Chapter 26: A Brewing Storm

The tension on set had lessened after Aman's talk with the crew, but the sense of foreboding lingered like a dark cloud waiting to break into a storm. Aman had handled crises before, but this felt different—more personal. Rajeev's relentless campaign of manipulation was taking its toll, and despite Aman's calm exterior, inside, he felt the weight of every move being made.

The following morning, Aman arrived on set earlier than usual. He always found the quiet before the chaos of the day a good time to think, but today his thoughts were racing faster than usual. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard again. As he entered his office, Nisha was already waiting for him, holding a cup of coffee and a folder of updates.

"Morning," she greeted him, though her expression remained serious.

"Morning," Aman replied, setting down his briefcase. "Anything new?"

Nisha handed him the folder, not saying a word as she did. Aman glanced at her before opening it, his stomach sinking slightly. There were still rumors swirling, but now they were seeping into the local press. A couple of reporters had shown up on set the previous evening, trying to sniff out a story.

"They're trying to create a scandal out of nothing," Nisha said, frustration clear in her voice. "Riya and Arjun are handling it well, but this isn't going away easily."

Aman sighed, flipping through the pages. "We'll handle the media, but this feels bigger than just a smear campaign now. Rajeev's not going to stop at stirring up gossip. He's too invested in seeing this project fall apart."

Nisha nodded. "He's playing a long game. He's not just looking to ruin this film—he's trying to ruin you."

Aman leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment before speaking. "We need to stay ahead of him. I'm not going to let him take everything I've built."

Nisha gave a firm nod. "I've already tightened security on set. No one gets in without proper clearance, and I've put out the word to the crew that any leaks will be taken seriously. But it's like you said, this feels bigger. What's his next move?"

Aman thought for a moment, his mind drifting to Rajeev's last message. This is just the beginning. The words echoed in his head, and it hit him—Rajeev wasn't just trying to sabotage the film from the outside. He was going after the people closest to it, poisoning the well from within.

---

Later that afternoon, Riya stood in front of her trailer, waiting for the next scene to be called. Her nerves were raw from the constant press attention, and though Aman had reassured her, the pressure was starting to take a toll. As she adjusted her hair, she noticed Arjun approaching. He looked as tired as she felt.

"Hey," he said, giving her a small smile. "You holding up okay?"

Riya shrugged. "I'm trying to, but all this drama is getting to me. I can't even focus properly on my lines."

Arjun glanced around, lowering his voice. "I've heard some whispers on set. Some of the crew are saying this project is cursed, that we won't make it to the finish line."

Riya's heart sank. "You can't seriously believe that."

"Of course not," Arjun replied quickly. "But it's what people are starting to think. Rajeev's gotten into their heads."

Riya shook her head in frustration. "I just want to focus on the work, but this stuff is all-consuming."

Before Arjun could reply, Aman appeared, his usual confident demeanor intact. He motioned for them to follow him to the side.

"I've heard about the rumors going around," Aman said in a low voice. "You two need to keep your heads in the game. Rajeev's doing everything he can to rattle you, to make you doubt yourselves. But you're better than that. This film is bigger than any of his schemes."

Riya nodded, though she couldn't shake the feeling of dread gnawing at her insides. "What if he doesn't stop? What if we're too deep in it already?"

Aman met her gaze with a calm intensity. "We're going to get through this. I've faced worse, and I've come out stronger. Trust me."

Arjun's expression was determined. "I'm not going anywhere. This film is my shot, and I'm going to see it through."

Aman gave them both a nod of approval. "Good. Now go give them a performance they won't forget."

---

As the sun began to set, the set was abuzz with activity, cameras rolling and crew members hurrying to capture the perfect shots. Aman stood at a distance, watching the scene unfold. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to feel proud of what they were creating. The film had the potential to be something extraordinary, something that could launch new careers and cement his legacy.

But Rajeev's shadow loomed over it all.

Aman's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw another message from Rajeev.

"Think you can keep this afloat? How long until it all crumbles?"

Aman's jaw clenched as he read the words. Rajeev was baiting him, pushing him to the edge. But he wasn't going to take the bait. He needed to stay focused.

Just as he was about to put his phone away, Nisha appeared at his side, her face grim.

"We've got a problem," she said quietly.

Aman's heart sank. "What now?"

"One of the assistant directors found something...off. There's been a leak of some early footage. Someone from the inside is feeding information to the press."

Aman's eyes widened. "How bad is it?"

"It's not a disaster yet, but if the wrong people get hold of this footage, it could derail everything."

Aman exhaled slowly, his mind racing. They were already fighting a battle on multiple fronts, and now the integrity of the film itself was at risk.

"Who's behind it?" he asked.

Nisha shook her head. "We don't know yet. But I've got a feeling Rajeev's pulling the strings."

Aman's eyes narrowed. Rajeev was playing dirty, and now it was clear he had someone on the inside. This was no longer just a game of cat and mouse—it was a full-scale attack.

He glanced at the set, where Riya and Arjun were delivering their lines with passion and precision. Aman couldn't let Rajeev win. Not now. Not ever.