Mahi's POV
Present time...

I woke up to a stunning morning, went out to the balcony, and found that sunlight was painting the balcony with warmth, and instantly, my spirits lifted. The anticipation of my first day in the professional world filled me with excitement.

After getting ready, I descended the stairs to find my mom, dad, and both my brothers eagerly waiting for me. Their faces beamed with pride and joy, congratulating me on this significant milestone.

" Oh my Doll, you've grown up, and today marks the first day of your professional journey. We all wish you good luck," my dad said with a heartfelt smile.

My family showered me with thoughtful gifts—a new car from Mom and Dad, a stylish pearl and diamond pendant set from Manik Bhai, and a brand-new MacBook from Mihir. Their love and pampering always made me feel like a cherished princess. I was overwhelmed with emotion and thanked the heavens for blessing me with such a loving family.

"Wow! You've made my day extraordinary," I expressed, embracing each of them in gratitude.

Accompanied by my mom, I reached the office—a place I had visited countless times but today, it was different; it was officially my first day. The staff welcomed me warmly, and my mom took me to my beautifully designed cabin, a reflection of my personality. It felt perfect!! Had to be, my mom designed it for me.

At that moment, a delivery person came with a bouquet of white and pink lilies along with a box of my favorite Swiss chocolates, wishing me luck on my first day.

Curious about the sender, my mom checked the card but found no name.

" No name? Who could have sent them? "

"How would I know, Mom? There's no name on the card," I said, trying to suppress my excitement.

Mom smiled knowingly, "Anyway, whoever it is, he surely knows you well. I hope to meet him soon." She smiled.

" How can you be so sure, a man sent them,  it could be a girl too. I have many friends, you know," I explained.

"I am your mom, dear. I have more experience than you think. I'm pretty sure a man sent them. A girl would have signed her name, or would have come personally. " she replied, her wisdom shining through.

Lost in speculation, I wondered why someone would send gifts anonymously. My mom had her theory, believing it was a message that I meant a lot to the sender.

I checked the card too and my heartbeat increased. It didn't matter, that there was no name, as I instantly recognized the handwriting. Still, I decided to play coy.

Why the hell has he sent them?

But I decided to set that aside, focusing on the excitement of starting my work.

Just then, we were interrupted by Priya Aunty's voice, accompanied by Ron, as they came to congratulate me.

She hugged me and presented me with a beautifully wrapped gift that Ron has been holding till now.

" Aunty, there was no need for this. Your blessings are more important."  I said shaking my head.

" That's sweet of you but you are just like my daughter and daughters should not argue with their mothers when they give them something. So when can you start working? "  She said.

" From today itself, if you want. "

" Great!! Here is your advance cheque."

" Oh, no! You have been very lucky for me, and I am happy that Mahi will also start with your office and home. But we can't accept it, not yet at least. " Mom said.

" Stay out of this, this is between me and Mahi. Please don't interfere. No, take it or I will have to scold you." Aunty glared at Mom and smiled at me.

" Aunty, but I have not even started. And as you said, daughters, don't ask for money for doing something for their mothers. " I said and shook my head.

" Mahi, take it, this is your first earning, you should not decline it," Aunty said and I looked at Mom, she smiled and nodded.

Priya Aunty was adamant, and I couldn't refuse her motherly love. Reluctantly, but gratefully, I accepted the cheque—my first earning as a professional.

" Congratulations!! " Ron said with a smile. I nodded and gave a faint smile.

Amidst the heartfelt congratulations and excitement, Aunty suggested to Ron about giving me a guided tour of their showroom and discussing their requirements. And we left for the showroom.

" Welcome to our showroom, where would you like to start? "

" Anywhere. "

" My cabin? "

" No! "

" Why not? You need to design it as well. "  He said.

" Yes, unfortunately. But I would like to see the main shopping area first. " I replied.

" By the way, you are looking even prettier today. "  He came a bit closer to me and said looking into my eyes.

" Mr. Kapoor, will you be serious please or I will have to tell your mom to assign someone else to show me around and brief me about your requirements and preferences? " I said.

"  Ms. Shah, I will not allow anyone else around you. Come!! " He said and showed me every place and told me what they were planning.

Finally, he took me to his room and I saw a small but very cute cake on the table and a single stick of a beautiful rose.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of
emotions swirling inside me. Part of me still had those feelings for him from my childhood crush, but I had worked hard to bury them deep within, wanting to move on. Now, facing him again after all these years, I tried to maintain my composure as Ron continued with his light-hearted flirting.

" A rose for my princess. "

" Don't call me that. "

" Why, I have been calling you that since you were born? "

" I don't want you to call me that. And why did you send the bouquet and chocolates to me? I don't want anything from you. "

" Hey, wait!! I didn't send anything like that, what are you talking about? "

" How innocent!! I am talking about the ones you sent me and are on my table at the moment. "

" Why do you think, I sent them? Or are you giving me a hint that I should have sent them? Would you have accepted if I had?? "

" Don't act smart with me, don't you ever do it again, I accepted them quietly because otherwise, Mom would have become suspicious about it. But don't dare to do it again or I will throw them on your face. I don't want anything from you. I hate you and want nothing to do with you."

" But I really didn't send you anything. "

" Stop lying. I can recognize your handwriting. " I said and he smiled at me.

" Are you sure you're not mistaking it for someone else's?"  He leaned back, against the door frame crossing his arms.

"  Oh please, Ron. I know your handwriting like the back of my hand. Don't try to deny it."  I said, he smiled.

" Well, well, you've got quite the detective skills. So, Mahi, you recognized my handwriting, huh?  But how? I have not written any letters to you. Then how did you recognize my writing? " He asked with a smirk. But I didn't know what to say.

" Come on, Mahi,  say something!! Please listen to me, we both know that there's something between us. Please don't deny that you had a big crush on me and I have also developed some feelings for you."

"  Look, it doesn't matter, how I recognize it, I just know it was you, that's all,"  I said, getting annoyed.

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Good morning friends 🌄

Here is my today's chapter I hope you liked it please let me know.

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Thanks
Chhavi😍😍😍