31st December.

One night before the New Year...when the world comes alive in noise, color, and chaos.

Arnika Malhotra stood in the middle of it, feeling utterly out of place. Loud music and huge gatherings had never been her thing, but she had no choice.

Her best friend, Naina, had dragged her to the party, declaring that “a little fun never killed anyone.”

As Arnika stared blankly at the glittering lights, Naina poked her arm.

“Miss, you’re supposed to have fun, not think,” she teased.

Arnika sighed, her voice lazy and tired. “I honestly just want to sleep. I have to be up early for work tomorrow, Naina.”

Naina rolled her eyes dramatically. “Get a life, girl. It’s New Year’s Eve! You’re always working.”

Arnika smiled faintly. “I’m good, Naina. You can have fun for both of us.”

“Oh, come on, Aru! Your boss won’t fire you if you relax for one night,” Naina said, downing another shot.

“Stop drinking so much, Naina. You have to drive, remember?”

Naina set the glass down and grinned. “Yeah, yeah ...and tonight, you’re driving me home. Stop nagging like my mom. Save it for tomorrow.”

With that, she strutted to the dance floor, leaving Arnika to shake her head.

(Well best friends never listen)

And then, in three… two… one—

Everyone shouted, “Happy New Year!”

Naina came back and hugged her tightly. “This year, I hope your good-looking, cranky boss stops bossing you around all the time!”

Arnika laughed softly, but before she could respond, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen—and froze.

Ruaan Sharma.

Her eyes widened. Why was he calling her? At midnight? To wish her a Happy New Year?

No. That wasn’t his style.

She picked up, her heart thumping. She didn’t even get the chance to say “hello” before his smooth, commanding voice cut through the music.

“Get here in twenty minutes. And bring the files—to my cabin.”

And just like that, he hung up.

Arnika blinked. What? Was he serious?

Midnight? Who works at midnight?

Naina’s expression softened. “It’s okay. Go, or he really might fire you this time.”

Minutes later, Naina dropped her off at the Sharma Group . Arnika looked down at her party dress and groaned. Great. Midnight at work, and I’m dressed like this.

“Just kill me already,” she muttered and walked inside.

At Ruaan’s Cabin –

Arnika knocked lightly. “Come in,” came the deep voice from inside.

She stepped in, clutching the files. “Here are the documents you asked for, sir. The new project details.”

Ruaan didn’t even look up. He flipped through the files and said evenly,

“I thought you’d be asleep, but it seems you were... having fun.”

Arnika’s voice stumbled. “M-my friends took me out for a bit, sir. It’s New Year’s Eve.”

He gave a small nod. “I hope you remember you’re expected early tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir,” she said quietly.

“Sir… c-can I leave now?” she asked after a pause.

He hummed in response, and just as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.

“Wait.”

She turned around as he placed the documents on the table and picked up his car keys.

“I’ll drop you,” he said simply.

“It’s okay, sir. I’ll book a cab,” she replied quickly.

He looked up, his gaze sharp. “There won’t be any cabs at this hour. Lock the cabin and get in the car.”

And without waiting for an answer, he walked out.

Arnika sighed Still, she locked the cabin and followed him to the parking lot.

She opened the back door, but his low voice stopped her.

“So, I’m promoted as your driver now?” he said dryly.

Flustered, she shut the door and slipped into the passenger seat instead.

He didn’t say anything else as the car rolled out into the quiet, sleeping city.

Ruaan’s POV

I was on a call with my mother—yes, my mother, not a client.

My parents were on vacation, but that didn’t stop her from bringing up marriage every time she called.

“You’re twenty-eight, Ruaan. How long do you plan to stay single?”

That was her favorite line of the week.

When the knock came on my door, I ended the call. I already knew who it was.

She stepped in, holding the files I’d asked for. But this time, she looked... different.

Her usual formal attire was replaced by a soft, shimmering dress that caught the light as she moved.

I’d never seen her like that before.

Beautiful, yes—but not the kind of beauty you’re supposed to notice in your secretary.

What are you thinking, Ruaan?

I pushed the thought aside and went through the documents. They were perfect, as always.

When she asked if she could leave, I almost said yes—but it was too late, too unsafe.

There were barely any cabs around this hour. The city wasn’t kind to women traveling alone at night.

So I decided, without much thought,

“I’ll drop her home.”

The city was unusually quiet for New Year’s night. Fireworks bloomed faintly in the distant sky, painting brief colors on Ruaan’s expressionless face.

He kept one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on the gear. The soft hum of the engine filled the silence that neither of them seemed eager to break.

Arnika sat stiffly in the passenger seat, clutching her purse. She could still smell his cologne—sharp, musky, and infuriatingly distracting.

Sir, you didn’t have to drop me,” she finally said, her voice hesitant. “I could’ve waited for a cab.”

"And you would be late to the tomorrow's meeting. I'm not risking it" His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

As she gave the directions to her home, When they reached her neighborhood, he slowed down near her building.

"Don't be late tomorrow morning" He gave a short nod, then drove off, the red taillights disappearing into the foggy night.

Arnika stood there for a moment, watching until he was gone. Her heartbeat was louder than the distant sound of fireworks.

She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and smiled faintly to herself.

"Great start to the year, Arnika,” she murmured and turned around to disappear into her home.

She didn’t know it yet—but that night wasn’t just the beginning of a new year.

It was the night everything in her life began to change.