A/N: I was wondering if I should create character AI bots for "The Runaway's Oasis" characters. Let me know in comments if I should do it?

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Sunehri Sinha

The opulent chamber echoed with the heavy tread of Sunehri's guards. They deposited a plush, crimson armchair in front of Abhimanyu with practiced efficiency, the stark contrast between its luxury and the rough treatment he'd received moments before not escaping him.

Sunehri, resplendent in a shimmering gold gown, materialized from a hidden doorway behind the throne. The fabric clung to her curves, a daring side slit revealing a glimpse of toned thigh. A steely resolve radiated from her, a queen surveying her captured prey.

She settled onto the throne, a predator claiming her perch. Her gaze, sharp as a diamond chip, sliced across the room to land on Abhimanyu. "I trust my men didn't handle you too roughly, Mr. Raichand," Sunehri said, her voice a silken purr laced with a subtle undercurrent of threat.

A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, momentarily breaking the tension. He leaned back in the chair, the plush fabric yielding beneath him. "Mr. Raichand? Seems you've mistaken me for someone else," he countered, his voice a low rumble.

A flicker of something akin to surprise crossed her face, quickly masked by a steely resolve. "I don't make mistakes, Mr. Raichand. It is unfortunate that I couldn't recognize you the other night amidst the festivities. However, when you made your rather abrupt exit, your brother, Aryan Raichand, arrived shortly after, searching for you with a frantic desperation. It did make me wonder, Mr. Raichand, what were the chances of him looking for Abhimanyu Raichand right after the Abhimanyu who was my date disappeared?"

Abhimanyu's eyebrows shot up, a sardonic amusement flickering in his eyes. He leaned forward, the plush chair sighing beneath his weight. A slow, deliberate smirk spread across his face. "Seems there's been a misunderstanding, Miss Sinha," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in the tense silence. "There's only one Abhimanyu here, and he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The streets raised me, not some fancy pedigree." The last words dripped with disdain, a challenge echoing in the air.

Sunehri's lips curved into a humorless chuckle, a sound devoid of warmth or genuine amusement. For a woman known as "Cruella," such emotions were a luxury she couldn't afford, nor did she particularly crave. Her obsidian eyes, however, flickered with a hint of something akin to surprise - a fleeting glimpse that vanished as quickly as it appeared. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned one of her ever-present guards, her voice a clipped command. The guard melted back into the shadows, returning moments later with a sleek briefcase in hand. Sunehri accepted it with a nod, her crimson nails glinting under the harsh overhead lights. Deliberately, she flipped open the latches, the silence in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Inside, nestled amongst velvet lining, lay a single photograph. Sunehri's eyes narrowed as she lifted it, her gaze flickering from the image to Abhimanyu, a question hanging heavy in the air.

"This, I believe, is you, Mr. Abhimanyu," Sunehri spoke, placing the photograph face-up on the table. The ornate frame, adorned with the Raichand family crest, sent a jolt of terror through him. It was a family portrait, a scene he'd locked away in the deepest recesses of his mind.

There, seated on a plush armchair that resembled a throne, was a man with a mane of silver hair and a face etched with authority - his father. Beside him, a woman with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners - his mother. And to his right, a younger Abhimanyu, a ghost of his former self, with the same defiant glint in his eyes and the unmistakable scar splitting his lower lip. The blood drained from his face, his breath catching in his throat for a fleeting moment.

"Even young Abhimanyu has the same scar," Sunehri stated, her voice devoid of emotion. "Are you still going to deny you're the sole heir to the Raichand empire?"

A flicker of recognition played across Abhimanyu's features before a steely resolve settled in his eyes. "Like I said," he spoke, his voice colder than ice, a stark contrast to the warmth of the photo, "I'm not the Abhimanyu Raichand you're looking for. He's dead and buried. This man," he gestured to himself, "might bear a resemblance, but he has no connection to the Raichand family."

Sunehri, for the briefest moment, felt a shiver of unease creep into her. The icy intensity in his voice was unexpected, a stark contrast to his earlier amusement.

"I have an offer to propose," Sunheri finally broke the silence after a long moment of scrutinizing Abhimanyu. "Mr. Abhimanyu," she began, her voice measured, "I have a proposition for you."

Abhimanyu, despite the mental rejection already brewing, found himself leaning in, intrigued by the glint of determination in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, silently urging her to continue.

"I propose a permanent partnership deal between Raichand Industries and Sinha Enterprises," Sunheri announced. "A collaboration that would be mutually beneficial for both our companies."

Abhimanyu's response was a noncommittal shrug. "And how exactly does this involve me, Ms. Sinha?" he countered, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism. "As far as I'm aware, I'm no longer affiliated with Raichand Industries."

