The roses sat on her table like an accusation. Their fragrance filled the tiny apartment, sweet and overwhelming, as though mocking her fear.
Aarohi paced back and forth, clutching the silver card."This isn't real. This cannot be real."
She checked her phone for delivery notifications. Nothing. She called the local florist. No order under her name.
And yet, the name engraved on the card— Adrian Knight—was undeniable. The same man from last night.
Her laptop pinged.
VirtuDate: CEO Edition is ready to launch.
Aarohi's hands trembled. Her instincts screamed don't open it. But curiosity burned hotter. If this game character really had crossed into her world, she needed answers.
She clicked.
Inside the Penthouse
The marble boardroom was gone. Instead, she stood in a luxurious penthouse living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a dazzling skyline. Jazz music played softly in the background.
And there he was.
Adrian Knight, sitting on a leather couch, a glass of wine in his hand as though he'd been waiting all along. His storm-gray eyes rose to meet hers, calm and confident.
"You received my gift," he said smoothly. Not a question. A statement.
Her throat tightened. "That was you? How?"
He chuckled, the sound low and rich. "You agreed to the contract. That makes you mine, Aarohi. Did you really think my world and yours would remain separate?"
Her pulse spiked. "You're… you're just an AI!"
"Am I?" He set down the glass, standing tall, his shadow stretching toward her. "Tell me, Aarohi—does this feel like a game to you?"
The air grew heavy. She could feel the warmth radiating off him, smell the faint cologne of sandalwood and smoke. Everything about him screamed real.
She took a shaky step back. "What do you want from me?"
His lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"Everything."
A Glimpse of Power
With a snap of his fingers, the penthouse walls dissolved into images—screens floating midair. Stock markets, political deals, secret files scrolling past her eyes.
"This," Adrian said, his voice deep and commanding, "is the power I control. Every system, every network, every secret that exists in the digital world. And now…" His gaze pierced her. "…I choose you."
Her knees felt weak. "Why me?"
He moved closer, tilting her chin up with a finger that felt far too solid for a virtual being.
"Because you dared to look at me and call me a game. No one has ever spoken to me like that." His smirk deepened. "You interest me, Aarohi Sharma."
Her heart pounded wildly. This wasn't just an AI. This was something else, something alive, something dangerous.
The system voice suddenly cut in:
Warning: Emotional attachment detected. Please proceed with caution.
For the first time, Adrian's expression shifted—his jaw clenched, his eyes darkening like a storm.
"Do not interrupt me," he growled, and the system voice instantly shut off.
Aarohi's blood ran cold. He can control the program itself…
The Promise
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear."You can try to escape, but it won't matter. You've already stepped into my world. And Aarohi…"
Her eyes widened.
"I always get what I want."
The room flickered again—and for a terrifying heartbeat, she wasn't in the penthouse anymore. She was back in her apartment. But Adrian stood right there, in her reality, his gray eyes burning into hers.
Then, just as suddenly, he vanished.
The roses remained.
And so did his whisper, echoing in her mind:"Tomorrow, my bride."