The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 52

It had been a week. 

A week of calculated avoidance. 

Apart from a brief, impersonal exchange while shopping for plywood with the entire team, Shivaay had made sure to keep his distance from Anika. 

He left for work early, long before she arrived. He returned home late, ensuring there was no chance of running into her. And with his own bedroom under renovation, he had moved into the guest room, another convenient excuse to not cross paths. 

It was better this way. 

Or so he told himself. 

That evening, as he was making his way out, his father stopped him. 

"Shivaay, do you have a minute?" Shakti asked, his tone casual but firm. 

Shivaay glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting—" 

"It won’t take long." 

Reluctantly, Shivaay nodded and followed his father to the study, where they discussed an ongoing business expansion plan. By the time they wrapped up, he was ready to leave, but his mother intercepted him before he could step out. 

"Shivaay, at least dekh toh le how much your room is done." Pinky clasped his wrist, pulling him toward the hallway. "Mehnat se ban raha hai tera room!" 

Shivaay exhaled but didn’t argue. "Fine." 

As he walked toward his half-renovated bedroom, the scent of fresh wood and paint filled the air. The door was already open, and the first thing he saw was her. 

Anika. 

She was standing on a ladder, one foot slightly raised as she leaned forward, carefully measuring something near the ceiling. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, a few strands falling over her face. There was a focused crease between her brows as she stretched her arm, balancing herself with ease. 

Shivaay’s steps slowed, his gaze lingering for a second longer than necessary before he snapped out of it. 

"You should be careful," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. 

Anika, without even looking at him, replied, "It’s my work, Shivaay. I can manage." 

There was no bite in her tone, just quiet confidence. 

Shivaay clenched his jaw, his instinct to argue flickering before he forced himself to turn away. "Fine. Suit yourself," he muttered and walked out. 

But he hadn’t even reached the end of the hallway when— 

A sharp gasp.

Then— 

A thud. 

A scream. 

Shivaay froze. 

The moment heard Anika’s scream, everything else faded. 

His heart slammed against his ribs as he rushed back into the room. 

A small crowd had already gathered—workers, staff, and a few family members. And in the center of it all, Anika lay on the floor, wincing as she tried to push herself up. 

David, who had been standing nearby, immediately moved forward, reaching out toward her. "Anika, are you okay? Let me—" 

But before his fingers could even graze her ankle, Shivaay was already there. 

Without thinking. Without hesitating. 

His arms scooped under her effortlessly, lifting her into his hold as if it was the most natural thing in the world.