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Aarav and Haniya left the dorm quietly, avoiding unnecessary questions from the team. They walked toward the parking area, and Aarav unlocked his car with a soft beep.
"Sit," he said, opening the passenger door for her.
She slid in silently.
He got in, started the engine, and the warm hum filled the space.
For a few minutes, neither spoke.
Then Aarav broke the silence.
"Haniya… listen."
She turned her head slightly.
"If they only call us to meet the group's label's head," he said calmly, "then it will be fine."
She blinked. "Why?"
"Because…" he scratched his neck, awkwardly, "…she's my mother."
Haniya turned fully toward him. "Your mother?"
He nodded. "Yeah. She's the head of this entire gaming and performing label. Strict but fair. If it's just her, I'll handle it."
Haniya nodded slowly. "And if it's not her…?"
Aarav shrugged with a confidence that didn't quite hide his nervousness.
"Then it's fine. We'll manage."
She stared at him for a moment, soaking in that reassurance.
Because deep inside, her biggest fear wasn't the company…
It was him discovering the truth.
That she was the president's daughter.
The one thing she had never wanted him to know.
The car ride continued in silence, but this time, a heavy, anticipatory silence. Aarav occasionally glanced at her, but she just kept looking out the window.
Finally, they reached the company building — tall, polished, intimidating.
Aarav parked, stepped out, and walked around to her side again, opening the door.
"You ready?"
"No," she admitted. "But I'm here."
He smiled faintly. "Good enough."
They walked inside together.
The coach was already waiting in the lobby, pacing like someone stuck between fear and frustration. When he saw them, he gestured urgently.
"Come. The president is waiting."
Haniya's heartbeat spiked.
Today is the day Aarav will know.
I can't hide anymore.
Aarav noticed her stiff posture.
"You okay?" he whispered.
She forced a small smile. "Yeah."
They followed the coach down the corridor, toward the elevator, up to the highest floor—floor 25—where the president's office was located.
Aarav exhaled slowly, mentally preparing himself for anything.
Haniya exhaled slowly, mentally preparing herself for everything.
The coach knocked.
A deep, powerful voice from inside responded,
"Come in."
The coach pushed the door open and entered first.
"Sir," he said formally, "Aarav and Haniya are here."
The president sat behind a massive desk—sharp eyes, sharp posture, sharp presence.
He didn't look at Aarav.
He looked directly at Haniya.
Her breath caught.
She lowered her gaze without meaning to.
Aarav noticed it instantly.
The president spoke first.
"So," he said, voice calm but heavy, "you two are dating."
Aarav stepped forward politely. "Yes, sir—"
But the president didn't even look at him.
His gaze stayed on Haniya.
"And you didn't think," he said slowly, "that I deserved to hear this from you?"
Aarav blinked.
Coach froze.
Haniya swallowed. "Sir… I didn't think it mattered for the—"
"For the company?"
His voice sharpened.
"Or for me?"
Aarav's eyes slowly widened.
Something was wrong.
Something was hidden.
The president leaned back, arms crossing.
"Haniya," he said, "how long were you planning to hide the fact that you are my daughter?"
Aarav's entire world froze.
His head turned toward her sharply.
His eyes huge.
His breath caught.
"Daughter?" he whispered.
Haniya closed her eyes briefly. She knew this moment would come.
She lifted her head and looked straight at the president.
"Sir—Dad—" she corrected herself, voice steady, "I didn't hide it to disrespect you. I just… I wanted to come here on my own, not because I am your daughter."
The president's jaw tightened.
"And joining the team without telling anyone was your idea of independence?"
Aarav finally spoke, voice cracking from shock.
"You… you're the president's daughter? All this time?"
She turned to him, eyes soft. "Aarav—"
The president interrupted sharply, "I'm talking right now."
Aarav shut his mouth.
Haniya's eyes hardened slightly. "You don't get to scold him."
The president's eyebrow rose. "Excuse me?"
"Dad, if you want to scold someone, scold me," she said clearly. "I chose to hide my identity. I chose to enter the team normally. Aarav had nothing to do with that."
Aarav stared at her—surprised, touched, and conflicted.
The president exhaled slowly.
"You've become bold."
"I've become honest," she replied.
Silence filled the room.
Coach was staring at the floor, pretending to be invisible.
Aarav finally found his voice.
"Sir… I didn't know. I swear. Haniya never told me."
"I can see that," the president replied. "Your shock is believable."
Aarav swallowed hard. "I like her, sir. A lot. My feelings aren't because of who she is."
Haniya looked at him, heart squeezing.
The president studied him.
"And you think I'll just accept this?"
Aarav hesitated.
"…I hope so."
"You hope wrong."
The air went cold.
Haniya stepped forward. "Dad."
"Don't 'dad' me right now," the president said sternly. "You hid something major, broke company rules, ignored the media, and now this relationship issue has become a public rumor."
Haniya didn't flinch.
She didn't lower her gaze.
She didn't back down.
"I know," she said steadily. "But I will not lie to you. And I will not pretend I don't care about him."
The president's jaw ticked.
Aarav inhaled sharply.
Coach's mouth fell open.
Haniya continued, voice soft but firm,
"I love him."
Aarav froze completely.
The president stared at her for a long moment, expression unreadable.
Then he spoke slowly.
"You both created a problem. And now… you both will solve it."
Aarav asked, "What do we have to do, sir?"
The president looked at the coach. "Leave us."
The coach practically ran out.
Now only the three of them remained.
The president stood up from his chair.
"From now on," he said, "your relationship stays away from the media. No scandals. No carelessness. No reporters being ignored."
Haniya nodded. "Understood."
Aarav nodded too. "Yes, sir."
"And Haniya—"
His voice softened only slightly.
"Next time you hide something big from me… I won't forgive you easily."
Haniya lowered her eyes for the first time.
"…I know."
He sighed heavily.
"Now go. Both of you. I need time to process this."
They bowed and slowly left the office.
As soon as the door closed, Aarav grabbed Haniya's wrist gently.
"You're the president's daughter…"
His voice was soft, stunned, and trembling.
She met his eyes.
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me?"
She whispered, "I was scared."
He stepped closer.
"Haniya… I'm not leaving you because of who your father is."
Her throat tightened.
"And I'm not leaving you because of who your mother is either."
Her breath hitched—
He pulled her gently into his arms.
"Next time," he whispered, "tell me everything. I'm strong enough to handle it."
She closed her eyes and nodded.
"Okay."
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