Chris Zayden had always been a man of focus. His sharp mind, calculated decisions, and unmatched charm made him a legend in the corporate world. Yet, over the past few weeks, his unwavering concentration had been fractured by something—or rather, someone.
Hema. She wasn’t like the women Chris was used to. Hema was modest, quiet, and radiated a natural grace that didn’t demand attention but effortlessly captured it. She wasn’t clad in designer gowns or towering heels like the socialites who hovered around him. Her presence was subtle, understated, and completely irresistible. Chris found himself gravitating towards her every chance he got. Her black kurta—a simple yet elegantly embroidered outfit—floated gracefully as she walked, each movement soft yet deliberate. Her hair, dark and glossy, curled naturally around her face, catching the light and framing her radiant smile. But it wasn’t just her beauty that consumed him. It was her energy—the way she laughed with her trainees, the easy warmth she carried wherever she went. He couldn’t stop watching her. Day after day, Chris would position himself to catch glimpses of Hema. He scrutinized every detail, from the silver threads on her kurtas to the way her fingers fidgeted with her dupatta when she was deep in thought. Was it the dress that made her look stunning, or did she make even the simplest attire admirable? The question plagued him, fueling his growing obsession. Despite his growing fixation, Chris wasn’t someone who allowed emotions to cloud his judgment. Yet Hema had unwittingly wormed her way into his thoughts, her image refusing to leave his mind. She haunted him in meetings, distracted him during his morning workouts, and even appeared in his dreams, her curls shimmering as she laughed in that intoxicating way of hers. Chris was startled out of his reverie one evening when the door to his hotel room flew open. Emily stood in the doorway, her face a mix of relief and irritation. “Chris, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all day!” Emily was the kind of woman who commanded attention. Blonde, bold, and unapologetically confident, she was everything Hema was not. Yet, at that moment, Chris felt nothing but irritation at her presence. He wasn’t in the mood for her theatrics. Before he could form a response, Emily crossed the room, closing the distance between them in an instant. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured, her voice sultry as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Chris let her kiss him, his hands instinctively moving to her waist. Her familiar scent and touch should have ignited something in him, but his mind drifted elsewhere. Even as he tugged her closer, undressing her with practiced ease, Hema’s image remained vivid in his mind. Emily, oblivious to his distraction, eagerly led him toward the bathroom. Their bodies collided against the cold tiles, their movements urgent and heated. Chris’s hands roamed over Emily’s bare skin, but all he could see was Hema. The black kurta. Her radiant smile. The sound of her laugh echoing in his head. He gripped Emily tighter, his touch growing rougher as frustration bubbled within him. No matter what he did, Hema’s image wouldn’t fade. He pounded into Emily, his movements harsh and punishing, but it wasn’t Emily he wanted. It was Hema. Her soft curves, her quiet modesty, her unspoken allure. When he finally released, it wasn’t Emily’s name on his lips—it was Hema’s face in his mind. Later that night around 11pm, Emily was sleeping on the bed, Chris went to washroom. Her sleep was disturbed by message notifications. The faint buzz of notifications pulled Emily’s attention. She glanced at Chris’s phone, noticing a flurry of messages from “Mark” lighting up the screen. A knot of suspicion tightened in her chest. Chris rarely let anyone access his phone, but Emily had observed him input his passcode before—a careless moment months ago when he thought she wasn’t looking. Now, her curiosity overrode her better judgment. With trembling fingers, Emily unlocked the phone and opened the chat. Her heart pounded as she scrolled through the messages. Mark had sent several photos, each of a woman Emily didn’t recognize. The first image showed a young woman sitting on a balcony, sipping tea. Her posture was relaxed, her curls framing her face in soft waves. She looked serene, unaware she was being photographed. Emily’s brow furrowed as she swiped up, revealing more pictures. The same woman at a supermarket, carrying a basket of groceries. Another showed her walking down the road in a simple black kurta, the sunlight catching the embroidered threads. It didn’t take long for Emily to piece things together. This wasn’t just anyone. This was someone Chris was obsessing over. Her chest heaved as rage consumed her. She hadn’t signed up to be humiliated, especially not by a man who prided himself on control. “Chris,” she called out, her voice sharp. Chris stepped out of the bathroom, fixing his cufflinks. His gaze shifted to Emily, and the sight of his phone in her hands made his jaw tighten. