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THIRD PERSON

NEXT DAY

SOMEWHERE:

Kailash Desai, the manager and also a longtime friend of Mr. Rajan Malhotra, looked at him in mild confusion and asked, "Rajan, why would you keep a stranger at your place?"

Mr. Malhotra looked at him surprised and said, "Why not, Kailash? That girl got hit by my car. It's my responsibility to make sure she is alright. Poor child. She lost her memory. And until her family is informed, I can't just abandon her."

Kailash nodded slowly in understanding.

"Then why didn't you contact them?"

Rajan tapped his fingers restlessly on the polished teakwood desk, his brows furrowed.

"How, Kailash? She didn't have a phone. Must've lost it during the crash. I even had my men search the area, but nothing turned up. So I brought her home. What else could I do?"

He paused for a moment, the lines on his forehead deepening, "We need to find out who she is. Her family must be worried sick. Do whatever it takes. Anything. Just try to find her family."

"But we don't even know her name"

Kailash gave a small nod but raised an obvious point.

Mr. Malhotra leaned back in his chair, clearly worried.

"That's exactly why we need to act fast. Update me if you find out something about her."

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MALHOTRA MANSION:

Chandani tied her hair in a messy bun. She already freshened up and was wearing a white shirt and a pair of shorts that were clearly big for her. But she had no other option cause she didn't have her clothes. These were given by Reema to her earlier. She didn't ask whose clothes these were and just accepted.

Someone knocked on the door. Chandani walked to the room door and opened it halfway. Reema was standing there with a smile,

"Ma'am, Mr. Malhotra asked me to call you downstairs. Breakfast is ready."

Chandani nodded, still griiping the door.

"Okay... I'll be there."

Reema smiled once more before leaving.

Chandani closed the door back and leaned her back against the door, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. As if preparing herself. Cause everything around her felt too overwhelming and unfamiliar.

She slowly turned around, opened the door and walked out.

CHANDANI

As I stepped into the hallway, a faint sound reached my ears.

My brows knit together. I followed the sound slowly. The corridor led toward the end of the hallway where one of the doors stood slightly ajar.

Just as I was about to step closer, a hand touched my shoulder from behind. Startled, I turned around quickly. It was Reema. I sigh in relief but-

She looked nervous.

"Ma'am, what are you doing here?" she asked caustiously.

"I... I heard something. I was just curious, that's all..." I replied honestly.

She shook her head firmly. "You shouldn't come this way."

Her eyes darted at the door behind me. And her voice dropped even lower, as if she was afraid someone might hear her.

"It's best if you stay away, Ma'am. For your own comfort."

Something about the way she said it made my skin prickle.

I asked, "Who's in there?"

But she avoided the question altogether.

Instead, she straightened her posture and said with a forced smile, "Mr. Malhotra is waiting for you for breakfast. Please come downstairs."

I looked back at the door. The noise had stopped. No more thuds or grunts. Just Silence.

I nodded slowly and followed her. But my mind didn't settle. Not at all.

Who was in that room? Why was Reema so scared to even say their name? And why did the air around that door feel so dangerous?

DOWNSTAIRS:

Reema walked me to the dining area where Mr. Malhotra was already sat, reading a newspaper. He lowered the newspaper seeing me and gave me a warm, fatherly smile.

"Good Morning, beta. Are you feeling better now?" His eyes were full of concern.

I gave him a small nod.

"Yes. I'm fine."

I didn't want that uncomfortable and awkward silence so I asked him,

"You live alone in this huge mansion?"

He chuckled and shook his head,

"No, beta. My son and daughter live here too"

I looked at him confused, "Then... Why aren't they here for breakfast?"

Smile vanished from his face. He sighed and replied, "I don't even remember the last time we all had food together."

And that was my clue to not dig in more so I kept my mouth shut and quietly had my breakfast. I didn't ask him any question again not wanting to pry in their family matters.

After finishing breakfast, Mr. Malhotra left for his work and I explored the huge mansion out of boredom. Cause what else would I do now all alone now?

My bare feet made the softest tap as I walked around.

I was amazed how beautiful and expensive this place looked.

Finally, after getting tired of loitering around, I walk back to my room but stopped midway, glancing at the end of the hallway.

And before I knew it, my feet walked me into that direction.

I finally reached that door again where reema stopped me earlier and I snapped out of my daze.

'Should I really go in there?'

Thud. Thud. Pause. Thud.

