James’s Hospital:-Kiara’s POV:-‘The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try your call again later.’ Said the automated voice of the system, repeating the same lines again. I closed my eyes in frustration.God, where is he?Biting my lips, I pulled my phone down, away from my ears.Impatience consumed me as my gaze darted back to the wall clock, its relentless ticking intensifying my tension.It was 8:48 in the evening as the clock read and my heart pounded with even more intensity. It had been over an hour since our last attempt to contact Viaan, and all our calls had gone unanswered. He had promised to get back by 7 at the latest, but when the time crossed the mark; I called him. And since then we are in tension, for he is out of reach after that one typical ringing.Eventually, we also tried reaching out to Leo and then Neil, but their phones remained unreachable as well.Concerned, Ryan called Xavier, the nearest point of contact after Neil in the comp
“What’s wrong, Rachel?” I asked, my voice trembling.After a frantic second, she looked at us and said. “It’s a live video from some strike…” Her tone was laced with restless urgency.“Strike?” Ryan’s voice trembled with anxiety as he swiftly took the phone from Rachel’s trembling hand. His forehead creased into deep furrows, and his eyes widened in a mixture of perplexity and growing concern. “Damn it, it’s the factory site! The workers are protesting!” His features contorted with a volatile mix of worry and anger.“What happened, Ryan? Do you know who are they?” Maya sought; her face serious as ever.Ryan’s response hit us like an earthquake, shaking our very foundations. “It’s the site of Viaan’s steel plant,” he said with conviction. “Those are undoubtedly his workers out there.”“How the fuck it happened all of a sudden!” Rachel hissed, gritting her teeth.The tension in the room thickened as we all stared at the screen, our collective worry intensifying with each passing second.
Hospital:-We watched with bated breath as the camera panned across the scene and then came the faces we recognized.“What the fuck! Viaan, Leo, and others are stuck in the middle of them!” Maya exclaimed in shock; our eyes were widened as well at the violence that erupted there.The workers had suddenly moved closer, forming a close-knit human chain. The distant roars from the crowd grew louder, quickly transforming the scene into a dense, unsettling spectacle.The agitated crowd…Viaan entrapped in between them with no proper security…I can hear my heart pounding at the maddening speed of my ears. My chest shuddered with the dangerous vibe the strike site was giving all of a sudden.All of them had dead furious looks on their faces and I could tell there was some shift in the air as they suddenly closed Viaan, Leo, Neil, Xavier, and two more of Viaan’s officers whose names I can’t recall, up in a close circle, shouting something to them.Their shouts became increasingly intense and
The factory/plant site:-Viaan’s POV:-“You have to fulfill our demands, otherwise we will not resume the work!” one of the main protesters shouts aloud, pointing a finger at me.“Look who you are talking to, boy!” Leo growled from beside me.“I can see clearly. It is the so-called-CEO who gives no shit about our oppression of rights.” In a high pitch, he yelled; his voice clearly standing out in the chaos as he made accusations.This was the same thing this and a few other workers have been claiming since the start of the strike. No wonder Tara noticed the deliberate tarnishing of my name and image by a handful of people in the protest. Especially this one man who is the reason for me losing my calm since early evening.“Either you accept our demands or we won’t let the factory run.” He intoned the same melody once again.From that screaming look in his eyes, I’m sure he just wants the other people to hear his words loud and clear and think it true.“Your demands are illicit! In no c
Viaan’s POV:-“No bull-shiting around. I’ll ask one thing and you will respond if you don’t want to get thrown out of the factory.” I asked directly, without beating around the bush. “Why are you provoking all of them?” My angry voice had his attention.The man was, certainly, caught off guard by my unexpected question.“What…What do you mean??” He stammered in one single line. Panic and desperation swirled in his eyes as they darted around, avoiding direct contact with mine.“Cut the crap. You absolutely know what I mean and what I’m asking.” My voice was low, yet clear enough for this bastard here.His internal turmoil was palpable, like a trapped animal seeking escape. Still, he dared to fake a bold facade. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just here, like everyone else, expressing our concerns. Why would I have anything to do with it?”His countenance was marred by the fake confidence he was trying to gather in front of my unblinking and challenging eyes. Even though my
Viaan’s POV:-“What do you all mean by butcher your rights?” My voice was calm yet firm; I asked loudly, making sure my voice reached at least the ones in front. “Who is butchering your rights, and how?” I added, again in a high-pitched voice.The crowd seemed to freeze for a moment.Some of them frowned at my question, others probably didn’t hear, but they paused for a second, nonetheless. They nudged at each other, driving their attention to me as well.“I get you want your demands to get fulfilled, but what is this claim of your rights getting butchered?” I made eye contact with a few of them and ushered them to answer.The noise surrounding us was lessened by many decibels. It was a kind of silence, helping me to hear their voice clearly now.“Cutting off our wages and facilities isn’t butchering of rights, Mr. Adams?” One of them, who probably heard my question, challenged; his voice was heavy with genuine despair. His red eyes mirrored a profound sense of disappointment.The int
Writer’s POV:-Next day:-Commissioner’s office:-“Get more and more details you can, commissioner. I’m certain they know who is behind the real conspiracy.” Viaan’s voice was harsh as he glared at the police chief.“Rest assured, Mr. Adams. They won’t be daring to lie to my face. I’m personally going to investigate them.” The commissioner reassured Viaan, dreading his outburst.“You better do!” Viaan warned when he felt a hand on his arm.“Let him do his duty, Viaan! And let’s go. You have an urgency to address.” Said Ryan, sensing his rage.Giving a last look at the police chief, Viaan got up from his chair and walked out while Ryan and Leo thanked the man before following him.“I should have thrashed them then and there itself. Bloody bastards dared to mess up with me!” Viaan smashed his hand on the car’s bonnet, exhaling angrily.“Calm down, Viaan. You need to have a calm mind to handle the mess.” Ryan patted Viaan’s shoulders as they came out of the police station.The former loo
Writer’s POV:-Inside the Adams Corps’ imposing headquarters, Viaan, Ryan, and Leo watched the news coverage with a mix of apprehension and disbelief. The CEO remained a portrait of stoicism, cognizant of the gravity of their recent discussions and the far-reaching implications they held. However, what neither of them could have fathomed was how those crucial conversations, which were meant to chart a course for the company’s future, would be twisted into a clueless, damaging loop.Little did they anticipate that their words would be manipulated like this, turned into a distorted narrative, and weaponized solely against Viaan.As the news unfolded, it became painfully apparent that someone had cunningly seized upon their words, which they were absolutely oblivious to being recorded, distorting them into a narrative designed to defame Viaan alone. This malicious manipulation sent shockwaves throughout the corporation, sowing discord and distrust among employees.The protest from the la
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