Chapter 19: The Blueprint for Jealousy
[System Notification: New Rival Detected — Character Class: The 'One That Got Away']
The "Flower Disposal Mission" was temporarily diverted when Ananya sent a frantic voice note: "Meera! The contractor is here to discuss the load-bearing wall, and he's refusing to look at the blueprints because I'm 'just a baker.' Get here now!"
Ishaan accelerated. "First Julian's flowers, and now a sexist contractor? This morning is a medical emergency."
When we pulled up to the dusty site of the future 'Blue Shutter Patisserie,' a rugged silver jeep was parked out front. Standing by the entrance was a man in fitted cargo pants and a black polo shirt, holding a measuring tape like a weapon. He had a messy bun, a light stubble, and a smile that looked like it belonged in a rugged outdoor gear commercial.
I stopped dead in my tracks. "No way."
"What?" Ishaan asked, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the man. "Is that him? He looks like he spends more time at the gym than on a construction site."
"That's Arjun," I whispered, my heart giving a tiny, nostalgic thud. "He was my senior in architecture school. He was... the reason I passed my structures exam. And also the person I had a massive, unrequited crush on for three years."
Ishaan's grip on his car keys tightened until his knuckles went white. "An 'old crush,' huh? Wonderful. Just what this project needed."
The Professional Reunion
As we walked up, Arjun turned around. His face lit up with genuine warmth. "Meera Sharma? The 'Shadow Architect' herself? I heard you were the lead on this, but I didn't believe it until I saw the signature on the floor plans."
"Arjun! I didn't know you started your own contracting firm," I said, trying (and failing) to sound like a composed professional.
"I did. And I see your taste in design has only gotten better," he said, stepping closer and dropping his voice. "Still using the 0.5mm lead for your sketches?"
"Always," I giggled.
A sharp, artificial cough echoed behind me.
"I don't think we've met," Ishaan said, stepping forward and placing a very possessive, very heavy arm around my waist. He didn't just stand next to me; he anchored me. "I'm Ishaan Malhotra. Meera's fiancé."
He emphasized the word 'fiancé' with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Arjun looked at Ishaan's arm, then at the silver band on my finger. His smile didn't fade, but it shifted—becoming more of a challenge. "Ah, the doctor. Meera mentioned a neighbor once or twice in college. I didn't realize the 'boy next door' actually stood a chance."
The Measuring War
The next hour was a masterclass in passive-aggressive masculinity.
Every time I tried to point out a feature on the blueprint, Arjun would lean over me, his shoulder brushing mine. "Actually, Meera, if we use a cantilevered beam here, it opens up the space. What do you think? You always were the best at spatial flow."
"She's fine with the current flow," Ishaan snapped, standing on my other side, essentially sandwiching me between the two of them. "As a doctor, I'm concerned about the ventilation. This kitchen needs more air. We wouldn't want the staff—or my fiancée—to feel suffocated, would we?"
"It's a bakery, Malhotra, not an ICU," Arjun countered, tossing the measuring tape onto a pile of bricks. "Meera, why don't we go grab a quick lunch and discuss the wiring? For old times' sake? I know a great little place nearby."
Ishaan's eyes flashed. He looked like he was about to prescribe Arjun a very painful dose of reality.
"Actually," Ishaan said, pulling me closer until I was tucked firmly into his side. "Meera has a very strict 'altitude therapy' diet right now. And since I'm her doctor and her partner, I've already prepared a nutritious lunch for us at home. Right, Meeru?"
He looked down at me, his gaze pleading and burning at the same time. He was acting like a territorial tiger, and honestly? It was kind of hot.
"I... uh..." I looked at Arjun's expectant face and then at Ishaan's pouting-but-dangerous expression.
[System Notification: Decision Point!
A: Go to lunch with Arjun for 'Business.'
B: Stay with Ishaan and deal with the 'Jealousy' consequences.]
"Arjun, I think we should stay here and finish the measurements," I said, trying to be the adult in the room. "And Ishaan... is right. We have a lot to discuss. Family stuff."
Arjun shrugged, his eyes lingering on me. "Fair enough. But I'm here for the whole month, Meera. I'm sure we'll find time to... catch up."
The Aftermath
As Arjun walked away to yell at a plumber, Ishaan finally let go of my waist. He looked at me, his face a mask of frustration.
"He's doing it on purpose," Ishaan muttered.
"Doing what? He's just being a contractor."
"He called you 'Shadow Architect.' He remembered your pencil lead! He's Julian, but with better hair and a toolbelt!" Ishaan turned to me, grabbing my hands. "Meera, if he touches your shoulder one more time, I'm going to lose my medical license."
"Ishaan Malhotra, are you... jealous?"
"I'm not jealous," he lied, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped back into my space, pinning me against a half-finished brick wall. "I'm just reminding the world that you're off-limits. Starting with him."
He leaned in, his lips inches from mine, when Ananya walked in holding a box of flowers.
"Guys! Julian's flowers were filled with... wait, am I interrupting another 'moment'? Honestly, can we just build a bakery without the hormones?"
[System Notification: Relationship Status: Intensely Territorial | Plot Twist: Julian's flowers weren't just flowers.]
[Author's Corner]
THE TENSION! 🔥 Ishaan is absolutely losing it over Arjun! But wait... what did Ananya find in Julian's flowers? Is it a bug? A letter? Or something much worse?