ADVIK RAJAN REDDY

The wheels of the jet kissed the runway of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport just after midnight. Advik descended the staircase with his signature stride — unhurried, composed, and lethal.

A sleek black Rolls Royce waited outside, guarded. He gave them no instructions — they already knew. The convoy finally pulled up before Cerulean Heights, a luxury high-rise. This was his space — the penthouse a top of it.

Advik stepped inside and exhaled, tossing his blazer. The entire top floor was his — dark wood, dim lights, whiskey shelves.

He didn’t expect Aryan Iyer to show up the next evening.

______________________________

The Penthouse – Next Evening

Aryan stormed towards the door like a monsoon and the guards know better than to stop the Iyer heir.

The door swung open without warning. Aryan didn’t knock — he bashed. Advik, unfazed, didn’t look up from the glass he was swirling in one hand.

“You think you can just return after all these years and claim her like she’s some business deal you closed?”gritted Aryan through clenched teeth

Advik raising an eyebrow, coolly replied “Don’t mistake her for a deal, Aryan. She’s mine. Always has been. You just had the privilege of borrowing time with her.”

Aryan laughs coldly.

“Yours? She’s not a fucking trophy. You think she’ll just accept some stranger who shows up with dark suits and darker secrets?”

Advik pouring another glass of whisky replied “Stranger? I’ve known her long before she knew herself. I watched her grow. Protected her from dangers you never even saw coming. I admit you have played the doting brother, but don’t confuse that with ownership.”

“I raised her, Reddy! From the day our parents died, I gave her everything — safety, love, a life away from the blood we come from. And you want to drag her back into that hell?”Aryan spoke raising his voice.

“She was never out of it. You just built her a glass castle and hoped the monsters wouldn’t find the door. But they’ve found it, Aryan. And when they come for her who do you think can protect her? A man who hides behind a corporate desk, or the one who rules the empire they fear?"Advik spoke calmly but his words sharp as a blade.

Aryan eyes blazed and he stepped forward.

“I don’t care who fears you. I don’t care what empire you built in your dark corners. She’s not going with you.”

“She’s already mine. We’re bound — by name, by legacy, by blood,by promise. The deal was struck before she turned ten. You signed it.Your grandfather made sure of it.”Advik spoke dangerously calm.

“She doesn’t know about any promise.And when she does — she’ll hate you. She hates violence, Advik. You represent everything she despises with her heart”cracked Aryan's voice with fury.

“She can hate me all she wants. I’d rather be hated and have her alive than loved and see her bleed. I didn’t come back to win her heart with flowers. Our story is not a fairy tale" Advik said deadly

“You’re deluded. You think you’re some savior? You’re the storm. You’ll shatter her.She will break into pieces ”Aryan replied.

“No, Aryan. I’m the storm she was born from. She just doesn’t know it yet" Advik spoke walking close

“She’s not leaving with you. Not now. Not ever, until I want" Aryan confirmed with rage

“Then you better be ready to fight me for her. But remember — I don’t lose. Especially not when it comes to my woman" Aryan's tone turned icy.

Aryan glared at him.

“She’s not yours. She’s Ishaani vennela Iyer not some contract. I’ll make sure she sees who you are.

Advik smirked.

“Let her see. Let her hate. But when the time comes, Aryan… she will walk towards me" Advik said nonchalantly.

They stood toe-to-toe, head to head , separated by blood and a girl who had no idea how much power she held.

Arguing with Advik is pointless as he fixed his target decided Aryan and gave a final blow“If she cries even once because of you, Reddy, I’ll burn your kingdom and bury you down with my bare hands.”

“And if you keep her from me… there won’t be a kingdom left to hide in.” Advik said without flinching.

Aryan’s jaw clenched, but he turned and stormed out eyes blazing with fire.

Advik walked to the glass wall, lifting his glass again, watching the city beneath him.

“She’s mine,” he whispered more to himself.

______________________________

IYER MANSION

The Iyer estate buzzed quietly with its usual rhythm. Ishaani sat cross-legged in giant hall on the sofa, a sketchbook on her lap, her fingers lazily tracing the outline of a lotus. Her forehead wrinkled slightly. Something about the house felt... off today.

Her grandfather,entered leaning on his carved sandalwood cane, but with the poise and authority of a man who had once ruled industries and kingdoms alike. He moved to sit beside her.

