HIS POV
I glance at my watch and take a slow breath.
"Mr. Singh comes in, send him straight to the study room," I say calmly to my bodyguard.
"Yes, boss," they nod.
I walk into the study room, sink into the chair, and lean back, stretching slightly.
My thoughts drift—unwanted, uninvited.
The hospital.
Her face.
"Dr. Riya…" I whisper, a faint smile touching my lips.
Why am I so drawn to her?
She's just a girl.
I shake my head.
No.
She's not just girl something special
Soft at times.
Strong when it matters.
Independent.
A damn good doctor.
Living alone in this city.
Complicated.
A knock pulls me back.
Knock
Knock
Knock
"Come in," I say—my voice deep, controlled… dangerous.
Mr. Singh steps inside, already sweating.
"So," I ask slowly, "why do you think I called you here?"
His face pales.
"R–Rishabh, trust me… I didn't tell anyone about our deal. I swear."
I stand and walk toward him, stopping inches from his face.
"Why are you sweating so much?" I ask calmly.
"Are you scared?"
He nods.
"Good," I say softly. "You should be."
I walk back to my chair, unhurried.
"You know," I continue, loading my gun, "I'm only this confident when I already know who betrayed me."
I raise the gun and point it straight at his forehead.
"So tell me," I ask, "how much did you take for selling information about my company?"
"One… one million," he stammers.
"I'm sorry, Rishabh. Please—I won't do it again."
I see it clearly now.
Pure fear.
My finger tightens on the trigger—
Buzz.
My phone vibrates.
"Fuck," I mutter. "Who the hell is this now?"
I glance at the screen.
Stalker Update
Dr. Riya — Phone Number Traced
I freeze.
Then… I smile.
Slowly.
I look at Singh.
"Get out," I say coldly.
"Don't show your face here again. Leave—before my mood changes."
He rushes out.
My attention returns to the phone.
I stare at her number like an idiot in love love?
"Great," I murmur. "This girl really knows how to wake me up."
I check the time.
Midnight.
Should I call her?
Or not?
A crooked smile spreads across my face.
"Let's have a little fun, Dr. Riya."
I dial.
Busy.
"At this hour?" I chuckle. "Interesting."
I call again.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
"Hello?" Her voice is soft.
I stay silent.
Then my voice slides through the line—low, calm, amused.
"Hello, dear future wife."
I bite back a laugh.
"Who are you?" she asks.
A soft chuckle escapes me.
"Relax, Riya," I say smoothly.
"I've been watching you for a long time."
I end the call.
Silence.
I rub my face, exhaling sharply.
"What the hell did I just do?" I laugh under my breath.
Oh God…
This isn't a game anymore.
"She had no idea she was slowly becoming my weakness… and my favorite one."
The door opens.
I look up.
Dev.
"What happened?" I ask sharply.
"Why do you look so disturbed?"
My eyes scan him carefully.
He's shaken—badly.
Whatever he's about to say… I know I won't like it.
But I need to hear it.
He takes a deep breath.
"B–Boss… Riya ma'am—"
He stops, struggling to breathe.
"Speak," I snap. "What about Riya?"
"I'm sorry, boss. I couldn't come earlier. I had to take my wife to the hospital," he says quickly.
"I know," I reply coldly.
"Now tell me what you were trying to say."
Dev swallows.
"I went near her house " he says.
"I saw her… through the window."
My smile fades.
My body goes still.
"She was crying, boss."
My jaw tightens.
"Do you know why?" I ask, my voice turning dangerous.
"Not exactly," Dev replies.
"But… she got a call. After that, she looked terrified."
Silence.
Then it hits me.
Hard.
"Shit…" I mutter under my breath.
I look away, my expression dark.
"That call," I say slowly,
"I was the one who made it."
Dev looks at me, stunned.
"I didn't think she'd get that scared," I add quietly.
My gaze drops to my phone resting in my hand.
For the first time in years…
I feel something unfamiliar.
Regret.
I stare at the screen, my grip tightening.
I wanted her attention.
Not her fear.
But it's too late now.
She's already marked. I close my eyes for a moment.
Fear was never my intention.
Control was.
I straighten up, my voice steady again—cold, commanding.
"Dev," I say quietly, "from now on, she's not just someone I'm watching."
He looks at me, waiting.
"She's under my protection."
Dev stiffens. "Boss—"
"No one touches her," I cut him off.
"No one follows her without my permission. No one even breathes near her unless I know about it."
I stand, walking toward the window, the city lights reflecting in my eyes.
"But don't misunderstand," I add slowly.
"She doesn't get to walk away either."
Dev's jaw tightens. "You mean… possess?"
"Yes," I say without hesitation.
"Protection from the world."
A pause.
"Possession from me."
I pick up my phone, her name flashing in my mind like a warning.
"She'll never know how close danger came to her," I continue.
"I'll be the wall between her and everything dark."
I turn back to Dev, my eyes sharp.
"And I'll be the darkness she belongs to."
Dev exhales. "Boss… this isn't like you."
I smile—slow, dangerous.
"No," I say.
"This is exactly who I am."
I glance at the clock.
Morning is coming.
"And when she looks around," I whisper,
"she'll feel safe… without knowing why."
I put the phone back in my pocket.
"She's mine."
Not because I chased her.
Not because she chose me.
But because I decided. "Alright," Dev says quietly. "Whatever you think is right. I'll update you in the morning."
I nod.
"Good night, boss," he adds.
"Good night," I reply.
The door closes behind him.
Silence fills the room.
I stand alone, staring at nothing—yet seeing only one face.
Riya.
Tonight, I crossed a line I never should have.
And tomorrow… I'll make sure no one else does.
Because once I decide to protect something
I don't let it go.
Ever.
Morning comes too quietly.
I wake up before the alarm.
The room is filled with pale sunlight, but my mind is still wrapped in last night.
Her voice.
Her fear.
That call.
I sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing my jaw.
I don't regret many things in life.
But scaring her…
That wasn't the plan.
My phone buzzes.
Dev.
I pick it up.
"Update," I say, my voice still rough with sleep.
"Boss… she's going to meet her friend," Dev says.
"Where?" I ask instantly.
"I've sent you the location," he replies.
"Good," I say.
"And you're coming with me."
"Why me, boss?" Dev groans dramatically.
"Please, don't do this to me."
"Drama," I cut him off.
I end the call.
I grab my jacket, my gun resting calmly against my side.
She thinks it's just a normal morning.
Coffee.
A friend.
A safe city.
She has no idea—
Someone is already watching.
And this time,
I won't scare her.
I'll make sure she never feels alone again.
Rishabh is heading to the café where Riya is meeting her friend. Will he reveal himself, or will he play a new game as a stranger? Drop your theories in the comments!"