The alarm rang for the fifth time, shrill and merciless.

Arnika didn’t move an inch. She was wrapped like a burrito under her blanket, mumbling, “Five more minutes…”

“Five more minutes, my foot,” her mother’s voice snapped as she yanked the blanket away. “Tell that to your boss, not me...because he’s on the line!”

Arnika’s eyes flew open. “What!?”

Her mother was standing there, holding out her ringing phone.

The call was already connected.

Ruaan Sharma.

She snatched the phone and sat up straight.

“H-hello, good morning, s—”

“If you’re done sleeping,” Ruaan’s deep, even voice cut in, “be here in thirty minutes. Or you’re free to start looking for another job.”

And before she could respond, the call ended.

Arnika groaned, rubbing her face in frustration.

“Can I just scream?”

She jumped off the bed, only to trip over the bedsheet and stumble forward.

“Careful!” her mother called.

But Arnika was already halfway to the bathroom, shouting, “No time!”

Fifteen minutes later–

Arnika rushed out of the house, laptop bag over her shoulder, hair still damp, skipping breakfast while her mom yelled from the kitchen, “At least have something before you faint at work!”

“Not today, Ma!”

The city traffic was unforgiving, and every red light felt like a personal attack. By the time she reached the Sharma Group building, her heart was pounding. She ran through the glass doors, past the security desk, and straight toward Ruaan’s cabin.

She knocked once and entered, panting and out of breath.

Ruaan stood beside his desk, sharp in a black suit, checking his wristwatch. His expression was unreadable.

“Five minutes late,” he said flatly.

“I’m so sorry, sir. There was traffic and—”

Before she could finish, she tripped over her own heels. This time, she nearly went down— but Ruaan reacted fast. His hand shot forward… not to catch her, but the laptop that almost slipped from her grip.

Of course. His precious laptop.

“Careful,” he said, his tone cool but edged. “If you break this, you’re paying for it.”

Arnika straightened herself, embarrassed. “Y-yes, sir.”

He opened the laptop and checked the project files she’d sent overnight. After a few seconds, he closed it with a click.

“You might want to practice how to walk, too,” he said dryly, stepping toward the door.

“Be in the meeting room in ten.”

And with that, he left.

Arnika exhaled. “Great. I’m officially the morning entertainment,” she muttered under her breath and hurried after him.

In the Meeting Room–

The conference table gleamed under the warm lights. Ruaan sat at the head, his focus sharp as ever, while Arnika stood beside him, notebook in hand.

Across from them sat Mr. Harish Rao, a renowned industrialist in the construction sector, along with his associates.

“Mr. Rao,” Ruaan began, “as we discussed, the Sharma Group plans to develop a chain of luxury eco-villas near Pune. We’re offering investment and design collaboration under a fifty-fifty model. Your company’s expertise in sustainable architecture fits perfectly with our plan.”

Mr. Rao nodded, smiling.

“Indeed, Mr. Sharma. I’m impressed with the proposal. I’m happy to confirm our investment and partnership. However,”

he added, glancing at his notes,

“once my nephew returns from New York, he’ll take over the management from our side.”

Ruaan gave a polite nod. “That’s not an issue. I look forward to meeting him.”

The meeting continued smoothly. Arnika noted every important point, watching Ruaan switch effortlessly between charm and authority.

He was a difficult boss, but in meetings like these, she could see why people respected him.

When the clients finally left, Ruaan thanked them personally and turned back to his desk. Arnika quietly began packing her notes, ready to slip out.

“Did I tell you to leave?”

She froze. “But, sir, the meeting is over.”

He looked up from his files, expression cool. “So? You were five minutes late today. Make up for it.”

Her mouth fell open slightly. “Sir, I already—”

“Finish the pending project reports in two hours and submit them to me,” he said curtly, not even looking up.

“And next time, be early.”

And with that, he walked out, leaving her standing there, fuming silently.

Two Hours Later

Arnika sat at her desk, typing furiously. “Five minutes late and two hours of punishment. Unreal.”

Just then, her phone rang again.

Ruaan.

She sighed and picked up. “Yes, sir?”

“Bring me tomorrow’s schedule,” he said simply.

She grabbed her planner and hurried to his cabin.

In Ruaan’s Cabin

She handed him the folder. “Here’s tomorrow’s schedule, sir.”

He glanced through it while speaking, “Morning—meeting with the finance team at 9 a.m. Then a lunch meeting with Mr. Arjun Patel from the Ministry of Urban Affairs at The Crown. Block out two hours for that.”

Arnika nodded, jotting down notes quickly.

He continued, “Post-lunch, I have an internal review with the architecture department, and in the evening, a conference call with the investors in Singapore. You’ll join the call.”

“Yes, sir.”

He looked up briefly. “And Arnika?”

She met his eyes, startled. “Sir?”

“Make sure the reports you’re working on are flawless. I don’t want another reason to call you at midnight.”

She blinked, realizing he was referring to last night. “I’ll make sure of that, sir.”

A ghost of a smirk crossed his face. “Good. You may leave.”

She turned around, biting back her tongue not to slip curse words.

As strict as he was, there was something strangely reassuring about his precision, his calm, and—though she’d never admit it—his quiet concern hidden beneath that cold demeanor.

Back at her desk, she sighed and whispered to herself,

“New year, same boss. And I already need a vacation.”

But deep down, something about that morning felt… different.

Like the first thread of something that neither of them saw coming.....

What might it be ?? ........