The First Morning Together

August 5, 2009 – 7:00 AM

Jadavpur, Kolkata

The early morning air was cool, carrying with it the faint scent of wet earth from the midnight drizzle. The city outside was just beginning to stir, distant honks and the occasional barking of a stray dog mixing with the quiet hum of the ceiling fan above.

Aritra stirred slightly, his body slowly awakening from sleep. But something felt off.

A warmth lingered around his neck, something soft yet firm. His breath hitched for a second, his senses coming alive as he instinctively reached for his throat. The moment his fingers brushed against something delicate, his eyes snapped open.

A pure white hand rested against his neck, its grip loose but unmistakable. His gaze followed the length of the arm, and his breath caught at the sight before him.

Beside him, tangled in the sheets, lay Katherine. Her usually composed features were now completely relaxed, her hair slightly disheveled, a few strands falling across her face. The soft glow of the morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm light on her porcelain skin.

She was breathtaking in a way he hadn't seen before—not regal, not composed, just real.

For a moment, he simply stared. The situation felt oddly intimate, a far cry from the structured, distant arrangement they had agreed upon. He swallowed, carefully shifting out from under her arm without waking her. As soon as he moved, she murmured something unintelligible and shifted onto her side, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before slipping out of bed.

"LUMEN, prepare breakfast," he instructed the AI butler, stretching his arms as he walked toward the washroom. "Something light. We have to leave for college soon."

"Understood, Master Aritra. Estimated completion time: 20 minutes."

Aritra nodded and stepped into the washroom.

By the time he emerged, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and buttered toast had begun to waft through the house. He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves before turning toward the bed, where Katherine was still curled up beneath the sheets, her breathing steady.

He stepped closer, watching her for a moment before clearing his throat softly. "Katherine."

She didn't stir.

Aritra sighed. "Katherine, wake up."

This time, her brows furrowed slightly before she let out a soft groan, shifting onto her back. Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep as she blinked up at him.

For a moment, she just looked at him, her expression dazed and somewhat vulnerable—like someone who had momentarily forgotten where they were. Then realization dawned, and she blinked rapidly before stretching.

He smirked. "Rise and shine. We have class."

She groaned again, rubbing her eyes before sitting up, her hair an absolute mess. She blinked at him, looking thoroughly disoriented. "What time is it?"

"Almost seven-thirty," he replied. "Engineering Drawing is a practical class, and it's your first day. You don't want to be late."

She exhaled, running a hand through her tangled hair. "You wake up this early every day?"

"When necessary. You'll get used to it."

She gave him a dull glare but swung her legs over the side of the bed nonetheless. "I need coffee."

He smirked. "Already taken care of. Go freshen up."

She muttered something incoherent before shuffling toward the washroom, her movements sluggish from sleep.

Aritra watched her retreat with mild amusement. Despite everything, she was still just a seventeen-year-old girl thrown into a world far from what she had known. His mental age may have been in his thirties, but that didn't change the fact that she was still young, adjusting, figuring things out in a life she didn't choose.

As she disappeared behind the door, Aritra took a seat on the couch near the window, pulling out his phone. He scrolled through his messages before dialing a familiar number.

"Status update," he said the moment the line connected.

On the other end, his secretary's voice came through, professional and crisp. "The transition into the Chinese market is progressing as expected. The revised regulations have been integrated into the OmniLink framework, and the first batch of localized servers will go live within the next three days. We've also finalized the NovaTech expansion strategy for the upcoming quarter."

Aritra leaned back, tapping his fingers against the armrest. "Any roadblocks?"

"Nothing major, though there have been some pushbacks from regulatory boards in the European sector. They're reviewing our licensing again."

He sighed. "Keep me updated. I'll check in after classes."

"Understood, sir."

Just as he ended the call, the washroom door opened, and Katherine stepped out, looking far more awake. She was dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans, her silhouette effortlessly stylish yet understated. A matching black hat sat atop her head, casting a slight shadow over her features, a clear attempt to conceal her striking beauty as much as possible. The ensemble, though simple, carried an air of quiet defiance—an effort to blend in where she naturally stood out.

She glanced at him. "Talking business first thing in the morning?"

He shrugged. "Work doesn't wait."

She gave a small shake of her head before making her way toward the dining area, following the scent of breakfast. "You better have decent coffee."

Aritra chuckled, following behind her. "Try it and see for yourself."

By the time they sat down for breakfast, the plates were already set—buttered toast, scrambled eggs, and a steaming cup of coffee for both of them. The AI butler moved soundlessly in the background, adjusting the room temperature to comfortable levels.

Katherine took a careful sip of the coffee, pausing for a moment before giving a small nod. "Alright. I'll admit—it's good."

Aritra smirked. "Told you."

She played with the handle of her cup before glancing at him. "This college—what should I expect?"

Aritra finished his bite before answering. "Jadavpur is different from what you're used to. It's not about prestige or wealth. It's about skill. People here are sharp. If you fall behind, no one waits for you."

She arched an eyebrow. "Sounds intense."

"It is," he admitted. "But it's also real. No fake smiles or pretense. Just talent."

She was quiet for a moment before nodding. "I think I prefer that."

He studied her for a second before smirking. "We'll see."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she finished her coffee and set the mug down. "Alright, boss. Let's get to it."

Aritra chuckled, standing up. "Let's go. Welcome to college."

As they walked out together, the city waited—ready to introduce Katherine to a world unlike anything she had ever known.

To be continued...