Ofcourse it has to be the one and only Siddharth Singhania.

Siddharth appeared beside his mother, his gaze finally releasing Avani from its intense hold. But the memory of those piercing dark brown eyes lingered, sending an unknown feeling through her veins.

Avani felt an inexplicable unease whenever Siddharth's eyes locked onto hers.

It was as if he could see right through her, deciphering her deepest thoughts and emotions. The sensation was unnerving, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

She hated the way he looked at her - with an air of quiet confidence, as if he held secrets she couldn't begin to comprehend. His gaze seemed to strip away her defenses, leaving her bare and susceptible to his scrutiny.

Avani's instincts screamed at her to retreat, to escape the piercing intensity of Siddharth's eyes. But her feet seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move as he turned his attention to his mother.

"Hi beta, how are you?" Nanlini exclaimed, her eyes shining with warmth. "It's been years since I last saw you. You were only 2 or 3 then. Now, you've grown into a handsome young man."

Siddharth smiled slightly, his lips curling upward. The faint smile softened his features, and for a moment. Oh, so this dude knows how to smile, Avani thought, while giving him a side eye. I thought he only knew how to carry that ugly smirk.

"Just look at him, Sujata! He's grown into such a fine young man," Nanlini said, turning to Sujata.

Avani's attention drifted back to her mother, sensing impending doom.
"Oh, wait..." Nanlini's voice trailed off, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Avani knew what was coming next.
"Sona di, I'll be right back," Avani murmured, attempting to make a discreet exit. But her luck was dismal.

"Avani beta..." Nanlini's voice halted Avani's escape. Avani's mental groan was loud. Damn woman, stop it. Don't say anything more.

Reluctantly, Avani returned to her mother's side, her expressionless face masking her growing unease. "Come here," Nanlini called, her voice dripping with sweetness. Avani's feet felt heavy as she walked back, her eyes locked on her mother's.

Nanlini's smile was radiant. "Sujata, this is Avani, my daughter - 28 years old, a successful lawyer, and unmarried."

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Avani. The atmosphere become awkward. Avani's mortification was palpable. Avani makes a 'What the...? You woman, why did you even say that?' face.

Nanlini seemed oblivious to Avani's burning glare but she don't gave a damn about it. Sujata, sensing the awkwardness, intervened with a warm laugh. "Oh, hi beta! I'm Sujata, your mother's best friend. You've grown so beautiful. I saw you when was just 2 yrs...yes 2 yrs old."

"Hi, Aunty," Avani said, her voice measured. Sujata's eyes crinkled at the corners. "I remember when you were just a little girl, full of energy and curiosity." Avani's smile softened, her embarrassment easing. "I'm glad to see you're doing well, beta," Sujata continued.

"ofcourse she will be looks who's daughter she is. She is just like me." Nanlini beamed, proud

"Avani's done wonderfully for herself. And still unmarried," Nanlini added, her tone playful. Avani shot her mother a warning glance.

Sujata laughs slightly to decrease the tension between mother and daughter."Nalini stop it, Siddharth beta, meet Nanlini's daughter, Avani. Avani, this is Siddharth, my son. He is a business man." Avani's polite smile masked her inner turmoil.

"Nice to meet you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Siddharth's response was low and smooth."The pleasure's mine, Avani."

Their hands touched briefly, sparking a jolt of electricity that left Avani's skin tingling. She quickly withdrew her hand, her heart racing with an unfamiliar anxiety. What the heck was that?

"Avani beta, do you remember playing with Siddharth when you were younger?" Nalini asked, her face radiant with a warm smile.

Avani's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Huh, when did that happen? Oh god, this woman."No, we didn't," Avani replied bluntly, rolling her eyes.

The room erupted into laughter, and Nanlini's smile faltered for a moment.

Siddharth chimed in, while trying not to laugh. "I insist you're wrong, Aunty. We never met as kids." Nanlini's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Haha... yeah... I must have gotten it wrong."Sujata intervened, her voice soothing. "It's okay, Nalini. No need to be embarrassed."

The tension dissipated as the group continued their conversation, but Avani couldn't shake off the feeling that her mother was up to something.

Nalini's curiosity got the better of her as she turned to Siddharth. "Siddharth beta, how old are you now?" Siddharth's eyes narrowed slightly, surprised by the sudden question.

"I'm 32, Why did you asked aunty? " he replied, his deep voice measured. Nalini's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "Oh, nothing, beta. Just asking."

Avani's gaze lingered on Nalini, sensing an underlying motive behind her inquiry. Sujata intervened, her voice filled with pride. "He's the current CEO of our company, Nalini. Doing exceptionally well."

Nalini's eyes widened. "Wow, congratulations, beta! You've achieved so much at such a young age."

Siddharth nodded graciously, his expression softening. Sujata continued, her tone tinged with a mix of pride and concern. "But because of his work, I barely get to see my child properly. Lately, he's been busier than usual. God knows why." Siddharth's gaze dropped, his jaw clenched subtly.

Avani observed the exchange, sensing tension beneath the surface.

