Ishan’s POV

8:45 AM

Shubman was already ready.

Of course he was.

Mr. Perfect Corporate Robot.

He was standing beside the car outside the house, looking like the CEO of the century.

Suit.

Calm face.

Serious eyes.

Meanwhile—

I walked out holding my bike key.

Shubman noticed immediately.

His eyes moved from the bike… to me.

“You are not coming with me?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Media will cover it.”

I put on my helmet.

“I don't want breaking news again.”

Because last time we stood together in public, the internet almost exploded.

Shubman just stared at me for a second.

Then nodded once.

Very CEO-like.

Very cold kaju pair behavior.

Good.

Maintain distance.

I started the bike and left.

Few Minutes Later

Front of Gill Enterprises

Apparently the meeting location changed.

Kabir bhai informed us last night that the meeting will be held at Shubman’s company instead.

Which means…

I am entering my husband’s office.

Weird.

Very weird.

I parked my bike and walked toward the entrance.

“Ishie!”

I turned.

Abhishek.

Then I froze.

We both looked at each other.

Then at our clothes.

Then again at each other.

Same colors.

Again.

Navy blue shirt.

White pants.

EXACT SAME.

“How?” Abhishek asked.

“How would I know?” I said.

Because there is NO WAY he can know what I’m wearing.

This is suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Then suddenly—

A voice from outside.

“Media aa gayi!”

Shit.

SHIT.

I grabbed Abhishek’s hand instantly.

“RUN.”

We both ran inside the building before the reporters could attack us with microphones and twenty million questions.

Behind us we could already hear them shouting—

“Are they dating??”

“Abhi-shan spotted together again!”

“They are twinning!”

“Fans call them the loving couple of SRH!”

“Abhi-shan confirmed??”

Scandals again.

More scandals.

But it's not our fault.

This is coincidence.

Just coincidence.

Right?

…

Right.

We finally slowed down inside the lobby.

And immediately—

THUD

I crashed into someone.

A girl.

“Oh sorry—”

Then I looked properly.

And froze.

“Lara tum?”

She stared at me.

Her expression instantly annoyed.

“It’s Sara,” she corrected.

Oh.

Right.

That.

Abhishek beside me gave an irritated look.

“Wahi,” I said.

Same thing.

Then I looked around.

Then back at her.

“Wait.”

“What are you idiots doing in my company?” she asked.

My eyebrows rose.

“Tera— I mean tumhari company?” I said.

“I think I heard it’s Shubman Gill’s company.”

She rolled her eyes.

Hard.

“I am his assistant.”

…

My blood boiled instantly.

Assistant.

She works with my husband.

Wow.

Fucking wow.

Amazing.

Fantastic.

Great.

I already hate her.

Not because of jealousy.

Definitely not.

Just because of her attitude.

Also I still don't believe she is Sachin sir’s daughter.

Impossible.

Sachin sir is nice.

She is a b—

Leave it.

Control Ishan.

Control.

Then Sara crossed her arms.

“So you guys are really dating?”

She looked between me and Abhishek.

Judging.

Suspicious.

Annoying.

“Maybe Tara,” I replied calmly.

“SARA,” she snapped.

“Wahi,” Abhishek said lazily.

Sara glared at both of us.

Then turned around.

“Come.”

We followed her down the hallway.

Toward the one place I never thought I would enter like this.

Shubman Gill’s cabin.

My husband’s office.

God help the corporate world today.

Lunch time.

The three of us were sitting in the cafeteria.

Me.

Mayank.

And Abhishek.

Corporate employees around us were pretending to eat normally.

But I could feel it.

Eyes.

Too many eyes.

Some people whispering.

Some people pretending to check their phones.

Some people very obviously staring.

I leaned forward and looked at Mayank.

“Tu jealousy nahi hota kya?” I asked.

Mayank blinked.

“Kyu?”

I pointed between me and Abhishek.

“Ye media wale hum dono ko ship karte rehte hain.”

Everywhere.

Twitter.

Instagram.

Fan edits.

Hashtags.

Abhi-shan.

Ridiculous.

Mayank didn't even hesitate.

“No.”

Then he calmly took a bite of food.

“Because I know tera aur iska kuch nahi ho sakta.”

He pointed at both of us.

“Tum dono ek dusre ki xerox copy ho.”

I stared at him.

Abhishek nodded seriously.

“Sahi hai.”

Traitor.

Both traitors.

I stuck my tongue out at Mayank.

Very mature behavior.

Abhishek immediately pouted beside me in support.

