An unlikely partnership

The morning sun filtered through the tall French windows of the Malhotra estate, casting golden streaks over Kiara's breakfast table. She sat with a plate of untouched pancakes and her phone buzzing beside her. Her mind was still stuck on the man from last night—Aaryan Sehgal.

There was something unsettling about the way he’d looked at her. Not with flirtation, not with admiration—but with intent. Like he saw something beneath the surface that even she hadn’t fully explored.

Before she could dwell too long, her mother entered the room, phone in hand, face glowing with excitement.

“We just finalized the collaboration,” Meera Malhotra announced, sliding into the seat opposite Kiara.

Kiara looked up. “What collaboration?”

“With Sehgal Corp. It’s a luxury tech merge. Fashion meets innovation. You and Aaryan will co-lead the launch.”

Kiara blinked. “You’re joking.”

“Do I ever joke about boardroom deals?” Meera arched a brow.

Kiara leaned back in her chair. The idea of working with the very man whose gaze had followed her like a shadow all evening wasn’t exactly on her wishlist.

—

Meanwhile, at Sehgal Corp’s towering glass headquarters, Aaryan stood at the window of his 42nd floor office. Below, the city pulsed like a living organism. Behind him, his assistant Kabir cleared his throat.

“The Malhotra collaboration is a go. And they’ve specifically requested Kiara to be co-lead.”

Aaryan didn’t flinch. But a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Good,” he said simply, turning back to his desk. “Let’s see if she’s as sharp in business as she is in banter.”

—

The next afternoon, the boardroom at Sehgal Corp buzzed with anticipation. The entire executive team was present, and the table was lined with concept sketches, strategy reports, and coffee cups.

Then the doors opened, and Kiara walked in.

Dressed in a tailored cream blazer over a black dress, she looked every inch the heiress, but her stride spoke of confidence she’d earned, not inherited.

Aaryan stood up. “Miss Malhotra.”

“Mr. Sehgal,” she replied, her voice calm but cool. “Try not to fall for me in a professional setting—it’ll get awkward.”

A few executives chuckled under their breath.

Aaryan, unfazed, motioned to the seat beside him. “You flatter yourself. But I’ll try.”

They dove into work quickly. The project was ambitious—an elite wearable tech line that married Malhotra Couture’s elegance with Sehgal Corp’s innovation. Kiara proposed designs that adapted to mood and temperature, while Aaryan’s team had the tech to back it up.

As the meeting progressed, their synergy became undeniable. Kiara was bold, creative, and unafraid to push back. Aaryan was strategic, logical, and sharp with numbers.

But what neither expected was how natural it felt to argue, to agree, to build something—together.

After two intense hours, the meeting ended. The room cleared, leaving just the two of them.

“You surprised me,” Kiara said, gathering her notes.

“Likewise,” Aaryan replied. “I thought you’d be more… entitled.”

“And I thought you’d be colder.”

A beat passed. Aaryan stepped closer.

“Then again,” he murmured, “I’ve been wrong about you twice now.”

Kiara met his gaze, chin lifted, eyes curious. “Careful, Mr. Sehgal. You're starting to sound like you're impressed.”

He gave her a faint smile. “Maybe I am.”

And for a fleeting second, she didn’t look away.

---

End of Episode 2.