29-06-2026, 01:15 PM
Chapter 85: The Price of Trust
Tharun and Nikitha entered the luxurious hotel where Dhruv was staying. They waited in the elegant lobby, going over key points that could help them win the deal. Tharun was focused, professional, and calm. Nikitha tried to match his energy, but her mind kept drifting back to the morning’s events.
The secretary soon informed them that Dhruv was ready.
They were led to a private suite. Opposite to what they had imagined, Dhruv was a charming man in his early 30s — sharp features, easy smile, and an air of quiet power. He listened patiently as they gave a brief introduction about themselves and the company.
Dhruv’s eyes occasionally lingered on Nikitha a little too long. She noticed it. A strange, uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. Tharun didn’t miss it either.
After nearly an hour of discussion, Dhruv leaned back with a smile.
“Tharun, let me be honest. Why should I give you this opportunity?”
Tharun presented the larger benefits, but Dhruv waved it off.
“I already have surplus benefits from others.”
He then stood up.
“Come with me for a walk.”
He led Tharun to a private balcony, leaving Nikitha alone in the suite.
Once they were outside, Dhruv pulled out his phone and showed Tharun a video. It was from a private club run by his brother Aditya — young, influential people in exclusive circles. In the video, a man was with his girlfriend in a very intimate, explicit situation.
Dhruv smiled casually.
“Hope you understand. My empire also has such clubs — much younger, more exclusive. If you go the straight paper route, it will take a long time. But by joining my circle, you reach faster. But we cant take any one there, we need to have trust on them, to trust them we need something exclusively that get displayed there, its intimacy of the couple, its a kind of thrill. We wont touch them unless or until the womens are really interested in others. Thats their freedom.
I believe the lady who came with you is your girlfriend?”
Tharun nodded. “Yes.”
Dhruv smiled. “Speak with her. We have a club introduction next week. Maybe you should join.”
Tharun’s expression remained calm, but his jaw tightened.
When they returned to the suite, Dhruv looked at Nikitha with a charming smile.
“Nikki, I’m expecting you to join us next week. We will grow together.”
Tharun stepped forward before Nikitha could respond.
“Sorry, Dhruv. We are not taking this.”
Nikitha was shocked.
Dhruv raised an eyebrow. “Looks like you’re confused. Maybe I’ll share the video — no one will touch their girlfriends. I can assure that. It’s just exhibition to gain our trust.”
Tharun’s voice was firm. “Not necessary, sir. Thank you.”
He took Nikitha’s hand and walked out, pulling her gently but decisively.
In the Car
They sat in silence for a few minutes as Tharun drove.
Finally, Nikitha asked, “What happened?”
Tharun explained everything — the video, the club, the expectation.
Nikitha looked at him, surprised. She wanted to know more, it was a rare chance, getting his deal, why would he not t ake short route, or atleast ask her? she was just curious to read his mind, she asked. “He assures that they won’t touch me. Indirectly… would you still not want it?”
Tharun glanced at her, then back at the road.
“I’m not someone who would allow my wife or girlfriend to be treated as an object in front of others. It’s not necessary to entertain business in that way. I’m not that kind of person.”
Nikitha said, fine i understood, but wont you even try through direct paper methods?
Tharun reply was sharp, not necessary, we should not even stay in touch with such people even in direct methods.
Nikitha looked at him for a long moment. Tharun had been her savior for weeks — emotionally and physically.
His words touched something deep inside her.
Tharun continued, trying to lighten the mood.
“Let’s take a break. Maybe we should go for a movie. See… Jay and Sharmi might be having a great time in bed. I’m not lucky like him. At least let me spend some time with you.”
Her face dropped the moment she heard Jay’s name.
Tharun noticed the sudden change.
“What do you think about your husband when I say movies?” he asked gently. “See, you should move on and live your own life. Just hope your friend will take care of your husband going forward. Don’t spoil your mind and mood for people who don’t want to consider you. If you want to consider someone… consider the person who wants to be with you. Like me.”
Hearing that, Nikitha was now determined not to spoil her mind for people who didn’t value her.
Yet her heart still ached at the mention of Jay’s name.
She opened her mouth after a long mental struggle.
“What movie are you taking me to?”
Tharun smiled, surprised but pleased.
Meanwhile – At the Hotel
Jay and Sharmi were in their room. Sharmi was explaining her original plan — how she had designed the refreshment program games to make Jay and Nikitha leader and companion, hoping to bring out their love.
Jay listened, stunned. Then, with genuine emotion, he hugged her tightly — like a true friend.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “For trying to help me, i acted rashly without even knowing the full detail. .”
You know what only because of theat refreshment program i got a ray of hope, but didn't know i would face a obstacle in name of letter.
Sharmi smiled, happy for him.
She then said, “I was planning something real big next…”
Jay nodded. “I’ll join you if needed. Consider i'm already in.”
Unbeknownst to them, Nikitha had already deviated much further than they thought.
As the empty cinema hall welcomed Nikki and Tharun, a new chapter of complicated choices was beginning.
