An Unexpected Gathering

The clock ticked past 10 PM, and Andrew sat alone in his dimly lit mansion, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The city skyline stretched beyond the massive glass window, but his mind wasn't on the view.

Then came the knock.

Andrew sighed, ignoring it. He knew exactly who it was.

Another round of knocking. This time louder.

He still didn't move.

"ANDREW, OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!" Rowan's impatient voice rang through.

Silence.

"We know you're in there," Jaxson added.

Still, nothing.

Then, Emma's soft but firm voice broke through. "Andrew, I'm pregnant, and you're making me stand outside. Do you really want to be responsible for this?"

The door opened instantly.

The entire gang smirked as Andrew stood there, arms crossed. "That was low."

Emma shrugged. "Worked, didn't it?"

With that, they all filed inside like they owned the place.

Andrew exhaled, closing the door behind them. "Why are you all here this late?"

James flopped onto the couch. "Oh, come on, it's been a week since we all hung out properly."

Rowan smirked, plopping down beside him. "And you've been acting strange lately."

Andrew ignored him, his sharp gaze shifting toward the women in the group. "Where were you all today? You've been absent since the evening."

The four women froze for a split second, exchanging glances.

"We were... at our company," Isabel said, a little too casually.

Luna quickly nodded. "Yeah, super busy today. Didn't we, Olivia?"

"Y-Yeah," Olivia added with an awkward smile. "Very busy."

Andrew narrowed his eyes. He wasn't convinced, but before he could question them further, Jaxson leaned forward. "You know who we should call? Robert. It's been a week since we've talked to him."

The tension broke.

Rowan grinned. "Hell yeah, I miss that bastard."

Emma smirked. "Let's see if he's still alive."

Without another word, they video-called Robert, who picked up almost immediately.

The Video Call with Robert

The moment his face appeared on the screen, the gang erupted.

"There he is!" James cheered.

Robert rolled his eyes but smiled. "Took you long enough to call."

Emma leaned closer to the screen. "Are you eating properly?

Robert sighed. "Yes, Mom."

Rowan laughed. "We have something BIG to tell you."

Robert raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Jaxson smirked. "Our leader has a girl."

Silence.

Then—

"WHAT?!" Robert's shocked yell made everyone laugh.

"Her name is  shayeli, indian also," Isabel added with a smirk.

Andrew shot them all a glare, but Robert looked ecstatic. "Holy shit, I never thought I'd see the day. What's she like? How did you meet her? Does she know you're a cold-hearted bastard?"

Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose while the others laughed.

"She's amazing" Olivia said before Andrew could shut it down. "Really sweet, really strong. You'd love her."

Robert grinned. "Damn. Now I also gonna meet her."

The women exchanged secret smiles.

Little did their men know, they had already met her.

And they planned to see her again very soon.

I think I'm falling in love.

Not exactly.

I mean, it's normal, right? If you like a guy just from a single glimpse, it doesn't mean you're obsessing over him. But still... where is he? Who is he? Will I ever see him again?

A sigh escaped my lips as I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Just then, Pumpkin started barking.

I looked down at him with amusement. "Oh god, are you already jealous?"

He barked again, tail wagging furiously.

"Kuch nahi ho sakta tera." I laughed, reaching down to ruffle his soft fur. "Chal, ice cream khane chale kya?"

His ears perked up, and he barked in excitement.

But as soon as the thought of walking down the street at night crossed my mind, my smile faltered. My fingers curled slightly as an uneasy feeling settled in my chest.

The night.

The blood.

The desperate cries for help.

A shiver ran down my spine at the mere memory.

No. Not tonight.

I forced myself to push the thoughts away and scooped Pumpkin into my arms. "Don't worry, early morning, I'll take you out, okay?" I whispered, pressing my face into his fur.

But even as I climbed into bed, hugging Pumpkin close, my mind wandered back to one thought.

What if I really meet him again?

Would it change anything?

His thought even scared me.

