Arshiya swayed on her feet as she eyed the delicacies in glass cases with a glint in her eyes. Finally, after a weekend of the continuous 'treatment' from her mother and friends, she was let out of the confines of her house. But, finally, she was back on her feet and the first thing she did, was to pay her favorite candy store a visit.

Arshiya finally decided on her favorite pink frosted cupcakes with candy sprinkles on it, and then she remembered him.

'.....Chocolates or Cupcakes?"

'Cupcakes?'

Even if there was no evidence that it was a serious answer on his behalf, it was still a good thank-you treat.

That's enough reasoning for her.

She ordered a swirling purple frosting cupcake with nuts as if matching his dark mysterious personality and asked the lady of the shop to pack it in a separate box.

She asked for a small colorful card on the inside of the box and tucked it inside of the lid with the colorful tape, after writing something on it.

"Thank you." She returned the pen and tape to the lady and walked out of the shop after paying for the treats and the card.

'Off to VM Towers Establishment, then....' She raised her hand in an attempt to hire a taxi, but with no luck as she found them already full of passengers.

But just see her luck, that she spotted him standing across from her on the other side of the road in front of his car, that was parked in front of the park opposite to the shop. She took in his usual work attire and bit her lower lip as she thought of the possibility of catching him off guard.

None, Arshiya giggled as she leisurely crossed the road and froze as she heard him talking on the phone, more like growling at the person on the other side of the phone, like a lion.

He looks busy....

"Fuck Nakul, you are telling me this now." He hissed into the phone angrily and she flinched in fear.

..and angry.

She gulped the lump in her throat and looked at the carry bag in her hand, that has 'sweet childhood' written in stylish swirling black ink over the printed cupcake.

..and he can scold her for disturbing him.

Her shoulders slumped down in defeat and she yet again walked towards the crossing to return to the shop to return the extra treats.

Her steps paused briefly as she spotted a small girl, sitting on the small bench, outside the park, licking the candy lollipop. Small children, gosh they are so lucky. Not a care of the world. Not a care of being reprimanded and...

A light bulb glowed in her head.

Arshiya walked towards the bench and smiled at the small girl, who looked up at her with her big eyes, as soon as she spotted Arshiya. "Hi, can I sit here?"

The girl looked at Arshiya cautiously but nodded and Arshiya's smile widened.

"Thanks, dear. My name is Arshiya. What is your name?"

"Priya." The small girl answered with a cute cheeky smile, now at ease and Arshiya smiled back.

"What a beautiful name! It's nice to meet you, Priya." Arshiya gushed as she extended her hand for her to take and Priya took it enthusiastically.

"It's nice to meet you too, Di."

Arshiya smiled as Priya called her big sister and looked around for her parents.

"Are you here alone?"

"No, my brother had gone into the shop there to buy me more lollipops so that I can take them to school." Priya pointed to the shop she had just come out of, and Arshiya nodded relieved, that she was not alone.

"Priya can you help me with something, please?"

Priya's head tilted to the side in curiosity. Why is this big sis, asking help from her little self?

"You see that man over there." Arshiya pointed at Vihaan, who is still busy shouting at Nakul and little girl tipped her head slightly. "We are playing treasure hunt and this bag has the next clue, but I couldn't pass this to him. Will you help me?"

"Oh! I can do that!" She bobbed her head excitedly and jumped down from the bench to fulfil this mission.

~~~~~~~

"I don't care, Na-" Vihaan was cut off by the sudden tug on his coat and he looked down at the source of the intrusion. Vihaan smiled as he found big doe eyes staring up at him, the big lollipop sticking adorably halfway from her mouth.

She raised the carry bag in her hand to him and he pointed his index finger at himself, to which the girl nodded in affirmation. His brow knitted in confusion as he took the carry bag from her but before he could ask her who send her, she ran away towards the entrance of the park.

"Vihaan.....you there?" Nakul's voice rang in his ear, along with the remainder of the news that broke through last night, which was cleared by Nakul. Fortunately.

"I'll call you later...." He ended the call before Nakul could ask him anything and put his phone back in his pant pocket. He looked into the carry bag and carefully pulled out the delicate pastry box.

Eh?

He carefully opened the lid of the colorful box and his brows knitted together at the sight of purple frosted cupcakes.

Huh?

His eyes caught the sight of the small colorful card taped to the inside of the lid and he bit his lower lip in pondering as he read the small message.

'Your Cupcakes,
Mr. Malhotra...'

"Cupcakes?" He murmured to himself and as if every puzzle was solved, a smile tugged on his lips.

Arshiya....

He closed the lid of the box and checked the name of the store. Sweet Childhood.

He looked around to look for one particular store and as soon as his eyes landed on it, he started walking towards it to look more into the truthful fact.

Priya had given the treats to him, like Arshiya had asked her to, and had run away before he had the chance to ask anything. But, why was he walking towards the store?

Is he... Is he gonna return it?

But it's a gift! A thank- you gift! You don't return that!

Arshiya scowled.

As if sensing the furious stare of the angry girl, he turned around suddenly, just giving her just enough time to hide behind the car.

He looked around, before shrugging away from the suspicious feeling of being watched and walked inside the store. Well, Arshiya's cheeks swelled with anger. If he didn't want it, his loss!

It was time to run.

She raised her hand and hailed a taxi, which fortunately was vacant and disappeared from that street.

~

The plain Saree did nothing to hide the beauty of the lady in her late forties but the vast expanse of wisdom, developed with time did show in her eyes as she smiled at him and greeted him politely.

"Hello and Welcome to Sweet Childhood, What would you like to buy, sir?"

"I am not here to buy anything. I just want to ask who bought these cupcakes from your shop recently...." He asked, showing her the lavender colored box and she took the box from him.

She opened the lid of the box and almost immediately, her eyes lit up in recognition.

"Ah yes! Her name is Arshiya, Arshiya Sharma." She closed the lid with a smile and handed the box back to the very famous man.

Tell me something else.

The owner of the shop smiled, catching 'that' look in his eyes. "She is such a sweet shy girl. I had never seen her buy a present for a guy."

Not good enough.

His eyes gave away the message.

"She is very punctual."

The lady was talking in bits and pieces, but he caught the drift of her words.

Vihaan nodded curtly and pulled out his wallet and offered her a 500Rs tip as his gratitude, to which she shook her head.

"There is no need Mr. Malhotra."

"I insist..." He said, and the lady sighed in defeat as she took the money from him and put it in a separate charity box. He picked up the box and turned to leave when she called out to him again.

"Just a word, Mr. Malhotra!"

He paused and turned to look at her in question and she smiled at him, causing the wrinkles to appear at the corner of her eyes.

"Don't lose her."

"I won't." Ever.

His lips curled up in a dark promising smile, away from her eyes as he stepped out of the store.

The devil was back on his feet and He was going to have her.

At. Any. Cost

He pulled out his phone and speed dialed a number.

The phone clicked.

"I want you to find information about someone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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