The hairstylist adjusted the final strand of my hair, letting it fall over my shoulder in a deliberate, careless way. The makeup artist dabbed the corner of my eye with a sponge.
"There" she said softly. "Perfect."
Perfect.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
The dress was a deep midnight blue. Light enough to cling when wet. The fabric shimmered under the vanity lights. My lips were darker than usual. My eyes are sharp.
I didn't look like June Valare.
I didn't look like Aria Menezes either.
I looked like someone standing on the edge of something dangerous.
When I stepped out of the vanity van, the world felt different.
The shoot area had transformed.
Huge black screens blocked out daylight. Massive spotlights hung overhead like artificial suns. Fog machines hummed softly, filling the air with mist. Crew members moved quickly but quietly, their voices lowered as if entering a temple.
Avin was launching his new perfume.
Nythera.
When I wrote the ad, Of course the concept turned into a tragic love story.
What did they expect from a novelist? A toothpaste commercial?
"Positions!" Raghav's voice echoed through the mic.
The lights dimmed until only one strong beam focused on me.
I blinked.
And suddenly I was standing alone in the center.
Spotlights circling me slowly.
It almost felt ritualistic.
Like I was about to summon something.
"Lights… Camera…" Raghav paused.
The fake rain pipes creaked overhead.
"Action!"
Water crashed down.
Cold. Heavy. Relentless.
A gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it.
Arnav stepped into the frame, equally drenched, hair plastered to his forehead.
I could feel eyes on me.
Crew.
Assistants.
And him.
Avin.
"Kaustav!" I shouted, stepping forward.
"Now you finally showed up?"
The rain soaked through the dress, clinging to my skin.
"Meher… I'm sorry!" Arnav's voice broke into a perfect character.
He approached slowly.
The camera zoomed closer.
"It was my birthday…" I whispered.
And then..
The memory slammed into me.
Flashback.
The car smelled like leather and faint perfume.
I was smiling stupidly at my phone screen while calling Neer again.
And again.
And again.
No answer.
Outside the window, traffic blurred past.
Then I saw the neon sign of his band club.
Lights were on.
Maybe he was practicing.
"Stop the car" I said.
The driver looked confused but obeyed.
"I'll come back with Neer sir" I told him.
He drove away.
Inside, the club was dim. The air is thick with leftover music and cheap deodorant.
No one at the stage.
No one at the bar.
But from the private band room-
Laughter.
A girl's laughter.
My chest tightened painfully.
The door was half open.
I moved closer.
"Neer, your girlfriend is calling" the girl teased, waving his phone.
He laughed.
That laugh.
"Oh come on, Kavya" he said, pulling her by the waist. "You know there's nothing between me and her. I only love you."
My breath stopped.
"But she called more than ten times…"
He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers.
"You know how much I love you? Forget Aria. She's just our investment. Once her father accepts me, I'll be the heir to Menezes Group. Billionaire status. I'm doing this for us."
Something inside me didn't break.
It shattered.
Exploded.
I didn't enter.
I didn't scream.
I didn't cry.
I walked out quietly.
But before leaving..
I returned to the stage.
One by one, I snapped every guitar string.
Slashed every drum surface.
Cut every microphone wire.
If he wanted to use me as a stepping stone-
He could crawl through silence.
⌛
"CUT!"
Raghav's voice echoed.
The fake rain stopped abruptly.
Reality snapped back.
But my eyes were still full.
Tears mixed with water streamed down my face.
For a second, I forgot where I was.
Forgot who I was pretending to be.
I stared at the ground.
Someone stepped closer.
A shadow fell over me.
"Take this."
I looked up.
Avin.
He held a towel.
His expression wasn't teasing.
It wasn't smug.
It was… observant.
Like he'd seen something real.
My chest felt too heavy.
Before my mind caught up-
I stepped forward and hugged him.
It was instinct.
Human.
Desperate.
He stiffened immediately.
His hands hovered awkwardly in the air.
He didn't hug me back.
But he didn't pull away either.
"Thanks…" I murmured against his shoulder.
My voice wasn't steady.
I stepped back quickly.
His eyes searched my face.
"You know…" he began quietly.
He raised his hand and tapped my forehead lightly with his finger.
"If you're developing feelings for me" he said evenly, "stop right there."
The warmth vanished instantly.
Of course.
Of course he would say that.
My jaw tightened.
"You're unbelievable" I shot back. "Yes, I have something in my heart for you."
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"It's hatred. I can't wait for this project to end."
His lips curved faintly.
Like he didn't buy it.
"Alright!" Arnav jumped in, clapping lightly. "You were amazing, June!"
"Thanks" I replied. "At least someone appreciated my acting."
"We're having a celebration party" Arnav said. "Avin's paying. Brand launch and ad wrap."
"No thanks" I said immediately.
"She can't" Avin muttered loudly.
I turned slowly. "Excuse me?"
"She's a vampire."
Arnav burst out laughing.
"What does that even mean?"
"No real name. Avoids fame. Only appears when summoned. Disappears before sunrise" he replied calmly. "Classic vampire traits."
I rolled my eyes. "Believe whatever helps you sleep."
I walked toward the vanity van to change.
Later.
The set was quieter.
I stepped out in my own clothes.
My hair was still damp.
My mind was still chaotic.
And there he was.
Arnav.
Leaning against my car.
One hand in his pocket.
The other scrolled through his phone.
"That's my car" I said.
"I know."
His tone had changed.
Less playful.
More… deliberate.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked.
"Did I scare you?" he smiled lightly. "Relax."
I exhaled. "You're weird."
He straightened.
"Have a safe drive, Aria."
My hand froze on the car handle.
"…What?"
He tilted his head innocently. "Why are you reacting like you don't know your own name?"
My heart pounded violently.
"Aria Menezes..." he continued calmly. "Daughter of Andrew Menezes. CEO of Menezes Group. Goa's golden heir."
I couldn't speak.
My silence betrayed me.
He smiled slowly.
"Chill. I was just confirming."
My throat went dry.
"And it looks like you confirmed it."
He stepped away from the car.
"I'll keep your secret" he added casually. "For now."
Then he walked off.
Leaving me alone.
Drenched.
Shaking.
Arnav knows.
And I don't know whether that's a threat.
Or the beginning of something far worse.