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. Emily stood, holding the phone up as if it were evidence in a trial. “What the hell is this, Chris? Who is she?” His expression didn’t change, but his silence spoke volumes. “She’s your employee , isn’t she?” Emily’s voice grew louder. “Mark’s been sending you these photos—spying on her like some creep! What are you doing with them? What is she to you?” Chris exhaled slowly, stepping closer. “You’re overreacting,” he said coldly, his eyes narrowing. “Overreacting?” Emily’s laugh was bitter. “You’re having your assistant follow some girl, taking photos of her without her knowledge. And I’m overreacting?” Chris tilted his head, his demeanor calm but his eyes sharp. “I suggest you calm down, Emily. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Calm down?” she spat. “You’re obsessed with her, aren’t you? Is this why you’ve been so distant? Why you can’t even touch me without looking like you’re thinking of someone else?” His patience snapped. Chris closed the distance between them in two strides, gripping her arm with enough force to make her wince. “Watch your tone,” he growled. Emily yanked her arm free, glaring up at him. “You think you can intimidate me? You think I’ll just look the other way while you chase after some… some Bitch?” “She’s not a bitch,” Chris said, his voice fierce with anger. The admission felt like a slap to Emily’s face. Her chest heaved as she glared at him. “You arrogant bastard,” she hissed. “You’re risking everything—our families, our business ties—all for her?” Chris smirked, the corner of his mouth curling in disdain. “You think you’re so important, don’t you? You’re nothing but a pawn, Emily. A convenient arrangement.” The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “You’re disgusting,” she said, her voice trembling with rage. Chris stepped closer, grabbing a handful of her hair and pulling her head back. Emily gasped, her hands flying to his wrist as she winced in pain. “You don’t get to talk to me like that,” he hissed in her ear. “Not you. Not anyone.” Her breath hitched, her anger momentarily eclipsed by fear. Chris released her abruptly, watching as she stumbled back. She straightened, glaring at him with pure hatred. “You’ll regret this, Chris,” she said, her voice shaking. “You’ll regret treating me like this. And I promise you, she’ll regret it too.” Chris said nothing, his eyes cold as he watched her storm out of the room. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing through the suite.Chris Zayden stood by the large glass windows of his penthouse office, sipping his coffee. He was restless. Chris decided to do something he rarely did—visit the departments personally. He wanted to see how she was doing , but he justified it to himself as a random check on the development block. Dressed impeccably in a dark grey tailored suit, his hair slicked back neatly, Chris exuded authority as he walked through the corridors. His posture was upright, his long strides confident and purposeful. The sound of his polished black shoes echoed, announcing his presence. Employees froze or straightened in their chairs as he passed, their expressions turning tense and alert. As he entered the development block, the air seemed heavier. The employees were all alert, stealing glances at him while pretending to work. His presence always had this effect, like a storm cloud entering a calm sky. At the far end of the room, Chris noticed a heated argument. Mr. Kumar, the department leader, wa
It was 7 PM, and the office was almost empty. The other departments had long since packed up for the day, leaving the development block eerily quiet. The only sound was the steady clatter of Hema’s fingers on the keyboard as she worked tirelessly. Her face was focused, her posture rigid as she leaned slightly toward the monitor, typing with determination.Arvind, who had returned to check on her, stood beside her desk, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his trousers. “Hema, it’s getting late. Let me wait for you. I’ll drop you home.”Hema stopped typing briefly, her hands resting on the desk as she looked up at him. Her expression was calm but firm. “Arvind, I appreciate it, but I’m fine. You should go home. Your family must be waiting.”Arvind frowned, his posture slumping slightly as he leaned one hand on the back of her chair. “You know I don’t mind waiting. You’re pushing yourself too much.”Hema smiled faintly, her tired eyes softening. “I’ll manage, Arvind. Please, just go. I
