THE GLIDED CAGE

2

Ishita’s first week at RK Enterprises passed in a blur of clumsiness, scolding, and trying to navigate her way around the massive corporate maze. Despite her best efforts, it seemed like every little task she performed turned into a comedy of errors. She knocked over coffee cups, misplaced important files, and somehow managed to trip over thin air.

Her fellow interns, though sympathetic, kept their distance, worried about being associated with her constant mishaps. But Ishita didn’t mind. She was used to being the clumsy one, and besides, her work didn’t bother her as much as *he* did.

Ranveer Khurana was everywhere, it seemed. His presence loomed over her even when he wasn’t in the room. Every time she passed his office, she could feel his cold eyes on her, watching her every move. And every time she fumbled, she half-expected him to materialize out of nowhere, ready to deliver one of his stern, cutting remarks.

One afternoon, as she was organizing files in the conference room, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Aarav, her brother.

**Aarav:** *"How’s work, Di? Met any scary bosses yet?"*

Ishita smiled, shaking her head. Aarav knew how nervous she had been about starting the internship. She typed back quickly:

**Ishita:** *"You have no idea. The CEO is terrifying. I feel like I’m going to get fired any minute!"*

Before she could hit send, she heard footsteps behind her. A chill ran down her spine as she slowly turned around, her phone slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor.

There he was—Ranveer Khurana, standing in the doorway. His sharp gaze was fixed on her, dark and unreadable, but there was something new in his expression. Amusement? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that her heart was racing again.

"You seem to have a habit of dropping things, Miss Arora," he said, his voice smooth and cold as ever.

"I-I’m sorry, sir," she stammered, bending down quickly to pick up her phone. Her hands trembled as she shoved it into her pocket. "It won’t happen again."

Ranveer walked into the room, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were stalking prey. His presence filled the space, and Ishita felt small and insignificant in comparison. He stood in front of her, too close for comfort, his gaze unwavering.

"Tell me," he said, his voice low, "do you always apologize so easily?"

Ishita blinked, taken aback by the question. "I—I just don’t want to cause any trouble, sir."

His lips curved into a small, humorless smile. "That’s the problem, Miss Arora. You’re too quick to submit."

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she didn’t understand why his words stung. Wasn’t it a good thing to be obedient and avoid conflict? Especially with someone like him?

Ranveer tilted his head slightly, studying her with an intensity that made her feel like she was under a microscope. "You have potential," he said, almost as if he were thinking aloud. "But you need to stop apologizing for your existence."

Ishita bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She had never encountered someone like him before—someone who seemed so untouchable, so far beyond her world. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, his words struck a chord in her. He was cruel, yes, but there was a strange complexity in his gaze that she couldn’t ignore.

"I’ll... try, sir," she managed to say, though her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Good." Ranveer’s gaze softened, if only slightly, but it was enough to make Ishita feel a flicker of something—was it relief? Or something more dangerous? "Now, finish your work and don’t disappoint me again."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, her heart still racing. As soon as he was gone, Ishita let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. What was happening? Why did she feel so affected by him, by his presence, his words?

She shook her head, trying to refocus on the files in front of her. This was just a job, and he was just her boss—a very cold, very terrifying boss. But as she worked, the sound of his voice kept replaying in her mind, making it impossible to concentrate.

---

Ranveer returned to his office, his thoughts consumed by the girl. Ishita Arora. She was clumsy and far too naive for her own good, but there was something about her innocence that drew him in, something he couldn’t quite explain. It was dangerous, this pull he felt toward her. She didn’t belong in his world, and yet, he found himself wanting to drag her into it, to see how long that innocence would last.

He was a man of control, a man who always got what he wanted. And now, it seemed, what he wanted was her.

But he would wait. Watch. See how far she could go before she realized just how deep she had stepped into his world.

For now, he would let her think she was safe. But it wouldn’t be long before the game truly began.

To be countinue
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