The phone call still echoed in Aarohi's mind as she stood by the window of her apartment, staring at the dark city skyline. The words were sharp and direct, no room for questions. "Be there. And be ready." What had she gotten herself into? Every part of her wanted to back out, but there was no turning back now. Her entire life had changed in the blink of an eye, and she was now tied to a man whose power stretched far beyond her understanding.
She glanced at the clock on her wall — it was nearing midnight. She hadn't planned for sleep tonight. Her mind was racing, a torrent of emotions flooding her thoughts. Fear, confusion, anticipation — all mixed together into a thick haze that clouded her judgment.
She walked into her bedroom, her eyes scanning the room as if the answer to her questions would reveal itself there. But it didn't. There was no answer. Only silence. The silence of a life once normal, now broken apart and scattered by the choices she had made.
Her phone buzzed again, and Aarohi froze. She wasn't sure what to expect, but the vibration made her stomach twist in a way she couldn't explain. It was from an unknown number, but she knew who it was. Rohit.
"Ms. Malhotra," his voice came through the phone, smooth and cold, like a blade slicing through the silence. "I trust you're ready for tomorrow."
Aarohi's heart skipped a beat. She had to fight to keep her voice steady. "I'll be there."
"Good," he replied. His tone was almost dismissive, as though he didn't care whether she was ready or not. "Don't be late. This meeting is crucial. And remember — there are consequences for not following through."
The line went dead before she could say anything more. Aarohi stared at her phone, gripping it so tightly her knuckles turned white. What was he going to make her do this time? Was this just another test? Or was she stepping deeper into a world she couldn't escape?
The night dragged on. Her mind raced with every possible scenario, trying to prepare herself for the unknown. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap, but she also knew she had no choice. Rohit had already shown her that.
As the first light of dawn broke through the curtains, Aarohi knew it was time. She had a meeting to attend, and nothing would stop her from going. She dressed quickly in a sharp, professional outfit, one that spoke of authority — not of fear. If she was going to play this game, she had to look the part.
---
By the time she arrived at the meeting location, a posh, private office building far from the city's crowded streets, Aarohi's nerves were already on edge. The building was sleek, modern — too clean, too polished, a reflection of the cold world she had entered. She walked through the lobby, trying to ignore the pounding of her heartbeat in her ears.
The elevator ride up was silent, the slow ascent making her feel like she was headed toward an inevitable fate. When the doors finally opened, she stepped into a long hallway lined with high-end artwork and tasteful decorations, the kind of decor that spoke of wealth and power.
At the end of the hall, the door to a large conference room stood ajar. She could hear the murmur of voices from within, but they stopped as soon as she stepped into the room.
There, standing by the glass table, was Rohit Nair, his presence commanding the room like a king on his throne. His eyes locked onto hers immediately, sharp and intense, and for a moment, Aarohi felt like she was the only person in the room.
"Ms. Malhotra," he greeted her, his voice low and measured. "I see you've made it on time."
"I don't break promises," she replied, her voice steady, though her stomach twisted.
Rohit smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. Now, let's get to business."
Aarohi's eyes flicked to the men seated at the table. They were well-dressed, their expressions unreadable, but the air in the room was thick with tension. These weren't just businessmen. These were players in a game she wasn't sure she understood yet.
"You're here for a reason, Ms. Malhotra," Rohit continued, his voice almost a whisper as he took a step closer to her. "You'll find that, in this world, there's no room for mistakes. We all have our roles to play. And your role," he paused, his gaze never leaving hers, "is to convince these men that this deal is in their best interest. You're the one who will seal the deal. Not me. I've already done my part."
Aarohi felt the weight of his words sink in. The pressure was on her now. The room was silent as she took her seat, feeling the eyes of every person in the room on her. She had no choice but to step into the role she had been handed.
She cleared her throat and began, "Gentlemen, I'm here today to discuss an opportunity that has the potential to change everything. But it requires vision. It requires risk. And most of all, it requires trust."
As she spoke, she could feel Rohit's gaze on her, an almost predatory intensity that made her heart race. This was no ordinary business meeting. It felt like a test. And she was standing on the edge of something far more dangerous than anything she had ever encountered.
Aarohi felt the weight of the eyes on her, a silent pressure that almost choked the words from her throat. The room was impeccably silent, and as she spoke, her voice felt strangely small compared to the power swirling around her. Every person seated at the table held a reputation, a history — but it was Rohit Nair who loomed largest in her mind. She couldn't afford to fail him.
"Trust," Aarohi repeated, her voice steadying. "In business, it's the only currency that matters. Without it, everything falls apart. What I'm offering today is not just a deal. It's a partnership — one that can change everything."
She paused, allowing her words to hang in the air for a moment, watching as the men at the table exchanged glances. Their faces were unreadable, but their interest was piqued. Rohit's presence was a shadow that hung over the room, and she knew that whatever happened next, she was being tested in ways she couldn't fully grasp.
Aarohi shifted slightly in her chair, standing tall now, projecting the authority she hadn't known she possessed until she'd stepped into this world. Focus. Convince them, she told herself.
One of the men at the table, a well-built figure with sharp features, leaned forward. "What's the catch, Ms. Malhotra?" he asked, his tone low and cautious. "Nothing in this world comes for free."
Aarohi's gaze flickered toward Rohit, who was watching her intently from the side of the room, his arms crossed. She had no idea what game he was playing, but she couldn't let his silent expectations break her resolve.
"No catch," she replied smoothly, the words flowing naturally now. "What I'm offering is simple. A chance to expand your empire. A chance to take what you've built to the next level. But it will require some risk. Not a lot, but enough to test your resolve."
The man who had spoken, Dev Malhotra, raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Risk. Everyone loves to talk about risk. But the real question is — what are you offering that no one else can?"
Aarohi smiled inwardly. She knew exactly how to answer this, and it was her moment to shine.
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a near-whisper, ensuring everyone in the room hung on to her every word. "I'm offering access to the kind of influence that comes only with power. Power over the markets, over your competitors, and over the future. But it's not something you can buy with money. It's something you earn through trust and, more importantly, loyalty."
There was a murmur of approval around the table, but it was clear they were still skeptical. The game wasn't over yet. They were intrigued, yes, but trust wasn't something they gave lightly — not in a world like this.
Rohit's eyes flickered toward her, his expression unreadable. He was testing her. She could feel it, and the pressure only heightened.
Aarohi stood her ground, her back straight, her words precise. "What I'm offering is not just an opportunity. It's a chance to change everything. And the price for this — is your loyalty. Without it, this deal is nothing."
The room was still now, the silence deafening. She couldn't tell if they were impressed or just waiting for her to slip. But she wasn't backing down. She couldn't. Not now.
After a long pause, Dev Malhotra leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk on his lips. "You've got a lot of nerve, Ms. Malhotra. But I think you're right about one thing. Power doesn't come without loyalty. You've made your point."
Aarohi's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected it to be this easy, and the sudden realization hit her — she wasn't just in a business deal. She was walking a fine line between becoming an ally or an enemy to these powerful men. And she had no idea where this would lead.
Rohit, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. His voice was low, dangerous, and laced with a warning. "You've done well, Ms. Malhotra. But this is only the first step. There's more at play here than just a deal. The real challenge begins now."
Aarohi felt a chill race down her spine as she looked at him, meeting his gaze. She could see the shadows behind his eyes, the dangerous edge to his words. The world she was now a part of wasn't just about business. It was about power, manipulation, and survival.
As the meeting concluded, Aarohi found herself unable to shake the weight of Rohit's final words. The real challenge begins now. What did he mean by that? Was this just the beginning of something far darker than she had anticipated?