"Mithra amma, all your belongings are packed and loaded into the car. If you're ready, we can leave," Mahendra said with quiet respect, his tone careful and measured. He was one of her father's most trusted men, a loyal figure whose modest appearance-a plain, slightly worn cotton shirt and a neatly tied dhoti-reflected the simplicity and steadfastness of their village life.

Standing by the car, Mahendra waited patiently, while behind him, two more vehicles with about fifteen of her father's men were parked in line, their attire and demeanor starkly contrasting with the bustling modernity of the city around them.

Mithra, however, looked a world away from her usual self. Dressed in a simple white kurti, her eyes were swollen and red from the tears that had refused to stop through the long night. Her cheeks still bore the faint traces of her heartbreak, but she forced herself to straighten up.

Turning around to face her friends gathered by the gate of their PG, she offered them a faint smile, an attempt to mask her sadness. It was the kind of smile that carried unspoken apologies and a quiet farewell. Her friends, equally emotional, managed small waves and muted goodbyes, not wanting to make it harder for her than it already was.

Mahendra moved forward and held the car door open for her with the same unwavering respect. Mithra hesitated for a moment, taking one last glance at the city she'd called home, before stepping into the car.

As she settled into her seat, she spoke softly but firmly, "Mahendra, I need to make a stop on the way. I need to see a friend before we leave."

Mahendra gave a slight nod though it also held a hint of doubt, his expression steady as always. "Of course, amma," he replied, his deference unwavering as he closed the door and walked to his seat in the front.

The engine purred to life, and as the convoy began to move, Mithra gazed out of the window, her mind tangled in memories of the city, the people, and one person in particular.

As the car rolled through the streets of the city, Mithra leaned against the window, her mind heavy with thoughts. Last night's conversation with Jai replayed in her head on an endless loop.

Why had she told him all of that? She hadn't even shared those fears with her closest friends, yet somehow, he'd made her unravel. Something about him-a quiet reassurance in the way he listened, a depth in his eyes-had broken down the walls she'd carefully built over the years. She wasn't sure what he thought of her now, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

Jai Devraj. The name itself carried a weight that could intimidate anyone, let alone a simple girl like her. He could have anyone he wanted-models, actresses, successful women with worlds as polished as his own. What was she compared to them? Yet, there was something in the way he looked at her, a rawness that made her wonder if the man behind the player's façade was far more complicated than she'd initially believed.

Even if he did like her, even a little, it didn't matter anymore. The call from her father had changed everything. She was leaving this world-the freedom, the friendships, the chaos-and heading back to the reality she'd always known. Her village. Her family. Her responsibilities.

And yet, in the quiet car filled with the low hum of the engine, all she could think of was one man. A man whose life was as far removed from hers as the sky from the earth. A man she barely knew. A man she wanted in ways she couldn't explain.

Her chest tightened with the weight of goodbye, and for the first time in years, Mithra felt utterly helpless. Her fingers twitched as she brushed away the memory of Jai's teasing smirk, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, the quiet moments that seemed to stretch longer than they should have.

Mahendra, seated in the front, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. To him, Mithra was like a younger sister. He could see the sadness etched on her face, but he respected her enough not to pry.

"We're here, Mithra," he said, pulling the car to a stop in front of a towering glass building.

The contrast between the polished, corporate world and the earthy simplicity of her village life was staggering. Her eyes darted up to the massive structure before landing on the bold lettering etched into the façade:

JD GROUP OF COMPANIES.

Mithra took a deep breath, stepping out of the car. Mahendra and the other men followed closely, their presence a quiet show of support. She turned to them, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. "I'll be fine. Wait here."

Mahendra nodded, his trust in her unwavering.

Her feet felt heavy as she approached the glass doors. The hum of the city faded into the backdrop as she stepped into the building. The air inside was cool, and the environment buzzing with activity. People moved with purpose, their polished attire and confident strides only amplifying her unease.

Her palms were clammy as she hesitated in the middle of the lobby, looking around. Maybe she should just turn back. This was too much. What was she even doing here?

Before she could decide, a voice broke through her thoughts.

"Mithra ma'am?"

She turned to find Shruthi, one of the receptionists, walking toward her. Mithra forced a surprised smile onto her face, hoping it masked her nerves.

"Uh... hi, Shruthi. I, uh... actually-" she stammered, trying to gather her words.

But Shruthi, efficient as ever, cut her off with a bright smile. "We weren't informed you were coming, ma'am. Sir is in his cabin. He has a meeting in twenty minutes, but he should be free right now. Let me take you to him."

Before Mithra could protest, Shruthi was already guiding her toward the elevator, leaving her no choice but to follow.

As Mithra stood before the towering door of his office, the bold letters reading CEO seemed more imposing than ever. Her heart raced, not just with nervousness but with the weight of the moment. This wasn't just about entering a room; it was about crossing a line she couldn't uncross.

On the other side of that door was a man who had unexpectedly become the center of her thoughts, the source of laughter, teasing, and a chaos she craved more than she cared to admit. But standing on this side was her reality-a life she was tethered to by duty and fear.

This wasn't a choice; it was a decision. And it was not about what she wanted but about what she had to do.

Taking a shaky breath, she pushed the door open. The familiar, sleek interior greeted her, its polished surfaces and quiet hum a stark contrast to her pounding heart.

"Yes," she heard his voice, commanding yet calm.

