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Veer's POV

I stirred awake at seven, my hand reaching instinctively for the spot beside me. It was empty, realization washing over me-he hadn't returned yet.

After getting freshened up, I spent some time in the gym, Then, a long, hot shower, hoping to wash away the lingering quietness of the house.

The cook had already prepared breakfast.

It was already eight, and still no sign of him. I didn't want to eat alone; I never had back home. The solitude of the dining table felt reminder of his absence.

My phone lay before me, I hovered my finger over the call button. He'd just think I was pestering him too much, wouldn't he? Bhai had specifically asked him to help me professionally, not to indulge in these personal matters.

Yet, after a brief internal battle, my thumb finally pressed the call button. He picked up after one or two rings.

"Hello, baby," he said.

The audacity of this man! His guts for calling a grown man "baby" were truly astounding. But I knew better than to comment; he wouldn't listen anyway.

"When will you come?" I asked directly, cutting straight to the chase, unable to prolong the conversation.

"In an hour," he replied.

"Had your breakfast?" he asked, a hint of genuine concern in his voice.

"I'm waiting for you, Mr. Ranawat," I whispered to myself, the words tumbling out before I realized I was still on the call.

"Huh?" he questioned, and my heart nearly stopped. Thank God he hadn't heard my stupid confession.

"No, nothing," I mumbled, cutting the call abruptly, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

I immediately dialed Naina's number. After what felt like an eternity, she finally picked up.

"Veer..." she groaned, her voice thick with sleep,

"I was having a romantic dream! You literally spoiled it!"

This girl and her delusional world, I thought, a small laugh bubbling up despite my anxiety.

"Wake up to reality," I said, unable to resist teasing her.

"Boliye sir, subah subah meri neend kharab karne ka kaaran kya hai?" she said, her sarcasm evident.

( So tell me the reason behind spoiling my morning sleep, Sir)

"Actually, I wanted to ask something," I admitted, my voice betraying my nervousness.

"Ji boliye," she replied, now sounding a little more serious.

( Yeah, tell me)

"Naina, I'm serious," I stressed, trying to gain her full attention.

"Okay, okay, tell me," she conceded.

"Actually, woh... kaise batau?" I stammered, cursing myself. What the fuck? Why was I stammering in front of her?

( Actually, how should I tell you?)

"You know you can tell me anything," she said, her voice softening.

"And yeah, muh se batao, aur kahi se toh bata nahi sakte na," she added, a mischievous undertone.

( And yeah tell me using your mouth because none other organs are capable in speaking.)

"Did you ever feel weird when someone comes close to you?" I blurted out.

"I mean, weird like you freeze in that situation, like something happens in your stomach?" I waited, holding my breath. "

And?" she prompted, her voice curious.

"And it doesn't feel right to think something like this," I added, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It scares you to the core."

"Veer, are you developing feelings for someone?" she asked, her voice surprisingly gentle.

"It's all right, this is the age to fall in love. Give time to everything, don't stress yourself." Despite her occasional annoying antics, Naina had been a true friend, helping me through so many situations.

"Who is the person? Tell me the name," she pressed, and I literally had no answer for it. Was it just admiration because of his achievements? I couldn't tell Naina. No, never. What would she think of me?

"Aree, it's about Vishal," I quickly lied, trying to deflect her focus from myself.

"He asked some suggestions from me, and why am I asking you? You've never had any relationship."

"Bro, coaches don't play, okay?" she retorted, a playful bite in her voice.

"And tell me whenever you are comfortable. Bye, it's my time to sleep," she said, and as usual, she cut the call before I could respond.

"Hello, Naina," I tried, but it was useless.

This isn't right. I have to correct it.

I immediately ate my breakfast, forcing down each bite, and returned to my computer desk, attempting to focus on the assignment given by my college teachers. But my mind was a whirlwind, unable to concentrate. I scrolled Instagram aimlessly for an hour, my thoughts a chaotic mess.

"Veer!" I heard him shout my name. It meant he was home. I found myself moving towards the living room, practically running, before catching myself. Why was I this excited? I controlled my urge and settled for a normal walk.

"Why are you shouting?" I asked.

