Anaya's agreement hung in the air between them, almost as if neither of them had fully processed it yet. But the moment she nodded, she took a step back, her mind already drifting toward her next task.
"Well then, I should—" she started, but before she could finish her sentence, Kunal moved closer.
"Are you free after work?" His voice, though cold, carried an unexpected softness, a contrast to the distant and reserved demeanor he had always maintained while working at Tech High.
Anaya stiffened slightly, her grip on the coffee cups tightening. She had worked with Kunal before, and he had always kept a strict boundary between himself and others. His interactions were professional, almost impersonal. And yet, now, something was different.
Her eyes searched his face, trying to decipher the change, but all she saw was quiet curiosity. His dark eyes held an intensity she wasn't prepared for, and it made her take a cautious step back.
Kunal immediately noticed her reaction. His jaw tensed for a fraction of a second before he exhaled and took a step back as well. "Sorry," he muttered, his voice dropping lower. "I guess I got a little too excited." His lips twitched into something resembling a sheepish smile, though his gaze remained serious. "So… are you free tonight?"
Anaya didn't hesitate this time. "I have work," she said firmly, her tone polite but dismissive. "Not today."
Kunal's expression didn't change much, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he nodded. "Alright. Some other time, then."
Anaya forced a small smile, but she didn't wait for any further conversation. "Bye, I really have to go," she said quickly before turning on her heel.
She hurried out of the café, gripping the two coffee cups in her hands like they were lifelines. Her heart was beating a little too fast, and she wasn't sure if it was because of Kunal's unexpected behavior or her own reaction to it.
What the hell was that?
She had no idea.
But something about Kunal Rajawat had changed. And for the first time, she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.
@________________📖___________________@
Kunal Rajawat had never been the type to chase after someone's attention. He had built his life around control—over his emotions, his actions, his surroundings. Everything in his life was measured, calculated. And yet, here he was, standing in a café, watching Anaya Malhotra walk away from him with a firm refusal.
It wasn't just the rejection that bothered him. It was the fact that she had hesitated.
Hesitation meant conflict. It meant she wasn't entirely opposed to the idea of knowing him outside of their past work relationship. And that was enough to intrigue him.
His fingers curled into a fist before he loosened them, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his tailored trousers. His eyes followed her as she walked toward the door, her long hair swaying slightly as she moved. She didn't look back, not even once.
Kunal exhaled slowly, tilting his head slightly as he watched her disappear into the crowded streets.
So, she's still wary of me…
A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he turned back toward the counter, ordering his usual black coffee. His mind replayed their interaction, dissecting every movement, every shift in her expression.
Anaya had always been different from the others at Tech High. She wasn't the type to go out of her way to impress anyone, nor did she bend easily to authority. She did her work, kept her head down, and never got involved in office politics. Back then, he had never given it much thought.
But now…
Now that he knew who she was—who she had become—things were different.
When the news of Rudra Singhaniya's marriage had first surfaced, Kunal had been indifferent. He wasn't the type to involve himself in other people's affairs. But when he had seen the name attached to the marriage certificate—Anaya Malhotra—his indifference had cracked just a little.
He had done his research. He had learned more than he probably should have. And what he had found had only deepened his curiosity.
Why her?
Rudra Singhaniya was a man who didn't do anything without a reason. His marriage to Anaya had to serve a purpose. But what was it?
Kunal tapped his fingers against the counter, his thoughts shifting back to the way Anaya had looked at him today. There was caution in her gaze, but there was also something else—something he couldn't quite name yet.
He had asked her to be friends, and she had said yes. But that didn't mean she trusted him.
And trust was what he needed.
Kunal wasn't an impulsive man. He didn't make moves without a plan. But something about Anaya made him want to push past his usual restraint.
Maybe it was the way she had spoken to him—polite but distant. Maybe it was the flicker of curiosity in her eyes when she had said his name. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the fact that for the first time in a long time, Kunal Rajawat wanted something he wasn't sure he could have.
He took his coffee and left the café, his expression unreadable as he walked toward his car.
This wasn't over.
Not yet.