She pushed the door a little wider and saw him-Jai, seated at his desk, exuding an air of effortless authority. Clad in a sharp black tuxedo, his attention was firmly on the file in his hand. For a moment, he hadn't noticed her, and she stood frozen, watching him.

Then, as if sensing her presence, his eyes lifted, meeting hers. He stilled.

"Mithra?" he said, his voice laced with surprise as he stood.

He walked toward her, his brows furrowing slightly, his usual confidence tempered by confusion. Mithra stepped forward, her legs trembling but steady enough to carry her to the center of the room where they met.

He scanned her face, taking in her puffy eyes, red cheeks, and the fists clenched tightly at her sides. Something was wrong. He didn't know what, but it was written all over her.

"Mithra, are you alright-"

"I heard from Shruthi that you have a meeting in twenty minutes," she interrupted, her voice trembling but resolute.

Jai frowned. A meeting? Hell with the meeting. He couldn't care less about schedules or work when Mithra, the woman who had haunted his thoughts every waking moment, was standing right here.

"I won't take much of your time," she added, stepping closer.

Jai's confusion deepened. She was close now, so close that he could see every detail of her face-the slight quiver in her lips, the way her eyes held something fragile and raw.

"Mithra, what's-"

"I don't even know why I'm doing this," she interrupted again, her voice breaking slightly. "This probably won't mean anything to you-"

And then, before he could utter another word, she surged forward, her lips pressing against his.

For a moment, Jai was stunned. His body froze, his mind reeling. This was the last thing he had expected, yet it was everything he had dreamed of. Her lips were soft, warm, and tasted faintly of something sweet-a mix of strawberries and vanilla that sent his senses into overdrive.

Her hands gripped the collar of his tuxedo, pulling him closer as if anchoring herself to him. He could feel her trembling against him, a fragile urgency in the way she kissed him.

Jai's heart thundered in his chest as his shock began to ebb, replaced by something far more overwhelming. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he raised a hand to cup her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. But just as he began to respond, to lean into the kiss, she pulled away.

"Mithra-" he breathed, but she was already stepping back.

Her face was flushed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She turned on her heel and bolted toward the door, her hands frantically wiping her cheeks.

Jai stood rooted in place, his mind still catching up with what had just happened. His lips tingled where hers had been moments ago, and his heart felt as if it had been yanked out of his chest.

The door closed behind her with a soft thud, leaving him alone in the room, the faint scent of her still lingering in the air.

For the first time in years, Jai Devraj-the man who always had control, always had the answers-felt utterly and completely lost.

Jai stood frozen in the center of his office, his lips still tingling from the kiss-her kiss. His mind raced to catch up, replaying the moments that had just unfolded. Mithra, trembling and teary-eyed, had kissed him with a raw intensity that shook him to his core. And then she had run. Run as if everything she had just done was a mistake.

"Mithra-" he muttered under his breath, his voice breaking as the reality of the situation hit him.

He snapped out of his daze, his instincts taking over. Bolting toward the door, he flung it open, his heart pounding like never before. As he reached the corridor, he caught sight of her-a flash of white kurta disappearing into the elevator.

"Mithra!" he called out, his voice echoing, but she didn't turn back. The elevator doors slid shut before his eyes.

Panic set in. He rushed back to his desk, grabbing the landline phone with trembling hands. "Close all the exits. No one leaves until I say so," he barked into the receiver, his tone urgent, leaving no room for questions.

Slamming the phone back into its cradle, Jai moved toward his private elevator, punching the button repeatedly as if willing it to move faster. Every second felt like an eternity.

Inside the elevator, Mithra leaned against the cold metallic wall, her legs barely holding her up. Her chest heaved as sobs wracked her body. She buried her face in her hands, the kiss replaying in her mind, vivid and unrelenting.

"What was I thinking?" she whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face. "Why did I do that?"

Her hands moved to wipe her cheeks hastily as the elevator dinged, signaling her arrival on the ground floor. She straightened up, taking deep breaths in a futile attempt to compose herself. Her palms were clammy, her heart racing, but she forced her feet to move. She couldn't stay here. Not another second.

Walking out into the bustling lobby, she kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Her body screamed at her to stop, to turn back, but her mind knew better. She wasn't ready to face Jai. Not when she'd bared her heart in a way she hadn't meant to.

The memories of him-the teasing smirks, the quiet moments, the way he made her feel seen-played like a reel in her head as she rushed through the glass doors of the building. But now, all those moments felt like dreams she could never hold on to.

She spotted Mahendra waiting by the car and practically dove inside, slamming the door shut behind her. "Drive," she said, her voice shaky but resolute.

Jai's private elevator opened with a soft chime, and he sprinted out into the lobby, his eyes scanning desperately for her. He caught sight of the glass doors swinging shut and the familiar car speeding away.

"Mithra!" he called out again, but it was too late.

The security head approached him hesitantly. "Sir, we tried to stop her, but ma'am had already-"

Jai silenced him with a raised hand, his jaw tightening. His eyes remained fixed on the glass doors, his reflection staring back at him, haunted and frustrated.

She was gone.

He stood there, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. His mind was a storm of emotions-anger at himself for letting her leave, confusion over what the kiss meant, and a gnawing ache that told him he was losing something important.

The bustling noise of the lobby faded into the background as Jai stood in silence, his expression unreadable. But inside, a battle raged. He didn't fully understand what had just happened, but one thing was certain-he couldn't let this be the end.