The next morning, Chaitra quietly entered Raj's room, a cup of steaming coffee in her hands. The soft fragrance filled the air as she approached the bed. She gently drew the curtains open, letting the golden rays of dawn fall across Raj's face.
Smiling softly, she leaned in and pressed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "Good morning, baby," she whispered.
It was a tender scene—like newlyweds lost in their honeymoon phase.
Raj blinked awake, momentarily startled by the unexpected warmth on his skin. For a split second, he felt disoriented, then quickly composed himself. He understood her intentions instantly.
She was trying to impress him, to earn his affection and his trust. Her actions weren't random—they came from a place of desperation. She needed him to fall for her, to see her as more than just another quest in his system.
Raj watched her silently, amusement flickering in his eyes. Chaitra's game had begun, but he wasn't sure she realized how dangerous it was to play with someone like him.
Chaitra caught his gaze lingering and grinned. "Don't look at me like that—you'll fall in love with me. Stare any longer and you're doomed," she teased, half warning, half dare.She was wearing a slouchy, rainbow-striped off‑shoulder sweater that flashed one strap at the collarbone, paired with frayed, mid‑wash denim shorts that hugged her hips and showed off long, confident strides; casual sneakers and loose, wavy hair completed the playful, sexy vibe.His phone buzzed. The screen lit up with Saanvi's name.
ignoring chaitra he first decide to focus on saaanvi first
Chaitra caught his gaze lingering and grinned. "Don't look at me like that—you'll fall in love with me. Stare any longer and you're doomed," she teased, half warning, half dare.
She wore a slouchy, rainbow‑striped off‑shoulder sweater that bared one strap at the collarbone, paired with frayed mid‑wash denim shorts that hugged her hips; casual sneakers and loose, wavy hair finished the playful, sexy vibe.
His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Saanvi's name. Raj's eyes flicked from Chaitra to the caller ID; expression cooling, he stepped aside and answered. "Hold that thought," he said evenly, choosing to focus on Saanvi first.
Steam still clung to Saanvi's skin as she stepped out of the bathroom, towel cinched tight, phone pressed to her ear while she wrung water from her hair.
"Raj, can we meet?" her voice was low, urgent. "I want to spend time with you."
She hesitated, eyes darting to the flood of missed calls lighting her screen. "I don't want to talk to Daya anymore—can I stop taking his calls now?" she asked, voice tight. "He keeps calling, again and again, and I'm done." Raj said. "I'll come to your place."
From the doorway, Chaitra heard enough to understand, and her smile dimmed for a heartbeat. She masked it with a shrug as Raj moved past her toward the shower.
Minutes later, steam curled from the bathroom as he stepped out, toweling lower body. Chaitra was at his wardrobe, laying out a clean look: plain blue jeans and a crisp, checked shirt, sleeves ready to roll.
Her gaze drifted—then lingered. Water traced the hard lines of his frame: broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist, chest defined without bulk, a cut line running from ribs to abdomen; his abs sat in neat rows, obliques etched like slashes of shadow, and forearms roped with quiet strength.
Raj caught the look and smirked. "Don't stare like that—you'll fall for me."
Chaitra's answer came fast, playful but sure. "Too late," she said, teasingly. "Already fallen."
He changed into jeans and a checked shirt, grabbed his keys, and headed out.
At the car, he unlocked the door and slid into the driver's seat—only for the passenger door to open at the same time. Chaitra hopped in, buckling up without asking.
"What are you doing?" Raj said, glancing over.
"I'm coming with you," she replied, steady and bright. "You said I should follow you—so I will."
"I'm going to meet someone," Raj said, starting the engine.
Chaitra met his eyes, unblinking. "Then I'll wait in the car. I'm not leaving."
With a resigned sigh, Raj turned the key and brought the engine to life, easing the car out of the driveway.
At Saanvi's place, Saanvi changed into fresh clothes and paced the living room, waiting for Raj to arrive so they could talk without interruptions.
A few minutes later, the low growl of an engine broke the quiet; she stepped outside, alone in the house—her mother had gone out earlier—and relief softened her shoulders when Raj's car stopped at the gate.
He opened the driver's door and stepped out, and Saanvi's smile instantly bloomed—warm, bright, hopeful.
But it didn't last, the passenger door clicked.
A second later, another girl unfolded from the seat, denim shorts catching the sunlight as if she had stepped straight out of a different world. The shift in Saanvi's expression was subtle, but unmistakable—like a curtain falling in slow motion.
As Raj walked toward her, Saanvi's eyes darted to the stranger, studying her from head to toe before returning to Raj.
"Who's your friend?" she asked, voice perfectly steady.
Raj didn't even blink.
"Chaitra," he said flatly. "My secretary."
And then—without waiting for Saanvi's reaction, without offering an explanation—he brushed past her and headed straight into the house like the conversation was already over.
Chaitra remained beside the car, hands clasped behind her back, posture disciplined. Raj had warned her not to follow him inside. So, she didn't.
But her eyes stayed locked on the doorway, her patience thinning… hardening… until it sharpened into something else entirely.