Anuj deposited the keys to the valet for parking, after the rest stepped out from the SUV.

"So what do you guys think?" He asked, his black zipper hoodie loosely slung over his shoulder hooked to his forefinger. He approached the group while they were busy staring at the dark, posh building of the nightclub. A big, proud banner that read 'The Comet House' in neon purple letters was situated over it. Everyone was looking at it, awestruck.

"This...is your friend's nightclub..?!" Samar asked, as he took in the high-end building in front of him.

Sometimes it escaped their memory that how much powerful and significant Anuj actually was.

Moreover, how much of an influential personality he is, and how the world would literally kill, for just a glimpse of him.

They usually forgot that because Anuj wouldn't let them remember. His warm, humble, down-to-earth personality made all of them love and grow fond of him. This was precisely the reason why it slipped their mind that he was 'The Anuj Kapadia', The brand, whom the rest of the world worshipped.

"Yeah buddy, do you like it? If not, we can go somewhere—" Anuj's offer was interrupted mid-way.

"Like?! I think we'd be charged in thousands for just breathing in here!" Nandini let out, amazed.

"And you are invited here as a special guest for Comet House grand opening night?!" Kinjal's eyes were wide as well.

Before Anuj could nod, Anupama shot her question as well. "And you decided to bring all of us alongwith you?"

He let out a soft chuckle, amused by the way he was being bombarded with the girls' questions. Deciding to answer them altogether, he replied, "Don't worry about the expenses guys, I have it covered. Besides you're my add-ons, that makes you special guests as well. And ofcourse I had to bring you all with me, how can I attend the opening night without my favorite people?"

Hearing his response, both Anupama and Samar's heart swelled for the umpteenth time for the man they had grown to love. They will never, ever get used to the love and care showered over them by him.

Yet again, they both thanked their stars and almighty for sending this wonderful man, their saviour, in their lives. He was everything they could ever ask for, not for fulfilling their materialistic desires, but because of the ideal man he is, their superhero with a big heart.

Samar's old father had never bothered to take his mother out for any office party, because he considered her an embarrassment.

In fact, he never spend any quality, bonding time with Samar, or the rest kids. Though everyone let it pass, assuming how he worked tirelessly for extra hours in office, for them. But after his affair of 9-years was revealed, they realised how not only their mother was cheated, but also that their childhood years were a lie, and went in vain.

Even after he joined Mukku's venture, they thought their father was ready to mend his past deeds by finally focusing on his career and family this time. But they were met with another heartbreak when they found out that his focus, yet again wasn't on the job or family, but at another girl quite younger than his age, despite being married again.

With Anuj, it seemed like now they were finally reveling those dad-bonding moments and the childhood years they lost. Even being the busiest man out there, they loved how he always spared some time to spend with them.

After arriving from office every day, tired, he either played board games with them, or joined them in their movie nights. Sometimes he took all of them out for long drives and late ice-cream dates after dinner. On weekends, he cooked for them, made them all try new cuisines, be it his favorite italian or french cuisine.

Watching how the other kids had found their parents in Anuj-Anupama and a new family in the Kapadia household, even Toshu and Pakhi got drawn to it. After witnessing the refreshing, wholesome environment, filled with family's fun moments, totally different from their selfish, toxic household, it dawned on them what they were missing out in life.

Samar had claimed Anuj's morning workout session as their 'boys time', where no one else was allowed. Toshu tried to join them multiple times but always got kicked out by Samar, because he felt like Toshu had 'yet to make up for his past deeds', before joining their new-found family completely.

To Samar's surprise, even Pakhi had started growing fond of Anuj, and was beginning to see him as her father-figure, after Anuj once calmed her down when she suffered from a terrible panic-attack because of a nightmare. She was touched by the way he cared and fretted over her, while Anu and the rest admired the scene from a distance.

Since then, even she alongwith Toshu, had started dropping by or staying whenever Anuj was at home, and basked in the fatherly love that he showered over her. In return, she always reciprocated the love through small hand-made gifts and cards, which he adored.

