"A caged soul, with dreams untold,

Tasted freedom, brief yet bold.

A masked voice, a tethered thread,

Where fate and hearts in silence tread."

VIHAN's POV:

I texted her last night, asking how her day was. No response. Not even a single tick. My gut twisted with unease. Was she okay? Or was it just me overthinking?

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to shake off the feeling as I sat down for breakfast. The toast tasted like cardboard, and the coffee did nothing to clear the fog in my mind. With a sigh, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

"Vihannnnn!"

The familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned around, eyebrows raised.

"Bhai! Bhai! I've been calling you for the last five minutes!"

There she was—our little princess, Arohi. Except, she wasn't so little anymore. Dressed in jeans and a casual tee, she stood there with her arms crossed and an exasperated look.

"Oh...uh...yeah, I'm listening now," I mumbled, feeling a little guilty.

"Can you please drop me to college? Ritvik bhai is out of town, and Maa already left for the temple. Please, bhai?"

And then she did it. The puppy eyes. The same trick she'd used since she was five. I groaned.

"Fine. In the car. Fast."

"You're the best!" she squealed, dashing toward the car like an overexcited kitten.

A small smile tugged at my lips despite my lingering unease.

In the car, I kept glancing at my phone at every stoplight. Still nothing.

"Everything okay, bhai?" Arohi asked, looking up from her phone.

"Yeah...just work stuff."

"Work or...someone special?" she teased.

"Shut up." I shot her a glare, and she burst out laughing.

We reached her college, and she hopped out with a quick wave. But as I pulled away, a familiar black Audi caught my eye. My foot instinctively hit the brakes.

Khushal?

He leaned casually against the car, sunglasses on, talking to someone on the phone. My jaw tightened.

I rolled down my window. "Khushal! What are you doing here?"

His head snapped up, eyes narrowing for a second before he plastered on a fake smile.

"Ah, Vihan. Didn't expect to see you here." He shoved his phone into his pocket. "Just a routine check. I know the trustee of this college." he said.

"Since when do you care about colleges?" I asked, voice sharp.

He chuckled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Gotta expand the empire sometime, right?"

The explanation felt flimsy, but I didn't have time to dig. Work awaited.

" Just make sure you Stay out of trouble, Khushal," I muttered, driving away.

But that nagging feeling returned.

By the time I reached my office, Shekhar was already inside, clutching a thick file.

"The details you asked for, sir."

The word Confidential was stamped across the front in bold red letters. I swallowed hard and opened it.

Name: Saisha Saksena 

Age: 23

Education: MBA from Raipur College

Father: Rakshit Saksena

The name hit me like a sledgehammer. Rakshit Saksena.

"Impossible," I whispered. "Rakshit Saksena...he was..."

"Yes, sir," Shekhar interjected. "The same man your father had cut ties with  eight  years  ago before his death."

A wave of cold realization washed over me.

Was this just coincidence? Or was there a hidden game at play?

I flipped the page, and then—I saw it.

Her photo.

My breath caught in my throat.

Big, expressive eyes that seemed to see right through me. A soft smile with a hint of mischief. Her features were familiar and yet...striking. My heart did a weird flip.

Without thinking, I whispered, "My gummy bear."

Shekhar looked at me, confused.

I ran a hand through my hair, heart racing. The faceless girl who'd texted me with those silly jokes and adorable rants late at night—the one who called me her "silent knight"—was her.

Saisha Saksena.

"Sir? Should I investigate further?" Shekhar asked.

"No," I said quickly, shutting the file. "That's all for now."

"But sir—"

"I said that's all." My voice was firmer than I intended.

He gave a stiff nod and left.

Alone in the office, I leaned back in my chair, heart pounding.

My gummy bear. The girl who made me smile like an idiot behind a screen. The one I'd sworn to protect, even if she never knew who I really was.

And now...she was here. In my world.

But fate had never been kind to my family. And if her father was who I thought he was...

This was no accident. I knew it for sure.

"What game are you playing, Saisha?" I muttered. "And why do I still want you  ."

The file lay open on my desk, her picture staring back at me. Those eyes...that smile. My gummy bear. My chest tightened. I should've felt relieved to finally put a face to the name, but instead, a strange unease coiled in my gut.

Just then, Shekhar knocked and entered, holding another folder. His expression was grim.

"Sir, there's something more," he said, placing the file in front of me.

I arched a brow. "More?"

