𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝟏𝟖+

The Proposal

Aarohi Pov

As I left Dhruv Singh Rathore's office, my mind buzzed with thoughts about the man I had just interviewed. He was a force of nature—confident, imposing, and undeniably captivating. Yet, behind that cool demeanor, I sensed a guardedness that intrigued me. I had asked my questions, but it felt like I had only scratched the surface.

The city outside was bustling, but all I could think about was my brother. My phone buzzed as I walked through the lobby, and my heart sank when I saw my mother's name flashing on the screen.

"Aarohi, your brother's condition is getting worse. We need to find a way to pay for the operation," she said, her voice trembling.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. We had exhausted all options, and time was running out. "I'm trying, Mom. I'll figure something out."

After the call, a sense of urgency filled me. I felt desperate to find a way to help my brother. Just then, my phone rang again. It was Dhruv's office.

"Miss Mehta, Mr. Rathore would like to meet you again," his assistant said."Is there a specific reason?" I asked, intrigued yet cautious.

"It's a private matter. He'll explain everything when you arrive."An hour later, I stood in front of his towering office building once more. When I stepped inside, I found him leaning casually against his desk, his sharp gaze assessing me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.

"Miss Mehta," he greeted, his tone smooth yet commanding. "Thank you for coming back.""Of course," I replied, trying to keep my composure. "You mentioned a private matter?"He straightened, his expression shifting to something more serious. "I need someone to document my life—my business dealings, my travels. I want you to follow me for a year and write about it. But it won't be just a standard assignment."

My heart raced. "What do you mean?"He took a step closer, the atmosphere thickening with tension. "This will be a full-time commitment. You'll be with me constantly, observing, learning, and reporting. I want you to immerse yourself in my world."

I hesitated, feeling overwhelmed. "That sounds intense. And what if I say no?"His lips curled into a slight smirk. "You won't. You're intrigued, aren't you? You want to know more about me."

"Maybe," I admitted, my heart pounding in my chest. "But this sounds like more than just a job."He stepped even closer, his presence overwhelming. "It is. I need someone who can handle the intensity of my life. Someone who can see past the surface and understand the stakes.""Mr. Rathore, I'm not sure—"

He interrupted me, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. "I'm offering you a significant amount of money, Aarohi. Enough to cover your brother's operation. Think about it. You'll have the resources to save him."My heart raced at his words. The thought of my brother's health hung heavily in my mind. I had tried everything to secure the funds for his surgery, and now Dhruv was offering me a lifeline."Money isn't everything," I said, trying to maintain my composure.

"No, but it can be the difference between life and death," he replied, his voice steady and persuasive. "This is a chance to not only help your brother but also to advance your career. You'll be documenting the life of one of the most powerful men in the country."

As I weighed my options, I felt the weight of my brother's situation pressing down on me. This could be the opportunity I needed, but it came with risks I wasn't sure I was ready to take. Yet, the thought of my brother's health pushed me to reconsider.

"Okay," I said, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me. "I'll do it."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Dhruv's face, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and determination. I had accepted his proposal, but now I was stepping into a world that could change everything. The stakes were high, but I was willing to take the risk for my brother's sake. As I left his office, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was diving headfirst into something far more complicated than I had anticipated.