Chp 3


"Location: “La Belle”

Manik’s POV


From the outside, La Belle looked like something out of a Parisian dream — pastel pinks, frilly signage, delicate window displays. It screamed high-end French bakery. Naturally, I assumed croissants and éclairs awaited me inside.


I was wrong.


Very, very wrong.


"Why don’t I see any pastries?" Ayan whispered, glancing around the suspiciously lace-covered interior.


I frowned, adjusting my ridiculously long scarf (excellent disguise, if I do say so myself). "Maybe it’s one of those themed bakeries. You know... Paris meets eccentric decor?""

"Ayan gave me a look. "There’s a mannequin wearing a bra made of pearls, Jai."


I squinted at it. "Limited edition macarons?"


He turned to me slowly, deadpan. "Do you even know what macarons are?"


I was just about to defend my perfectly valid assumption when—


"OHHHH Nandini! This red one is definitely the ‘set-the-mood’ vibe!""

"Zoya’s voice. Loud. Excited. Full of danger."

Tell me I did not just hear my sister say that," I whispered, horrified.


Ayan looked like he’d seen death. "Tell me I did not just hear your sister talk about seduction while standing next to my sister."


Slowly, like we were in a horror movie, we peered around the rack of satin robes.


And there they were.


Zoya, holding up a scarlet lace bra like she’d just won a gold medal. And Nandini — poor, blushing Nandini — whisper-yelling for her to please put it down before someone saw them.


Zoya, of course, was having the time of her life. "People? Nonsense. Just women and bored staff."


And then her eyes locked on us — me and Ayan, ducking behind a mannequin like two absolute morons in oversized sunglasses and trench coats.


"Abort mission," Ayan muttered, trying to become one with the floor.


"I thought this was a bakery," he added weakly as the girls walked toward us.


Nandini crossed her arms, glaring. "Why are you two even here?!"


I looked anywhere but at the racks of lace. "We were... spying."


Zoya gasped. "On us?!"


"Only because you lie more than you breathe," I shot back.


She shrugged. "Fair."


Nandini narrowed her eyes. "So your brilliant plan was to dress like 2000s spies and hide in a bra aisle?"


"To be fair," Ayan said, "I did tell him this wasn’t a bakery."


Zoya grinned like the devil herself and waved the red bra in our faces. "Well, since you’re already here…" "Which one do you think will make Ayan cancel all his meetings and lift that ridiculous ‘no zoya’ ban?"


Ayan dropped a pair of fuzzy handcuffs he hadn’t realized he was holding.


"What—why are you asking me this!?" I sputtered, horrified. "I’m your brother, woman!"


Zoya blinked innocently. "You’re a man. Ayan’s bestie. I trust your… aesthetic instincts."


"Aesthetic—NO! Keep that thing down!"


Ayan choked. "I NEED THERAPY."


Nandini giggled, trying to contain herself. “You two are the worst spies ever.”


Zoya held up a silky black nightie and turned to Nandini with a smirk. "What about this? Think it’ll finally make Jai realize he’s in love with you?"


"I AM RIGHT HERE!" I exclaimed, bright red.


"Zoya, please!" Nandini hissed, blushing even harder.


Ayan groaned. "Can someone punch me so I can wake up from this nightmare?"


That was it.


"I am leaving."


"Wait for me!" Ayan scrambled after me. "This place has traps!"


As we bolted from La Belle, I nearly tripped over my own scarf. 

"Behind us, the girls exploded into laughter as we ran — dodging lace, feather boas, and what I really hope was just decorative chocolate syrup.


Outside the boutique, I ripped off my sunglasses like a man escaping war.


“We speak of this to no one,” I said, dead serious.


Ayan nodded. “What boutique? I have no memory of any boutique.”


Smart man.


Precap: Jai and ayan lecturing ruhaan about not going to la belle and zoya planning Mission manan



Comments

Popular Posts