Sunheri leaned forward, her voice turning pointed. "Blood runs deeper than boardroom squabbles, Mr. Abhimanyu. Your father, the current head of Raichand Industries, seems content with the tired rivalry between our families. He fails to grasp the potential that a partnership could bring."

A muscle clenched in Abhimanyu's jaw. He remained silent, but his posture shifted, betraying a flicker of interest despite his mental resistance.

"This is where you come in, Abhimanyu," Sunheri pressed on. "As a Raichand, heir to the entire empire. I propose you leverage your position to introduce this partnership at the board meeting next week. It would be mutually beneficial. I'm well aware of the strain in your relationship with your family, and I assure you, there's no expectation of rejoining them." She held his gaze, a hint of something unreadable flashing in her eyes. "However, you can't deny your Raichand blood entirely."

Abhimanyu stood abruptly, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Clearly, you've delved deeper than necessary into my personal life, Ms. Sinha. Regardless, I remain uninterested in the business world. And for the last time," he emphasized, his voice tight, "I am no longer a Raichand."

Sunheri's smile turned cold. "Very well, Mr. Abhimanyu. Perhaps your family will be more receptive to the news of your whereabouts." She settled back in her chair, the picture of calculated ease, though a flicker of uncertainty betrayed her in her eyes.

"A threat, is it?" Abhimanyu's smirk deepened, amusement dancing in his eyes. He pushed himself away from the wall, a predatory grace in his movements as he closed the distance between them. Sunheri's bodyguards tensed, hands hovering near holsters, but a sharp gesture from their employer kept them at bay.

Leaning in until their faces were inches apart, Abhimanyu spoke in a low voice, a dangerous edge creeping in. "Think of me more like a phantom, Ms. Sinha. You can chase shadows all you want, but I'm a master at disappearing. This whole running away thing? It's kind of my specialty." His voice was laced with a chilling confidence, a testament to years spent perfecting the art of vanishing. Abandonment, it seemed, was a well-worn path for Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu straightened, his gaze lingering on Sunheri. "So, am I free to go?" he inquired, a hint of challenge lingering in his voice.

Sunheri tilted her head, a predatory glint in her eyes. With a flick of her wrist, she instructed a bodyguard to uncuff him. "Let's call it a temporary truce, Mr. Abhimanyu. My offer remains open, at least until I find another path to your father's approval. And," she leaned forward, her voice a low murmur, "I have a feeling our paths will cross again sooner than you think."

Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow, a sardonic challenge flickering in his eyes. "That's a bold assumption, Ms. Sinha."

Sunheri offered a slight shrug, her lips curving into a cryptic smile. "Call it intuition."

He locked eyes with her for a beat longer, the air thick with unspoken challenge. Then, with a curt nod, Abhimanyu turned and strode towards the door. "Consider this our last conversation, Ms. Sinha. As far as I'm concerned, the Raichands are a closed chapter in my life." His voice held a finality that brooked no argument. He didn't wait for a response, disappearing through the doorway like a wraith, leaving Sunheri alone with the echo of his words.

Exiting the opulent office, Abhimanyu finally registered his surroundings. Polished marble floors stretched out before him, gleaming under the soft glow of recessed lighting. This was undoubtedly Sinha Enterprises' headquarters, a monument to wealth and power. Lost in thought, he nearly missed the voice calling his name.

"Abhimanyu!"

He turned to find Mahi standing by the wall, a vision in a formal outfit she likely reserved for work. "I'm supposed to escort you out," she explained, her voice professional yet laced with a hint of something else. Abhimanyu simply nodded, his mind racing with the encounter he just had and the unexpected appearance of Mahi.

"So, I'm assuming you denied Madam's offer, huh?" Mahi ventured, her gaze sharp.

Abhimanyu chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Sharp as ever, Mahi. Though your 'Madam' seems to have a twisted sense of humor, offering a deal to someone who's practically estranged from his family."

"There's always a method to her madness," Mahi replied cryptically. Before Abhimanyu could press for clarification, another voice sliced through the tense air.

"What a coincidence to meet Mr. Abhimanyu here of all places. Looks like you've created quite a bond with Miss Sinha," a velvety smooth voice purred. Both Abhimanyu and Mahi swiveled towards the source - a tall figure emerging from the shadows, their face obscured by the dim light.

"Lakshya," Abhimanyu spoke as he greeted the tattooed man with a bun. Mahi, on the other hand, just scoffed, not even bothering to greet Lakshya.

Lakshya's eyes, for a split second, showed a hint of affection for the woman. This affection, however, was immediately replaced with a smug grin as he looked at Abhimanyu. Although his shift in expressions didn't go unnoticed by Abhimanyu.

"What brings you here, Abhimanyu?" Lakshya asked, intrigued by his presence there.

