The information left him baffled. Leo had his brows knitted and posture alarmed.“What? How?” He yelled the questions in response.Ignoring his query, Ryan grumbled from the other end. “Where the hell were you? I called you like a thousand times, you idiot!” His patience was clearly running out now when he took it out all on Leo that too, in a harsh voice.This was the first time when the ever cool and composed Ryan Carter lashed out his rage at Leo.However, sensing the gravity of the matter, Leo didn’t mind his words. He licked his lips in tension as he was more worried about Viaan right now rather than feeling bad for getting scolded.“I’m sorry. I went to meet George and forgot my phone here in the car.” Leo exhaled the apology, feeling horrible for not attending the calls on time. “Now please tell me what happened to him. I met him in the morning and he was okay.” Tone confused as he tried to remember any odd thing about Viaan’s health or behavior.Ryan huffed out a stressful bre
“Don’t worry, he will be alright!” Maya assured her, patting her shoulder.“Mr. Adams was lying there unresponsive. I don’t know what I would have done had you not come there!” Kiara nodded and expressed her gratitude.Maya smiled in a reassuring way as she could see the fine lines of tension still creasing on her forehead. And the flickering panic-filled eyes told her anxiety level. It has, however, lessened from twenty minutes ago when Maya received the call from Kiara.*Flashback*Maya was signing a document when she received a call from Kiara. A bright smile touched her lips, and she received the call, wishing to hear anything but her cries.“Maya…” Kiara’s terror-filled cry sent an alert into her mind. Her eyes raised up, reminding her of a similar event. She recalled their first meeting. Helpless cries… anxious breaths… a call for help. It was all the way they dragged Maya back to that one evening.Sensing something bad happening to Kia again, she almost jumped out of her chair.
“Got any clue, Leo?” Ryan breathed out a panicked question while packing, zipping up his trolley. The constant frown never left his face. His eyes darted hurriedly scanning the entire room, confirming he didn’t leave anything.It was just in ten minutes that the men found out about Viaan’s absences from the car. Leo had called a few of his men to take the car to Viaan’s penthouse, while he left to find his boss.Ryan on the other side decided in a flex that he would wait no longer. Calling his team and leaving a quick message of his departure to them, the man collected all his stuff in a span of ten minutes.His hands were acting fast, packing up all the things he carried with him. The two bags, a trolley, and a backpack were packed and ready to accompany him while he picked up the keycard of the hotel.“Not yet, I don’t know where the hell he went in that condition. Nowhere in the radius of 3 kilometers he is present. I checked every nook and cranny.” Leo slammed his hands on the ste
Leo frowned at the sudden taunt. He stared at her, perplexed. “What?” The word came out in a whisper.Kiara stood up from her seat while looking at the two. Feeling straight out of place, she was about to take her leave when she heard Maya lashing out at Leo.“How can you ask me about how he reached here when you, in the first place, must be aware of his every location, Leo?” Maya pointed at Viaan, flaring her nostrils in anger.A few deep creases stressed her forehead while she glare at the man with burning intensity.“Where were you when he got a fever? Where were you when he needed you the most?” Her voice raised many decibels while scolding the man. He stood speechless, taking all the blame silently.Kiara was stunned to see her using such a hard tone on Leo. Maya appeared very soft-spoken to her and with that image in mind, the scene was hard for Kiara to digest.Leo, on the other hand, fell short of answers. He licked his lips, thinking about how to explain it to Maya. His absen
“Maya, we should not disclose that to strangers!” Leo interrupted, cutting off her words deliberately.Kiara gasped at his rude words. His eyes went to her face, and the man knew his words came out in a rude tone unintentionally. He just wanted to save the truth from Kiara, as he was not sure how Viaan would react to the news. But seems like it was presented in an insulting manner.Maya gave a stink eye to him, clenching her jaw.“Is this how we should behave with someone who saved your friend’s life, Leo?” she chastised his way of interruption.Leo shook his head immediately, pausing their line of thoughts. “I didn’t mean to insult her, Maya! I meant that you don’t know her enough to disclose such matters.” Justifying his action, he defended.He knew the lady was quick to judge and before she break his head in anger; he forwarded his defense. Maya fumed with more intensity, pinning him down with her fiery glare.On the other hand, Kiara felt bad for how Leo labeled her. She felt a tu
“Who will get an attack?” Kiara’s entry had them alert. Pushing her phone back into her pocket, she came towards them with stressed eyebrows. Leo and Maya zipped up their mouth, staring at each other. Exhaling a breath of silence, Leo licked his lips before replying.“Ma’am… it would stress her knowing his condition!” He said with a blank gaze projected toward his boss.Maya nodded when Kiara frowned. “He is right. Leena Aunty must be already grieving today; it’s not a good idea to inform her yet about him.” With her tone serious, she pressed her lips together.Kiara got their intention clear. Her gaze softened. She nodded in response, but a question again resurfaced in her mind.Sneaking a look at Leo, she asked Maya in a low voice. “But what’s so special today? I mean, I get it if you don’t want to tell me…” She fidgeted with her fingers and shrugged her shoulders to make the question look easy.“Kiara, if you’re getting upset over his labeling, then please don’t. Leo has always bee
