Mila's POVLying on my bed, I let out a deep sigh, staring at the ceiling. My conversation with Mom replayed in my head. A party for Kiara. Of course, it had to be grand. Kiara Malhotra wasnāt the kind of person whoād settle for anything less. And working with Raj? That was the cherry on top of this perfect storm.I groaned, rolling over onto my stomach and burying my face in the pillow. My peace was short-lived, though, as a knock sounded on the door.āMiss Saira,ā the familiar voice of the maid called. āDinner is ready. Everyone is waiting for you downstairs.āI sat up, the idea of sitting across from Raj instantly sapping what little appetite I had. āIām not feeling too well,ā I replied. āIāll have dinner in my room tonight.āThere was a pause before the maid responded. āVery well, Miss. Iāll bring your plate shortly.āāThank you,ā I murmured, relieved as I heard her footsteps retreating.As soon as the footsteps faded, I sat up, running a hand through my hair. The last thing I want
Author's POVThe sunlight streaming through the curtains nudged Saira awake, her body still weighed down by the events of the previous night. She blinked a few times, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess. Sitting up in bed, she let out a soft sigh, her mind still caught on Rajās cryptic behavior and that unnerving hug in the garden.After a moment of stillness, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. āFocus, Saira,ā she muttered to herself, pushing those thoughts aside. She made her way to the bathroom, where the cool water against her skin worked wonders to revive her senses.After brushing her teeth and showering, she carefully picked out her formal outfit for the dayāan elegant black blazer over a pastel blue blouse, paired with tailored trousers. The ensemble gave her a polished, professional look, even if she didnāt feel entirely composed inside.Grabbing her phone from the nightstand, she prepared to head out, but her eyes caught something unusual on t
Author's POVThe towering glass windows of Raj Malhotraās office overlooked the bustling city, but his focus remained on the sleek laptop screen in front of him. The proposal from Velmore Textiles,one of the most prestigious fabric manufacturing companies, renowned for their premium fabrics and cutting-edge techniques. Securing a deal with them would be a significant advantage for Malhotra Enterprisesāone that could push their expansion into high-end fashion.But Raj wasnāt a man who jumped at opportunities without calculation. His mind weighed every possible outcome, every hidden move in the game of business.Raj leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as he analyzed the details. Todayās meeting was crucial. The second-most powerful CEO in the industry was hereāa man whose reputation nearly rivaled Rajās own.The thought made his jaw tighten. His arrival at Malhotra Enterprises wasnāt publicly knownāthis was a deal shrouded in secrecy until final neg
Author's POVThe sleek black luxury car slid smoothly out of the Malhotra Enterprises driveway, merging onto the cityās main road. Inside, Adrian Vaughn leaned back against the leather seats, his sharp gaze fixed on the passing skyline. The city lights blurred into streaks, but his mind was far from the external world.A woman.His thoughts circled back to the brief yet striking encounter in the elevator. A moment that should have been insignificantājust another passing face in his world of power and dominance. Yet, something about her lingered in his mind like an unsolved equation.Adrian wasnāt the kind of man who entertained distractions, especially not of this nature. He had never once felt an inexplicable pull toward anyone before, let alone a woman he had merely crossed paths with. But for the first time, logic and control seemed to waver, replaced by a curiosity he couldn't ignore.āMr. Vaughn?ā His assistant, Marcus, interrupted his thoughts from the front seat.Adrian exhaled
Author's POV The office buzzed with urgency as Saira worked through the procedures for terminating Verma Trading Co.ās contract. With swift precision, she drafted the necessary termination letters, ensuring every legal protocol was met. She reviewed the fraudulent invoices one last time, cross-checking the evidence Raj had presented. Once satisfied, she forwarded the documents to the legal department, instructing them to prepare an official notice. Next, she contacted the finance team, instructing them to freeze all pending payments to Vermaās company. Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as she emailed HR, requesting immediate dismissal procedures for the employees who had conspired with Manish Verma. Everything had to be airtightāRaj had made it clear that there would be no loopholes, no second chances. She exhaled, rubbing her temple as she double-checked the last document before pressing send, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. It had been a long day, but at l
The Malhotra estate was engulfed in silence by the time Raj arrived home. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine from the garden, but he barely noticed as he stepped inside.The dim lighting in the hallway cast long shadows, but he paid no attention.They must have gone to bed by now, he thought, heading straight for his room. His movements were unhurried, his mind still occupied with the events of the day.Just as he reached the staircase, a voice stopped him.āYoung master, at least have something to eat.āRaj turned to see Manorama, one of the senior maids in the house, standing near the dining area. She had been working in the Malhotra household since his childhood, and despite being close to his grandmotherās age, she never hesitated to care for him like her own.āIām not hungry,ā Raj dismissed coldly, already turning away.She sighed, wringing her hands. āYou barely eat properly, beta. This isnāt good for your healthāāāThatās enough,ā Raj cut her off, his tone firm but not
