The first birdsong of dawn painted the sky with hues of rose and gold, chasing away the lingering darkness. Inside a small cottage, Anira stretched, her red hair catching the sunlight as she blinked open her eyes. A familiar scent tickled her nose – something was burning in the kitchen. She frowned, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
She found Nandini staring at a blackened pot on the stove, a sheepish grin plastered on her face. “Nandini, I think you’re forgetting something,” Anira teased, switching off the burner.
Nandini rushed forward, her cheeks flushing. She worked as a software engineer at her brother’s company, a job she handled with meticulous focus. But when it came to domestic tasks, she was prone to lapses. They had been sharing this cottage for two years, a haven of peace and quiet.
“It’s just… easier when you take care of everything,” Nandini confessed, her voice laced with gratitude.
Anira chuckled. “Someone has to keep you from setting the kitchen on fire.”
Life with Anira was simple, uncomplicated. No unwanted suitors vying for her attention, no greedy men attempting to exploit her beauty. Nandini had grown tired of the unwanted attention that came with being a pretty woman, the way men seemed to see her as a possession rather than a person.
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Across town, in a bustling café, a man scrutinized the woman across the table. She spoke with an air of confidence, as if she had him completely figured out. He was waiting for the inevitable moment her façade would crumble.
“You’re a distraction,” he stated flatly, his voice devoid of warmth.
The woman’s face flushed with confusion. She opened and closed her mouth, unable to form a coherent response. Her inability to speak seemed to infuriate him.
“You’re irritatingly coy, playing at innocence. I want intelligence, not manipulation. And frankly, you're not worth my time.” He rose abruptly, leaving her speechless. He had more important matters to attend to than wasting time on women who underestimated him.
He adjusted his sunglasses as he stepped into his car, already dialing his secretary. “Cancel all contracts with Sterling Corp. Redirect those deals to Hawthorne Industries. And pull our investments. They thought they could leverage me with their daughter. Let them learn their lesson.”
“Head to Murphy’s,” he instructed his driver. He had paperwork to sign, a partnership agreement with his friend and mentor. He was eager to reach Murphy’s and settle the deal. He wanted to see the old man and complete the deal as soon as possible.
That was all Manik Malhotra wanted at this moment.
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(Author's Note removed)