3. MAHIRA

The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the creases in my ivory blouse.

Today felt different—there was a nervous energy humming beneath my skin, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. The tailored black trousers I wore hugged my legs, giving me a sense of confidence, but it was the sharpness in my eyes that I counted on the most.

I reached for my earrings, delicate gold hoops that caught the light just right, before slipping into my black pumps. My reflection stared back at me, poised and ready, but there was something else lingering in the back of my mind.

Today wasn’t just another day at the office; it was a step closer to the unknown.

As I walked downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. My father sat at the dining table, his usual newspaper in hand, but something was different.

Instead of the business suits I was accustomed to seeing him in, he wore a casual button-down shirt and trousers. A slight smile played on his lips as he glanced up at me, but there was a weight behind his gaze.

“Good morning, Papa,” I greeted him, masking the surprise in my voice. “You’re not dressed for the office?”

He folded the newspaper, setting it aside with a deliberate slowness. “I’m not going to the office today, Mahira. In fact, I won’t be going regularly anymore.”

I frowned, taking a seat across from him. “What do you mean?”

He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the taste before answering. “It’s time for me to step back, to let the new generation take the reins. I’ve spent decades building this company, and now it’s your turn to lead.”

My heart skipped a beat. I had known this day was coming, but hearing it out loud was a different reality. “So… Arjun will be bringing the documents and files here?”

“Yes, he’ll handle everything that requires my attention. I’ll still be involved, but only when absolutely necessary. It’s time for you to learn, to take control.”

His words settled over me like a heavy cloak. There was no turning back now. I nodded, forcing a smile. “I understand, Papa.”

Breakfast passed in a blur, my mind already racing ahead to the office. I had so much to prove, not just to my father, but to myself.

As I slid into the backseat of the car, the driver pulling away from the curb, I stared out the window, lost in thought.

The cityscape of Delhi blurred past—towering buildings, bustling streets, and the constant hum of life. But all I could think about was the man I would face at the office.

Arjun.

His presence had been lingering in the back of my mind since our first meeting. There was something about him that unnerved me, something dark and impenetrable that I couldn’t quite place.

He was arrogant, cold, but also… intriguing. There was a tension between us that I couldn’t ignore, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to.

When I arrived at the office, the usual hustle and bustle greeted me. I strode through the hallways, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor, each step echoing with purpose.

The employees greeted me with respectful nods, but their eyes held a hint of curiosity—they knew who I was, and they knew what was coming.

As I entered the conference room, Arjun was already there, standing by the large window that overlooked the city. His long hair was tied back, but a few strands escaped, framing his sharp features.

He turned to face me, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as they met mine. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his posture rigid, his aura commanding.

“Miss Kapoor,” he greeted me, his voice smooth but laced with a hint of something colder. “I trust your morning has been pleasant?”

“Good enough,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “I understand my father won’t be coming in today.”

“No, he won’t,” Arjun confirmed, his gaze unwavering. “He’s given me the responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly in his absence.”

There it was again—that subtle challenge in his words, the unspoken implication that I wasn’t ready for this. It irritated me, but I wasn’t going to let him see that.

“I see,” I said, moving to the table and picking up a file. “Then I suppose we’ll be working closely together.”

Arjun’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Indeed.”

The tension between us was palpable, a silent battle of wills. I opened the file, scanning the contents, but my mind wasn’t entirely focused.

I could feel his eyes on me, studying me, dissecting me. It was as if he was searching for something beneath the surface, something I wasn’t ready to reveal.

I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. “These figures need to be revised,” I said, pointing to a section in the file. “They don’t match the projections from last quarter.”

He moved closer, his presence looming over me as he glanced at the file. “You’re right. I’ll have the team correct it.”

Our hands brushed as he took the file from me, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my veins. I quickly pulled back, pretending not to notice, but I could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes.

This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

As the day wore on, I found myself buried in work, trying to focus on the tasks at hand, but Arjun’s presence was a constant distraction.

We exchanged few words, but every interaction was charged with an intensity that left me on edge. He was a puzzle, one I wasn’t sure I wanted to solve, but couldn’t resist trying.

During lunch, I met with Neha in the cafeteria. I've known her from a long time, she was a breath of fresh air, her bubbly personality a stark contrast to the atmosphere in the office. She wore a bright yellow kurta, her long hair cascading down her back in loose waves.

“Hey, Mahira!” she greeted me with a smile as I sat down. “How’s your day going?”

I sighed, pushing my hair back. “It’s… intense.”

Neha raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips. “Is it Arjun?”

I shot her a look, but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “He’s… something else.”

“I’ve noticed,” she said, taking a bite of her salad. “He’s not exactly the friendly type, is he?”

“No, he’s not,” I agreed. “But there’s something about him…”

Neha leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Do tell.”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “He’s… difficult to read. There’s a darkness to him, but also something else. Something that draws you in.”

Neha chuckled. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

“You have no idea,” I muttered, taking a sip of my water.

The afternoon passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork. As the day drew to a close, I was packing up my things when Arjun appeared in the doorway.

“Leaving already?” he asked, his voice as smooth and unreadable as ever.

“Yes, it’s been a long day,” I replied, not meeting his gaze as I slipped my laptop into my bag.

“I’m heading to your mansion, come  I’ll drive you.”

I paused, my hand freezing on the zipper of my bag. “That’s not necessary, Arjun. I can manage.”

“It’s part of my job,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And I prefer to drive. Shall we?”

The insistence in his voice sent a ripple of unease through me. There was no reason to refuse, but something about the situation felt… wrong. Yet, I found myself nodding, unable to come up with a valid excuse to decline.

“Alright,” I said, my voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.

Arjun’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “Good. Let’s go.”

As I followed him out of the office, the tension between us thickened, filling the air with an electric charge. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting—something that I didn’t fully understand but couldn’t ignore.

Whatever it was, I knew it was only the beginning.

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