Chapter 5: Things We Hide
421 Words
Morning – Anaya’s Apartment
She stood in front of the mirror, applying lipstick mechanically. Her thoughts weren’t on work—they were on Karthik’s question from last night.
A real date.
She wanted to say yes. But fear clung to her like a second skin. What if he turned out like the others? Sweet in the beginning, but slowly dismantling her identity? She couldn’t afford to break again.
She reached for her phone.
> Karthik: Meet me after work? No pressure. Just ice cream.
Anaya: 6:30. Don’t be late.
Karthik: For you, I’d wait forever.
She smiled despite herself.
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Evening – Ice Cream by the Beach
They walked barefoot on the sand, cones in hand, the smell of salt in the air.
Karthik bit into his scoop. “So, I Googled your name. You’re kind of a big deal.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve won two design awards. Relax.”
“No, I mean it. You’re smart, sharp, stubborn—”
“Charming, gorgeous, intimidating,” she added, smirking.
He grinned. “All of the above.”
A few seconds of silence passed.
Then she said it.
“I was almost married once.”
Karthik looked at her, careful not to interrupt.
“I left the morning of the engagement. My family hasn’t forgiven me. They said I brought shame. But I couldn’t marry someone who didn’t respect who I was.”
He nodded slowly. “That took guts.”
She studied his face. “You’re not shocked?”
“I think people who choose themselves are the bravest.”
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Later That Night – Karthik’s Journal (Yes, he secretly keeps one)
> She trusts me now. At least a little.
I wanted to tell her everything tonight. About my family. My dad. The empire I’m supposed to take over.
But I didn’t.
Because the moment I do… things will change.
And right now, I just want to be the guy she meets at the beach, not the heir to an empire.
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Next Morning – Twist Incoming
At the office, Anaya was preparing for a client review when her manager walked in.
“Good news,” he said. “We just landed the new Skyline Heights project. We’re collaborating with Suresh Realty.”
Anaya’s heart froze.
Suresh Realty.
The biggest real estate firm in Chennai.
And owned by none other than... Karthik Suresh’s family.
She stared at the blueprint in her hands as if it might explode.
Was this a coincidence?
Or was he hiding something?
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- Writer
