Rain.
I've always liked rain.
It makes the city look quieter than it actually is… like chaos hiding behind glass.
I stood near the window, hands in my pockets, watching the blurred lights of Mumbai. People rushing. Cars stuck. Lives moving.
Pathetic.
Everyone chasing something they can't control.
Unlike me.
I don't chase.
I decide.
"Sir, she's here."
I didn't turn.
"Send her in."
My voice was calm. Controlled. Like always.
Footsteps.
Light. Careful.
Nervous.
I could already tell what kind of person she was without even looking.
"Sir…"
Two minutes late.
I checked the time on my watch.
"You're late."
Excuses started immediately.
"Sir, I was just informed—"
I looked up.
And stopped.
Not because she was the most beautiful girl I've seen.
No.
Because she didn't look scared.
Annoyed?
Yes.
Nervous?
A little.
But not scared.
Interesting.
"Name."
"…Aanya."
I leaned back slightly.
"I know that. Full name."
"Aanya Sharma."
I let the silence stretch.
People usually break in silence.
She didn't.
She just stood there… holding her ground.
That was new.
"Sit."
"I prefer standing."
A smirk formed on my lips.
There it is.
Attitude.
Most people lose it within seconds in front of me.
She didn't.
Good.
"Sir, can you tell me why I'm here?"
Straight to the point.
No fake politeness.
No overacting.
I closed my laptop slowly.
"I have a proposal for you."
Her expression changed slightly.
Confusion.
Suspicion.
Good instincts.
"A contract."
"What kind of contract?"
I stood up.
Walked toward her.
Each step calculated.
Each second deliberate.
She didn't step back.
Even better.
I stopped right in front of her.
Close enough to hear her breathing change.
"You will pretend to be my fiancée."
Silence.
Her eyes widened.
Expected.
"…what?"
"I don't repeat myself."
And then—
She did something no one does.
She turned to leave.
I almost laughed.
Almost.
"Five lakh."
Her steps stopped.
Slowly… she turned back.
"…per month."
There it is.
That pause.
That moment where reality hits harder than pride.
But then—
"No."
I watched her carefully.
Voice slightly weaker… but still refusing.
Now this was getting interesting.
I stepped closer.
"Think again, Miss Sharma."
Because I already knew something she didn't—
Everyone has a price.
And I always find it.
Outside, the rain kept falling.
Inside…
I had just found a challenge.
And I never walk away from challenges.