Arvi's pov:

I sat on the velvet couch in the drawing room, hands folded in my lap, trying to ignore how out of place I felt in this mansion. My plain kurta felt even plainer here. The walls were adorned with art worth more than my entire existence, and every corner of this place reminded me that I didn't belong.

Sulekha aunty sat across from me, her pose graceful, yet commanding. Beside her, Jaya aunty, equally elegant, gave me a warm look

"Arvi," Sulekha aunty began, her voice soft but steady, "we've been thinking."

I blinked, unsure where this was going. Thinking? About what? About how to politely ask me to leave?

"You're a hardworking girl," Jaya aunty continued, folding her hands in her lap. "It was unfortunate how things ended at your last job."

A lump rose in my throat, but I nodded. That "last job" had ended because of Rayaan. Because of one spilled drink and a misunderstanding that spiraled into a disaster. And now, I was here eating their food, living under their roof under constant scrutiny.

Sulekha aunty leaned forward slightly. "We don't believe in charity, Arvi. You're staying here, yes, but we'd like you to work as well."

My heart skipped. Work?

"We've spoken to HR at Oberoi Industries," Jaya said. "There's a position that matches your skillset. A junior project coordinator. It's not grand, but it's a start."

I stared at her, trying to understand if this was pity dressed as opportunity.

"You mean... I'll actually be working?" I asked, almost in a whisper.

Sulekha aunty smiled gently. "Yes. Earning. On your own merit. No favors."

A strange mix of relief and anxiety settled over me. I wasn't being thrown out. But I also wasn't being caged. They were... offering me a chance.

And in a world that rarely gave second ones I'd be a fool not to take it.

"Thank you," I said softly, voice trembling. "I won't disappoint you."

They both nodded, and for the first time since I'd entered this house, I felt something other than shame. I felt... hope.

Oberio Mansion Rayaan's study room-

The study room was my refuge. My space. The one corner of the mansion where no one dared to intrude unless absolutely necessary. I liked it that way quiet, efficient, and far, far away from the unnecessary chaos this house sometimes entertained.

But of course, peace was a luxury here.

The knock was soft. Too polite. Which only meant one thing Mom.

"Come in," I muttered, not looking up from the file I was reading.

She stepped inside, her heels silent on the rug, but I could sense her hesitation. That meant she wasn't here to talk about dinner or a charity gala.

"I wanted to talk to you about Arvi," she began gently.

My jaw tensed.

Of course.

"She's been through a lot, Rayaan," Mom said, taking a seat across from me. "And she's trying to stand on her own feet."

I closed the file slowly and looked up at her. "What did she do this time? Cry again? Act helpless? Pretend to be a victim?"

Mom's eyes narrowed. "That's enough."

I leaned back in my chair, arms folded. "No, really. I'm curious. What now?"

"I offered her a job," she said calmly, ignoring my sarcasm. "At Oberoi Industries. Junior project coordinator. She'll be working under HR and admin. It's a proper position, with proper responsibility."

I laughed, bitter and sharp. "You hired her?"

"No," she said, matching my tone. "I gave her an opportunity. Which she accepted respectfully."

"This is ridiculous," I snapped. "First, you bring her into our house like she's some lost puppy, and now you're planting her in our company too? What's next? A corner office with my name scratched off the door?"

"She's not taking your place, Rayaan. Don't be childish."

"She's a stranger, Mom. Worse a manipulative one. She knows exactly what she's doing. Playing the victim, earning your sympathy. And you're handing her everything on a silver platter."

"She's not getting anything for free," she said firmly. "She's working. Earning. On her own."

I stood up, the chair scraping back. "You're being blind."

"No," she stood too. "You're being arrogant."

There was a silence. A charged, heavy one.

"She is a victim," Mom snapped. "Because of you, she lost her last job."

"What?"

"You think I didn't ask?" she continued. "You think I didn't piece it together? That incident at the restaurant you told the manager to fired her, didn't you? Had her fired over a spilled drink and a bruised ego?"

"She was careless," I replied, but the words sounded bitter even to me.

"She was terrified," she said. "And you punished her for it."

I looked away. My jaw tightened. I didn't want to admit that I remembered the look on Arvi's face that day. Humiliated. Cornered.

