Chapter -7 A night of unspoken bonds

Chapter -7 A night of unspoken bonds

Sinnea sat in her room, her nails digging into her palms.

Tanisha had humiliated her again.

She had planned everything perfectly—the fake evidence, the professor's accusations, the whispers of doubt.

But Tanisha had torn it all apart with a single sentence.

Livia sighed beside her. "She's sharper than we thought."

Sinnea's eyes darkened. Too sharp.

But this wasn't over.

She glanced at her phone and typed a message.

Sinnea: "We need a new plan. A bigger one."

A reply came almost instantly.

Unknown Number: "Don't worry. The next move is already in place."

Sinnea's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile.

---

At the Agnihotri estate, Nathan sat in his private office, sipping his whiskey.

His assistant placed a thick file on his desk. "The detailed background check you requested, sir."

Nathan flipped through the pages, his expression unreadable.

Orphaned at birth.

Top marks in school.

Perfect behavior.

Too clean.

No one lived through an orphanage without some scars.

Yet Tanisha showed none.

His fingers tapped against the desk.

"What are you hiding, little sister?"

---

The next day at Royale Academy, Tanisha was making her way to class when a group of students blocked her path.

At the center stood Livia Royce, smirking.

"You may have escaped yesterday," Livia said, crossing her arms. "But you won't last here."

Tanisha simply tilted her head, amused. "You sound frustrated."

Livia's eyes flashed. "You don't belong here."

Tanisha chuckled softly. "Oh? And who decides that?"

Livia took a step forward, lowering her voice. "Sinnea is the queen of this school. You're nothing but a stray cat she picked up."

Tanisha's gaze darkened—not with anger, but amusement.

"Is that so?"

Before Livia could react, Tanisha leaned in, her voice barely a whisper.

"Then why are you the one trembling?"

Livia stiffened.

Tanisha smiled, stepping past her. "Let me know when you have a real challenge for me."

The students murmured as she walked away—not in doubt, but in admiration.

Sinnea, watching from a distance, felt her stomach twist.

The school was starting to shift.

Toward Tanisha.

---

That evening, Tanisha received a message.

Adrian Blackwood: "Dinner. 8 PM. I'll pick you up."

She stared at the message, her fingers hovering over the reply.

Was this an invitation? Or a challenge?

She smirked.

Either way, she wasn't one to back down.

---

At exactly 8 PM, a sleek black Bugatti pulled up in front of the Agnihotri estate.

Tanisha stepped out, dressed in an elegant yet effortlessly casual outfit—a fitted black dress with a high slit and a cropped blazer.

She wasn't trying to impress.

She just never let herself be outclassed.

The chauffeur stepped out, but instead of opening the door for her—

The passenger door swung open from the inside.

Adrian Blackwood leaned slightly, one arm resting on the car's frame, his dark eyes locked on her.

His smirk was lazy, confident. "You're punctual. I like that."

Tanisha raised an eyebrow but said nothing, sliding into the seat beside him.

As the car smoothly pulled away, Adrian's gaze remained on her.

Watching. Assessing.

Finally, he spoke. "So, tell me, little heiress—"

His voice was deep, teasing.

"Are you always this fearless, or do you just enjoy walking into danger?"

Tanisha glanced at him, unfazed. "Are you dangerous, Mr. Blackwood?"

Adrian's smirk widened. "You tell me."

---

They arrived at La Celeste, an exclusive rooftop restaurant known for its privacy—reserved only for the most powerful elites.

Tanisha noticed the subtle shifts as they entered—hushed whispers, fleeting glances.

Not at her.

At him.

Adrian Blackwood wasn't just feared. He was untouchable.

A waiter approached nervously. "Mr. Blackwood, your private table is ready."

As they walked toward it, Adrian murmured, "You still haven't answered my question."

Tanisha took her seat and picked up the menu. "Which one?"

He leaned forward slightly, studying her like a puzzle he was determined to solve.

"The one about fear," he said, voice smooth. "You act like you don't have any."

Tanisha finally looked up, meeting his gaze head-on.

"Fear is an illusion," she said simply. "It only controls you if you let it."

Adrian's eyes darkened—not with anger, but with something far more dangerous.

Interest.

---

Halfway through dinner, Adrian's phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen, his smirk fading.

Unknown Number: "She's not who you think she is. Stay away from her."

His fingers tightened around the phone, but his expression remained unreadable.

Slowly, he placed it face-down on the table.

Tanisha noticed.

"Something wrong?" she asked casually.

Adrian met her gaze, his usual smirk returning—but this time, it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Not at all."

But inside, he was already making a mental note.

Someone was watching.

And someone wanted to keep them apart.

---

Meanwhile, across the city, Sinnea sat in a dimly lit room, speaking to her mysterious ally.

"Tanisha is getting too close to Adrian," she muttered. "If she wins him over, I'll lose everything."

The voice on the other end chuckled darkly.

"Then let's make sure she never gets the chance."

Sinnea's lips curled into a smirk. "What do you have in mind?"

A pause.

Then—

"A scandal."

After dinner, Adrian led Tanisha back to the car, but instead of heading toward her home, the car took a different route.

Tanisha arched an eyebrow. "You're kidnapping me now?"

Adrian smirked, his hand resting on the steering wheel as he drove himself this time. "If I were, you wouldn't even realize it."

She chuckled. "How reassuring."

They drove through the glowing cityscape, the skyline illuminated with golden lights.

