The Art of Control and Manipulation

As the worker left to find Meera, Veer's mother, Anaaya, arrived at the dining area, carrying a tray filled with a variety of delicious breakfast dishes. The rich aroma of freshly buttered parathas, spiced potatoes, and piping hot chai filled the air, making Veer glance up from his thoughts.

"Finally, you're eating properly," Anaaya murmured, sitting beside her son with a fond expression.

Veer, who had been about to pick up his spoon, was surprised when his mother suddenly took the first bite and held it up to his lips. A flicker of childhood nostalgia washed over him—the times when his mother used to feed him with her own hands whenever he was sick or feeling low.

For a moment, he hesitated, but then, surrendering to the warmth of the moment, he leaned forward and took a bite. The flavors exploded on his tongue, rich and homely. But more than the taste, it was the gesture itself that made him pause. It had been years since his mother had done this.

"Hmm," Anaaya teased, watching her son closely. "It seems my son is finally becoming responsible. Waking up early, getting ready for work on time, even skipping breakfast to leave early… (mock gasp) I'm starting to wonder, is this really my Veer?"

Veer rolled his eyes at her teasing tone. "Maa, you're overreacting."

"Am I?" Anaaya mused, raising an eyebrow. "Or should I say… someone is motivating you these days?"

Veer coughed lightly, taking a sip of chai to avoid answering. Anaaya only chuckled and continued feeding him, her touch gentle, her love unspoken yet profoundly understood.

After breakfast, Veer wiped his hands and stood up, stretching slightly. "I should leave now. I have to prepare for an important interview at the company."

"Go, go," Anaaya smiled, watching him with soft eyes. "But don't forget—no food from outside, alright?"

Veer nodded with a small smirk before heading out of the Khanna estate, his mind now focused on the responsibilities awaiting him at Ethereon Pharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, in the Guest Wing…

The worker, after searching for a few minutes, finally found Meera in the servant quarters, sorting out some reports. Approaching her with a neutral expression, he extended his hand, holding the keys to Zara's car.

"Veer sir has instructed that these be given to Zara ma'am," he stated formally.

Meera took the keys, twirling them between her fingers as a smirk formed on her lips.

"Hmm… interesting," she murmured under her breath before turning sharply on her heels. Without another word, she walked toward the guest room where Zara was staying.

Inside the Guest Room

Zara stood in front of a large mirror, adjusting the fit of her silken nightwear—a gift from Veer's mother. The soft fabric hugged her frame comfortably, its subtle sheen reflecting in the morning light. As she stretched, rolling her shoulders and elongating her limbs, her toned body moved with effortless grace.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door.

"Come in," she called, her voice smooth and composed.

The door creaked open, revealing Meera, who stepped inside with a casual but purposeful gait.

"Zara ma'am, I was asked to hand these over to you," Meera said, setting the car keys on the nearby table.

Zara offered her a polite smile. "Thank you, Meera."

But as Meera's eyes trailed over Zara's stretched form, her lips curled into an amused smirk.

"You seem to be warming up. Are you preparing for some intense workout?"

Zara chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Just some morning stretches. But honestly, I feel like I might be doing them wrong. Would you mind assisting me?"

Meera arched an eyebrow, stepping forward as if accepting an unspoken challenge.

"Of course, Zara ma'am. Let's make sure you're doing them… perfectly."

Zara moved into Tadasana, the Mountain Pose, raising her arms gracefully above her head. Her back arched slightly as she balanced on her toes, her body taut and elongated.

Meera, standing behind her, placed her hands gently on Zara's thighs, pressing slightly as she guided her into better alignment.

"Relax your lower body," she murmured.

Zara obeyed, shifting her weight. But as Meera's fingers trailed upwards, her touch firm yet teasing, she felt Zara's breathing hitch slightly.

Meera leaned in, her lips close to Zara's ear. "Like this, Zara ma'am?"

Zara exhaled sharply, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment before she recomposed herself.

"Yes," she responded smoothly, though a faint amusement flickered in her gaze.

Meera's hands continued adjusting her posture, gliding over Zara's waist, pressing gently against her side chest, the pressure deliberate yet calculated. For a brief second, a charged silence filled the air.

But just as the tension threatened to escalate, a knock on the door shattered the moment.

"Zara beta, breakfast is ready," came the familiar voice of Veer's mother from the hallway.

Instantly, Meera stepped back, her expression shifting to one of nonchalance as she tidied her dress. Zara, too, adjusted her nightwear, her lips curving into an easy smile before she walked toward the door.

As she opened it, Veer's mother's gaze flickered between the two women before softening.

"Meera, what are you doing here?" Veer's mother asked with surprised look on her face. "Ma'am, Zara ma'am needed some help with her stretching, so I was assisting her," Meera explained smoothly.

Listening to Meera, Anaaya nodded, before her eyes lingered on Zara's night suit, the one she had personally gifted. A pleased smile formed on her lips.

"It looks lovely on you," she remarked.

Zara returned the warmth. "Thank you, Ma'am. It's very comfortable."

Afterwards when the topic of breakfast came up, Zara requested, "If you don't mind, may I join after finishing a few more stretches?"

Anaaya nodded in approval and left.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Meera's smirk returned.

"Now, let's continue," she murmured, stepping close again.

Zara, however, raised an eyebrow. "I think I'm done for now," she said smoothly, her voice carrying an air of quiet authority.

Meera tilted her head, as if considering pushing the boundaries further, but instead, she simply extended the car keys to Zara.

"Your car is ready," she said lightly. "Courtesy of Veer sir."

Zara accepted them with a polite nod. "Thank you, Meera."

Meera lingered for a moment before finally turning around and leaving, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips—as if enjoying the effect she had left behind.

Once alone, Zara exhaled softly, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off the lingering tension.

She picked up a set of fresh clothes and walked toward the bathroom.

As she stepped inside, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her fingers trailed over her collarbone, then lower, her mind briefly replaying the charged moment with Meera.

Then, unexpectedly, a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips—an unspoken acknowledgment of the silent, electric tension that had just unfolded.

With that thought lingering in her mind, she turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the morning's interactions… and whatever had stirred beneath them.