Chapter 2
Aditya
My mother always said that not everything’s in your hands, that a single moment can flip your whole world on its head. I never bought it. I always believed I called the shots—running my life on my own terms. Until now.
Damn. I still find it hard to fathom how one seemingly ordinary moment could prove me wrong and make my mother’s words hit home. But then I saw her — just one look, and my heart slammed into overdrive, flipping my whole world upside down.
My mind hasn’t stopped replaying the moment. Who would’ve thought that running late to the office and making a simple detour for my morning coffee would lead me to a woman capable of driving me utterly crazy—in the most irresistible, maddening way imaginable?
Even now, standing just outside her café, I’m fighting the insane urge to turn around and walk right back in.
Fuck, my heart is still racing — completely out of control.
I don’t know what the hell it is about her, but all I know is, she didn’t just catch my attention — she left me completely undone.
Damn, no woman has ever hit me with this kind of raw, electric pull at first glance.
Everything about her screamed dangerously sexy — from her long, dark hair cascading in soft waves just past her shoulders, perfectly framing her flawless, radiant face, to those striking black eyes that shot daggers at me with a fiery edge.
And damn, what do I even say about that body?
Every curve was locked tight in those jeans, and that silky shirt made it impossible for me to look away.
Smirking under my breath, I recall how I tried to maintain a stoic, arrogant demeanour, yet I couldn’t ignore the way she rattled my core.
And the moment she stood her ground with all that sass, my pulse hit a whole new damn high.
She knew exactly how to keep me in check.
There was definitely something about her beyond her stunning looks that had the power to jolt something inside me to life.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Aditya? You’ve been with your share of beautiful women, so why the hell are you acting like this?
It’s just one damn meeting—nothing more.
Doesn’t mean a thing. And definitely doesn’t mean she owns your thoughts or your heart.
You’re better than getting tangled up over a glance.
Clear your freaking head and get the hell out of here.
” I mutter to myself, forcing myself to head towards my car.
Walking to my black Mercedes parked just outside her café, I glance back over my shoulder.
Stop acting like a bloody teenager, I silently scold myself as I open the door and slide into the car.
But instead of starting the engine, I grip the steering wheel tightly, turning my head to stare at the coffee shop door once again.
Hoping... hell, I’m not even sure what I’m hoping for.
I fucking know she won’t walk through that door.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force her out of my mind, but her image burns behind my eyelids.
My fingers itch to trace the curve of her rosy cheek, wondering if her skin is as soft as it looks.
And those kissable lips… God, how I wish I could…
My phone buzzes in my pocket, jolting me out of my thoughts. I pull it out and groan when I see the name on the screen. Reyansh.
“What?” I snap.
“Good morning, sunshine. What’s with the grumpy mood?” Reyansh’s voice comes through on the other end of the line.
I don’t answer him. Instead, I ask, “What do you want?”
“Easy there, Mr. Grumpy. I just called to remind you we have a meeting at ten-thirty with our investors. And I didn’t want you to show up after it’s over, with me having to make excuses to the investors on your behalf, something you’ve made a habit of,” he taunts me.
Reyansh Kundra isn’t just my business partner; he’s also my best friend who always has my back.
Together, we started our own IT company, ApexTech, while simultaneously managing our family businesses—his dad’s telecom firm and my father’s export-import venture.
What’s more, over the years, even our parents have grown close, which has been an added bonus.
With a roll of my eyes, I start the car. “Chill, I’ve still got fifteen minutes. I’ll be there on time, so stop blowing it out of proportion. And just for the record, I was late for one damn meeting. You don’t need to keep biting my head off for it.”
“Right, just one meeting. If that’s what you’re calling it,” he says sarcastically.
“I’ll be there,” I reply, knowing he’s damn right but not wanting to admit it aloud. I do have a habit of showing up late for meetings.
“Fine. Just don’t make me regret trusting you on this. You know very well how important this meeting is for our company.”
I sigh. “I know. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“I also need a favour,” he adds, his tone turning serious now.
“Tell me. Though I’m not exactly enjoying that bitter tone. I think a little politeness would do you some good.”
“How about I don’t kick your ass?”
“Keep up that attitude, and you might just give me a reason to say no to the favour you’re asking for,” I grin, knowing how much I enjoy getting on his nerves. Slowly, I pull up to a red light.
“Fuck you.”
Laughing, I reply, “Alright, alright. Because I’m such a generous soul, consider this one a freebie.”
“Generous soul, my ass. Anyway, I need to see if you can handle the meeting with the employees later this evening. I want to drop by Kavya’s house to check on her.”
At the mention of Kavya’s name, my mind drifts back to just a few days ago.
Reyansh met her at my parents’ anniversary party a few days ago, and it’s pretty clear he feels something for her.
I still remember the moment Kavya accidentally fell down the stairs at that party.
His reaction caught me by surprise. He showed a level of concern and tenderness I’ve never seen from him towards any woman.
The way he held her, like she was something precious, made me truly question his feelings for her.
“Are you there?” he asks, drawing me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah,” I reply, just as the signal turns green and I shift my car into gear. Then, without thinking much or holding back, I ask, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
Instead of a reply, I’m met with silence, and for a second, I assume the line must have got disconnected. Just as I’m about to hang up, he responds, “Did you meet someone?”
The fact that he knows me well enough to sense that I’m hiding something really annoys me. I know that if I lie, he’ll catch me instantly. Yet, something holds me back from revealing my encounter with the gorgeous woman.
“It’s not about me. I’m asking about you,” I lie, with just a hint of truth.
“Me?”
“Yep. The way you’ve been around Kavya is so unlike you. I’ve never seen you act like that with any other woman.”
He lets out a long sigh. “Are you saying I’m being obvious?”
With a smile in my voice, I reply, “Let’s just say you’re not exactly being subtle about it.”
“Will you stop behaving like a nosy aunty?” he grumbles, and I can almost hear him rolling his eyes.
“You still didn’t answer my question?” I ask, ignoring his comment.
“That conversation can wait for another day, maybe with a beer or two. For now, I want you to get your ass to the office as soon as possible,” he says, clearly avoiding the topic.
I can’t blame him. I’m doing the same thing, hiding the fact that I met someone who knocked me off my feet without even trying.
“I’m just pulling into the parking lot now,” I say, guiding my car into my usual spot.
“Thank heavens. I’ll have the presentation ready for you to review before the investors arrive.”
“Cool,” I say, stepping out of the car. Just as I’m about to hang up, his voice stops me.
“And Aditya, to answer your question, yes, I do believe in love at first sight. It’s definitely a real possibility that can blindside you when you least expect it. And believe me, man, it changes everything,” he replies. Before I can respond, he hangs up.
I grin, shaking my head as I make my way toward the office building, still trying to make sense of what Reyansh said. But my mind is a mess—tangled up in that damn gorgeous woman, with my gut screaming she’s the one woman who, if I let her in, will wreck my world and change me like no one ever has.
No doubt about it. And that’s exactly why I need to make sure she gets no room in my life.