Overwhelmed by his immense affection for Anuj, and feeling grateful to be a part of his family, Samar attacked him with a surprise group hug, which Kinjal, Nandini and Mukku joined as well. Anupama felt a tug in her heart as she witnessed the beautiful scene.

It gave her unexplainable happiness to watch her kids love her man as their father, and in return, her man loved them as his own kids. Moreover, watching Samar and Anuj dressed exactly like each other from top to bottom was giving her life, as they both appeared like the carbon-copy, indeed looking like a perfect father-son duo. Her handsome boys...

Her heart was screaming to join the hug as well, but she held back for obvious reasons. Reasons that involved relentless teasings from the notorious bunch of people around her.

Devika fixed them with a smirk. "Yaar tumlogo ka sentimental, happy family moment agar khatam hogya ho toh andar chale? I'm dying to party, guys!"

Shaking his head at Devika, Anuj gestured everyone towards the other door. As they approached the VIP entrance of the nightclub, the bouncers guarding the entrance immediately stepped back, clearly recognizing the hot-shot business tycoon.

"Welcome Mr. Kapadia, it's an honor for us that you visited. We hope you and your family enjoy the opening night and our ambience." They bowed their heads in greeting.

This was the first time Anupama and the rest had accompanied 'the pubic figure Anuj Kapadia'. They could relate to the high regard and unconcealed veneration people had, because even Anu and the kids felt the same way for him. They felt proud, fortunate and worthy to call 'The Alpha Male' as their own, and claim him as family.

As the bouncers parted the door, the rest of them rushed in, dragging Anuj and Anupama along.

The big, crowded hall practically vibrated with the loud, banging music the moment they stepped inside. Immediately they were greeted with warmth and heat radiating off from the crowd as it grooved to the loud music.

The big, dark, spacious hallroom was bathed in the purple-bluish hue, thanks to the neon lights on the ceiling. Moreover, royal burgundy couches were covering the right part of the room, complimenting the lightings. Some massive, golden discolights were placed throughout the ceiling, highlighting the whole dark area, making it shine and glow.

A huge bar was placed on the front, with variety of expensive bottles at display. Some bartenders were tending to the people, while others were entertaining the audience by juggling flaming bottles and performing party tricks.

On the left side, a massive DJ set was situated, with huge speakers blasting out EDM mashups mixed by the DJ standing behind the equipment. A big chunk of people were grooving on the dance floor under the multicolored spotlights. The DJ shouted over the microphone and increased the bass, making the people cheer louder as they danced. Moreover, it was just one floor of the multi-storey club.

"Wow Bhai, your friend's nightclub almost looks like one of those of Vegas." Mukku commented, as she took in the surroundings.

Beside her, Anuj chuckled. "You think this is grand? Wait till you see my and Anu's restaurant."

Anupama's head whipped towards Anuj as she heard his statement. Feeling her eyes, he too, lifted his head, his gaze softening and he passed her a gentle smile. Reciprocating his smile, Anupama refrained the strong urge to grab that wonderful human and give him a big hug.

But unfortunately, they were still stuck in 'friends in limits' zone.

And who's fault is that? Her mind enquired.

Feeling frustrated at herself, she pouted unknowingly, making her lips appear more lush and plumpy then they already were. Plagued by her years' old habit of toying with her saree pallu in the moment of restlessness, she never realized when her fingers itself entangled in the hem of the skirt of her dress.

As her finger curled around the hem, it unintentionally lifted the skirt up a bit. Her other hand involuntarily gathered her untied wavy locks that were falling over her bare shoulder and itching her skin. She gently pushed them behind carelessly, revealing her bare shoulders that was earlier hidden behind her long tresses.

Consumed with her thoughts over their 'friend-zone' status, she never realized a pair of eyes behind spectacles were observing her every movement, from her lips, to her hand movements.

Her thoughts halted when their eyes met.

For a moment, she simply stared, too tongue-tied to speak anything. Those gentle eyes that reflected love and adoration for her looked fierce at that moment.

