The chase begins
Author's pov-
Purv had never felt this restless in his life. The moment Divya shut the door on him last night, it felt like a wall had slammed between them-one he no longer had the luxury of ignoring.
For five years, he had convinced himself that her absence didn't matter.
That her leaving hadn't changed anything.
But last night, when he had stood there, looking into her eyes, he had felt it.
The void. The loss. The unbearable emptiness that no success, no deal, no women had ever managed to fill.
And now, he couldn't stay still.
---------------------------------------------------
Divya sighed as she stepped into the elevator of her office building. Meetings, paperwork, deadlines-her life had become a carefully crafted routine, one that kept her mind too occupied to wander into dangerous territory.
The doors were about to close when a hand slid in between them.
Her breath hitched.
Purv.
Dressed in his usual all-black suit, his presence was sharp, commanding, and infuriatingly familiar. He stepped inside, letting the doors close behind him, effectively trapping them together.
She kept her gaze forward, pretending he wasn't there.
But he wasn't the kind of man to be ignored.
"Running away from me now, Divya?" His voice was low, edged with something unreadable.
She exhaled sharply. "I don't have time for this, purv."
He let out a humourless chuckle. "Of course, you never do."
She turned to him now, eyes sharp. "That's because I moved on. Maybe you should try it too."
He tilted his head, watching her like he was trying to figure her out. Then, after a beat-
"Liar."
Her fingers curled into fists. "You don't get to tell me what I feel."
He took a step closer, his presence suffocating in the small place. "Don't I? Because last night, when I looked into your eyes, I saw it." His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "You still feel something, don't you?"
Divya felt her heart hammering against her ribs. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
She scoffed, stepping back. "You're delusional."
The elevator dinged. The doors opened. Without another word, she strode out, leaving him behind.
But Purv Rathore was not a man who gave up easily.
---------------------------------------------------
That night, Divya attended a high-profile business gala. It was supposed to be an ordinary event- networking, speeches, polite conversations.
Until purv arrived.
He walked in as if he owned the place, and for a moment, it felt like time had rewound. Like she was back in college, watching him steal the spotlight effortlessly.
Except this time, he wasn't just here to make an appearance.
He was here for her.
She ignored him, engaging in a conversation with a potential investor. But she could feel his gaze burning into her.
And then-
"Divya."
She turned, finding purv standing there, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Dance with me."
A silence fell over the crowd. People were watching. Waiting.
She clenched her jaw. "I don't think so."
But he didn't back down. "One dance. Unless you're scared."
That did it.
She placed her hand in his, letting him lead her onto the dance floor. The music was slow, but the air between them was thick with tension.
His grip on her waist was firm, possesive. His eyes, dark and intense, never left hers.
"I'm not letting you go this time, Divya," he murmured.
She swallowed, hating how his words sent a shiver down her spine. "You already did."
He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening. "I was a fool. But I'm done pretending now."
Her heart was racing. "It's too late, purv."
"Is it? He challenged. "Because I don't think either of us believes that."
She wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him that he was wrong.
But the truth was, she wasn't sure anymore.
And purv?
He was ready to fight for her, no matter what it took.