The luxurious banquet hall is buzzing with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the murmurs of high-society women discussing everything from fashion to family matters.
Itâs one of the elite kitty parties where powerful women gather to socialize and network. Sunita Rajgor, seated elegantly in a pastel saree, smiles politely as she listens to a conversation, but her mind is elsewhere. The concern of Siyaâs marriage weighs heavily on her.
Radhika Rathore, a woman with an air of grace and quiet intelligence, takes a sip of her drink, her sharp eyes catching Sunitaâs distracted expression.
âWhatâs troubling you, Sunita?â she asks, leaning in slightly.
Sunita exhales, offering a wry smile. âItâs Siya. Sheâs so focused on work that she refuses to even think about marriage. You know how mothers worry.â
Radhikaâs interest piques. An idea sparks in her mind, and she tilts her head thoughtfully. âTell me about her,â she says, feigning casual curiosity.
Sunita beams with pride. âMy Siya is independent, intelligent, and fiercely dedicated to her company. But sheâs not coldâshe cares deeply about people. I just wish sheâd let herself have a personal life beyond work.â
Radhika hums in understanding, a knowing smile playing on her lips. âShe sounds impressive. And tell me, if you were to choose a match for her, what kind of man would you want?â
Sunita doesnât hesitate. âSomeone strong. Someone who can match her intensity but also protect her, cherish her. She needs a man who wonât try to control her but wonât be intimidated by her either.â
Radhika chuckles. âSounds like she needs a king.â
Sunita sighs dramatically. âExactly! But where do I find such a man?â
Radhika leans in conspiratorially. âWhat if I told you I might have someone in mind?â
Sunitaâs eyes widened. âYou do?â
Radhika nods. âMy sister, Vanita, is looking for a bride for her son.â
Sunita sits straighter, intrigued. âHer son? Wait, you mean Rajveer Rathore?â
Radhikaâs lips curl into a knowing smile. âThe very one.â
Sunitaâs breath hitches. âThe Rajveer Rathore?â She knows who he is. Everyone does. The enigmatic, powerful business tycoon, feared in corporate circles.
Radhika watches Sunitaâs reaction carefully. âHeâs disciplined, intelligent, and fiercely protective of those he cares about. A man like that would never let harm come to his wife.â
Sunitaâs mind races. Rajveer Rathore is a name that commands both fear and respect. But then she thinks of Siyaâfierce, independent, stubborn.
Would she ever agree?
âI have to speak to Vanita first,â Radhika continues. âBut if she agrees, would you be open to considering it?â
Sunita hesitates for only a moment before nodding. âI would. If Vanita thinks Rajveer is looking for a wife and not just a business arrangement.â
Radhika smiles, triumphant. âIâll speak to her soon. Meanwhile, why donât you send me a picture of Siya? A proper bio, too.â
By the end of the kitty party, the two women are buzzing with excitement. As Sunita sends Siyaâs profile details to Radhika, a new possibility takes rootâa connection that neither Siya nor Rajveer see coming.
Back at Aegis CyberTech
Siya leans back in her chair, rubbing her temples. The deal with Rathore Enterprises has been finalized, but another meeting is scheduledâthis time at their headquarters.
A late-evening slot.
Siya exhales sharply. The day has been packed, leaving her no choice but to meet Rajveer at night. Not that it bothers her. Business is business.
Late Evening â Rathore Enterprises
Siya steps out of her sleek black Audi A8, her gaze lifting to the towering glass skyscraper of Rathore Enterprises. Itâs almost intimidatingâalmost. She straightens her posture and strides through the entrance, her heels clicking against the marble floors.
As she steps into the grand lobby of Rathore Enterprises, she is greeted by the sleek sophistication of the placeâhigh ceilings, marble floors, and a sense of power embedded in every corner. The sheer grandeur is impressive, but Siya refuses to show it.
The receptionist recognizes her instantly, giving her a curt nod before escorting her to the top floor, where Rajveerâs office looms like a lionâs den. .
The moment she steps inside, the energy in the air shifts. Itâs dark, powerful, and commandingâjust like the man who owns it.
Dressed in a charcoal-black three-piece suit, Rajveer is seated behind his massive mahogany desk, the dim lighting casting sharp shadows across his chiseled features, exuding effortless power.
His dark, calculating eyes lock onto her as she enters, scanning her from head to toe in one fluid motion. Siya is stunning, even in something as simple as a white embroidered shirt and matching palazzo pants. Thereâs an effortless grace about her, something pure yet untouchable. The contrast between her softness and her razor-sharp wit fascinates him, but he knows betterâthis woman is far from delicate.
