SOBIYA~

It was midnight.

And I couldn’t sleep.

The room was too big almost too big.

I wasn’t used to all this space. At home, my room was tiny and warm. My hostel room? Even smaller, but familiar, cozy and soft.

This room, though this room felt like a house in itself. Every corner echoed my loneliness.

And the worst part? There was no one here to sleep beside me.

Well, there was him.

But how could I ask him?

No, Sobiya. Never. Have you lost your mind?

Today’s conversations with him already had me dying of secondhand embarrassment. I was so nervous, yet I kept pretending I was fine.

But inside? My heart raced every time I looked at him.One glance from him and I lost every sane thought. His eyes they made me forget who I was.

What the hell are you thinking, Sobiya? my brain mocked me.

I groaned and turned in bed.

Anyway, I did take my phone from him today. The first thing I did was call my brother. He sounded worried, asking why I hadn’t called for so long.

I lied told him I was busy preparing for an exam and didn’t check my phone.

The truth?

I’d been drugged. And now I was in Zavian Veer Malhotra’s mansion.

How could I even say that out loud?

I felt terrible for lying but what choice did I have?

I need to go back to my hostel as soon as I can. I have to go college soon. So many things got pushed aside in just two days. Ughhh.

I kept mumbling to myself, my thoughts going in circles.

I don’t even remember when I drifted off to sleep.

—

The morning light crept in through the curtains, disrupting my dreams. I rubbed my eyes and checked the time.

10:00 AM.

“Oh my God!” I yelped, jumping out of bed. “I’m so late!”

I rushed to the washroom, freshened up quickly, threw on a simple kurti with jeans, towel-dried my hair, and headed downstairs.

The hall was empty. Quiet.

Then Lily walked in with her usual gentle smile.

“Good morning, madam— I mean, Sobiya.”

“Good morning, Lily,” I greeted back, still slightly breathless. “I’m late, na? You should’ve woken me up!”

“Sir told us not to disturb you,” she said politely.

“Is that so?” I asked softly.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Where is sir”? I asked

“Sir left for office early.” she replied.

I don’t know why but I felt a little sad hearing that.

“Oh, okay.”

She brought me breakfast a tall glass of fresh strawberry shake and neatly stacked sandwiches.

As I was about to take a sip, my phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

Good morning, sunshine. I hope you slept well. Sorry I couldn’t meet you in the morning as I had a meeting at 7 AM.

Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.

Please eat the breakfast Lily made for you, and don’t forget your medicines, okay?

I smiled.

How can someone be so cold and so thoughtful at the same time?

I quickly typed back.

Good morning, Mr. Malhotra.

But how did you get my number?

I hit send, but he didn’t see the message yet. I placed the phone back on the table and began eating.

The food? It was delicious. “Thank you, Lily,” I said, genuinely.

“You’re welcome,” she replied with a kind smile.

After breakfast, I felt like stepping out for some fresh air, but before I could leave, Lily returned.

“Sir asked me to show you the house the entire property, actually.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

She gave me a tour of the place every hallway, every room, every staircase was regal, stunning, and surreal. The mansion wasn’t just big it was grand, like something straight out of a movie. No it is something straight out of a movie.

After the tour, we took the lift back up to the room actually his room and I felt completely drained. I collapsed gently onto the bed.

As I picked up my phone, I noticed another message from him.

I have my ways, sunshine.

I rolled my eyes and typed back.

Whatever.

And then, smiling to myself, I saved his number as;

Vain~

I like it.

I was lost in my thoughts when a sudden knock pulled me back to reality.

“Come in,” I said, thinking it was Lily.

But to my surprise, it was Inaaya. I quickly stood up and rushed to hug her. She wrapped her arms around me tightly.

“Sobi, are you okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

“I’m okay… are you okay, Inaaya?”

“Yes, love,” she said softly.

We broke the hug and sat down on the bed together.