"I didn't find you, that's why," he replied, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Still, where would I go on Sunday?" I countered. He looked a bit tired, the lines around his eyes a little deeper than usual.

The house helper, placed a mug of coffee before him. It was like they knew, always having it ready.

He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, a subtle movement that still managed to expose a hint of his sculpted chest.

"Please bring water for me," he said, looking at me with a directness.

He sank onto the sofa, and I brought him a glass of water. He drank it all in one gulp.

"Done with your work?" I asked, genuinely curious, given how late he had left the previous night. It must have been something serious.

"Yes, all done," he replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

Then, without warning, he started removing his shirt, casually tossing it onto my face.

"What the fuck?" I exclaimed, startled. He rose from the sofa, his movements deliberate, and came towards me. He held my chin, gently but firmly, tilting my face to make me look directly into his eyes.

"Baby, good boys don't curse," he whispered, his gaze intense, a hint of something unreadable in their depths. "So what?" I retorted, a defiant spark in my own eyes.

"I'm not good. I'm bad," I added

"I know what you are," he said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips, before turning and heading into his room.

I picked up the shirt, and followed him inside.

He was in the washroom. I sprawled on the bed, pulling out my phone and playing a game, trying to distract myself. Such a boring day. I should have started a web series or watched some movies.

He stepped out of the washroom, clad only in a towel, roaming casually around the room. It wasn't weird because there here were no women in the house.

"Let's eat breakfast," he said after pulling on some clothes, approaching me.

"I already had it," I replied, my eyes still glued to my phone.

"But..." he started to say something, then stopped, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he turned and walked out.

The whole day went like this. He went to the office and returned after midnight, when I was already asleep. But when he settled beside me, I instinctively awoke, though I kept my eyes tightly closed, faking sleep.

I felt him shift closer, pulling me against him, snuggling into me.

"Good night, baby," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

I slowly opened my eyes, seeing him still in his office wear. A strong smell of alcohol clung to him.

He hadn't even removed his shoes.

"Sir, Omkar sir," I whispered, gently tapping his cheek. "Hmmmm, baby Veer," he slurred, pulling my cheek playfully.

"What baby?" I mumbled, trying to wiggle out of his embrace, but he just snuggled more into me, his grip surprisingly firm.

After struggling a bit, I managed to free myself from his hold and removed his shoes. I leaned towards him to remove his tie and loosen his shirt, but he suddenly grabbed me by my waist, pulling me on top of him. My hands instinctively rested on his chest, my face mere inches from his, his hand pressing into my lower back, pulling me even closer.

"Kya kar rahe hain?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, the proximity becoming overwhelmingly intense, making me restless.

( What are you doing?)

"Hugging, Veer," he replied, his eyes still closed, his breath warm against my ear. I gently removed his tie and unbuttoned two or three buttons of his shirt. That's when I saw them-faint red marks on the collar of his shirt. Lipstick, of course. He must be really famous, an eligible bachelor who's rich. A melancholy sadness, a pang of pain in my stomach, shot through me, a feeling I couldn't quite name.

I rested my head on his shoulder when he didn't loosen his hold, literally lying over him, my body pressed against his.

"Let me bring water for you," I whispered near his ear, and he finally loosened his grip. I carefully removed myself from him and stepped out of the room, taking a deep, shuddering breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

I made him honey-lemon water for his hangover, my hands reaching him, I held out the glass.

"Drink it," I said, and he slowly opened his eyes, looking at me with a hazy gaze. I helped him sit up and made him drink the water.

"Next time, don't come home if you get this drunk," I said meekly, the words barely escaping my lips. I really didn't like treating drunkards.

"Oh, are you sulking, baby?" he said, a hint of amusement in his slurred voice, but I didn't reply.

"Hot, I'm feeling hot," he mumbled, trying to remove his shirt, fumbling with the buttons. I reached out and held his hand.

"Stop, let me do it," I said, and opened the buttons one by one, finally exposing the strong, muscular body that had been covered beneath the shirt.

"Belt," he whispered, and I removed his belt after a bit of struggle. He was truly a giant.

"Anything else, Mr. Ranawat?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

He forwarded both hands, an open invitation for a hug. Was he really considering me just "any of his girls"? His behavior seemed to be telling me exactly what I was thinking.