✨___________________📖___________________✨
Chapter: A Dance of Shadows
Kunal swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his sharp gaze fixed on the city skyline through the large windows of the exclusive lounge. The golden glow of the evening lights reflected against the glass, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Anaya Malhotra.
She had been nothing more than a junior employee when they worked together at Tech High—smart, ambitious, but not someone he had bothered to pay attention to.
But now?
Now, she was tied to Rudra Singhaniya.
Of course, the world didn't know that.
Outside the Singhaniya family, no one had a clue about Rudra and Anaya's marriage.
To the world, she was just an intern at Singhaniya Corp.
But Kunal had always been good at reading between the lines.
Something about her had changed. There was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself, a controlled grace that hinted at something deeper.
And today, for the first time, she had let him get close—if only for a moment.
A slow smirk played on his lips as he took another sip of his drink. He picked up his phone, fingers hovering over the screen before he typed a message.
> Kunal: I hope you reached your office safely. Didn't get lost on the way, did you? 😉
He leaned back, waiting. He knew she wouldn't reply immediately.
She was probably staring at the screen, debating whether or not to respond.
But she would.
She had to.
Minutes passed, and just as he was about to put his phone down, it buzzed.
> Anaya: I'm not that bad with directions, Mr. Rajawat. But thanks for your concern.
Kunal chuckled, shaking his head. Polite, distant—classic Anaya.
> Kunal: Drop the formalities. Just Kunal.
> Anaya: I'll keep that in mind, Kunal.
He could almost picture her rolling her eyes, cautious as ever.
> Kunal: So, still busy with work?
> Anaya: Obviously. Unlike some people, I don't spend my evenings at fancy lounges.
His smirk widened. Feisty. He liked that.
> Kunal: Ouch. That almost sounded like judgment, Miss Malhotra.
> Anaya: Just an observation.
> Kunal: Then allow me to make an observation too. You didn't reject my offer of friendship today.
Silence.
For a moment, he thought she wouldn't reply. But then—
> Anaya: I didn't. But that doesn't mean I trust you.
Kunal leaned back, satisfied.
Trust wasn't his goal. Not yet.
But she had admitted it herself—she hadn't said no.
And that was enough for now.
---
Meanwhile, at the Singhaniya Mansion
Anaya walked into the mansion, exhausted but trying not to show it. She placed her bag on the side table and took a deep breath before heading toward the living area.
Rudra was sitting in the study, going through some documents. His presence was commanding, as always, but there was an air of detachment around him.
She wasn't expecting a warm welcome. He was a man of few words, especially when it came to their relationship.
But still…
"Did you eat?" she asked casually, standing near the doorway.
Rudra glanced up, his dark eyes unreadable. "I will later."
That was it. No questions about her day, no sign of concern.
Anaya nodded, expecting nothing more. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Where were you in the evening?"
She froze for a second before looking over her shoulder. His tone was calm, but there was something sharp underneath.
"Just at a café," she answered honestly.
Rudra's gaze didn't waver. "Alone?"
Anaya hesitated for a fraction of a second—just enough for him to catch it.
His jaw tensed. "Who were you with?"
"Just… an old colleague," she said, not lying but not telling the full truth either.
Rudra said nothing. He only studied her for a long moment before returning his attention to the papers in front of him.
That was his way of ending the conversation.
Anaya exhaled slowly and walked away.
But even as she left, she could feel his gaze lingering on her back.
And for some reason, that unsettled her more than Kunal's sudden interest ever could.
---
Later That Night – Kunal's Study
Kunal sat in his study, reviewing some business reports, but his mind wasn't in it.
His phone buzzed. A new message. But it wasn't from Anaya.
> Unknown Number: You're playing a dangerous game, Rajawat.
Kunal's smirk faded as his expression darkened.
> Kunal: I always do.
The reply came instantly.
> Unknown Number: Be careful. Singhaniya won't let you near her that easily.
Kunal clenched his jaw, fingers tightening around the phone.
So, someone was already watching.
Good.
Let them.
Because Kunal Rajawat never backed down from a challenge.
And this was just the beginning.