"Still sketching those dreamy flowers, vennela" he asked with the nickname on which only hejas rights.

"They don't yell back or tell me to marry the moment I turn twenty-three. Flowers are peaceful"replied his vennela with a taunt as he pesters her to marry in a joking manner. Only if she knew.

He chuckled.

"Peace doesn't build legacies, child. But I suppose you’re allowed to enjoy it… while it lasts."

She frowned but let the words slide as he always speaks in riddles.

Moments later, Aryan appeared descending stairs dressed in crisp formals, but his eyes were shadowed, his jaw clenched.

Ishaani’s smile faded as she studied him.

"Anna, you didn’t sleep well again, did you?"

"Just work. I’ve got a meeting in an hour." replied Aryan not meeting her gaze.

"You’ve been… different. Since yesterday. You arrived late.Skipped dinner and now leaving in the morning without having breakfast" Ishani broke her observations about him.

"You’ve always been nosy. It’s nothing, Ishu. I promise. I'm stressed about our new deal.You Just… be careful around new people, alright?"

Ishani frowned but old man who was reading newspaper understood the hidden implication of that new people.

"New people? Anna, what's happening?"

He walked to her, brushing her hair back gently, the way he used to when she was a child.

"Just… remember who you are. What family you come from. And that I’ll always protect you, no matter what."

She watched him walk away without letting her speak.

She turned to her Thatha.

"That's what I hate about this Businessmen. Always speaking a way no one can understand except themselves. " She complained to no one huffing and went back to her room to go to temple as it's her routine on every Friday morning.

_____________________________

TTD TEMPLE, HYDERABAD

The temple was ancient, its towering gopuram casting a golden silhouette in the morning sun.

Ishaani dressed in a pale blue silk saree. Her eyes were closed in prayer, lips silently chanting.

She had slipped away quietly, craving of divinity. Security had followed, as always, though at a respectful distance. She was used to the eyes of invisible protection.

But strangely something felt off.

As she was immersed in her chants a figure approached disguised as Priest.The false priest moved slowly, too close to be coincidental. Her breath hitched as she sensed someone near her.

Suddenly —

A flicker of heat.

Her pallu caught fire.

As priest lit from her back.

Gasps erupted.

Flames neared her blouse.

Her scream echoed.

Before she could react —

A blur.

A man in black dodged over the railing of the mandapa, his long coat flying like wings

In one desperate motion, he tore the flaming pallu from her body and flung it into the temple pond. But as he turned back toward her — his eyes caught hers.

And for the first time in a long time… Advik felt fear.

The fear in her eyes.

She looked startled, vulnerable.

Without a word, he unwrapped the long shawl from his shoulders and gently draped it over her as the smoke cleared.

Her saree singed and half-burned. He covered her with an utmost care, jaw tight, breath uneven.

"You shouldn’t play with fire, princess. But damn if it doesn’t suit you."Advik spoke with shaken tone.

Ishaani blinked up at him, breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t place the feeling.

The false priest was already fleeing through the back halls, chased by temple security. Ishaani’s guards came running, weapons concealed but eyes alert.

"Who... are you?" her voice trembled.

"Call me whatever you like. Stranger. Devil. Protector. I'm known for them all." He replied stepping closer.

The Chief of her security, Vishnu, intervened eyes widening at the sight of Advik.

He tapped out a message quickly.

Aryan phone vibrated a moment later. One word appeared: “ARR.”

Seeing Vishnu Ishani stepped back behind him that made Advik jaw tightened and fists clenched.

She was not supposed to feel safe from others when he was straight standing before her.

"You had no business being this close to her without clearance. Irrespective of the reason that you saved her" Vishnu spoke firm but with tense.

"Funny. If I hadn’t been ‘this close,’ by now she would be ....."he closed his eyes not even daring to imagine that.

"Your men were admiring the architecture while someone tried to roast her alive."

Vishnu's eyes burned.

Just then Vivek, Vishnu's sub ordinate interrupted.

"Will escort Ms.Iyer with your permission Sir"

Vishnu nodded formally.

Ishaani looked between 3 of them, bewildered.She still didn't recover from the incident. Her heart hammering in confusion and fear.

Advik's heart urged to take her into his arms and soothe her. But he didn't want to complicate things for her. More.

