The city of Mumbai never sleeps. It breathes in neon lights and exhales chaos. It is a city of power and ambition, a place where empires are built and destroyed overnight. And at the heart of it, Siya Rajgor walks through the glass doors of Aegis CyberTech—her empire, her fortress, her battlefield.

She doesn’t wait for greetings. The rhythmic click of her heels against the marble floor announces her arrival before her assistant, Neha, rushes to her side, tablet in hand.

“Ma’am, you have back-to-back meetings today. The threat analysis report is ready, and the Home Ministry wants a briefing at noon. Also, a certain Mr. Aryan Malhotra is waiting in your office.”

Siya’s sharp gaze flickers with irritation. Aryan Malhotra—the government liaison officer. His visits always come with complications.

“Tell him I’ll be there in ten minutes,” she says, already turning toward the control room. “And send me the report summary.”

Neha nods, fingers flying over her tablet.

Siya pushes through the security doors into the nerve center of Aegis CyberTech. Screens line the walls, displaying data streams, cyber threat alerts, and encrypted communications. Her team works in focused silence, their eyes scanning code, tracing digital footprints, preventing breaches before they happen.

She built this company from the ground up. Aegis CyberTech wasn’t just a business—it was her legacy, her lifeline, her armor.

“Morning, boss.”

She turns to see Dev, her lead cybersecurity analyst, already buried in multiple monitors. “We intercepted an attempt to breach an industrial database last night. The attackers used an advanced cloaking mechanism. We managed to block them, but this wasn’t amateur work.”

Siya crosses her arms. “Who were they targeting?”

Dev exhales sharply. “It wasn’t just one target. Multiple government contracts, defense projects, even private entities. Someone is fishing for classified intel.”

Her jaw tightens. “We need to be ahead of them. I want a full security patch update and a trap set for the next attempt. I want to know who’s behind this.”

Dev smirks. “Already working on it.”

She nods and turns away.

Her office is sleek, minimalist, and designed for function. Aryan Malhotra stands by the window, hands in his pockets, a picture of calm authority. Siya doesn’t bother with pleasantries.

“What’s the crisis this time?”

Aryan chuckles, unfazed. “Straight to the point as always.” He tosses a file onto her desk. “We believe there’s a mole inside one of the government tech firms. Someone is selling classified intelligence. And we have reason to believe Aegis might be their next target.”

Siya flips open the file, scanning through the details. “You think they’ll come after my company?”

“They’d be idiots not to. You handle sensitive data for high-profile clients, including government agencies. Someone wants what you have, Siya.”

She leans back in her chair, fingers tapping against the polished wood. “And what exactly do you want from me?”

Aryan’s expression turns serious. “Help us track them. Your team is the best in the business. If someone tries to break in, we need you to follow their trail—quietly.”

Her lips curl into a smirk. “You don’t want them arrested. You want to see who they’re working for.”

Aryan nods. “Precisely.”

Siya tilts her head, considering. This isn’t just business—it’s a game of power. And she never loses.

“I’ll do it. But I’ll play by my rules.”

A satisfied smile tugs at Aryan’s lips. “I’d expect nothing less.”

Later that evening, Siya finally steps into her home, leaving the corporate battlefield behind. The warmth of the Rajgor house is a stark contrast to the cold efficiency of Aegis CyberTech.

“Siya beta!” Sunita Rajgor’s voice is filled with affection as she rushes forward, enveloping her daughter in a tight hug. Siya exhales, tension melting under her mother’s touch.

Ratan Rajgor watches from the dining table, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Your mother was about to send out a search party.”

Siya chuckles, pulling away. “I was working.”

Sunita scoffs. “You’re always working. Do you even eat properly?”

Siya rolls her eyes but allows her mother to drag her to the dining table. The warmth of home, the scent of freshly made parathas, the familiarity of family—it grounds her.

Over dinner, they talk, laugh, and tease. Her mother nags, her father listens, and for a while, Siya is just a daughter, not a CEO, not a strategist, not a woman fighting to hold her place in a ruthless world.

“So, when are you getting married?” her mother asks casually, making Siya nearly choke on her water.

Ratan smirks. “Sunita, let her breathe.”

“I’m just saying! She’s a smart, beautiful girl. We should start looking.”

Siya groans. “Ma, please. Can we not do this?”

Sunita huffs. “Fine, but don’t think I’ll stop asking.”

After dinner, Siya sits on the balcony, looking out at the city skyline, her phone buzzing with a message from her best friend, Kayra.