Best friend behavior.

Then—

Click.

Click.

Click.

We all turned.

Across the cafeteria a group of employees were holding their phones.

Corporate fans.

Oh.

Great.

Just what I needed.

One girl slowly walked toward our table.

She looked nervous.

Very nervous.

“I-ishan ji…” she said softly.

I smiled.

“Boliye ji.”

She held out a notebook.

“Autograph.”

“Sure.”

I signed it.

Then passed it to Abhishek.

He signed too.

The girl looked at both of us and smiled shyly.

“You two look good together.”

Me and Abhishek smiled politely.

Because what else do you do in this situation.

Behind us Mayank was enjoying this like it was a Netflix show.

Then my eyes moved across the cafeteria.

And stopped.

Oh.

There she is.

Lara.

No.

Tara.

No wait—

Whatever.

Let’s call her Lala.

Sara was standing beside Shubman.

Very close.

Very very close.

And the worst part?

He was allowing it.

He.

Allowed.

Her.

Excuse me???

He never lets—

Wait.

Correction.

I never tried standing that close.

But that’s not the point.

The point is—

Why is she standing there like she owns the place.

And why is he not moving away.

My jaw tightened.

I stood up.

“I’ll be back,” I told Mayank.

Abhishek already looked entertained.

I walked straight toward them.

Shubman noticed me immediately.

Good.

Very good.

I stopped in front of him.

“Mr. Gill,” I said professionally.

“I want to go home faster.”

His expression turned instantly into CEO mode.

Cold.

Professional.

Dangerous.

“May I know why, Verma?” he asked.

Oh.

Professional game.

Fine.

Let’s play.

“Me and Abhishek have an interview at 3:30 PM,” I said.

Ishan’s POV

8:45 AM

Shubman was already ready.

Of course he was.

Mr. Perfect Corporate Robot.

He was standing beside the car outside the house, looking like the CEO of the century.

Suit.

Calm face.

Serious eyes.

Meanwhile—

I walked out holding my bike key.

Shubman noticed immediately.

His eyes moved from the bike… to me.

“You are not coming with me?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Media will cover it.”

I put on my helmet.

“I don't want breaking news again.”

Because last time we stood together in public, the internet almost exploded.

Shubman just stared at me for a second.

Then nodded once.

Very CEO-like.

Very cold kaju pair behavior.

Good.

Maintain distance.

I started the bike and left.

Few Minutes Later

Front of Gill Enterprises

Apparently the meeting location changed.

Kabir bhai informed us last night that the meeting will be held at Shubman’s company instead.

Which means…

I am entering my husband’s office.

Weird.

Very weird.

I parked my bike and walked toward the entrance.

“Ishie!”

I turned.

Abhishek.

Then I froze.

We both looked at each other.

Then at our clothes.

Then again at each other.

Same colors.

Again.

Navy blue shirt.

White pants.

EXACT SAME.

“How?” Abhishek asked.

“How would I know?” I said.

Because there is NO WAY he can know what I’m wearing.

This is suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Then suddenly—

A voice from outside.

“Media aa gayi!”

Shit.

SHIT.

I grabbed Abhishek’s hand instantly.

“RUN.”

We both ran inside the building before the reporters could attack us with microphones and twenty million questions.

Behind us we could already hear them shouting—

“Are they dating??”

“Abhi-shan spotted together again!”

“They are twinning!”

“Fans call them the loving couple of SRH!”

“Abhi-shan confirmed??”

Scandals again.

More scandals.

But it's not our fault.

This is coincidence.

Just coincidence.

Right?

…

Right.

We finally slowed down inside the lobby.

And immediately—

THUD

I crashed into someone.

A girl.

“Oh sorry—”

Then I looked properly.

And froze.

“Lara tum?”

She stared at me.

Her expression instantly annoyed.

“It’s Sara,” she corrected.

Oh.

Right.

That.

Abhishek beside me gave an irritated look.

“Wahi,” I said.

Same thing.

Then I looked around.

Then back at her.

“Wait.”

“What are you idiots doing in my company?” she asked.

My eyebrows rose.

“Tera— I mean tumhari company?” I said.

“I think I heard it’s Shubman Gill’s company.”

She rolled her eyes.

Hard.

“I am his assistant.”

…

My blood boiled instantly.

Assistant.

She works with my husband.

Wow.

Fucking wow.

Amazing.

Fantastic.

Great.

I already hate her.

Not because of jealousy.

Definitely not.

Just because of her attitude.

Also I still don't believe she is Sachin sir’s daughter.