"Yes. It's about Saisha Saksena's recent job applications."

I stiffened, flipping the file open. My eyes scanned the details.

Interview Date: Yesterday

Company: MidCon Enterprises

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. MidCon.

The name of my biggest rival. The company run by that manipulative snake—Aditya Mehra.

My jaw tightened as I closed the file with a thud.

"She interviewed at MidCon?" I asked, voice low.

"Yes, sir. And..." Shekhar hesitated.

"And what?" I snapped.

"She's a top contender for the position. The final decision might come today."

I shot to my feet. My chair scraped against the marble floor. My heart raced, and my fists clenched at my sides. Aditya Mehra didn't just steal clients—he destroyed careers. And the thought of Saisha, my gummy bear, working under him made my blood boil.

"Shekhar," I said, voice cold. "Make sure she doesn't end up with an offer letter from MidCon."

"Sir, are you suggesting—?"

"Do whatever it takes," I cut him off. "That bastard doesn't deserve her. He doesn't deserve my girl."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. My girl. The claim sounded possessive, even to me. But the thought of Saisha working there...with Aditya...was unacceptable.

Shekhar adjusted his tie, nodding. "Understood, sir. I'll see to it immediately."

I exhaled and paced the room, the wooden floor creaking beneath my steps. "Also...find out where else she's applied. I want every detail."

"I'll get on it right away."

"And Shekhar?"

He paused at the door. "Yes, sir?"

"Make it discreet. I don't want her knowing."

"Of course, sir."

As he left, I ran a hand down my face. The rational part of me knew I was crossing a line. But the irrational part? It was already too invested. Saisha Saksena wasn't just some random girl anymore.

She was mine. Even if she didn't know it yet.

SAISHA's POV:

I stared at my phone for the third time that morning, the unread text glaring back at me.

Him: How was your day, gummy bear?

I hadn't replied. I'd fallen asleep early last night, exhausted from yesterday's interview at MidCon. And today? I'd been so busy prepping for this interview at Veltrix Enterprises that I didn't get a chance to text him back.

"He probably thinks I'm ghosting him," I muttered, locking my phone and slipping it into my bag.

I stepped out of the cab and looked up. My jaw dropped.

The Veltrix Enterprises building stood like a glass fortress against the morning sky. Sleek, modern, and intimidatingly massive. The faint scent of coffee and ambition lingered in the air as I walked through the revolving doors.

The reception area was buzzing with interns like me—nervous faces, whispered pep talks, and the faint click of polished shoes on marble. I took a deep breath and sat down.

But something about the air here felt...familiar. Like a déjà vu I couldn't place.

As I waited for my turn, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught my attention. The hushed murmurs stopped. People straightened up.

I turned my head and saw him.

A man strode past us, surrounded by a small entourage ,too busy in his own world. Tall. Broad shoulders. Crisp navy-blue suit that screamed power. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline could probably cut glass.

He didn't even glance our way. His aura was magnetic but icy.

"Who...who is that?" I whispered to the girl beside me.

"You don't know?" she hissed. "That's  Vihan Khurana. CEO  of  Veltrix."

"That's...him?" I blinked.

"Yep. Cold as ice but brilliant. Everyone wants to work under him."

I tore my gaze away, but my heart raced. I didn't know why. Something about his presence unsettled me, like hearing a familiar tune but not remembering where.

"Miss Saisha Saksena?"

I jolted upright. "Yes! That's me."

"Your turn."

I smoothed my blouse and followed the assistant to the interview room. My palms were clammy, but I gave myself a mental pep talk.

"You've got this, Saisha. Just breathe."

Inside the Interview Room

The panel asked the usual questions—about my MBA, my marketing strategies, and how I'd handle tricky clients. I answered with practiced confidence.

"What makes you interested in Veltrix Enterprises?" one of the panelists asked.

I smiled. "Because Veltrix isn't just about profit. It's about long-term brand relationships. I've studied the 'Veltrix  Client Loyalty Model,' and the way you prioritize trust over quick wins is something I admire."

The panel exchanged impressed glances. My heart did a happy flip.

The interview wrapped up smoothly, and I walked out, exhaling in relief.

As I exited the building, I spotted a familiar figure leaning against car, twirling his keys.

"Rivan!" I called out.

He turned and grinned. "Ah, there she is!  Ms.saksena."

I rolled my eyes, reaching him. "yeah yeah hi."

"So?" he asked, eyes twinkling. "How was it? Better than  MidCon?"

