Avani-Let's meet at Juhu at five today!

Raghav's brows furrowed, nonetheless a small smile playing on his lips.

So far, he was the one who'd initiated all their meetings, so when she did it for the first time, it made him bubble up with joy.

Okay, he pressed the send button.

" Mr.Deshmukh?" A curious voice snapped him out of his reverie,

His head lifted up from the phone as he cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

The board members stared at him, wondering what got the ever so composed VP, show emotions.

" Yes I'm sorry, where were we?"

" This upcoming deal, with Ari Corporations."

" Yeah right, Miss Mathur is yet to revert back."

" Is it necessary?" Amitabh Bhatt, an old, senior executive of Polaris Excecutives spoke out of the blue, causing him to blink, confusion clouding him, which he carefully kept himself from showing.

" Pardon me?"

" This deal with Ari Corporations, it doesn't sit right with me. Polaris has it's own reputation, we don't go to people asking for deals, they come to us. I'm aware how big a name Alvaero is, how big a name Ari Corporations is, but if they don't need us, and their heiress is going to take her sweet time in reverting back, we don't need this deal either."

Murmurs broke in the boardroom, some in agreement with what the old man said, some disagreeing with him.

Raghav held back a glare, his vein popping, as he controlled the overwhelming surge of snapping at the man.

He needn't explain himself, or the reason behind the approach for the deal, no one had the audacity to find mistakes, let alone point them out.

But this man and his minions were always ready to welcome mistakes, or the possibility of them, despite there being none.

His gaze flickered towards his grandfather and father, who in turns, gave imperceptible shake of their heads, asking him not to bother arguing with the man.

But Raghav had had enough.

" Mr.Bhatt, how old am I again?"

The old man blinked in confusion.

" Twenty-eight."

" Exactly. Twenty-eight. I'm old enough to know what is right, and what isn't. I'm no child. I know what I'm doing. Alvaero is one of the biggest deals Polaris can ever crack. Are you aware of the heiress' net worth? What all do you know about Alvaero? Your actions from the past have led Polaris to lose a very important deal in the past. I can't afford that happening today."

He blinked back at him, his mouth ajar.

Before he could comprehend and retort back, Raghav's secretary cut in as her phone buzzed.

" It's from Miss Mathur's secretary! She's in Mumbai and can meet you today!"

What seemed like a hint of a smile was seen on Raghav's face, and he gave a nod.

" Excellent, what time?"

" Five thirty?"

" Ask her if she can meet at four."

" But Boss—"

" Do it Veronica." Raghav cut her short firmly and Veronica gave an imperceptible nod.

" Yes Boss."

°•☾•°

Raghav sat across the brunette, merely twenty-three, yet, far more clever and cunning than the experienced people in the industry.

With a pale skin tone, yet not a sickly one, hazel orbs that betrayed a certain sense of innocence she did not bore, heart shaped lips that were painted a faint, pretty pink, 
her lush brown hair that fell to her waist were tied and styled neatly, cladded in a white turtleneck sweater paired with black jeans, she was dressed to impress, and had already earned the attention of most of the crowd in the café, hushed whispers broken in, some recognising the two, some gushing over their looks and outfits, some wondering if they were a couple, some talking of how it seemed like a Korean or Chinese drama scene.

The heiress however, seemed unfazed by the whispers about her.

Her bodyguard and secretary stood behind, the burly man's gaze fleeting across the elite café cautiously, looking out for danger, while her secretary stood with a straight face, her face expressionless, hard to read.

" Miss Mathur, I appreciate you reverting back and agreeing to meet at such a short notice."

The brunette's lips curved up in what seemed like a hint of smile as she gave a dismissive wave, elegantly crossing her legs as she took a small sip of her hot
chocolate—the only thing that made him feel, somewhere, she still had a childish side hidden in the farthest of corners.

" I was in town, my secretary informed me of your mail, I had time, so here am I. So what is it that Polaris has got for Alvaero Mr.Deshmukh?"

" A deal."

" I'm listening."

