Author's POV:

The shrill buzz of the alarm sliced through the quiet of the mansion room, dragging Megha from the depths of sleep. She blinked against the dim glow of the city skyline outside her floor-to-ceiling windows. 4:30 AM. Right on schedule. No hesitation, no lingering under the covers. Discipline was a habit, not a choice.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floor meeting her bare feet. A few deep breaths, a long stretch, then she was up, moving with the precision of someone who had long mastered their routine.

By 4:45 AM, she was dressed in sleek black workout gear, hair pulled into a high ponytail. Her AirPods connected instantly, the bass-heavy playlist kicking in as she stepped into her private gym. The city outside was still asleep, but she was already in motion.

She spent 45 minutes working out.

By 5:45 AM, sweat glistened on her toned arms as she stood before the mirror, breathing hard but controlled. This wasn't just exercise; it was discipline. A daily reminder that she was in control—of her body, her mind, her life.

A quick cool-down, then she made her way to the bathroom. The moment she stepped under the steaming shower, her mind was already shifting gears, running through the day's agenda.

6:15 AM. Wrapped in a silk robe, she settled into the plush chair in front of her vanity, one hand holding a black coffee, the other scrolling through emails on her phone. Meetings lined up. Stock reports. A potential merger deal that needed her final approval.

Her assistant, Shreya, was already awake too. A quick text exchange confirmed that everything was on track.

6:45 AM. Time to get dressed. Today called for power—navy-blue tailored suit, crisp white blouse, and heels sharp enough to command attention with every step. A flick of red lipstick, a final glance in the mirror, and she was ready.



After getting ready for the office, Megha walked to the dining room, where her grandfather sat at the head of the table, waiting for her.

She approached him, bent down to touch his feet for blessings, and greeted him with a smile. "Good morning, Dadu."

"Good morning, baccha. Did you sleep well?" he asked, patting her head affectionately.

"Yes. What about you? Are you feeling better now? You weren’t well the past few days."

"Ha, mere baccha, main theek hoon. Aur tum meri itni chinta mat kiya karo. Main abhi bhi jawaan hoon!" (Yes, my dear, I'm fine. And you don't need to worry about me—I’m still young!)

Megha chuckled at his playful response.

"Come, let's have breakfast," he said, gesturing to the table.

"Okay, Dadu," she replied, taking her seat beside him.

By 7:55 AM, she was stepping out the door. The sleek black car was already waiting at the curb, her driver standing by with the door open. She slid into the backseat, phone in hand, scanning the latest financial reports as the city blurred past the tinted windows.

Her assistant was already waiting outside when she arrived at the office. Together, they stepped inside, their heels clicking crisply against the polished floor. The quiet murmur of employees pausing to greet her filled the space, and she acknowledged each one with a poised nod before continuing toward her office.

Inside her cabin, she settled into her chair, logging into her computer as she scanned updates on ongoing projects and critical import files. But her eyes lingered on one in particular—the luxury hotel project. A fresh reminder of the meeting. A fresh reminder of him.

Another day. Another battlefield. Another victory she had to claim. This bid wasn’t just about business. It was about winning.

And Megha Raisinghania never lost.

⁠♡

Arjun wakes up later than he probably should, the sound of his phone vibrating on the nightstand pulling him from sleep. A quick glance at the screen tells him he has several unread emails and a few missed calls—none of which he feels like dealing with before coffee. He rubs a hand over his face, sighing as he sits up, running a hand through his already-messy hair.

Unlike others who start their day with meditation or journaling, Arjun's routine is dictated by efficiency, not ritual. He doesn’t have the patience for long morning routines—his shower is quick, his grooming minimal, and his breakfast nonexistent. A strong black coffee will do.

He heads to his private gym, needing the rush of an intense workout to clear his mind. Thirty minutes of weight training, another twenty of boxing—punching the bag harder than necessary, as if trying to knock out thoughts that refuse to leave.

Once he’s showered and dressed in a sharp, dark suit (without overthinking it), he finally checks his phone properly.



His assistant has left him a few voice notes about the day’s schedule, but he only half-listens while scrolling through his inbox. Deals, proposals, reminders—it’s all important, but none of it holds his attention. Not until he sees the meeting reminder for the luxury smart hotel project bid.

That’s when he pauses. Not because of the project itself, but because of who else will be in the room. His jaw tightens instinctively, but he pushes the thought away. He’s handled worse before.

Grabbing his keys, he headed for the door, already skipping breakfast like always.

“Arjun, at least eat something,” his grandfather’s voice called from behind.

Pausing for the briefest moment, Arjun turned back, stepping toward him. He quickly touched his feet in respect before pulling him into a half-hug. “Good morning, Dadu,” he said, a rare warmth in his tone—but his mind was already elsewhere.

“I’m running late,” he added, already moving toward the door. “I’ll grab a coffee on the way.”

And just like that, he was gone. Another long day ahead. The last thing he needed was distractions

♡

As Megha meticulously handled her work, a knock on her cabin door pulled her attention away. Her assistant stepped in, looking hesitant.

"Megha, your uncle is here. He’s causing a scene in the lobby, demanding to meet you. What should I do? Should I let him in?"

Megha let out a tired sigh, already expecting trouble. "Yeah, let him in. Let’s see what he wants from me this time."

Her assistant hesitated before speaking again. "Megha, why don’t you tell your grandfather about his greed and behavior? I’m sure he’d do something about it."

Megha leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "I could, but I don’t want to. I can handle him myself." She straightened, brushing aside the topic. "Anyway, send him in."

