Destined for you

chapter 1

The airport buzzed with the usual chaos—people rushing, announcements blaring, luggage wheels screeching against the floor—but none of it irritated me as much as the absolute incompetence I had to deal with.

I pressed my phone tighter against my ear, my jaw ticking in frustration. "I don’t care whose fault it is, Ramesh. Fire him. Immediately." My voice was sharp, unwavering. "I’ve wasted enough time because of this nonsense. Now I have to fly straight to Delhi and deal with my family’s drama on top of everything else."

Ramesh, my assistant, nodded, already scrambling to type out the termination email on his phone. My team trailed behind me, struggling to keep up as they carried my luggage and files. Useless.

I extended my hand without looking. "iPad."

Ramesh placed it in my palm instantly. I scanned the latest project report, my irritation only deepening. The numbers weren’t adding up, the execution was sloppy, and the entire thing reeked of incompetence.

"What the hell is this?" I muttered, clicking through the documents. "Can't any of you do anything right? I always have to clean up your messes."

Just as I was about to launch into another tirade, I felt it—a sudden force colliding into me. My grip on the iPad slipped, and in a second, everything scattered across the floor—my files, my phone, and someone else's belongings mixed in.

I looked up, ready to unleash my fury, when I saw her.

She was in a rush, barely registering me as she crouched to grab her things. Long braids cascaded over her shoulder, catching the light as she flipped them back effortlessly. Her skin was a deep, warm brown, her eyes sharp yet unbothered, and her lips—God, those lips—moved as she mouthed a quick "Sorry" before gathering the last of her things and standing up.

Ramesh stepped forward, already puffing up his chest, ready to berate her.

"Watch where you’re going—"

I lifted a hand, stopping him. My eyes remained locked on her as she turned, walking away without a second glance. Her movements were swift, graceful, completely unaware of the way she had just derailed my entire thought process.

I found my feet moving before I could stop myself.

She weaved through the crowd, reaching a man in a driver’s uniform. He held a sign with a name on it: Amina.

Amina.

That must be her name.

Before I knew what the hell I was doing, I slipped into my car and gave a sharp command. "Follow that car."

Ramesh hesitated for a second before nodding, instructing the driver. As we trailed behind her, my mind spun.

Who was she? Why the hell was I so drawn to her? And why, for the first time in years, did my perfectly structured world suddenly feel... unbalanced?

The car stopped in front of Rajasthan Palace Hotel.

I watched as she stepped out, thanking the driver before disappearing inside.

Without thinking, I turned to Ramesh. "Cancel my booking at the other hotel. I’m staying here tonight."

Ramesh blinked. "Sir, but—"

"And move the meeting here." My tone left no room for argument.

As the car door closed behind me, I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.

This was ridiculous. I didn’t chase after women. I didn’t do distractions.

Then why the hell couldn’t I get her out of my mind?

The Obsession Begins

The meeting had gone exactly as I expected—flawless. I was prepared, sharp, and in complete control, as always. The deal was secured, the clients impressed, and the numbers confirmed.

Yet, as I stepped into my hotel suite, loosening my tie, my mind wasn’t on the business I had just conquered.

It was on her. Amina.

"Ramesh," I called, already walking toward the bar. "Get me everything on that girl. Where she’s from, what she’s doing here—everything."

Ramesh gave a quick nod. "I’ll get on it, sir." He exited the room without another word, leaving me to my thoughts.

I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the bar, pouring myself a generous glass. With slow, measured steps, I moved toward the window, looking out at the city lights. I took a sip, letting the burn settle in my throat.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I had never cared about a woman beyond what she could offer me business wise . Yet here I was, still thinking about the way she flipped her braids, the way she moved, completely unaware of the chaos she had triggered inside me.

A sharp knock pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

Ramesh entered, a file in hand. "Sir, her name is Amina. She’s from Malawi, here on vacation. She owns a major company back home—highly successful. And… well, she has quite a following on social media. 100k on t****k, 70k on Instagram."

I exhaled, swirling the whiskey in my glass. A businesswoman. A traveler. A social media star.

She wasn’t just beautiful—she was somebody.

"Is my plane to Delhi ready for tomorrow?" I asked, my tone sharp, businesslike.

"Yes, sir. Also…" Ramesh hesitated. "Your mother called. She wanted to know how your trip from America was."

I scoffed, taking another sip. "I don’t want to talk to her. Make up an excuse."

"Understood, sir." Ramesh gave a small bow. "I’ll be going now. Have a good night."

I nodded, dismissing him.

Once alone, I headed to the bathroom, stripping off my suit and stepping into a hot shower. The water pounded against my skin, but it did nothing to clear my head.

I had never been one for distractions. My life was structured, calculated. Everything had a purpose.

So why, when I slipped into bed, did I find myself doing something I had always considered pointless?

I grabbed my phone and, for the first time, downloaded i********:.

Setting up an account took seconds, but as soon as I was in, my fingers moved instinctively.

Search: Amina.

Her profile popped up instantly. Verified.

Her pictures flooded my screen. Exotic destinations, elegant outfits, sun-kissed skin glowing against backdrops of luxury and adventure. Her captions were lighthearted, teasing, full of life.

She travels a lot… and she’s beautiful.

I scrolled further, my fingers pausing on a video of her laughing, twirling in a sundress. My jaw tightened.

What was this feeling?