Hema tightened her grip on her bag, feeling the worn leather dig into her palm. She glanced around once more, her heartbeat accelerating as the shadows seemed to grow taller with every step she took. The junction still felt so far away, like an oasis just out of reach. The faint glow of a distant streetlight was the only comfort she had in the oppressive darkness of the road. Every sound seemed amplified: the rustling leaves, the faint hum of insects, and her own hurried footsteps, which she swore were being echoed.Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of exhaustion and unease. She hadn’t eaten all day, her legs felt like lead, and her head throbbed faintly from the stress of the day. “Just get to the junction,” she muttered under her breath, willing herself to stay calm. “There’ll be autos there. You’ll be home soon.”But the unsettling feeling of being followed refused to leave her. It wasn’t loud—just the faintest shuffle of feet behind her, stopping whenever she stopped. She whipped
Hema closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the sharp, agonizing pain she expected any moment. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a drum, and her knees threatened to give way. Suddenly, she heard a loud crashing sound, the glass bottle shattering against something solid instead of her.She opened her eyes slowly, her vision blurry with unshed tears. And there he was—Chris Zayden, her boss. The cold, no-nonsense man she knew only from the corporate world stood in front of her like a shield.Chris’s arm was raised, his hand blocking the bottle that would have hit her head. The jagged shards of glass had dug into his skin, creating a deep cut from which blood was dripping down his wrist, staining the ground. Yet he didn’t seem to care about his injury. His piercing eyes, sharp as daggers, were locked on hers. His expression was a mix of fury and… something softer, something that Hema couldn’t quite place.“Are you okay?” he asked in a voice that was low but urgent, snapping her out o
Chris was about to start the engine when Hema’s grandmother stepped closer to the car. Clad in her modest cotton sari, she folded her hands together in a gesture of gratitude and leaned slightly toward the window. Her kind yet tired eyes looked up at him as she began to speak in Hindi.Chris hesitated, quickly realizing he didn’t understand a word she was saying. He tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting in confusion, but the warmth in her tone and the way her hands moved indicated gratitude.“Uh… I’m sorry, I don’t—” Chris began, but Hema, standing beside her grandmother, quickly stepped in.“She’s thanking you,” Hema said softly, glancing at Chris before turning to her grandmother. “Dhadhi is saying thank you for helping me get home safely.”Chris nodded respectfully after stepping out of the car despite the ache in his hand. He opened the door carefully, his tall frame unfolding as he stood. The soft moonlight highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw and the faint streaks of bl
Hema was ready for another busy day at the office. She stood at the entrance of their apartment, wearing a simple yet elegant mint-green salwar kameez with white embroidery. Her dupatta was loosely draped over her shoulders, and her long braid rested neatly against her back. Her grandmother followed her with a plate of freshly made parathas.“Beta, eat something before you leave. You’re always in a hurry,” her grandmother said, trying to feed her a bite at the doorstep.“Dhadhi, I’ll eat in the office canteen. I can’t be late,” Hema replied softly, adjusting her dupatta while glancing at the time on her phone.As they stood there, both of them noticed a sleek black cab waiting outside the apartment gate with the ZN Corporations logo clearly displayed on the side. The sight of it caught her grandmother’s attention immediately.“Hema, look at that! They sent a car for you? Your boss must really care for his employees,” her grandmother exclaimed, her face lighting up with admiration.Hem
Chris Zayden sat in the silence of his luxurious hotel suite, the dim lighting casting shadows across the room. Sundays were always a struggle for him. With no employees to manage, no meetings to attend, and no excuse to hover around the development block where Hema worked, he was left with a hollow void. It frustrated him to no end. The silence felt like a curse, amplifying the storm inside him.He sprawled on the leather couch, dressed in a casual black T-shirt and grey sweatpants, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. Cold Coffee sat untouched on the table, condensation forming around its rim. He leaned his head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers to the chaos in his mind.To distract himself, Chris picked up his tablet and began reviewing some pending work. His sharp, focused eyes scanned through the reports and figures, but nothing seemed to hold his attention for long. He glanced at the clock—it was only 10 a.m. “This day is going to drag on
