Zara unlocked the door and slipped inside, closing it quickly behind her. For a moment, she stood still, her back pressed against the door, heart racing as if it could burst from the joy brimming inside her. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, she twirled around, laughter spilling from her lips, a sound she hadn’t heard from herself in years.
“Ayaan… you don’t know what you’ve done to me tonight, thank you so much, Ayaan, I love you… I love you” she screamed, her voice louder, her emotions overflowing
She spun again, her hair flowing in air, brushing against her face. For once, she didn’t care about anything, not the world, not her past, not her fears. All she could think of was him, his voice, his gaze, and that rare, breathtaking smile.
Rushing into her bedroom, she stopped before his photo on the wall. The sight of him made her heart flutter all over again. She traced his face gently with her fingers, her eyes glistening.
“You looked so handsome when you smiled today, why don’t you smile more often, Ayaan? You have no idea what it does to me when you do.” she murmured softly and her lips curved into a tender smile as her thoughts drifted back to their drive.
“I wish the night could have lasted a little longer and the road to my apartment had no end. Just to stay by your side a bit more… when you’re calm, protective, and smiling like that…” she whispered.
She leaned closer to the photograph, her breath catching as she stared into his eyes. Then, with all the affection she’d been hiding for so long, she pressed her lips softly against his cheek in the photo.
Stepping back, she covered her face with her palms, her cheeks warm, her smile shy yet radiant and for the first time in forever, Zara felt what it meant to truly be alive.
Meanwhile, Ayaan reached the manor and strode straight to his room, his breath uneven, and shut the door with a loud bang. The moment he was alone, the composure on his face cracked.
He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, his hands gripping his head. Zara’s smile, the way her eyes had glowed under the soft streetlight, the way she’d looked at him as if he was her whole world, kept flashing in his mind, stabbing deeper each time.
The more he remembered it, the more he despised himself.
With a growl, he tore off his shirt and threw it aside. His phone buzzed at the same time and he snatched it up.
“Who is he? Did he confess?” Ayaan demanded, his tone sharp, controlled only by a thread.
On the other end, his man replied, “No, sir. He’s just a petty thief. There are police records of minor thefts. He has a wife and two kids living in the slum. He doesn’t seem to be any danger.”
Ayaan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t believe, hand him over to the police, but keep him under your radar. Every move. Every contact. Got it?” he muttered coldly.
He ended the call without another word. His fingers trembled slightly as he ran a hand through his hair. Then, against his better judgment, he opened his laptop and clicked on the latest audio file, the one recorded just minutes ago and then he froze.
“Thank you so much, Ayaan. I love you… love you” her voice screamed through the speakers.
He shut the laptop in a flash, his breath ragged. For a moment, he just sat, haunted by her words.
He rose abruptly and went to the bar counter, uncorking a bottle. The amber liquid splashed into the glass, trembling just like his hands. He took a long sip, then another, until the sharp burn dulled the ache inside him.
” Keep loving me. I’ll unravel your world with the very thing you trusted. I’ll braid your love into the chains that bind you” he muttered, a bitter smirk twisting his lips.
Ayaan arrived at the office with his usual aura. Zara, rose to her feet, smoothing her skirt nervously, and greeted him with a gentle smile.
For a moment, doubt crept in her heart, that he would revert to that cold, distant version of himself. She pushed the thought aside and tried her luck and to her surprise, Ayaan’s lips curved into a faint. He paused mid-step, his sharp eyes sweeping over her, taking in her expression as if he were memorizing it.
“I hope you’re doing well, Ms. Ramkumar,” he said, his voice calm but carrying that unmistakable intensity. With a slight nod, he turned and strode toward his office.
Zara’s chest tightened, her heart thudding so hard she was sure anyone nearby could hear it. It felt like she had just run a marathon, yet all she could think about was the warmth that smile had left behind.
Almost instinctively, she moved toward the pantry, her hands shaking slightly as she prepared his coffee. Every movement was careful, precise, as if performing a ritual she didn’t quite understand. Once ready, she carried the cup to his office, pausing at the door to knock softly.
“Sir, coffee,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ayaan looked up, and without a word, reached for the cup. She stepped back and watched as he took a sip, his gaze flicking toward her just long enough to make her pulse race again.
“Sir, I’ll get your schedules,” Zara said, her voice steady despite the rapid beat of her heart. She turned and walked out, only to return less than a minute later holding the iPad in her hand and some files.
Ayaan’s sharp gaze followed her every step as she read his schedule. Zara could feel his eyes on her, she swallowed hard and forced herself not to stutter, keeping her composure despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
“Good. Get back to your work. And I hope the agenda is ready for the meeting,” Ayaan said in a calm tone.
“Yes, sir,” Zara replied promptly. She turned to leave, her hand resting on the door knob. Then, a question she had been holding since last night spilled out before she could stop herself.
“Sir… how did you arrive at the spot last night at exactly the right time?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, curiosity and awe mingling in her tone.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair, propping an elbow on the armrest, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “I was driving to the restaurant, Ms. Ramkumar. Any more questions?” His gaze lingered on her, teasing yet unreadable.
Zara hesitated, then couldn’t resist asking the next one. “How… how did you know the address to my home?”
