Lucky To Have You

Hidden Identity

Ananya felt the weight of her family’s words still pressing on her as she made her way to her room, but when she felt her phone buzz, she glanced down and saw a message from Neha.

Her heart skipped a beat—she had been clear about not being disturbed while staying with Varun’s family. Whatever this was, it had to be serious.

Her family and Varun’s watched her leave, sensing she needed a moment alone after such an emotional morning.

Varun, though, couldn’t shake the concern that gripped him. After a few moments, he followed her, his footsteps quiet as he made his way toward her door.

Inside her room, Ananya quickly shut the door behind her and dialed Neha’s number. Neha picked up on the first ring, her voice urgent yet respectful.

"Boss, I’m sorry to disturb you. I know you asked us not to call while you were at Varun Sir’s home, but… the company needs you. There’s an urgent issue with the new project, and it requires your decision."

Ananya took a deep breath, nodding as she processed Neha’s words. This was part of a life no one here knew about—a life she’d built in secret, far from the scrutiny and expectations of her family.

When she had turned 18, feeling stifled and restricted by her family’s control, she’d made a bold choice. She had opened her own company under a different name, making sure her identity remained hidden to the world.

Only a handful of people knew the truth. Neha, her trusted secretary, had been with her since the beginning, handling all public appearances and managing the daily operations that required a visible face.

Neha knew the stakes and worked tirelessly to keep Ananya’s identity protected, standing in for her at events, meetings, and anywhere Ananya needed to stay anonymous.

Shourya, her assistant, was another trusted confidant, managing contracts and sensitive documents to ensure that nothing traced back to her.

He was meticulous and discreet, a perfect match for the role. Together, the three of them had built a small empire from scratch, a business Ananya was proud of, one that was hers alone, untouched by her family’s influence or control.

Ananya’s voice softened as she replied to Neha, “Tell me what’s going on.”

“There’s a critical issue with the new project launch. The design team made unexpected changes that don’t align with the original contract, and the client is threatening to back out if we don’t address it immediately. Shourya’s managed to stall them, but he said it won’t hold for long without your input.”

Ananya rubbed her temples, already slipping into the calm, decisive mindset she reserved for work.

“Alright, give me a few minutes. I’ll review the files and get back to you with instructions. Thank you for reaching out, Neha. And tell Shourya I’ll take care of it.”

As she hung up, she leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. The contrast between her life here, where she was still treated like a child who needed constant guidance, and her life as a powerful businesswoman, where her decisions carried weight and authority, felt jarring.

Just as she collected herself, there was a knock at the door. She turned, and when she saw Varun standing there, she straightened, feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and strength.

“Hey,” Varun said softly, stepping into the room. “I just… wanted to check on you.”

Ananya gave him a small smile, grateful for his presence. “I’m okay. Just… a lot to process.”

Varun studied her, sensing there was more to her than met the eye, a complexity that intrigued him even more. “If there’s anything you need or if you want to talk… I’m here for you.”

She looked away, wondering if he would ever understand the world she was managing beyond his sight. But for now, she simply nodded. “Thank you, Varun. That means more than you know.”

She knew she’d have to return to the issues waiting for her at the company soon, but for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the support he offered, standing with him in a silence that spoke more than words could convey.