Delhi – Afternoon
The sun was blazing over the city, but inside a luxurious five-star hotel, the air was cool—until everything changed.
Manik Malhotra, Asia's heartthrob director and superstar, had just wrapped up a morning meeting at the film studio. Exhausted from back-to-back shoots and constant media glare, he walked into his hotel suite wanting nothing more than a quick shower and a moment of silence.
He tossed his jacket on the couch and walked toward the washroom.
But what he saw inside... stopped him cold.
A girl.
Soaked. Dizzy. Barely conscious.
She was standing under the running shower, her clothes clinging to her like a second skin, eyes half-open… trembling.
Manik's brows furrowed. "Who the hell—?"
But then she turned to him, her steps wobbly, her breath shallow… and her eyes burning with confusion and heat.
It hit him.
She was drugged.
He rushed forward, anger rising in his chest. "Who did this to you?!" he growled.
But before he could get an answer, the girl collapsed into his arms, her skin fevered, her heartbeat racing—and in the chaos of the moment, she did the unthinkable.
She kissed him.
And in his confusion, in his haze, he kissed her back.
He didn't know when his mind stopped working and instinct took over.
He only remembered soft moans, trembling hands, and the feel of her lips trembling against his.
The next thing he knew, they were in bed.
Together.
Naked.
Entwined.
When it was over, the girl lay still, asleep or unconscious—he couldn't tell.
But Manik sat up in shock.
He realized two things.
First—she was a virgin.
Second—he didn't even know her name.
In the world he ruled—the industry full of fake smiles and broken loyalties—no one was untouched, no one was innocent. Girls came and went. Even his girlfriends had someone on the side. But this… this felt different.
Something in his heart shifted.
He looked at her peaceful face and whispered, "Who are you… and why do I feel like I want to protect you?"
But before he could process it all, his phone rang.
---
"Manik bhaiya, it's the hospital… Sahil bhaiya met with an accident."
His world stopped.
---
Arjun's Side – Evening
Arjun Malhotra was in the middle of an online gaming match when his phone buzzed.
He ignored it. Another buzz. Then another. Finally, he answered.
And just like that—his entire world turned upside down.
"Sahil bhaiya… accident… ICU…"
The youngest Malhotra dropped his phone.
---
At the Hospital – Nightfall
The emergency lights cast eerie shadows on the hospital walls.
Inside the ICU, Sahil Malhotra, the third Malhotra brother, lay unconscious. Bloodied. Bruised. Unmoving.
The doctors were nervous.
This wasn't just any patient.
This was the brother of Kabir Malhotra, the most feared businessman and secret underworld figure in Asia.
One wrong move… and heads would roll.
Manik and Arjun reached first. Both were shaken. Manik's eyes burned with guilt and worry, while Arjun looked like a lost child.
They hesitated before making the call.
But finally, with trembling fingers, they dialed Kabir.
---
London – Midnight
Kabir was in a high-stakes meeting with international partners when his phone buzzed.
He ignored it.
Buzz. Again.
And again.
He picked it up with irritation, but the moment he heard the words "Sahil… accident… ICU…", everything else faded.
Kabir stood up.
"Cancel the meeting. Book the jet. I'm going home."
No one questioned him.
---
Back in India – Next Afternoon
Kabir stormed into the hospital, his presence like a dark cloud rolling in. Everyone stepped aside. His jaw was clenched. His fists tight.
He saw Manik pacing and Arjun crying quietly in the corner.
Without a word, Arjun rushed into his arms, sobbing.
"Kabir bhaiya… I'm scared."
Kabir hugged him back, a rare softness in his eyes. "I'm here now. Nothing will happen to him."
The doctor came out, cautiously.
"He's stable now, Mr. Malhotra. He was… intoxicated. It was a drunk-driving accident."
Kabir froze.
"What?"
Arjun and Manik looked equally shocked.
"Sahil doesn't drink!" Manik said, stunned.
Then he remembered.
Something clicked.
---
The Reason…
Manik looked at Kabir. "He… he was heartbroken."
Kabir's eyes narrowed.
Manik continued, "There was a girl. A serious relationship from his first year of college. But she left him. Said he was too possessive, too intense. She's getting married now… in Delhi."
Kabir's eyes turned to stone.
"She hurt him this bad?"
"She left without warning," Arjun whispered. "He tried to get over it, but… I guess he couldn't."
Kabir said nothing for a long time.
Then, quietly… coldly…
"No one hurts a Malhotra and walks away."
He turned on his heel. "Take care of Sahil. I'll be back."
Where he was going—no one dared to ask.