Mira Kapoor took a deep breath and pushed open the revolving doors of Malhotra Enterprises. The city skyline shimmered behind her, glass towers reflecting ambition, power, and something dangerous she couldn't yet name. Her heart raced — first day at one of the most powerful corporations in the world, and already she felt like a small fish in a shark tank.
The marble floors gleamed beneath her shoes, and every step echoed through the lobby, reminding her she was completely out of place.
"Ms. Kapoor?" a calm, polite voice called from behind the reception desk.
"Yes?" Mira replied, trying to steady her trembling hands.
"Follow me. Orientation starts now," the receptionist said, leaning closer. "And… be careful. Some things here aren't what they seem."
Mira froze. Careful? What could possibly be dangerous in a corporate office?
Her desk was tucked into a quiet corner with a panoramic view of the city. She unpacked her laptop and files, heart still racing. Then she noticed it — a small black leather diary, sitting neatly on her keyboard. No note. No name. Only the initials A.M. embossed in gold.
Curiosity pricked her. She opened it.
"She will arrive today. Watch her closely. She doesn't know the storm waiting for her."
Her breath hitched. The office was silent, save for the faint hum of computers.
"Who… is this for?" she whispered, clutching the diary.
Then she felt it: a presence. Across the office, in a corner windowed office, a tall figure leaned casually against the glass. Dark hair, sharp jawline, eyes so cold they could freeze fire itself. Adrian Malhotra. CEO. Phantom. Legend. The man everyone feared and admired, yet no one dared approach.
He didn't speak. He didn't move. He just watched.
Mira's hand shook. Her pulse raced — part fear, part something else she couldn't name. Something magnetic.
"Um… hello?" she tried, voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian's lips quirked — the faintest smirk, almost imperceptible — then he turned back to the window, leaving Mira wondering if he had even noticed her.
Trying to calm herself, Mira returned to her laptop, but her eyes kept darting toward Adrian's office. Every few minutes, she caught him watching. Unmoving. Silent. Calculating.
"First day jitters?" a soft voice asked. Mira jumped, spinning around. A young woman with glasses, sharp blazer, and neatly tied hair leaned against the edge of the adjacent desk.
"Oh! Uh… yes," Mira stammered.
"I'm Chloe Deshmukh," the woman said with a mischievous grin. "If anyone tries to make your life miserable here, let me know. I've survived this place for three years. Trust me, you'll need an ally."
Mira smiled weakly. "Thanks… I think I already found one?" she said, glancing at Adrian.
Chloe followed her gaze and let out a soft laugh. "Ah, the CEO himself. Don't look too impressed yet — that's part of the Malhotra charm. Or terror."
The morning passed in a blur. Mira tried to absorb the polished offices, high-tech gadgets, and the quiet tension that seemed to hang over everyone. Yet every time she opened the diary, the words seemed to shift subtly, almost alive.
"She will notice him before noon. She will feel fear… and curiosity."
By eleven, she realized the diary had predicted everything perfectly. Her pulse quickened. How could it possibly know?
Lunch break offered no relief. Mira headed to the cafeteria, diary tucked under her arm, only to collide with a stack of papers someone had left in the hallway.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, scrambling to gather the documents.
A deep voice drawled, "Careful, rookie."
Mira looked up — Adrian was standing there, dark eyes fixed on her, perfectly still. "You don't want to get on my bad side," he said smoothly, then turned and walked away before she could respond.
Her knees shook. First direct encounter with Adrian Malhotra: survived. Barely.
Back at her desk, Chloe peeked over. "Well? Survived the CEO?"
Mira laughed nervously. "Barely. He's… intimidating."
Chloe smirked. "Intimidating? That's one word. I call it 'life-ruiningly terrifying but secretly fascinating.' You'll get used to it. Or not. Either way, enjoy the ride."
Mira opened the diary again. The next page was blank. She stared at it, wondering if it was waiting… or watching.
And somewhere behind the glass wall, Adrian Malhotra's eyes followed her. Unblinking. Unmoving. Calculating.
For Mira Kapoor, the first day at Malhotra Enterprises had ended. But the real storm — the one the diary promised — had only just begun.