Estranged lovers

Chapter 31

Three months later.......

ANNIKA

The whole team is buzzing with excitement.

Our hard work has finally paid off, and our project, the theme park, has been approved by the client. To celebrate, the team Is at the bar. It was a little overboard but today we decided to spend it all since we deserved it. We earned it.

The atmosphere is energetic, full of laughter and chatter as everyone grabs a drink, and the excitement is palpable. The entire team, Annika, Shivani, Abhinav, Veer, Mihir, and other colleagues are at the bar.

Annika had never been to such an extravagant place.

The ceiling stretched high above, adorned with intricate, hand-painted frescoes depicting mythical figures, their graceful forms dancing across the sky. Soft, golden chandeliers hang like jewels, their crystal droplets catching the light and casting a warm, ethereal glow that reflects off every surface. A soft hum of ambient music swirls through the air, its low, melodic notes blending with the quiet murmur of voices.

The bar itself was a masterpiece, a long, polished slab of black marble, veins of gold running through it like liquid fire. Behind it, shelves upon shelves of glass bottles. 

The bar stools are plush and inviting, upholstered in velvet of the deepest burgundy, with golden accents that glint softly in the light. Each one is spaced just far enough apart to give a sense of intimacy without feeling isolated, offering a perfect view of the whole room.

The crowd is impeccably dressed—tailored suits, elegant evening gowns, and sharp tuxedos, everyone's attire a testament to the exclusivity of the establishment. 

Annika is dressed in a corset dress that Shivani forced her to put on especially for this night.

In the morning......

SIDDHARTH

Siddharth sat at the breakfast table, his usual cold demeanor in place as he sipped his coffee, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Annika : "I'll be going to the office early today. There's a team meeting about the project approval."

Siddharth doesn't look up from his phone, his tone flat.

Siddharth : "Mm-hmm."

Annika : "It's a big milestone for us. The project's finally moving forward."

Siddharth finally glances at her, his eyes hard, but there's no warmth in them, just that calculated, cold gaze that had become the default between them.

Siddharth : "Good for you, Annika. I'm sure it's... fulfilling."

Annika : "Right. I'll be back later. There is a team celebration tonight. I'll try not to disturb your... schedule." Sighs "Siddharth, I... I hope you can at least acknowledge the work we've been putting in. It matters to me. Even if it doesn't to you."

Siddharth watched her leave without responding, his chest tight with a mix of guilt and frustration. He hated the way he felt, like he was suffocating in a life he had chosen for reasons that seemed more out of necessity than choice.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving him alone with his thoughts. But even in the solitude, he couldn't push her completely from his mind. He couldn't stop the feelings from swirling, feelings he was doing everything he could to suppress.

But no matter how much he pushed her away, he knew deep down that it was getting harder to ignore the truth.

He was starting to care about her. Too much.