Aria's pov:
So it's Saturday.
The day I'm supposed to sign Avin Kashyap's contract.
Is this a good decision?
I honestly don't know.
My phone buzzes in my hand.
Kachua.
Ugh. Not him again.
I answer this time, irritation is already simmering. "What?"
"I've been trying to contact you for three days" Neer snaps. "Why aren't you picking up my calls?"
"Are you still upset with me?" he adds, like he didn't shatter something permanent.
"Upset?" I laugh, sharp and hollow. "Neer, go spend time with your so-called love. And don't ever try to call me again."
Before he can respond, I block his number.
He really thought I'd forgive him?
For kissing another woman in front of me. On my birthday.
No way.
I grab my bag and head toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Dad's voice stops me mid-step.
"Dad.."
"Yes?" he asks, suspicious already.
"Pa, actually-"
"My driver said he saw you in front of AK's company three days ago" he cuts in.
Of course he did. That driver has an Olympic-level talent for ruining my life.
"Well… yes" I say carefully. "Avin and I are… kind of good friends."
The word friends tastes like a lie.
"Since when?" Dad raises an eyebrow. "I've never seen you with him."
"Well, we met recently" I replied quickly. "And I just want to learn from him. He's one of the youngest CEOs and entrepreneurs, right? And… he's also the son of a famous actor."
I hate how smooth the lie sounds.
"Hm" Dad hums. "So you want to start a new company now?"
"Dad, we'll talk about this later. I'm already late" I blurt out, moving past him before he can dig deeper.
He steps aside reluctantly. "Okay."
I don't wait for more questions.
I start the car and drive straight to Avin's office, my thoughts racing faster than the traffic.
🌬️
"May I come in?" I knock.
"Yes" his voice answers.
When I enter, he's seated behind his desk, focused on his laptop. His fingers move quickly across the keyboard, eyes sharp, posture controlled. He gestures toward the chair opposite him without looking up.
"Two minutes" he says.
I sit quietly, watching him work.
He looks… different today. More composed. More intimidating. There's something magnetic about the way he carries himself, like the room adjusts around him instead of the other way around. His sharp jawline, the way his hair falls slightly over his forehead, the quiet authority in his movements.
He looks a lot like his father.
And that realization makes my stomach tighten.
He shuts the laptop and finally looks at me.
"Sorry for making you wait, Ms. Valare. It was important."
"It's okay" I reply.
He opens a drawer and places a stack of papers in front of me.
"Here's your contract. Read it carefully before signing."
I scan the pages.
Fifty percent rights of Roses Bloom in Rain.
My conditions. His conditions.
Then my eyes stop.
"What do you mean I can't date anyone until the project ends?" I ask, looking up.
"I thought I was clear" he replies calmly.
"It's not a reasonable condition" I say, crossing my arms.
"I tell my previous cast and crew the same thing" he says flatly. "You're not special, Valare. Don't give yourself that importance."
Rude.
I glare at him and look back at the paper. "And this" I continue. "Whenever Party One calls Party Two, the call must be answered. No exceptions?"
"I don't like my calls being ignored."
"This looks more like a marriage contract than a project agreement" I mutter.
"It shouldn't affect you. None of my previous collaborators had an issue."
"Because everyone in the industry knows how you mess with people's careers if they disagree with you."
"Ouch" he says lightly. "That's rude."
"I'm not someone who scares easily" I reply. "I'm stating my point."
He leans back slightly. "Interesting. If you don't want to do this, the door is open."
The words hit something buried.
Flashback
"I don't want you to go there" Neer shouts.
"Why?" I yell back. "It's my first fan event! I'm excited!"
"You promised you'd never reveal your identity" he says. "And now this?"
"No one will recognize me" I argue. "I've never been in the media."
"Fine" he snaps. "if you want, the door is open. But don't show me your face again."
"I'll just sign and come back in thirty minutes" I say desperately.
"Fine."
Now I understand.
He was never protecting me.
He was protecting his control.
"I don't have hours for this, Valare" Avin says, glancing at his watch.
I picked up the pen.
I sign.
Not for him.
Not for the project.
For myself.
To prove that I don't need Neer.
Or my father.
Or anyone else to decide my worth.
Avin stands up. I do the same.
He buttons his blazer and extends his hand. I shake it.
"We start on Monday" he says. "Be in my office."
"That's too....."
"I won't lie. I'm desperate for this project" he cuts in.
I nod, still processing what I've just done.
"By the way" he adds, breaking the handshake. "What's your real name? June Valare sounds like a pen name."
"There's a reason I chose it" I say firmly. "I won't reveal my real identity to anyone. Not even you, Mr. Kashyap."
"Cool" he replies simply.
He hands me his phone. "Add your number. It's my personal."
I do, then give a missed call so I have his number too.
As I hand the phone back, one thought settles in my mind.
Avin Kashyap has that kind of presence.
The kind you can't ignore.
The kind that pulls attention even in a crowded room.
And somehow, without realizing it,
I've just tied my life to his.