Zayden parked his sleek black car in front of Hema’s modest apartment building, drawing the attention of the neighborhood. His sharp appearance in casual jeans and a fitted white T-shirt, paired with his confident stride, made heads turn. Holding a fruit basket in one hand, he made his way to the door. As he approached, he noticed curious eyes peeking through windows and over balconies—a typical Indian thing, he thought with mild amusement.Reaching Hema’s door, he stood for a moment, unsure why he felt his heart race. Taking a breath to compose himself, he rang the doorbell.Inside, Hema had just finished her morning tea and was in her casual homewear—a simple cotton kurta with her hair tied into a messy bun. When she heard the bell, she opened the door, not expecting the sight in front of her.Her eyes widened in shock. “Mr. Zayden? What are you doing here?” she asked, perplexed.Zayden’s sharp gaze softened as he took her in. Even without makeup, with her hair in a messy bun and we
Holi had arrived, and all across the country, the festival of colors was in full swing.The streets of India transformed into a lively spectacle of joy. In the north, cities like Mathura and Vrindavan were overflowing with tourists and devotees playing Lathmar Holi, where women playfully chased men with sticks while colors filled the air. In Rajasthan, palace courtyards saw people celebrating with floral colors and folk music, while in Punjab, the festival took on a warrior-like spirit with Hola Mohalla, a display of martial arts and horse-riding. In the south, temple prayers and cultural performances brought a quieter but equally vibrant celebration.From Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata to Chennai, people danced to dhol beats, smeared colors on each other, and laughed as they were drenched in water balloons and buckets of colored water. Children ran wild with water guns, spraying passersby with bright gulal. Sweets like gujiya, jalebi, and malpua were passed around, along with thandai, some
On Monday, the results of the presentations were announced in the conference room. All the interns were called, their faces filled with nervous anticipation. Hema Kapoor sat toward the back, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her presentation. She replayed every word, every slide, and every look from Zayden as he reviewed her work.Zayden walked into the room, his commanding presence silencing the murmurs. Dressed sharply in his tailored navy suit, his eyes scanned the interns briefly before he sat at the head of the table. Mark followed behind him, holding a folder with the results.“Good afternoon, everyone,” Zayden began, his deep voice cutting through the tension in the air. “After careful review of all your projects, I’ve made a decision. We were looking for creativity, practicality, and, most importantly, something that adds value to the company. I must say, many of you presented solid ideas, and it was a tough choice.”Hema swallow
As lunch carried on, Grandmother leaned back in her chair, her warm curiosity evident in her eyes. She had grown fond of Zayden in a short time and decided to ask him about his family, wanting to know more about the man who had entered their lives so unexpectedly.She got help from Hema to install translator app in her phone . “So, beta,” she began kindly, placing her glass of water back on the table and spoke to him with the help of translator , “tell me about your family. Who all are there at home?”Zayden paused, his fork hovering in mid-air for a moment. A flicker of emotion crossed his face, too brief to read, but Hema noticed it. He placed the fork down carefully and sat back, his expression composed yet distant.“My family is small,” he said simply, his deep voice calm but carrying a hint of restraint. “There’s just my father and my younger sister, Mia. We live in America.”Grandmother’s eyes lit up at the mention of America. “Oh, America! Such a big country, beta. And your si
As Zayden started peeling the onions with careful, clumsy movements, he suddenly felt a sharp sting in his eyes. It caught him off guard, and instinctively, he brought his fingers—still coated with the pungent juice of the onions—closer to rub them.“Ah…” he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening as his eyes began to water uncontrollably.Hema, who was stirring something on the stove, turned sharply at his discomfort. “Zayden, wait! Don’t touch your eyes!” she exclaimed, her voice urgent. She rushed to his side, quickly grabbing his arm to stop him.“Let me help,” she said, her tone softer now, guiding him by the wrist toward the washing area. Zayden followed without resistance, his vision blurry but focused on her voice, which had a soothing quality he hadn’t noticed before.When they reached the sink, Hema turned on the tap and held his hand under the water first, rinsing away the remnants of the onion juice from his fingers. Then, she gently tilted his face toward the runnin
