Page 38 of Since You Came Along (Ever Since #1)

T he private dining room of The Imperial reeked of power and exclusivity. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the mahogany table set for four. Rich velvet drapes shielded the room from the prying eyes of the outside world.

Siya adjusted the napkin in her lap, her fingers tightening around the fabric as she glanced at Abhay from the corner of her eye.

He was lounging back in his chair, but his jaw was taut with irritation. Even though he wasn’t looking at her, she could feel his presence like a phantom touch on her skin.

The tension in the air was too thick to ignore. Siya tried not to fidget as she glanced between the two men across the table. They made small talk about market trends, as if they weren’t lifelong rivals, as if they hadn’t spent years trying to outdo each other in every way.

Kartik Kashyap didn’t sit with Mihit Agrawal unless it was necessary, and even then, he did it with thinly veiled contempt. Yet tonight, there was no edge to his posture, no trace of the usual hostility in his tone.

Something wasn’t right. This wasn’t just a dinner. This was a setup.

Kartik cleared his throat, setting his glass down with a quiet clink. ‘We’ll get straight to the point. We have a problem that concerns both of our families.’

‘What’s going on, Dad?’ Abhay asked Mihit.

Mihit leaned forward and clasped his hands together as he replied, ‘The Patel Group, our biggest competitor, has made a move we cannot afford to ignore. As you’re both aware, they’ve just signed a massive deal with a Dubai-based luxury chain.

Through this collaboration, they’ll bring in foreign investment, push out local dominance, and control pricing. ’

‘It’s no secret they’ve been circling the industry for years, waiting for a crack to slip through,’ Siya said, shaking her head once.

Abhay exhaled and rubbed his jaw. He’d seen the market estimate reports. The numbers weren’t favourable. ‘So, what’s the solution?’

Kartik and Mihit exchanged a silent, calculated glance. It was Mihit who spoke. ‘This isn’t just about business. It’s about the long game. As long as Agrawal Jewels and Kashyap Luxe remain at each other’s throats, we’re dividing the market.’

Kartik chimed in, ‘If they manage to establish themselves before we secure our standing, we’ll be facing losses from which we might never recover. So, we’re done playing rivals.’

Siya curled her hand into a fist and asked, ‘What do you mean?’

‘We’re uniting forces. One family, one business entity. We pool our resources, combine our influence, and shut out foreign competition. It’s the only way to cement our position before Patel can destabilise the market.’

The room went silent. Siya barely registered the sound of a server pouring wine in the background. Her gaze snapped to her father, searching for any sign that he was joking, that this was some absurd test.

But he looked dead serious.

Abhay stole a glance at her once before he asked, ‘And how do you suggest we go about forming this one family entity?’

Kartik exhaled and declared, leaving no room for argument. ‘The old-fashioned way of sealing an alliance, of course. We want you to get married.’

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