A few minutes later, the door to her cabin burst open, and in stormed her uncle, Mohan Raisinghania.

He didn’t bother with greetings. Instead, he glared at her as if she were the root of all his problems.

Megha raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Yes, Mr. Mohan? How can I assist you today?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Mohan’s face twisted in rage. "Who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to control my finances? Just because your grandfather favors you doesn’t mean you can act like you own everything! Don’t forget—this chair you’re sitting in should have been mine. You stole it from me!" he thundered.

Megha leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, it’s unfortunate for you that I’m the one in this seat right now. If you’re so upset about it, why don’t you convince Dadu to hand my position over to you?" she said smoothly.

Mohan slammed his palm against her desk, his frustration boiling over. "First, your father made my life hell, and now you’re following in his footsteps! But let’s see how long your dear grandfather lasts. Once he’s gone, I’ll show you exactly what I’m capable of."

Megha’s expression turned cold, her patience wearing thin. "Spare me the useless threats, Mr. Mohan. Just tell me why you’re here and get to the point."

Mohan straightened, his anger momentarily shifting to entitlement. "I want you to remove the spending limit on our cards. How dare you put a cap on them? Your cousin is getting married, and we need to support her husband in setting up his business. Maanvi deserves a comfortable life after marriage."

Megha scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, really? And you think I’m going to let you burn through my hard-earned money for that spoiled daughter and freeloading son-in-law of yours? Did you think I was running a charity here?"

Mohan’s glare darkened. "The money belongs to all of us, just as much as it does to you. So don’t act like you have the right to order us around. Remove the limit. I’m not here to negotiate—I’m telling you what to do as your uncle!"

Megha had heard enough. She was done wasting her time. Leaning back, she said coolly, "If you have an issue, take it up with Dadu. If he agrees, I’ll remove the limit. Otherwise, don’t bother coming to me again."

Mohan opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say another word, Megha pressed the intercom. "Send security in."

Within seconds, two security personnel entered the cabin.

Megha offered Mohan a saccharine smile. "Please escort my uncle out respectfully and ensure he isn’t inconvenienced. Also, to save him from further troubles in the future, make sure he doesn’t enter this office again without an appointment. Understood?"

The security in charge gave a curt nod. "Yes, ma’am."

Mohan seethed, but Megha simply turned back to her work, dismissing him like an insignificant nuisance. The door shut behind him, and with it, any remnants of the unwanted disturbance.

"You... how dare you disrespect me like this?! Let me go, or I swear I’ll— I’ll kill you! Hey! Let go of me! Megha, just wait and see what I do to you!" Mohan roared, thrashing against the grip of the security guards as they dragged him toward the exit.

His furious shouts echoed through the office, but instead of instilling fear, they provided unexpected entertainment for the employees, who stole amused glances at the scene unfolding before them.

Shreya, watching the spectacle from a distance, smirked before clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. "Alright, people, back to work! This isn’t a movie screening." With that, the murmuring employees scattered, returning to their tasks, though the grins on their faces lingered.

She then strolled into Megha’s office, her expression mischievous.

"Bhai jab bhi ye yaha aate hai , maza aa jaata hai aur tu jo balti bhar bhar ke inki beizzati krti h na, itna sukoon milta h mjhe ki mai kya bataun."Shreya said with a grin, plopping onto the chair opposite Megha’s desk.

(Bro,whenever he shows up, it's always so much fun. And the way you roast him? Pure bliss. The amount of satisfaction I get watching him struggle—uff, I can't even explain it.)

Megha rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips.

Accha bas bas ab jaa kaam kar aur bhool mat ki aaj hamari itni important deal hai , tere is maze ke chakkar me hum late na ho jaaye."

(Alright, enough now. Get back to work. And don’t forget—we have a major deal to secure today. If you get too caught up in enjoying the drama, we might end up running late.)

Shreya waved a dismissive hand.

"Kuch nahi hoga meri jaan, you don't worry sab sahi se hoga hum hi deal le jaayenge mere husband aur uske us sadu boss ki naak ke neeche se." She replied.

(Nothing to worry about, dear. Everything will go smoothly. And just wait and watch how we snatch this deal right from under my dear husband’s nose—and his grumpy boss’s too.)

Megha chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay, now go prepare for the meeting. We’ll leave soon."

"Yes, boss!" Shreya mock-saluted before heading out. Megha watched her go, shaking her head in amusement before turning her focus back to her work.

After a while, Megha gathered her important documents, straightened her blazer, and left her cabin, making her way down the hallway. She stopped by Shreya’s office, knocking lightly before calling out.

"Let’s grab breakfast on our way there, Shree."

Shreya looked up from her desk and grinned. "Sounds like a plan!" She quickly gathered her things and followed Megha out.

The sleek black car was already waiting outside. They both settled in, and the driver pulled away from the office.

Midway, they stopped at Megha’s favorite restaurant for a sumptuous meal. If there was one thing she loved more than anything—aside from her grandfather—it was food. Good food was her weakness. Even in her free time, she enjoyed cooking for her grandfather, relishing the simple joy it brought him.

With satisfied appetites and renewed energy, they resumed their journey to Chopra Corporation, where the high-stakes meeting was set to take place.

For Megha, this project was more than just another deal—it was a dream, a challenge she was determined to win. She knew she had the skills, the strategy, and the confidence to secure it.

And yet… the presence of a certain someone made her confidence waver for the first time.

But no. She wouldn’t let anything shake her resolve.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders, pushing aside every distraction.

This bid was hers to win. And no one—not even him—would stand in her way.