The morning sun had barely begun to warm the city when Rishi Mehta found himself pacing in front of the Gupta Mansion. It was early—too early for most people to be awake—but Rishi hadn’t slept much. His mind was too full of thoughts, plans, and what had been building for the past few weeks.
It wasn’t just the case, the legal battles, or the sleepless nights sifting through papers. It was her. Parineeti.
He had known from the moment they had crossed paths at university that there was something special about her. Not just her brilliance, her beauty, or her passion for justice—but something about her presence that made everything seem possible. And over the years, as their friendship had deepened, so had his feelings.
But today was different.
Today, he was going to tell her.
Rishi stopped pacing and took a deep breath. He’d spent most of his life hiding his feelings, hoping one day she’d realize what he felt for her. But that day had never come. Until now.
He had to take a chance.
The door opened just as he stepped forward. A familiar face appeared—a butler, who greeted him with a polite nod. “Mr. Mehta, Miss Gupta is expecting you. Right this way.”
Rishi’s heart picked up pace. His palms were sweaty as he followed the butler through the grand hallway, past portraits of family members who had long since left their mark on the mansion. The air felt heavy with history, with expectations. It was a house that demanded respect.
He was finally led to Parineeti’s study, where she sat at her desk, flipping through legal documents. Her focus was intense, the way it always was. But when she heard him, her gaze flickered upward, and her lips parted in surprise.
“Rishi? What are you doing here so early?” she asked, trying to mask the confusion in her voice.
Rishi smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes fully. “I needed to talk to you,” he said softly. His voice carried a weight to it that he wasn’t used to, a seriousness that immediately caught her attention.
Parineeti leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. “Talk? About what?”
Rishi took a step closer, his heart thudding in his chest. He looked at her, really looked at her, trying to take in the woman he had known for years, the woman he had loved in silence for so long.
“I—” He paused, the words nearly choking him. “I’ve been wanting to say something for a long time. And I just can’t keep it inside anymore.”
Parineeti’s brow furrowed, concern creeping into her gaze. “Rishi, what’s going on?”
He cleared his throat and stepped forward, reaching into his jacket pocket. “Parineeti, I care about you. More than just as a colleague or a friend. I’ve always cared about you. And the more I’ve worked with you, the more I’ve realized… I want more. I want you. Not just in my life as a lawyer, but as someone.”
Her eyes widened, and for a brief moment, Rishi thought she might say something, but she was silent, her lips slightly parted as though trying to process what he’d just said.
“I know this is sudden, and I’m sure you’re not expecting it. But I can’t keep pretending that I don’t feel this way. I want you, Parineeti. I want you in my life, now and always. Will you—will you be with me?” His voice cracked at the end, a soft, vulnerable note breaking through his usual calm demeanor.
The room seemed to grow still. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and Parineeti stood frozen, her thoughts swirling in every direction. Rishi was staring at her, his eyes full of hope and vulnerability, waiting for her response.
For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, finally, Parineeti spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
“Rishi…” She shook her head, her tone soft yet firm, like she was about to break something to him that would change everything. “I—”
Before she could finish, the door to the study opened abruptly. Both Rishi and Parineeti turned to see who it was, and to their surprise, Vikram Singhania stood in the doorway. He didn’t speak at first, just looked between them with a quiet, assessing gaze.
Rishi stood up straighter, instinctively moving to put more space between himself and Parineeti, though his heart was still pounding in his chest.
Vikram’s gaze lingered on Rishi for a beat before he turned his focus to Parineeti, his eyes unreadable. “I’ll give you two a moment,” he said, his voice steady as ever.
And with that, he left the study, the door closing softly behind him.
Rishi exhaled, but the weight of his feelings didn’t dissipate. Parineeti didn’t speak immediately either, her eyes still lingering on the door Vikram had just exited. When she finally met Rishi’s gaze, her expression was conflicted—torn.
“Rishi, I…” She began, but the words didn’t come easy. She looked away, uncertain how to explain what she was feeling.
Rishi stepped forward again, his heart sinking. He had to know. “Parineeti, I need to know. Do you… do you feel the same? About me?”
Her gaze flickered back to him, and in that moment, Rishi saw something—something that both crushed and comforted him in equal measure.
“I don’t know, Rishi,” she said quietly. “Right now, everything is so complicated. Between the case, and…” She trailed off, glancing towards the door where Vikram had just left.
Rishi’s heart twisted painfully, but he nodded, accepting the silence that hung between them. He knew this wasn’t the answer he’d hoped for. But he couldn’t force her. Not like this.
“I understand,” he said softly, his voice tight. He turned and walked towards the door, leaving her behind in the study.
As he stepped into the hallway, the realization hit him harder than anything. This wasn’t the time for them. It wasn’t the right moment. But as much as he wanted her—needed her—he couldn’t change what was inside her heart.
Not yet, anyway.
The door clicked shut behind him.
---
As Rishi made his way down the hallway, his mind was still spinning. His heart had been laid bare in front of Parineeti, and now, as he walked away, the reality of her indecision settled heavily on his chest. He needed air, space, anything to clear the haze of frustration that had clouded his thoughts.