“We’re such idiots,” I said, laughing. “We actually drank that drugged cocktail.”

Inaaya giggled. “Yeah we should’ve checked first.”

Then she gave me a knowing look. “Is Zavian taking good care of you?”

“Inaaya,” I groaned.

“What? I’m just asking, yaar!”

I nodded slightly. “Hmm he is.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re staying in his room? Are you guys sharing the bed together.”

“What the hell, Inaaya! No!”

“Then?”

“He stays in the guest room.” I said.

Inaaya pouted. “Aww, my poor best friend.”

I burst into laughter. “Is he?”

“No” she said and we both chuckled.

“Inaaya, I’ll head back to my hostel now.” I said.

“No, Sobi, you can’t. You’re still unwell.” she said with worry.

“But I’m feeling better now.” I assured.

“He brought you here. He’s not going to let you walk out that easily, dude.”

“I have college, yaar.”

“I know, you should continue from here”

“From here?” I blinked.

“Yeah, it’ll work.”

“And you? Where are you staying?”

“With Vansh. He’s super worried about me, that’s why.”

“Oh, okay.” I smiled.

Then she grinned. “Sobi, tell me honestly are you enjoying living with a billionaire?”

I groaned. “I don’t know. He’s so irritating.”

“Aww, why?” she teased.

“Leave it, na. You tell me about you and Vansh.”

“Right now, we’re just living,” she said, avoiding my eyes.

“Ohhh, is that so?” I smirked. “Ahem hmm.”

“Stop it, Sobii!” she said, laughing and playfully hitting me.

“Acha acha!” I chuckled.

We were still chatting when Inaaya suddenly she got a call and said she had to leave for some urgent work. She gave me a quick hug and left.

It was around 7 pm. now. I was sitting in the living room, watching TV, when I heard footsteps.

It was him.

I heard his footsteps before I saw him, calm and commanding, echoing softly through the quiet hall. He entered the living room with that same unreadable expression serious, collected, and just a little too confident.

I stood up instinctively, brushing down the hem of my shirt, suddenly all too aware of how I looked.

He stopped in front of me, eyes scanning me from head to toe not in a judging way, but like he was making sure I was really okay.

“Hello, sunshine,” he said, his voice warm but steady.

“Hi,” I replied softly, avoiding his gaze for a second before looking back.

“How’s your health now?” he asked, his tone dipped with concern.

“Good,” I nodded.

“Did you take your medicines?”

“Yes, I did,” I assured.

He gave a small nod of approval, then tilted his head slightly. “Good. Now get ready we’re going out for dinner.”

My brows furrowed. “Why?”

“Because you haven’t stepped out of this house in days,” he said simply, like it was the most obvious thing.

“I don’t want to go,” I mumbled.

“You will,” he said firmly.

“No, I won’t,” I challenged, folding my arms.

He took one step closer, lowering his voice just enough to make it feel like a warning wrapped in charm. “Then I’ll carry you out myself.”

I blinked. “Oh.”

His brows lifted slightly. “Try me,” he said, not breaking eye contact for even a second.

I looked away, sighing under my breath. There was no point in arguing with him I never won anyway.

Without another word, I turned and walked off toward my room, leaving his presence behind, but not the butterflies.

I locked the door behind me.

Now what should I wear? I need to look presentable. After all, it’s my first dinner out with him.

Should I call Inaaya? Yes.

I dialed her number and she picked up quickly. “Inaaya, video call me. Fast.”

I told her everything and, of course, she began teasing me nonstop.

“Don’t wear anything casual, okay?” she warned. “Wait I’ll send a dress.”

“What? That’ll take time!”

“The delivery’s just an hour away. Relax,” she assured me.

I waited, nervously pacing my room, until I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, Lily was standing there with a package.

I took it from her, thanked her quickly, and rushed back inside to unbox it.

I opened the package and gasped.

“Inaaya, what the hell did you send me?” I whispered to myself.