Saira POVAs the last board member left, Raj’s gaze shifted slowly to me, intense and unreadable. “Come to my office,” he ordered, his voice low and firm. I followed him out of the boardroom, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Sophia gritting her teeth in anger. I didn’t dwell on her strange behavior, though; I was too focused on keeping up with Raj.Once inside his office, the door closed behind us with a soft click. I barely had a moment to register the silence before Raj’s hands were on me, pinning me gently against the wall. He raised my arms above my head, his face only inches from mine, his dark eyes holding me captive. His gaze felt as if he were looking straight into my soul, peeling back my defenses. He leaned in close, his lips just brushing my ear as he spoke in a low, almost tender tone. “You should have told me about the problem you were facing. But you chose to handle it alone… why?”His warm breath sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a flutter of
Sophia’s sarcastic voice cut through the darkness, mocking me. “No, Saira, we’re just having fun in here, obviously! What do you think?”I took a deep breath, trying to ignore her mocking tone. But the truth was, the dark, enclosed space was suffocating. My chest tightened, and I felt an all-too-familiar fear creeping in—a fear rooted in a nightmarish memory I’d tried so hard to forget.Flashback…That day had been nothing short of disastrous. I’d poured my heart into a project, sacrificing sleep and giving it my all for the past four months. But just as success felt within reach, everything came crashing down. I found out another department had stolen my work, and my own manager accused me of plagiarism. The humiliation, the anger—it took hours to clear my name, hours of watching my hard work crumble in front of me.By the time everything was resolved, I was drained. There were no cabs in sight, so I ended up walking home, each step weighed down with frustration and exhaustion. I eve
Saira's povRaj’s lips moved against mine with a hunger that took me by surprise. His mouth was warm, coaxing me to melt into the kiss. At first, I was frozen, a storm of emotions swirling inside me, but as he deepened the kiss, something within me softened, and my hesitation dissolved. His hand moved from my cheek to the back of my neck, drawing me closer, intensifying the connection and cradling, pulling mecloser as if he was worried I might slip away. ThHis fingers tangled in my hair, holding me gently yet firmly, as if he didn’t want to let go.As his lips parted, his tongue brushed against mine, sending a spark through my entire body. The sensation was overwhelming, and I felt my breath hitch, my hands finding their way to his shoulders for support. My heart pounded, each beat pushing me further into the warmth of his embrace. I couldn’t help but respond, mirroring his passion as my fingers pressed into him, pulling him closer. The taste of him was intoxicating, each second maki
RAJ'S POVI barely registered the words spilling from Alexa’s mouth—"Saira’s stuck in the elevator. There’s a blackout, and Sophia’s in there with her." That was all it took for panic to slice through me like a blade. I knew Saira’s fear of the dark, knew the way she fought to keep it hidden, the memories that resurfaced whenever she was trapped in enclosed, pitch-black spaces.Dropping everything, I shot out of my office, not caring about the paperwork scattered across my desk. My mind raced with a thousand images of Saira alone in that dark, suffocating space, her fear clawing at her as she tried to hold herself together."Get them out of there. Now," I barked into the phone, trying to keep my voice steady even as frustration gnawed at me. The thought of her in there, helpless, brought up memories I’d tried to bury—the last time I’d seen her vulnerable, shattered. The last time I’d had the chance to be there for her, and failed.When I reached the elevator, a handful of staff member
Raj's povSaira’s silence stretched between us, a chasm filled with years of hurt and misunderstandings. Her gaze flickered, vulnerability breaking through her hardened exterior, but the walls were still there. I could see it in the way she hugged herself, as if my words alone weren’t enough to reach the parts of her I’d wounded so long ago.I took a step closer, hesitating as I searched her face. “I don’t expect you to forgive me overnight, Saira. I know I’ve given you every reason to doubt me, and I hate that. But… I don’t want to be that guy anymore.”Saira’s lips parted, as if she was about to respond, her expression caught between frustration and something gentler, something I could almost call understanding. But just as she took a breath, my phone buzzed, cutting through the fragile silence between us. Irritated, I pulled it out, hitting decline without a second thought, my eyes not leaving hers.But then it rang again, insistently. Saira’s gaze hardened, and she took a step bac
Raj’s POVAs soon as Eira's words ended, I cut the call, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. The nerve she had to waltz back into my life, throwing around old titles as if they meant anything. I wouldn’t let her unravel everything I’d been working toward.I punched in another number, my tone sharp as soon as they picked up. “I need all the data now,” I commanded, leaving no room for delay. There were things I needed to be ahead of, things I couldn't let linger in the shadows any longer. Eira wanted to resurface? Fine. But this time, I’d make sure she wouldn’t get close enough to ruin anything, especially not with Saira.Saira’s POVIn the restroom, I stared at my reflection, but all I could see was the younger me, the girl I’d been in high school—the girl Raj had done his best to humiliate.The memory was so clear it felt like I was back there, standing alone in the school corridor, feeling a wave of dread as I watched my classmates snicker and whisper, their eyes darting t
Saira’s POVI shook my head, my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. No. I couldn’t trust Raj—not after everything. The cruel boy who had tormented me in high school wasn’t someone I could ever rely on. People like him didn’t change, no matter how much they pretended.But as I clenched my fists, determined to push him out of my thoughts, my gaze fell to my lips. Unbidden, the memory of the kiss we’d shared earlier flooded my mind. The way his lips had pressed against mine—firm yet tender, with a passion that caught me off guard—sent a shiver down my spine. My body betrayed me, reacting in a way I didn’t want it to."No," I whispered to myself, shaking off the sensation. Desperate to regain control, I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face, the icy shock breaking the spell his memory had cast over me. My heart raced, but I forced myself to breathe deeply, pushing away the unwanted warmth his touch had left behind.Drying my face, I straightened and squared my shou
𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 The ride home was anything but comfortable. I tried my best to focus on the passing streets, the gentle hum of the car, and anything else but him. Yet, I could feel Raj's gaze on me, intense and unwavering. Every time the car stopped at a traffic light, his eyes would linger on me. I didn’t dare to look his way, but my heart betrayed me, thundering in a rhythm I couldn’t control. A tug of war raged inside me—anger and distrust battling with something I didn’t want to acknowledge. Why did he always have this effect on me? I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay composed. As soon as the car pulled into the driveway, I didn’t wait for him to say anything. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and practically bolted out of the car, heading straight into the house. The moment I stepped inside, I froze. Two women were seated in the living room, laughing and chatting with my mom and stepdad. They were stunning—one with sleek, raven-black hair and sharp features, the o
Author's POV The office buzzed with urgency as Saira worked through the procedures for terminating Verma Trading Co.’s 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 Verma’s 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 airtight—Raj 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
Author's POVThe sleek black luxury car slid smoothly out of the Malhotra Enterprises driveway, merging onto the city’s 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 insignificant—just another passing face in his world of power and dominance. Yet, something about her lingered in his mind like an unsolved equation.Adrian wasn’t 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.“Mr. Vaughn?” His assistant, Marcus, interrupted his thoughts from the front seat.Adrian exhaled
Author's POVThe towering glass windows of Raj Malhotra’s 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 Enterprises—one that could push their expansion into high-end fashion.But Raj wasn’t 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. Today’s meeting was crucial. The second-most powerful CEO in the industry was here—a man whose reputation nearly rivaled Raj’s own.The thought made his jaw tighten. His arrival at Malhotra Enterprises wasn’t publicly known—this was a deal shrouded in secrecy until final neg
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 Raj’s 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. “Focus, Saira,” 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 day—an elegant black blazer over a pastel blue blouse, paired with tailored trousers. The ensemble gave her a polished, professional look, even if she didn’t feel entirely composed inside.Grabbing her phone from the nightstand, she prepared to head out, but her eyes caught something unusual on t
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 wasn’t the kind of person who’d 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.“Miss Saira,” the familiar voice of the maid called. “Dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting for you downstairs.”I sat up, the idea of sitting across from Raj instantly sapping what little appetite I had. “I’m not feeling too well,” I replied. “I’ll have dinner in my room tonight.”There was a pause before the maid responded. “Very well, Miss. I’ll bring your plate shortly.”“Thank you,” 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 wan
Mila's POVThe sound of the knocking grew louder, pulling me from my thoughts. I took a deep breath and opened the door, half-expecting to see Raj standing there with that infuriatingly smug look he always wore when he was about to lecture me.But instead, I found my mom standing there, a warm smile on her face.“Mom?” I blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”“Do I need a reason to visit my daughter’s room?” she teased lightly. “I thought it’s been a while since we had a proper chat, just the two of us.”I stepped aside, letting her in. “Of course not. Come in.”She walked in and sat on the edge of my bed, her hands smoothing the fabric of her dress. I closed the door and joined her, curious about the sudden visit.“You’ve been so busy lately,” she said, her tone affectionate. “And I’ve been caught up in a million things myself. I thought it’d be nice to just talk for a while.”A small smile tugged at my lips. My mom always had this calming presence that made everything feel
𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩The car came to a halt in front of the house, and I wasted no time. The moment the engine turned off, I unbuckled my seatbelt and bolted out, slamming the door shut behind me without sparing Raj a glance. I didn’t need to deal with his mood right now. My mind was already spinning with everything that had happened today. I’d thought about telling him what I heard back at the office—the cryptic threat about kidnapping—but what was the point? He’d probably just dismiss it or, worse, blame me for getting involved in things that weren’t my business.And let’s be real: he was likely already gearing up to scold me for what happened with Saniya. The memory of slapping her brought a small smirk to my lips, but it quickly vanished. If he thought I’d apologize for standing up for myself, he had another thing coming.I hurried inside, ignoring the sound of his footsteps trailing behind me. The tension between us hung in the air, but I refused to acknowledge it.I pushed open
𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩The office was eerily quiet as I shut down my computer and closed my cabin door. The soft hum of the fluorescent lights above was the only sound accompanying my footsteps as I made my way to the elevator. It was past work hours, and the building was nearly deserted. I wrapped my arms around myself, a slight chill running through the empty corridors.I headed toward the lift that would take me to the parking area where Raj's car was waiting.As I walked, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the day.Just as I reached the elevator, a muffled voice reached my ears.“I will execute the second phase now, and you have to be careful while kidnapping them. You know whom to hurt.”The words froze me in my tracks. My heart thudded against my ribcage as I turned my head, trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. The office was supposed to be empty, so who could possibly be here, saying something so sinister?I glanced around, my curiosity getting the better of me
𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩The cold breeze brushed against my skin as I stood on the rooftop of the office building, a steaming cup of coffee in my hand. The city stretched out before me, its lights twinkling like tiny stars against the dimming sky. But my gaze wasn’t really on the view; it was distant, unfocused, as my mind replayed the heated confrontation with Sophia and Saniya.The conversation weighed on me, dragging me back to memories I wished to bury. I remembered my previous job—the relentless demands, the suffocating deadlines, and my manager was a tyrant, always finding faults, taunting me for every little mistake. It felt like I could never do enough to satisfy him. The suffocating work environment had made me question everything—my abilities, my choices, even my worth.I sighed, taking a sip of my coffee, letting its warmth ground me. But before I could delve deeper into those bitter memories, a voice broke through my thoughts.“It’s hard to tackle someone like Sophia, but you