" From whatever I'd heard when I'd been abroad, Alvaero and Cliffton had approached Polaris in the past, one of our senior board members had been in charge of that, unfortunately, his foolishness led to Polaris going with Cliffton's proposal instead, which, later, my Father found out and broke off, realising the blunder. I wish to rectify that mistake. I've heard Alvaero's planning to launch their own racing car for F1?"

" You heard right Mr.Deshmukh."

" Well then, Polaris would like to design Alvaero's racing car."

A smirk tugged at her lips, surprise swirling in her eyes for a split second before she concealed it.

" Interesting. I never expected to hear from anyone linked to Polaris ever again, let alone propose a deal."

" I apologise for the blunder in the past Miss Mathur—"

" I'm not here for apologies Mr.Deshmukh." She cut him short for the first time.
" I came because I was told it's important. As much as the deal sounds hard to let go of, I'm not the sole decision maker, Alvaero is a joint venture of both my late Mother and my Father's company. The board members together make a decision."

" I thought you make the rules Miss Mathur. You're the CEO."

" I'm not the only person with a position Mr.Deshmukh. I'm sure you yourself must've had a board meeting, earning approvals before you approached me. You know how this works."

Raghav nodded.
" So do I take that as a no?"

" No. I want time. Let me revert back to you after returning to Jodhpur."

" Very well Miss Mathur. Take your time."

The heiress gave a nod, and as Raghav's lips parted to speak, his gaze flickered towards the glass door of the café that swung open and in strided the Crown Prince of Jodhpur.

His usually decked self appeared disheveled, his well styled hair tousled, a dark grey custom-made three-piece suit cladded around him, being a perfect fit, as if stitched right on him, his obsidian orbs that would be usually cold or blank were now swirling with sheer, evident panic as his gaze desperately searched the café, for a familiar silhoutte.

And as soon as he'd spotted the heiress, he strided along to her, ignoring the dreamy sighs and lustful gazes thrown his way.

" Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

" Agastya?" The brunette's brows knitted together, confusion swirling in her eyes as she looked up at the Prince, who, abandoning his regality and poise, stood before her, his eyes searching hers for a sense of assurance.

" How're you here?"

" I was told you got into an accident on your way here. Your phone was switched off."

" It was a brake failure, but a late one, I was nearly here when the driver realised, we all jumped out of the car."

The Crown Prince's pretty features relaxed as he loosened his not-so-firm grip on her shoulders.

He finally seemed to have acknowledged Raghav's presence with the way his eyes darted among the two.

" Am I disturbing something?"

" Ye—"

" No! We're almost done!" Raghav cut in before turning back to the brunette.
" So Miss Mathur, when do I expect an answer?"

" Soon Mr.Deshmukh. I assure you that. I apologise for the—"

Raghav waved his hand dismissively.
" It's okay Miss Mathur. I'm about to leave as well. It's ten minutes to five and I've got someone important i gotta meet—the reason I wanted a time change."

The Crown Prince seemed to make out he was talking about a woman, for his hardened gaze softened at that.

The door swung open on cue, and Avani walked in.

" Raghav!" She walked over to him with a beam and he smiled.

" Am I interrupting something?" She asked as she saw the swarm of guards, Raghav, and the supposed couple.

" No no. You're here perfectly on time. Give me a minute." He turned back to the heiress, stretching his hand across in a formal handshake.

" I look forward to working with you Miss Mathur. May project Thunder be a success."

What seemed like a genuine smile tugged at her lips this time, accepting the handshake.

" I look forward to working with you too Mr.Deshmukh. Good day!"

As they'd departed from the café, Avani held his hand and pointed before him.

From a distance of the café, was the Juhu Beach.

" C'mon we gotta run! If we don't hurry up, we might miss the sunset." Pulling him along, they ran towards the sea, and the waves brushed across their legs, greeting them as they silently stood staring at the sunset, the only sound of waves and their panting heard, a hush tranquility spreading about.

A while later, Raghav chose to break the silence as he turned to look at her.

" Why Juhu?"

" Because you've always loved sunsets and the sea." She murmured with a shrug and his eyes widened.

" You remember?"

" There's nothing about you I don't remember Deshmukh." She smiled at him, a beautiful smile tugging at her lips as he stared at her, awestruck.

And they spent the evening in each other's joyful company, sunsets, and fond memories.