By the time office hours ended, my head was spinning. Between Mr. Romano's absurd behavior and the insane workload, I was done.

As I packed my tote bag and wrapped my dupatta properly, a group of colleagues from the finance and marketing teams came toward my desk, led by the ever-bubbly Naina.

"Ruhi!" she beamed. "We’re going out tonight! Celebrating Arjun’s first day. You’re coming, right?"

I blinked. "Uh, no... I don’t think so. I have to go home. Maa will freak out."

Arjun grinned, leaning on the desk beside me. "Come on, Kapoor. It’s just one evening. You’ve been working non-stop since day one. You deserve it."

"Yeah, yaar!" Naina added. "You always say no. Thoda chill kar, babe. Live a little."

I gave them a sheepish smile and pulled out my phone. "Let me ask my mom. But I swear, if I get scolded, it’s on you all."

I stepped aside and called home.

"Maa? Haan, main office se nikal rahi hoon... actually, colleagues bol rahe hain thoda celebrate karte hain. Naya intern aaya na, Arjun. Unhi ka welcome party type ka hai."

My mom's voice exploded in my ear. "Aaj kal ke bachhe bas ghoomna jaante hain! Office ka kaam kaafi nahi kya? Akele jaayegi? Bar jaise jagah mein?"

" Arey maa why would we go to bar anf all. Ofcourse ache kisi jagah jaenge "

After a few dramatic sighs, and a stern warning to be home by 10, she finally agreed. I returned to the group with a forced grin. "Okay baba. Let’s go. But only for a while."

---

The place they took me to wasn’t exactly shady, but it wasn’t a family-friendly CCD either. Dim lights, live acoustic music, and a cocktail list longer than the menu.

I leaned closer to Naina and muttered, "Seriously? Couldn’t we go somewhere nicer?"

She giggled. "Arey babe, asli zindagi yahi hai! Yeh hi toh memories hoti hain."

Fine. Memories.

I sat on the long velvet couch, between Naina and Arjun. The others scattered around the table, already calling for fries, pizza, and beer towers.

I refused the drink politely. "I don’t drink, thanks."

"Kya?" Arjun chuckled beside me. "Miss Good Girl. So proper."

I rolled my eyes. "No shame in being decent."

Everyone was chatting, music buzzing softly through the speakers. I was finally starting to relax a little. Then I felt it.

A hand.

On my thigh.

My entire body went rigid.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Arjun. Smiling. Like it was nothing.

I looked down. His hand was casually resting too high up my thigh, fingers relaxed. Like it belonged there.

My breath hitched.

"Excuse me," I said, jerking my leg away.

He didn’t even apologize. Just looked away, took a sip of his drink, and joined the conversation again.

Was that a mistake? Did he lean too far?

I kept telling myself not to overthink it.

But five minutes later, when I laughed at something Naina said and felt his hand brush against me again — higher this time, deliberate — I stood up.

"I need to go. Now."

Naina blinked. "Already? We just ordered dessert."

"Yeah yeah.Family. I have to go."

I didn’t wait. I didn’t care.

I grabbed my bag, ignored Arjun's surprised look, and stormed out of that cozy, dimly lit bar with anger bubbling like poison in my veins.

---

He touched me.

He thought he could touch me.

No. No, Ruhi. He can't touch you. Ek thappad kyu ni maar wahi ke wahi.

The street lights glimmered as I walked toward the auto stand, clutching my bag tightly. I sat in auto and reached home.

              ००००००NEXT DAY००००००

The next morning, I walked into the office with exactly three things in my mind:

1. Ignore Arjun Menon.

2. Ignore Arjun Menon.

3. *Ignore. Arjun. Menon.*

The moment he strutted toward my desk with that cocky smile and fake concern, I plastered on my most professional face.

"Good morning, Ruhi," he said smoothly.

"Morning," I replied curtly, eyes on my laptop, fingers flying over the keyboard as if my life depended on this spreadsheet.

He lingered.

I ignored.

He tried again during the team briefing.

I didn’t even look his way.

By lunch, the message was loud and clear: Ruhi Kapoor wasn’t playing.

---

Everyone left early that day. Some team dinner. I had politely declined, blaming "pending work" and a make-believe headache.

In truth, I just didn’t want to deal with anyone.

Especially not him.

