"For the girls who dared to believe in love, only to have their hearts shattered. She craved a love without conditions. He built walls to keep love at bay. Will he surrender to his heart's desire, or will he leave her with nothing but broken dreams?"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Kiara started her day with a mix of nervousness and determination. Dressing sharply, she left for Whales Group, her mind clouded by the events of the previous days. Reaching the office building, she headed straight to Agastya’s cabin, her heart pounding. With a soft knock on the door, she waited for his response.
“Come in,” his deep voice echoed.
Stepping inside, Kiara approached his desk and cleared her throat to draw his attention. Agastya, busy scanning a stack of papers, glanced up. For a brief moment, his gaze softened, lingering on her. But he quickly masked his emotions and broke the silence.
“Uh… I want to apologize for my behavior the other day,” he began, his tone genuinely remorseful. “I had no right to say those things to you. I’m truly sorry.”
Kiara blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. This was not the cold, arrogant CEO she had grown accustomed to. Gathering herself, she replied, “It’s okay, sir. And…I’m sorry too for slapping you.”
Agastya offered a faint nod. “Let’s put it behind us and start over.” Handing her some files, he added, “Here’s today’s agenda. Let’s make this a fresh beginning.”
Kiara took the files and exited the cabin, her mind in turmoil. Meanwhile, Agastya sat back in his chair, perplexed by his behavior. He was a man who never apologized, who never tolerated disobedience—yet Kiara had slapped him, and all he felt was guilt, not anger. She was changing him in ways he couldn’t comprehend.
In her cabin, Kiara stared at the files, the weight of her guilt pressing on her. Agreeing to her parents’ demand had been a moment of weakness—a desperate attempt to win their affection. But now, the thought of betraying the company and the man who had shown her unexpected kindness left her feeling disgusted with herself.
---
Two Weeks Later
The atmosphere between Agastya and Kiara had shifted dramatically. Their professional bond had evolved into something warmer, more personal. They often ate lunch together, shared light-hearted banter during breaks, and even went on late-night drives after dinner.
For Agastya, this change was unsettling yet welcome. The man who once drowned himself in work, alcohol, and fleeting hookups now found himself looking forward to Kiara’s company. In two weeks, he hadn’t stepped foot in a club, nor felt the need to numb himself with his old vices. It was as if she had unknowingly become his anchor.
---
Present Day
Dinner with Kiara had become a routine, but tonight felt different. As they laughed over shared jokes and exchanged knowing smiles, Agastya realized just how much he enjoyed these moments. Dropping her off at her apartment, he lingered for a second longer than usual, his heart warring with thoughts he wasn’t ready to face.
“Goodnight, Kiara,” he said, his voice unusually soft.
“Goodnight, sir,” she replied, her eyes reflecting a similar hesitation.
As Agastya’s car disappeared into the night, Kiara climbed the stairs to her apartment, her steps heavy. She frowned upon noticing the lights inside her home were on.
Kiara’s heart raced as she approached the door. Her instincts screamed at her to turn back, but before she could act, the door swung open, revealing a familiar figure.
Her blood ran cold.
“Have you brought the information?” her father demanded, his voice low and threatening.
Kiara’s grip on her purse tightened as she stepped inside, her mind scrambling for a response. “I’m working on it,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her father’s piercing gaze bore into her. “Working on it? We don’t have time for your excuses, Kiara. Malhotra & Sons expects results. You better deliver soon, or you know the consequences.”
Kiara flinched but nodded silently. Her mother, seated on the couch, smirked coldly. “Don’t disappoint us again, dear. You’ve already been enough of a burden.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she swallowed them down. “I’ll get it done,” she muttered, forcing herself to appear composed.
Her father stepped closer, his tone sharp. “Remember, Kiara, this isn’t just about you. If you fail, we all pay the price. So don’t mess it up.”
With that, they left, leaving her standing alone in the dimly lit apartment. The suffocating silence was a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind.
---
Kiara sank onto the couch, her hands trembling. How had her life spiraled so out of control? The guilt of betraying Agastya, the man who had shown her nothing but kindness lately, weighed heavily on her. He didn’t deserve this. But what choice did she have?
Her parents had always been masters at manipulation, using her deepest insecurities against her. No matter how much she craved their love, she realized it would never come without a price.
That night, sleep evaded her. Her mind replayed every interaction she’d had with Agastya, every moment of warmth and sincerity. Could she really betray him?
For the first time, Kiara found herself questioning if her loyalty to her parents was worth the cost of her own integrity.
---
Meanwhile, at Agastya’s Penthouse:
Agastya sat on the balcony, nursing a glass of whiskey. The city lights stretched out before him, but his thoughts were focused elsewhere. Kiara’s laughter from dinner still echoed in his ears, and he couldn’t help but smile.
But beneath the surface, unease lingered. There was something about Kiara—something he couldn’t quite place. She was a puzzle he couldn’t solve, and it both intrigued and frustrated him.
“Why does she make me feel this way?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.
The cold breeze did little to soothe his restless mind. For the first time in years, Agastya felt vulnerable, and it terrified him.
He downed the rest of his drink, vowing to keep his distance. But deep down, he knew it was a promise he wouldn’t be able to keep.
---
To be continued...
Follow my ig for updates
Shriiwrites24
Do vote and comment to let me know how you feel about this chapter.
