UNWILLINGLY HIS

A gesture of grace

Samaira stirred gently, the warmth of the soft sheets wrapping around her as she blinked her eyes open. The room was quiet, bathed in the early morning light filtering through the curtains. She stretched, her thoughts lazily drifting to the events of the previous day. Her lips curled into a small smile as she considered how Advait must have carried her back to her room after she’d fallen asleep in the car after all the chaos which had happened yesterday. She had told her friends not to think about it much as for then she too didn't't have any certain answers.

But her smile faded as flashes of the previous evening rushed back—the chaos, the danger, and most vividly, the moment Advait had leaned in to apply the ointment to her neck. His touch had been careful, almost tender, and the way his dark eyes softened when he looked at her… It was unlike anything she had ever expected from him.

A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she shook her head quickly. What are you doing, Samaira? Don’t overthink this. She pushed herself out of bed, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and headed to the washroom to freshen up.

Once she was ready, Samaira returned to her room and picked up her phone. The news headlines caught her attention immediately.

"Hotel Terrorist Attack: All Hostages Safe, Terrorists in Custody" the headline blared. Her eyes scanned the article eagerly. The news confirmed that every hostage was safe, with no casualties, and the attackers were either captured or neutralized. Strangely, the report mentioned that none of the hostages had revealed who saved them, leaving the story shrouded in mystery.

Setting her phone aside, she allowed herself a moment to think. The tension from the attack was still fresh, but something about the article soothed her nerves. Advait’s words from long ago echoed in her mind: “If anyone dares to lay a finger on you, I’ll wipe out everything they hold dear.”

Her eyes clouded briefly as memories surged forth. She remembered how ruthless he had been in his dealings, how unyielding his resolve was when it came to her safety. A shiver ran down her spine, not from fear, but from the weight of his promise.

And he had delivered.

The terrorist organization responsible for the attack was now wiped off the map. The news channels buzzed with reports that the group had been dismantled entirely—its key operatives captured or killed. Intelligence had been leaked, exposing their bases and major operations. The head of the organization, whose murder had initially sparked the chaos, was now revealed to be part of a broader conspiracy. The meticulous precision with which Advait had orchestrated the takedown left no doubt in her mind. He had ensured there would be no loose ends.

“You’ll burn the world for me, won’t you, Advait?” she thought, a pang of guilt and awe gripping her heart.

A small smile touched Samaira’s lips. Maybe Advait really does have his reasons, she thought. Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought.

Setting her phone aside, Samaira moved to her laptop. A plan was forming in her mind, one that she hoped would express her gratitude. She booked two tickets to the snow park—a place she remembered Advait had once mentioned fondly, back when things were simpler. It felt like the right gesture to show her appreciation.

Satisfied, she headed toward the kitchen.

The moment she stepped inside, the quiet hum of activity came to an abrupt halt. The servants froze mid-action, their eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her.

“Madam… you shouldn’t be here,” one of them stammered, his tone unsure but respectful.

Samaira gave them a reassuring smile, brushing past their surprise. “I’ll need all the ingredients for breakfast—eggs, vegetables, bread, and spices,” she said, her tone calm but firm. “After that, help me set the table.”