Saira emerged from her room, feeling refreshed after her morning routine. The air inside the Malhotra estate was crisp with the scent of fresh flowers from the garden, and the distant chirping of birds added to the peaceful ambiance.She stepped into the hallway just as Rajās door swung open.Raj had stepped out of his room at the same time. His gaze instantly flickered to her, his movements pausing for a fraction of a second.Their eyes met.Raj, dressed in his usual sharp black suit, leaned casually against the doorframe. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something calculating in his gazeālike a hunter who had spotted his prey.Saira, unaware that he had overheard her, simply smiled politely. "Good morning, Raj."Then, without waiting for a response, she walked past him, heading straight to the dining area.Raj watched her go, his jaw tightening. Last night. He hadnāt forgotten. The call. The late-night whispers. The damn smile on her face this morning.Who th
The sleek black car smoothly pulled into the private parking area beneath Malhotra Enterprises. The driver, accustomed to the silence between his boss and the lady sitting beside him, brought the vehicle to a gentle stop.Raj sat on one side, legs crossed, his dark eyes fixed on his phone screen. His presence was as commanding as everādressed in an impeccable black suit, exuding quiet dominance.Saira, seated beside him was already gathering her files, acting completely unbothered by his presence.The driver stepped out first, quickly circling around to open Rajās door. Without a word, Raj got out, adjusting his cufflinks, his movements smooth and deliberate.Saira inhaled sharply before following, clutching her files tightly against her chest as she stepped onto the pavement.They walked in sync toward the private lift, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the underground parking area. The moment the elevator doors slid open, they entered.Just the two of them.The doors shut. The
ā¦Her eyes were wide, lips trembling for something that made her chest tighten and her knees threaten to buckle.But still, she didnāt say it.Didnāt say stop.Didnāt say donāt.Instead, her silence gave him permission. Again.Rajās lips hovered inches above hers, his breath warm and ragged against her skin. He could feel her pulse jumping beneath his fingersāerratic, desperate.āIām not the boy who used to torment you,ā he whispered roughly. āBut Iām still the man who wants to ruin you.āSairaās breath hitched, her eyes fluttering shut for half a second at the confession.The darkness he no longer tried to hide.And somehow, it didnāt scare her.āIām already ruined,ā she whispered back, barely audible. āJust not by you.āThat broke something in him.With a guttural groan, Raj crushed his mouth to hers againāharder this time, reckless. His grip on her wrists loosened, and she wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively, as if her body had been aching for this. For him.He lifted her
The air between them crackled with tension, thick and heady. Rajās gaze darkened as he slowly leaned in, his body caging Saira against the wall. His eyes traced every flicker of emotion on her faceāher parted lips, the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the way her breath hitched when his thumb brushed her wrist.Saira stood frozen, her back almost brushing the wall, her heart racing like it wanted out of her chest. Raj stood in front of herātoo close. āRajā¦ā she said softly, not quite sure if it was a warning or a plea.He didnāt answer.His eyes traveledāslowlyāfrom her eyes to her lips, then back up again.He didnāt need to say a word. She knew what he wanted. āSay something,ā he breathed. āSay stop. Say donāt. Just say anything.āHis hand lifted, hesitating in the air before his fingers gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. āTell me to stop,ā he said, gaze locked with hers. āAnd I will.āSaira swallowed. She knew what was coming. She knew she should say something. But her
The luxurious conference room of Zenith Events buzzed with quiet efficiency. The walls were lined with digital screens displaying past projects, extravagant events captured in high-resolution images. The sleek modern space exuded sophistication, perfectly matching the companyās reputation as one of the best in the industry.Raj leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on the manager presenting the theme options for Kiaraās upcoming birthday. He listened intently, nodding at certain details while dismissing others with a mere flick of his fingers. āSo,ā Raj said, voice firm, āI want this event to be unforgettable. Nothing overdone, nothing tacky. Just pure class.āThe manager nodded attentively. āOf course, Mr. Raj Since Miss Kiara is turning 21, we propose an exclusive rooftop soirĆ©e at the Celeste Grand. A fusion of luxury and entertainment. A private affair, but with an electric atmosphere. Live music, interactive experiences, and customized elements to fit her personality.āR
