Read The Replacement Heroine :: Chapter 3

The moment I stepped into the banquet hall, a blast of cold air hit my skin-sharp and almost welcome after the heat outside. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls from the ceiling, scattering shards of light across glossy marble floors. Soft instrumental music blended with the low buzz of conversations, clinking glasses, and carefully curated laughter.

Aarav squeezed my hand lightly. A reminder. A cue.

I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and tried to slip into the effortless glide that Sameera was known for.

Well... as effortlessly as my trembling legs allowed.

There were polite hugs and air kisses from people I barely knew-but Sameera did. Thankfully, Aarav stayed close, guiding me through the crowd.

But I didn't have to wait long before the unnerving encounters began.

"Sameeeeraaa..."

A honeyed voice oozed from behind me.

I turned, and I saw a middle-aged man-bulging waistline, slick hair, damp forehead, and a smile that could oil a machine.

I recognized him vaguely from magazine articles: producer Raghav Bedi.

His eyes traveled down my dress with a leer that made my skin crawl.

"You vanished on us, sweetheart," he said, stepping far too close. "Six weeks without a word? You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought our little film together was dead."

Was Sameera doing a film with this creepy guy?

I forced Sameera's signature polite smile and tried speaking in her feminine voice.

"I... needed a break."

"A break?" He chuckled and placed a hand on my bare arm.

I nearly jumped. His palm was clammy.

"No worries, darling. Your break is over. We'll discuss dates soon." His fingers slid higher. "We'll make time... for the movie."

Thankfully, Aarav materialized instantly, his hand firm on my back as he guided me away.

"Raghav ji, excuse us. We have someone important to greet."

Raghav winked. "Don't run off again, sweetheart. Some of us missed you."

God.

I felt ants crawling under my skin.

We barely walked ten steps before a tall, handsome actor blocked our path. Kabir Khan-Sameera's co-star from last year's romantic thriller. A heartthrob for girls everywhere, with wavy hair he kept pushing in place and mischievous eyes.

But right now, his eyes held something else: teasing familiarity.

"Sam," he drawled, pulling me into a hug before I could react.

His chest was solid, muscled. His cologne warm and woody. My heart raced-out of fear, not excitement.

He brushed his cheek dangerously close to mine.

"You could've at least told me before disappearing. I mean... after everything we've done together?"

My blood ran cold.

Everything?!

Had Sameera...?

He looked almost amused. I forced a laugh. "Kabir, you're impossible."

He leaned in, lips nearly touching my ear.

"You still smell the same. Hmmm... I missed you."

Missed... why?

Aarav coughed loudly, stepping closer.

"Hi Kabir. How are you?"

Kabir flashed a brilliant smile.

"Ah, Aarav, my friend. I was just telling Sameera how much the industry missed her."

Aarav nodded. "She's back now."

Then, pointedly, "Excuse us. We need to-"

Kabir smirked. "Sure, sure. Won't keep you at all. But we'll talk later, Sameera."

Oh god. No, we won't.

If one more man touched me tonight, I'd tell him I'm a dude too, I swore silently.

I exhaled shakily as Kabir walked away. Before I could recover, a soft wave of perfume enveloped me.

"Sami!"

A young starlet-Misha Ghai-hurried toward me. I recognized her from magazine covers. She hugged me warmly, genuinely.

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, pulling back. "You have no idea how worried I've been."

Her eyes scanned my face.

"Are you... okay?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes. Just needed time."

Her expression shifted-sad, knowing. "I get it. Things between you and Aarav haven't been okay lately.'"

My stomach tightened.

Not ok?

In what way?

Did Sameera confide in her?

I forced a light response. "Ah... you know how marriages are."

"Yeah." She squeezed my hand. "But whatever happened... I'm here for you. Always."

Whatever happened?

She studied my face for a moment.

"You look a little... off. Sound different too. Cold?"

My heart hammered. Had she seen through the act?

"Sore throat," I said quickly. "Change of weather."

"Hmmm." She nodded. "A few vodka shots will do you good," she giggled.

Before I could reply, booming laughter rippled across the hall.

Vijayendra Khatri-or VK, as everyone called him-approached, his presence swallowing the space around us. The man who could make or break films with a single phone call. Big moneybag. Powerful. Ruthless.

"Ah, Sameera ji," he greeted, smiling broadly. "Finally gracing us with your presence."

He gave me a hug-brief but heavy with scrutiny-and stepped back to look me over.

"Fit, glowing, beautiful. Good. Very good. My manager was unnecessarily worried about your husband's film with you."

Aarav stood nearby, head slightly bowed, hanging onto every word.

Khatri turned to him.

"So we can start soon, right?"

Aarav nodded. "As soon as I get the hero's dates, VK sir."

"The hero's dates? Vinay Khanna, right? My manager will arrange them. Start the first schedule soon."

"Yes, VK sir. Immediately," Aarav said with an ingratiating smile.

"Good, that's settled." He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Because I have an announcement to make."

Announcement? What now? I looked at him curiously.

"I've decided to back another big-budget film. Raunak Sharma approached me for his production. A blockbuster release. Starring Kabir and... Sameera."

He spread his arms dramatically.

"We'll announce it here in a few minutes."

A big-budget blockbuster? With Sameera?

But she wasn't even here.

Khatri continued, "Your disappearance scared us all, beta. But seeing you tonight-so breathtakingly pretty-made my decision easy. My investment will be safe."

He looked at Aarav. "Isn't it, Aarav?"

"Yes, sir," Aarav replied instantly.

His fingers tightened around my hand-a silent warning: Smile. Don't react.

I curled my lips upward somehow.

RK patted my arm. "Don't worry. We'll have a big launch event for the movie soon. Just a small announcement here."

As he walked away, I turned frantically to Aarav.

"What's this?" I whispered, eyes wide with alarm.

Aarav leaned close and whispered, "Just a little longer, Sam. Please hold on."

"But... a new movie... an announcement?" I stammered.

"Yes, it's a surprise. We'll find a way to stall it until Sameera returns. Just finish the evening." He waved at someone.

My chest tightened as fear coiled around my throat.

I just hoped I hadn't fallen into an even bigger mess.

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That's the end of Chapter 3. Do let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Comment freely. Drop a like if you enjoyed reading it.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for review purposes.