Author's Point of View...

Four days later, it is Monday, the week they are leaving back to India...

Khushi follows her normal morning routine of getting ready to go to her office.

Once ready, she grabs her files and tote bag before going downstairs for breakfast. In the dining room, she notices Lavanya reading a green folder.

"Good morning, La!" Khushi greets her energetically.

"Oh, Khushi, Good morning. " Lavanya greets back, trying to return the energetic greeting. She closes the file in her hand and leaves it on top of the sideboard.

"I am going to grab a few things from the kitchen, okay?" Lavanya tells Khushi before going into the kitchen.

Khushi enters the dining room and leaves the files and bag she is carrying on the same side table before sitting down in her regular chair. Lavanya comes in and leaves the remaining food on the table. As she does, Arnav walks in, and their morning greetings are exchanged between the three of them. Breakfast continues in silence until Khushi breaks it with a simple goodbye while grabbing her bag and files as she rushes out the door.

Arriving at the office, Khushi dove into her tasks, attempting to immerse herself in the realm of contracts and negotiations.

Just as she settled into the rhythm of her day, her secretary approached with a sense of urgency. "Ms. Gupta, I have an update regarding Mr. Kim and his team. Their flight has been delayed, and they'll be arriving tomorrow instead of today," Mila informed, concern evident in her eyes.

Khushi's brows furrowed in response, realising the implications of the delay. Tomorrow was the day of her crucial doctor's appointment, a checkpoint in her pregnancy journey. The rearrangement of the schedule posed a challenge, especially when her departure to India was imminent the day after tomorrow.

With a nod, Khushi replied, "Thank you, Mila, for informing me. Please reschedule their meeting accordingly and keep me updated on any changes."

Khushi couldn't help but worry about the impending clash between her professional commitments and the pressing doctor's appointment.

Meanwhile, Arnav strode purposefully into the boardroom, where his team of employees was waiting for him, buzzing with focused energy as designers, logistics experts, and finance teams collaborated to salvage what remained of the once-promising collection.

The morning meetings were a sombre affair, with the backdrop of the Swiss mountains starkly contrasting India's turbulent circumstances. Arnav, flanked by his key team members, delved into the assessment of damages, seeking innovative solutions to rebuild what had been lost.

The phones rang incessantly, echoing the urgency of the situation. Arnav's conversations oscillated between discussions with the insurance team, coordinating with the Dubai branch to expedite additional materials, and providing guidance to his team on ground zero in India. The once serene fashion house transformed into a war room, where every decision bore the weight of resurrecting a dream from the ashes.

During the chaos, Arnav found solace in the collaborative spirit of his team. Each member, from designers to accountants, lent their expertise to the collective effort. The creative process, though scarred, refused to be extinguished entirely.

As the sun dipped low over the Swiss Alps, Arnav gathered his team for a final strategy meeting. His eyes reflected a blend of exhaustion and determination, a silent acknowledgement of the battles fought and those that lay ahead.

"We'll continue tomorrow," Arnav announced, noticing the exhaustion of his employees before making his way out of the office.

End of the Author's Point of View...

Khushi's point of view...

It had been a long day filled with endless meetings, decisions, and unspoken tensions. My steps faltered as I closed the door behind me, the weight of fatigue settling into my bones.

The clock on the wall whispered that it was well past midnight, a reminder of the relentless hours I had devoted to my work. As I kicked off my shoes, I couldn't shake off the feeling that the mansion held secrets within its opulent walls.

A soft glow emanated from the living room, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. My fingers traced the polished mahogany bannister as I ascended the staircase, each step echoing in the stillness of the night. The scent of lavender lingered in the air, a faint reminder of Lavanya's favourite fragrance.

Reaching the top, I hesitated for a moment before approaching the partially open door to the study. The soft murmur of voices reached my ears, confirming my suspicions that Arnavji was already home. As I entered, the room unfolded before me, revealing a tableau of Arnavji immersed in his thoughts, surrounded by the dim glow of lamplight.

"Arnavji," I said softly, my voice cutting through the silence.

Arnav turned, his eyes carrying the weight of the day. "Khushi," he acknowledged, the shadows dancing on his face.

The room seemed to shrink around us, the air charged with unspoken words and unshared burdens. I noted the weariness etched into Arnavji's features, a mirror to my exhaustion. I could almost taste the tension in the air, a palpable reminder that the walls held stories we dared not articulate.

"Long day," I offered, in a feeble attempt to bridge the gap.

Arnavji nodded, the lines on his forehead deepening. "You too?"

"Meetings, negotiations, the usual," I replied, a tired smile playing on my lips.

Arnavji hummed in agreement before asking, "Did you eat dinner?"

"I did; my secretary made sure I ate," I answered truthfully.

The room became a sanctuary of shared weariness, a silent acknowledgement that we were both caught in the undertow of our respective worlds. I felt a strange ache, not just from the fatigue but from the unspoken distance that lingered between us.

As Arnavji rose from his seat, the dim light casting shadows across the room, I couldn't help but wonder if the silence held the answers we sought. The mansion, once a fortress of grandeur, now stood witness to the quiet unravelling of the intricacies that bound our lives.

Before Arnavji walked out of the room, I spoke again, my voice breaking the silence: "My client that I was supposed to meet today, whose flight was delayed, will be here tomorrow, and I had to cancel my appointment with the doctor."