Tharun and Nikitha entered the luxurious hotel where Dhruv was staying. They waited in the elegant lobby, going over key points that could help them win the deal. Tharun was focused, professional, and calm. Nikitha tried to match his energy, but her mind kept drifting back to the morning’s events.
The secretary soon informed them that Dhruv was ready.
They were led to a private suite. Opposite to what they had imagined, Dhruv was a charming man in his early 30s — sharp features, easy smile, and an air of quiet power. He listened patiently as they gave a brief introduction about themselves and the company.
Dhruv’s eyes occasionally lingered on Nikitha a little too long. She noticed it. A strange, uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. Tharun didn’t miss it either.
After nearly an hour of discussion, Dhruv leaned back with a smile.
“Tharun, let me be honest. Why should I give you this opportunity?”
Tharun presented the larger benefits, but Dhruv waved it off.
“I already have surplus benefits from others.”
He then stood up.
“Come with me for a walk.”
He led Tharun to a private balcony, leaving Nikitha alone in the suite.
Once they were outside, Dhruv pulled out his phone and showed Tharun a video. It was from a private club run by his brother Aditya — young, influential people in exclusive circles. In the video, a man was with his girlfriend in a very intimate, explicit situation.
Dhruv smiled casually.
“Hope you understand. My empire also has such clubs — much younger, more exclusive. If you go the straight paper route, it will take a long time. But by joining my circle, you reach faster. But we cant take any one there, we need to have trust on them, to trust them we need something exclusively that get displayed there, its intimacy of the couple, its a kind of thrill. We wont touch them unless or until the womens are really interested in others. Thats their freedom.
I believe the lady who came with you is your girlfriend?”
Tharun nodded. “Yes.”
Dhruv smiled. “Speak with her. We have a club introduction next week. Maybe you should join.”
Tharun’s expression remained calm, but his jaw tightened.
When they returned to the suite, Dhruv looked at Nikitha with a charming smile.
“Nikki, I’m expecting you to join us next week. We will grow together.”
Tharun stepped forward before Nikitha could respond.
“Sorry, Dhruv. We are not taking this.”
Nikitha was shocked.
Dhruv raised an eyebrow. “Looks like you’re confused. Maybe I’ll share the video — no one will touch their girlfriends. I can assure that. It’s just exhibition to gain our trust.”
Tharun’s voice was firm. “Not necessary, sir. Thank you.”
He took Nikitha’s hand and walked out, pulling her gently but decisively.
In the Car
They sat in silence for a few minutes as Tharun drove.
Finally, Nikitha asked, “What happened?”
Tharun explained everything — the video, the club, the expectation.
Nikitha looked at him, surprised. She wanted to know more, it was a rare chance, getting his deal, why would he not t ake short route, or atleast ask her? she was just curious to read his mind, she asked. “He assures that they won’t touch me. Indirectly… would you still not want it?”
Tharun glanced at her, then back at the road.
“I’m not someone who would allow my wife or girlfriend to be treated as an object in front of others. It’s not necessary to entertain business in that way. I’m not that kind of person.”
Nikitha said, fine i understood, but wont you even try through direct paper methods?
Tharun reply was sharp, not necessary, we should not even stay in touch with such people even in direct methods.
Nikitha looked at him for a long moment. Tharun had been her savior for weeks — emotionally and physically.
His words touched something deep inside her.
Tharun continued, trying to lighten the mood.
“Let’s take a break. Maybe we should go for a movie. See… Jay and Sharmi might be having a great time in bed. I’m not lucky like him. At least let me spend some time with you.”
Her face dropped the moment she heard Jay’s name.
Tharun noticed the sudden change.
“What do you think about your husband when I say movies?” he asked gently. “See, you should move on and live your own life. Just hope your friend will take care of your husband going forward. Don’t spoil your mind and mood for people who don’t want to consider you. If you want to consider someone… consider the person who wants to be with you. Like me.”
Hearing that, Nikitha was now determined not to spoil her mind for people who didn’t value her.
Yet her heart still ached at the mention of Jay’s name.
She opened her mouth after a long mental struggle.
“What movie are you taking me to?”
Tharun smiled, surprised but pleased.
Meanwhile – At the Hotel
Jay and Sharmi were in their room. Sharmi was explaining her original plan — how she had designed the refreshment program games to make Jay and Nikitha leader and companion, hoping to bring out their love.
Jay listened, stunned. Then, with genuine emotion, he hugged her tightly — like a true friend.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “For trying to help me, i acted rashly without even knowing the full detail. .”
You know what only because of theat refreshment program i got a ray of hope, but didn't know i would face a obstacle in name of letter.
Sharmi smiled, happy for him.
She then said, “I was planning something real big next…”
Jay nodded. “I’ll join you if needed. Consider i'm already in.”
Unbeknownst to them, Nikitha had already deviated much further than they thought.
As the empty cinema hall welcomed Nikki and Tharun, a new chapter of complicated choices was beginning.
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