"Madam please...."Vivek asked.

"That’s a serious accusation-" Vishnu tried to speak.

"That’s a serious mistake. And I don’t care how long you and your Father served to Iyer's or how loyal you are,Vishnu. Next time you’re late, you don’t answer to him. You answer to me" Advik said cutting him off with low and dangerous voice.

"I answer to my duty. Not to threats. And not to self-proclaimed guardians who step in just to claim her "Vishnu replied in unwavering tone with his spine straight and head held high.

That spoke why Aryan chose him to safeguard his princess. Maybe he failed today , he accept it . To be honest ,his first one though even Advik knew. But he's not going to let someone question his capability and loyalty.

Advik eyes narrowed.

"She’s mine. That’s more than a title, Vishnu. You know better than testing my patience"

"Sorry sir if I hurt you but keeping everyone distant from her who is not family is my duty Sir. Advik Reddy or not. I'm just following my protocol sir. I agree mistake happened today and won't be repeated. Now excuse me sir"Vishnu spoke respectfully.

"It better not. Not if you all value breathing"Advik muttered and Vishnu took his leave.

In the car Vishnu sat in passenger seat contemplating reaction of Aryan.

Ishani seated at back lost in her thoughts. She felt strange around him. She's not sure about him.But she knew this—

Something had shifted.

______________________________

Advik's Penthouse

A dark phone screen lit up with images. Advik’s investigator spoke swiftly on speaker.

"The false priest.

Name : Haricharan Muthuvel.Hired. Trained. Clean record till two years ago. Possible links to your old rivals in Bangkok."

Advik’s eyes turned stormy.

"Find out who gave the order. I want names"he replied.

Just then, the door slammed open. Aryan stepped in, suit crumpled, fury radiating off him.

"You went to her. You were with Ishaani. At the temple. Without telling me. Without clearance. What the hell were you thinking, Advik?!"

Advik stood slowly, his eyes glinting with restrained rage.

"I was thinking she was about to die while your men stood there polishing their earpieces"Advik replied calmly

"You think you can just break in and play hero? She doesn't even know who you are. You made a mess!"Aryan raised his voice

"No. If I hadn’t been there, Aryan, she would’ve gone up in flames. Your 'security' was five seconds too late"Advik replied coldly. His body turned cold even thinking about that.

"Don’t you dare question my protection. I sent her with our best—"

"And they failed. Period. If this is how you guard your sister, I’m terrified what you’re missing in your company" Advik spoke cutting him off.

"Don’t drag Iyer Industries into this. This is about her. She’s not yours to protect. Not yet"Aryan growled.

"She was promised to me. She's mine to protect. You can try to keep us apart, Aryan, but I will not let anyone harm her. Someone attacking her and I'm not going to sit and watch out. I will act"Advik said his voice deepening at the end.

Aryan (furious, shouting):

"Don’t you dare say she's yours like she’s some trophy.She's my baby sister. You weren’t here to raise her, and stand beside her in tough times. I did! You don’t get to slam in and play the possessive guardian overnight and expect me to step back and handover all her responsibilities to you. Like hell I would do that "Aryan shouted furiously slamming flowers vase on to the TV next to him.

"And yet, despite all your watchfulness, someone almost burned her alive. You love her? Good. Then help me keep her safe. Or stay out of my way"Advik gritted.

"You think this is about love? You think I don't know what the world you live in does to people? I've buried too many bodies to trust that you're any different" Aryan gritted his eyes flashing fire.

"Don’t act like your hands are clean. You just wear better cologne"Advik mocked.

"At least I keep her out of it. You’ll drag her right into the fire" Aryan chose to speak bitterly.

"She’s already in it. Tch tch.She's born into it. Whether either of us likes it or not. The only difference is—I’m willing to walk through it for her" Advik said quietly.

"You want her? Prove you're worth the hell she’ll face beside you. Until then, stay in the shadows where you belong" Aryan pointed.

Advik smirked.

"Careful, Aryan. The shadows remember everything. Including betrayal" Advik declared.

"You better find who did this. And until then... stay the hell away from her"Aryan replied.

"Try and stop me" Advik challenged meeting his eyes.

The two men stared each other down, anger and love for the same girl. The room ignited with unspoken history, the bond of friendship tainted by the weight of blood and secrets.