The area was clear. I silently walked towards the main lobby of The Emperors' dance studio, remembering where the trainees' rooms were located. I checked the reception area and dodged towards it.

"Oh, hello, Miss Bhoomi. Nice to see you so early-" the receptionist started greeting me cheerfully, but I stopped her.

"Please don't talk loudly," I requested her. "I don't want anyone to know I am here."

She stared at me in confusion for a second before her expression morphed into a smirk.

"I get it, I get it. You are here to surprise Tejas Sir, aren't you?" she whispered. "Don't worry, I won't tell him. Go ahead. He is alone in his cabin."

I pursed my lips when she winked at me. She motioned to me to just go towards Tejas's office, and I started feeling conscious about what kind of stuff she was thinking about.

I told her to not inform anyone about my arrival and let me have the access to the trainees' room. She was in a really good mood, so she didn't ask me anything about my intentions and allowed me to go and meet the boys.

I thanked her and knocked on the practice room's door of the boys. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Varun was about to announce my presence loudly, but I pushed him inside and closed the door.

"Wow, Bhoomi Didi, I didn't know you were that excited to meet us," Varun joked.

"Varun... What Bhoomi Didi? She is our Bhabhi (sister-in-law) now," Ronit said proudly.

Just as he said that, every trainee looked at me with big smiles on their faces and started talking about how they were still in disbelief that their captain had a girlfriend now.

"Devil can be romantic too. Who would have imagined that?" Sam commented.

"Right, bro?" Ijaz agreed. "I still can't believe it. Bhoomi Didi, are you sure he actually proposed to you?"

The boys ignored me and started discussing among themselves.

"If you guys won't stop talking behind my boyfriend's back, I will eat all of these pizzas by myself. Also, I will complain about each one of you," I fake-threatened.

"Pizza?" everyone shouted in unison.

I knew how much the boys loved pizza, so I had brought a few boxes in my bag. Just after I nodded, my bag was taken away from me, and within seconds, all of the pizzas vanished in thin air.

"You got more?" Ronit asked me expectantly.

I looked at him in defeat. "Are you guys related to Hriaan? Do you have wells in your stomachs? And, no, I don't have anything else for you guys to eat. I want to discuss something important, so give me your attention."

Ronit, Varun, Sam, and Ijaz gathered around me, complaining about being hungry.

"I will give you guys a treat later if you agree to my request," I told them. "It is our secret, so don't tell anyone, okay?"

"What is it?" Ijaz asked suspiciously.

"I am forming a team for the upcoming mega team evaluations, and for that, I need your guys' help. I am afraid your captain may have already recruited you, so I want you to join me even if Tejas has already included you all in his team. I will get you your favourite snacks to eat," I offered.

Varun narrowed his eyes. "Unfortunately, Devil hasn't mentioned anything regarding that, but you are asking us to betray our own captain? How can you question our loyalty like this, Didi? By the way, are you serious about giving us the treat? This is not your plan to get us in trouble with the Devil, right?"

"I am dead serious," I affirmed. "Moreover, you yourself said Tejas hasn't asked you guys yet, so how is that considered betrayal? Since I am here first, join me. We will have lots of fun."

"Really?" Sam asked. "Can you give us an idea about what you are planning? How big is your team?"

I scratched my head. "It isn't decided yet."

Ronit raised his eyebrows. "What about choreography and dance theme?"

I shook my head. "Nothing yet."

All of them exchanged glances and looked at me disappointingly.

"You have nothing prepared and came here without a plan?" Varun complained.

I nodded. "That's why I need your guys' help, no? Once the team is formed, we can start brainstorming ideas."

Ronit scrunched his face. "I am not sure, Didi. You don't have anything planned, and what if we lose? You want us to go against Devil's team? He will first butcher us on the stage, and later on at the studio. Can you imagine the embarrassment? Sorry, I am out."

The rest followed Ronit and refused to join me. I didn't want to mention it, but seeing no other choice, I decided to remind them of the time I had helped them.

"Did you all already forget that I had helped you earlier? Can none of you help me in return? I am disappointed," I complained.

"Didi, that time was different," Ronit reasoned.

I huffed. "I don't want to hear your excuses. Just tell me if you are helping me or not."

I acted like I was leaving, and the boys started panicking. As expected, they stopped me and asked me about the process of team formation.

I was really happy and started giving them the details. They were still concerned about Tejas, but as I told them about the ideas in my mind, they got excited. I was enthusiastically showing them some of the references I had collected when Sam shifted away from the group.

