The drive to the meeting location felt like the longest of Aarohi's life. The city around her was bustling, people going about their day, oblivious to the storm that was brewing inside her. Her mind kept replaying Rohit's words over and over: Failure is not an option.
She wasn't one to back down, especially not when everything she cared about was on the line. But something about this task made her uneasy. Convince someone by any means necessary? The implications of those words weighed heavily on her. It wasn't just a business deal. It felt like a test — one that was more personal than she was willing to admit.
Aarohi arrived at the private office of Dev Malhotra, a potential partner in Rohit's deal. Dev was a businessman who was known for being ruthless, a man who played by his own rules. If Rohit wanted him on board, it would take more than charm and negotiation skills. She would have to dig deep into the arsenal of tools that she wasn't sure she was ready to use.
The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile and led her to the conference room. As she walked through the sleek, modern hallways, Aarohi's nerves tightened. She couldn't afford to hesitate now. Not with Rohit's words hanging over her like a shadow. She had to do this. She would do it — whatever it took.
The door to the conference room opened with a soft click, and there he was. Dev Malhotra was sitting at the large glass table, a glass of whiskey in hand. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto her, studying her as if she were a puzzle he was determined to solve.
"Ms. Malhotra," he said, his voice smooth, like velvet laced with danger. "Please, take a seat."
She didn't move immediately. Instead, she took a moment to assess him. Dev Malhotra wasn't just any businessman. He had a reputation for getting what he wanted, no matter the cost. She had heard whispers of his tactics — how he used charm, manipulation, and fear to make people do his bidding.
"Mr. Malhotra," Aarohi said, finally sitting across from him, her tone respectful but firm. "I'm here on behalf of Rohit Nair. We're looking to finalize the terms of the deal."
Dev raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Rohit Nair?" He chuckled softly. "I didn't expect him to send someone like you. I thought you were more… delicate."
Aarohi fought the urge to bristle at his comment. She had heard enough of these subtle jabs to last a lifetime. But she couldn't let him see her discomfort. Not now.
"I'm here to talk business," she said, keeping her voice steady. "If you're interested in working with Rohit, we can go over the details. Otherwise, we can end this meeting right now."
Dev leaned back in his chair, eyeing her with renewed interest. "I admire your confidence, Ms. Malhotra. But I don't make decisions based on pressure. I need to know what I'm getting into. Rohit's reputation precedes him, and I'm not one to trust anyone easily."
Aarohi's heart began to race. This was where things got tricky. She wasn't here to negotiate a simple deal. She was here to secure an agreement, and Dev Malhotra wasn't a man who could be swayed by niceties. She had to dig deeper — but how?
She cleared her throat, her mind working fast. "I'm not asking you to trust Rohit blindly. I'm asking you to see the potential here. There's power in this partnership, something that could change the game for both of you."
Dev's gaze never wavered. He watched her closely, studying every word, every move. "You think I need a partnership with him? Why don't you tell me what you really think, Ms. Malhotra. You're not here to sell me on this deal. You're here because Rohit sent you, and you're trying to convince me to do what he wants. Am I wrong?"
The air between them crackled with tension, and Aarohi could feel herself starting to lose control. This wasn't going the way she planned. Dev wasn't intimidated by her. He wasn't impressed by her words.
"No," she said, her voice dropping an octave. "You're not wrong. But I'm also not here to be anyone's pawn. I'm here because this deal is important, and I know what's at stake. You're a smart man, Mr. Malhotra. You know that this partnership could change the entire industry. The question is: Are you willing to take that risk?"
Dev's smile faded as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Risk? You want me to take a risk with someone like Rohit Nair?" He let out a low laugh. "You don't get to decide what risks I take, Ms. Malhotra."
Aarohi's mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to find something to sway him. Something that would make him see the bigger picture. What would Rohit do? she thought.
Then it clicked. She needed to make him believe that this wasn't just about business. This was about control. Power. And if she could make him believe that Rohit could offer him something he couldn't refuse, it would tip the scales in their favor.
