Siya sat on the bed, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone.

Aarav entered the room, still slightly lost in thought.

She stood up and began opening drawers around the room.

He watched her curiously.

“What are you doing?”

“Just checking what’s inside,” she replied casually. “But there’s nothing interesting.”

He smiled and walked closer, standing beside her.

Then she noticed one small drawer.

Her eyes narrowed.

“I’m sure something is in this one.”

She looked at him.

He simply nodded, still smiling at her curiosity.

She slowly pulled it open.

And froze.

The drawer was filled with small neatly packed boxes.

Her cheeks immediately turned pink.

“What the hell is this?” she whispered.

Aarav leaned slightly to look.

Then realization hit him.

A slow smirk spread across his face.

She instantly slammed the drawer shut.

Turned to him.

He was still smirking.

“So… these were the things you were searching for?” he asked calmly.

She shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

“Why, Mrs. Goenka?”

She turned her face away. “Shameless.”

He chuckled softly.

“Wanna try, Mrs. Goenka?”

Her heart skipped.

She pushed him lightly. “Idiot!”

He laughed.

She quickly walked back and sat on the bed.

He followed slowly.

“Stop. Don’t even come near me,” she warned. “Otherwise I will kill you.”

He raised his hands playfully. “Relax. I’m just coming to sleep.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Sleep on the couch.”

“Why?”

She folded her arms.

He leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice teasingly.

“Mrs. Goenka… are you scared?”

She stiffened.

“I’m not scared.”

He smiled. “It’s okay if you are. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

She sighed in frustration.

“I am not scared. Come and sleep.”

But before he could react—

She quickly arranged pillows between them like a wall.

“There. Now sleep. And don’t you dare cross this.”

He looked at the pillow barrier.

Then at her.

Smiled.

“Okay, okay.”

He lay down beside her.

She turned to the other side.

Back facing him.

Her heart racing.

He looked at the ceiling.

A small smile playing on his lips.

Because despite all her threats—

She didn’t make him sleep on the couch.

And that was enough for tonight.

Siya closed her eyes.

Within minutes, exhaustion took over.

Her breathing became steady.

She fell asleep.

But Aarav didn’t.

He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.

Then he turned his head slightly.

All he could see was—

Pillows.

A whole wall of useless pillows.

He sighed quietly.

“These useless pillows…” he muttered under his breath. “I can’t even see her face properly.”

He adjusted slightly, trying to peek over them.

He could only see a small strand of her hair resting near the pillow.

He smiled faintly.

“She fights like a warrior,” he whispered softly, “but sleeps like a child.”

The room was silent except for the sound of waves outside.

After some time—

His eyes slowly closed too.

And sleep finally claimed him.

The pillow wall still standing between them.

But the distance…

Slightly less than before.

Morning light filtered softly into the room.

Siya stirred.

Her lashes fluttered.

Slowly, she opened her eyes—

And froze.

Aarav was right there.

Leaning slightly closer.

Looking at her.

Not teasing.

Not smirking.

Just… watching.

She gasped softly.

Her heartbeat skipped.

She swallowed.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Then—

He finally smiled.

That slow, knowing smile.

She immediately pushed him lightly and sat up.

“What were you doing?” she demanded.

He sat up beside her, calm as ever.

“Nothing,” he said casually. “I was just admiring you, Mrs. Goenka.”

Her cheeks turned pink instantly.

She turned her face away. “Shameless.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“Scared?”

She turned sharply. “I am not scared.”

“Liar.”

She sighed dramatically. “I don’t want to ruin my mood because of waste people.”

He raised a brow.

She looked straight at him. “Like you.”

Siya got up and walked into the bathroom.

He chuckled under his breath.

After her shower—

She stepped out wearing a crisp shirt and a skirt.

Simple.

Elegant.

Her damp hair resting softly over her shoulders.

Aarav was already dressed in a perfectly fitted shirt and trousers.

He looked at her.

She deliberately ignored him.

They had breakfast quietly.

But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable.

It was charged.

Before leaving—

She added a few gold and diamond pieces.

Subtle.

Classy.

Enhancing her natural grace.

She slipped into her shoes and thought,

This will be more comfortable.

Aarav noticed everything.

He always did.

But he said nothing.

And that somehow made it more intense.

Siya paused by a small street stall, looking at colorful seashell crafts.

“These are beautiful,” she said, picking one up.

He nodded beside her. “Pretty, but not as bright as your smile.”

Siya shot him a glare. “Shut up, Goenka.”

And they moved on, walking side by side, enjoying the ocean breeze.