Kayra: Are you alive, or has work finally consumed you?

Siya smiles, typing back.

Siya: Barely. Crisis at work, government sticking their noses in, cybercriminals getting smarter. The usual.

Kayra: And your mother still wants to get you married off?

Siya: Obviously.

Kayra: One day, Siya. One day, you’re going to meet a man who shakes your entire world.

Siya scoffs, staring at the glowing city below. Not likely. Her world is built on control, power, and independence. She bows to no one.

But fate has a cruel sense of humor.

The city hums below, a symphony of honking cars, distant laughter, and the occasional wail of a siren slicing through the night. Mumbai never sleeps, and neither does Siya’s mind. Even as exhaustion drapes over her shoulders, her thoughts remain tangled in the chaos of her day.

Her phone buzzes again. Another message from Kayra.

Kayra: I can hear you rolling your eyes from here. I’m serious, Siya. Just because you’re a badass CEO doesn’t mean you have to be alone forever.

Siya: I’m not alone. I have my company, my family, and you. That’s more than enough.

Kayra: Work isn’t going to keep you warm at night, babe. And your laptop doesn’t count as a cuddle buddy.

Siya: I don’t need warmth, Kayra. I need security. And no, I don’t mean the kind that involves six feet tall men in black suits.

Kayra: 🙄 You’re impossible. Look, I love that you’re this independent queen who doesn’t need a man… but even queens have needs. 👀

Siya: I do not have needs.

Kayra: Liar. Your needs are just buried under all that ice you pretend to have instead of a heart. You need to get laid, Siya..

Siya: Kayra. No.

Kayra: Yes. Do you even remember what a man’s touch feels like? Or has it been so long that you’d short-circuit at the first sign of a deep voice whispering in your ear?

Siya: 🙄 I hate you.

Kayra: No, you don’t. You hate that I’m right. Imagine this: a tall, dangerous man pressing you against the wall, his breath hot against your skin, his voice all deep and commanding as he says, “Tell me you don’t want this.”

Siya: Blocking you.

Kayra: You’re picturing it, aren’t you? 😏

Siya chuckles, shaking her head. She knows Kayra means well, but relationships have never been her priority. Love requires vulnerability, and vulnerability is a luxury she can’t afford.

A gust of wind tugs at her hair as she leans back into the chair, stretching out her legs. The city lights dance in her eyes, but her mind is already racing ahead to tomorrow’s battles. Just as she begins to relax, her phone vibrates again—this time, it’s an unknown number.

Her body tenses. Calls from unknown numbers, at this hour, rarely bring good news. With a cautious breath, she swipes to answer.

"Siya Rajgor," she says, her voice steady.

A brief silence. Then, a male voice—deep, smooth, with a hint of danger laced in his tone.

"You have an interesting way of dodging people, Miss Rajgor."

Siya’s grip on the phone tightens. ”Who is this?"

A low chuckle. ”A client. One who doesn’t like being ignored."

She narrows her eyes, already pulling up her mental database of potential threats. Aegis CyberTech has plenty of high-profile clients, but none who would call her directly like this. “If you have business with my company, you can go through the proper channels.”

(Bhai, raat ke do baje kaunsa client service lene nikalta hai? Cybersecurity chhodo, iska dimag secure hai bhi ya nahi?)

(Dude, which client goes looking for service at 2 AM? Forget cybersecurity, is his brain even secure?)

“I believe my company reached out to yours months ago regarding a cybersecurity partnership. It seems we’ve yet to receive a response.”

Something about his voice sends a prickle down her spine—not fear, but awareness. The kind that sets off alarms in her head. “I don’t entertain anonymous calls. State your name or lose my number.”

"Rajveer Rathore."

Her heart stutters for a fraction of a second before settling into a controlled rhythm. She knows the name. Everyone in her world does. Mafia Business Tycoon, power player, a man whose reputation is steeped in blood and shadows.

Her fingers flex around the phone. ”And what exactly does Rajveer Rathore want from me?"

"For now? Just a conversation."

Siya exhales slowly, weighing her options. This is not a man to be taken lightly. But she’s not one to back down either.

“Then talk."

"Not over the phone.” His voice dips lower, almost amused. “I prefer face-to-face meetings. More... personal."

(Haan, bilkul! Ab kya milne bhi chali jaaun, chai-pakode leke? Ajeeb self-confidence hai bhai sahab ka!)

(Oh sure! Should I also bring tea and snacks while I’m at it? The amount of self-confidence this man has is unbelievable!)

She scoffs. “You’ll get a response when my team is ready.”

