A Deal with the Devil

The imposing gates of the Veer estate loomed ahead as the car rolled to a stop. Arya stared at the grand mansion, its towering presence intimidating even in the stillness of the night. She swallowed the knot of anxiety in her throat.

What was she doing here?

She had promised herself she would never return after the humiliating birthday party. And yet, here she was, stepping back into the lion's den.

Mr. Veer—no, Veer—stepped out of the car first, his movements precise and controlled. A guard rushed forward to open Arya's door, but she hesitated before getting out.

"Arya."

His voice was calm, steady, but carried an unmistakable authority.

With a quiet sigh, she stepped out into the cool night air. The gravel crunched beneath her feet as she followed Veer toward the entrance. The moment they crossed the threshold, a butler appeared, bowing slightly.

"Sir, I've arranged the guest room as per your instructions."

"Good." Veer nodded before glancing at Arya. "You should rest. We'll talk in the morning."

Arya's brows furrowed. "That's it?"

"What were you expecting?" He tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze analyzing her. "A detailed security briefing? A list of rules?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "Just… something."

He studied her for a beat longer, then said, "You're safe here, Arya. That's all that matters for now."

She wanted to argue, to demand more answers, but exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Instead, she simply nodded and followed the butler to her temporary room.

The room was nothing short of luxurious. A massive bed covered in soft linens, a private balcony overlooking the gardens, and an en-suite bathroom larger than her entire apartment.

But despite the opulence, Arya couldn't shake the unease curling in her stomach.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her mind replaying the events of the night. The vial, the attack, Veer's unexpected apology. And now, she was living under his roof.

How had everything changed so drastically in just a few hours?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," she called, expecting the butler.

But it wasn't the butler.

It was Veer.

He stood at the doorway, still in his dark suit, looking every bit the enigmatic man she couldn't quite figure out.

"You should sleep," he said.

Arya crossed her arms. "I will. But something tells me you didn't come here just to say that."

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. "You're right. I wanted to talk."

She motioned for him to enter, and he did—though he remained near the door, as if respecting her space.

After a moment, he spoke. "There's something you should know."

Arya tensed. "What is it?"

"The woman who attacked tonight—her name is Tara Malhotra. She comes from an influential family, one that has deep connections in both business and politics."

Arya frowned. "And she wanted to marry you?"

"Yes," Veer confirmed, his expression unreadable. "Not out of love, but for power. A union between our families would have benefited her more than me."

Arya let out a bitter chuckle. "And yet, everyone thought I was the one trying to trap you."

Veer's jaw tightened. "I know."

For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.

Then Arya asked, "So what happens now?"

Veer leaned against the doorframe, exuding a quiet confidence. "Tara won't give up easily. Tonight was just the beginning. She's desperate, and desperate people are dangerous."

A shiver ran down Arya's spine. "You think she'll come after me again?"

"I know she will," Veer said, his voice calm but firm. "Which is why I need you to stay here—for your own safety."

Arya exhaled slowly. She hated this. Hated feeling like a pawn in someone else's twisted game.

But deep down, she knew Veer was right.

"Fine," she relented. "But only until we figure out how to deal with her."

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. "Understood."

The next morning, Arya woke up to the scent of freshly brewed coffee. She stretched, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings before remembering where she was.

With a sigh, she got out of bed and changed into the spare clothes that had been provided for her. She didn't know who had arranged them, but they fit perfectly, which was both impressive and unsettling.

As she stepped out of her room, she found Rohan waiting for her in the hallway.

"Morning," he greeted, his usual enthusiasm dimmed by the weight of the previous night's events.

"Morning," she replied.

He studied her carefully. "How are you holding up?"

She forced a small smile. "As well as I can, considering I've apparently been dragged into some high-stakes drama I never signed up for."

Rohan chuckled. "Welcome to my life."

They walked together toward the dining room, where breakfast had been laid out. Veer was already seated at the head of the table, reading a newspaper.

He looked up as they entered. "Sit."

Arya hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking a seat across from him.

Veer folded the newspaper and placed it aside. "I've spoken to my security team. We're tightening surveillance around the estate. No one comes in or out without my approval."

Arya nodded slowly. "And what about Tara?"

Veer's expression darkened. "She's gone underground for now. But she'll make another move soon. We just don't know when."

Arya tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. "Is there any way to stop her before she tries something else?"

Veer studied her for a moment before answering. "There might be."

Rohan raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

Veer's gaze flickered to Arya. "We give her what she fears most."

Arya frowned. "Which is?"

A beat of silence.

Then Veer said, "A reason to believe she's already lost."

Rohan stiffened. "Veer, no."

Arya's heart skipped a beat. "What are you suggesting?"

Veer leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. "A public engagement."

Arya's mouth went dry. "You mean... between us?"

"Yes," he said without hesitation. "If she sees that we're already together, she'll lose her leverage. She won't be able to manipulate public perception in her favor."

Arya stared at him, completely stunned.

"This is insane," she finally said. "You can't seriously be proposing—"

"It wouldn't be real," Veer interrupted smoothly. "Just a temporary arrangement. Enough to throw her off."

Arya glanced at Rohan, who looked just as shocked as she felt.

"You don't have to decide right now," Veer continued, his voice calm. "But think about it. If we control the narrative, she loses her power over the situation."

Arya's mind raced. This was madness. Pure, undeniable madness.

But the worst part?

A small, dangerous part of her was actually considering it.