But just as he turned the corner, he stopped dead in his tracks.
There, standing in the hallway, his expression unreadable, was Vikram Singhania.
The older man’s sharp eyes scanned him with the precision of a predator, but there was no warmth in his gaze—only cold calculation. Rishi’s pulse quickened, an instinctive reaction, not from fear, but from the underlying tension that always hung between him and Vikram.
Vikram didn’t move, but his voice cut through the silence. “We need to talk.”
Rishi swallowed, trying to steady his racing heart. He hadn’t expected this encounter, not now, not after what had just transpired with Parineeti. He tried to keep his composure, but there was no denying the tension in the air.
He straightened, forcing a smile he didn’t quite feel. “What about?”
Vikram's eyes didn’t shift, but his gaze grew more intense. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Parineeti lately. It’s not just about the case, is it?”
Rishi’s stomach twisted. The insinuation hung in the air, thick with unspoken words. He knew exactly what Vikram was referring to—his growing feelings for Parineeti. But he couldn’t let that show. He couldn’t afford to be weak in front of Vikram. Not now.
“It’s... complicated,” Rishi replied, his voice steady, though the weight of the situation made his words feel heavier than usual. “I care about her, yes. But it’s none of your concern.”
Vikram’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “It is my concern, Rishi. Parineeti’s involvement in this case, her proximity to me... It’s all connected. You’re too close to her, and I can see that.”
Rishi clenched his jaw, his fists balling at his sides. The nerve of him, the way Vikram seemed to own every piece of space, every conversation, every aspect of Parineeti’s life.
He wasn’t going to let this stand. Not without a fight.
“I’m not here to explain myself to you, Mr.Singhania,” Rishi said, his voice firm, even though his insides were roiling with frustration. “I care about her. You might not like that, but I’m not going to apologize for it. Parineeti is an independent person. If she chooses to have me around, that’s her decision.”
Vikram took a step closer, his presence imposing. The air felt charged, heavy with unspoken challenges. “I didn’t ask for your apology,” he said coolly, his voice like steel. “But I will make sure you understand one thing, Rishi. I won’t let anyone interfere with the mission at hand. Parineeti is more than just your... personal interest. She’s working for me, and that comes first. Understand?”
Rishi’s anger flared. How dare he? Parineeti wasn’t some pawn on Vikram’s chessboard. She was her own person. His own feelings for her, complicated as they were, didn’t have anything to do with this cold, calculating businessman in front of him.
“I don’t care what you think,” Rishi said, stepping forward. “I won’t back off. And neither will Parineeti. If you think you can control her like that, you’re wrong.”
Vikram’s gaze sharpened, his face hardening into something more dangerous. “Don’t mistake my respect for Parineeti for weakness. She’s more than capable of making her own decisions. But when it comes to this case—and anything that involves me—you will respect my boundaries.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the silence between them stretched, tense and thick. Rishi knew exactly what this was—Vikram was asserting dominance. He was marking his territory, making sure Rishi understood just how little room there was for him in Parineeti’s world.
But Rishi wasn’t intimidated—not anymore.
“I won’t be pushed aside, Mr.Singhania,” Rishi said, his voice hard, his eyes locking with Vikram’s in a silent challenge. “I care about Parineeti, and I won’t stop being there for her. If that bothers you, too bad.”
Vikram studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowed, weighing his words carefully. Then, without another word, he stepped back, turning to leave. “We’ll see how far your resolve takes you, Rishi.”
With that, Vikram walked away, his footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Rishi stood still for a moment, his heart still pounding, his mind reeling. The conversation had left him unsettled, and yet, he knew one thing for certain. No matter how much Vikram tried to control the situation, Rishi would never back down.
Not when it came to Parineeti.
---As Rishi stood there, still breathing heavily from the confrontation, his eyes followed Vikram's retreating form. His mind was ablaze, replaying every word exchanged, every tense moment. He hadn’t expected things to get this intense, but then again, with Vikram, everything was always intense.
He was about to turn and walk away when a voice—calm, measured, and carrying an undeniable authority—cut through the air.
“Interesting exchange, don’t you think?”
Rishi froze. His heart skipped a beat, and his entire body tensed. He turned slowly, and standing in the doorway, her posture regal and composed, was none other than Justice Leela Gupta.
Her sharp, assessing eyes were locked onto him, and her expression revealed nothing of what she was thinking. The quiet power she exuded was unmistakable—this was a woman who had seen it all, who commanded respect without even needing to ask for it.
Rishi felt his throat tighten, the weight of her gaze pressing down on him. “Justice Gupta,” he said, forcing himself to remain calm. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
Leela’s lips curled into a faint smile, but it wasn’t one that softened the situation. It was knowing, almost as if she’d been watching the entire encounter unfold from the shadows.
“I have eyes everywhere, Rishi,” she replied, her voice soft but laced with authority. “And I do pay attention to things that concern me.”
Rishi couldn’t help but wonder what exactly had drawn her attention to this particular interaction. He wasn’t sure if it was the heat between him and Vikram or something more personal, something related to Parineeti. Either way, he was acutely aware that Leela Gupta wasn’t a woman who could be easily swayed or impressed.