âMs. Rajgor,â he greets, his deep voice carrying an edge of amusement.
âMr. Rathore,â she replies smoothly, walking toward his desk, her back straight, her chin high.
Rajveer gestures to the chair across from him. âHave a seat.â
She does, crossing her legs as she pulls out her laptop. âI reviewed your concerns about cybersecurity loopholes in your finance division. My team has devised an airtight strategy to strengthen the firewalls and enhance encryption protocols.â
Rajveer watches her, intrigued. âAnd youâre confident itâll be impenetrable?â
She meets his gaze. âNothing is truly impenetrable, Mr. Rathore. But if someone tries, weâll know before they even realize theyâve been caught.â
A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. âI like the way you think.â
She doesnât flinch under his intense scrutiny. âThatâs why you hired me.â
Silence stretches between them, heavy and charged.
Rajveer tilts his head. âTell me, Ms. Rajgor, do you always play by the rules?â
Siya leans forward slightly, meeting his dark gaze head-on. âRules exist to maintain order. But when necessary, I know how to bend them.â
His smirk deepens. âGood. Because in my world, rules are merely suggestions.â
Siya holds back an eye roll. âI run a business, Mr. Rathore. I donât play power games.â
Arrey, koi isko chai pila do! Tabiyat toh theek hai na? Har baat pe itna akkad kaun jata hai?
(Someone give this man some tea! Is he feeling okay? Who acts this arrogant over everything?)
He chuckles. âEveryone plays power games, Ms. Rajgor. Some just donât realize it.â
She narrows her eyes at him. âI donât like being manipulated.â
Rajveer leans forward, his voice dropping lower. âNeither do I.â
Haan haan, bada aaya mahaan insaan! Abhi do minute pehle toh power games ka lecture de raha tha.
(Oh sure, like heâs some great saint! Just two minutes ago, he was giving a whole lecture on power games!)
For a moment, the air between them thickens. Siya knows she should break eye contact, steer the conversation back to business, but she doesnât.
âI like confidence,â he says after a pause.
She tilts her head. âConfidence isnât enough. I deal in results.â
Something about Rajveer is intoxicatingly dangerous, like a wildfire waiting to consume everything in its path.
Yeh aadmi itna khadus kyun hai? Upar se uparwale ne shakal bhi aisi banayi ki gussa karna bhi mushkil ho jaye!
(Why is this man so insufferable? And on top of that, God had to give him a face that makes it impossible to stay mad at him!)
She clears her throat. âShall we discuss the contract terms?â
Rajveer smiles, slow and deliberate. âOf course.â
For the first time in a long while, Rajveer is impressed. His initial fascination with her sass is now evolving into something moreâsomething deeper. He isnât just intrigued. Heâs invested.
Rathore Mansion â Late Night
Radhika arrives at the Rathore estate, welcomed warmly by her sister, Vanita. As they settle in the lavish living room, Radhika doesnât waste time.
âI have found someone for Rajveer.â
Vanita nearly chokes on her tea. âWhat?â
Radhika chuckles, handing her phone over. âLook at her. Siya Rajgor. Sunitaâs daughter.â
Vanita takes the phone, her eyes widening as she scans Siyaâs photo. The young woman is stunning, with sharp eyes that hold determination. But more than that, Vanita can see the intelligence behind them.
âSheâs beautiful,â Vanita murmurs, admiration in her tone. âAnd she runs her own firm? Impressive.â
âExactly,â Radhika says. âSheâs smart, independent, and strong-willed. She wonât just be Rajveerâs wifeâsheâll be his equal.â
A slow smile spreads across Vanitaâs lips. â âThat might be exactly what Rajveer needs.â
Radhika smirks. âSheâs definitely the one.â
Vanita exhales, glancing toward Rajveerâs study. She knows her son. He is ruthless, driven, and used to getting his way. But when it comes to marriage, she wants more for him than just power and control.
Maybe, just maybe, Siya is the answer.
Rajgor â Residence
Back at the Rajgor residence, the warm glow of the chandelier fills the spacious living room as Sunita places two cups of steaming chai on the center table. She takes a seat beside her husband, Ratan, who is deeply engrossed in reading the financial section of the newspaper.
