✿ FIVE YEARS AGO ✿

Carrying his laptop bag slung over his shoulder, Angad Shekhawat hurried into the bustling office of Yaduvanshi Enterprises. The employees couldn't help but chuckle as they witnessed his daily tardiness, a familiar routine for them.

Before entering his boss's office, Angad quietly recited the Hanuman Chalisa, mentally preparing himself for the scolding he was about to receive. "Good morning, sir," he greeted his forever grumpy boss with a warm smile.

"Late again," Rudraksh Yaduvanshi grumbled, his eyes fixed on his laptop screen.

"Not today, sir. I made an improvement. Everyday I'm an hour late, but today I'm only half an hour late," Angad proudly declared, secretly patting himself on the back for waking up half an hour earlier, even after a night of binge-watching Netflix.

"Angad Shekhawat, do you know why I haven't fired you yet?" Rudraksh looked up from his laptop, directing his gaze at the annoying young man standing before him.

"Because nobody else can endure your tantrums," Angad candidly responded with a cheeky smile.

"Because you're the son of my late father's dear friend, and Angraj Uncle hopes that you'll learn the ropes of ethical business under my wings," Rudraksh emphasized on the word 'ethical.'

"But you don't have wings," Angad couldn't resist offering his unfiltered opinion.

"But I have a gun, and I'll use it if you don't stop talking nonsense in my presence," Rudraksh's patience with Angad's remarks was wearing thin.

"Okay, fine. I'll tell your mother about your one-night stand with that Victoria's Secret model," Angad casually threatened his boss, feigning innocence.

"Don't!" Rudraksh jumped from his chair at Angad's threat.

"Then be a good boss and let me brief you on today's schedule. We're conducting interviews for your new assistant-" Angad frowned at the the notification he received from the HR department. He continued, "But you already have an assistant, and that's me."

"Angad, these interviews are for my second assistant, someone who can make drinkable coffee and actually arrive on time," Rudraksh explained, wearing a sarcastic smile as he settled back into his chair.

"Okay, I guess I should let your mother know you go to the pub every Saturday," Angad blackmailed his boss, a hint of innocence in his expression.

"Don't! Angad, the new assistant will only lighten your workload. It's a win-win situation for you," Rudraksh offered a faux-friendly smile to the asshole before him.

"Right. So, the interviews will begin at ten o'clock," Angad concluded with a smile.

"Very well. You bring the monthly report from the finance department immediately," Rudraksh returned to his work.

"Yes, boss," Angad left the office with a grin.

Rudraksh sighed, shaking his head, and muttered to himself, "What was I thinking when I hired this idiot as my assistant?"

✿ ✿ ✿

Angad had retrieved the monthly report from the finance department and stepped into the elevator, heading back to the top floor to deliver the file to his forever grumpy boss. As he waited for the elevator doors to close, a stranger girl entered the lift.

His gaze involuntarily fixated on her gorgeous face; she was truly a sight to behold. Angad couldn't help but admire her beauty, but he soon noticed her discomfort under his gaze. She tightly clutched her purse and file, avoiding eye contact.

Recognizing her unease, Angad quickly averted his gaze. The girl pressed the button for the third floor and exited as soon as the doors opened. Angad continued to stare at her retreating figure until the elevator doors finally closed.

"She is so beautiful," he murmured to himself dreamily.

The elevator pinged, signaling his arrival on the top floor. Angad's dreamy smile faded as he returned to his boss's office.

"Here's the report, sir," Angad entered the cabin without knocking.

"Mind knocking before stepping in," Rudraksh retorted, his eyes glued to the laptop screen.

"Oh, come on, it's not like someone was giving you a blowjob in here. Relax," his assistant taunted him informally before leaving, behaving as if his unprofessional comment was no big deal. But then again, this was Angad Shekhawat - a man who'd jump on a tiger's tail without fear of the consequences.

Rudraksh continued to stare at the closed door as his asshole of an assistant left.

"This bastard... when will I finally get rid of him?" Rudraksh muttered to himself, a mix of shock and exasperation in his tone.