"Pity. I had a feeling you’d say that." A pause, then a smirk laced into his words. ”I wonder, Miss. Rajgor, do you always decline invitations before hearing the terms?"

Siya crosses her arms, irritation simmering beneath her skin. “I don’t appreciate being strong-armed, Mr. Rathore. If your request was overlooked, that’s unfortunate, but my company doesn’t operate on intimidation.”

“You mistake this for intimidation. This is me being polite.”

His voice is calm, measured, but there’s a lethal promise behind it. Siya exhales slowly, keeping her own tone level.

“My team will review the request and get back to you.” Her pulse thrums, a mix of irritation and intrigue. He’s testing her, playing a game she refuses to be drawn into. ”I don’t entertain men who play games, Mr. Rathore. If you have a proposal, email it. If not, lose my number."

(Aur haan, agar free ho toh kisi aur bechari ka dimaag khane ka try kar lo. Yeh wala already Monday jaisa chal raha hai!)

(And yeah, if you’re free, go try messing with some other poor soul’s head. This one already feels like a Monday!)

She hangs up before he can reply.

Her phone remains clenched in her palm as she exhales, trying to shake the strange energy lingering in the air. Rajveer Rathore. Why the hell is he interested in her business? And more importantly, what kind of trouble is she about to step into?

Kayra’s message pings again, breaking the spell.

Kayra: You okay? You went silent. Not like you.

Siya: Just thinking. Work stuff.

Kayra: Liar. Spill.

Siya debates for a moment before typing back.

Siya: Ever heard of Rajveer Rathore?

Kayra: ???

Kayra: The mafia king??? Siya, what the hell???

Siya: He just called me. Wants a meeting.

Kayra: OH HELL NO. BLOCK HIM. REPORT HIM. MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

Siya smirks despite herself.

Siya: Relax. It’s just business.

Kayra: Business my ass. Be careful. I mean it.

Siya doesn’t reply. Instead, she leans back, staring at the skyline once more. Somewhere out there, Rajveer Rathore is watching. Waiting.

And for the first time in a long time, Siya feels a shift in the air—like the universe just moved a chess piece without her permission.

Fate, it seems, has just made its first move.

At Aegis CyberTech

The next morning, Siya leans back against her chair, her eyes scanning through the endless stream of emails flooding her inbox. A deep sigh escapes her lips as she sifts through the messages—project updates, security threat alerts, and then one subject line catches her attention.

Subject: Inquiry – Potential Cybersecurity PartnershipFrom: Rathore Enterprises

Her brows furrow as she clicks it open. The email is from Rajveer Rathore’s office, inquiring about a potential cybersecurity consultation. Siya’s stomach tightens. How did they miss this? Rathore Enterprises isn’t just any client—it’s one of the biggest business empires in India. Losing such an opportunity is unacceptable.

She immediately calls Rishi, her senior project manager.

“Rishi, get in my office. Now.”

Minutes later, Rishi walks in, looking mildly confused. “Yes, Siya?”

She turns her monitor toward him. “Do you want to explain how we managed to miss an important client like Rathore Enterprises?”

Rishi’s expression changes as he leans forward, scanning the email. “Shit,” he mutters under his breath. “I—I did have a conversation with Mr. Rathore’s assistant a few months ago. They were interested in a partnership, but then the government project came in, and I got swamped. I completely forgot to follow up.”

“We don’t forget, Rishi. We don’t get to ignore billion-dollar clients. One mistake like this, and it could cost us our credibility.” Siya’s tone is sharp, but the disappointment in her eyes is worse.

She levels him with a cold stare. “You know how competitive this industry is. One mistake, and we’re done.”

“I’ll fix it,” Rishi promises quickly. “I’ll send the meeting invitation right away.”

“You better,” she says, her tone sharp. “Send it for the earliest available slot. And Rishi?”

He hesitates. “Yes?”

“If anything else like this happens again,” she warns, her voice calm but lethal, “you won’t just be apologizing. You’ll be looking for another job.”

Rishi swallows hard and nods. “Understood.”

“Good. And from now on, I want daily updates on high-priority clients. No excuses.”

As Rishi scurries out of her office, Siya exhales sharply, rubbing her temples. She cannot afford careless mistakes like this.

The rest of the day passes in a blur of meetings, strategy discussions, and security briefings. Her team works seamlessly, addressing the latest cyber threats and ensuring their elite clientele remains protected. There is always a new attack to counter, a new loophole to fix, a new potential risk looming over their heads. And Siya thrives in this chaos.