Zayden parked his sleek black car in front of Hema’s modest apartment building, drawing the attention of the neighborhood. His sharp appearance in casual jeans and a fitted white T-shirt, paired with his confident stride, made heads turn. Holding a fruit basket in one hand, he made his way to the door. As he approached, he noticed curious eyes peeking through windows and over balconies—a typical Indian thing, he thought with mild amusement.Reaching Hema’s door, he stood for a moment, unsure why he felt his heart race. Taking a breath to compose himself, he rang the doorbell.Inside, Hema had just finished her morning tea and was in her casual homewear—a simple cotton kurta with her hair tied into a messy bun. When she heard the bell, she opened the door, not expecting the sight in front of her.Her eyes widened in shock. “Mr. Zayden? What are you doing here?” she asked, perplexed.Zayden’s sharp gaze softened as he took her in. Even without makeup, with her hair in a messy bun and we
Chris Zayden sat in the silence of his luxurious hotel suite, the dim lighting casting shadows across the room. Sundays were always a struggle for him. With no employees to manage, no meetings to attend, and no excuse to hover around the development block where Hema worked, he was left with a hollow void. It frustrated him to no end. The silence felt like a curse, amplifying the storm inside him.He sprawled on the leather couch, dressed in a casual black T-shirt and grey sweatpants, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. Cold Coffee sat untouched on the table, condensation forming around its rim. He leaned his head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers to the chaos in his mind.To distract himself, Chris picked up his tablet and began reviewing some pending work. His sharp, focused eyes scanned through the reports and figures, but nothing seemed to hold his attention for long. He glanced at the clock—it was only 10 a.m. “This day is going to drag on
Hema was ready for another busy day at the office. She stood at the entrance of their apartment, wearing a simple yet elegant mint-green salwar kameez with white embroidery. Her dupatta was loosely draped over her shoulders, and her long braid rested neatly against her back. Her grandmother followed her with a plate of freshly made parathas.“Beta, eat something before you leave. You’re always in a hurry,” her grandmother said, trying to feed her a bite at the doorstep.“Dhadhi, I’ll eat in the office canteen. I can’t be late,” Hema replied softly, adjusting her dupatta while glancing at the time on her phone.As they stood there, both of them noticed a sleek black cab waiting outside the apartment gate with the ZN Corporations logo clearly displayed on the side. The sight of it caught her grandmother’s attention immediately.“Hema, look at that! They sent a car for you? Your boss must really care for his employees,” her grandmother exclaimed, her face lighting up with admiration.Hem
Chris was about to start the engine when Hema’s grandmother stepped closer to the car. Clad in her modest cotton sari, she folded her hands together in a gesture of gratitude and leaned slightly toward the window. Her kind yet tired eyes looked up at him as she began to speak in Hindi.Chris hesitated, quickly realizing he didn’t understand a word she was saying. He tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting in confusion, but the warmth in her tone and the way her hands moved indicated gratitude.“Uh… I’m sorry, I don’t—” Chris began, but Hema, standing beside her grandmother, quickly stepped in.“She’s thanking you,” Hema said softly, glancing at Chris before turning to her grandmother. “Dhadhi is saying thank you for helping me get home safely.”Chris nodded respectfully after stepping out of the car despite the ache in his hand. He opened the door carefully, his tall frame unfolding as he stood. The soft moonlight highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw and the faint streaks of bl
Hema closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the sharp, agonizing pain she expected any moment. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a drum, and her knees threatened to give way. Suddenly, she heard a loud crashing sound, the glass bottle shattering against something solid instead of her.She opened her eyes slowly, her vision blurry with unshed tears. And there he was—Chris Zayden, her boss. The cold, no-nonsense man she knew only from the corporate world stood in front of her like a shield.Chris’s arm was raised, his hand blocking the bottle that would have hit her head. The jagged shards of glass had dug into his skin, creating a deep cut from which blood was dripping down his wrist, staining the ground. Yet he didn’t seem to care about his injury. His piercing eyes, sharp as daggers, were locked on hers. His expression was a mix of fury and… something softer, something that Hema couldn’t quite place.“Are you okay?” he asked in a voice that was low but urgent, snapping her out o