The next morning began like any other in Aara Sharma's life—quiet, rushed, and filled with responsibility.
She stood in front of the small mirror in her room, tying her hair neatly, rehearsing confidence she didn't always feel. Outside, the city was already awake, chasing dreams that often slipped through tired fingers.
In the kitchen, her mother Meera prepared breakfast while Rohan packed his school bag.
"Did you hear back from any company yet?" Meera asked casually, though hope flickered in her eyes.
Aara shook her head. "Not yet, maa. They said they'll inform me soon."
She didn't mention the uneasiness still lingering from yesterday—the glass building, the intimidating silence, the strange feeling of being watched.
By noon, Aara was at college when her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
Her heart skipped.
She answered hesitantly. "Hello?"
"This is Rathod Industries. We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for our internship program."
For a moment, the world went silent.
"Y-Yes… thank you," she managed to say.
Details followed—joining date, department, documents. Aara listened carefully, fingers trembling.
When the call ended, she stared at her phone.
She had made it.
That evening, Aara rushed home, excitement spilling over her usually calm composure.
"Maa!" she called out the moment she entered.
Meera looked up, startled. "What happened?"
"I got the internship. Rathod Industries."
For a second, Meera froze. Then she smiled—wide, proud, emotional.
"That's wonderful, beta."
Rohan ran in from his room. "Really? Big company?"
Aara laughed, pulling him into a hug. "The biggest."
For the first time in a long while, the house felt lighter.
But happiness never comes without fear.
That night, as Aara lay in bed, excitement slowly gave way to anxiety.
Rathod Industries.
The name carried weight.
And somewhere deep inside, the memory of those unseen eyes returned.
Why did that place feel… heavy?
She pushed the thought away.
This was her chance.
Across the city, in a house guarded by silence and power, Kabir Rathod stood near the window of his study.
His assistant's words echoed in his mind.
"She's accepted the offer, sir."
Kabir's lips curved—just slightly.
He hadn't interfered.
He hadn't forced it.
Yet fate had obeyed him anyway.
"She'll join on Monday," the assistant added.
Kabir nodded.
Good.
Later that night, Kabir sat alone, files spread across his desk. Business figures lay untouched.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
Aara Sharma.
Her smile earlier that day when she received the call—he imagined it without ever seeing it.
He didn't like this.
This constant presence in his mind.
Attraction was acceptable.
Obsession was not.
Yet his control was slipping.
Kabir's phone buzzed again.
"All background checks are complete, sir. She's clean. No connections. No threats."
Kabir exhaled slowly.
Good.
But another thought followed immediately.
If she's clean… then I'm the danger.
His jaw tightened.
He would protect her.
From others.
And maybe… from himself.
Monday was coming.
Aara thought it would be the beginning of her career.
Kabir knew it was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
Because when Aara Sharma walked into Rathod Industries again—
She wouldn't just be an intern.
She would be standing at the edge of Kabir Rathod's world.
And once someone stepped into that world—
There was no turning back.