The day had been dragging endlessly.
ShadowByte's upcoming game was in its final stages, and tensions were higher than ever. In the afternoon meeting, a few careless mistakes by the developers sent the room into pin-drop silence.
Liam didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
The sharp calmness in his words, the way his eyes seemed to slice through excuses, made the guilty ones shrink in their seats. Even the air felt heavier, like oxygen itself obeyed his command.
By the time it was over, Piya and Asha were handed extra work to make up for those mistakes. The task looked simple on paper, but in reality, it was hours of mind-numbing revisions and retesting.
When the sun had started sinking, the office slowly emptied. Chairs rolled back, footsteps echoed toward the elevators, laughter and conversations faded one by one... until only the quiet hum of computers remained.
"Piya, I need to leave, there's an emergency at home," Asha whispered, packing her bag in a hurry.
"What? But—"
"I'll make up for it tomorrow, promise. Don't stay too late, okay?" Asha gave her a quick smile and rushed out.
And then—silence.
The huge office felt terrifyingly large without people. Piya's fingers froze over her keyboard, every tiny creak of the AC, every flicker of the tube light making her flinch. Shadows stretched longer across the glass walls.
Why does this feel like one of those horror movies? The dumb heroine hears a noise and goes, "Who's there?" and then gets killed in the next scene. Nope. Not me.
Her throat was dry. She took her bag, hugging it to her chest like a shield.
That was when she heard it—a faint scraping sound from the far corridor.
Her heart leapt. "Nope! Not today. Not ever!" she whispered fiercely. "I am not following that noise. I'm not stupid. I am escaping. Escape plan activated."
She rushed to the elevator, pressing the button like her life depended on it.
Ding. The doors opened with a metallic echo that made her jump again. Just then, her phone vibrated violently in her hand.
"Ahhh!" she squeaked, nearly dropping it.
It was her mom.
"Piya, are you still at the office? Do you know it's raining heavily outside? Don't get drenched, you'll get sick."
Rain. She hadn't even noticed.
By the time the elevator doors slid open and she reached the lobby, the sound of the storm hit her ears first. Sheets of rain crashed down outside the glass entrance, the night sky roaring with thunder.
She waited for her cab. Ten minutes. Fifteen. Thirty. The rain only worsened, and the street outside looked deserted. But the cab didn't came.
She hugged herself, shivering because of the damp air from outside. Why didn't I bring an umbrella? Oh right, because I'm brilliant like that. Now the rain will wash me away like a potato sack.
Just then, headlights cut through the rain. A sleek black car slowed in front of the entrance, its glossy frame reflecting the storm's flashes.
Her breath hitched.
What is this? A random luxury car stopping here at midnight? Are they... kidnappers? Oh god, I'm not ready to be kidnapped! What do I even scream—help or mom?
The tinted window reflected her pale, wide-eyed face.
And then—she felt it. A presence behind her.
Turning quickly, she froze.
Liam Asher stood there.
Even in the dim lobby light, his presence filled the space. The rain had darkened his suit slightly at the shoulders, his hair carrying a few damp strands, but it only made him look sharper, more untouchable. His eyes lowered briefly, dark and unreadable, before lifting to meet hers.
For a heartbeat, Piya forgot to breathe.
Her chest thudded so hard she thought he might hear it. Something in those eyes... it wasn't anger, it wasn't kindness. It was too steady, too intense. She looked away instantly, as if burned.
And then, without a word, he walked past her, pushed open the glass doors, and got into the car. It drove off into the rain.
Piya stood, absolutely dumfounded.
Wait... what just... happened? Did I just hallucinate the CEO? Was that real?
Five minutes later, another black SUV rolled to a stop in front of her. The driver stepped out with an umbrella.
"Miss?" he asked politely.
"Y-yes?"
"Boss asked me to send you home. It's not safe at this hour in the rain. Our company provides this service for employees, but maybe you didn't know. Thankfully, Boss saw you and informed me. Please, get in."
Her eyes widened. Boss...? She slowly understood.
Climbing into the SUV, she whispered, "Please thank him on my behalf too."
The driver smiled through the rearview mirror. "I will."
The ride was quiet, filled only with the sound of rain. After dropping her home safely, the driver parked at a corner, his phone buzzing.
"Sir," he answered respectfully.
"She reached home safely."
On the other end, a calm, cold voice simply replied—
"Good."
The line disconnected.
And somewhere in that silence, a pair of wide, panicked eyes flickered across Liam's mind.
The storm outside had only just begun to fade, but the one in Piya's chest lingered. After the unexpected car ride home, her heart still carried the weight of confusion and questions she couldn't answer. She set her bag down, quietly changed into her nightwear, and sat with her parents for dinner.
At first, she stayed silent, poking at her rice absentmindedly. But the memory of the sleek black car and the quiet driver tugged at her until she blurted out, "Mama, Papa... something happened today."
Her mother looked up at once. "What is it, Piya? Did something go wrong at work?"
Her father frowned, worried. "Did someone bother you?"
"No, no," she said quickly, waving her hands. "Actually... it's not bad. It's just... surprising. After overtime, when I came out of the office, it was raining heavily. I thought I'd have to wait for the cab, but then... a black car stopped."
Her parents exchanged startled glances.
"A black car?" her father repeated carefully. "And you just—got in?"
"Yes," she admitted softly. "But it wasn't anything scary. The driver said the company provides a facility for employees who stay late, for safety reasons. He said it was arranged by the boss."
For a few seconds, silence hung at the table. Then her mother's face softened. "If that's true, that's... very considerate. Most companies don't care about their staff once the clock strikes out."
