----
The dim apartment reeked of damp walls and despair. Anya Roy sat on the edge of a worn-out couch, her trembling hands clutching the phone. The voice on the other end of the line was cold, calculating, and disturbingly calm.
“Did you read the file, Miss Roy?” the man asked, his tone laced with authority.
“Yes,” Anya whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes darted to the stack of papers on the coffee table. The image of Aaryan Shah, India’s most powerful businessman, stared back at her from the cover of a business magazine. The accompanying dossier painted a vivid picture of his life—his sprawling business empire, his family, and his pristine public image.
“Good,” the man continued. “Your task is simple: get close to Aaryan Shah. Find his weaknesses. Destroy him.”
Anya swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Why him? What has he done to you?”
A dry chuckle echoed through the line. “You’re not paid to ask questions, Miss Roy. Remember our deal. You do as I say, and your brother lives. Disobey me, and… well, let’s just say the consequences will be swift.”
Her breath hitched at the mention of her brother, Kabir. He was her only family, a bright-eyed ten-year-old who still believed in heroes and happy endings. She couldn’t let him be a casualty of her failures.
“Fine,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute. “I’ll do it. But you promised me Kabir will stay safe.”
“As long as you cooperate, yes,” the man replied smoothly. “You’ll receive further instructions once you’ve infiltrated Shah Enterprises. Don’t disappoint me.”
The line went dead, leaving Anya in suffocating silence.
She stared at the photo of Aaryan Shah once more. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a face carved in confidence and eyes that seemed to see through you—he was the kind of man who commanded attention without effort. His business empire was an untouchable force, and his family was a fortress of loyalty and love. Anya had read every word of the file, but nothing in it explained why her handler was so determined to destroy him.
Her heart clenched. Whatever Aaryan Shah had done, it didn’t matter. Kabir’s safety came first.
---
The following week, Anya stood in the sleek, marble lobby of Shah Enterprises, clutching a leather folder that contained her fabricated résumé. Her hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a modest navy-blue suit that screamed competence without drawing too much attention.
“Miss Roy?” The receptionist’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Mr. Shah will see you now.”
Anya’s pulse quickened as she followed the receptionist through the glass doors leading to Aaryan Shah’s office.
The room was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The man himself stood by the window, his back to her. He turned as she entered, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.
“Miss Roy,” he said, extending a hand. His voice was smooth, authoritative.
“Mr. Shah,” she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his demeanor intimidating.
“Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the chair across from his sleek wooden desk.
Anya sat, her posture straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She had rehearsed this moment countless times, but under Aaryan’s intense scrutiny, she felt the cracks in her composure threatening to show.
“You come highly recommended,” he began, glancing at her résumé. “Your credentials are impressive. I need someone I can trust, someone who can handle discretion and efficiency. Can you deliver that, Miss Roy?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, her voice steady. “I pride myself on my professionalism.”
Aaryan leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment. “Good. Welcome to Shah Enterprises. You’ll start immediately.”
---
Her first day was a whirlwind of meetings, documents, and familiarizing herself with the inner workings of Shah Enterprises. Despite her nerves, Anya performed flawlessly, earning approving glances from Aaryan’s senior staff.
By the end of the day, she was exhausted but relieved. She had successfully passed the first hurdle.
Back in her tiny apartment, she dialed her handler’s number. He picked up on the first ring.
“Well?” he asked.
“I got the job,” she said flatly.
“Good. Keep me updated on his schedules and any vulnerabilities you find. Remember, Miss Roy, one mistake and your brother—”
“Don’t,” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “I know what’s at stake.”
The man chuckled. “Smart girl. Keep it that way.”
---
The days turned into weeks, and Anya became an integral part of Aaryan’s team. Her role required her to work closely with him, and she began to see a side of him that wasn’t in the file.
Despite his intimidating exterior, Aaryan was a man of integrity. He treated his employees with respect and listened to their concerns. Anya found herself admiring his dedication to his work and his family.
The Shah family was nothing like what she had expected. Siya Shah, Aaryan’s younger sister, was a bright, vivacious college student who adored her brother. She often visited the office, bringing an air of warmth and laughter that contrasted with the corporate environment.
“Anya, right?” Siya said one afternoon, offering her a dazzling smile. “You’re new here. How do you like it so far?”
“It’s... different,” Anya admitted, caught off guard by the young woman’s friendliness.
“Bhai can be intense,” Siya said with a grin. “But don’t let him scare you. He’s a softie deep down.”
Anya wasn’t so sure about that, but she appreciated the insight.
Then there was Savitri Devi, Aaryan’s grandmother, who radiated wisdom and kindness. She occasionally dropped by the office, her mere presence commanding respect.
“Anya,” Savitri said one day, her tone gentle but firm. “You’ve been working hard. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
“I will, Ma’am,” Anya replied, surprised by the older woman’s attention.
Aaryan himself remained an enigma. He was polite but distant, maintaining a professional boundary that Anya found both reassuring and unnerving. Yet, there were moments when his gaze lingered on her, as if he could sense the secrets she carried.
---
One evening, as Anya stayed late to finish a report, Aaryan approached her desk.
“You’re still here?” he asked, his tone softer than usual.
“I wanted to make sure everything was perfect,” she replied.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I appreciate your dedication, Miss Roy. But don’t overwork yourself.”
For a fleeting moment, Anya felt a pang of guilt. Aaryan Shah wasn’t the ruthless tyrant her handler had described. He was a man who valued loyalty and hard work. And she was betraying him.
As Aaryan walked away, Anya’s phone buzzed with a message from her handler:
“You’re doing well. Don’t forget your mission.”
Anya stared at the screen, her chest tightening. The deeper she infiltrated Aaryan’s world, the harder it became to see him as a target. But she couldn’t let her guard down. Kabir’s life depended on her success.
As she turned off her phone and packed her things, one thought echoed in her mind:
What have I gotten myself into?
---
End of Chapter 1
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