Chapter 19

Kabir's POV 

Kabir leaned against the balcony railing, gaze locked on the SUVs pulling into the driveway below. The sun had started to dip, washing the resort in hues of amber and gold. It looked picture-perfect. Not that he cared about any of that.

His focus was already elsewhere.

Aria.

She stepped out of the car, stretching briefly, rolling her shoulders like she was shaking off a long journey. Her sunglasses perched atop her head, and her sharp gaze flicked across the resort, taking it all in.

Kabir smirked. Always watching. Always assessing.

"Kabir."

He turned to see Aisha standing behind him, arms crossed, the look on her face unimpressed.

"You need to be less obvious," she said.

He arched a brow. "Obvious about what?"

Aisha scoffed. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the way you've been staring at her since the car pulled in? The way you curated this entire itinerary to be perfect for her team? The fact that you flew to London, posted cryptic photos hoping she'd get the hint?" She exhaled. "You're coming off desperate."

Kabir rolled his eyes. "I'm not—"

"Yes, you are." She smirked. "And it's honestly embarrassing. For me."

"Alright, since you're such a relationship expert, what do you suggest?"

Aisha tilted her head toward the entrance. "Walk by. Greet her. And keep walking."

Kabir narrowed his eyes. "That's ridiculous."

"No, that's strategy." Aisha folded her arms. "Give her space to miss you."

He sighed. But fine. If she wanted detached, he'd be detached.

Downstairs, Aria and her team were checking in. Paul was flipping through something on his phone, Shaunak and Vidhi were already taking in the decor, and Taniya was snapping pictures.

Aria, though—her brows were slightly furrowed as she scanned the itinerary.

That was when he walked in.

Her head lifted just as he approached.

Kabir stopped briefly, his face unreadable. "Welcome to Veda Islands. Hope you have a good stay."

The words were polite. Neutral. Distant.

Aria blinked. Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the folder in her hands.

Kabir saw the expression change—the flicker of something unreadable before she schooled her face into indifference.

Gotcha.

Without waiting for a response, he nodded once and kept walking.

Aisha would've been proud.

But he didn't get far before trouble arrived.

"Kabirrrr!"

The overly sweet voice made Aisha physically cringe.

Kabir barely had time to react before Sanya Malhotra breezed in, designer sunglasses perched on her head, owning the space.

One of the resort's investors, Sanya always acted like she ran the place.

And like she ran him.

Before he could stop her, she threw her arms around him in a dramatic hug. "You didn't tell me you were back! I feel so neglected."

Kabir stiffened. He could already feel Aisha mentally preparing her I told you so.

Sanya, oblivious—or very intentional—looped her arm through his. "I have to steal you for dinner tonight. I need updates on everything." She placed a hand on his chest, nails tapping lightly.

Kabir smirked but didn't push her away. He didn't encourage it either, but he let it sit.

Because he knew exactly who was watching.

Aria's gaze snapped toward them, sharp, unreadable. Her lips pressed together, and for a second—just a fraction of a second—Kabir saw the flicker of irritation.

Then Paul stepped forward, all casual nonchalance. "Aria, you have to see the view from here. Now."

Aria's head whipped toward Paul. "What?"

Paul grabbed her folder and steered her away before she could protest.

Kabir chuckled under his breath.

Smart move, Paul.

Still, he caught the way Aria's fingers clenched slightly before she disappeared toward the other end of the lobby.

And that—that—sent a thrill through him.

________________________________________________________________________________

Kabir adjusted his cufflinks, exhaling as he leaned back in his chair. The villa was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional clink of Aisha stirring her tea. The evening should have been calming, but it wasn't.

Because all he could think about was Aria.

He wasn't sure what irritated him more—the fact that she had barely looked his way after the check-in, or the fact that he had deliberately ignored her just to see if she would react.

And she had.

Not outwardly, not obviously. But he had caught the slight widening of her eyes when he had greeted her with nothing more than polite indifference. The subtle way her shoulders had stiffened when Sanya had draped herself all over him.

She had clenched her jaw, her fingers curling at her sides before she'd schooled her expression into something neutral.

That moment had thrilled him.

And then it hadn't.

Because now, sitting here, he felt something unexpected. An unfamiliar, nagging itch beneath his skin.

Aisha sighed dramatically, breaking the silence. "So, tell me, are you always this desperate, or is it just for her?"

Kabir gave her a blank look. "I'm not desperate."

Aisha scoffed. "Sure. That's why you spent the entire day pretending to ignore her while simultaneously ensuring she couldn't look anywhere without seeing you."

He smirked but didn't respond.

She leaned forward, watching him with narrowed eyes. "And then there's Sanya. You let her hang on you like a lovesick teenager. Did you actually think that would help your case?"

"Help my case?" he repeated lazily. "I wasn't aware I was trying to prove anything."

Aisha rolled her eyes. "Right. So you didn't purposely rile Aria up today?"

Kabir tilted his head. "She looked irritated?"

Aisha's lips twisted into an unimpressed expression. "Paul had to physically distract her."

That made his smirk return.

"You're ridiculous," she muttered. "You like her. It's obvious. But instead of acting normal, you're out here playing games like some high school angsty teenager."

Kabir took a slow sip of his drink, letting the warmth settle in his chest. "She hasn't exactly been running toward me with open arms, Aisha."

Aisha raised a brow. "And you think this is the way to change that? By making her mad?"

"She looks good when she's mad," he mused.

"You're impossible," she huffed, shaking her head. Then her eyes glinted with mischief. "Fine. Let's bet."

He arched an eyebrow. "I don't gamble."

"You will now." She leaned forward. "If she accepts your invitation, you admit that you actually like her. If she refuses, I'll never bring this up again."

Kabir stilled, his grip tightening slightly on his glass.

It was a stupid bet.

And yet, his jaw clenched.

Because deep down, he already knew the answer.

Still, he exhaled and leaned back, feigning indifference. "Fine."

Aisha grinned. "Perfect."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Then his phone buzzed.

Both their heads snapped toward it.

Aisha smirked. "That better not be your bank alert, or I'm going to be seriously disappointed."

Kabir didn't respond.

Instead, he reached for his phone, thumb hovering over the screen.

The notification was there.

But the name on it?

Aisha's smirk faltered. "Well?"

Kabir didn't answer.

Kabir smirked.

And left her guessing.