Chapter 13

A/N: Sorry readers. Last chapter la edho childish aa yap panniten nu ninaikuren. Really depressing as irunthathala dhaan type pannen. And hereafter na vote count goal kekala. Ketutu yemaarathuku. Vote count goal ae expect panla na okay la. Adhaan! If you really like it only neenga vote podunga. Paavapattu laam vote poda venaam. Ennoda talent ku kidaikurathu one vote naalum it means a lot. And once again romba romba thanks last chap ku vote potadhuku. And readers do u receive notifications? Varala na sollunga.

Recap: Nila described the beauty of serving.

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Nila: (smiling gently) "It’s something my mom taught me. Food brings people together, and the way we serve it shows how much we care."

Chezhiyan: (nodding thoughtfully) "Your mom sounds wise. I’d love to meet her someday."

Nila smiled feeling a bit shy about the idea of Chezhiyan meeting her family, but her thoughts were about the secret engagement plans looming in the background

Nithya: (with a sarcastic smile) "Oh, I see. So, now you're teaching us family values too?"

Nila: (keeping her composure) "No, Nithya. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned. There’s no harm in that, right?"

Chezhiyan shot Nithya a warning glance, but before he could say anything, Nila had already started serving the food, moving gracefully around the table. She made sure both Chezhiyan and Nithya had what they needed, smiling warmly as she placed the dishes before Nithya

She served heart chapatis with panneer butter masala to chezhiyan with blush and chezhiyan's eyes lit in surprise and he looked at Nila with love and mumbled love you.

As they began to eat, the atmosphere seemed to relax a little. Nithya remained quiet, occasionally throwing glances at Nila, but the tension had somewhat eased. Chezhiyan, on the other hand, couldn’t take his eyes off Nila, appreciating her every movement, and the way she handled things with such grace and patience.

Chezhiyan: (smiling) "The food is amazing, Nila. You and Seetha maa have really outdone yourselves."

Nila: (blushing) "Thank you. I’m glad you like it."

As they continued eating, the doorbell rang. Everyone paused, and Nithya was the first to rise, curiosity evident on her face.

Nithya: "I’ll get it."

She left the dining room, and moments later, they heard her voice echoing from the entrance.

Nithya: (with surprise) "Vinay? What are you doing here?"

The name sent a cold shiver through Nila’s spine. She froze for a second, her hands still on the serving spoon. She glanced at Chezhiyan, whose expression shifted from calm to a mix of confusion and mild concern.

Chezhiyan: (under his breath) "What’s he doing here?"

Before Nila could say anything, Vinay strode into the dining room, a wide, smug smile plastered on his face as if he owned the place. His presence was bold and unapologetic, and he immediately captured the room's attention.

Vinay: (grinning) "Hope I’m not interrupting anything too important."

Chezhiyan: (forcing a smile) "Vinay, what a surprise. You’re here early."

Vinay’s eyes flickered briefly to Nila, lingering a bit too long for comfort, and she felt her stomach tighten in unease.

Vinay: (smirking) "Thought I’d join in for breakfast. It’s been a while since we had a proper meal together, hasn’t it?"

Nila kept her gaze on the food, pretending not to notice the tension in Vinay’s voice. But she could feel his eyes boring into her, assessing, calculating. She knew better than to trust his seemingly casual demeanour.

Nithya: (sitting back down) "Well, if you're here, might as well join us."

Chezhiyan nodded, though his discomfort was evident. Nila noticed how his hand subtly tightened into a fist under the table.

Vinay: (taking a seat, looking at the food) "Smells delicious. Did you make this, Nila?"

Nila’s hands gripped the edge of the table lightly, her polite smile never faltering.

Nila: "Seetha maa and I made it together."

Vinay: (nodding slowly) "Ah, teamwork. How lovely."

The rest of breakfast passed in an uncomfortable silence, with Vinay occasionally throwing veiled comments toward Nila, and Chezhiyan trying to steer the conversation in a more neutral direction. But Nila could feel the storm brewing. Vinay was here with a purpose, and she had a feeling it was far from innocent.

