I walked inside and looked around. What I saw was unexpected-but who I saw was even more unexpected. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this moment would come.

He was sitting on the floor, playing with the kids, his laughter echoing through the room. That smile-the one I had missed for ten long years. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I took him in. I had long given up hope of ever seeing him again. Yet, here he was, right before my eyes-kneeling, smiling, with those dimples that once stole my heart. His dimples and that smile, the very things that made me fall for him all those years ago.

I silently wished I could see that smile for the rest of my life. But then reality hit me. What I was hoping for would never happen. He would never be mine. I meant nothing to him. We were never meant to be. He wasn't my type-or no, perhaps I wasn't his. He was like an expensive flower I couldn't afford, a dream that could never come true.

I wanted to run away, to get far from him, but my heart wouldn't let me. With great effort, I turned and hurried back to my office.

Was I dreaming? How could he be here? After ten years? My friends had told me he went to the U.S. after high school to study. So why was he back?

Tears blurred my vision, and I couldn't stop the sobs from escaping.

"Why are you here?" I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. "You know we're not meant to be together, so why did you come back?"

I buried my face in my hands and cried louder, overwhelmed by emotions I thought I had buried years ago.

"Why, God, why?" I cried out. "I know he's not meant for me, but I can't stop myself from loving him. Am I that undeserving? Why are you putting me through this? How am I supposed to control my feelings when I see him again? How?"

I was wiping away my tears when a knock echoed through the room. Startled, I rushed to the washroom, splashed water on my face, and composed myself. I returned to my desk just as the knock came again.

"Come in," I called out.

The door opened, and a man dressed head to toe in black entered. He was bulky, his presence imposing. Was he my patient? He certainly didn't look like one. But I reminded myself not to judge by appearances.

"Excuse me, Dr. Sohana," the man said in a low, gruff voice.

"Yes? May I know who you are? Do you have an appointment?" I asked.

"Yes, Dr. Sohana. You're the doctor for our boss, Mr. Ruhaan Raichand," he replied.

It hit me like a lightning bolt-today was the meeting with Ruhaan Raichand! How could I have forgotten?

"Right. Please ask him to come in," I said, trying to maintain my composure.

The man stepped outside, and moments later, the door opened again. A tall figure entered, dressed in a sharp black suit. His face was obscured by the sunlight streaming in through the window, but as he stepped closer, his features came into view.

My heart stopped.

Why is he here? I didn't ask for this. What is he doing in my office?

"Dr. Sohana, are you present or lost somewhere?" His deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I blinked, focusing on him again. For the first time in my life, he had said my name. But why did that make me so happy? It wasn't good for me, for us.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, but it was a cold, sarcastic laugh.

"You really don't know me?" he asked.

"No, I don't," I half-lied. I had only seen his face; I didn't know his name.

"Let me introduce myself, then," he said, sitting down in the chair across from me. Crossing one leg over the other, he said, "I am Ruhaan Raichand."

My heart thundered in my chest at the sound of his name. Why were all the bad things happening to me today? He wasn't a bad person, but I knew he would never be mine. And now I had to treat him, which meant I would only get closer. My feelings for him, already teetering on the edge, would surely spiral out of control.

"You're... Ruhaan Raichand?" I stuttered.

"Yes. Any doubts?" he asked with a raised brow.

I quickly picked up my phone, searching for his picture online. The image confirmed it-he was indeed Ruhaan Raichand. Embarrassed by my earlier behavior, I looked up at him again.

"Now do you believe me?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"No doubts," I muttered.

Oh, God, what was I going to do now? I had already signed the contract to treat him, and I had given my word to his father. I couldn't back out. I had to remain professional and keep my distance, only talking to him when necessary. Yes, that would work. I had to stop these feelings from getting stronger. I was already undone just by hearing him say my name.

"Okay, tell me what's been troubling you," I asked, trying to regain my composure.

His gaze darkened, and his jaw clenched.

"Don't interfere in my personal life," he said coldly.

"I'm not interfering, Mr. Raichand. It's my job to understand what's going on with you," I replied, meeting his gaze.

"Didn't my father tell you enough?" he asked.

"Yes, but it's always better to hear it from you. No one knows how you feel better than you do," I said.