Sunita hesitates for a moment before finally speaking. âRatan, I wanted to discuss something important with you.â
He lowers the paper slightly, raising an eyebrow at her serious tone. âWhat is it? Everything okay?â
She exhales deeply. âItâs about Siya.â
At the mention of their daughter, Ratan folds the newspaper and sets it aside. âSiya? What about her?â
Sunita sits up straighter, gathering her thoughts before revealing the proposal. âI met Radhika Rathore today at the kitty party. You remember her, right?â
Ratan nods. âYes, of course. What about her?â
Sunitaâs eyes glimmer with hope. âShe brought up the idea of Siyaâs marriage. She knows a family looking for a bride for their son⌠and itâs someone very influential.â
Ratan frowns slightly, his instincts already cautioning him. âInfluential how?â
Sunita hesitates, knowing her husband would need convincing. âItâs Rajveer Rathore. Vanitaâs eldest son.â
Silence hangs in the air for a long moment. Ratan leans back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest. âRajveer Rathore⌠the businessman? The same one whose name is constantly making headlines for his ruthless empire?â
Sunita nods, pursing her lips. âYes, the same.â
Ratan sighs, rubbing his temples. âSunita, are you seriously considering this? Rajveer Rathore is a powerful man, but heâs also a dangerous one. His world is not normal. Siya is independent, strong, but I donât want her caught up in something where she loses herself.â
Sunita leans forward, her voice softening. âI understand your concern, Ratan. Believe me, I do. But Radhika assured me that despite his reputation, Rajveer is deeply loyal to his family. He may be ruthless in business, but he respects his mother, his family. And letâs not forget, SIya is smart enough to handle herself.â
Ratan remains unconvinced. âRespecting oneâs family and running a world built on control and power are two different things. I wonât deny that he is a capable man, but the real question is⌠would Siya be happy with someone like him?â
Sunita reaches for his hand. âWeâre not deciding anything for her, Ratan. But should we at least consider it? Speak to her about it? Ultimately, the decision will be hers.â
Ratan studies his wife for a long moment before exhaling deeply. âSiyaâs happiness is my priority. If she doesnât want this, then it ends here. But if she is open to meeting him, I wonât oppose it.â
A smile of relief spreads across Sunitaâs face. âThatâs all I ask. We will let Siya decide.â
As the conversation ends, Sunita makes a mental note to bring it up with Siya at the right time. But deep down, she already knows her daughter will resist the idea of an arranged marriageâespecially with a man like Rajveer Rathore.
Meanwhile, at Rathore EnterprisesâŚ
Rajveer leans against his desk, his sharp eyes scanning the latest reports his assistant Mihir placed before him. But no matter how much he tries to focus, his mind keeps wandering back to the meeting earlier.
Siya Rajgor.
The woman was a contradictionâsoft yet sharp, elegant yet bold. Unlike others, she didnât cower under his gaze or scramble to impress him. Instead, she met his every challenge head-on, her sharp wit matching his calculated words without hesitation. It was infuriating. It was fascinating.
âMihir,â Rajveer calls out.
His assistant steps in immediately. âYes, Sir?â
Rajveer folds his arms. âDid Siya Rajgor leave already?â
Mihir nods. âYes, sir. Just a few minutes ago.â
Rajveer hums in response, then shifts his gaze back to the documents before him. His fingers drum against the polished wood of his desk. He knew women. He knew their tellsâthe way their eyes softened under his gaze, the way their breath hitched when he stepped closer.
But Siya?
She didnât react. At least, not in a way he expected. No flushed cheeks, no nervous gestures. Instead, she pushed back, refusing to let him see even the smallest crack in her armor.
And now, all he can think about is how much he wants to break through that composed exterior and see what lies beneath.
Back at Siyaâs OfficeâŚ
Siya stares at her reflection in the office window, the city lights twinkling in the distance. Her body is tense, her mind restless.
Rajveer.
The man was an enigma, a force that pulled people into his orbit whether they wanted to be there or not. She had spent years navigating powerful circles, but something about him unsettled her in a way she couldnât quite place.
It wasnât fear.
No, it was something much worse.
Intrigue.
She shakes her head, exhaling sharply. âNo. Itâs business. Just business.â
Her phone vibrates on the desk. A message from her mother.
Mom: âBeta, when are you coming home? Itâs getting late for dinner.â
Siya glances at the time and exhales softly. A small smile tugs at her lips as the warmth of home calls to her.
Shaking off the lingering thoughts of Rajveer, she grabs her things and walks out of the office, leaving him buried deep within her mindâwhere he had no business being.
Hello, dear readers! đ¸â¨
How did you like this chapter? The chemistry between Rajveer and Siya is only getting more intense! What do you think about Vanita and Sunitaâs plan? đ
Will Rajveer and Siya see this coming? đđĽ
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Please vote.Your votes and comments truly inspire me to keep writing. đ
See you in the next chapter! đđĽ
Happy reading! đđ
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