"Sir, I'm Veer, not any girl," I said, and laid on the other side of the bed, creating a small boundary between us.

He closed the distance between us, moving closer, after casually tossing the pillow that had served as a temporary barrier. He snuggled his face onto my shoulder, his warm breath directly hitting my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"I know you are Veer... my Veer," he whispered, and then he draped his arm possessively over me. Was he really recognizing me, even in his drunken state? A drunken man could say anything, I shouldn't pay attention to it.

I felt his breathing deepen, evening out. He was truly asleep. I lay there, trapped, not able to move.

The scent of him-alcohol, yes, but also something uniquely him, a blend of his cologne and his natural warmth-filled my senses.

My mind drifted back to Naina's words: "Are you developing feelings for someone?" The question echoed, louder now, undeniable. What was this unsettling flutter in my stomach when he was near?

I carefully, slowly, turned my head, just enough to see his face. His features were relaxed in sleep, the usual intensity softened. He looked... peaceful. My gaze lingered on his lips, the same lips that had called me "baby," that had whispered "my Veer."

After a while I also slept unable to move away from him.

The next morning, I woke before him. His arm was still around me, a heavy weight.

I gently lifted his arm and slipped out of bed. I needed to get my head straight.

I went to the gym, pushing myself harder than usual, trying to sweat out the confusion. When I returned, he was still asleep, sprawled across the bed. He looked so vulnerable, so unlike the formidable businessman everyone knew.

I stepped into the washroom to take a shower and get ready. We were expected at Yaduvanshi Mansion for the Pooja, and Bhabhi had specifically asked me to be there. After bathing and changing into a simple white shirt and pants, I emerged to find him wide awake, scrolling through his phone.

"Veer, can you please make a cup of coffee? My head is hurting too much," he said, looking up at me.

Why did you drink so much then? The thought screamed in my mind, but I bit it back. It wasn't my place to lecture him.

"Did I do something last night?" he asked, his voice laced with a touch of uncertainty. Oh, he doesn't remember anything. That meant all those confusing moments last night, when he seemed to think I was someone else, were truly a product of his drunken state.

"No, nothing," I replied, and went to make coffee. To my surprise, the house helpers had already prepared two mugs. I carried the tray back to the room and set it on the table.

"Your coffee," I said, handing him a mug. He took it, still holding his head in his free hand.

He picked up his phone, and I settled onto the couch with my own mug, sipping the coffee slowly.

"Fire her. I don't want such people in my company. And did you get the CCTV footage?" His voice was gruff, filled with an anger.

What happened to him? He's always so cheerful at home.

He then threw his phone onto the bed with a thud. His gaze landed on me, and I could feel the intensity of it. While his behavior was startling, I wasn't afraid. Still, I disliked unnecessary noise or shouting. I rose from the couch and approached him cautiously.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

"Yeah, better than before," he replied, a hint of weariness still lingering in his tone.

"So, will you come with me to the Pooja? I'm going, or everyone at home will be furious. You can rest if you're not feeling well; I'll go by myself," I explained, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. He looked tired and stressed, and the last thing I wanted was to burden him further. After all, it was a family function; his presence wasn't absolutely crucial.

"Your brother will literally give me a detailed lecture if I don't show up," he mumbled.

"Okay then, get ready," I said.

"Don't be impatient, kiddo. The ceremony is after twelve," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.

"First of all, I'm not a kid, and second, the feast starts at ten, and before that, a Pooja will be conducted to offer the first bite to God," I countered.. It was an ancestral ritual, one performed every year by my family.

"Okay, okay, I'll get ready in half an hour," he said, giving me a cheeky smile.

I took the coffee mugs from him and stepped out of the room to place them in the sink. Bhabhi had already messaged me the entire schedule for the day. Now, I just had to wait for him to get ready so we could leave.

A short while later, the house helper's voice broke the quiet. "Veer sir, breakfast is ready. Should I serve?"

"Put it on the table," I replied, and walked back to our room to call him. He was at the mirror, putting a watch on his wrist. He wore a white shirt, untucked, and formal pants. Why is he copying me? We were literally matching, the only difference being that two or three buttons of his shirt were open, revealing a glimpse of his sculpted body.