He nudged Ijaz, who in-turn elbowed Varun and signalled Ronit. I scolded them to focus, but all of them moved away and left me by myself.

"Where are you all going? The main part is coming up," I told them.

All of them ignored me and joined the rest of the trainees. They kept glancing behind me and behaved as if they had seen a ghost.

I looked behind me and froze up when I saw Tejas leaned on the doorjamb, sipping his energy drink.

"Did I miss anything?" he asked, his eyes shooting lasers at me.

I glanced at the boys sadly and waved at Tejas.

"Hi," I greeted.

He sipped his drink and shot me an accusatory glance.

"Bye," he said and left.

I widened my eyes in horror and instantly ran behind him. He increased his pace and entered his cabin so fast that I almost banged on the door.

He didn't lock the door, so I entered his office, and he told me to leave since I seemed a lot busy.

"Tejas, I am sorry," I apologized.

He shrugged his shoulders, not looking at me. "I don't mind. Please don't waste your time with me and carry on with what you were doing. Since you don't think it is important to meet your boyfriend, then I won't disturb you."

I should do something to clear his misunderstanding, right? But he looks so cute while sulking.

He snapped his eyes at me. "You are smiling?"

I slapped my lips. "No. Absolutely not."

"It is okay. Go ahead. Laugh at me," he taunted. "I will wait till you are done. As it is, that's all I can do, no?"

Why is he being like this? Did he watch any melodramatic serial recently? Anyways, I love the way he pouts.

Bhoomi, don't try his patience. He is your boyfriend. Why are you treating him like this? What if he is actually hurt by your behaviour? Don't you know how much he cares for you?

I felt guilty, so I approached him and looked at him sincerely.

"Tejas, I am really sorry for not informing you about my arrival," I said. "Please don't be upset. I promise I wasn't trying to hurt you."

He took a deep breath and told me to come ahead. I moved forward, and he engulfed in a hug.

"Hamster, you must be thinking I am overreacting, but I am just worried about you," he said.

"I know," I nodded and hugged him tightly.

"I love you."

"I love you more."

He broke the hug and caressed my cheeks.

"I love you more, Hamster," he argued.

I smiled. "And I love you more than you love me."

Even after a month of being together, I still got shy. I felt my body heating up, so I started fanning my face and eyed the AC in the room.

"Today's temperature is too high," I said.

"It will get higher if you keep blushing," he teased.

I pulled his right ear. "You are the one blushing the most."

His eyes flitted towards my lips, and like a reaction, my eyes darted to his lips. When we glanced at each other, we burst out laughing.

"Can I have a small kiss?" I whispered.

He shook his head. "Nope."

I looked at him in shock. "No?"

He moved away and sat down on his chair.

"First, tell me what you were scheming with the boys," he said, trying to conceal his smile.

I knew I was staring at him like an idiot. After seeing him acting mischievous, I also decided to take my revenge later.

"Please take a seat," he told me.

I sat down on the chair across from him and informed him about my plan of recruiting Ronit and other boys in my team.

"Are you sure about your decision?" he asked. "They are not much experienced and goof around a lot. Will you be able to handle them?"

I gave him an okay sign. "I have experience dealing with Rehman, so I will manage."

"Okay, but since you are here to take my juniors, it will be considered a business deal, Hamster," he said seriously.

"Business deal?" I questioned curiously.

He nodded. "Yup. The boys will be investing their time to help you, resulting in them missing their training here, so we need to discuss some important stuff regarding that. As you already know, the trainees' responsibility is mine and Hriaan's, so we need to know everything about what they are doing during their training time. Then there's travel expenses, meal timings, any medical expenditure in case of emergency, etc. We gotta be prepared for all of that."

"It is that serious?" I argued. "I mean, we won't be doing anything dangerous."

Tejas gave me a knowing look. "I am the last person you should be lying to."

He was actually right. I was planning on doing a lot of new stunts and acrobatics, but everyone's safety was important too. On top of that, even if Tejas was going to allow his juniors to join me, he was going to hold himself responsible in case any of his trainees got harmed.

"I promise I will take full care of them," I ensured.

"Okay then. I will allow Ronit, Varun, Sam, and Ijaz to join you. I will ask Hriaan to make up a formal deal, but before we sign anything, let's discuss the payment, shall we?" Tejas suggested.

Payment? Well, I can't let him help me for free just because he is my boyfriend.

I told him to go ahead. He smiled and started writing down on his notepad. I tried to see what figures he was jotting down seriously, but he told me to give him privacy. I kept estimating the fees and checked my bank balance.

