That night Aryan lay in his old room staring at the ceiling.
For the first time in many years, his thoughts were not about guns, enemies, or power.
They were about a nineteen-year-old girl with calm eyes and a soft voice.
Nithya.
He repeated the name inside his mind like a prayer… or a curse.
A mafia lord like him shouldn't feel things. Feelings were weaknesses. But Nithya didn't just enter his eyes — she entered his veins.
His heartbeat refused to slow down. His mind refused to stop thinking of her.
Aryan sat up and ordered, "Bring me information about Nithya."
His mafia men in India were always active. They obeyed immediately.
Within three hours, Aryan received a file.
Age: 19
College: First year English Literature
Family: Father, Mother, Younger Brother
Background: Normal. No criminal records. No strange behavior.
Aryan closed the file.
"Normal??" he whispered.
He didn't believe it. Something about Nithya's eyes didn't look normal.
They were too quiet. Too strong. Too cold… and yet soft at the same time.
Like she was hiding a world behind them.
The next day, Aryan returned to her college.
He didn't step inside. He just watched from his car.
Nithya came out holding books close to her chest. Her hair moved with the breeze. Two girls were talking to her and she smiled softly.
That smile stabbed Aryan's heart in the sweetest way.
He wanted that smile to exist only for him.
"Mine," he whispered again.
Then something unexpected happened.
A small puppy ran to Nithya, barking happily. Nithya bent down, lifted it and kissed its head.
Aryan felt something unfamiliar — warmth.
If anyone else touched a dog, Aryan wouldn't care. But watching Nithya made even the smallest action look beautiful.
His driver said, "Sir, we should leave. People might notice."
Aryan didn't answer. He kept watching until she reached home.
That night, he spoke to his parents at dinner.
"Aryan, what is your plan now?" his father asked.
"Are you going back to Korea soon?" his mother added.
Aryan placed his fork down.
"I want to marry," he said calmly.
Both parents froze. His mother blinked twice.
"Marry? Who?"
"A girl here," Aryan replied. "Nithya."
His father smiled slightly. "So, our son fell in love?"
Aryan didn't like the word love.
"No. It's not love," he corrected. "It's something stronger."
His parents laughed softly, thinking he was being shy. They didn't know how serious he was.
Next morning, Aryan went to Nithya's house. He waited inside his car. When she came out, wearing a simple blue dress, Aryan stepped out.
Nithya looked surprised.
She recognized him vaguely from the college event. But she did not speak.
Aryan stood in front of her.
No hesitation. No introduction.
Only one line.
"Marry me."
Nithya blinked slowly.
Her lips parted in shock.
"What?" she whispered.
Aryan's voice didn't change.
"I want you. And I don't want to wait."
Nithya stared at him. She was not scared.
Most girls would panic. Most girls would blush. Most girls would run.
But Nithya just looked into his eyes with calm intelligence.
Like she was reading something inside him.
Aryan felt a chill.
Why wasn't she reacting?
Why wasn't she afraid of him?
She finally spoke, "You don't even know me."
Aryan smirked. "I don't need to."
Silence settled between them.
Birds chirped. Vehicles passed. But Aryan only saw her.
Nithya lowered her eyes and said, "Marriage isn't a small decision."
Aryan stepped closer. "For me, it is final."
His voice was dangerous but not loud.
Possessiveness wrapped around every word.
Nithya took a small breath.
"Think again," she whispered.
Aryan shook his head. "I already thought. You are mine."
That word — mine — sent a spark through Nithya's eyes.
For a second, her calm mask slipped. Something dark shined inside her… but vanished quickly.
Aryan didn't notice the darkness. He only noticed her lips when she said, "We'll see."
Aryan smiled again.
Not warm.
Not sweet.
A predator's smile.
He turned and walked away.
His plan already decided.
Forced marriage.
Secret relationship.
And no one would stop him.
Because once Eagle chooses, he never lets go.