After freshening up, I headed to the dining table. Everyone was already gathered, and Mom had gone out of her way to create an inviting atmosphere. As | approached, Kiara entered with Sanya, both laughing softly at something. Mom welcomed them warmly and insisted they sit next to her. Kiara's curious gaze found me as soon as she settled into her seat. "You must be Saira," she said with a friendly smile. "My new stepsister?"I nodded, managing a polite smile in return"That's me."Her smile widened .She introduced herself, sharing that she had been overseas for the past five years, focusing on her studies and then a job. Now that she had resigned, she planned to settle back here and start her own perfume business. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment, I found myself genuinely interested in her story. Just as the conversation was settling into a comfortable rhythm, The peace didnāt last long. Raj entered the dining room. Sanya's eyes lit up as she quickly gestured to the
Rajās arms held me tightly, his warmth enveloping me as we lay tangled together. His hand started to move, trailing along my back with slow, deliberate strokes. My breath when he placed a gentle kiss on my head, I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach.My heart raced I hesitated, then tilted my head up, meeting his gaze. His dark eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away. There was an intensity in his look that made it impossible to look away.His eyes flickered to my lips, and I saw him swallow hard. The tension between us was undeniable, a pull I couldnāt explain but felt powerless to resist. Against my better judgment, I felt myself leaning closer to him, and he mirrored the movement.Our breaths mingled as the distance between us disappeared, our lips just a heartbeat awayāBang, bang, bang!The sound of a fist pounding on my door shattered the moment.āSaira! Open this door right now! Is Raj in there? Open it!ā Sanyaās sharp, commanding voice echoed throu
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š© I sat at my desk, staring at the endless stack of files Sophia had dumped on me the moment I stepped into her cabin. My fingers ached from typing, my eyes burned from staring at the screen, and my patience was dangling by a thread. Sophia had assigned me more tasks in a single morning than I thought humanly possible. If that wasnāt bad enough, she kept calling me every fifteen to twenty minutes, adding small āurgentā tasks or nitpicking over the ones I had already completed.By the third call, I wanted to scream. By the fifth, I started questioning whether she had a personal vendetta against me. āDoes she think Iām a machine?ā I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples. The woman was relentless, and I couldnāt shake the feeling that she was doing this on purpose.As I worked on yet another modification, my phone buzzed again. Of course, itās her, I thought bitterly, but when I checked the screen, it wasnāt Sophia this time. It was Raj. I stared at the nam
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š© I sat on his lap, begrudgingly reviewing the project on the screen. Despite my frustration with the situation, I couldnāt deny itāthe idea was brilliant. It was the kind of concept that could make waves, and as much as I hated to admit it, Raj had outdone himself.Without thinking, I glanced at him, unable to hide a flicker of admiration in my eyes.He caught my gaze, and I immediately regretted it. His smirk widened, and he tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief.āDonāt look at me like that, Saira,ā he said, his voice low and teasing. āYouāll make me lose control.āMy heart skipped a beat,My cheeks flamed at his words. The audacity of this man! As if sitting on his lap wasnāt bad enough, now he was throwing lines like that at me? I squirmed, trying once again to stand, but his arm around my waist refused to budge.āRaj,ā I snapped, trying to push against his chest to stand. āYouāve already gone too far. Let me go.āHe ignored my protests,
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š© I sat at my desk from my office, trying my best to immerse myself in the task Sophia had dumped on me, but my mind was a mess. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to the kissāRajās boldness, his smirk, and those infuriating words that echoed in my head. "Donāt look at me like that, Saira. Youāll make me lose control.ā The memory of his smirk made my blood boil. What was wrong with me? Why couldnāt I push it out of my mind and concentrate on work?I tapped my pen against the desk, frustrated with myself more than anything else and clenched my fists. I shook my head, attempting to clear the lingering sensation of his lips against mine and trying to push the memory aside. Just as I managed to get back to typing, my cabin door flew open with a loud bang. I looked up, startled, to see Saniya storming in like a hurricane. She didnāt even bother to knockājust barged in, her face twisted with anger. "What the hell is your problem?ā I snap
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š© The office was buzzing with its usual energy as I finished the last of my tasks. Papers neatly stacked, emails sentāWork for the day was done, and I grabbed the finalized report as I made my way toward Sophiaās cabin.Walking through the corridor, I felt the unmistakable weight of peopleās eyes on me. A group of employeesāmostly womenāwhispered and giggled, glancing my way as though I was the star of some juicy gossip session.My brows furrowed. Whatās so interesting that they canāt take their eyes off me?Their eyes darted toward me again, their hushed voices not subtle enough to be missed.Shrugging off the nagging feeling, I focused on reaching Sophiaās cabin. But as I approached, I heard laughter echoing through the door.Sophiaās voice was unmistakable, ringing loud and clear. āSheās always acting like sheās better than everyone else. Like sheās above it all.āAnother voice chimed in, equally smug and derisive. āExactly! The audacity of some people. Itās ridi
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š© Saniya leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a smug grin. āYou really think everything revolves around you, donāt you?āI tilted my head slightly, giving her a mockingly thoughtful look. āNo, but itās hard to ignore when people like you scream their insecurities loud enough for the whole building to hear.āSophia cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable but trying to maintain her composure. Her tone turning saccharine. āSaira, letās not blow this out of proportion. Sometimes people talk, and well⦠youāve built a bit of a reputation for being difficult to approach.āāDifficult?ā I repeated with a dry laugh. āHow convenient. I call it standing my ground, but I suppose thatās a foreign concept for people who thrive on pandering and backstabbing.āSophiaās expression hardened, but she kept her voice level. āYou know, Saira, relationships are everything in a workplace. Maybe if you spent less time being so... rigid, people would find you easier to work wit
š¦š®š¶šæš®'š š£š¢š©The 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 wasnāt 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 jobāthe 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 everythingāmy 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.āItās hard to tackle someone like Sophia, but you
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