"Are you done?" I asked Tejas.

"Just a minute," he said and scribbled on his notepad.

After a minute, he was done, and my heart started racing as he forwarded me the payment details.

I gulped nervously as I took the notepad and calmed myself down.

It is okay, Bhoomi. You yourself landed in this trouble, so don't act like a coward now.

I started reading the demo deal. "For every day of training, I, Bhoomi Devarkar, owe Tejas Jaiswal the following: good morning hugs, good afternoon hugs, good night hugs, breakfast, lunch, and dinner dates..."

What is this?

I glanced at Tejas curiously, and he motioned for me to continue.

As I kept reading on, I felt my boyfriend's stare getting intense.

"For each trainee, I have to make all these payments separately, and if I fail to do so, I will have to pay interest," I read and smiled. "Every second of the training equals to sixty hugs, text messages, calls, dates, and... kisses. Did I miss anything?"

Tejas shook his head but suddenly stopped. "Wait. I forgot to mention the advance payment."

"And what's that?" I asked.

He acted like he was deep in thought. "You can decide that yourself," he said.

I kept his notepad on his desk and got up from the chair. I rounded the table and stood in front of him. I took out a hundred rupee note from my wallet and forwarded towards him.

"I have this much cash only, so make a record of it," I told him.

He twisted his lips. "I don't want it."

"Why? You just now said I can decide what I want to pay, so take it."

He refused, but I kept insisting him. As a result, he got annoyed and got up from his chair. I grabbed him before he could get away from me. He was taller than me, so I stood on my toes and pulled his cheeks.

"You have no idea how cute you look right now," I said.

Tejas wasn't convinced. "I have a meeting with Hriaan," he said.

I cupped his face and strained myself to reach upto his level. I was unable to reach his height, so having no other option, I jumped and pecked his lips.

"I am sorry for teasing you," I said.

He grabbed my waist and picked me up. I wondered if I was really that light for him.

Tejas sat me down on his desk and pinched my nose.

"You can ask for my help, but you don't," he complained. "And don't give me your money."

I smiled. "Okay, I won't."

He smiled back, and I was happy that he wasn't upset anymore.

"Want to have lunch together?" I asked.

He nodded. "Sure."

"Thank you for helping me."

He brushed his thumb on my eyebrow and leaned forward.

"I have already told you to not thank me, but you don't listen," he complained, his eyes roaming over my face.

"Old habits die hard," I said and admired him. "And you shouldn't be so kind to your rival."

"I have no problem since my rival is you," he replied and smirked.

"You always have to win the argument, don't you?"

He chuckled, and I felt a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. He looked very beautiful, and I enjoyed him having a heartful laugh.

"You are very pretty," I said.

He raised an eyebrow. "Pretty?"

I nodded. "Handsome, pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, admirable, so sweet that-"

Tejas crashed his lips on mine. He gave me a soft, gentle kiss and looked at me, his dark brown pupils turning darker. Like his ears, his whole face had turned bright red.

"You look cute," I said.

He kissed me again and hugged me tightly.

"Don't say anything else, Hamster, or I will not let you go home today," he said.

I laughed. "I don't have any problem."

He laughed when our stomachs grumbled at the same time, and coincidentally, Hriaan also arrived in the cabin.

"Are you lovebirds not hungry?" he complained.

"We are coming," I told him.

He glanced at Tejas and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"I will go ahead, so take your sweet time," he said and left.

"Let's go," I told Tejas.

He nodded, but before we left, he reminded me to take the payment details with me.

"I am serious about it," he said.

I hugged him. "You are the best, Tejas."

He wrapped his right arm around my waist and picked me up effortlessly.

"And you are the best hamster in the world," he teased.

I now had four more dancers in my team, but I needed more people. As I was enjoying the free ride from my boyfriend, I was enlightened about getting more dancers.

I instantly took out my phone and called my friend.

"Hello, Nishant," I greeted.

"Hi, Bhoomi, what's up?" Nishant aka Nuke replied.

I shot a mischievous glance at Tejas, who narrowed his eyes at me.

"Want to join me in defeating Tejas and the rest of the gang?" I offered Nuke.

"Suicide mission?" Nuke questioned. "Cool, I am up for it."

"Thanks, buddy. I will come to meet you during your shift."

"Okay. See you soon then."

I thanked him and cut the call. I glanced at Tejas and asked him if he could accompany me to meet Nishant.

He shook his head at me, a smile playing on his lips.

"Are you sure you want to take your rival with you?" he teased.

I flashed him my brightest smile. "I have no problem since my rival is you."