Chapter 29

Kabir's POV

The morning after the trek, something had shifted.

He felt it in the way Aria barely looked at him when they crossed paths, in the way her usual sharp retorts were measured now, in the way Paul threw her smug glances that she pretended not to notice. She wasn't avoiding him outright, but there was a hesitation that hadn't been there before.

Kabir knew why.

Because he felt it too.

The awareness, the weight of something neither of them had acknowledged but could no longer ignore.

And yet, when they walked into the final meeting, it was as if none of it had ever happened.

The conference room was filled with papers, whiteboards, and coffee cups, the Meraki team making their last refinements before the final strategy handoff. Aria stood at the head of the table, sleeves rolled up, completely in control.

"Veda Islands isn't just a luxury retreat," she said, her voice sharp, precise, controlled. "It's transformation. People don't just come here to relax—they come here to reset. To redefine something about themselves."

Kabir sat back, watching.

She had taken everything Veda Islands was supposed to be and refined it into something undeniable. He had built this place, but she had given it a voice.

"You've captured it perfectly," he said, breaking the silence.

For a second, something flickered in her expression. Then she smirked slightly. "I'd hope so. It's my job."

He leaned back, matching her smirk. "Doesn't mean I can't acknowledge it."

Paul placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "Oh my god. Did everyone hear that? Kabir Oberoi just praised Aria. Someone document this historic moment."

Aisha snorted.

Aria just shook her head, biting back a smile.

The meeting wrapped up smoothly. Deliverables were approved, execution plans finalized. The work was done.

And yet, as everyone filed out, Kabir felt none of the usual satisfaction that came with closing a project. Tomorrow, Aria would leave. And for some reason, that didn't sit right.

The evening air was warm, the private poolside lounge glowing under soft golden lights. The party was in full swing, a small but intimate gathering meant to close their stay on a high note. Laughter spilled from the bar, music hummed in the background, and the sky stretched dark and endless above them.

It wasn't the kind of thing Kabir usually indulged in, but tonight, he had made an exception.

At some point, he found himself standing at the front of the gathering, a drink in hand, as the soft hum of conversation quieted. Aria stood beside him, eyes flickering toward him with mild curiosity.

"I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone," Kabir said, his voice even but carrying easily over the small crowd. "This project has been in the works for a long time, and it needed fresh perspective. The Meraki team has brought that. Your work, your insight, has been invaluable."

He let his gaze settle on Aria then.

"And Aria," he continued, watching the way her lips parted slightly in surprise, "your ability to take an idea and turn it into something powerful is rare. I don't say this often, but you've impressed me."

Paul let out an exaggerated gasp, and Aisha shook her head in amusement.

Aria arched an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Well, Mr. Oberoi, that might be the best compliment I've received all year."

Kabir let out a low chuckle, shaking his head before lifting his glass. "To Veda Islands. And to making it something unforgettable."

A chorus of agreements followed, glasses clinking together, the energy in the air light and celebratory.

Paul and Aisha sat perched on the edge of the bar, drinks in hand, watching their bosses with the exasperation of two people who had already figured out the ending to this story—if only the main characters would get there.

"How long do you think it'll take them to realize?" Paul mused, twirling the stem of his glass lazily.

Aisha didn't even blink. "A month. Maybe less."

Paul snorted. "You think Kabir will break first?"

Aisha gave him a pointed look. "Oh, he's already breaking. He just doesn't know it yet."

Paul turned toward where Aria stood, drink in hand, talking to one of the resort staff. She was nodding at something they said, but her gaze flickered, just for a second, toward Kabir.

Paul grinned. "Aria's already spiraling. She won't admit it, though. She's too damn stubborn."

Aisha smirked. "Oh, I know. But she's not the problem here."

Paul turned back to her, intrigued. "You really think Kabir's the one in deeper?"

Aisha took a slow sip of her drink, watching Kabir as he lingered near the edge of the crowd, his gaze—unmistakable—on Aria.

"He asked her to stay, didn't he?" Aisha said casually.

Paul almost choked on his drink. "Wait, what?"

Aisha's smirk widened. "Not yet. But he's going to."

Paul let out a low whistle. "Damn. This is better than a movie."

Aisha tilted her glass toward him. "Place your bets, then."

Paul leaned back, considering. "I'm saying Aria panics first. She'll say no, overthink it, then change her mind and stay anyway."

Aisha hummed. "I say Kabir won't let her leave. He'll find some excuse—business, logistics, something. Anything to keep her here."

Paul grinned, clinking his glass against hers. "Deal."

Aisha smirked. "They're going to be exhausting, aren't they?"

Paul sighed dramatically. "They already are."

At that moment, Kabir moved, crossing the space toward Aria.

Paul groaned. "Oh god, it's happening."

Aisha just sipped her drink like she had known all along.

Near the pool's edge, Aria barely looked at him as he approached, but he knew she was aware of him.

"Nice party," she murmured, her eyes still on the water.

Kabir exhaled. "You did well today."

She finally turned to face him, tilting her head slightly. "I always do well, Oberoi."

He smirked. "Modest as ever."

She let out a soft chuckle. "You wouldn't know what to do if I was."

The music faded into the background, the voices of the party guests dulling.

Tomorrow, she would leave.

And before he could talk himself out of it, before he could convince himself it was a mistake, he spoke.

"Stay."

She stilled.

Her head turned slightly, eyes meeting his, searching, like she wasn't sure if she had misheard.

He didn't look away.

He could have framed it differently, made it sound professional. Told her they needed to refine a few more details, ensure a smooth handoff.

But he didn't.

Because it wasn't about work.

And they both knew it.

For a long, aching moment, she didn't say anything. She just stared at him, lips slightly parted, hesitation flickering across her face.

His pulse slammed in his ears.

The waiting was unbearable.

Because for the first time in years, Kabir Oberoi wasn't in control of the outcome.

For the first time in years, he had put his heart in his hands—

And given it to her.

And now, he was waiting to see if she'd take it.