“Thank you so much for saving them, Kiara. First Aunty, then Viaan… you are a true savior. We can never forget the favor you do to us!” Kiara heard Maya continue with her words full of gratitude and nodded in response.The words warmed Kiara’s heart. Nobody has ever made her feel so important. Looking at Maya with expressive eyes, she said.“You don’t have to thank me again, Maya. I did what any human would do.” She shifted forward, catching Maya’s hand in hers. “Thus it was nothing like favors and all!”The compassion in her eyes and warmth in her tone told Maya how good of a person Kiara was. She smiled slowly and shook her head.“You know, Kia — I can call you Kia, right?” Maya paused to get confirmation.The doubtful tone of hers made Kiara chuckle. She blinked her eyes with that little nod.“Great. So you know, Kia, I’ve been a part of their life for the last four years only, but the love I received from Aunty Leena and Viaan makes me think I know them for a lifetime.” Maya let o
‘Baby doll…’ The words echoed in her ear, setting shivers down her spine.That spine-chilling moment revolved in her mind, taking her down memory lane.Kiara squeezed her eyes shut, setting her jaws together. Her fingers balled up into steel fists. The scaring moment of their lecherous laughter roared in her ears again. Nails dug harder into her soft skin, and teeth sank into the soft flesh of her lips; Kiara shivered at the remnants of that evening… of those boys.Screeching her chair backward, Maya jumped from her seat and rushed to her. She was quick enough to notice the psychological changes in Kiara’s body language.“Kia… Kia…” she called out loud, shaking her shoulders to break her trance.The lady had an accurate idea of what must have triggered such a terror-filled response in her.Kiara trembled, panting hard. She bit her lips harder, trying to control the fear. Unfortunately, the girl was failing unconditionally.“Kia… please calm down… look at me, girl, calm down!” Maya squ
Writer’s POV:-Mr. Moore wiped the sweat off his forehead while waiting for the call to be received.“Hello!” The reply came as soon as the call was received.“I have done my work. Now give me my thing back!” He said over the call.“I am impressed with your quickness, Mr. Moore.” a masculine heavy voice was heard from the other side. “I thought you would still take a few more days. But no. You proved why this is priceless to you. Excellent, old man.” With a dark chuckle, the man added. The words were more like a mocking of Mr. Moore’s efforts, and that made the elderly man clench his fingers.Mr. Moore’s entire body shook with rage. At that moment, he wanted nothing but to thrash everything around. To get the man in a chokehold and punch him straight across the face for making him dance on his fingers. However, the helplessness of the situation had him holding from behind. He can’t act repulsive. Not at this stage when he is so close to the one thing that he has been finding for sever
Viaan’s POV:-I helped Maa get down from the car, supporting her gently as she stepped onto the gravel path. As soon as her eyes fell on the scene in front of us, she froze. Her fingers tightened around my palm, clutching mine with a grip that spoke volumes.“Viaan, this…” She began, her voice trailing off as disbelief washed over her.Not believing what she saw, she was struggling to find the right set of words. Her lips wobbled putting an impromptu pause. She looked back at me, her gaze searching for confirmation, her body trembling slightly.That was my cue to confirm her doubts.With pride and emotions lacing my own voice, I squeezed her shoulders and nodded. “Paradis d’Amour, Maa. Our dream.” I announced, taking my mother in a half hug from sideways, holding onto her as tightly as I could.She averted her gaze back to the property. With a dip in her brows, she looked at me once again, “Huh?”I knew, I knew she was getting the meaning of my words but the yearning self of hers want
Writer’s POV:-“Where are you taking us, Viaan? At least tell me now.” Leena asked for the nth time, getting annoyed at her son’s silence over the matter.Viaan, like the previous times, smiled mischievously and answered without looking back. “Patience, Maa, patience. You’ll come to know soon.”Leena scoffed audibly, narrowing her eyes at her son’s mischief, and scolded him lightly. “That ‘soon’ of yours has not come since the last three and a half hours of our journey. How long more would you keep it a secret?” Her eyes wrinkled at the corners while her nose flared in annoyance.Her anger didn’t seem to affect Viaan a bit as the man chuckled loudly. “As I said, it is a surprise, Maa. I’m not telling you to spoil the fun already.” He refused to reveal, making his mother smack his arms from the backseat.“You have become too naughty these days.” She said through her gritted teeth, only to get a burst of hearty laughter from her son.Huffing, she crossed her hands across her chest and s
