Shubman was in a different basement, concentration etched on his face as he tore apart the sclera of the man lying on top of the table.

It was his headquarters, a fifteen storied building with a facade of glass.

The skyscraper with its exceptional height, towered almost all the other structures in the region. A testament of his power and wealth.

He didn't frequent this place as much as Ishan did, since he had assigned people to take care of things over here.

And he could be called only when absolutely necessary. In instances such as meetings, signing treaties and alliances, and interrogating high profile people, like now.

When Shubman felt satisfied with the amount of blood that followed, he sat straight on the chair, handing the scalpel to one of the men behind him.

"So you're telling me the deal never took place," he repeated and the captive nodded rather too aggressively. Anything to get out of here.

"It was just a distraction," he choked out despite the pain he was in. "The feds are in it too. They're planning a covert operation to wipe out your organization."

"That's too bad for you," the mafia boss said, an elbow propped up on the table as he rested his chin on his palm. "I had to spend days looking into this while I could've gone on so many dates with my jaan."

He shook his head, feeling disappointed that this is what he had been so busy with for the past few days.

Now that it is finally known, Ishan will have a 'talk' with the government officials. And Shubman will make it up to you by taking you out on a dinner date.

Speaking of you, his phone rang, interrupting the cries of a person who's wishing he had just become a baker, like he dreamt of as a kid, instead of becoming a member of the policy board for the country's foreign affairs.

It has become a habit now. He made sure to always take his phone with him after what happened at the mall. To make sure he didn't waste a second in case you called him.

One of his men, Jay, walked forward and handed him the phone. Unusual. Robin usually was the one to do it.

"Where's Robin?" He asked in the cold tone that was normal for the others.

"Robin's mother is sick," Jay answered, head bowed down a little in respect. "Ishan sir let him take a day off."

Shubman merely nodded before saying, "Check if she needs to be taken to the hospital. Take care of the expenses."

Once he looked at the caller ID, his eyes lit up. A smile automatically formed on his face as he answered the call.

"Hey, baby," he said, visibly and audibly lovesick. "Of course, I'm not busy. I missed you so much."

He smiled, hearing you talk with his chin still resting on his palm.

Everyone around him pretended to be deaf and blind as their boss appeared so love-dazed.

"We'll go shopping too, baby," Shubman added and you continued on the other side. "Anything you want, honey. But shall we go out for dinner before ice cream?"

His smile disappeared only to briefly glare at the man tied down to the table, a warning for him to not make a sound.

When that didn't happen, he grabbed a knife and struck it halfway into his throat, effectively silencing him. Not enough to kill though.

And then he smiled again. "I'll be home in an hour, sweetie. Okay?"

Shubman's smile only got wider as he hummed giddily in response to whatever you were saying, while also subtly signaling his men to hand over his gun.

"Yeah, I love you," he played absentmindedly with the knife in his captive's throat. "Bye, honey."

The cutest sight of his dimples was there to see as he gave you a kiss through the phone.

"I love you again," he said once more until you finally hung up.

With a pleased sigh, he handed his phone back to Jay, his face changing so quick that one would wonder if he was really the same person from a split second ago.

On the call, he looked like a cute little kitten, and now he looked like a savage tiger with blood on his face, ready to pull the trigger.

True to his word, Shubman was home in an hour.

He used a different entrance and staircase to get to the bedroom, undetected by you.

Taking a quick shower to wash the blood away, he discarded the stained suit and changed into a similar one.

When he was done, he also messed it up a bit so that it didn't look like he just got dressed.

Putting the gold watch around his wrist he walked downstairs to the second floor.

"Hey, Brownie," Shubman smiled once he spotted your son in the hallway.

Picking the puppy up in his arms, he kissed the little one's head.

You had woken him up in the middle of the night, mumbled the name you had decided in your slumber before falling asleep again.

Because Shahneel ordered brownies as takeaway on the evening you and Shubman met.

Also because your son's fur was a shade of brown.

And obviously because it's a dessert you all absolutely love so much.

"Where's mama?" He asked, earning a tiny bark as he walked the remaining distance with Brownie in his arms.

Shubman found you in the kitchen with Shahneel, eating Maggi with a jar of sugar beside you.

"And did you read the last update?" You asked, standing in front of her as you placed the now empty bowl aside. "I don't want to give you spoilers."

"I love spoilers," she replied once she swallowed the noodles.

You were having your discussions about the orange app again.

"She got into an accident," you broke the news to her and she choked on her food. "Her car was ambushed."

"What!" Shahneel exclaimed, almost dropping her bowl of noodles as she sat on the kitchen island with legs crossed.

"It's a cliffhanger too," you added, making her feel even worse.

"This can't be happening," she felt devastated. Her world was crumbling around her like it was bread.

"With the amount of blood she lost and the doctor's words, I don't think she's going to live," you said remorsefully. "We did hope for a happy ending. But it's definitely impossible now."

"Her man will be left broken for the rest of his life," her shoulders slumped. "He fought the world for her, but death?"

Shahneel felt like crying and as she looked around to keep her emotions at bay, she found her brother behind you.

He was taking slow steps as he carefully let Brownie down, index finger on his lips as he signaled her to be quiet.

Not wishing to be a third wheel, his sister excused herself with her bowl of Maggi, telling you that she wanted to wallow in sorrow at the recent revelation about the book she loved so much.

Once she was out of sight, a pair of arms wrapped around your waist from behind, catching you by surprise.

But you knew who it was the moment the familiar scent hit you.

"Shubi," you said, feeling kisses pressed to the side of your neck, your back against his chest.

You earned a soft hum in response as Shubman kissed his way up to your cheek.

"I missed you," he mumbled, though it had only been a few hours. "I didn't scare you, did I?"

He bit on your cheek playfully and felt you smile.

"Not really. But still, just a bit," you relaxed in his arms. "I swear, you'll be the death of me."

His arms tensed up to a minimal degree, barely noticed by you as he cradled you in his embrace.

He knew you didn't mean it seriously. Yet he got nervous at the implication.

Even the thought of it was enough to break his heart into pieces and shatter his whole existence.

Shubman loves you so much. It already hurts him enough to be away from you, even for a while.

Comforting himself with another kiss to your cheek, he turned you around.

All his worries disappeared and a smile took over his face, with such ethereal beauty in front of him.

He couldn't help but lean in for a kiss, wanting to show you how much he missed you.

Shubman had a passion for his work, hunger for power, an avocation to kill, longing for your touch, and wanting for your love.

You almost felt dizzy when he pulled away from the kiss, the pace of your breathing altered in the past few seconds.

"Ready to leave, honey?" He asked and you nodded, your hands resting on his shoulders.

You dressed to go out ten minutes before he got home.

"Are you sure you have time for the whole date?" You questioned again. "Not busy?"

"Of course, love," Shubman answered, kissing your forehead. "We have all the time in the world."

A/n

Ahem, I love foreshadowing.