Chapter 2

The next evening, I stood at the top of the staircase, smoothing my yellow and blue dress. The fabric clung gently to my curves, a vibrant contrast to the soft, natural tones of the house. My hair, pulled back into a sleek ponytail, swayed slightly as I moved, the simple elegance of the look adding to the overall charm.

"I'm ready!" I called out, my voice slightly higher than usual, betraying my nerves.

Sanjay, seated on the couch with his eyes on his watch, looked up immediately. His lips curled into a frown. "What kind of fashion is this?"

I blinked, confused. "What?"

"It's not just a small gathering. You need something more glamorous," he said, shaking his head as if I were committing some kind of fashion faux pas.

I twirled in place, the dress swirling gently around my knees. "But this dress is beautiful!"

"It is," he admitted, his tone softening just a fraction, "but not suitable for the event. Do you even have fashion sense?"

I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest. "How dare you question my fashion sense?"

He smirked, clearly enjoying the teasing. "Just go change."

Rolling my eyes, I marched back upstairs, determined not to let him get the last laugh. Fifteen minutes later, I reappeared, my dress now a knee-length gray number with intricate white patterns twinkling subtly in the light. My hair was styled into an elegant bun, with delicate white clips holding stray strands in place.

Sanjay raised an eyebrow, inspecting me closely, then gave a nod of approval. "Now, that's better."

At the Party

The moment we arrived at the venue, my senses were overwhelmed by the opulence. The grand chandelier overhead bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, its crystals refracting light in dazzling patterns. The soft hum of classical music mingled with the low murmur of guests, many of them in their finest attire. The atmosphere was one of understated luxury, the polished marble floors reflecting the elegance of the crowd.

Tables adorned with white linen were arranged in a perfect semicircle, each set with gleaming crystal glasses, polished silverware, and fine china. I couldn't help but marvel at the extravagance of it all. The guests, chatting animatedly in small groups, exuded an air of importance.

Sanjay led me to a table where four other people were seated. As I smiled and greeted them, one of the uncles let out a chuckle.

"Wow, Sanjay, I didn't know you had such a beautiful sister," he remarked with a glint in his eyes, clearly amused.

I felt a warm flush rise to my cheeks. "Thank you, uncle," I said, my voice betraying my shyness.

Auntie beside him nodded approvingly. "She looks absolutely stunning."

Sanjay smirked, clearly satisfied with the compliments I was receiving. It was as though his point had been made, and he now had the upper hand. I raised my chin with a playful sense of pride and flipped my hair, savoring the moment.

He rolled his eyes. "Are we late?"

One of the uncles chuckled, his tone light. "No, there are still more guests to arrive."

Sanjay relaxed, leaning back in his chair. "Good. Then let's enjoy the evening."

As I sat down beside him, my eyes began to wander, taking in the grandeur of the event. My fingers lightly traced the rim of my wine glass, absentmindedly, while I tried to steady my racing thoughts. But before I could take a sip, a sudden flurry of movement at the entrance snapped my attention away.

A flurry of activity near the entrance caught my eye. The sound of camera shutters clicking in rapid succession filled the air, and I could see the guests shifting their attention. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, as if the room collectively held its breath. Cameramen scurried to adjust their lenses, trying to capture the perfect shot, while whispers swirled around the room.

The host, a sharply dressed man in a navy blue suit, tapped the microphone, his voice commanding attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. It is an honor to welcome the number one businessman in the industry, the man behind numerous successful ventures—Kathir Rathore!"

The applause erupted like a wave crashing against the shore, loud and enthusiastic. My feet, almost involuntarily, shifted, and I stood along with the crowd, my heart hammering in my chest. I turned toward the entrance, my curiosity building, an inexplicable unease settling in the pit of my stomach.

Then, he walked in.

A tall, commanding figure strode through the door, his presence undeniably magnetic. His tailored black suit fit perfectly, the fabric sharp and precise, catching the light as he moved. His dark hair was neatly slicked back, but one rebellious strand fell lazily across his forehead, softening the sharpness of his features. His almond-shaped eyes scanned the room, dark and unreadable, like deep pools of mystery that seemed to absorb everything around them.

The brief flash of his silver cufflinks reflected the light as he adjusted them with the subtle grace of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. His chiseled jawline, framed by a neatly trimmed stubble, looked like it had been carved with precision, adding an edge to his already commanding demeanor.

The tattoos on his right forearm peeked out from beneath his sleeve—bold, intricate patterns that seemed to whisper stories I could never know. A sleek black watch glinted on his wrist, and tiny, edgy cuff earrings added an unexpected touch to his otherwise polished appearance. His every movement was effortless, exuding power, confidence, and a calm detachment that made everything around him seem irrelevant.

A shiver raced down my spine.

Kathir?

The name whispered through my mind like a forgotten memory. My breath hitched. I tried to shake off the sensation that washed over me—disbelief, shock—but it refused to leave.

Could it really be him?

I felt a sudden chill, despite the warmth of the room, and goosebumps rose on my arms as if the very sight of him brought a rush of cold air. He looked so different—so much more than the quiet, shy college student I remembered.

As he made his way through the crowd, the applause seemed to reverberate around me, but I was frozen. My eyes remained fixed on him, unable to look away.

Sanjay tugged at my arm, and I was jolted back to reality.

"Vidya, sit down," he whispered, his tone insistent.

I obeyed without thinking, my gaze still fixed on Kathir. He moved effortlessly, slipping into a seat surrounded by businessmen who seemed to hang on every word he said. Respect. Admiration. The way they leaned in, listening to his every word, told me all I needed to know.

I turned to Sanjay, my voice barely audible. "Sanjay… who is he?"

Sanjay raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Who?"

I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. "The man who just walked in."

Sanjay's eyes followed my gaze, and then he chuckled lowly. "That's Kathir Rathore. The biggest name in the industry right now. He owns over fifteen companies, and his influence is unmatched."

Fifteen companies?

"Before him, his dad ran the business empire," Sanjay continued. "But Kathir took it all over a few years ago, and he turned everything around. His strategies? Genius. Every article about him says the same thing. He's made failing businesses into billion-dollar companies."

I barely heard him. My mind was spinning with the revelations. Could this really be the same man? The same Kathir who used to hide in the background, avoiding attention?

He was unrecognizable.

Where were his old friends? Where was his family? Did he have a wife? Children?

The thought nagged at me, but I pushed it aside as the host's voice cut through the air again, booming over the microphone.

"Now, let's welcome Kathir Rathore sir to the stage!"

Thunderous applause filled the room as Kathir stood, his movements deliberate and composed. His eyes never lingered on anyone; his focus was solely on the task at hand.

He took the microphone in his hand and addressed the crowd in a deep, steady voice, his words direct and professional.

"Welcome, everyone. Thank you for being here. Tonight, we launch our newest project—SSMA. A groundbreaking venture that promises to redefine the industry. Further details will come in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your continued support."

Short. To the point. His voice left no room for sentimentality. It was all business.

The host, eager, asked, "Sir, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who wish to follow in your footsteps?"

Kathir's response was quick, no hesitation in his words.

"Work hard. It pays off."

With that, he handed the microphone back, and the crowd erupted into applause once more. But my mind was elsewhere, still processing the man who had walked in, the man who had changed so drastically.

This wasn't the Kathir I once knew. This was someone else. Someone different.

Someone I wasn't sure I was ready to face.