"And you are my clients son. Know the difference." Vikram said to Rajat.
For a moment, Rajat hesitated.
Not because he feared Vikram but because he realized he was facing someone who did not bluff.
Rishi folded his arms."ohh boy."
the sensation of too many eyes, too much heat, too much tension between three men who were staring each other like predators in cage. She wanted to walk away, to breathe, to escape before things escalated.
She stepped back.
Just a small step.
Her heel slid on stones.
Then, she was about to fall.
She didn't even get to gasp.
A flash of movement.
Strong hands wrapped around her waist. Her back collided with solid chest. Warm breath near her temple.
Vikram.
He caught her as her body weight nothing. His hands wrapped around her waist. Her hands holding his shirt tightly. She didn't fall, she crashed straight into him. Their faces were inches apart.
His jaw tense, eyes narrowed.
Their bodies were pressed, her heart fasten against his ribs.
Devika froze.
Time stopped.
He didn't blink.
Neither she did.
And then
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
Camera shutters fired like gunshots.
Voice erupted.
"There! Vikram Oberoi, he is with her!."
"Hold them still, move closer."
"Click! Click! Don't let them go!"
It wasn't just passers by anymore. It was paparazzi.
Hunters. The people who sold headlines like cigarettes at street corners.
Devika's breath hitched. Her vision blurred. Every snap of camera sounded like a slap to reputation.
Devika tried to pull away instinct, fear but vikram's grip tightened.
Not harsh.
Protective.
He positioned her behind him with one arm, the other hand lifted to block several phones pointed at them like weapons."back off"
His voice was extremly cold.
But the media didn't listen.
They never listened.
Instead, they shouted louder.
*Who is she?"
"Your girlfrind?"
"Tell us her name!"
"Are you two engaged?"
"Is she the one you flew to Mumbai with."
Rajat stepped back immediately, hands raised and his face turned away. He loves spotlights alot but not this. Not when it involved Vikram Rathore, the untouchable heir known for destroying businesses with a single call.
Rajat thinking. I am not getting dragged into this mess.
That was written all over Rajat Expression.
He moves away from center like a coward. Pretending to answer a call.
Ishaan react fast," don't fucking touch her!" He shouts on nearest cameraman and push him back.
"Sir--public street--" the man argued.
Rishi moves fast, stepping in front of vikram, arms raised like a shield." Phones down, move back" Rishi shouts.
But the real damage was already done.
Pictures-dozens, maybe hundreds. Already captured.
Of Devika falling.
Of Vikram catching her.
Of their bodies presses together, his hand at her waist, her fingers clutching his shirt.
A perfect scandal.
Devika heard her own heartbeat in her ears. Her skin felt too tight. She wanted to disappear.
This was everything she feared.
Everything her mother warned her about.
The world only needs one wrong angle to destroy a girl's name.
A cameraman came close to her.
She flinched. Before she could even react, Vikram's hand slammed down on that phone, pushing it away with no hesitation.
"If you touch her again" he said, terrifying voice." I will break your fucking fingers."
Silence.
The paparazzi stared at him because unlike celebrities, influencers, or businessmen. Vikram Rathore wasn't a man they wanted to provoke.
Everyone knew the surname. Everyone remembered the empire.
Vikram rarely showed his face publicly, but when she did, people took notes, not pictures.
This time, they took pictures.
This time, rhey were about to regret it.
Devika trembled, unable to steady her breathing.
He turned his head towards her."stay close" he ordered.
She wanted to tell him she could walk herself.
She wanted to tell him she wasn't weak.
But right now, she couldn't speak.
Then Vikram grabbed her wrist and pulls her towards restaurent. Not roughly, not forcefully but with an urgency that brooked no arguement.
His palm was warm against her skin.
She stumbled after him.
Rishi followed immediately, blocking cameras with his broad shoulders. Ishaan cursed at photgraphers, pushing their hands away. Arshi yell at them to "back off."
Rajat?
He was gone.
Inside cafe.
Silence.
Devika inhaled shakily, she pressed trembling palm onto the marble countertop, trying to steady herself.
Vikram didn't let go of her wrist. Not immediately. His breathing was harsh, like someone who did spent years burying emotions and suddenly felt them again.
He finally released her. He didn't look at her. Instead he looked at Rishi. " Lock the door."
Rishi obeyed immediately.
Ishaan paced around, hands in his hair." Fuck! Fuck! Fuck. This is bad, her name will be everywhere--"
Arshi sat next to Devika, rubbing her back," they saw everything. The way you fell, the way he held you--"
Devika swallowed, throat raw." It was just an accident why did they--"
Vikram turned then." They weren't looking for truth" vikram said, cold voice."they were looking for a story"
Devika's controlling her tears" about me?" She whispered.
"No" Vikram said.
His jaw clenched"about us".
The world felt like knife
Us.
There is no Us.
There shouldn't be.
Her hands shook so hard she hid them in her lap.
Vikram looked away, running hand through his hair .
Rishi watched him closely. He already knew what was happening. He did known for weeks.
Ishaan stared at Vikram.