[Nancy's POV – Evening | 8:00 PM | 'Rented' Apartment]
The lights were soft, the air subtly scented with vanilla cedarwood.
Nancy walked around the apartment one last time, making sure nothing looked too luxurious.
She'd already replaced the designer painting with a cheap art print.The wine glasses had been swapped for simple mugs.And the sofa throw God, that throw was hand-stitched from Italy was replaced by a basic one from a local market.
"He doesn't need to know I own the building," she muttered.
Wearing simple jeans and a loose cream top, she checked her phone.
8:02 PM.
Then came the knock.
[Kartikey's POV – Same Time]
He stood at the door, palms slightly sweaty.
There was something about this whole evening that felt different.
He didn't know what—but the way Nancy had smiled yesterday, the way she said "I have something to tell you"—it had lingered in his mind like perfume.
As the door opened, his jaw nearly dropped.
Not at the apartment though it was beautiful, way too neat for a rental but at her.
She looked…normal. In the best way.
Not the icy CEO type. Not the powerful woman he always felt underdressed next to.
Just Nancy.
"Come in," she smiled.
He stepped inside.
[20 Minutes Later – Over Coffee]
They sat on the floor, coffee mugs in hand, a half-eaten pizza box between them.
Kartikey was laughing about his friend Jun-ho's obsession with ramen when Nancy cut in softly.
"Hey."
He looked at her.
"Let's make it official."
His eyes widened.
"You mean…?"
"I'm asking you to be my boyfriend, Kartikey."
He blinked. "So, you're… officially asking me?"
She smirked. "Someone said he wouldn't be comfortable unless I made it official. So… here I am."
He grinned. "Well, then… yes. Yes, I'll be your boyfriend."
They both laughed awkward, giddy, new-relationship laughter.
Then Nancy took a deep breath.
"I have something else to ask."
Kartikey tilted his head. "What?"
Nancy's voice lowered. "Would you like to move in with me?"
Silence.
Complete, stunned silence.
"You… want me to move in?"
"I mean, I know it's soon," she said quickly. "But we see each other every other day. And this place is quiet. It's got everything. I just… I'd like to come home to someone who makes coffee that tastes like hope."
Kartikey looked around.
"Are you sure? I mean… I don't have much stuff. I don't earn that much"
"I didn't ask for your stuff," she said gently. "I asked for you."
He paused.
Then nodded. "Okay. Yeah. Let's do it."
She smiled again and this time, she leaned forward and kissed him on the Lips for the first time.
[Next Day – Global Business Forum | 1:00 PM | Grand Hyatt Seoul]
Nancy stood tall at the networking event, black pantsuit, diamond-stud earrings, hair tied in a sharp low bun.
Kartikey wasn't with her.This was her world a world of false politeness and silent judgment.
She was speaking with two investors from Europe when she heard the voice behind her:
"Still scaring people away with that lioness aura, Nancy?"
She turned slowly.
Her smile dropped one notch.
"Here we go…"
It was Vansh Mehra.
Tall, well-groomed, confidence dripping from every pore of his tailored suit.
CEO of Mehra Motors.Son of Mehra Group's chairman.Rich. But not power rich.
He had the looks. The charm. The arrogance.
And a long-standing crush on her he refused to outgrow.
"Vansh," she said coolly. "Didn't see you arrive."
"I flew in last night. Uncle said you were attending this."
Nancy gave a polite nod. "And your company is here for?"
"Exposure. Maybe an overseas tie-up. Not everyone's a global empress like you," he teased.
She said nothing.
Then he leaned in. "Still single?"
Nancy was already walking away.
"I'm seeing someone," she said over her shoulder.
[Kartikey's POV – Later That Evening | Nancy's 'Apartment']
He was carrying his small suitcase and a backpack when Nancy opened the door.
"I still can't believe I'm moving in," he smiled.
Nancy grinned. "Believe it. You live here now."
They kissed, and Kartikey walked in, setting his things down.
"What's this room?" he asked, pointing to a locked door.
Nancy answered smoothly, "Storage."
(Actually, it was the private elevator that connected to her real penthouse… but he didn't need to know that. Yet.)
[Elsewhere – Vansh's POV]
From the rear balcony of the Grand Hyatt, Vansh scrolled through his phone.
He had zoomed in on a photo someone tagged of Nancy yesterday… with some guy.
Kartikey.
Simple. Average. Unbranded shoes. Workbag on his back. Wearing innocence like an armor.
Vansh stared at the screen.
"So this is the competition?"
He smiled bitterly.
"We'll see how long that lasts."