Chapter 19- Empire of Ice

Raneya looked up, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't expected this—hadn't anticipated that her work would be presented so openly, so directly. Her eyes briefly flicked to Aahil, but his expression remained unchanged—cold, detached, a mask of indifference.

Shah Media.

The words echoed in her mind, but she couldn't shake the weight of the moment. Aahil's eyes flicked over the plans briefly, his lips curling into a small, dismissive smile. "It's nothing special," he muttered, his tone flat. He didn't bother to go into detail, didn't give any indication that he'd been impressed—or that he cared at all. His aloofness was his shield, and nothing could break through it.

Justice Shah, however, wasn't deterred. He saw the subtle signs—the brief furrow of Aahil's brow, the tiny hesitation in his gaze. He knew his son well enough to understand that beneath the cold exterior, Aahil was more affected than he let on. And so, he gave him a meaningful smile, one that said more than words could.

But Aahil noticed the smirk, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He knew his father well enough to recognize that something was brewing beneath the surface, and his response was brief, almost dismissive. "I don't see the point." His tone was sharp, cutting through the warmth of the moment like a blade. But his father, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle twitch in Aahil's jaw, the brief narrowing of his eyes.

Without missing a beat, Justice Shah turned to his son and suggested, "Why not hire Raneya? Her input could be invaluable to the company. It's something to consider."

Raneya blinked in surprise. The words struck her like a thunderclap. She hadn't come here to be hired, nor had she ever sought to impose herself on them. But before she could even form the words, Aahil's retreating back interrupted her thoughts. He didn't offer a response. He simply turned on his heel and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the room as he retreated into the depths of the house.

Raneya stood frozen for a moment, caught between disbelief and confusion. Justice Shah, however, smiled knowingly. "Since he hasn't outright rejected the idea, I think you should prepare yourself to join the company soon," his words lingered in the air.

Her heart raced, but confusion clouded her thoughts. "What?" She was so caught off guard that the word slipped out before she could stop herself. Her future in the company? It felt surreal. She was still unsure whether to feel elated or apprehensive.

Justice Shah chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment as a knowing look appeared in his eyes. "Don't worry about it, Raneya. Sleep early. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

Still bewildered, Raneya nodded absently and grabbed her books, making her way back to her room. The books, the thoughts—everything felt a little jumbled, but it was better than the emptiness of earlier. The weight of the conversation pressed heavily on her mind.

The room was bathed in golden warmth as dusk began to descend, painting long shadows along the velvet drapes of the bedroom. Raneya sat curled in a corner of the study table, her laptop open, her thoughts swirling.

The words from earlier echoed in her mind.

Shah Media.

She nodded politely at the offer. She smiled. She had said thank you.

But the truth was… she didn't really know what the standing of Shah Media was.

She knew it was powerful. Elite. A corporate behemoth. But how deep did its roots go? How wide did its influence stretch?

With trembling fingers, she typed:

Shah Media Group - Pakistan

The search bar exploded with results.

Raneya scrolled down—and her eyes widened.

SHAH MEDIA GROUP PRIVATE LTD.

Founded: 1999 by Justice Shah

CEO: Aahil Shah

Valuation: ₹28,000 Crores (~$3.3 Billion USD)

Offices: 31 global locations. Presence in 16 countries.

Industries: Talent Management, Entertainment, Publishing, Advertising, Event Strategy, Digital Media.

Her heartbeat thundered in her chest.

"Pakistan's most powerful, privately-owned media conglomerate. Responsible for building over 70% of India's current celebrity brands."

— Forbes Pakistan, 2024

"The only company to hold a monopoly over both PR and digital marketing for top 200 entertainment artists."

Her mouth went dry as she read on:

Exclusive partnerships with Netflix, Vogue, Dior, and Spotify Asia.

Clients include: Exclusive celebrities and over 300 verified social media influencers.

Digital footprint: 240 million impressions monthly.

But what stopped her cold was a single headline, bold and brutal:

"The Crown Prince of Power: Aahil Shah, South Asia's Coldest CEO"

She clicked it.

"He walks in silence. Commands in precision. And destroys with strategy."

"Aahil Shah has never attended a press gala, walked a red carpet, or blessed any reporter with an interview. Yet every room he enters… goes quiet."

Raneya stared at the glowing screen, her pulse quickening.

Aahil.

The man who hadn't even looked at her after she dropped her bags. The one who sat like an ice statue during dinner. The one who didn't need words to make people freeze.

This was his world. His kingdom.

And she'd been casually invited to walk into its throne room.

She leaned back against the couch, the air thick around her.

The man she'd dismissed as an arrogant brat this morning had conquered an entire industry. With nothing but silence, steel, and strategy.

What did he see in her? Or worse… What didn't he see?

The offer no longer felt like an opportunity. It felt like a test. A fire-walk.

And Aahil Shah would be watching.

Meanwhile, Aahil remained in his study, his fingers moving across the keyboard with precision. But his business plans were left on pause for the moment. Instead, he was preparing for something far more personal—something that Raneya didn't know about yet. It would be a crucial event. It was a press conference in ten days where Zaryab and Qureshi Sahab had already been invited. And though Aahil didn't let it show on his face, the thought of what was to come weighed heavily on him.

But what Raneya didn't know was that this press conference would change everything. The past, the present, and the future—all about to collide, and Aahil knew it. He wasn't sure what role Raneya would play in it, but one thing was clear: she wasn't as insignificant as he had once believed.

As the night stretched on, the tension between them simmered, unspoken but palpable. And the icy walls around Aahil's heart remained as unyielding as ever. Yet, in the quiet moments between them, something was beginning to shift. Whether it was his will or hers, neither of them knew yet. But one thing was certain: they were both trapped in the same storm now, and there was no escaping it.