For the first time, his gaze was dark and scary...yet tempting.

She gulped watching his feral gaze sweep over her form, starting from her lips, to her exposed shoulders, then down to her legs. She observed the muscle in his jaw twitch, and as her eyes went downwards as well to decipher his expressions, she found her skirt ridden up until her thigh.

Eyes widening, she released the cloth immediately, and brushed it down to cover the legs she was unintentionally exposing.

As she dared to look up again at him, she found that the fire in his gaze hadn't diminished even the slightest bit, but had surged more by her action, making her burn by it.

What is he thinking....or planning to do..?

Tingles spread through her body at the thought. His dark gaze promised suffering. The good, all consuming kind of suffering. All she wanted was to either hide from his eyes, or submit herself completely to him.

The latter option was too risky, considering she won't be sane after having a taste of him. It was too dangerous, and they weren't alone.

Going with the former option, she was ready to run and hide from the dangerously appealing man, in the mass of people, when Samar's voice stopped her.

"Guys, come on, let's click some pictures."

Before she could make some excuse, everyone else hollered in agreement and huddled around them to get in the frame, pushing her and Anuj together.

When she felt his presence near her, just like everytime, they both got awkward, trying to fight and conceal their rousing urges for each other.

As everyone else hugged close, while Kinjal adjusted the front camera to capture herself and the rest, she noticed the slight space left in the middle, between an awkward Anuj and Anupama.

"Uhh, guys, can you just..." She hesitated to voice her words, but Samar and Mukku understood, who weren't so hesitant to talk about such things, after Devika.

"Arre you guys, it's just a picture, relax! Come on bhab‐ I mean Anu, bhai ki kamar pakdo—"

"Arre, aap dono kitna sharmaate ho. Come on da- I mean Anuj, mummy ko hug kariye—"

They both jumped in, pushing Anuj-Anupama closer. While Mukku grabbed Anu's arm and slid it back, around Anuj's waist; Samar grabbed Anuj's arm and snaked it behind, around Anu's shoulder; making them pose together in a side-hug.

The tension was already soaring high, and both the kids made it worse. Anupama's breath hitched the moment she felt Anuj's body pressing into her side, while she felt his body tensing up at the contact.

Her hand trembled as it felt the contours of Anuj's strong, muscular back.

The tremble escalated and spread throughout her body when she felt Anuj's big, warm hand over her cold, bare shoulder.

She took in a sharp breath that didn't went unnoticed by Anuj. He turned his face towards her and the unsaid words, the yearnings, were spoken through their eyes.

They both felt it. The contact was affecting them both.

Lost in the depth of his gaze, she released a shuddering breath, when she felt his fingers moving slightly an inch, as if cherishing the feeling of her smooth skin against his rough hand.

Instinctively, her arm around his waist tightened its hold, her body pressing more into his side.

She couldn't control herself from doing that! He was just so warm, strong, and...his scent was just so intoxicating. In short, his proximity was addicting.

Their eyes still hadn't left each other, both conveying the emotions their touch was evoking in the other.

Staring deep into her eyes, he relished in her alluring vicinity and pressed his hand more into her shoulder, enjoying the myriad of emotions playing on her face and sensing goosebumps on her body.

Her body was buzzing. His touch had seared deep into her shoulder, his warm hand burning up her skin, as if sealing his imprint, his claim, over her.

If only she could just melt in his embrace....

As they were lost in each other, Kinjal snapped a lot of pictures. Nobody commented how they both weren't looking at the camera, but at each other. The rest just passed each other discreet smiles and thumbs up, then moved away.

As it dawned over them that the moment has ended, they both begrudgingly parted from their intimate side-embrace as well.

Not even a minute later, Mukku and Devika grabbed Kinjal, Nandini, Samar and Anupama, and pulled them along towards the booming dance floor.

As Anupama was dragged along, she sensed she was being watched. A pair of dark eyes were fixed on her, intently watching her every move. She felt his gaze as she swayed and grooved alongwith the rest on generic EDM.

