The morning sun peeked through the cream-colored curtains, flooding the small bedroom with warmth. No alarm blaring, no phone buzzing, no mother yelling from the kitchen.

Silence.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Arnika had peace.

She smiled in her sleep, shifting under the blanket like a child savoring the last few minutes of a perfect dream. When she finally opened her eyes, the clock showed 11:07 a.m.

“Wow,” she murmured, stretching like a lazy cat. “I actually slept in. I missed this feeling.”

Her body felt lighter, her fever had reduced, and for once, she wasn’t waking up to the sound of Ruaan Sharma’s “Get here in 30 minutes.” Bliss.

She dragged herself out of bed, humming to herself as she brushed her hair.

And then, her morning playlist began to blast–

🎵 Shoes on, get up in the morn’, cup of milk, let’s rock and roll! 🎵

Arnika danced dramatically, toothbrush still in her mouth, pretending the mirror was her audience. A whole concert was happening in her bathroom.

“Turn it down, Arnika! The whole colony doesn’t need to know you’re brushing your teeth!” her mother yelled from the kitchen.

But Arnika? She was lost in her groove.

Moonwalking with foam in her mouth like she was on stage with BTS.

For the first time, she was thankful for her fever.

“Bless this sickness,” she mumbled between steps, “it gave me one glorious, Ruaan-free day!”

She freshened up, wore her comfiest pajamas, and plopped herself on the sofa with her brunch plate. TV on. Blanket half over her legs.

Freedom.

“This,” she said with satisfaction, “is the dream.”

Just as she was about to take a bite—ring ring.

Her phone.

Her face instantly fell. “God, not him. Please, not today.”

But of course, destiny had a dark sense of humor.

Ruaan Sharma flashed on the screen.

She answered, voice weak and fake like a tired drama heroine. “He-hello, sir…”

He didn’t even let her finish. “Come to the office in thirty minutes. Mr. Rao is coming with his nephew. Don’t be late.”

Click.

He hung up.

That's it??

Arnika sat frozen for two seconds, blinking at her phone as if it just slapped her. “I take it back,” she muttered. “My fever’s not a blessing. It’s a curse.”

At the Office – 40 Minutes Later

She entered the company building looking like a ghost that forgot to haunt. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, her eyes half-open, and her stomach rumbling from skipping brunch.

“oh God, I’m tired already,” she grumbled.

“Didn’t even get to eat my precious aloo paratha…”

She adjusted her formal coat, forcing herself to look awake as she walked into the meeting room.

Inside, Ruaan was already there, standing tall in his crisp navy suit, talking with two men. His voice was deep and steady—business mode on.

When he noticed Arnika at the door, he turned slightly and said, “Ah, there she is. My secretary, Ms. Arnika.”

Arnika gave a polite bow, trying her best to hide her irritation.

Mr. Rao, the investor from before, smiled kindly.

“Ah yes, I remember you from the last meeting. Good to see you again.”

And then—him.

The man sitting beside Mr. Rao turned around, smiling confidently.

Arnika’s heart stopped.

Her blood ran cold.

No. No, it couldn’t be.

That smile. Those sharp eyes. That smug, unshakable face.

Vedh.

Her fingers clenched at her sides.

Why him? Why now? What does he want here?

He stood up, extending his hand toward her.

“Pleasure meeting you, Ms. Arnika. I’m Vedh Rao.”

Her world tilted for a second, but she forced herself to breathe. Professional. Be professional. She shook his hand, though her skin crawled at the contact.

And then, he didn’t let go.

Arnika tried to pull her hand back subtly, but his grip tightened just enough to make her uncomfortable.

Her lips twitched into a tight smile. “Uh… thank you, sir.”

Finally, he let go, smirking. “I see I still have that effect. Most girls lose focus when I smile.”

Arnika blinked once, her expression neutral but her tone razor sharp. “No offense, sir, but that might be your illusion.”

Ruaan’s lips twitched—was that a laugh he just hid behind his hand? He cleared his throat quickly, turning back to the files.

The discussion continued. Vedh, the new heir to Mr. Rao’s company, would be handling the partnership directly. That meant Arnika would need to coordinate between the two companies.

Professional.

Strictly professional.

When the meeting ended, the clients left, exchanging polite handshakes and smiles.

The room fell quiet.

Only Ruaan and Arnika remained.

Ruaan placed his hands in his pockets and said, for the first time ever, in a tone softer than usual,

“I’m sorry for calling you in when you’re sick. I didn’t know they were coming—it was unexpected.”

Arnika was taken aback. Ruaan Sharma just apologized.

She blinked, gathering herself. “It’s fine, sir. Work comes first, right?”

He just looked, was that pity ?? Anyways his eyes are always unreadable, and she excused herself, walking back to her cabin.

Later That Afternoon

The moment she sat in her chair, her mind refused to calm down.

Vedh.

The name alone made her skin crawl. The man who once broke her heart and her peace. The man she swore she’d never see again.

Why was he back? Why did he have to be part of this deal?

Her head began to spin, thoughts clouding her focus. Her hands felt cold, and her throat went dry.

“I just… can’t deal with this right now,” she murmured, pressing her fingers to her temple.

The exhaustion from the fever, the stress, the skipped meal—it all came crashing together.

Her vision blurred, her body swayed slightly in the chair, and before she could catch herself—

Everything went black.

The files slipped from her hands and scattered across the floor.

To be continued.....