Destiny For Unlikely Vows

Chapter 22

Riya POv
I stood there, momentarily lost in memories of my school days with Ankit, until his voice brought me back to the present. “Hello,” he said, standing in front of me. I quickly composed myself and shook his hand, struggling to keep my expression professional. He had only grown more handsome over the years; his sharp jawline and clean-shaven look were straight out of a magazine. My inner voice teased, *Riya, stop staring! *

Seeing him again brought back memories I hadn’t thought of in a while. Ankit and I were classmates from 2nd to 6th grade before I moved back to my old school. He was the class topper, the smartest student not only in our class but across all sections. He was clever, a bit mysterious, and kept mostly to himself, which only added to his appeal. For some reason, I've always been drawn to smart, quiet guys—status, looks, or money didn’t matter much to me, but intelligence and a certain quiet charm did.

I remembered one lunchtime incident so vividly: I was running through the courtyard, and by some happy accident, he caught me in his arms as I stumbled. It was a brief moment, but it felt like one of those scenes straight out of a movie. I would often spot him while cycling around town; he was always on his bike too, but for him, a tomboyish girl like me didn’t exist. Still, I used to daydream about him noticing me one day. Those memories made me smile.

After our quick greeting, he told me he had been informed about me by Stephane and that after the sprint meeting, he would like to meet one-on-one to discuss the roadmap for the new release. He wanted to go over the new features and assign task points. I nodded, trying to stay focused as he flashed a smile that made my heart skip a beat. His effortless charm was almost intimidating.

Later, after the meeting, he called me into his office. As I knocked and entered, nerves flooded through me as if I were about to go on a date rather than a professional meeting. He welcomed me, gesturing for me to sit. Once we were settled, he asked the office boy to bring coffee. We spent the next hour and a half going over every point in the roadmap, making notes and discussing details. As we finished, he looked at me thoughtfully. “Do we know each other from before?” he asked.

I kept my composure, pretending to think. “I don’t think so,” I replied casually, despite wanting to tell him about our shared past.

Later that evening, a few colleagues invited me out for drinks at a nearby pub. I don’t usually drink, but I decided to join them instead of heading home alone. The pub was quaint and elegantly designed, blending sophistication with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. It wasn’t overly crowded; a few tables were occupied by people sipping coffee or wine, engrossed in quiet conversations. The ambient lighting cast a warm glow across the wooden furnishings, while soft jazz music played in the background, adding to the charm of the space.

We found a spot, and everyone settled in, chatting and laughing. After a while, Ankit approached me, asking where I was from. I mentioned Jamshedpur, and he broke into a smile, saying, “You’re kidding!” Apparently, he was also from Jamshedpur. I managed to act surprised, even though I knew this all along. We continued talking, sharing memories of our old school, and he finally connected the dots, realizing we had been classmates. The realization seemed to make him genuinely happy. He asked about my living situation, and when I mentioned I was staying with family friends but looking for a place of my own, he offered to help. He mentioned a small, affordable unit in his building that would be available in two weeks. The offer lifted my spirits, even though I hadn’t asked about the rent.

After the drinks, he walked with me to the metro station. We said goodbye, and I returned to Mr. Rathore’s villa, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. As soon as I entered, Celine rushed over, relief evident on her face. “Thank God, you’re okay!” she said.

I laughed, puzzled. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

She explained that Mr. Rathore had been furious with the driver for losing track of me. I headed to the hall, where I saw Mr. Rathore standing, arms crossed, his face set in a fierce scowl. As soon as his gaze fell on me, his expression shifted to something darker. Without a word, he grabbed my hand and practically dragged me upstairs, leading me into his room.

It was my first time in his private space, and I couldn’t help but admire it. The room was luxurious, with elegant decor that reflected his refined taste. Soft, neutral tones covered the walls, and a crystal chandelier cast a gentle glow across the plush furniture. A large bookshelf filled with leather-bound volumes stood against one wall, and floor-to-ceiling windows provided a stunning view of the city skyline. Every detail spoke of sophistication and restraint.

I barely had time to take it all in before he slammed the door, startling me back to reality. I turned to face him, bracing myself. I was still in a good mood from the evening and didn’t want it spoiled by his unnecessary outburst.

“Why are you shouting?” I asked as calmly as possible.

He took a slow, deliberate step toward me, his gaze intense. I felt myself backing up until my back pressed against the wall. He caged me in, one hand resting against the wall by my head, the other near my waist. His voice dropped dangerously low as he spoke. “Where were you?”

I stammered, “I went out for coffee with some colleagues after work.” I left out the part about the pub; it wasn’t as if I owed him every detail of my life.

“With whom?” he demanded; his tone sharp.

“Just a friend from the team,” I lied, trying to keep my voice steady. “She’s from Poland. We’d only met virtually until now.”

He seemed to calm down at this, exhaling slowly. “From now on, my driver will be there to pick you up,” he stated, his tone brooking no argument.

“There’s no need,” I protested. “I can manage on my own.”

He didn’t respond, his gaze unreadable. After a moment, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone amidst the elegance of his world, wondering what exactly had just happened.
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