As they finished eating, Vinay leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin before speaking in a low, almost too casual tone.

Vinay: (smirking) "By the way, Chezhiyan, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. It’s about the new project you’ve been working on."

Chezhiyan’s eyes flickered with interest. "What about it?"

Vinay: "I’ve heard some… interesting things. But I think it’s a conversation we should have in private."

Nila’s heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong. Vinay’s voice was too smooth, too controlled. Chezhiyan glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly as if sensing her unease.

Chezhiyan: (frowning) "What kind of things, Vinay?"

Vinay’s smile widened. "Like I said, it’s best discussed privately. Don’t you agree, Nila?"

His eyes locked onto hers, a silent challenge glinting in them. Nila swallowed, her instincts screaming that Vinay was up to something, something dangerous.

Nila: (nodding slowly) "Of course. It’s a work matter, after all."

But as she stood up to clear the table, she couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever Vinay had planned, was only the beginning.

The weight of Vinay’s words hung in the air like a thick, suffocating fog. The once pleasant breakfast atmosphere had turned heavy, the underlying tension so palpable that it felt like it could snap at any moment. Nila’s movements became mechanical, her mind racing as she gathered the empty plates and bowls. She felt as though she were walking a tightrope, each step cautious, afraid that the slightest misstep would send her spiralling into Vinay’s trap.

Vinay leaned back casually in his chair, his eyes never straying far from Nila. There was something predatory in the way he observed her, a glint of satisfaction lurking beneath the surface of his polite exterior. He had always been a man who revelled in control, and now, he seemed to be savouring this moment, knowing full well the discomfort he was causing.

Chezhiyan, though typically composed, had a furrowed brow. His instincts, sharp as they were, picked up on the shift in the room’s energy. He sensed something was off, though he couldn’t yet place his finger on it. His gaze darted between Vinay and Nila, concern flickering in his dark eyes.

Nithya, for her part, seemed oblivious to the underlying tension. She smirked, seemingly entertained by Vinay’s sudden appearance and the subtle power play at the table. Her fork clinked against her plate as she ate slowly as if she were an audience member watching a drama unfold before her.

As Nila cleared the last of the plates, her mind raced. She had to be careful. Vinay was playing a dangerous game, one that had already ensnared her in the past. Her memories of last night, the drugged drink, and the helplessness flooded her senses, threatening to overwhelm her. She shuddered inwardly, pushing the thoughts aside. She had to remain focused. She couldn’t afford to let her fear show, not in front of Vinay.

But why was he here? What could he possibly want? Nila’s instincts told her that this wasn’t just a casual visit. Vinay never did anything without a plan. And whatever this was, it had to be bigger than just a simple chat about Chezhiyan’s projects.

Vinay’s smirk deepened, as Chezhiyan stood after eating the tiffin he gave a quick look to Nila and he stood and went with Vinay. They entered his office room and they sat opposite facing each other.

Vinay: (smiling) “You know, Chezhiyan, the business world’s been buzzing lately—lots of rumours flying around. But there’s one in particular I’ve heard that’s caught my attention. Word is, you’re about to receive the award for Best Young Businessman.”

Chezhiyan’s expression softened just slightly, though the cautious guard in his eyes remained. He wasn’t one to be easily swayed by flattery, but the mention of the award sparked a flicker of pride. Vinay, however, was not known for idle chit-chat. There was always more to his words than met the eye, and Chezhiyan knew better than to let his guard down entirely.

Chezhiyan: (nodding) “Yes, that’s true. It’s an honour to be recognized for all the hard work we’ve put in. The company is moving forward, and this award is a testament to that.”

Vinay: (nodding enthusiastically) “Absolutely. You deserve it, no doubt about that. But with such an award comes more attention, more eyes on you—and your business. It’s a big moment, Chezhiyan. Expansion, recognition... The spotlight’s going to be on you now.”