✿ ✿ ✿

Interviews were taking place on the third floor, and the corridor was brimming with eager job applicants. As Angad made his way to the interview room, a nagging thought crossed his mind, "That girl who had exited on the third floor must be here for a job interview too."

His eyes couldn't help but look around, searching for the familiar face from the elevator. Finally, he spotted her sitting alone in a corner. Angad couldn't resist a smile before entering the interview room.

Once inside, he informed Rudraksh about a meeting being rescheduled for the next day and swiftly left the floor. However, he couldn't help stealing one last glimpse of the girl who had captured his attention.

"Angad, why are you acting like this?" he muttered to himself, fully aware of what was happening. He had developed a crush on her, a stranger he might never cross paths with again.

✿ ✿ ✿

✿ PRESENT TIME ✿

✿ ✿ ✿

The elite men of Awadh were quite addicted to the women of secret brothels. Angad always found this addiction quite strange and unreasonable. But much to his displeasure, his family friend, Waris Minhas, too had this addiction. Whenever Waris traveled from Panjab to Awadh, it was a norm for him to visit a certain brothel. But this time he went one step ahead. He took Angad with him. Angad wasn't interested in going to such places but he was curious to know why men always looked forward to visiting those illegal brothels.

The night was alive with dazzling lights as they entered a Kotha, a brothel that had an entirely different aura from the world they were accustomed to. It was a place of luxuriousness, filled with rich men and alluring women who moved gracefully among the guests. The atmosphere was filled with undeniable allure.

His eyes roamed around, "The women here are actually quite beautiful," Angad admitted.

Waris smirked, "So do you feel like spending a night with any woman here?"

Angad shook his head, "I'm here only to observe."

"Whatever. Come with me. I'll introduce you to Noor," And Waris took him towards a secluded corridor where Noor must be waiting for him as always.

Noor was Waris's paramour, his secret lover. Angad was one of the few people who knew about Waris's affair with a prostitute. Though it was the first time he was going to meet Noor in person.

She was waiting for Waris in a dim lit corridor. And when she saw him coming, her eyes lit up. But seeing another man with Waris made her a bit curious.

Waris wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead before introducing them.

"Noor, he is Angad, my family friend. And, Angad, she is my Noor," He smiled.

Angad passed her a friendly smile, "Nice to meet you, Noor Bhabhi."

Noor blushed when Angad referred her as Bhabhi. It just made her happy and shy. But she knew very well that she couldn't become more than a mistress to Waris.

"Nice to meet you too, Angad Bhai," She smiled back.

Waris spoke, "Angad, you can explore the place. I'll be back in a while." Saying so, he walked away with Noor by his side, most probably to make love with her.

Angad sighed and went back to the bustling hall. As he roamed around he noticed a beautiful woman on a raised platform. She was dressed in traditional attire but the short blouse put a lot of attention on her cleavage. There was a sensuality in her movements. Her face was partially veiled, mysterious and alluring. The music that enveloped the room swayed with her, each note resonating with her graceful dance.

As the seconds ticked away, Angad couldn't tear his gaze from the enchanting performance. It was as if time itself had slowed down, and he was lost in the hypnotic rhythm of her dance. There was something hauntingly familiar about the way she moved, like a memory from a dream he couldn't quite grasp.

Suddenly, with a fluid motion, the dancer's veil slipped away, revealing a face that sent a jolt of shock and recognition through Angad's entire being.

It was her.

Angad's heart pounded in his chest as he watched her dance with a captivating blend of grace and seduction. She looked different, more mature.

Her eyes, once filled with warmth and affection, now held a hint of sadness and secrecy. She had changed, and the years apart had only deepened the mystery surrounding her.

Just as Angad was about to approach her, she walked away from there.

As the night wore on, Angad's thoughts remained consumed by her. He had to find out why she was here, what had happened in the years they had been apart, and why she had chosen this path.

•••

Finally! Rewriting this book for the second time. So what are your thoughts? 💭