PART 6 - SHATTERED CALM

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**Shrishti's POV**

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**Shrishti's POV**

The days following my encounter with Rajwardhan Rathod were a blur. I threw myself into my work at the clinic and the dance studio, trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease. Alexei continued to be a comforting presence, his charm and warmth a welcome distraction from my worries.

One evening, as I finished my last session at the clinic, I received a call from Alexei.

"Hey, Shrishti. Are you free tonight?" he asked, his voice cheerful.

"Yeah, I just finished up. What's up?" I replied, trying to match his enthusiasm.

"I was thinking we could grab dinner. There's a new restaurant that just opened, and I've heard great things about it."

"Sure, that sounds nice," I agreed. "I'll meet you there."

The restaurant was cozy and elegant, the soft lighting creating a warm ambiance. Alexei was waiting for me at a table near the window, a charming smile on his face. As we sat down, he reached across the table to take my hand.

"You look beautiful tonight," he said softly.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

We talked and laughed, the evening passing by in a blur of delicious food and good company. For a moment, I forgot about my worries and just enjoyed being in the present.

As we were leaving the restaurant, I felt a strange sense of being watched. I glanced around but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shaking off the feeling, I turned back to Alexei.

"Thank you for tonight, Alexei. I had a wonderful time," I said, smiling.

"The pleasure was all mine," he replied, his eyes twinkling. "Can I walk you home?"

"Sure," I said, feeling safe in his company.

As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Alexei was kind, attentive, and seemed genuinely interested in me. But a part of me still couldn't shake the memory of Rajwardhan's warning.

When we reached my apartment, Alexei hesitated at the door.

"Shrishti, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his expression turning serious.

"What is it?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.

"There's been some tension between my family and Rajwardhan Rathod's. It's why he approached you. He might have tried to scare you away from me," Alexei said, his voice tense.

I felt a chill run down my spine. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I didn't want to worry you," he replied, taking my hand. "But I think you should know. He's a dangerous man, Shrishti. Be careful."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and a growing sense of dread. "Thanks for telling me, Alexei."

After he left, I sat in my apartment, trying to process everything. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how tangled my life had become. I needed to find a way to navigate this web of danger and deceit.

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