With a deep breath, I shut my eyes, forcing my mind to quiet down.

Sleep.

At least in my dreams, I won't have to think about him.

---

The conference room was filled with the sharp scent of coffee and polished wood. Three of my most trusted men sat across from me, their attention solely fixed on the presentation displayed on the massive screen before us.

"This deal is crucial," one of them said. "They're expecting negotiations to go on for at least a few weeks, but if we strike now, we can have them cornered."

I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.

"They're underestimating us," I muttered, my cold gaze fixed on the numbers. "Typical. They think just because we've missed the last round of talks, we've lost interest."

I smirked. Fools.

With one motion, I pulled up a secondary report, detailing every financial vulnerability the opposing company had—accounts they were hiding, debts they were covering, partnerships they were quietly trying to break off.

"They don't know that while they were waiting for us, we were waiting for them to get desperate," I said smoothly.

The room fell silent.

I was the biggest businessman in America, but they always forgot why.

I built this empire not just with money, but with fear, power, and knowledge no one else could access. That was the difference. That was the reason why every meeting, every deal, was already won before it even began.

"Set the meeting," I ordered. "By the time we walk out, they'll be begging to sign."

The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the café as I wiped down the counter, waiting for the next customer.

"Good morning, Shayeli!"

I turned to see Isabel walking in, her face lighting up the moment she spotted me.

"You're early today," I smiled.

She grinned. "I couldn't wait. Please tell me you can make that coffee again—the one I had yesterday? I think I'm addicted."

I chuckled. "Already?"

She sighed dramatically. "What can I say? Your café has ruined all other coffee for me."

As I started preparing her drink, I glanced toward the door. "The others didn't come today?"

"No," Isabel said, waving a hand. "They're in their company—"

She froze.

I raised an eyebrow. "Company?"

Isabel's expression flickered with hesitation.

I tilted my head, curiosity growing. "Wait... are you telling me they all own companies?"

Isabel shifted uncomfortably, clearly debating what to say.

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "So, you guys aren't just regular customers, huh?"

She laughed nervously. "Uh... well, let's just say we're not exactly unemployed."

I handed her the coffee, watching her closely. There was something about them—something different. But before I could press further, Isabel took a sip and groaned in delight.

"Oh my god, you are officially my favorite person."

I laughed, shaking my head. I'd figure them out eventually.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the café's glass walls, reflecting the three towering figures standing outside. All dressed in sleek black, they looked like they had just walked out of a high-profile business meeting—or possibly a mafia movie. But instead of exuding an intimidating aura, they were... well, bickering like kids.

"I should go first," Rowan insisted, adjusting his jacket dramatically. "Isabel said I make the best first impression."

Jaxson scoffed, crossing his arms. "She was probably joking."

"Excuse me? She adores me."

James, the most composed of the three, let out a tired sigh. "We're grown men. Just walk in."

Rowan gasped. "James, where's the fun in that? This is an event. A moment. A grand entrance."

James pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a café, not a red carpet."

Jaxson smirked. "You're just saying that because you know Olivia would want you to behave."

James shot him a sharp look, but before he could respond, the café door swung open, and a soft yet confident voice interrupted them.

"You can all come together," Shayeli said, smiling gently.

All three men froze.

The banter died mid-sentence.

Rowan, Jaxson, and James all stared at her, momentarily forgetting how words worked.

She was... shy yet composed, her warm smile making the moment even more disarming. The quiet confidence in her voice caught them off guard.

Rowan, being Rowan, was the first to recover.

Jaxson cleared his throat.

James, ever the mature one, shook his head, stepping forward first. "Apologies for that. We, uh, were just..." He trailed off, realizing how ridiculous they probably looked. "Never mind."

Shayeli chuckled softly. "So, do you want to come in, or should I leave you all to your... discussion?"

Rowan grinned. "We're coming in. But just so you know, I was going to enter first."

Jaxson nudged him. "Not happening."