"Alright," he answered in one word before leaving the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the hushed embrace of the study.

The next morning, I woke up to the familiar grip of terrible morning nausea, my body protesting against the demands of the day ahead. With a sense of determination, I made my way into the bathroom adjacent to my bedroom, taking deep breaths to steady myself as I prepared for the challenges that awaited me.

Descending the staircase, I found Arnavji and Lavanya already seated at the breakfast table, their presence a comforting familiarity amid my discomfort. As waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm me once more, I made my way to the hot drinks station, seeking solace in the ritual of brewing a cup of tea.

Placing a Rooibos teabag into a mug, I poured hot water from the kettle and added a dash of sugar, the aroma of the tea offering a momentary reprieve from my queasiness. While the tea brewed, I scanned the cabinets for my flask, my fingers reaching for the highest shelf in search of the elusive container.

With a combination of determination and careful balance, I managed to retrieve the flask, a triumphant smile gracing my lips as I rinsed it with water. Assembling the ingredients for my makeshift remedy, I filled the flask with ice and lemon slices and poured in the freshly brewed tea, watching as the lemon slices danced in the amber liquid.

Caught amid my preparations, I became aware of Arnavji and Lavanya's curious gazes, their silent observation a reminder of the shared space we inhabited. "Oh, I will not be joining you two for breakfast. Terrible morning sickness," I explained, the words tumbling out in a rush as I hurriedly gathered my belongings.

With a quick farewell, I grabbed my car keys and made my exit, the cool morning air offering a momentary respite from the confines of the mansion. Arriving at the office, I found myself engulfed in a flurry of activity, my focus shifting to the impending meeting with Mr. Kim and his team.

As the appointed time approached, I entered the expansive boardroom, my footsteps echoing against the sleek glass walls that surrounded us. The room was bathed in the soft glow of modern lighting, creating an atmosphere of anticipation that hung in the air like a tangible presence.

Gathering my thoughts, I addressed the diverse ensemble of professionals gathered around the mahogany table, my voice projecting confidence born from years of legal expertise. "Thank you all for being here today as we embark on this journey of global expansion," I began, my words carrying the weight of our collective aspirations.

Amid the discussion, Mr. Kim took the opportunity to introduce his team, each member bringing a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. As their roles and contributions were acknowledged, a sense of camaraderie began to form, bridging the gap between our respective domains.

As the meeting drew to a close, I reiterated our commitment to a legally sound expansion, assuring Mr. Kim and his team that my legal expertise would be at their disposal every step of the way. The boardroom, once a neutral space, had transformed into a sanctuary where the seeds of collaboration had been planted, paving the way for a successful partnership between our two companies.

With the aid of visual aids and charts, I navigated through the complexities of Swiss corporate laws, outlining the pillars of compliance and transparency that would guide our endeavours. Each point was met with attentive nods and thoughtful questions, signalling a shared commitment to our shared vision.

I stepped through the threshold of the familiar foyer, my footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The weight of the day lingered in the air around me, a silent companion to my weary soul. With a heavy sigh, I shed the burdens of the outside world, allowing the tranquility of home to envelop me in its embrace.

With practiced ease, I went about my evening routine, microwaving the plate of food that was covered on the dining room table and tidying up the space with meticulous care. The mundane tasks provided a welcome distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts that threatened to consume me.

As the night wore on, exhaustion began to weigh heavily on my shoulders, the events of the day catching up with me in a rush of weariness. With a final glance around the quiet expanse of the living room, I made my way upstairs, the promise of rest beckoning me closer with each step.

The next morning dawned with the promise of a new day, the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains and casting a warm glow across the room. With a sense of purpose, I rose from my slumber, my mind already buzzing with the tasks that awaited me.

As I prepared for the day ahead, my thoughts drifted to the looming doctor's appointment, a necessary inconvenience that demanded my attention. With a resigned sigh, I pushed aside my apprehension, focusing instead on the practicalities of the moment.

Making my way to the firm, I rifled through the files and documents scattered across my desk, with my fingers tracing the familiar contours of the folders in search of my medical records. Yet, amidst the clutter, my eyes fell upon a file that I had not anticipated.

Lavanya's name stared back at me as I opened the file, a jolt of surprise coursing through my veins at the unexpected discovery. With trembling hands, I flipped it open and scanned its contents, my heart pounding in my chest with each passing moment.

What I found within the pages stole the breath from my lungs, the words blurring together in a haze of disbelief and anguish. A relapse of cancer. The diagnosis hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the relentless march of fate.

At that moment, my world tilted on its axis, the ground beneath my feet shifting in a dizzying whirlwind of emotion. As the weight of the revelation settled over me like a suffocating blanket, I realized that nothing would ever be the same again. The knowledge of Lavanya's condition cast a shadow over my thoughts, colouring every interaction with a sense of impending loss and uncertainty.

Also guys welcome our newest member to this story...

Mr Daniel Kim 

Born and raised in England 

CEO Of Apex Global Technologies

Heir to Apex Global ventures 

British Korean

33 years old

To be continued...

Thank you, everyone, for being so patient with me. It is an overdue update. I never expected last year to fly by so quickly, but slowly getting back into writing took me a while to write this chapter. Hopefully, you enjoyed it.

So look forward to the next chapter soon.

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Author's Note
Please tap the '☆' as it will motivate me to continue writing.
Thanks for reading♡😊
Lots of love
SovArshi😙