“I wasn’t trying to make a scene,” Rishi said, trying to defend himself, though he knew it probably sounded weak in the face of her piercing gaze.
“I’m not concerned about the scene, Rishi,” Leela replied, stepping closer, her presence filling the hallway. “I’m concerned about your place in all of this. Vikram Singhania is not someone you should toy with, not in matters of business, and certainly not when it comes to someone as important as Parineeti.”
Rishi’s jaw clenched. “I’m not ‘toying’ with anyone,” he said, his tone more forceful now, though there was an undercurrent of respect in his voice. “Parineeti’s not just some pawn in a game. She’s her own person, and I’m not going to step aside just because Vikram thinks he has some claim over her.”
Leela studied him for a long moment, her eyes calculating. “I understand your feelings, Rishi. But you need to be careful. This game you're playing—it’s bigger than you. It's bigger than all of us. Vikram isn’t someone you can challenge head-on without consequences. He’s too powerful, too influential, and his reach is far wider than you realize.”
Rishi swallowed, the weight of her words sinking in. He wasn’t naive—he knew the kind of power Vikram wielded. But the idea of standing aside, of letting Vikram control everything... it didn’t sit well with him. Not when it came to Parineeti.
“I’m not backing down,” he said quietly, meeting Leela’s gaze with determination.
Leela’s lips parted as if she was about to speak, but then she simply sighed, her expression softening ever so slightly. “You remind me a lot of someone,” she said, her tone now laced with something almost wistful. “Your passion, your determination. But don’t let it cloud your judgment. There are far greater stakes in play here than just your feelings for Parineeti.”
Rishi didn’t know how to respond to that. Justice Leela Gupta, who was often known for her unshakable composure and no-nonsense attitude, had just given him a piece of advice that, for some reason, struck a chord.
She turned toward the door, her voice calm once again as she spoke over her shoulder. “Just remember, Rishi, that sometimes the battles we think we’re fighting aren’t the ones that matter most.”
With that, she walked away, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she disappeared down the hallway, leaving Rishi standing in silence.
He stood there for a moment longer, lost in his thoughts. Leela’s words lingered, echoing in his mind, and for the first time in a long while, he questioned whether he was really prepared for the consequences of his feelings for Parineeti. But even so, there was no going back now. He had made his choice, and he wouldn’t let anyone—least of all Vikram Singhania—dictate his path.
He took a deep breath and walked away, determined to face whatever lay ahead.
---
The sun filtered through the tall glass windows of the Singhania Industries executive lounge, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floors. Vikram stood with his back to the room, staring out at the skyline, a tumbler of water in his hand—not whiskey today. His mind wasn’t on numbers or board decisions, but on her.
He turned slightly as the soft click of heels echoed into the room.
Parineeti entered, her sharp navy blazer hugging her silhouette, a file tucked under one arm and her face composed—but he didn’t miss the slight hesitation in her steps. That was new.
“You called for me?” she asked, all business. But her eyes flicked once to his face—just once—and he caught it.
“I always do,” Vikram said smoothly, walking toward her. “But this time it’s about the proposal.”
She raised an eyebrow. “The case proposal?”
He smirked, his voice dipping just enough. “No, the marriage proposal. I heard your junior tried to beat me to it.”
Her expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle flare in her eyes. “If I remember correctly, this is a corporate building, not a gossip magazine’s back office.”
Vikram closed the distance between them, stopping just short of her personal space. “Come on, Miss Gupta. I think we’ve already crossed the line between formal and… something else.”
Parineeti didn’t step back. “Are you always this charmingly insufferable or is it just with women who refuse to fall at your feet?”
“Only the ones who make me want to forget everything else.”
For a heartbeat, the air between them shifted—hot, taut, almost electric.
Then Parineeti cleared her throat and held up the file, inserting structure into the moment. “Regarding the case. We have a bigger problem than the routing data. There’s a shell company registered in Mauritius rerouting funds—cleaning dirty money, possibly connected to someone inside your own logistics department.”
Vikram’s playful demeanor vanished like a switch had flipped. He stepped back, jaw clenched slightly, taking the file and flipping it open.
“You’re sure?” he asked, his tone lower now, deadly serious.
“Yes. But it’s not just a financial cover-up. The company’s been used before, by someone tied to an old client of Singhania Maritime. If we can prove internal involvement, it could either shield you—or destroy you.”
Vikram ran a hand through his hair, the earlier tease now gone completely. “And here I thought I had enemies outside the gates.”
“You do,” Parineeti replied, her voice steady. “But some of them might be sitting at your table.”
He looked up at her then, the intensity in his eyes no longer flirtatious, but protective. Possessive. Territorial.
“Stay close to me during this investigation,” he said.
Parineeti narrowed her eyes slightly. “Are you ordering me?”
“No,” he said softly. “I’m warning you.”
Their gazes locked again, and for a moment—just a breath—nothing else in the world existed.
And Parineeti, despite herself, felt it.
The shift.
The pull.
She turned away before it could drown her completely.
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