as she took in the cool sea breeze. It was almost strange how protective I felt at that moment for her. I had seen her in court, breaking down cases with an accuracy only a few could rival, yet here she was, my Sunshine, needing an escape I was more than happy to get her.

"Sir, I have a question." She asked, turning her head towards me for a split second before looking away again.

"I gave her a nod, asking her to go ahead, only to find a very small smile playing on her lips. So small that I would have missed it if not for the moonlight illuminating on her face.

"So," she began, her voice laced with playful curiosity as she turned her head towards me, "You've got a bit of a reputation. How true are the rumours I've seen in tabloids and on Instagram?"

Her question was direct, bold even, yet there was an unmistakable lightness in her voice. She knew exactly what she was doing, seeing if I would squirm.

I smirked, feeling both amused and impressed. "Well, Sunshine, it depends on what exactly you've heard," I said, holding her gaze. "But if this is about my past. The women, the late nights, the lack of labels, I will not deny any of it. I have had my share of fun, kept things casual, but yes, everything was always with the woman's full consent."

I watched her carefully, gauging her reaction. Her expression remained calm, as if she were merely collecting facts, filing away bits and pieces of who I'd been before she entered my life.

"I'm not exactly proud of the man I was back then," I added, my voice dropping. "But I will not pretend that part to never have existed. I don't want to start this, us, with anything less than honesty."

Her eyes softened slightly, and though she said nothing for a moment, her expression shifted in a way that made me feel she appreciated the truth, even if she might not admit it.

After a brief silence, she turned back to the cityscape. "Interesting," she murmured, her voice almost teasing. "I just wanted to see how you'd respond."

I let out a short laugh. "So, this was an interrogation?"

She shrugged, still not looking at me. "Just... gathering intel."

The quiet that followed felt strangely intimate. She had asked her question, gotten her answer, and yet neither of us felt the need to rush back inside. I took a step closer, closing the distance between us, until we were nearly shoulder to shoulder, looking out at the world together.

"Anything else you'd like to know?" I offered, leaning in just slightly.

She raised an eyebrow, the smallest of smirks playing on her lips. "I think I've heard enough for tonight but thank you Mr. Raichand."

"For what?" I asked, unable to take my eyes off her.

"For telling me the truth. For not lying to me. I appreciate that." She replied with a small nod.

I let her words sink in, a warmth spreading through me that I was not used to feeling before I met her. Trust, it was not something I had been worried about earning before. But with her, I had known from the start that honesty would be non-negotiable.

"I will always be honest with you, Shivanya," I said quietly, meaning every word. "No matter what."

She looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, a subtle blush on her cheeks. She wasn't used to being looked after but I was not going to let her live like that anymore. I couldn't.