The warm morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of Abhay Rajpoot's luxurious penthouse, casting a soft golden hue across the room. The lingering silence between Abhay and Ruhi was heavier than the air itself. Last night's tension still clung to them—unspoken words, hidden truths, and emotions neither could ignore.
Abhay stood near the balcony, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant city skyline. The cool breeze tousled his dark hair, but his mind was a storm brewing with conflicting emotions.
His hands clenched the balcony railing, knuckles whitening. Behind him, Ruhi sat quietly on the edge of the couch, her heart racing, unsure of what to expect. She could feel the weight of his silence pressing against her chest.
Suddenly, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in Abhay's mind.
[Ding! New Mission Activated.]
Mission: Expand Your Power Across All of Asia.
Objective: Collect 100 Million System Points (SP).
Reward: System Version 3.0 Upgrade—Unlock New Abilities (Invisibility, Mind Reading, and More).
Abhay's pupils contracted. His mind sharpened instantly, the inner conflict now buried beneath a cold, calculated focus. 100 million SP.
That number wasn't just a goal; it was a declaration. The system wanted him to rise beyond the city, beyond the country. It was time to dominate an entire continent.
But how could he ignore the woman sitting quietly behind him—the woman who'd betrayed him yet somehow managed to carve her presence into his heart?
Without turning around, his voice sliced through the silence, low and controlled, but brimming with tension.
"Ruhi."
She flinched slightly at the coldness in his tone but managed to whisper back, "Yes?"
Abhay finally turned, his sharp, dark eyes locking onto hers.
There was no tenderness, only a mixture of calculation and something deeper—betrayal mixed with an emotion even he couldn't understand.
"Why did you come into my life? Was it all just a mission for you? Or did any of it mean something?"
Ruhi's heart twisted painfully. She had faced countless dangerous missions, but this—facing Abhay's fury—was the hardest.
"I was sent to observe you," she admitted softly, her voice trembling. "To collect data… to understand what you are."
Abhay's jaw clenched, but he didn't interrupt.
"But," Ruhi continued, her voice gaining strength, "I didn't expect to feel anything. I didn't expect you to be more than just a target." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "But you're not just my mission anymore, Abhay. You're—" she stopped herself, unable to say it aloud.
Abhay took slow, deliberate steps toward her, each one echoing like a heartbeat. He stood in front of her, towering, his face unreadable. Then, suddenly, he knelt down to her level, his eyes softening just for a fleeting second.
"You think words can fix this?" he whispered.
Ruhi didn't answer. Instead, she did something that shocked even herself—she reached out and gently placed her hand on his face. Her touch was warm, trembling slightly, but filled with sincerity.
"I don't expect forgiveness. But I want to be by your side—not as an agent, not as a spy… but as Ruhi."
Abhay stared at her, emotions battling within him. His instincts screamed at him to push her away, but his heart—the heart he thought he'd buried under power and ambition—betrayed him.
Suddenly, he leaned in, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate, heated kiss. It wasn't gentle. It was raw, filled with anger, confusion, and passion. Ruhi responded, tears sliding down her cheeks as she kissed him back, pouring every unspoken feeling into that single moment.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Abhay whispered against her lips,
"If you ever betray me again, Ruhi, I'll destroy everything you hold dear."
She nodded, her forehead resting against his. "I won't."
Standing up, Abhay's expression shifted from vulnerable to ruthless.
"I have a new mission," he said coldly, walking toward his desk. "I need to expand my empire—not just in India, but across all of Asia. And if you truly want to prove yourself, you'll help me."
Ruhi stood, wiping her tears, determination blazing in her star-like eyes.
"I will."
Abhay smirked slightly, his fingers brushing over his phone as he dialed a number. His voice turned sharp, filled with authority.
"Prepare the team. We're expanding."
This was the beginning of a new era.
Abhay Rajpoot wasn't just going to be the king of the underworld anymore—he was going to rule Asia.
And Ruhi… whether as his ally or something more, would be right beside him.
[To be continued…]