Chezhiyan’s brow furrowed slightly. Vinay’s tone was light, but there was an underlying tension in his words. He knew Vinay too well to ignore the hint of something deeper. What was he really getting at?

Chezhiyan: (his tone calm but cautious) “Attention is part of the business, Vinay. We’ve always handled it well.”

Vinay leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs leisurely as he continued, his smile never quite reaching his eyes.

Vinay: “Of course, of course. I just couldn’t help but think about all the moving parts of a business as big as yours. The bigger the company, the more… delicate things become, don’t they?”

Chezhiyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his composure. He could sense that this wasn’t just a casual conversation anymore. Vinay was leading up to something, and Nila could feel the shift in the air.

Vinay: (his tone casual, but pointed) “Take your investors, for example. They’re happy now, sure, but we both know how quickly things can change. A small hiccup, a few whispers here and there, and suddenly people start getting nervous.

Chezhiyan’s jaw clenched slightly, but his voice remained steady.

Chezhiyan: (firmly) “We’ve built strong relationships with our investors. They trust us, and we’ve given them no reason to doubt our direction.”

Vinay’s smile widened, though there was a hint of something more behind it—something calculating.

Vinay: “Of course, of course. But you know how it is in business. Trust can be a fragile thing. One bad move, one piece of misinformation, and—well, things can spiral pretty quickly.”

Chezhiyan’s eyes darkened just a fraction, the fire of determination flaring in them. He wasn’t a man easily rattled by veiled threats, but Vinay’s words were hitting close to home. He knew how delicate the current phase of his expansion was, and how much his company’s future relied on maintaining stability.

Chezhiyan: (voice calm, but resolute) “If you have something to say, Vinay, just say it. No need for riddles.”

Vinay chuckled softly, the sound light but carrying an edge of amusement.

Vinay: “No riddles, Chezhiyan. Just friendly advice. I’ve been around long enough to know that when you’re at the top, that’s when people start paying the most attention. I just hope you’ve got everything locked down before the spotlight really hits you.”

Vinay: (smiling warmly) “Anyway, I didn’t come here to stir the pot. I came to congratulate you, Chezhiyan. This award—it’s a big deal. You’ve earned it, and I’m sure you’ll handle the added pressure just fine.”

Chezhiyan’s lips tightened into a polite smile, but the tension in the room was palpable. Vinay’s words, though laced with friendliness, carried the weight of a warning. A reminder that nothing in the business world was ever certain and that even success came with its own set of risks.

Chezhiyan: (his tone firm) “Thank you for the congratulations, Vinay. I appreciate it.”

Vinay nodded, his smile still in place, but there was a knowing glint in his eyes as he stood up from the table.

Vinay: (casually) “Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate with the award ceremony coming up. Just remember—if you ever need a friend in the business world, I’m always here.” he exited the room and Nila entered the room as she looked the expression of Vinay, who was smirking.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Chezhiyan exhaled slowly, his fists unclenching. He didn’t speak for a moment, his mind clearly working through everything that had just been said.

Nila hugged Chezhiyan from back and Chezhiyan just came out of thoughts and tilted his head to look at Nila. She pulled back and came to face him.

Nila: what happened chezhiyan? What did he say?

Chezhiyan: Vinay came to congratulate me.

Nila stepped closer to him, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Nila: “He’s not just here to congratulate you, Chezhiyan. You know that, right?”

Chezhiyan nodded, his jaw still tight with tension.

Chezhiyan: (quietly) “I know. Vinay never does anything without an angle.”

He turned to face her, his eyes softening for a brief moment as he took her hand in his.

Chezhiyan: “But, Nila! Leave it, he is just my stupid friend and why does your face show the tension huh?

Nila squeezed his hand gently, feeling the warmth of his resolve wash over her. She believed that she could do anything and could face whatever Vinay had planned. But deep down, she knew that this was only the beginning of a much larger battle and they would have to be ready for whatever came next.

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To be continued....💞

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