I fumbled with the keys at my apartment door, the exhaustion from the day weighing on me like an anchor. It had been a whirlwind of negotiations, hours spent sealing the deal with Xavier.

Relief flickered inside me, but it was quickly overshadowed by the looming thought of working with Araav Raghuvanshi.

The man had a reputation, and from what I’d heard and witnessed, he wasn’t someone to take lightly.

I still didn’t know what to make of him. He didn’t coddle, didn’t offer false sympathy.

In fact, his brutal honesty had taken me by surprise. When people pitied me for my failed marriage, he’d been the one to cut through the noise, offering nothing but truth. Maybe that’s why he intrigued me. Or unsettled me.

As my thoughts churned, I pushed open the door, and there it was again,a bouquet.

I paused, my pulse quickening. This had become a routine I couldn't ignore. Fresh flowers, left right at my doorstep. Today’s arrangement was stunning,white orchids and deep purple irises, arranged so delicately, almost as if each petal had been placed with intention. My stomach tightened, recognizing the pattern.

I crouched down and picked up the small card resting against the bouquet.

“You’ve conquered the day, but the real battle is ahead. I’ll be watching and fight the battle with you."

                                                       —A.J.R.

I clenched the note, the initials sending a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen them. Whoever they were, they knew too much. Too much about me. Too much about the pressures I was under.

I stood there, the city’s distant hum in the background, staring at the bouquet as if it held all the answers. But it didn’t. Only more questions.

Araav Raghuvanshi’s name flashed in my mind. Was he connected to this somehow? Or was this another force at play in my life, another shadow lurking in the corners?

I exhaled deeply and stepped inside, locking the door behind me.

I leaned against the closed door, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in my chest. I knew Araav’s full name, Araav Raghuvanshi.

A.J.R. couldn’t be him. There had to be another player in this game, someone who thrived on my confusion and anxiety besides he had only 2 names

I set the bouquet down on the kitchen counter, the flowers momentarily forgotten as I moved toward the bathroom.

A shower was just what I needed to wash away the remnants of the day, the stress of the deal, the tension of the unknown.

The hot water cascaded over me, soothing my tired muscles and quieting my racing thoughts. I let the steam envelop me, trying to focus on nothing but the warm droplets.

Once I was clean and dry, I emerged from the bathroom, the faint scent of vanilla lingering on my skin. I grabbed a towel to dry my hair, but before I could finish, my phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the silence.

I glanced at it, my heart quickening at the sight of an unknown number.

I hesitated before unlocking it. The message flashed across the screen:

“You’re lucky to work with the most charming men in the world, Tanvi.”

A familiar smirk tugged at my lips. Araav.

I quickly typed back, my fingers flying over the screen. “Lucky? I thought you were known for your insufferable ”

His response came almost immediately

“You just couldn’t handle the truth, could you, Tanvi? I’m not just a pretty face,I’ve got both brains and beauty.”

A smile crept across my face as I rolled my eyes. “Very funny and flattering Raghuvanshi .”

“Truth hurts Tanvi Singhania ” he replied

We bantered back and forth, the tension from earlier dissipating with each message. The night wore on, the laughter and lightness of our conversation a welcome relief.

Eventually, he typed, “It’s getting late. You should get some rest.”

I could almost picture his expression, that mixture of sincerity and mischief. “Okay, Mr. Sleep Police. I’ll consider it.”

“No consideration needed. Just sleep. You’ll need your energy for the real battles ahead.”

I felt a warmth spread through me, a sense of comfort in our exchange that I hadn’t anticipated. Maybe it was the thrill of competition, or perhaps it was simply the connection we shared, however fragile it felt.

“Good night, Araav. Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Anytime. Sleep well, Tanvi.”

With one last smile, I put my phone down and climbed into bed, the cozy blankets wrapping around me like a shield. The comfort of his words lingered in my mind, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of calm.

As I nestled into my pillow, I replayed our conversation in my mind, the banter lingering like a sweet melody. Araav's words, teasing yet somehow reassuring, echoed in the quiet of my room. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension from the day slowly dissipate.

But as I closed my eyes, the bouquet from earlier flashed before me. A.J.R. The initials were etched into my thoughts, a nagging reminder that I was still tangled in a web of uncertainty. Who were you, and what did you want from me? I pushed the thought aside, unwilling to let it spoil the lightness Araav had inadvertently gifted me.

Sleep beckoned, but my mind was too active, racing through the day’s events and the challenges awaiting me with Araav. The thought of collaborating with him filled me with equal parts excitement and apprehension. He was a force to be reckoned with, and I knew I had to bring my A-game.

As I drifted between sleep and wakefulness, my phone buzzed again, interrupting my thoughts. I blinked at the screen, half-expecting another message from Araav. Instead, it was a notification from my work email. I sighed, knowing I should ignore it, but curiosity won. I opened the email, my heart racing as I scanned the subject line.

It was a confirmation about our upcoming project meeting,the first one with Araav.

I frowned, biting my lip. This would be the real test. Could I hold my own against him? My fingers danced across the screen, drafting a quick reply to my assistant about the agenda for the meeting.

Before I knew it, I was back in the messaging app, tapping out a message to Araav.

“Just got the email about our meeting. Ready to impress me?” I sent, trying to match his playful tone.

A moment later, he replied, “Impress you? Tanvi, I’m not worried about that. I’m just trying to make sure you keep up.

I shook my head with a smile, the teasing sparking warmth in my chest. “Oh please, as if I’d let you outshine me that easily.”

He responded almost instantly, “It’s not my fault if my brilliance blinds you. But I’ll do my best to keep it in check.”

I could picture his smug grin, and for the first time, I found myself looking forward to working with him, despite the challenges. “Just try not to be too charming. I don’t want you distracting me from the work,” I teased back.

“Charming? You should be thanking me for making your days brighter. I promise, I’ll give you a reason to smile every single day,” he replied, a hint of sincerity hidden behind his usual bravado.

I felt my cheeks warm at his words. There was something about Araav that pulled me in, an undeniable chemistry that crackled between us even through the screens. “I guess I’ll have to hold you to that.”

“Consider it a promise. Now, seriously, sleep. You’ll need your energy,” he urged, and I could sense the genuine concern beneath his playful facade.

“Fine. Good night again, Araav. Let’s tackle this project like pros.”

“Good night, Tanvi. Sweet dreams. And remember, I’ll be expecting you to keep up.”

I chuckled softly, putting my phone down and turning off the bedside lamp. As I settled back into the comforting darkness, I felt a flicker of anticipation for the days to come. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was ready to face them head-on, especially with Araav by my side.

With a final deep breath, I closed my eyes, the lingering warmth of

our conversation wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. The unknown no longer felt quite so daunting.