James, Jaxson, and Rowan finally stepped inside the café, shaking off their earlier bickering. The warmth of the place immediately settled around them, the cozy ambiance making them feel at ease.

James turned to Shayeli. "I should introduce. I'm James, this is Jaxson, and that's Rowan."

Rowan grinned. "The fun one, in case it wasn't obvious."

Jaxson rolled his eyes. "The annoying one, in case that wasn't obvious."

Shayeli chuckled softly. "Nice to meet you all."

James continued, "We're here because our wives already met you."

Shayeli's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Your wives?"

Jaxson nodded. "Emma, Isabel, and Olivia."

Rowan smirked. "And since they didn't stop talking about you, we figured we should come see what the hype is about."

Shayeli's lips curled up. "I hope I live up to it, then."

James smirked. "I don't think that'll be a problem."

Shayeli looked at him curiously. "So, Olivia is your wife?"

James's expression softened slightly. "Yeah."

Jaxson leaned against the counter. "And Emma is mine."

Shayeli blinked. "Oh?."

Jaxson exhaled. "Tell me about it."

Rowan, grinning, turned to Shayeli. "So, what's the best thing on the menu?"

Shayeli smiled and picked up a notepad. "Tell me what you'd like, and I'll have it made for you."

They each placed their orders, and Shayeli turned to call out the instructions to the staff.

As she walked away to check on the orders, the three men exchanged glances.

"She's nothing like what I expected," Jaxson muttered.

Rowan smirked. "She's better." "It seems she doesn't remember me."

Jaxson. "How will she remember you so many costumers came here every day."

James simply nodded, his sharp eyes following her movements. There was something effortlessly warm about her. No wonder their wives had taken a liking to her so quickly.

I sat in the living room of my penthouse, swirling a glass of whiskey in my hand. If you're wondering why I'm here instead of my fucking mansion—well, so am I. But the answer is simple.

The mansion feels empty. Too big, too quiet. Here, in my penthouse, I have everything I need. A place where I can breathe, where I don't have to deal with anyone unless I want to. And most importantly, my swimming pool. The only thing that brings me some damn peace.

My parents don't live with me. It's the American way. I visit them sometimes, but those visits have become rare over the years. Not that they complain. They know better than to expect much from me.

I glance down at the tablet resting on the table in front of me. The screen glows with all the information I've gathered on the one woman I can't seem to get out of my fucking head.

Shayeli.

Age: 26.
Ex-lawyer.
Indian.

I lean back, staring at her name like it holds some kind of answer. I never thought I'd find myself drawn to a foreigner, but here I am. The moment I saw her, something in me shifted.

She's different.

She's got this quiet innocence about her, something untouched. I don't know how someone like her has managed to stay single for 26 years. No serious relationships. No flings. Nothing.

A chuckle escapes me. How the hell is that even possible?

I've had my fair share of relationship. Nothing serious, nothing deep. In America, it's common. You feel something, you act on it. No hesitation. But her? She's different. Maybe she doesn't trust easily. Maybe she's careful.

Doesn't matter. She's already mine.

My eyes drift to the photo on the screen. She's sitting at a restaurant, laughing, her hand covering part of her face. Fuck. That smile. That carefree expression.

Her brown complexion, her dark eyes, the way her hair falls naturally over her shoulder—it's enough to drive any man insane. And right now, it's fucking with my head.

I swallow hard, clenching my jaw. What the hell is wrong with me?

I've been with women before, but never—not once—have I felt this kind of pull just by looking at a picture. My body reacts to her in a way that makes no fucking sense.

Author: kindly pay attention. Don't make assumptions.he dated someone before but not get physical with her.further will disclose ahead in the story.

I exhale sharply, setting the tablet aside.

I need to get out of my head.

Without another thought, I strip off my shirt and head toward the pool. The cold water will do its job—cool my body, clear my mind.

At least for now.

Because soon enough, I'll see her again.

And this time, there will be no distance. No hesitation. No more excuses.

She's already mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

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Thank you for reading.

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