Arjun's thin mattress squeaked as he tossed in the darkness of his rented room. The city outside never slept—horns blared, neon lights blinked—but inside his little corner of the world, silence pressed down heavy.
Yet sleep refused to come.
All he could see was her smile.That small curve of Maya Kapoor's lips when she had looked at him.
It shouldn't mean anything. She was the CEO of a billion-dollar company, and he was just the janitor who scrubbed her floors. Their worlds were too far apart, like stars and dust. But still… his chest ached when he remembered it.
"Fool," he muttered, covering his face with his arm. "Don't think about her."
But his heart didn't listen.
The next morning, Arjun reported to work early, as always. The lobby of Kapoor Enterprises gleamed with glass and marble, its walls adorned with paintings worth more than his lifetime earnings. He carried his mop and bucket, blending into the background.
As he pushed the cart toward the elevator, a voice cut through the air.
"Oi, cleaner boy! Move faster, will you?"
Arjun stiffened. Rohan Malhotra.
The man strode across the lobby in a tailored suit, his polished shoes clicking against the marble. He was handsome, tall, and arrogant—the kind of man who carried power like a weapon. Everyone knew he was Maya Kapoor's boyfriend.
Arjun stepped aside quietly. "Sorry, sir."
Rohan sneered. "Tch. Pathetic. You beggars always find your way into places you don't belong. Make sure you don't dirty the floors you're cleaning, understood?"
Heat rose in Arjun's chest, but he kept his head down. He couldn't afford trouble. His mother's medicine depended on this job.
But then… footsteps echoed.The atmosphere in the lobby shifted.
Maya Kapoor walked in.
The staff straightened immediately. The air seemed to hush. Dressed in a white blouse and navy skirt, her beauty was effortless, her presence commanding.
Her gaze swept the lobby—landing on Arjun. For just a heartbeat, her expression softened.
Rohan noticed it too. His jaw tightened.
"Darling," Rohan said smoothly, sliding to her side, "why waste your gaze on the janitor? He's just—"
"Enough, Rohan." Maya's voice was cool, sharp as glass. Her eyes didn't leave Arjun. "He's an employee. Show some respect."
The lobby froze. No one dared breathe.
Arjun's head shot up in shock. She… defended him?
Rohan forced a laugh, but his eyes burned with suppressed anger. "Of course, love. If you say so."
Maya turned to Arjun. "What's your name?"
His throat went dry. "A-Arjun, ma'am."
Her lips curved again—that same dangerous smile. "Work hard, Arjun. Dedication never goes unnoticed."
Then she swept past him, her heels echoing against the marble, leaving whispers in her wake.
Arjun stood rooted, his heart thundering in his chest.
For the first time in his life, someone like her… had seen him.
But what he didn't realize was that somewhere in Maya Kapoor's heart, a forbidden door had opened—and there was no turning back.