"I'm not asking you to take a risk, Mr. Malhotra," she said, her voice calm but laced with a new edge. "I'm asking you to take the opportunity of a lifetime. If you want to stay on top, if you want to secure your future, you'll take this deal. If not, someone else will."
There was a long silence as Dev considered her words. Aarohi could feel the shift in the air, the tension crackling as he weighed his options. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I'll think about it," he said, his voice low, but the tension was gone. "But know this, Ms. Malhotra — I'm not someone who's easily persuaded. If I decide to go through with this, it'll be on my terms."
Aarohi nodded, her heart still pounding, but she allowed herself a breath of relief. She had done it. She had convinced him, if only just. But she knew this was far from over. The game had only just begun.
Aarohi's hands trembled as she walked out of Dev Malhotra's office, the weight of her victory settling over her like a heavy blanket. She had done it — the deal was secured. But there was no sense of triumph, no relief. Instead, she felt... unsettled. The tension that had hung in the air throughout the meeting had lingered, and as she walked through the sleek corridors of the building, her thoughts kept drifting back to Rohit Nair.
She had succeeded, but Rohit hadn't told her what would come next. What was the next task? What did he want from her now? It was clear she was only at the beginning of a much darker game, and each step she took felt like a trap slowly closing in on her.
As she entered her car, her phone buzzed in her bag. She grabbed it quickly, her pulse quickening when she saw the name on the screen — Rohit Nair. It had only been a few hours since their last interaction, but something told her this call wouldn't be as simple as the others.
"Ms. Malhotra," his voice came through the phone, smooth and controlled, but with an edge that sent a shiver down her spine. "I trust you secured the deal?"
Aarohi's grip tightened around the steering wheel, her stomach churning. "Yes," she said, keeping her voice steady, though she could feel the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold. "It's done."
"Good," Rohit replied, his tone betraying no emotion. "You've done well, but I didn't hire you just to secure deals. I hired you because I need someone who can handle the consequences of this work."
Aarohi frowned. "Consequences?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, she thought the call had dropped. But then, his voice returned, colder than before.
"Yes, consequences," he repeated, drawing out the word as if he were savoring it. "I didn't bring you into this world to simply be a puppet. But you need to understand, Aarohi, when you sign a deal with me, there's a price. And that price is never just money."
Her heart sank. The last thing she wanted was to be part of whatever twisted game he was playing. But the reality was undeniable: she had already signed the contract. She had already made the choice, and there was no backing out now.
"What do you want me to do next?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to hide the unease creeping into her chest.
Rohit chuckled softly. "You'll find out soon enough. But be prepared, Aarohi. This is just the beginning. If you thought it was going to be easy, think again. The moment you walk into my world, you lose the luxury of control."
She gritted her teeth. He was right. She had lost control the moment she signed the deal, but she couldn't afford to show weakness now. Not with everything on the line.
"I'm ready," she said, her voice steady, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "What's the next task?"
Rohit paused, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "You're going to meet with someone. I'll send you the details. But remember, you're no longer just an outsider. You're part of this world now. You're in it for the long haul, whether you like it or not."
Before she could respond, he hung up. Aarohi stared at the screen for a moment, her fingers trembling slightly as she processed his words. In it for the long haul.
The words sent a chill down her spine. She had no idea what she was truly dealing with, but she was beginning to realize just how deep she had been pulled into the web of danger, manipulation, and power that Rohit controlled so effortlessly.
The drive home felt like a blur, and when she finally arrived, she felt exhausted — physically, mentally, and emotionally. She barely registered the sound of the elevator doors opening as she walked to her apartment, her mind lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Was she prepared for whatever came next?
The moment she stepped into her apartment, she was greeted by the unmistakable sound of her phone ringing. It was a number she didn't recognize, but instinctively, she knew it was related to Rohit. She picked up the phone before it could ring again.
"Ms. Malhotra," a cold voice said on the other end. "Your meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM. Be there. And be ready."
The line went dead, and Aarohi's heart raced. The urgency in the voice made it clear that whatever this meeting was, it wasn't going to be ordinary. The price was about to be paid, and she could already feel the consequences of her choices starting to close in on her.