Chapter 1:
The city lights flickered like distant stars as Aarohi Malhotra stood in front of the towering Nair Corporation building. Her palms were sweaty, and her heart raced, but she couldn't afford to show weakness. Not today. Not when her family's future was at stake.
She had heard the rumors. Everyone knew about Rohit Nair — the billionaire businessman with a reputation for being cold, calculating, and merciless. He had made his empire by crushing others, never hesitating to use fear as his weapon. And now, she was walking straight into his den.
As she entered the elevator, she couldn't help but feel a chill in the air. The ride to the top floor was unnervingly quiet, the hum of the machine the only sound in the otherwise sterile atmosphere. When the doors opened, she stepped out into a world she could never have imagined — a sleek, luxurious office that smelled of expensive leather and power.
There, sitting behind a massive desk, was Rohit Nair. His eyes were hidden behind dark glasses, but she could feel the weight of his gaze on her the moment she entered. He didn't stand up, didn't acknowledge her arrival. Instead, he simply gestured for her to sit.
Aarohi took a deep breath and moved forward. Her mind was running through every possible scenario. She knew why she was here, but she had no idea what he wanted from her. She had heard whispers — of how he had destroyed people's lives with just a signature, of how he had controlled everything around him with an iron fist.
"Ms. Malhotra," his voice was low, almost unnervingly calm. "You've been very difficult to reach. I was starting to wonder if you were avoiding me."
Aarohi stiffened. "I don't avoid anyone," she replied, her voice steady despite the nerves twisting in her stomach.
Rohit finally took off his glasses, revealing eyes that were as cold and piercing as a winter storm. "I'm sure. But you're here now. And that's all that matters."
He leaned forward, his gaze locking with hers, as if trying to read her soul. "You came here because you have no choice, Aarohi. Your family's financial troubles are well-known. You need money, and I can give it to you. But I'm not offering charity."
She swallowed hard. "What's the catch?"
Rohit's lips curled into a smirk. "It's simple. You work for me. You help me with a project that requires someone with your… expertise. And in return, I'll wipe out all your family's debts. Every last one of them."
Aarohi was taken aback. Wipe out her family's debts? That sounded too good to be true. "And what do you want in return?"
Rohit's expression shifted, the smirk fading into something darker, more dangerous. "You."
She felt her pulse quicken. "What do you mean, me?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood up and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to her. "I don't need to explain myself, Ms. Malhotra. You're smart. You'll understand soon enough. This is a deal with the devil. And once you accept, there's no turning back."
Aarohi stood up, her fists clenched at her sides. "I didn't come here to be threatened. You want a deal? Fine. But I'm not some pawn for you to manipulate."
Rohit turned to face her, his eyes now burning with intensity. "You think you have a choice?" His voice was a growl, a challenge. "This is your only chance. I can make your life hell. Or I can make it better than you ever imagined. But it all depends on whether you're willing to accept my terms."
For a moment, Aarohi hesitated. The offer was too tempting to ignore — her family's future could be secured, and all she had to do was sign. But the price was steep. She could already feel the danger in his words, the power he held over her life.
"One deal," she said, her voice low but firm. "But know this, Rohit Nair: I won't be your puppet."
Rohit's smirk returned, but it was colder now, like a predator's smile. "We'll see about that, Ms. Malhotra. We'll see."
The air in the room felt thick, like it was charged with electricity. Aarohi couldn't take her eyes off Rohit. His words echoed in her mind, like a warning bell she couldn't ignore. Once you accept, there's no turning back.
She had just signed her soul away.
Her heart raced as the weight of her decision sank in. But it was too late to back out now. Her family's survival, her father's dignity, her brother's future it all hinged on this one moment. And yet, as she looked into Rohit's eyes, she felt something else something dangerous, something that tugged at her insides.
"Done," she said, her voice barely a whisper, but firm. Her hands were shaking, but she fought to keep her composure.
Rohit didn't speak immediately. Instead, he walked over to his desk, retrieved a folder, and slid it across the glass surface toward her. The sound of the paper brushing against the surface was like a gunshot in the silence.
"You know what this is," he said, his voice cold as ice. "This is the contract. You sign, and it's over. You belong to me."
Aarohi stared at the contract, her stomach twisting. The legal jargon blurred in front of her eyes, but she understood enough to know that this wasn't just about business. This was about control. About him owning every part of her life — her work, her choices, even her body.
Her fingers hovered over the paper. She could feel his gaze on her, burning through her skin. She was about to sign a piece of paper that would bind her to a man like him — a man who was notorious for destroying people like her, a man who didn't care about morals, only power.
But she had no choice.
With a deep breath, she picked up the pen. Her hand was steady, but her mind was a whirlwind. She could almost feel the ink being sealed into her fate as she signed her name at the bottom. The moment the pen lifted, she knew everything would change.
"You've made a smart choice, Ms. Malhotra," Rohit said, his voice softer now, as if he was savoring the moment. "But remember — this isn't a partnership. You work for me, and you do things my way."
Aarohi stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the polished floor. "I'm not your slave, Rohit. I'll do what needs to be done, but don't ever think you own me."
Rohit's lips curled into a sinister smile as he walked toward her. His presence was overwhelming, like he was a storm that could level everything in its path. "You think you have control, Aarohi? You think you're calling the shots here? You're mine now. And deep down, you'll understand that soon enough."
His words sent a shiver down her spine. For a moment, she was paralyzed by the intensity of his gaze. But she forced herself to look away, to stand tall. She wasn't going to let him see her fear.
"Let's get one thing straight, Mr. Nair," she said, her voice steady despite the trembling inside. "You may think you can control everything, but I'm not the kind of woman who bends easily. You'll see."
Rohit laughed, the sound dark and rich, as though he found her defiance amusing. "We'll see, Ms. Malhotra. We'll see just how strong you are."
Continue.....