Dream Husband

2 A Moment in His World

“What are you saying, Sara?” Arav’s voice was calm yet firm as he clasped her delicate hands in his. His lips brushed against her knuckles in a soft kiss. “Listen to me—you’re not going anywhere.”

Sara avoided his gaze, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “Arav, I don’t want to burden you because of what happened last night. Please don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Arav looked at her, his sharp eyes scanning her face for the emotions she refused to show. What was she thinking? He couldn’t tell. All he knew was that he didn’t want to let her go.

After all these years, Sara was still the one who held his heart. His school days had been brighter because of her presence, even if she’d never realized it. And now, she was here in front of him, vulnerable and unsure. He didn’t care about what had brought them to this point—he was ready to spoil her with all the love he’d kept locked away.

Before Arav could say more, a knock on the door startled them both.

Sara tensed, her nervousness returning instantly.

Arav reached out and stroked her hair, his touch reassuring. “Don’t worry,” he said softly. “This is my private place. No one comes here except Anna, my secretary.”

He raised his voice slightly toward the door. “What is it, Anna?”

From outside, Anna’s voice came through, polite but urgent. “Boss, we’re running late for the meeting.”

Arav turned back to Sara, his eyes softening. “Please wait for me here. I’ll be back as soon as I finish. The meeting is just on the next floor, so you won’t be alone for long.”

Sara nodded, her head low. She didn’t want to delay him further, even though her heart felt heavy with uncertainty.

Arav opened the door to find Anna standing in the hallway, her usual professional demeanor intact.

“Arrange for a female caretaker to assist in my penthouse,” he instructed her in a low voice before stepping into the elevator.

Anna nodded, her curiosity piqued but hidden behind her composed expression. As they ascended to the 26th floor, Arav’s rare warmth and slight smile didn’t escape her notice. She couldn’t recall the last time her boss had shown such a lighthearted mood—if ever.

When Arav entered the conference room, filled with shareholders, everyone rose to greet him.

“Please sit,” Arav said, his lips curling into a faint smile.

The room fell silent, the shareholders exchanging surprised glances. Their cold, workaholic CEO was smiling? The atmosphere in the room shifted, curiosity evident on every face.

---

Meanwhile, back in the penthouse, Sara tried to gather her scattered thoughts. The weight of the previous night’s events hung heavily over her. No matter how hard she tried, the memories remained elusive, leaving her with only fragments of laughter and a sense of warmth.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. When she opened it, a kind-faced, middle-aged woman greeted her with a tray.

“Good morning, ma’am,” the woman said gently. “I’m Aunt July, your caretaker. Sir asked me to bring this for you—a soothing drink to help you feel better.”

Sara thanked her quietly, taking the drink. She sipped it slowly, letting the warmth ease the tension in her body. Once finished, she decided to explore her surroundings.

The penthouse, though modest in size, exuded elegance and comfort. The neutral tones of gray and white gave it a serene ambiance, while plush sofas and soft rugs added a touch of coziness. The open-plan layout made it feel even more spacious.

Drawn to the fresh breeze, Sara stepped out onto the garden balcony. The crisp October air greeted her as she took in the breathtaking view of New York City. It was only then that she realized she was standing atop one of the tallest buildings in the city.

Curious, she wandered toward the elevator at the edge of the garden. Before she could get too close, a tall, bald man approached her quickly.

“Ma’am,” he said politely, his tone calm yet authoritative. “Our boss is in a meeting. Do you need any assistance? I’m Peter, his personal bodyguard.”

Sara shook her head, offering a polite smile. “No, thank you. I was just… trying to understand where I am.”

Peter nodded, his own smile warm. “You’re in the penthouse of GD Enterprises, ma’am. Our boss, Mr. Arav, is the CEO of this company.”

Sara’s eyes widened. GD Enterprises? The same company that was among the top five in New York? Back in school, Arav’s family had run a small business. How had he transformed into the CEO of such a massive empire in just a few years?

Sara thanked Peter and sat on a stone bench in the garden, her thoughts swirling. The warmth of the sun and the beauty of the flowers around her brought a strange sense of peace to her heart. For the first time in years, she felt a fleeting moment of happiness.

Aunt July soon returned with a tray of nutritious food and fruits. “Ma’am, your breakfast,” she said, setting the tray on the garden table.

Sara thanked her again and began eating slowly, savoring the flavors. After finishing, she asked, “Aunt July, may I know your name?”

The older woman smiled warmly. “You can call me Aunt July, ma’am. Mr. Arav appointed me to take care of you.”

Something in Aunt July’s kindness made Sara’s chest tighten. Tears pricked her eyes, and one escaped, rolling down her cheek.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” Aunt July asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” Sara replied quickly, wiping her tears away. “Thank you, Aunt July.”

She asked Aunt July to clean up the bedroom, still a mess from the night before. With a nod, Aunt July took the empty bowls and left.

Sara sat in the garden for hours, letting the October breeze calm her nerves. She tried not to think about herself, but her mind kept drifting back to Arav. What did he think of her? What could she say to him when he returned?

---

Unbeknownst to her, Arav had already returned. Standing a few feet away, he watched her quietly. Her lean frame, her soft features, the way her long hair danced in the breeze—it was a sight that made his chest tighten.

She looked even more beautiful now than she had in their school days. But her eyes… they held a sadness and confusion he couldn’t ignore.

Arav approached her, his steps light. Sara, lost in her thoughts, didn’t notice until he gently touched her shoulder.

Startled, she jumped, her heart racing. When she turned to see Arav, her anxiety melted away, replaced by a calm she couldn’t explain.

“Are you alright, Sara?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Yes, I’m fine,” she replied quickly. “You just startled me.”

Arav moved closer, his presence overwhelming her senses. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her near. His other hand gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Her breath hitched as he leaned closer, his face mere inches from hers.

His deep voice broke the silence. “You’re beautiful, Sara. And I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

Before she could respond, his lips met hers. Sara’s eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding wildly. She felt his warmth, his passion, and for a moment, the world faded away.