Tension behind Glass walls

The following week moved like a whirlwind of presentations, design prototypes, media planning, and brand meetings. But beneath all the professional chaos was something far more electric—the growing tension between Kiara and Aaryan.

To outsiders, they were a power duo—flawlessly dressed, perfectly composed, exchanging ideas with seamless rhythm. But when the doors closed and the world fell away, their interactions were charged with something unspoken.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, Kiara walked into their shared design studio at Sehgal Corp’s creative wing. Her hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, and she wore a black turtleneck tucked into high-waisted beige pants. Effortless. Elegant.

Aaryan was already there, sleeves rolled up, leaning over the table as he sketched out an interface design for the smartwatch line.

“You’re early,” she said, setting her laptop on the table.

He didn’t look up. “You’re late.”

“I’m two minutes early,” she corrected, arching a brow.

He finally looked at her. “Exactly. I was expecting you five minutes ago.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “You need a hobby.”

He smirked. “I just found one.”

Before Kiara could react, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—an incoming call from Ishita Kapoor, a name that Kiara didn’t recognize, but something about the pause in Aaryan’s expression made her curious.

“Excuse me,” he said and stepped outside the glass door to answer.

From behind the partition, Kiara couldn’t hear much—only fragments.

“I told you, not now… No, I didn’t forget… I’m handling it.”

Her mind, naturally inquisitive, began piecing together ideas she had no business entertaining. Who is she? A girlfriend? An ex? A problem?

But before she could spiral, he returned, his expression composed as ever.

“Where were we?” he asked.

Kiara didn’t push. But something in her chest tightened.

—

Later that day, the two found themselves in a showroom mock-up for a branding shoot. Lights were being tested, props arranged, and the creative director asked them to stand together for a few trial frames.

Aaryan moved closer to Kiara, his hand brushing her back as he guided her gently into the frame.

“You don’t have to touch me,” she whispered.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he whispered back, though his voice was low and amused.

The camera clicked. The chemistry was undeniable.

They stood just inches apart. Neither smiled, but their eyes spoke a silent war—fire meeting ice. Intensity layered with confusion.

“Perfect,” the photographer announced. “Let’s do one more.”

Kiara turned slightly, her profile glowing under the lights. Aaryan watched her—not the way a CEO looks at a business partner, but the way a man looks at a storm he has no desire to escape from.

That night, Kiara sat alone in her room, reviewing campaign notes. But her thoughts kept circling back to Aaryan’s phone call. To his stare during the shoot. To the way he listened, as if her every word mattered.

She hated the distraction. Hated that a man could occupy so much space in her thoughts when she barely knew him.

But maybe, deep down… she didn’t want to not know him.

—

Meanwhile, Aaryan sat in his car, parked outside Sehgal Corp, staring at the city skyline.

Kabir sat beside him. “You’ve been quiet.”

Aaryan didn’t respond for a while. Then finally, he said, “She’s not just smart. She sees people.”

“You mean Kiara?”

Aaryan exhaled, his voice low. “She’s not like the rest.”

Kabir hesitated. “And Ishita?”

Aaryan’s jaw tensed. “That’s… complicated.”

He stared at the skyline a second longer, then started the engine.

The game had just begun—and it was no longer about business.