Ananya's hands trembled slightly as she sat down at the table, trying to steady her breath. Aarav’s presence was overwhelming, not in the way of his towering height or sharp features, but in the way he seemed to command attention without saying a word.

His eyes lingered on her a moment longer than they should have, something dark and unreadable flickering beneath his calm exterior.Raj leaned back in his chair, a glass of whiskey in hand. “Aarav’s been handling some of our more… complicated affairs lately,” he said, with a knowing smile. “He’s a man who knows how to take control.”Ananya offered a weak smile, avoiding Aarav’s intense gaze, but she could feel it burn into her as if he were silently studying her every move.

“You’ve grown up, Ananya,” Aarav spoke for the first time, his voice low and smooth, carrying a weight that made her glance up. The way he said her name felt personal, almost intimate, as if he were claiming it. “Raj always spoke about you… but I see he didn’t do you justice.”Her cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth, unsure how to respond to such an unexpected compliment. She glanced at her father, who seemed oblivious to the tension, engrossed in another conversation.

“I—I’m still studying,” she managed, her voice barely audible as she attempted to deflect his attention.Aarav smirked, clearly entertained by her discomfort. “Literature, wasn’t it?” He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance, his voice lowering to just above a whisper. “You don’t strike me as the typical literature student.”Ananya swallowed hard, feeling his words seep into her skin, leaving her trapped between wanting to run and the undeniable pull of his dominance.

She hadn’t anticipated this—Aarav wasn’t just her father’s friend; he was something more, something dangerous.“I hope you’re not too soft-hearted,” Aarav continued, his voice almost a challenge now. “Literature can be a reflection of life, and life… it’s not always kind.”His words seemed to hang in the air, heavy with implication, as his eyes held hers. Ananya’s heart raced, and she couldn’t understand why.

All she knew was that Aarav Kapoor was more than just intimidating—he was drawing her into a game she didn’t know how to play.Before she could respond, Raj chuckled, pulling Aarav’s attention away. “Ananya will be just fine,” her father said, oblivious to the undercurrent between them. “She’s stronger than she looks.”Aarav’s gaze flickered back to her, his expression unreadable.

“I’m sure she is,” he said softly, almost to himself.But Ananya knew—this was only the beginning.