"She didn't ask for this job, Rayaan. I offered it. Because everyone deserves a second chance."

She turned to leave, but paused at the door.

"Don't stand in her way just because you can't stand being wrong."

Then she left, and the silence that followed wasn't peaceful anymore.

It was maddening.

Arvi's pov:

The mansion was unusually quiet for a Sunday afternoon, the kind of calm that made my nerves even more restless. My interview at Oberoi Industries was tomorrow. Just the thought of it made my palms sweat. I was sitting in the garden with a notebook on my lap, pretending to revise company details, but the words were swimming.

"Found her!" Aleesha's voice rang out as she stepped onto the patio, followed closely by Vivaan and Arekha.

Great. The Oberoi cousins.

I braced myself. They hadn't exactly spoken much to me since I'd arrived too caught up in their own world, or maybe just wary of the new girl crashing into their polished lives.

"Arvi," Vivaan called, plopping down on the bench next to me, "so, we heard you're interviewing for the junior coordinator job."

"Y-Yeah," I said cautiously, closing the notebook halfway. "Tomorrow."

"You're going to nail it," Aleesha said brightly, dropping onto the other side of me. "Honestly, you probably already know more than half the people who work there."

"Except you'll need to look like you belong there," Arekha added, ever the blunt one. "First impressions matter. No pressure."

I gave a nervous laugh. "Thanks, that's... helpful."

Vivaan grinned. "She means you'll be fine. Just be confident. Speak clearly. And don't let anyone intimidate you especially not Mr. Broody."

Rayaan. He didn't need to be in the room to intimidate me.

"Just answer calmly," Aleesha chimed in, "and remember your strengths. You've handled more chaos than most people ever will. You can handle an interview."

"I don't even know if I'll get through the first round," I murmured.

"You will," Arekha said firmly. "You've survived this house. Oberoi Industries will be a breeze in comparison."

I blinked at her. Was that... encouragement?

"You mean that?" I asked, surprised.

"Don't make us repeat it," she said, rolling her eyes, but I caught the small smile on her lips.

Vivaan nudged my arm. "We'll quiz you tonight. You're not going into this alone."

And just like that for the first time since I stepped into this mansion I felt like I wasn't entirely alone.

Maybe, just maybe... I had a chance.

.

.

.

The morning sunlight streamed through the grand windows of the Oberoi Mansion, casting a golden glow across the marble floors. I stood at the bottom of the staircase, dressed in a simple yet crisp kurta and trousers, my hair neatly tied back, my resume clutched in my hand and my heart beating way too fast.

Today was the day. My interview at Oberoi Industries.

I had barely taken a step toward the door when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Wait!" Sulekha aunty called out, hurrying toward me with a small silver box in her hand. "You can't leave without something sweet."

She opened it to reveal perfectly round laddoos, warm and fragrant. "For good luck," she said with a smile, offering one.

I hesitated, touched beyond words, and took it. "Thank you... I..I'll try my best."

"You don't need to try," Jaya aunty added, coming in from the hallway, "you will do well. You've got fire in you, Arvi. Just let them see it."

Before I could respond, Mukesh sir appeared, holding a small folded paper. "Map of the building," he said gruffly, placing it in my hand. "The place is huge. Don't go wandering into the finance department by accident."

"Dad already did that once," Vivaan said, entering with a lopsided grin.

"I heard that," Shankar sir called from the corridor. "And I was testing security, for the record."

The room filled with quiet chuckles, and I couldn't help smiling.

Then came the cousins ~Aleesha practically bounced over to me, fixing a small strand of hair near my ear. "There. Now you look like someone who belongs in a boardroom."

"Manifest power," Arekha added, handing me a hair clip shaped like a feather. "It's lucky. Take it."

Vivaan gave me a mock salute. "Go get 'em, Arvi. And if they try to act smart, just remind them you survived Rayaan Oberoi."

"Vanisha said, " you will rock it, Arvi di."

I laughed, nerves briefly dissolving in their warmth.

As I stood there, surrounded by well wishes, sweet treats, good luck charms, and genuine support, I felt something shift inside me.

I wasn't just a girl trying to prove herself anymore.

I was someone they believed in.

And maybe, just maybe... it was time I started believing in myself too.