Impossible.

Sachin sir is nice.

She is a b—

Leave it.

Control Ishan.

Control.

Then Sara crossed her arms.

“So you guys are really dating?”

She looked between me and Abhishek.

Judging.

Suspicious.

Annoying.

“Maybe Tara,” I replied calmly.

“SARA,” she snapped.

“Wahi,” Abhishek said lazily.

Sara glared at both of us.

Then turned around.

“Come.”

We followed her down the hallway.

Toward the one place I never thought I would enter like this.

Shubman Gill’s cabin.

My husband’s office.

God help the corporate world today.

Lunch time.

The three of us were sitting in the cafeteria.

Me.

Mayank.

And Abhishek.

Corporate employees around us were pretending to eat normally.

But I could feel it.

Eyes.

Too many eyes.

Some people whispering.

Some people pretending to check their phones.

Some people very obviously staring.

I leaned forward and looked at Mayank.

“Tu jealousy nahi hota kya?” I asked.

Mayank blinked.

“Kyu?”

I pointed between me and Abhishek.

“Ye media wale hum dono ko ship karte rehte hain.”

Everywhere.

Twitter.

Instagram.

Fan edits.

Hashtags.

Abhi-shan.

Ridiculous.

Mayank didn't even hesitate.

“No.”

Then he calmly took a bite of food.

“Because I know tera aur iska kuch nahi ho sakta.”

He pointed at both of us.

“Tum dono ek dusre ki xerox copy ho.”

I stared at him.

Abhishek nodded seriously.

“Sahi hai.”

Traitor.

Both traitors.

I stuck my tongue out at Mayank.

Very mature behavior.

Abhishek immediately pouted beside me in support.

Best friend behavior.

Then—

Click.

Click.

Click.

We all turned.

Across the cafeteria a group of employees were holding their phones.

Corporate fans.

Oh.

Great.

Just what I needed.

One girl slowly walked toward our table.

She looked nervous.

Very nervous.

“I-ishan ji…” she said softly.

I smiled.

“Boliye ji.”

She held out a notebook.

“Autograph.”

“Sure.”

I signed it.

Then passed it to Abhishek.

He signed too.

The girl looked at both of us and smiled shyly.

“You two look good together.”

Me and Abhishek smiled politely.

Because what else do you do in this situation.

Behind us Mayank was enjoying this like it was a Netflix show.

Then my eyes moved across the cafeteria.

And stopped.

Oh.

There she is.

Lara.

No.

Tara.

No wait—

Whatever.

Let’s call her Lala.

Sara was standing beside Shubman.

Very close.

Very very close.

And the worst part?

He was allowing it.

He.

Allowed.

Her.

Excuse me???

He never lets—

Wait.

Correction.

I never tried standing that close.

But that’s not the point.

The point is—

Why is she standing there like she owns the place.

And why is he not moving away.

My jaw tightened.

I stood up.

“I’ll be back,” I told Mayank.

Abhishek already looked entertained.

I walked straight toward them.

Shubman noticed me immediately.

Good.

Very good.

I stopped in front of him.

“Mr. Gill,” I said professionally.

“I want to go home faster.”

His expression turned instantly into CEO mode.

Cold.

Professional.

Dangerous.

“May I know why, Verma?” he asked.

Oh.

Professional game.

Fine.

Let’s play.

“Me and Abhishek have an interview at 3:30 PM,” I said.

“BCCI email.”

Before Shubman could reply—

Sara spoke.

“You can’t go.”

My head slowly turned toward her.

“Did I ask you, Lata?”

Her face tightened.

“Sara,” she corrected.

“Wahi wahi,” I waved dismissively.

Then I looked back at Shubman.

He studied me for a moment.

Then simply said—

“Okay.”

Just like that.

Permission granted.

Sara looked shocked.

I smiled sweetly.

Then walked away.

But in my head—

I was already planning.

Tumko toh main ghar mein dekh lunga, Gill ke bache. 😌

“BCCI email.”

Before Shubman could reply—

Sara spoke.

“You can’t go.”

My head slowly turned toward her.

“Did I ask you, Lata?”

Her face tightened.

“Sara,” she corrected.

“Wahi wahi,” I waved dismissively.

Then I looked back at Shubman.

He studied me for a moment.

Then simply said—

“Okay.”

Just like that.

Permission granted.

Sara looked shocked.

I smiled sweetly.

Then walked away.

But in my head—

I was already planning.

Tumko toh main ghar mein dekh lunga, Gill ke bache. 😌