Even though she couldn't see his fervent gaze, still shivers kept spreading throughout her body at the mere thought of them.

Finally mustering up some courage, she turned behind. As expected, his eyes were solely on her, observing her every nuance, from top to bottom.

She stilled as she watched him. Clad in a black button-up and blue denims, he was a sinful sight to behold. And those spectacles, they did absolutely nothing to guard and conceal his intense eyes. On the contrary, it actually highlighted them and added even more sexiness to his aura, if that's even possible.

He was garnering plenty of attention from the crowd in the club, from both genders, mostly from the female population, like he was the sun while others revolved around him.

Everyone was sizing him, measuring him up, enthusing over him and checking him out with appreciative glances, yet his gaze was solely fixated on her.

He was sitting on the chair like his throne, while manspreading and driving everyone crazy for him. His elbow was propped up on the table beside, supporting his chin while he focused on her.

"He's looking at you, go ask him for a dance!" She heard Devika whisper near her ear.

Now it really felt like she's stuck in one of those college chick lit that Mukku watched. She felt like the demure protagonist asking out the most popular, handsome guy of the college for a dance. She felt flattered to have the undivided attention of said guy.

"What? But how can I-" Her youthful, shy self was back, and she perfectly understood the introvert girl's turmoil of asking out the most handsome guy.

Narrowing her eyes, Devika casually commented, "Alright then, don't ask him. Let the other girls devour your man with their hungry gazes. Don't let them know he's yours."

Devika understood her words had hit the right chords when Anu glared at her, her eyes determined and possessive.

As Devika raised her eyebrows challengingly, Anu turned towards her target. With her stance bold and confident, she strode to where he was sitting.

A corner of Anuj's lips lifted in slight smirk, as he watched the woman of his dreams approaching him.

When she reached, he looked up at her in anticipation, his gaze fierce and daring her to speak up.

Before his captivating eyes could drown her, making her lose this new-found bravery, she directly asked, no stalling this time.

"Aap mere saath dance karenge?"

He smirked at that. Loving her confidence, he decided to tease her a bit.

"Mood nahi hai dance ka. Convince kar lo mujhe..." He shrugged innocently, daring her.

Anu quickly caught on the mischievous, flirty glint in his eyes. Well, she had her response ready...

Offering her hand to him, she fixed him with a meaningful gaze and coaxed in the same fond tone, "Come on Anuj, ek gaana banta hai."

Reading her eyes, his heart swelled when he realized she quoted his words from the reunion party. Where they first met....

"Come on Anupama, ek gaana banta hai..."

The setting was so similar...same night like this one, same party like this one, yet the difference was, they were now closer than ever.

Oh how the night changes....

Realising how far they've come now, currently on the verge of leveling up their friendship to something more, he thanked his fate. Never in his wildest dreams he had expected that his reality would be so beautiful. He indeed felt like a fortunate man now...

Enamoured by their journey, he extended his hand and placed it in hers. Not just for a dance now, but for an eternity together...

Judging by the way her eyes glazed with memories and love, he understood she felt the same. With lovestuck smiles adorning their faces, she pulled him from the chair towards the dance floor.

While Anuj was feeling surreal about how his life changed into a blissful dream, Anu internally gushed over how she was living the stage she regretted for missing out earlier with Anuj. They were making beautiful memories...

As they stepped over the dance floor, the loud booming music abruptly halted, making the crowd stop as well in confusion. But everyone hooted soon when the DJ played the beginning notes of a slow, romantic english song.

While half of the crowd emptied the dance floor, spend and tired, the others around them found their respective dance partners and formed a pair.

As they both looked around them, stuck in between slow-dancing couples, Anuj decided not to overthink and live in the moment. Fixing her with a soft smile, he extended his hand to her.

That gesture though was verily familiar to Anu. Her mind again drifted back to the day when they first met. When he had gently smiled and forwarded his hand but how she had rejected it, instead settling for a namaste.