Chapter 10: The Unraveling

The next evening, Avni stood at her window, her thoughts swirling with confusion and unease. Aarav's intensity, the cryptic message, and the feeling that someone was always watching her—it was all too much.

Her phone buzzed again, breaking her thoughts. The message read:

"Come outside. Now."

She peeked through the curtains and saw a gleaming white Maserati parked in front of her house. Her heart skipped a beat. Aarav was leaning against it, dressed in a fitted black shirt and tailored trousers, his watch glinting under the streetlights. His presence was magnetic, but there was a sharp edge to it tonight.

Reluctantly, she slipped on her sandals and stepped outside. Aarav straightened as she approached, his eyes scanning her as if making sure she was unharmed.

"Get in," he said, opening the passenger door for her.

"Aarav, what's going on?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Questions later," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The car's interior was luxurious, the hum of the engine smooth as he drove through the dimly lit streets. Silence stretched between them until they stopped at an empty, secluded spot overlooking the city.

He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "There's something you need to know," he said, his voice softer now.

"What is it?" she asked, her chest tightening.

Aarav leaned back, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. "You think I'm just a man obsessed with you. And you're partly right. But I'm also the reason you got that message."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"

"There are people who would hurt you to get to me," Aarav admitted, his tone dark. "I've kept my world separate from yours, but now it's crossed over. That's why I've been watching you, protecting you."

Avni's mind reeled. "So… this is about you? Not me?"

Aarav's hand reached for hers, his grip firm. "It's about us. I won't let anyone harm you, Avni. You're mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

For the first time, she saw the vulnerability behind his possessiveness—a man battling his own demons while trying to shield her from them.

But she couldn't ignore the question gnawing at her: Was Aarav truly her savior, or the very reason she was in danger?