Bound By Obsession

Kiara

The revised contract lay open on my desk, but I wasn’t looking at it. My mind was elsewhere—on the tension brewing beneath the surface, on the choices I had to make before they were made for me.

I had spent years building my empire, ensuring that every move I made was deliberate, calculated. Yet Avyaan Rathore had a way of disrupting that. Every interaction with him felt like a game of chess, where he was always two steps ahead, waiting for me to make the wrong move. But I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. The thought had been lingering in my mind for days, nudging at me like an inconvenient truth. A strategic engagement.

It wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t romantic. But it could solve multiple problems at once.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Riaan stepped inside, his usual easygoing demeanor shadowed by something more serious. He didn’t speak at first, just studied me, as if trying to gauge what was running through my mind.

“You’ve been distracted lately,” he finally said.

I sighed, pushing the contract aside. “I have a lot on my plate.”

“That’s not what I mean.” He stepped closer, lowering himself into the chair across from me. “I know you, Kiara. And whatever’s going on in that head of yours—it’s not just business.”

I hesitated. Riaan was one of the few people I trusted implicitly. But even then, this wasn’t something I could just blurt out.

“Have you ever made a decision that was purely strategic?” I asked instead.

Riaan raised an eyebrow. “Every day.”

I exhaled. “But what if that decision affects more than just business?”

A pause. Then, realization flickered across his face.

“You’re considering something big.”

“I’m considering something necessary.”

Riaan didn’t push, but his expression turned thoughtful. “Whatever it is, just make sure it’s your choice.”

His words settled heavily in my mind as he stood up, ruffling my hair in a way that was both brotherly and irritating before walking out. I smiled slightly despite myself.

Later that evening, I found myself at dinner with Sanya, Ishika, and Vihaan. The restaurant was buzzing with conversations and the clinking of glasses, but I was only half present.

“You’re brooding,” Sanya noted, sipping her wine. “That’s never a good sign.”

Ishika leaned in, interested. “Spill.”

I hesitated, then finally said, “What do you think about strategic engagements?”

Vihaan nearly choked on his drink. “I think that’s a loaded question.”

Sanya narrowed her eyes. “Who are you thinking about?”

“No one,” I said quickly. “It’s just... an idea.”

Ishika studied me carefully. “An idea doesn’t make you this tense.”

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated. A message. A name on the screen that solidified my decision.

A rival. Someone who could change the entire game.

---

Avyaan

The numbers on the screen blurred as I leaned back, rubbing my temples. Something was off. Kiara had been quieter than usual, not in the way that signaled surrender—but in the way that hinted at something brewing beneath the surface.

Rehaan walked in, tossing a file onto my desk. “You’re distracted.”

I didn’t respond immediately, flipping through the document absentmindedly.

“She hasn’t countered the deal yet,” I muttered.

Rehaan smirked. “Maybe she’s considering it.”

“No.” I shook my head. “She’s planning something.”

Rehaan studied me for a moment before sighing. “You really think this is just about the contract?”

I met his gaze. “No.”

Because Kiara Sinha didn’t just stall for no reason. And whatever she was up to—I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it.

And I had no idea that soon, the entire game was about to change.