Her father leaned back, arms folded, studying her closely. "And you believed him?"
Piya hesitated. The truth was—she wasn't entirely sure herself. "I didn't have much choice. It was raining so much. And... he said that he was arranged by the boss."
That made her parents both freeze.
Her father leaned forward. "He was arranged by the boss?"
"Yes," she said quickly. "I think it's just... the system. Maybe all the drivers know which employees stayed late. That's why he said it."
Her mother nodded slowly, though her brows were still tight with worry. "Still, be careful, Piya. Don't just trust blindly. Even if it is a company facility, always confirm before getting in."
Her father finally smiled, easing the tension. "But if it is true—then your CEO deserves respect. Only a real leader thinks ahead like this. The company must be built on strong principles."
Piya's throat tightened. The image of Liam's calm, unreadable eyes flashed in her mind. The way he had appeared behind her in the rain, silent but commanding, then disappeared without a word.
"Yes, Papa," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "Maybe you're right."
The next morning, sunlight spilled through her curtains like a blessing. No alarms, no rush, no office deadlines. Just... Saturday.
She was still in her pajamas when her phone buzzed violently.
Asha: Get ready, princess. We're going out. 30 minutes. No excuses.
Piya groaned into her pillow. "This girl is my personal alarm clock."
But true to Asha's threat, within thirty minutes she was outside, face glowing with mischief.
"So," Piya asked as they walked toward the bus stop, "what exactly was yesterday's 'emergency'? You abandoned me like I was some old shoe."
Asha bit her lip. "Family drama. Boring, nothing worth telling. But today..." She looped her arm through Piya's. "Today, we forget all that. We shop, we eat, we gossip, we live."
They wandered through busy lanes, hopping from shop to shop.
"Ooooh, look!" Piya's eyes widened at a street stall stacked with crispy potato chips, the masala smell hitting her like heaven. She rushed forward. " One packet chips, please!"
Asha laughed from behind. "Seriously? Of all the things, chips?"
"Potato chips are not things," Piya declared grandly, hugging the packet like a treasure. "They are therapy. Medicine. Magic."
"Medicine that makes you fat," Asha teased.
"Excuse me, happiness doesn't count calories," Piya said, stuffing a chip into her mouth.
Later, at the ice cream cart, she froze like she was making the most important decision of her life.
"Strawberry... chocolate... mango... vanilla..." she mumbled, eyes darting.
"Just pick one!" Asha groaned.
"I'll take two," Piya decided firmly. "Why settle when life gives you choices?"
Asha smacked her forehead. "You're going to end up with a stomachache."
"I'll end up with joy." Piya grinned, already licking her cone.
At a boutique stall, Asha was in her element.
"Five hundred rupees? Are you mad?" she said, hands on her hips. "Three hundred. Final."
The shopkeeper looked like he'd aged ten years. "Madam, this is designer fabric!"
"Designer, my foot. Look at this stitch." Asha pulled at a loose thread. "Three hundred."
"Four fifty."
"Three twenty-five."
Piya whispered, "Asha, stop. He's going to faint."
But Asha kept going until finally, the man sighed in defeat. "Three fifty. Last price."
"Deal." Asha smirked, walking out with her bag.
Piya burst out laughing. "You're dangerous. I almost felt sorry for him."
"Almost?" Asha winked. "Sweetie, that's how you survive in this city."
By late evening, they were weighed down with shopping bags. Asha suddenly stopped, eyes twinkling.
"You know what we should do tonight?"
Piya's heart immediately sank. "What?"
"Club."
Piya nearly dropped her chips. "Club?! Are you insane? I've never—"
"Exactly!" Asha cut her off. "It's time. Loud music, flashing lights, fun. It'll be amazing."
Piya swallowed, forcing a smile. Inside, her nerves screamed. A club? Me? What if I look stupid? What if people stare?
But she didn't want to dampen Asha's mood. "O-okay," she said weakly.
"Perfect!" Asha clapped. "Then we need outfits. Stunning ones. Let's go!"
That night, Piya stood before her mirror, staring at the shimmering dress Asha had chosen for her. It hugged her figure beautifully, but to Piya, it felt... wrong. Too bold. Too revealing.
She turned one way, then another, picking herself apart. My arms are too thin. My waist looks weird. My skin looks dull.
"I look ridiculous," she whispered, tugging at the hem.
She tried covering herself with a scarf, adjusting the neckline, but nothing helped. Her heart pounded. Why didn't I just say no?
Her phone buzzed.
Asha: Cab's outside. Move it!
Piya shut her eyes, muttering to her reflection, "Smile. Pretend. Survive tonight."
She walked downstairs hesitantly. Her parents looked up from the living room.
"How do I look?" she asked softly.
Her mother's eyes shone. "Beautiful, as always."
Her father puffed his chest dramatically. "Beautiful? She looks like my daughter. Of course she's beautiful. Where do you think she gets it from? Me!"
"Papa!" Piya's cheeks flushed.
He winked. "Don't worry, Warrior. You'll outshine everyone tonight."
Her mother shook her head with a smile. "Go, have fun. But call us if you're late."
Piya hugged them quickly, warmth flooding her chest despite her nerves, then hurried outside.
Asha was already inside, legs crossed confidently, her makeup flawless. She whistled when she saw Piya.
"Girl! Look at you. You're glowing."
Piya fumbled with her dress, trying to cover herself. "Stop it. I feel like a clown."
Asha grinned, shaking her head. "Trust me, Piya. Tonight, the world is going to see a version of you even you don't know exists."
As the cab pulled into the night, city lights flashing past, Piya stared out the window, her heart thudding. She whispered silently to herself, Please let me survive this.