The city lights sparkled like scattered stars against the night sky as Abhay Rajpoot leaned back in his leather chair, his sharp gaze fixed on the glowing screen before him. His office was bathed in a soft, golden hue, the air thick with the quiet hum of the city below. Yet, despite the countless reports and business deals demanding his attention, his thoughts kept drifting to one person—Ruhi.
There was something about her—something he couldn't quite place. A mystery wrapped in beauty.
Meanwhile, in the adjoining room, Ruhi meticulously planned her next move. She was running out of time. The American scientists needed more samples—blood, skin, anything to unlock the secrets hidden within Abhay's evolving DNA.
But Abhay wasn't an ordinary target. He was sharp, observant, and dangerously intelligent. One wrong move, and she'd be exposed.
—---
[Scene 1: The Bold Attempt]
Late into the night, Ruhi entered Abhay's office under the pretense of bringing him coffee. The rich aroma filled the room as she set the cup on his desk, her fingers brushing against the surface with deliberate softness.
Abhay glanced at her, his piercing eyes sharp even in his relaxed posture.
"You're working late again," Ruhi remarked casually, her tone light, masking the tension brewing beneath.
Abhay didn't respond immediately. He studied her for a brief moment before replying, "Success doesn't follow a schedule."
Ruhi smiled, stepping closer under the guise of adjusting the papers on his desk. Her heart raced as she subtly placed a small, nearly invisible adhesive strip on the handle of his coffee mug—a device designed to collect microscopic skin cells.
But just as she turned to leave, Abhay's voice stopped her.
"Ruhi."
She froze, her pulse quickening.
"Why did you really take this job?" His tone was calm, but his eyes held an intensity that made her skin prickle.
Ruhi forced a smile, turning to face him. "Because I needed it. And… maybe I was curious about the man behind the empire."
Abhay leaned back, his gaze never leaving hers. "Curious, huh?"
There was a long pause—a silent battle of wits and hidden truths.
—---
[Scene 2: A Growing Suspicion]
The next morning, Abhay stared at his coffee mug, his instincts whispering that something was off. He trusted his gut—it had never failed him.
Throughout the day, he observed Ruhi closely. Her movements were precise, too controlled. She was friendly, yet distant. Present, yet elusive.
Later, as they shared an elevator ride down to the parking lot, Abhay suddenly reached out, brushing a stray hair off Ruhi's shoulder. His touch was casual, but his mind was sharp, observing her reaction.
She stiffened—just for a fraction of a second. But it was enough.
"You're hiding something," Abhay thought silently.
—---
[Scene 3: A Dangerous Game Begins]
That night, as Ruhi reviewed the collected DNA samples in her private space, she felt a strange sensation—a creeping sense of being watched. She brushed it off as paranoia, but she couldn't shake the feeling.
Because somewhere in the shadows, Abhay had already started investigating her.
—End of Chapter 20—