Saira's silence seemed to fuel Raj's passion, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity as he gazed at her. He didn't wait for her to respond, his fingers deftly undoing the buttons of her skirt, his touch sending shivers down her spine."'Answer me' he growled, his breath hot against her ear. āOr should I make you?āSaira's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She wanted to resist, to push him away, but the way he was touching her, the way he was looking at her, made her feel like she was melting into his hands.She knew Raj. Knew how possessive he could get. Knew that pushing him further would only ignite something far more uncontrollable.His lips brushed against her ear, his voice turning into a low growl. āSay it.āHer hands gripped the edge of the desk, knuckles turning white. The air between them was thick with tension, her silence driving him to the edge.Then, just when his patience was about to snap, she spoke."Im yours," she whispered, her
Saira leaned back in her chair, phone pressed to her ear. Her brows furrowed slightly at the voice on the other endāsmooth, confident, and as annoyingly familiar as ever.āAlexander,ā she said, tone flat. āHow did you get my number?āA low chuckle came through the line. āStraight to the point. No āhelloā? No āhow have you been?āāShe sighed. āI donāt do pointless conversations. Answer the question.āāStill as blunt as ever,ā he mused. āAlright, if you must knowāI had some help.āShe tapped her fingers against the table, waiting.āAarav.āSairaās expression remained impassive, but internally, the pieces clicked together. So thatās why Aarav had suddenly called last night after disappearing for so long. She hadnāt bothered answering, and now, she knew why.Her voice was cool. āYou expect me to believe Aarav just handed you my number?āAlexander let out a small laugh, as if amused by her skepticism. āNot exactly. Letās just say he pointed me in the right direction.āSaira wasnāt surprise
The sleek black car smoothly pulled into the private parking area beneath Malhotra Enterprises. The driver, accustomed to the silence between his boss and the lady sitting beside him, brought the vehicle to a gentle stop.Raj sat on one side, legs crossed, his dark eyes fixed on his phone screen. His presence was as commanding as everādressed in an impeccable black suit, exuding quiet dominance.Saira, seated beside him was already gathering her files, acting completely unbothered by his presence.The driver stepped out first, quickly circling around to open Rajās door. Without a word, Raj got out, adjusting his cufflinks, his movements smooth and deliberate.Saira inhaled sharply before following, clutching her files tightly against her chest as she stepped onto the pavement.They walked in sync toward the private lift, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the underground parking area. The moment the elevator doors slid open, they entered.Just the two of them.The doors shut. The
Saira emerged from her room, feeling refreshed after her morning routine. The air inside the Malhotra estate was crisp with the scent of fresh flowers from the garden, and the distant chirping of birds added to the peaceful ambiance.She stepped into the hallway just as Rajās door swung open.Raj had stepped out of his room at the same time. His gaze instantly flickered to her, his movements pausing for a fraction of a second.Their eyes met.Raj, dressed in his usual sharp black suit, leaned casually against the doorframe. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something calculating in his gazeālike a hunter who had spotted his prey.Saira, unaware that he had overheard her, simply smiled politely. "Good morning, Raj."Then, without waiting for a response, she walked past him, heading straight to the dining area.Raj watched her go, his jaw tightening. Last night. He hadnāt forgotten. The call. The late-night whispers. The damn smile on her face this morning.Who th
The Malhotra estate was engulfed in silence by the time Raj arrived home. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine from the garden, but he barely noticed as he stepped inside.The dim lighting in the hallway cast long shadows, but he paid no attention.They must have gone to bed by now, he thought, heading straight for his room. His movements were unhurried, his mind still occupied with the events of the day.Just as he reached the staircase, a voice stopped him.āYoung master, at least have something to eat.āRaj turned to see Manorama, one of the senior maids in the house, standing near the dining area. She had been working in the Malhotra household since his childhood, and despite being close to his grandmotherās age, she never hesitated to care for him like her own.āIām not hungry,ā Raj dismissed coldly, already turning away.She sighed, wringing her hands. āYou barely eat properly, beta. This isnāt good for your healthāāāThatās enough,ā Raj cut her off, his tone firm but not
Author's POV The office buzzed with urgency as Saira worked through the procedures for terminating Verma Trading Co.ās contract. With swift precision, she drafted the necessary termination letters, ensuring every legal protocol was met. She reviewed the fraudulent invoices one last time, cross-checking the evidence Raj had presented. Once satisfied, she forwarded the documents to the legal department, instructing them to prepare an official notice. Next, she contacted the finance team, instructing them to freeze all pending payments to Vermaās company. Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as she emailed HR, requesting immediate dismissal procedures for the employees who had conspired with Manish Verma. Everything had to be airtightāRaj had made it clear that there would be no loopholes, no second chances. She exhaled, rubbing her temple as she double-checked the last document before pressing send, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. It had been a long day, but at l