The streets of Delhi shimmered under the golden hue of the setting sun. Abhay Rajpoot leaned back in his luxury car, the hum of the engine a faint whisper compared to the storm brewing in his mind. The System 2.0 had awakened new powers within him, and with it, new threats lurking beyond the shadows.
But nothing could have prepared him for what was about to happen next.
—---
[Scene 1: The "Accident"]As Abhay's car cruised through the bustling streets, a sleek black sedan suddenly swerved into his path. His enhanced reflexes kicked in instantly, hands steady as he maneuvered to minimize the impact. Despite his efforts, the cars collided with a screech of metal and shattering glass.
Abhay's car skidded to a halt. His instincts screamed that this wasn't an ordinary accident. But when he stepped out, all his suspicions melted away at the sight before him.
She was standing there—Ruhi.
Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down like silk, her eyes shimmering like distant stars. Her beauty was ethereal, almost unreal, as if she had stepped out of an ancient legend. Her sharp, elegant features held both grace and danger, wrapped in the aura of a queen lost in time.
For the first time, Abhay felt something unusual—a pulse quickening, a flicker of emotion he couldn't explain.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice steady, hiding the strange storm within.
Ruhi winced, feigning an injury on her arm. She was flawless in her act, her training as a secret agent of the U.S. evident in her composed demeanor.
"I… I think I hurt my arm," she replied, her voice soft yet laced with strength.
Abhay's sharp mind scanned her body language, her subtle control over her expressions. But his heart was distracted. There was something about her—something he couldn't place.
"Let me help you," he offered, gesturing towards his car. "You shouldn't be alone like this. I'll take you home. Get you treated properly."
Ruhi hesitated. Her mission was clear—observe, analyze, report. No unnecessary engagement. But Abhay's magnetic presence made her heart skip for the first time in years.
After a brief pause, she nodded. "Alright… thank you."
—---
[Scene 2: The Ride of Secrets]Inside the car, an unexpected silence settled. Abhay stole glances at her, intrigued by the mysterious woman who had literally crashed into his life.
"What's your name?" he finally asked.
"Ruhi," she replied smoothly, hiding the fact that it was part of her cover identity.
Abhay's lips curled slightly. "Ruhi… fits you. Mysterious and beautiful."
Ruhi turned her gaze to the window, hiding the faintest blush on her cheeks. This wasn't part of the mission. She was supposed to stay detached. But his words, his presence—it was dangerous in ways she hadn't anticipated.
Meanwhile, Abhay's System remained silent, not detecting any immediate threat. But Abhay's instincts whispered otherwise. She's not just an ordinary woman.
—---
[Scene 3: The Hidden Agenda]Back at Abhay's luxurious penthouse, he insisted on treating her injury. His touch was gentle, but Ruhi could sense the strength beneath it—inhuman strength masked behind charm and sophistication.
Abhay studied her silently as he wrapped her arm, noting the faint calluses on her fingers—marks of someone trained in combat, not an ordinary civilian.
"You don't seem like someone who's fragile," Abhay remarked, his gaze piercing.
Ruhi smirked slightly, her defenses slipping for a moment. "I guess I'm not."
Their eyes met, an electric tension filling the space. There was attraction, undeniable and fierce, but layered with suspicion and curiosity.
Ruhi's mind raced. "Is he onto me?" But Abhay said nothing more, masking his own questions with a charming smile.
As she left his apartment that night, Ruhi whispered to herself, "He's more than just evolved… he's dangerous."
And for the first time, both Abhay and Ruhi realized—this was more than just a mission. It was the beginning of something neither of them could control.
—End of Chapter 16_____