The faint noise echoed in the hallway, but from a different room this time. I frowned in confused, glanced once over my shoulder and then quietly pushed the door open.

Thankfully, the edges didn't creak.

I stepped inside.

A private gym. My eyes scanned the space slowly. Weights racked with military precision, a treadmill idle in one corner, a punching bag swaying to the sides and then-

My eyes fell on a man. I couldn't see his face as his back was facing me. His muscles flexed as he landed punch after punch into the bag. Black joggers hanging low on his hips, sweat glistening on his skin. My breath hitched. I couldn't move.

Just then, he turned around, as if he sensed my presence. But i quickly manage to hide behind a pillar. I hold my breath pressing my back against the pillar. My heart pounded so hard I was afraid he'd head it.

'Don't see me. Please don't see me.'

A few seconds passed.

And i heard no movement. So, i slowly glance back where he was. And fortunately, he was still there. His back was still facing me that means, he didn't see me.

He grabbed the edges of his gym vest and lifted it up to take it off.

My cheeks flush and I bite my lower lip.

But then, he stopped and suddenly turned halfway. My breath caught in my throat.

He wasn't just good-looking. No. He was something else entirely. Dangerously magnetic. The kind of man who didn't need to speak to make his presence known. His beard-neatly trimmed, framing his strong jaw-only made him look more intense. More masculine. Like someone who could both ruin you and protect you, depending on his mood.

And that face...

Sharp cheekbones, full lips set in a firm

line, brows drawn together like he was forever thinking of something dark. His eyes, God. His eyes were like a storm bottled into a silence. Cold, unreadable, and terrifyingly calm.

He didn't smile. He didn't need to.

He was devastatingly handsome.

But then-

His eyes flicked to the mirror. Straight to where I was hiding.

I gasped. Shit.

I quickly ducked behind the pillar, my heart was racing.

'Did he see me?' I risked a glance, carefully. Just a peek from the side of the pillar. But he wasn't there. Gone.

The punching bag swayed gently.

'Where did he go?' I thought to myself as I didn't know why but I was disappointed and relieved at the same time.

I walked out of the hiding spot, stepping in the gym. The gym room was cold and clean.

Suddenly-

Someone whispered,

"Mujhe dhoond rahi ho?" In my ears.

Startled, i turn around and stumble backwards. Almost crashing into the cold metal dumbbells.

I shut my eyes, terrified. Only to feel his arms wrap around me and hold me in place.

My breath hitched.

His grip was firm. One arm around my waist, the other bracing the back of my head, stopping it from hitting the weights behind me.

I opened my eyes slowly.

And there he was.

Too close for my comfort.

His eyes were dark, unreadable and locked with mine. A shade of brown so deep it almost looked black in the low lighting. A single drop of sweat trickled down the side of his temple, sliding past his sharp cheekbone before disappearing into the scruff of his beard.

He looked dangerous. And painfully beautiful. His beard was just the right amount of rugged, outlining his jaw like it was carved by someone angry at the world. His lips were full and slightly parted as he breathed out, his chest rising and falling slowly, almost like he wasn't even trying to hold me... but I wasn't moving. I couldn't move.

His gaze dropped, just slightly.

"Chup chup ke dekh rahi thi mujhe?"

I blinked. My lips parted but no sound came out.

"I-I didn't mean to-" I try to speak but my voice comes out as a soft whisper.

He leaned in just a bit. His nose almost brushing mine.

"Lies don't suit that innocent face."

My heart skipped a beat. But then what he did made me shiver. He looked down at my chest.

My cheeks turn red.

He scanned me from top to bottom raising a brow,

"You're wearing my clothes"

I look up at him surprised.

"Um... I-i don't know"

He smirked hearing me stutter which just made me blush harder.

Ahh, why is this man soo damn good looking?

"They look better on you anyway... Keep them." he said. His words surprised me even more.

This time, I blushed even harder that I'm sure I looked no less than a tomato.

He smirked. Barely. And then, slowly, deliberately, he stepped back.

The warmth of his body left me like a slap of cold air. But my heart? Still slamming inside my chest like it had forgotten how to beat normally.

I stood there frozen, arms still midair like I didn't know what to do with them.

He picked up a towel from the bench, wiped the sweat from his neck, and tossed it aside carelessly.

And then, he leaned back close to me. His hand reached up cupping my cheek and said,

"You look cute blushing like that"

And he walked away leaving me flustered.

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