"Breakfast is ready," I announced, and finally, his gaze landed on me.

"Let's go," he said, moving towards me.

"One second," he added, then picked up a bottle of perfume and sprayed on himself.

"Do you want some?" he asked, extending it towards me.

I nodded. I rarely applied perfume at home, but a fresh scent wouldn't hurt. He approached me, coming dangerously close. Before I could even ask what he was doing, he enveloped me in a hug, pulling me

against his chest.

"Are you still drunk? Nasha utra nahi h kya raat ka?" I muttered, trying to pull back, but his hold tightened. I looked up at him, my eyes meeting his. He was already looking at me, a subtle smile playing on his lips. I immediately averted my gaze, a blush creeping up my neck.

"I'm saving perfume," he finally said, releasing me from his surprisingly strong grip.

"Childish," I murmured, my voice barely audible, and quickly walked into the living area. He followed me.

Omkar RANAWAT's POV

Returning home, I didn't find Veer in the living area. I called out, and he appeared, asking why I was shouting. How could I tell him I wanted him solely by my side in this house?

He looked annoyed, yet undeniably cute. I asked him to bring me a glass of water, which he did without a hint of a tantrum, as if he knew I was tired.

I'd thought he might wait for me, but he'd already eaten breakfast. The statement I'd heard on the call earlier-was it a hallucination?

My mood soured instantly, but I couldn't show it. When it came to Veer, nothing was truly in my control. I typically used every cheap trick to get my way, but with him, I yearned to be sincere, not a manipulator.

I left for the office without even touching breakfast. The entire day dissolved into work, consumed by strategizing for rapid progress on our projects. That evening, the investors invited me to a party, an event I, as CEO, couldn't possibly miss. I didn't inform Veer. I knew he wouldn't wait up for me, and the thought of expecting more than our current dynamic could offer was a pain I wanted to avoid.

Reaching the club's top floor, which was reserved for me-a property of the RANAWAT's construction-I found the company's crucial employees already gathered. Drinks were served, and soon, the whole vibe turned drunken. I drank too, but then my head grew heavy, a burning heat spreading through my body. Someone had spiked my drink; it wasn't the first time this had happened.

I was sitting, puffing on a cigarette, when a girl approached and stumbled, falling onto me. "Oh, sorry, my feet got tangled in something," she purred, pressing closer, her lips brushing my neck.

"So, will you move now or you've claimed your 'property,' Miss?" I retorted, but she didn't budge, instead settling onto my lap. I knew she was faking innocence the moment she'd approached. I stood abruptly, sending her tumbling to the floor. I despised it when people resorted to such cheap tricks to get close to me.

I called my security, instructing them to get me home. The drink was really taking hold.

Opening the door, I stumbled inside and made my way to our room. Through my blurry vision, I could just make out Veer sleeping soundly on the bed. I collapsed beside him, pulling him close. The desperate need for his proximity overwhelmed me, and I was barely holding back the urge to mark him as mine. His scent alone was enough to calm the chaotic storm within me.

The next thing I remembered was him removing my shirt. When I woke, he was already in the bath. My shirt lay on the floor, and there it was-a lipstick mark from that girl.

Veer must have seen it. What would he think of me? That I was some Casanova? I asked him if I had done anything, genuinely not remembering anything and not trusting myself around him when I was not in senses.

He denied it, but his slightly confused reaction told me otherwise. My heart ached, a silent plea for him to understand that it wasn't what it seemed but couldn't do so.

He brought me coffee, and after a few sips, I called my secretary. I ordered her to remove that girl from any further engagements and immediately find the CCTV footage to identify the person who spiked my drink. My fury was a raw, burning sensation; I would ensure she'd never get another job in this city.

But then, my anger melted away when Veer, in his gentle, soothing voice, asked if I was okay. His concern was a balm to my soul, and in that moment, all I wanted was to explain, to make him see the truth. He went out after telling me to get ready and I didn't have any chance to explain my situation.

As per his command, I got ready for the ceremony, and soon enough, he stepped into the room, calling me for breakfast. Each interaction with him, no matter how small, felt like a precious unspoken connection.

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