But today, something lingers at the back of her mind—Rathore Enterprises. She doesn’t know why, but this deal feels… different. She’s handled high-profile clients before, even dealt with cyber threats from the underbelly of the digital world, but Rajveer Rathore’s name carries weight. Power. Influence. And she knows better than to underestimate that.

By the evening, Siya feels the tension in her shoulders and realizes she needs a break.

A few hours later, she finds herself at Juhu Beach, the cool ocean breeze tangling in her hair. The scent of salt and street food fills the air, and for the first time in the entire day, she feels the weight on her chest lighten just a little.

Kayra is beside her, barefoot in the sand, munching on a roasted corn cob.

“You needed this,” Kayra says, nudging her with her elbow. “I could hear the stress in your voice through the phone.”

Siya lets out a breath, watching the waves crash against the shore. “Work’s been insane. And we almost lost a major client today because of negligence. I had to set things straight.”

Kayra chuckles. “I swear, sometimes I think you love your company more than life itself.”

Siya smirks. “I built it from scratch, Kayra. It’s my pride, my blood, my sweat. I can’t afford mistakes.”

Kayra eyes her knowingly. “And what about your life outside work?”

Siya shrugs. “This is my life.”

“You mean to tell me there isn’t even one man who’s caught your attention? No accidental romance in your office? No secret admirer? No billionaire waiting to sweep you off your feet?”

Siya laughs, shaking her head. “If there was, you’d be the first to know.”

Kayra sighs dramatically. “Fine, but if you end up in a loveless marriage thanks to your mother, don’t come crying to me.”

Siya smirks but says nothing. Deep down, she knows Kayra worries about her. And maybe—just maybe—there’s a part of her that wonders if she’s missing out on something, too.

They walk along the shoreline, their feet sinking into the damp sand. The waves kiss their ankles, the city lights twinkling in the distance. The two of them have done this since college—late-night talks, spontaneous beach visits, escaping the weight of responsibilities, if only for a little while.

“By the way,” Kayra says suddenly. “Have you looked up this Rajveer Rathore?”

Siya arches her brow. “No. Should I?”

Kayra scoffs. “Siya, do you even exist on social media? The man is a freaking enigma. Ruthless businessman. Mysterious. Stupidly rich. And oh, did I mention—drop-dead gorgeous?”

Siya rolls her eyes. “I don’t care what he looks like. I care about whether he’s serious about the partnership and consultation.”

Kayra grins. “Oh, he’s serious, alright. But let’s see if you can handle him.”

Siya shakes her head, but something about Kayra’s words sticks with her. She’s met powerful men before. Dealt with them. Negotiated with them. She never flinched.

Kayra smirks. “Arre haan, tune toh usse baat bhi kar li. Kaisa laga tera Mr. Akdu Rathore?” (Oh yeah, you actually spoke to him. So, how was your Mr. Grumpy Rathore?)

Siya huffs. “Mujhe laga koi professional call hai, par nahi! Banda aise baat kar raha tha jaise usko cybersecurity nahi, meri jaan chahiye!” (I thought it was a professional call, but nope! The guy was talking like he wanted my soul, not my cybersecurity services!)

Kayra shrugs. “Mujhe toh lag raha hai tujhe bhi thoda pasand aa raha hai. Warna itna irritated kyun ho rahi?” (I think you’re starting to like him too. Otherwise, why are you getting so irritated?)

Siya scowls. “Pasand mere joote! Banda agar aur ek baar mujhse attitude mein baat kare na, toh main uska phone hack karke uske sabhi WhatsApp stickers ‘I’m a soft teddy bear’ se replace kar dungi!” (Like, my foot! If that man talks to me with an attitude one more time, I swear I’ll hack his phone and replace all his WhatsApp stickers with ‘I’m a soft teddy bear’ memes!)

The night air is cool, the sound of the waves soothing. For now, this is enough. Tomorrow, she’ll go back to being CEO Siya Rajgor. But tonight, she allows herself to just be Siya.

Even if only for a little while.

Yet, as she stares at the dark waves, a strange feeling lingers—like the universe is laughing at her. Like something is coming. Something she can’t control.

Hello, cuties! 💕

So, did you enjoy this chapter? What are your thoughts on Siya’s character so far? 👀

And tell me—how excited are you for her first encounter with Rajveer? 😏🔥 You know it’s going to be intense, electrifying!

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Please vote. Your votes and comments keep me motivated to write more! ❤️✨

See you in the next chapter! 😉💫

Happy reading! 📖💕