Chapter 19: A Night at His Place

It was past midnight when Reyan finally walked into Adhya's workspace.

She was still at her desk, surrounded by sketches, fabric swatches, and an empty coffee cup that had probably been refilled at least three times. Her hair was an absolute mess, strands falling over her eyes as she scribbled something down, her lips moving slightly—probably talking to herself.

Reyan crossed his arms. "Adhya."

She hummed in acknowledgment, not even looking up.

He sighed. "Get up. You're staying at my place tonight."

That got her attention.

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "Wait, what?"

Reyan raised a brow. "Did I stutter?"

She blinked. "You—you're kidnapping me?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, Adhya. Exactly. Now move."

Still half-dazed from exhaustion, she let him take her things and usher her outside, mumbling about how unfair this was.

Aarav's Teasing

As they got into the car, Reyan called Aarav.

"Hey, Adhya's staying at my place tonight."

Silence.

Then—

"Huh. Well, I knew this day would come."

Reyan rubbed his temple. "She's exhausted, Aarav. She needs proper rest."

Aarav snickered. "Oh yeah, sure, sure. Rest. That's exactly what people do when they spend the night at a man's apartment."

Reyan's jaw clenched. "Do you want me to drop her off at your place instead?"

Aarav laughed. "And miss all the fun? No way."

Reyan just hung up.

Adhya, who had heard only bits and pieces, raised a brow. "What did he say?"

Reyan sighed. "That he's an idiot."

The second they stepped into his apartment, Adhya froze.

Her eyes widened as she took in the high ceilings, the sleek black furniture, the ridiculous city view.

"Okay, WHAT is this?"

Reyan gave her a look. "My apartment?"

She turned in a slow circle. "Are you sure? Because this looks like a billionaire's lair. Do you have a secret identity? Are you Batman?"

Reyan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Adhya—"

"OH MY GOD, is your soap imported?" She ran into his bathroom and came back holding a fancy-looking bottle. "IT IS!"

Reyan just stared at her, exhausted. "Go change."

He tossed her a T-shirt.

She caught it and smirked. "Your T-shirt?"

He gave her a deadpan look. "Would you prefer to sleep in your dress?"

She thought about it for a second, then hugged the T-shirt dramatically. "Nope. This is fine. You may continue spoiling me."

Reyan just walked away.

By the time she returned, drowning in his oversized T-shirt, Reyan was already in the kitchen.

Adhya hopped onto the counter, swinging her legs. "I can help, you know."

Without looking up, he said, "No, you can't."

She gasped. "Excuse me! I can totally cook."

He gave her a side glance. "Adhya, the last time you tried to boil water, the fire alarm went off."

She huffed. "That was one time."

Reyan smirked. "It was last month."

She narrowed her eyes. "Fine. I'll just sit here, looking pretty."

Reyan chuckled. "That, you're good at."

Adhya paused, caught off guard. Did he just—?

She stared at him, but he was already focused on the pasta.

Damn him.

By the time they sat down to eat, Adhya was starving.

She took one bite of the pasta and moaned. "Oh my god, this is SO good. I might have to marry you."

Reyan raised a brow. "For my cooking?"

She grinned. "Among other things."

His eyes darkened slightly, but instead of commenting, he took another bite.

Their usual banter continued, but there was something else beneath it.

Something charged.

Something neither of them acknowledged.

After dinner, Adhya built a pillow fort on the couch.

When Reyan walked in, he stared.

"What is this?"

Adhya beamed. "Movie setup!"

She patted the space beside her. "Come sit."

He sighed but sat down.

The second the movie started, he groaned.

"Disney? Really?"

Adhya gasped. "Disney is sacred, Reyan."

He gave her a flat look. "It's a kids' movie."

She threw a pillow at him. "It's a classic, you soulless man."

Reyan shook his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips.

Halfway through the movie, he felt something soft against his shoulder.

He glanced down.

Adhya had fallen asleep on him.

For a long moment, he just watched her.

His fingers itched to brush a strand of hair from her face.

Instead, in a voice so soft even he barely heard it, he whispered—

"You drive me insane, Adhya."

She stirred slightly but didn't wake.

After a second, Reyan carefully picked her up.

She murmured something in her sleep, curling against him.

His chest tightened.

Reyan walked into his bedroom and gently placed her down, tucking the blanket around her.

Then, after one last lingering glance, he turned and walked away.

Because tomorrow...

Tomorrow, she'd wake up and act like none of this ever happened.