A gentle pull
The days after their first meeting passed in a blur of responsibilities, yet Tanya and Avinash found their thoughts drifting back to each other more often than they cared to admit.
Tanya usually focused and unshaken, caught herself pausing in the middle of sketching designs, her mind replaying their conversation. She wasn't sure what it was his presence, the way he spoke, or the intensity in his eyes. But it lingered.
Avinash also found himself distracted in fleeting moments. Meetings, boardrooms, late-night calls his world ran on precision and control. But in between, when he wasn't occupied, his mind would return to her. To the way she held herself, her composed yet warm demeanor.
They had no reason to meet again so soon. But fate had other plans.
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The sudden meeting
It was an exclusive business event at one of Mumbai's finest hotels, a gathering of industry leaders from various fields. Tanya had received the invitation weeks ago and hadn't thought much of it. But Disha had insisted she attend "Your brand, your company is growing, Tanya. People need to see you, not just your designs."
Avinash was there too, naturally. These gatherings were part of his world. Yet, even in a room full of influential people, his gaze found her almost instantly.
She stood near the grand window, as always looking elegant. But something was... off. She wasn't fully present.
Her phone rested in her hand. Every so often, she glanced at the screen, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Avinash watched her for a moment before making his way toward her.
"Tanya."
Her head lifted, startled. "Avinash..."
His gaze flickered to the lit screen. "Everything alright?"
She hesitated, then gave a small smile. "Yes. Just work matters."
Avinash's sharp eyes caught the flicker of something beneath her calm response. Work matters, but something wasn't right.
"Anything serious?" he asked casually, as if merely making conversation.
Tanya shook her head, tucking her phone away. "It's nothing that can't be handled."
She was clearly brushing it off. But Avinash didn't believe in coincidences.
Instead of pressing, he smoothly shifted the conversation. "Let's get a seat."
Tanya hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. "Alright."
As they moved to a quieter section of the lounge, she placed her phone on the table, seemingly distracted. One glance at the screen, and Avinash caught a glimpse of the message preview.
Contract withdrawal. Delay in production.
He didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he picked up his own phone and made a call, his voice calm yet firm.
Tanya looked at him, confused. "What are you doing?"
After the call ended "The supplier. They won't back out now."
Tanya blinked. A beat of silence. "How did you----?"
Avinash's gaze remained steady. "I have my ways."
She let out a quiet breath, shaking her head. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know." His voice was softer now. "You don't need to worry about it anymore."
There was a moment silent, charged, lingering.
A moment neither of them could ignore.
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Nightfall - Thoughts That Won't Fade
That night, Avinash sat in his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand, untouched. His thoughts were elsewhere on her.
Tanya.
He had never been the type to linger on a single meeting, a single interaction. Yet tonight, he found himself thinking of her more than he should. The way her eyes held both strength and vulnerability. The way she hadn't needed help and he helped her anyway. He is feeling driven towards her.
It was unsettling. It was intriguing.
He told himself not to overthink it and let it go. With a quiet exhale, he got up from the chair and walked out of the study, heading to his room. The night was still, but his mind wasn't. Lying down on his bed, he closed his eyes, willing sleep to take over.
--
Tanya lay in bed, Coco curled up beside her, lazily nudging her hand with his nose, wanting more attention. She smiled softly, running her fingers through his fur as her mind drifted back to the evening.
Avinash Malhotra.
He wasn't just powerful. He was attentive. He had noticed what she hadn't said. And that made her heart stutter in a way she wasn't ready to admit.
Coco let out a small huff, nuzzling closer as if sensing her distraction. With a sigh, she pulled him into her arms, holding him close. The warmth of his tiny body was comforting, grounding.
She whispered, more to herself than to him. "Let it go."
So she closed her eyes, willing sleep to take over.
Neither of them knew what this was.
But they both knew one thing.
It wasn't nothing.
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Hello, lovies!
How did you like this chapter? Tanya and Avinash are definitely feeling something, even if they won't admit it yet. The slow burn is real, and I'm loving every moment of their quiet pull toward each other! Hope you are loving it too.
What was your favorite part? Avinash casually fixing Tanya's problem like it was nothing? Tanya trying to act unbothered but totally failing? Or maybe that little moment of tension between them? Also Coco is a cutie pie, right?
Tell me in the comments I did love to hear your thoughts!
That's all for this chapter!!
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