A Target on Her Back

The note sat between them like a ticking bomb.' Their.

Arya ingested the paper with great force, her fingers snapping as Veer examined her response. He had dark eyes, which were unreadable, but beneath his usual calmness was something else—anxiety.' ". A quiet, dangerous kind.

She shifted the note back onto her desk. "Do you recognize the handwriting?".

It's printed, not? That'll be the answer when Veer says a word.

The person who left it was cognizant of their actions.

The sound in Arya's mind left her body frozen in fear. "Is Tara this not?".

Veer's expression hardened. "No. Tara is sly, but she wouldn't be so subtle. She would openly scare you if she wanted to.'

Lying back in her chair, Arya exhaled. "Great.". There's someone else after me, but we don't have any information yet.

"Not for much longer,' Veer said. Rather, I'll find them.".

Despite his calm words, Arya didn't let his promise of revenge slip away. Why?

She caught his eye. "And when you do, what happens?".

He remained unaffected. "I deal with it.".

A chill ran through Arya. Without a doubt, she knew that Veer meant everything.

That night, Arya couldn't sleep.

In bed, she gazed at the ceiling with questions in her mind. Who had left the note? What did they want? What led them to state that she was their daughter?

In the darkness, every sound felt more intense. The far-off rustling of trees, the creaking sound of the wooden floors in the estate, and the faint tapping outside by security cameras....

She leaned towards her side, feeling frustrated.' Sleep wasn't coming.

The door knocked her down and she sat up.

"Arya." Veer's voice.

She covered herself with the blanket and stood up, opening the door.

Veer stood there in a pair of jeans, his face obscured by sheer fabric.

"I requested that you accompany me," he said.

Arya frowned. "Now?".

"Yes.".

She muttered without hesitation due to his tone. She snatched a shawl and trailed him.

"Whereabouts?" she inquired.

There was no immediate response from Veer. "You have to witness something.".

A door made of heavy iron was located at the foot of the stairs. Veer coded it and released it.

Arya stepped inside and froze.

The space was packed with monitors, which were monitored through security feeds that showed different aspects of the estate from various angles. Screens were divided into areas containing the perimeter and entryways. The displays that caught her interest were the ones that displayed the inside of her room, hallways leading to it, and gardens outside their balcony.

Turning to him, Arya asked, "Do you have cameras in the house?".

Despite everything, Veer maintained his original tone. "Only when it is essential.".

Arya's stomach twisted. "You were watching me?" asked.

"I was protecting you.".

She stooped away and kissed her lip. Her logic was based on the fact that he had an explanation for it. But it jolted her nerves.

Why were we brought here,' she said.?

Veer reached for the controls and rewrote one of the security feeds. He reduced the speed and pointed at the screen.'

Arya leaned closer.

The initial recording did not exhibit any abnormalities, except for the dimming hallway outside her room.

Then, movement.

A person entered the frame, barely visible from behind.. With their faces hidden behind a jacket, they were dressed in dark clothing. They approached her door and waited, their fingers touching the handle.'".

They disappeared down the hall and turned sharply, as if they were under surveillance.

Arya's blood ran cold.

"It was last night," Veer declared.

Arya looked away from the screen. "Were the guards aware of anything?" she asked.

"Reject." With a jaw-clenching, Veer's voice echoed. "Whoever this was, they were aware of their way out.".

"Arya trembled." She could see them outside her door.

Veer's eyes darkened. "Yes.".

Her gaze returned to the monitor, and she exclaimed, "You have no idea who it is?".

"Not yet.

But I will.".

Arya embraced her arms. "What do they want from me?".

There was a significant amount of silence following.

With a more subdued voice, Veer spoke with uncertainty. "I'm not sure.".

Her fear was primarily due to that.

The following day, Veer estate faced increased security concerns twice..

The grounds were monitored by vigilant guards at every corner.' Inside, the tension was palpable.

As Rohan entered the living room, Arya was agitated and dropped a file on the table. She looked very uncomfortable.

The estate has been cleared of any suspicious entry, according to his statement of background checks.

The main gates would have been used instead of the intruder's entry.

They may be from the inside, or they might have a doorway," Arya said as she rubbed her temples.

"Exactly.".

With his fingers resting on the armrest, Veer paced back into his chair. "We'll explore all possible entryways.". Determine the location where they entered.

Rohan nodded and stated, "The team has already been inspecting the perimeter.". We'll identify any weaknesses if we can.

Arya exhaled. "I hate this.".

"Veer's world has arrived, Rohan?" Rohant muttered.

Arya gave him a grimace. "It's not funny.".

Veer's gaze remained still and silent.

Something was on his mind.

That evening, Arya stumbled into the library, seeking something to do. Why?

But she didn't actually read it as she followed her fingers across the shelves.?

Then she heard footsteps behind her.

She turned. Veer stood in the doorway, keeping an eye on her.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.

Arya gave shivers of happiness. "Excessive thoughts.".

He entered, getting closer. "Arya, you need not be afraid.".

Her eyes met his gaze. "You can relate to that without any hesitation.' The. The focus of your actions is not on you.

He bowed his head tightly. "I won't let you face it.".

"You say that, and you swear by it," Arya swallowed.

"I can."

She looked at him. "How can you be so sure?"

Veer exhaled slowly. "Because I don't lose the people I protect."

Arya hesitated. "Have you lost someone before?"

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. "Yes."

She opened her mouth to ask more, but something in his expression stopped her.

Instead, she said, "I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."

Veer stepped closer. "Then let me handle this."

She looked at him for a long time before finally nodding.

She didn't know if she could trust him completely.

But tonight, she had no other choice.

That night, lying in bed, Arya couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.

Something big.

And when it did—nothing would ever be the same.