"Way better." I smiled genuinely. "The environment here...just feels different."

He gave me a knowing look. "Told you  Veltrix is the better choice."

I shrugged. "MidCon didn't exactly leave me with a choice."

Rivan's smile faltered. "Hey, it's okay, Saisha. Just because MidCon didn't accept you doesn't mean it'll be the same here. You gave it your best."

"Yeah, but it still stings, you know?" I kicked a pebble near my foot. "I mean, MidCon seemed so promising."

"That's because you only saw their polished surface," he said softly. "You didn't see what went on behind the scenes."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." He shook his head. "Just office politics. Trust me, you dodged a bullet."

I opened my mouth to press further, but he changed the subject.

"Now come on," he said, swinging his arm over my shoulder. "Let's get back to the hotel. We've got packing to do. Our flight is tomorrow in early morning."

"Yeah." I sighed. "Back to reality."

As we walked away, I snuck a glance at the Veltrix tower one last time. That strange sense of familiarity lingered.

Why did this place feel like I belonged here?

The door to the hotel room clicked shut behind me as I tossed my bag on the bed and slumped onto the chair by the window. The golden hues of the sunset painted the city skyline outside, but my mind was miles away.

Three days. Three fleeting, liberating days.

I opened my suitcase and began folding my clothes mechanically. My mind drifted as I folded a maroon sweater.

Freedom.

For most people, freedom meant parties, late-night adventures, or reckless decisions. But for me, it was this—the ability to make decisions for myself, to explore a city without permission calls every hour. These three days had given me a taste of what it felt like to breathe without invisible chains tugging me back. This was the maximum my parents can set me free. Anything more than this was off limits for me and i knew it very well.

Tomorrow, I'd be back in my cage. Back to the suffocating rules, the carefully planned routines. The version of me my parents had sculpted since childhood.

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"Why does independence feel like a crime when it comes to me?" I whispered.

The phone buzzed on the nightstand, and my eyes widened.

Oh, crap. The text.

I lunged for my phone and unlocked it with shaky fingers. The guilt hit me immediately when I saw his message from last night.

Masked man: How was your day, gummy bear?

I quickly typed:

Me: Hi...are you there?

The response came within seconds.

Him: Yup. Always here.

I smiled involuntarily. My heart fluttered at those three simple words. He always made me feel...seen. Heard. Something I'd never experienced before.

Me: I'm so sorry. I fell asleep last night after a long day...and today was just as hectic. Interviews and everything.

Him: It's okay. I figured you must be exhausted. So...how was today? And tell me about yesterday too.

I leaned against the headboard, the tension easing from my body as I typed back.

Me: Today went surprisingly well. The place was massive. Intimidating but impressive.

Him: Interesting !!!

I paused, eyebrows furrowing. His reaction seemed...off. But maybe I was imagining it.

Me: Yeah. Fingers crossed.

Him: What about yesterday?

My chest tightened.

Me: I got rejected by that company.

The typing bubble appeared immediately, then stopped. Then appeared again.

Him: I'm sorry, gummy bear. But you know what? Rejection is just redirection. Maybe you were meant for something bigger.

I bit my lip, warmth spreading through me.

Me: Maybe. But it still stings.

Him: Of course it does. You're allowed to feel that. Just don't let it make you doubt yourself.

I exhaled softly. 

Me: You sound like you've been through this.

Him: Haven't we all?

I smiled faintly. His words were comforting, yet cryptic—just like him.

Me: Anyway...tomorrow's the last day here. We'll be leaving in the morning.

There was a pause before his response.

Him: Wow. Time flew by, huh?

Me: Yeah...it did.

I stared at the screen, not knowing what else to say.

Him: Well, I hope tomorrow goes smoothly for you. Get some rest, gummy bear.

Me: Good night, masked man.

I placed the phone on the nightstand and curled up under the blanket. My eyes fluttered shut.

The warmth of his words stayed with me long after I drifted off.

VIHAN's POV:

I leaned back in my chair, phone still in hand, her last message glowing on the screen:

Good night, masked man.

A faint smile tugged at my lips. Gummy bear.

"Soon, Saisha," I whispered, locking my phone. "Very soon."

YOU WILL BE MINE.

HEY CUTIES. MAKE SURE TO VOTE AND COMMENT SO THAT ILL KNOW YOU ENJOYED THE PLOT .

HAPPY READING.

LOVE ALL, GOD BLESS.