"Had some business with Sunheri Sinha," Abhimanyu replied. "What about you?"

"I have a business meeting with Miss Sinha in ten minutes, yet I'm searching for my best friend who's definitely flirting somewhere nearby," Lakshya sighed dramatically, picturing his overly enthusiastic, womanizing buddy.

"Surya Singh Pathania, I presume?" Abhimanyu inquired. The tattooed man chuckled and nodded in confirmation.

"Out of curiosity," Lakshya began, finding Abhimanyu rather intriguing, "what brings you to Miss Sinha?"

"Before Abhimanyu could respond, Mahi interjected sharply, "That's none of your concern."

A flicker of an emotion, raw and unreadable, crossed Lakshya's eyes for a fleeting moment before he scrambled to recover. His hands shot up, palms facing Mahi in a placating surrender. "Feisty, I get it," Lakshya chuckled, the sound strained around the edges. "No need to go on the defensive, Little Mahi. I was just curious, genuinely."

Mahi's glare remained fixed on the tattooed man. He, in turn, offered her a small, teasing smile, one that softened the edges of his own simmering frustration. But Abhimanyu, an outsider to their intricate dance, was a keen observer. He picked up on the unspoken dynamic between them, the way Lakshya's gaze lingered a beat too long on Mahi, the subtle tension that crackled in the air.

"We don't have time for your curiosity, Mr. Singhania," Mahi declared, her voice laced with a barely veiled edge. Before Abhimanyu could even stammer a response, she lunged forward, her hand landing with surprising force on his arm. It wasn't a gentle touch, but a firm grasp that spoke volumes. With a swift jerk, she began to pull him away, her stride purposeful and determined. Lakshya watched them go, a wry smile playing on his lips. He knew he wouldn't get any answers today, but the spark of something new, something intriguing, had been ignited.

Abhimanyu, caught off guard by Mahi's sudden yank, stumbled slightly before regaining his footing. Lakshya's soft chuckle grated on his nerves for some reason, a stark contrast to Mahi's determined march away. The elevator doors whooshed open, offering a temporary escape from the awkward tension. As soon as they stepped inside, Mahi released his arm with a curt nod, her earlier fiery protectiveness replaced by a studied coolness.

The silence stretched, punctuated only by the soft hum of the elevator. Abhimanyu, ever the observant one, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Mahi's sudden shift. "So," he began, his voice a low rumble, "what's the story with Lakshya Singhania?"

Mahi met his gaze head-on, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before she schooled them into an impassive mask. "Nothing that concerns you," she replied, her voice laced with a nonchalant tone that he wasn't entirely convinced by. Abhimanyu studied her for a beat longer, his keen eyes searching for a tell, a crack in her carefully constructed facade. There was something simmering beneath the surface, a hidden connection he couldn't quite decipher.

However, Abhimanyu wasn't one to pry. He respected boundaries, especially when they were delivered with such a sharp edge. "Fair enough," he conceded with a slight nod, deciding to drop the subject for now.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the polished lobby of the company headquarters. Mahi started to speak, likely about escorting Abhimanyu further, but he cut her off. "I'll manage from here," he stated, his voice firm yet polite.

Mahi faltered slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "But I was instructed to-"

"I appreciate the concern," Abhimanyu interjected smoothly, "but I'm a grown man, perfectly capable of finding my way home.

Mahi sighed, a low sound that spoke volumes. She wasn't entirely convinced, but there wasn't much room for argument. With a curt nod, she simply said, "Very well. Take care."

Abhimanyu offered a short nod in return. Turning on his heel, he strode out of the gleaming lobby and into the bustling city street. The walk back to his place was admittedly long, and a taxi would have been a welcome luxury. However, a quick glance at his wallet confirmed the reality - hailing a rickshaw was out of the question tonight.

After a grueling hour of navigating the bustling city streets, Abhimanyu's legs ached with each step. Finally, the familiar facade of his apartment building loomed ahead. Relief washed over him, momentarily erasing the persistent tightness in his shoulders.

As he fumbled for his keys, a prickling sensation danced down his spine, a primal warning that sent chills erupting across his skin. He whipped around, eyes darting through the throng of hurried pedestrians, searching for the source of the unease. But the sidewalk was a blur of faces, none lingering or paying him any particular attention. Disappointment gnawed at him - had his imagination conjured a threat where none existed?

With a sigh that condensed the weariness of the day, Abhimanyu rubbed the back of his neck, the gesture momentarily relaxing the knotted muscles. He pushed open the heavy building door and disappeared into the cool, stale-smelling hallway, oblivious to the dark shape perched on a rooftop across the street. A lone figure, barely more than a silhouette in the fading light, kept Abhimanyu firmly in its gaze until he vanished inside. Only then did it melt back into the shadows, its purpose, for now, a mystery.

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