"I don't even know how I feel," he said, his voice flat.

"Did something happen in your past?" I asked, noticing the brief flicker of pain in his eyes before they turned cold again.

"Nothing," he replied and stood up abruptly, heading for the door.

"Mr. Raichand, you can't leave without answering my questions!" I called after him, but he didn't stop. He walked out, leaving me sitting there, dumbfounded.

What just happened? Was this how he treated everyone, or was it just me?

Wait a minute... Could he really be my handsome? How could the guy I once adored turn so cold? In school, he always had that mischievous smile. Now he was as cold as ice. Something must have happened to change him, right? My heart told me he was still good inside, and my heart had never been wrong before.

I grabbed my phone and searched for more about him online. As I scrolled through pictures of him-some shirtless, showing off his perfect eight-pack abs-I couldn't help but smile.

What am I doing? Just minutes ago, I promised myself I wouldn't fall for him again, and here I am ogling his photos. Dumbass, Sohana! You can't let yourself fall deeper.

🧿

I was sitting in the Head of the Hospital's office, feeling slightly on edge. He had called me early this morning, asking me to come to his cabin as soon as I arrived.

"Dr. Sohana, Ruhaan Raichand is no ordinary man. He's India's top businessman and one of the most powerful people in the country. I trust you'll handle this case with the utmost dedication. You're one of the best psychiatrists in this hospital, and I expect nothing but success," he said, his tone serious.

"Yes, sir. I'll do everything I can to help him recover, and I'll approach this case with full dedication," I assured him, standing up to leave.

"Good. He's scheduled to visit you again today."

As soon as he said that, my stomach twisted in knots. He's coming again...

"Okay, sir. I'll head back to my cabin now," I said, keeping my voice steady as I walked out.

Back in my cabin, I sat down, trying to calm my nerves when my phone buzzed with a message from Alisha.

Alisha: What are you doing, Soha? I'm bored!

Me: Working, unlike you. I actually have a job, you know.

Alisha: Shut up! Anyway, what's the deal with that Ruhaan Raichand?

Me: Ugh, he's as cold as ice and so arrogant. But you won't believe what I'm about to tell you-he's none other than my childhood crush. My first love.

Alisha: WHAAAAT?!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Is this a dream? Are you saying Ruhaan Raichand is your 'handsome'? Oh my God, Sohana, your life is straight out of a daily soap or a romance novel! You're so lucky!

Me: Lucky? I'm stressed out of my mind, and you're enjoying this? I'm trying to work. Talk later, bye.

I tossed my phone aside and sighed. I needed to understand why my handsome had turned into such a jerk. So, like any modern woman, I started Googling his life, trying to find any personal information that could give me a clue.

"Ugh! This jerk guards his privacy like Fort Knox. There's nothing about his personal life online. Just his name, his family, his age, his birthday, his awards. What am I supposed to do with his age, birthday, and awards? Make an omelette?" I grumbled to myself.

I was mid-rant when my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts.

"Hello? Now what?" I answered, annoyed.

"Come to my office," came his deep, commanding voice.

"What? Your office? Why? You're supposed to come to the hospital, not the other way around," I replied, completely thrown by his demand.

"I'm sending the location. Be here in 10 minutes," he said, ignoring my question entirely.

"Wait, but why-" Before I could finish, he hung up. Seriously?

Why does he always hang up without giving me a proper answer? What a jerk! I am NOT going to his office. Who does he think he is, ordering me around? Am I his personal assistant? No. So why should I go running to his office just because he snaps his fingers?

Just then, an OTP popped up from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: Location: Near XYZ Place.

I sighed. It had to be him.

Ugh, he's serious about me coming to his office.

I put my head in my hands. Oh God, why me? Now I had no choice but to go. What exactly does he want from me? How did I ever fall in love with this guy? I still can't believe that my childhood crush-my handsome-is now such a cold, arrogant jerk. Actually, scratch that-I still have a crush on him. Who am I kidding? I love him. And that's exactly why I have to go to his office.

I was standing in front of his company and was looking at the tall building.

RAICHAND ENTERPRISES

"Such a nice company name. But the CEO is not nice." I thought.

"Dr. Sohana."

🧿

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