THE GLIDED CAGE

3

Ishita couldn’t shake the strange sensation that had settled in her chest after her encounter with Ranveer. Every time she thought about it, her heart would race, a knot forming in her stomach. She didn’t know what it was about him that affected her so deeply—his cold eyes, his commanding presence, or the way he seemed to know exactly what to say to unsettle her.

As the days passed, she tried to focus on her tasks and avoid further contact with him, but Ranveer Khurana wasn’t a man easily avoided. Every now and then, she would catch a glimpse of him watching her from across the room, his gaze sharp and unreadable. It made her feel exposed, as if he could see through every wall she tried to build around herself.

One evening, as she was wrapping up her work, her phone buzzed again. Aarav had sent her a link to his latest YouTube video, along with a message:

**Aarav:** *"Check this out, Di! My fans are going crazy over this new game. You gotta try it with me sometime!"*

Ishita smiled at the message, her heart warming. Aarav was her rock, the one constant in her life. No matter how stressful things got at work, knowing she had him to go home to made it all worth it.

**Ishita:** *"I’ll watch it tonight! Maybe we can play this weekend if I survive the week lol."*

She sent the message, laughing softly to herself as she packed up her things. It was late, and the office was nearly empty. She hadn’t realized how much time had passed.

As she exited the building, the crisp night air hit her, a welcome change from the stuffy atmosphere of the office. She walked to the curb, waiting for a cab when she noticed a sleek black car parked nearby. The windows were tinted, but she felt someone watching her from inside.

Her instincts told her to look away, but her curiosity got the better of her. The car door opened, and out stepped Ranveer.

Her breath hitched in her throat as he approached her, his presence even more overwhelming in the dimly lit street. He looked like he belonged in the shadows, like the night itself wrapped around him, cloaking him in mystery and danger.

"Miss Arora," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You’re working late."

Ishita swallowed, trying to keep her composure. "Y-Yes, sir. I had a few things to finish up."

Ranveer’s eyes flickered over her, lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "You should be more careful," he said softly, though there was a warning in his tone. "Walking alone at this hour isn’t safe."

Ishita blinked, confused. "I’m just waiting for a cab."

He tilted his head slightly, studying her in that unnerving way he always did. "You think a cab will protect you from the dangers lurking in the dark?"

She opened her mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words. Something about the way he spoke sent a shiver down her spine, a reminder of the rumors she had heard about him. Was this just another one of his ways to intimidate her?

"I—I’ll be fine," she managed to say, though her voice wavered. "I’ve done this before."

Ranveer’s lips curved into a small, cold smile. "You’re too naive, Miss Arora. This isn’t the kind of world where innocence survives for long."

Before she could respond, he gestured toward his car. "Get in. I’ll take you home."

Ishita’s eyes widened. "What? No, sir, that’s really not necessary. I can—"

"It wasn’t a request." His voice dropped, the finality of his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, she nodded, feeling trapped by his gaze. She followed him to the car, her mind racing as she slipped into the backseat. Ranveer got in beside her, the doors closing with a soft click. The air inside was thick with tension, and she suddenly felt very small next to him.

As the car pulled away from the curb, Ishita sat stiffly, unsure of what to say or do. She glanced out of the window, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She could feel his eyes on her, burning into her like he was assessing her every move.

After a few minutes of silence, Ranveer spoke again, his voice low and controlled. "You live with your brother, don’t you?"

Ishita’s head snapped toward him, surprised that he knew about Aarav. "Y-Yes, sir. Aarav."

Ranveer’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened slightly. "I’ve heard about him. Quite the celebrity in his own right."

Ishita blinked, unsure of how to respond. "He’s... popular, yes. He’s been doing really well with his gaming channel."

Ranveer’s gaze remained fixed on her, his tone becoming even colder. "Be careful, Miss Arora. Fame attracts attention—both good and bad."

Her stomach twisted at his words. There was an underlying threat in them, something that sent alarm bells ringing in her mind. She didn’t understand why he was talking about Aarav, but the way he said it made her feel like something was wrong.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. When they finally arrived at her apartment building, Ranveer’s driver opened the door for her. Ishita got out quickly, desperate to escape the suffocating tension inside the car.

"Goodnight, Miss Arora," Ranveer said from inside the car, his eyes still locked on her as if daring her to disobey.

"Goodnight, sir," she whispered, before turning and hurrying into the building. As she walked through the doors, she felt his gaze on her back, lingering like a shadow.

Once inside, Ishita let out a shaky breath, leaning against the wall for support. What was happening? Why was Ranveer suddenly showing such interest in her life, in Aarav? And why did she feel like she had just walked deeper into a trap?

As she looked out of the window, she saw the black car drive away, disappearing into the night. But Ishita couldn’t shake the feeling that, even though he was gone, Ranveer Khurana’s control over her life had only just begun.

To be countinue

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