Shayeli peeked through the café door, her heart thudding. She scanned the street, making sure he was gone. With a sigh of relief, she stepped outside, wrapping her cardigan tighter around herself. The night was chilly, and she just wanted to get home, take a warm shower, and process everything that had happened.

Just as she turned toward her apartment, the sharp sound of a car horn startled her. Her breath hitched as she spun around, half-expecting to see him again. But instead, her eyes landed on a sleek Lamborghini and two Kawasaki Ninja bikes.

Her surprise quickly turned into delight as she recognized the people inside.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "Hi, guys! What are you all doing here? The café is closed-I was just heading home."

Emma leaned out of the car window, smirking. "We're not here for the café, Shayeli."

"Oh... my bad." She chuckled, still puzzled.

"We were on our way to a club," Isabel explained. "But then we saw you, so we thought-why not spend some time together?"

Olivia grinned. "Since you've already met our husbands, I think we can skip the introductions, right?"

Shayeli nodded, glancing between them. The men were there too, sitting casually on their bikes or in the car. It was still new to her, being included in their group like this, but she couldn't deny how nice it felt.

"Should I open the café?" she asked. "Or do you all have somewhere else in mind?"

Luna shook her head. "Let's go to my friend's 24/7 café. It's nearby, and they have the best late-night snacks."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Come on, Shayeli," Luna grinned mischievously. "Let me ride you on my bike."

The others chuckled. Shayeli hesitated for a second, but when she saw the excitement in their eyes, she couldn't refuse. Emma and Olivia were already seated with their husbands in the car, and Isabel had taken the second bike. That left only one free spot-with Luna.

With a small laugh, Shayeli climbed onto the bike behind Luna, gripping her waist for balance.

"Hold on tight!" Luna said before revving the engine.

And just like that, they took off into the night, the cool air rushing against Shayeli's face as she smiled, feeling something she hadn't in a long time-belonging.

---

As they arrived, everyone stepped out and made their way toward the café. Luna turned to Shayeli with a grin.

"So, how was the ride?" she asked.

Shayeli smiled. "Good one. Majja aa gaya!"

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. They didn't understand the Hindi phrase she had just used.

Luna squinted. "Ma... what?" she stammered, trying to repeat it.

Shayeli laughed. "Umm... I said I enjoyed it!"

The group collectively sighed in understanding. "Ohh!" they chorused.

As they entered the 24/7 café, Shayeli couldn't help but notice how eerily quiet it was. There was no one else inside. A strange feeling crept up her spine.

Just as Luna was about to walk in, Isabel grabbed her arm. "Wait... this is your café, right?"

Luna nodded. "Yeah."

"Then why is it empty?" Isabel asked, lowering her voice.

Luna smirked. "I asked Michael to clear it out."

"Mad. Michael is your security guard?? You should have just called the owner of the café instead, you just need chance to call your boyfriend" Isabel sighed.

Luna rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. How was I supposed to call the owner? I have standards, you know. And besides, I don't even have their number. And on top of that, I didn't have time to call someone from the company to get it."

Isabel shook her head in amusement before following the others inside.

Once everyone was seated, Luna, Isabel, Emma, and Olivia stood up, pulling Shayeli with them to explore the food section. Shayeli scanned the shelves, searching for something familiar. Her eyes widened in excitement when she spotted a bag of Kurkure in the international food aisle.

"Oh wow!" she breathed, picking up the packet.

All heads turned toward her, curious about what she had found so interesting.

She held up the packet. "See! It's so hard to find this here. I never imagined I'd come across it!"

Isabel narrowed her eyes. "What is that?"

"It's called Kurkure," Shayeli explained excitedly.

Olivia scrunched her nose. "Kur... ku?"

"Kurkure," Shayeli repeated slowly.

Olivia: "that sounds like something dangerous."

Jaxson smirked: "is it a weapon?"

Shayeli rolled her eyes. "It's a snack!"

Luna squinted at the packet. "It looks...suspicious."

"Oh." Emma raised a brow. "Is it spicy?"

Shayeli nodded. "Yup!"

Emma smirked. "Perfect! I've been craving something spicy. I'll try it!"

Meanwhile, the men had already grabbed their drinks and found a table. Soon, everyone settled in, each indulging in food they liked. As they ate, laughter and conversation filled the once-empty café, making it feel warm and lively.

Luna leaned forward, curiosity shining in her eyes.

Luna: "Shayeli, tell us something about yourself! You're a foreigner, yet you seem so comfortable here. You must have been living here for a long time, right?"

Shayeli shook her head with a small smile. "It might look like that, but no. It was never easy. I had to face so many challenges."

Olivia: "Oh? Then how did you end up opening a café here? Is your father a billionaire or something?"

Shayeli burst into laughter, almost choking on her drink. "No, not at all! My father is from a middle-class family. He has a regular job, and I just always wanted to live in another country. So yeah, it's a dream come true."

