Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 5

A Fiery Encounter

(Vedant)

His pale and panicked face was a feast for my eyes, his uneasiness evident in his posture. Hesitantly, he took my hand for a shake, his sweating palms betraying his nerves. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined me standing in front of him like this. But here I am, Vedant Aryan, facing the man whose mere presence fills me with disgust, shaking his hand. Aryan's never forgotten nor forgiven, and I will exact my vengeance in every possible way.

"Why did one of the biggest real estate groups in the country buy shares of our hotel? What's the sudden interest in the hotel business? What do you stand to gain?" one of the board members questioned.

"To be frank, this has nothing to do with our company. It's a personal choice," I responded, glancing at Mr. Varma, who looked away with a tense expression. "Consider it a personal asset. This hotel holds a prestigious position in the city, and I saw it as a valuable acquisition. I don't intend any harm to the hotel. I hope we can cooperate with each other. I'll be staying here for a while so that we can develop a better understanding in the days to come." With a warm smile, I addressed everyone in the room.

Doubts still lingered on their faces, but they refrained from further questioning my intentions. Mr. Varma, however, shot daggers at me through his eyes. After some introductions to the management and discussions on ongoing projects, the meeting concluded, and everyone bid their goodbyes.

I lingered in the hall. "Mr. Varma, may I have a word with you?" I asked. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, a nervous expression etched on his features. "Sure," he replied, signaling his secretary to proceed without him and walking towards me.

"How are you, Mr. Varma? After all these years, we finally meet again, and you didn't even inquire about my whereabouts. Such a shame," I said, playfully placing my hands on my chest.

Gritting his teeth, Mr. Varma's face contorted with anger. "I know this has nothing to do with a personal asset. Do you really expect me to believe this bullshit? What's going on in your mind?" he questioned.

I chuckled. The audacity of this man. Despite everything he's done, he has the nerve to look at me and question my motives. The blood within me started boiling. I moved closer to him, my height towering over his.

I clenched my fists, restraining myself from grabbing his collar. "You've guessed correctly. I have much more than a personal interest in you. I will do whatever it takes to bring you down. I will take everything you have. And this is just the beginning. Did you think I would forget what you did? Do you know what it feels like to hold your dying father in your hands, praying for his life, sitting in front of a hospital room for hours, only to hear that you've lost the best thing in your life? You took my father away from me. You tore our family apart. And now, it's your turn to feel the pain. You did everything for money, didn't you? I promise you, I will strip you of every penny. I will make sure you wake up every day worrying about your future. I will let you experience that emotion, slowly and painfully. You won't have a clue when everything you had slips through your hands. Just wait and watch," I declared, before leaving the room.

I had no idea that revenge could make you feel this exhilarated. The fear on Mr. Varma's face was priceless. The dormant spark within me, fueled by ten years of smoldering resentment, was beginning to ignite. It was a wicked addiction I had not anticipated, one that would dramatically alter the course of my life.

The next morning, at 9:00 am, I arrived at the hotel and went to the HR department to inquire about my office room. They informed me that it would be ready in a few hours. Curiosity led me to Mr. Varma's office on the 30th floor. It seemed only fitting to wish him luck in his future endeavors, right? However, upon reaching his office, the receptionist informed me that he had not yet arrived.

A sense of disappointment washed over me. I had been eager to witness that helpless look on his face, which would bring me a certain satisfaction. Letting out a sigh, I headed towards the elevator, intending to visit the restaurant on the ground floor. I had skipped dinner the previous night, and hunger was gnawing at my stomach.

As the elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, a woman bumped into me, causing her to lose her balance. Instinctively, I reached out and held her arms to steady her. "I'm so sorry," she exclaimed in a panicked tone. After regaining her composure, she took a step back, her worried and embarrassed gaze meeting mine. She was beautiful, with brown eyes filled with concern and a touch of pink on her full lips.

Chuckling at her expression, I remarked, "You should watch where you're going and maybe try to relax. You look disheveled."

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," she replied politely.

I shrugged it off and stepped into the elevator. She continued to look at me, her eyes filled with amusement. I couldn't help but be captivated by her enchanting gaze as the elevator doors closed. There was a flicker of curiosity and something more profound in her eyes, an unspoken connection that defied explanation. It stirred a dormant ember within me, igniting a spark I hadn't felt in a long time.

As the doors began to close, I felt a sense of regret wash over me. The fleeting connection we shared in those brief moments left me yearning for more, craving the chance to delve deeper into her enigmatic presence.

Her image lingered in my mind, her eyes brimming with amusement and curiosity. The memory of her soft smile and the way her wavy brown hair cascaded around her face fueled my imagination, igniting a flame of intrigue within me. Who was she? What stories did her eyes hold? I was left with a sense of longing, an insatiable desire to know her better.

But fate had other plans, and as the elevator doors closed, a veil of separation descended between us. I was confined within the walls of the ascending elevator, while she remained outside, her figure gradually receding from view.

A pang of disappointment coursed through me as the realization settled in. I had let a fleeting opportunity slip through my fingers, unable to seize the moment and uncover the secrets she held within. It was as if the universe had played a cruel trick, offering a glimpse of something extraordinary only to snatch it away.