"Where are we going?" she finally asked.

Adrian glanced at her, his gaze unreadable yet intense. "You'll see."

The car pulled into a private estate—not his home, but a secluded hilltop with a panoramic view of the city.

Tanisha stepped out, the wind brushing against her skin as she took in the breathtaking sight.

"Not bad," she admitted.

Adrian leaned against the car, watching her. "You're hard to impress."

She turned to him, eyes glinting. "I prefer actions over words."

His smirk deepened. "Then let's test that theory."

---

Adrian suddenly handed her a small, metal spoon.

She blinked. "What's this?"

He gestured to a simple wooden cart at the edge of the estate.

Ice cream.

"I thought billionaires dined on gold-plated desserts."

Adrian chuckled. "Sometimes, simple is better."

She considered this, then took a scoop of the chocolate flavor. It was unexpectedly good.

He watched her reaction, amused. "Good?"

Tanisha, unwilling to admit it, only hummed. "It's alright."

Adrian narrowed his eyes playfully. "Liar."

She shrugged. "I don't trust people easily. That includes food recommendations."

His gaze softened—just for a second. "What would it take for you to trust someone?"

She looked at him, truly looked at him. Adrian Blackwood, the world's most feared and untouchable man, was asking about trust.

She tilted her head. "I'll let you know when I figure it out."

A challenge. A mystery.

Adrian wasn't used to women who didn't fawn over him. But Tanisha? She was different.

And it was driving him insane.

---

Tanisha walked through the grand hallways of the Agnihotri estate, the air silent except for the faint ticking of an antique clock.

She had just returned from dinner with Adrian, and though her expression remained calm, her mind was still replaying the night's events.

As she turned a corner, she nearly bumped into someone.

Her father.

Dressed in his usual tailored suit, he looked at her with his sharp yet warm eyes. "You're back late."

Tanisha met his gaze. "Had dinner outside."

Lucas studied her for a moment before nodding toward the lounge. "Join me for a cup of tea?"

She hesitated—just for a second—then followed.

In the quiet of the dimly lit room, her father poured two cups of chamomile tea.

Tanisha took a sip, letting the warmth settle inside her.

"You're adjusting well," lucas said after a moment. "But you still keep a distance."

She remained silent.

He sighed, leaning back. "It's alright, Tanisha. I know it's not easy to suddenly have a family after years of being alone."

Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

She wasn't used to this—a parent's concern, a father's warmth.

But lucas Agnihotri wasn't just any father. He was observant, patient.

"You don't have to rush," he continued, his voice steady. "But just know… this is your home. We are your family."

Tanisha looked at him then, something unreadable flickering in her gaze.

For a moment, she allowed herself to believe it.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Luas smiled.

It wasn't much. But it was a start.

---

Just as Tanisha was about to head to her room, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway.

She turned just in time to see the front doors swing open.

A tall figure stepped in, exuding an aura of power and quiet dominance.

Nathan Agnihotri.

Dressed in a crisp three-piece suit, he carried himself like the perfect heir—the one who had taken over the family business after their father.

Nathan's sharp gaze landed on her instantly.

For a long moment, they simply stared at each other.

Then, he smirked.

"So, little sister were you waiting for me ."

Tanisha arched an eyebrow. "what you think."

Arjun chuckled from behind them. "She's quick, isn't she?"

Nathan's smirk widened. 'I like her more'

He stepped closer, his gaze assessing but not unkind.

"I've heard quite a lot about you," he said casually. "Especially from mother qand father"

Tanisha crossed her arms. "And what's the verdict?"

Nathan's eyes glinted. "You're a wildcard."

She smirked. "And you don't like wildcards, do you?"

Nathan chuckled. "No. But they do make life interesting."

---

Lucas left them to talk, and soon, Tanisha found herself sitting with Nathan in the lounge.

A chessboard sat between them.

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Do you play?"

She smirked. "Do you?"

Instead of answering, he simply moved the first piece.

The game began.

Nathan played methodically, with precision. A businessman's strategy.

Tanisha?

She played like a hacker—predicting moves, adapting, and striking when least expected.

Within minutes, Nathan narrowed his eyes. "Impressive."

Tanisha moved her queen. "Checkmate."

Silence.

Then—

Nathan chuckled, shaking his head. "You really are something else."

She leaned back. "You're not bad either."

Nathan looked at her for a moment, then said, "Welcome home, Tanisha."

Her smirk faltered just a little.

She didn't respond right away.

Instead, she simply nodded.

But deep inside, something shifted.

For the first time, being an Agnihotri didn't feel so strange.

It almost felt… right.

---

Scene 4: Adrian's Message

Later that night, as Tanisha lay in bed, her phone vibrated.

A message.

Adrian Blackwood: "Did you get home safe, little heiress?"

She stared at the message for a second.

Then, with the slightest smile, she replied—

Tanisha: "Worried about me, Mr. Blackwood?"

His response came instantly.

Adrian: "Maybe."

Tanisha: "That's dangerous."

Adrian: "I like danger."

Her heart skipped—just for a second.

She turned off her phone, rolling onto her side.

Tonight, for the first time, she felt just a little bit closer to belonging.

---

Scene 4: Adrian's Thoughts

Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian sat in his penthouse, staring at the last message he received at dinner time .

Unknown Number: "She's not who you think she is. Stay away from her."

He smirked, swirling his drink in his glass.

"Interesting."

The more people told him to stay away—

The more he wanted her.