EPISODE 3: THE UNWANTED ATTRACTION
1028 Words
Anika’s Dilemma
Anika took a deep breath as she arranged the fresh bouquet in the massive crystal vase sitting in the center of Rudra Malhotra’s grand dining hall.
The whole place screamed luxury. The chandeliers, the expensive artwork, the polished marble floors—it was a world so different from her tiny flower shop.
She had promised herself to stay professional, but it was proving impossible with Rudra hovering around her like a storm waiting to strike.
“Do you always stare at people while they work?” she asked without looking up.
A low chuckle reached her ears. “Only when they’re this interesting.”
Her fingers tensed around the flower stems.
This man was dangerous. Not in the traditional sense, but in the way his words made her heart race against her will.
She refused to be another woman who fell for his charms.
But Rudra Malhotra wasn’t making it easy for her.
His Relentless Teasing
The entire day, Rudra seemed to find new ways to test her patience.
When she was setting up roses in the lounge, he deliberately brushed past her, his strong arm grazing her back.
When she entered the study to confirm a flower arrangement, he leaned back in his chair, watching her with an amused smirk.
“You look adorable when you try to act all serious,” he said.
Anika gritted her teeth. “And you look annoying when you try to act charming.”
His deep laugh sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
“Keep fighting me, Anika,” he murmured. “I enjoy the challenge.”
She turned on her heel and stormed out.
The problem was, no matter how much she tried to resist, her own body was betraying her.
The way his shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms. The way his deep brown eyes burned into her whenever she looked away.
Damn it.
She hated men like him—the ones who knew exactly how attractive they were and used it to their advantage.
But Rudra Malhotra wasn’t just attractive.
He was dangerously irresistible.
The Saree Incident
That evening, as she was about to leave, Meera called.
“You have to come to dinner,” Meera insisted. “But don’t you dare show up in your work clothes!”
Anika groaned. “I don’t have time to go home and change.”
“Then wear something nice. I’m sure you have an extra saree in your bag.”
Anika sighed. Meera was right. She always carried a spare saree for emergencies.
After a quick change, she stepped out of the guest room wearing a soft pink saree with delicate embroidery. The fabric hugged her curves in a way that made her a little too aware of her appearance.
Just as she was adjusting the pleats, the door suddenly opened.
Rudra.
Her breath caught as his dark, intense gaze traveled over her.
His usual smirk was gone.
Instead, there was something hotter. Darker.
A flicker of possession.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, he took a step forward.
Anika’s heart pounded. “D-Don’t you know how to knock?”
He ignored her question, his gaze locked onto her like a predator.
“You look…” His voice was husky. “Breathtaking.”
She swallowed hard. “I was just leaving.”
He stepped closer. “Stay.”
Her pulse skyrocketed. “Why?”
He reached out, his fingers barely grazing her bare waist before she jerked back.
His slow, dangerous smile sent a shiver down her spine.
“Because I like seeing you like this.”
Her knees felt weak.
She was in trouble.
Jealousy Strikes
The next evening, Anika was working on a centerpiece when she heard a familiar voice.
“Anika, right?”
She turned to see Rajveer Singh—Rudra’s business rival.
Anika had no idea about their enmity. To her, Rajveer seemed polite, maybe even charming.
“Uh, yes,” she said. “How do you—”
“I noticed you at the last event. A beautiful woman working with flowers? Hard to forget.”
Anika gave a polite smile. “Thank you, but I—”
She didn’t get to finish because Rudra appeared out of nowhere.
His dark expression sent a chill through the room.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rudra’s voice was dangerously low.
Rajveer smirked. “Just appreciating your employee.”
“She’s not your concern,” Rudra said, stepping in front of Anika.
Anika blinked. “Excuse me?”
Rudra grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away from Rajveer.
His grip was firm. Possessive.
“You’re mine,” he muttered under his breath.
Anika gasped. “Excuse me?! I am not yours!”
His jaw tightened. “Stay away from him.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Or what?”
His lips curled into a knowing smirk. “You don’t want to know.”
And somehow, she believed him.
The First Kiss
That night, she stormed into his office.
“You can’t just claim me like some—some property!” she snapped.
Rudra looked up from his desk, amused.
“I already did.”
Her mouth fell open. “You—”
Before she could finish, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap.
Her breath hitched.
He leaned in, his lips just inches from hers.
“I don’t share, Anika.” His voice was a whisper. Dark. Dangerous.
Her heart pounded. “You don’t own me, Rudra.”
His eyes flickered to her lips. “Then why do you look like you want me to?”
And before she could deny it, he crushed his lips against hers.
It was fire. Electricity.
His hand slipped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
Anika melted.
But just as quickly as it started, she pulled away, breathless.
“This…” she whispered, touching her lips. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
Rudra smirked. “Too late, sweetheart.”
Anika ran out.
Her mind was screaming at her.
This was not supposed to happen.
And yet, her heart was telling a different story.
- Writer
