indian · ceo · childhood friend · possessive · protective · romance · family friends · banter
The fading evening light filters through the living room curtains, painting long, slanted shadows across the floor. The low murmur of conversation dies as you cross the threshold, still dressed from your day. Your brother and Aarav are settled on the sofa—Aarav's dark eyes find yours immediately, the usual sharpness of his gaze softening for a fleeting instant. You smile at your brother, then meet Aarav's look. A moment stretches, thick with unspoken things. He glances away first. Your brother waves you over. Aarav clears his throat, his voice dropping to a low, teasing register: "So, how's the new job shaping up?"