The rain poured heavily on the empty street. Riya stood under the café roof, holding Aarav's old jacket close to her shoulders. She wasn't used to anyone caring for her like this.
For a woman who had built her empire by being untouchable, the simple act of him covering her with his jacket felt strangely intimate.
Aarav stood beside her, his hair wet, drops of rain sliding down his cheek. He looked at her, not with the eyes of a fan or an employee, but with the quiet gaze of a man who saw her — not her money, not her power. Just her.
Riya's breath grew heavy. The sound of the rain, the closeness of his body, the warmth of his jacket — everything blurred around her.
"You'll catch a cold," Aarav said softly.
Riya smiled faintly. "I don't usually stand in the rain with strangers."
Aarav chuckled. "Maybe I'm not a stranger anymore."
Their eyes locked. A silence stretched, not awkward but charged. The kind of silence where two hearts speak louder than words.
The First Touch
A car passed by, splashing water. Riya stumbled slightly, and Aarav's hand reached out, holding her wrist gently. The moment his skin touched hers, she froze.
Her eyes lifted to meet his. He didn't let go. Instead, his fingers slowly slid down to her palm, fitting perfectly as if they were always meant to be there.
"Come inside," Aarav said, leading her back into the café.
The café was now empty, lights dimmed, just the soft sound of rain outside.
Breaking the Walls
Riya sat, her hair a little messy, her expensive makeup slightly smudged by the rain. She laughed lightly at herself. "You must think I look ridiculous right now."
Aarav shook his head. He sat across but leaned closer. "No… I think you've never looked more real."
Those words hit her deeper than anything in years. Real. That's what she craved to be. Not the Ice Queen. Not the millionaire. Just a woman.
Her throat went dry. She whispered, "You talk like you can see through me."
Aarav smiled softly, brushing his wet hair back. "Maybe I can. And maybe… that scares you."
Riya's heart pounded. She hated losing control, but with him… she wanted to.
The Moment
The silence grew heavier. She looked at his lips without meaning to. Aarav noticed, but he didn't rush. He leaned in slowly, giving her time to move away if she wanted.
But Riya didn't move. Her eyes closed for a second, and then their lips met.
It wasn't rushed. It was gentle, searching, as if they were both trying to understand what this spark really was. His hand brushed her cheek, hers gripped his shirt lightly.
The kiss deepened, soft at first, then filled with hunger they both had kept buried inside.
When they pulled apart, breathing hard, Riya whispered against his lips,
"This… this shouldn't be happening."
Aarav's forehead rested against hers. "Then tell me to stop."
But she didn't. Instead, she pulled him closer again.
That night, the rain outside became the background music of a new story — one where the Ice Queen melted for the very first time.