1 A Night to Remember
Sara woke up, basking in the warmth of the bed. She curled up, trying to return to her comfortable slumber, but then she felt someone pulling her closer. It was then she realized—she was sleeping in someone's arms, naked. Nervously, she opened her eyes.
To her surprise, her anxiety faded as soon as she saw who it was—Arav, holding her tightly. The Arav she knew so well. Her schoolmate, the school topper, the boy everyone admired. Yet, this man was no longer the senior school "big brother" Arav she remembered. He was now a tall, handsome, and confident man.
Her heart raced as she tried to piece together the events of the previous night. Memories were hazy—she had been at a bar, drinking, laughing with old friends. But how had she ended up here, in his arms? She looked at him closely, his defined features and peaceful expression making her pulse quicken. He was fitter, more mature, and undeniably captivating.
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted as Arav opened his eyes. Their gazes met, his dark brown eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“You’re awake?” he asked softly, his voice gentle yet commanding.
Sara, overwhelmed with embarrassment and nervousness, avoided his eyes. She attempted to pull away from him, but a sharp pain between her legs made her wince. Heat rushed to her cheeks as realization dawned—this had been her first time. She had lost her virginity in a haze of intoxication.
Arav noticed her discomfort immediately. Concern clouded his face as he loosened his hold. “Sara, are you in pain?” he asked, his tone tender yet firm.
Before she could respond, he got out of bed. Sara’s face turned into a crimson as she caught sight of his tall, naked form. She quickly covered her eyes with her hands, her embarrassment almost unbearable.
Arav chuckled softly at her reaction, his lips curling into a smile. “Relax,” he said gently. He grabbed a bathrobe and tied it around his waist before heading to the bathroom. A few moments later, he returned and scooped her up effortlessly.
“Arav!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of surprise and protest.
“You need a warm bath,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Sara was too stunned to resist as he carried her into the bathroom. He placed her gently into the warm water, his hands brushing against her skin as he helped her settle in. She kept her eyes tightly shut, her entire body burning with embarrassment.
Arav’s hands moved with care as he washed her, his touch firm yet considerate. Sara felt her cheeks grow hotter with each passing second. Her body, still new to such intimacy, reacted instinctively, her skin flushing pink under his touch.
Arav’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, his expression unreadable. His desire was evident, but he held himself back, reminding himself of her innocence. Her body was too delicate, too unaccustomed to such intensity. With a deep breath, he reined in his emotions and focused on cleaning her gently.
Once they were both dressed in bathrobes, Sara sat on the couch, quiet and lost in thought. Arav stood before the mirror, inspecting the faint marks she had left on his neck. His lips curved into a soft smile as he glanced at her through the reflection.
Sara, noticing his gaze, quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing once more. She felt as though she could disappear into the couch and never come out.
Arav, amused by her shyness, changed into a crisp black-and-white suit. His movements were deliberate, exuding the confidence and charisma of a man who was used to commanding attention. As he adjusted his tie, he stepped out onto the balcony to make a call.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Sara jumped, her nerves fraying at the thought of someone seeing her in this state.
“Don’t worry,” Arav said, his voice soothing. “It’s just my secretary, Anna.”
Sara let out a small sigh of relief but quickly retreated to the cloakroom for safety. Arav shook his head, amused, as he opened the door. Anna handed him a shopping bag, her expression curious. It wasn’t often she saw her boss in such a state of casual disarray, let alone with a woman in his room.
“Anything else?” Arav asked, his tone sharp enough to pull Anna from her thoughts.
“No, sir,” she replied quickly, backing away under his cold gaze.
After closing the door, Arav handed the bag to Sara. “Here, I had Anna pick out some clothes for you.”
Sara hesitated before taking the bag, her fingers brushing against his. She changed into the dress, which fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in a way that made her feel both elegant and exposed.
Arav approached her, his steps slow and deliberate. Standing close, he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Do you like it?” he asked, his voice low and intimate.
Sara nodded, her cheeks heating as she avoided his gaze.
Arav gently turned her to face him, lifting her chin so their eyes met. “Sara, you don’t need to feel embarrassed,” he said softly. “I brought you here because you were in no condition to be alone last night. But… I couldn’t resist you.”
His words made her heart pound. Memories of the previous night began to surface—flashes of laughter, her boldness fueled by alcohol, and her seeking comfort in his arms.
“I’m sorry,” Arav continued, his voice tinged with regret. “I should have controlled myself. You were intoxicated, and I—”
“Arav,” Sara interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I don’t blame you....”
Arav’s chest tightened at her words. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. The warmth of his embrace was both comforting and overwhelming, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
As the morning light streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the room, the bustling city outside seemed a world away. In the penthouse of GD Enterprises, Sara and Arav found a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos.
But the tranquility was short-lived. Tears began to roll down Sara’s cheeks, and Arav noticed immediately. Panic flashed across his face as he cupped her face in his hands.
“Sara, are you okay? Should I call a doctor? Are you in pain?” he asked, his voice laced with guilt and worry.
Sara shook her head, a small smile breaking through her tears. “I’m fine, Arav,” she said softly. “I just… I don’t want to be a burden to you. You have so much to handle. I’ll be okay on my own.”
Arav’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening. “You’re not a burden, Sara,” he said firmly. “And I don’t want you to leave until you’re ready.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air. Finally, Sara nodded, her resolve softening under his intense gaze.
“I’ll have breakfast sent up,” Arav said, his tone gentle yet commanding. “Rest here for as long as you need.”
As he turned to leave for his meeting, Sara called out his name. The sound of her voice stopped him in his tracks. He looked back at her, his eyes softening.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling with sincerity.
Arav’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Always,” he replied before stepping out.