Ayaan smirked wider, shaking his head lightly, his expression amused yet sharp. “You’re chosen to work for me as my PA, and you expect me to know nothing about you?” His words were casual, but the undertone carried both teasing and something she couldn’t guess.
Zara simply nodded, swallowing her surprise and walked out, closing the door behind her.
Ayaan entered the conference room with his usual composed stride, and Zara followed quietly, taking the seat next to him. The faint trace of his intoxicating cologne lingered around her, clouding her senses.
She took a deep breath, willing herself to focus. “Focus, Zara“, she reminded herself. The meeting had begun, and she had to prepare the MOM meticulously. She had never wanted to disappoint Ayaan, and she couldn’t let a moment of distraction jeopardize her work.
Her pen moved steadily across the notepad, scribbling down points and organizing her thoughts, until she felt a sudden tug. Her head jerked up, startled. Ayaan’s fingers brushed against the back of her palm as he held the pen, and a shiver ran down her spine. Goosebumps erupted across her skin, leaving her momentarily breathless.
He was writing on his notepad, his focus absolute, but when he looked up, their eyes met. Time seemed to stretch for a heartbeat, their gazes locked in a silent, almost electric moment.
Zara’s heart thudded painfully in her chest, and she quickly averted her eyes, forcing herself to return to her notes. She felt her cheeks warm, a heat she could neither explain nor control.
He handed the pen back to her, the brief contact lingering a fraction longer than necessary, sending another subtle jolt through her. She took it with a steady hand, though her mind was anything but steady, and forced herself to focus on the meeting.
The meeting concluded by 3 PM, and Ayaan returned to his room, loosening his tie and tossed his blazer aside. He sighed lightly, letting the weight of the day settle off his shoulders. Just a minute later, Zara entered, carrying his lunch box. She moved quickly, placing his plate on the table as if every second counted.
Ayaan smiled quietly at the sight of Zara setting the table with such delicate care, arranging every dish as if it were something precious. Ayaan realized he had been admiring her far too openly, and his jaw instinctively tightened. Masking his emotions he took a long breathe.
He walked toward the couch, rolling up his sleeves as he moved, exposing the strong, veined lines of his forearms.
Get another plate, Ms. Ramkumar. I’m sure you’d be hungry too,” he said casually, his tone carrying a gentle warmth and care she had experience the previous night and it was impossible for her to ignore.
At that exact moment, Zara’s stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble. She froze, heat rising to her cheeks.
“I… I’ll have lunch from the cafeteria, sir. Thank you,” she replied, her voice a little too quick, and began serving the food onto his plate.
“Didn’t you say you loved the food from last night? I knew the meeting would run beyond lunch hours, so I asked my staff to pack for two. Get seated and give me some company. I hope you don’t mind.” Ayaan’s voice was calm at first, but it dropped dangerously low and husky at the end, each word deliberately measured.
Zara froze, her heart skipping a beat. A part of her wanted to run, to escape the intensity in his gaze and the commanding weight in his tone. But another part, her foolish, innocent heart yearned to stay. Slowly, she grabbed a plate, her fingers trembling slightly.
Before she could place it in front of him, Ayaan reached over and set it for her. Her eyes widened at the unexpected act, and a warmth spread through her chest. She watched him take a bite from his plate, his movements casual yet precise, and felt a strange thrill rush through her.
Tentatively, she picked up her own plate and took her first bite. The flavor hit her senses, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, quickly muffled by her palm as she realized her slip.
Her gaze flicked up, and she met Ayaan’s eyes. He was already watching her, a faint smirk playing on his lips, like he knew exactly what she had done.
“Hmmm, looks like you’re enjoying that, Ms. Ramkumar,” he said with a smirk and his teasing tone made her pulse flutter uncontrollably. He continued eating, unhurried, each movement deliberate, as if savoring not just the food, but the moment and her reaction to it.
Zara’s heart pounded. She tried to focus on her meal, but it was impossible. Every glance, every subtle gesture from him sent shivers down her spine. The room felt smaller, hotter, charged with unspoken tension.
Zara thanked him for the meal and rushed out. She pressed a hand to her chest to calm its erratic beating. Meanwhile, Ayaan exhaled slowly, inhaled again as the lingering blend of her lavender and musk fragrance wrapped around him.
That evening Zara slid into her car, the soft thud of the door behind her barely registering as her mind replayed the events of the day. Her heart was still racing, fluttering uncontrollably, as if it had discovered a new rhythm, the one that only existed in his presence. She couldn’t believe how much had happened in just a few hours.
She had never imagined she would meet Ayaan in person after that fateful night, let alone work for him. And yet here she was, sitting in her car, still feeling the warmth of his attention lingering on her. The memory of his smile, so rare and so disarming, made her chest ache in the sweetest way.
He had saved her, protected her, and even thought of her in the smallest yet most profound gestures to arrange food for her, eating alongside her, watching her reactions with that faint, knowing smirk. Every detail replayed in her mind, and each one made her pulse quicken, her cheeks flush, and her heart soar.
Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the seat. A quiet smile curved her lips as gratitude filled her chest. “Thank you, Thank you, universe, for everything.” she whispered softly, almost to herself.
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A/N:
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