The office lights dimmed as the clock ticked past 7 PM. The cleaning staff had left. Even reception was deserted.

I was alone.

Well, almost.

Mr. Romano was still in his cabin. Door shut, blinds drawn, probably on a call with some Italian investor or yelling at some poor soul in Milan.

---

I packed up, slid my phone into my bag, and adjusted my kurta.

Just as I turned toward the door, I felt someone grab my wrist.

Hard.

I gasped and turned.

Arjun.

Smiling.

"Why’ve you been ignoring me all day, sweetheart? Didn’t even look at me. I was waiting."

I yanked my hand back. "Leave me, Arjun. Don’t create a scene."

He stepped closer. Too close.

"Scene? You didn’t seem to mind when I touched you last night. Maybe you’re just shy. You liked it, didn’t you? You want more? I can give you so much more, Ruhi... maybe here... maybe right on that desk of yours—"

SLAP.

My hand collided with his face so hard that the sound echoed in the silence.

His cheek reddened instantly. His eyes turned wild.

And then his hand lifted.

I didn’t breathe. I couldn’t.

I saw his arm move. I flinched.

And then suddenly —

A voice.

Low. Deadly. Italian.

"Se la tocchi di nuovo, ti rompo le mani. (Touch her again and I’ll break your hands.)"

We both froze.

I turned.

Mr. Romano stood there, in the shadows of the hallway, like death in an Armani suit.

His sleeves were rolled up.

His grey eyes were burning.

He walked forward slowly, every step deliberate. Controlled. Dangerous.

Arjun stepped back, instantly nervous. "S-Sir, I... we were just talking—"

"You touched her," Alessandro said, his voice like frostbite. "Without her permission."

"Sir, I swear I didn’t mean to—"

"Then why is her handprint on your face?"

Silence.

Dead. Cold. Silence.

I couldn’t move. My heart pounded against my ribs.

Alessandro stopped inches from Arjun. Looked him in the eyes.

"You’re done. Get out."

Arjun opened his mouth.

"Get. Out. Before I drag you out myself."

Arjun fled.

---

For a moment, all I could hear was my own breathing.

Then Alessandro turned to me. His eyes scanned my face. My wrist.

He said nothing. Just walked over and gently took my bag from my frozen hand.

"You’re going home. I’ll drop you."

I opened my mouth to protest. He raised a hand.

"No arguments."

And this time, I didn’t argue.

Because for the first time, Alessandro Romano didn’t look cold.

He looked like a storm ready to destroy the world for me.

I had been in my office for hours.

The numbers on the Milan contract refused to make sense, and the Singapore team was testing my patience.

I didn’t even realize how late it had gotten—until I heard a sound.

Not the usual typing. Not her soft voice on a call.

Something off.

I stood and walked toward the glass wall. Blinds down. I stepped out.

And froze.

Ruhi.

His hand on her wrist.

Her eyes wide. Her mouth trembling.

And him—smiling. Like she belonged to him.

I couldn’t see straight.

I heard what he said to her. “You didn’t seem to mind… maybe right on that desk…”

Rage. Cold. Blinding.

Then came the slap.

Good. She had fire.

But then—his hand lifted.

And I stepped in.

“Se la tocchi di nuovo, ti rompo le mani.”

His eyes met mine. He went pale.

You touched her. Without her permission.

He stuttered. Pathetic.

“Then why is her handprint on your face?”

I could hear her breathing. She was frozen. Scared.

And I had never wanted to kill a man more in my life.

I stepped closer.

"You’re done. Get out."

He didn’t move.

I clenched my jaw. "Get. Out. Before I drag you out myself."

He ran.

Coward.

I turned to her.

She looked so small. Pale. Eyes wide. Wrist red.

My Ruhi.

I didn’t say a word. Just walked over and gently took her bag.

She didn’t resist. She looked stunned. Broken.

No one touches what’s mine.

"You’re going home. I’ll drop you."

She opened her mouth. I didn’t let her speak.

"No arguments."

She obeyed.

She always fought me. Teased me. Irritated me.

But not tonight.

Tonight she looked like something had shattered inside her.

And I hated that more than anything.

As we walked to the car, I opened the door for her. She got in, silent.

I closed it, walked around, and slid into the driver’s seat.

My fingers tightened on the wheel. I wanted to say something but I didn't.i know she needs time. I just drop her home and left.