James: "So you came here for studies or some other reason?"

Shayeli: "I came here for studies. I took an educational loan to study here."

Rowan, who had been munching on a chip, raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you took a huge risk. Respect!"

Isabel: "Wait, wait, wait. You took an education loan, moved to a whole new country, studied, and then started a café? That's impressive. What did you study?"

Shayeli: "Law."

Luna whistled. "Damn, girl. That's gutsy!"

Emma: "Then why didn't you become a lawyer?"

Shayeli shrugged. "Life happened. I just resign from my job, and I didn't want to get stuck in a corporate firm. Plus, I love coffee and always wanted to have my own little place, so I thought, why not?"

Olivia: "But law and a café? That's like saying, 'I trained to be a boxer but became a poet instead.'"

Shayeli chuckled. "Yeah, something like that. But I don't regret it. I love what I do."

Rowan: "So, hypothetically, if one of us gets into legal trouble, can we count on you to save us?"

Shayeli smirked. "Depends. How much are you paying?"

Everyone burst into laughter as they continued their conversation, growing more curious about Shayeli's journey.

---

As they all continued chatting, Shayeli leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "Alright, tell me something interesting about yourselves. Since you all know so much about me, it's only fair!"

Luna smirked. "Well, let's see... I once crashed my bike into a tree while trying to impress someone."

Shayeli gasped. "No way! Who were you trying to impress?"

Jaxson, grinning, "Herself."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Luna groaned, throwing a sugar packet at Jaxson. "That is NOT true!"

James leaned back, amused. "Oh, it's true. We all saw it."

Shayeli wiped away a tear from laughing. "Okay, okay. What about you, Isabel?"

Isabel smirked. "I once made someone cry just by glaring at them."

Shayeli raised an eyebrow. "That sounds oddly terrifying."

Rowan grinned. "Oh, it is. Trust me. I've been on the receiving end of that glare."

Olivia leaned in. "You think that's bad? Once, Isabel made a waiter apologize for bringing the right order-just because she stared at him for too long."

Shayeli gasped. "Nooo!"

Isabel shrugged. "I don't do it on purpose."

Jaxson chuckled. "She does."

Shayeli shook her head, giggling. "You guys are insane."

Rowan smirked. "And yet, here you are, hanging out with us at night."

Shayeli groaned. "Ugh, I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

Emma nodded, grinning. "Yup. But we like you, so we won't kidnap you. Probably."

Shayeli dramatically clutched her chest. "Wow. Such a relief!"

Shayeli glanced at emma who is eating kurkure.

Shayeli "well sorry to say but it's not good for you to eat kurkure as it's not good for baby."

As shayeli said Jaxson held onto the Kurkure packet protectively.

Emma pouted. "Jaxson, seriously. Just one more piece?"

James, deadpan, "No."

Emma groaned. "You're the worst."

Jaxson smirked and whispered. "And yet, here you are, married to me."

Shayeli shook her head, watching their antics. "These people are absolutely crazy... but somehow, I think I like them."

Luna, amused by Jaxson' sudden protectiveness, smirked. "Jaxsoon, are you her husband or her bodyguard?"

Jaxson, without hesitation, "Both."

Emma pouted, looking at the others for support. "Guys, tell him! It was just one piece!"

Olivia, shaking her head dramatically, "Emma, I'm sorry, but I have to side with Jaxson on this one. Your baby needs a balanced diet, not... what was it again?"

Shayeli, exasperated, "Kurkareee! Say it with me-Kur-ka-ree!"

Isabel attempted to repeat, but it came out wrong. "Kur-kur-ree?"

Shayeli sighed. "Close enough, I guess."

Rowan chuckled. "So, what else is not allowed for a pregnant woman? Just asking for... research purposes."

Emma narrowed her eyes. "Rowan, don't start. I already have one overprotective idiot. I don't need another."

Jaxson leaned forward, grinning. "Hey, we should totally make a list of banned foods for Emma. Maybe print it out, frame it, and put it in the café."

Emma threw a napkin at him. "Ha. Ha. Very funny."

Shayeli watched them bicker and couldn't help but smile. "You guys are seriously something else."

Shayeli laughed. "I'm just joking!"

Jaxson, still holding the Kurkure packet, waved it in front of Emma. "And I'm not. This is confiscated."

Emma groaned. "I hate you."

Jaxson smirked. "Love you too, sweetheart."

Shayeli laughed again, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, my question-what do you guys actually do?"

Jaxson, about to answer, was cut off by James. "We all work together in one company. Just a clothing brand. Nothing fancy that's all.

Shayeli raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Ohh. That's cool."

Emma, quickly changing the topic again, "Anyway! Back to important things-can we order something sweet? I need dessert after all this drama."

Luna grinned. "Good idea. Let's see what they have!"

And just like that, the night continued with laughter, teasing, and an ever-growing bond between Shayeli and her mysterious new friends.

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