Writer’s POV:-“Thank you so much, Guys.” An emotional Viaan expressed his gratitude to the two of the constant pillars of his life.Receiving brotherly pats on his back as a response, he reluctantly broke the hug. His dull face was uplifted with the pure essence of their support throughout his life.“You —” Ryan started to speak, but then his eyes narrowed as he studied Viaan’s features more closely. “Were you crying, Viaan?” His eyes scanned Viaan’s face with concern.On cue, Leo also took a closer look. “Yeah, you look off!” He exclaimed, pointing out the obvious signs of distress.Viaan stilled. His smile dropped into a thin line. Immediately, he averted his eyes away from them and looked everywhere around.How come Ryan observed that? His shoulders tensed once again.“No. Why would I cry?” He chuckled nervously shrugging his shoulders, not wanting them to read his face further.“Then why are your eyes red and moist?” Ryan scoffed, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t lie through your teeth
Back in the present time, The PenthouseViaan’s POV, :Looking at the keys, I fisted them tightly. I was in my penthouse where I had come just an hour ago to get freshened up. Last night, I had to lie to Kia and Maa as I had spent entire hours in planning for the surprise for Maa. Then this morning the leftover documentation took my time while I also went to check for last-minute preparations. I just happened to come here one hour ago as I can’t go directly to home. And as soon as I came here, the first thing I did was to call Maa. She deserves the surprise the most.All through this while, I also kept myself reassured that this was not a dream anymore but a reality.A beautiful reality.A certain kind of peace filled my heart. I felt the cores of my eyes moistening up. Our dream was finally completed.“Paradis d’Amour is finally ours, Papa. I completed your and Maa’s dreams.” My voice choked with emotions as I looked at the picture frame on my desk while placing the keys reverently b
Writer’s POV:-“Did Viaan tell when will he come?” Leena asked Kiara who was serving her breakfast.Her hands stopped in the air and she raised her head to her mother-in-law. “No, Maa. He had just dropped the text last night that he wouldn’t be coming home tonight as he had an urgent meeting and some important work. So, he is perhaps staying at the penthouse itself.” Kiara sighed, continuing to fill Leena’s plate.Leena nodded recalling the text Kiara showed her last night. Viaan had specifically mentioned to tell Leena about it, he himself didn’t text her thinking she must be asleep by then.It was around eleven in the morning. Both the ladies were having a late breakfast today, as Kiara was nauseous and not feeling good this morning; thus she had delayed her meal.Although Leena had something light earlier as she had to have medicines as well, she still joined Kiara in the late meal.It was Leena’s assistance that she was even eating, lest she was all ready to ditch the breakfast to
Writer’s POV:-“And the man said that Mr. Adams is ready to meet at the earliest possible date,” Daniel revealed, sounding serious and firm.Hunter sat straight with a jerk, his brows dipping in. “How come he agreed this early? Didn’t he and his lawyer want time?” The question triggered his mind, he inquired in a disbelieving tone.The frown went deeper on his face; his eyeballs moving constantly as he tried to figure out Viaan’s step. One thing was crystal clear neither Viaan nor his lawyer saw this proposal as a simple invitation to get rid of legal troubles. Hence it was very much acceptable for his rival to seek time to agree or even deny.That’s why, even when this frustrated Hunter, he was ready for any secret investigation Viaan did on him. But little did he expect, that his acceptance would come this early and fast.He heard Daniel huffing from the other end and came out of his thoughts. “I have no idea, Sir. But if they are ready then why not proceed? This was the plan after
Writer’s POV:-“Kia, calm down. Ryan said that he won’t reveal anything to Viaan.” Sophie tried to calm her down, but the girl was far from calming down.A ready havoc was created in her mind and heart and she had no idea how to deal with it.“But he didn’t even give me any time, Soph. All he allowed me is tonight.” Kiara retorted, holding her breath in apprehension.She can hear her heart pounding in her ears, and sweat beads adorning her temples even after the decreased temperature of AC.Her words followed a silence before Sophie sighed audibly. “You have taken more than you should, Kia. You can’t avoid it any longer. Dr. Ryan was right when he said the more delay you are making the harder it would be to make Viaan understand.” Sophie indirectly quoted Ryan’s words from the last evening.“Out of all people, you should be understanding my dilemma, Soph.” Kiara clicked her tongue, getting annoyed at not finding any solution. “I didn’t wait for Tyler to just wake up, but I needed to k
Writer’s POV:-“Not only this but also the fact that Aaron is Tyler and Sophie’s son!” Ryan’s voice was steady, but there was a hint of solemnity in his tone.As Ryan dropped the bombshell, Kiara and Sophie froze, their eyes widening in shock. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the revelation.A revelation that Kiara least expected today.The room fell into a stunned silence. The only thing audible at that moment was the ticking of the clock and the lazy evening wind coming through the open windows of Ryan’s cabin.With a composed face, Ryan watched the two women in front of him, trying hard to digest the truth he just disclosed.He knew this was going to be their reaction once her tells them the truth, but still watching them doing so, made him amused.Did they really think they would keep this massive truth away from him?Did they seriously think he wasn’t going to find it out, ever? He was a doctor, for God’s sake. It was impossible for this truth to be a secret fr