Avani rolled her eyes, her mind racing with the real reason behind Siddharth's busy schedule. She knew the truth, hidden beneath the polished facade.

No one at this gathering knew the dark cloud looming over Siddharth's life. He was the suspect of Rajiv Gupta, his business partner's murder case.

Avani's thoughts swirled with questions. How could his family be oblivious to the high-profile murder investigation? The case was confidential, but surely whispers would have reached their social circle.

Avani's gaze drifted back to Siddharth, his composed expression a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside. Did his family's ignorance stem from deliberate protection or genuine lack of knowledge?

As she pondered, Sujata continued, unaware of the undercurrents. "I just wish he'd find some balance in his life.

He's always been driven, but this is extreme." Nalini nodded sympathetically. "I'm sure he'll manage, Sujata. He's a capable young man."

Avani's eyes locked onto Siddharth's, searching for a glimmer of unease. But his mask remained intact, concealing the truth from the World.

Nalini's eyes sparkled with interest. "I'm sure it's just the demands of being a CEO. You must be handling some big projects." Siddharth's smile was tight-lipped. "Yes, something like that."

The conversation flowed on, but Avani noticed Siddharth's guarded demeanor, he slowly excused himself from the conversation, seeking refuge in the quiet of the night. He stepped onto the balcony, gazing up at the moon's silvery glow.

---✧---

As he stood there, lost in thought, the moon's soft light illuminated his chiseled features, casting an ethereal aura around him. His mind wandered to the murder investigation, and the weight of suspicion that hung over him like a dark cloud.

Suddenly, a voice pierced the night air, shattering his reverie. "Your family doesn't know you're the suspect in Rajiv's case, or are they just acting to maintain the secret, huh?"
Siddharth turned to face Avani, her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes calculating.

Her expression was unreadable, but her tone hinted at a mixture of curiosity and accusation. Siddharth's smirk spread, a mask to conceal his unease. "Oh, Avani, missed me that much that you followed me here?"

Avani's gaze remained steady, her eyebrows raised. "Nonsense. Answer my question first." Siddharth's smirk widened as he took a step closer to Avani, his eyes locked onto hers. "And why should I answer your question, Miss Avani?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Avani's eyes narrowed, her voice firm. "Because I want to know and you will answer Mister Siddharth Singhania. And I won't back down until I uncover the truth."

The air was charged with tension as they stood face-to-face, the moon casting an eerie glow over their confrontation. Siddharth's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Siddharth's eyes crinkled at the corners, genuinely amused. "Feisty one, aren't you?" Avani's expression remained unfazed, her eyes flashing with determination. "Think whatever you can," Siddharth continued, his voice laced with amusement, "but now, answer my question."

He leaned against the balcony railing, his stance relaxed, but his eyes piercing."Okay, they don't," he conceded, his smile fading. "They know Rajiv was murdered, but they don't know I'm suspected in this case."
Avani's confusion was palpable, her brow furrowed.

"Why keep it from them?" she pressed, her voice firm. Siddharth's gaze drifted toward the moon, his expression softening. "I don't want to burden them," he said, his voice low. "They've already been through enough."

Avani's expression transformed, her eyes blazing with conviction."They should know," she countered, her voice steady. "How their son is... what kind of person he is." Siddharth's amusement dissipated, replaced by a cold, hard mask.

"You won't dare, Avani," he warned, his voice dripping with menace. Avani rolled her eyes, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "Oh, I won't dare?" she repeated, her voice laced with mockery. "You bet." Siddharth chuckled lightly, the sound sending shivers down Avani's spine.

"Yes, cherine," he whispered, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "You won't."
The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them thick with unspoken threats.

Avani's eyes locked onto Siddharth's, a silent challenge issued. Siddharth's gaze never wavered, his expression unyielding.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the balcony.

"Wait till the next hearing date," Avani warned, her voice dripping with conviction. "I'll break your arrogant ass by proving the truth."
Siddharth's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, really? Let's see then," he taunted, his voice low and husky.

He took a deliberate step closer to Avani, his movements fluid and menacing. Avani stood her ground, her heart racing with anticipation.

Siddharth leaned in, his breath whispering against her ear. She felt goosebumps all over body when he leaned closer. "I'll be waiting, Ms. Avani Khurana," he whispered.

Avani's eyes flashed with anger, but Siddharth's expression remained unfazed. He leaned back, his gaze lingering on Avani's flushed face.

"Until then," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "bye cherine."
With a fluid motion, Siddharth walked past Avani, his shoulder brushing against hers.

Avani's fists clenched, her feet stomping the ground in frustration.
"Bastard!" she muttered under her breath, her eyes blazing with fury.
As Siddharth disappeared into the darkness, Avani's anger boiled over.

She spun around, her eyes scanning the empty balcony. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the deserted space.

Avani's breath came in ragged gasps, her mind racing with strategies. She would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

Siddharth's smirk lingered in her mind, fueling her determination. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing fainter. Avani's gaze narrowed, her eyes fixed on the door Siddharth had exited through.

"This wasn't over Siddharth Singhania mark my words." She leaned against the balcony railing while looking at the moon.

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