Tangled in forever

The morning sunlight pierced through the heavy curtains, casting streaks of gold across the room. Mive stirred in her bed, her eyelids fluttering open slowly, as if she were still deciding if the world outside her sheets was worth facing. Her room, a space as grand as her life, stretched wide in all directions. Expensive art lined the walls, silk cushions dotted the space, and the soft scent of jasmine lingered in the air. But none of it mattered to her. The endless luxury, the wealth at her fingertips—none of it soothed the ache inside her chest. It was a quiet, unspoken thing, something she had learned to live with. Her phone was already in her hand before she even fully woke up. The touch screen glowed in the dim morning light. She didn't need to look to know what she was doing. She pressed the number with practiced precision. “Coffee. Biscuits. And hurry,” she said, her voice soft, almost distant. She didn’t need to ask. Everything was always delivered to her—on time, to perfection. It had been that way for as long as she could remember. Her father, one of the richest men in the country, had made sure of it. Her mind wandered as she sat up, resting against the lavish pillows, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulder. The golden clock on the bedside table ticked relentlessly, a constant reminder of time slipping away. She glanced at the walls, decorated in fine silk, knowing full well that her father’s empire surrounded her—protecting her, yes—but also imprisoning her in a life she sometimes felt she didn’t belong to. --- In another part of the city, D was already awake—though his mind wasn’t yet fully engaged. The harsh beep of his alarm clock cut through the silence of his spacious home. His room, though luxurious, was a reflection of simplicity—clean lines, dark furniture, and large windows letting in the early light. The air smelled faintly of rich leather and polished wood. D’s parents had ensured that he never lacked anything. The sprawling mansion he called home was full of life, though not in the usual sense. His parents, both busy with their own lives, didn’t always have time for him. But they made sure to surround him with servants, caretakers, and all the material comforts one could ask for. A servant came into his room with a cup of coffee and a small breakfast tray. “Good morning, sir,” the servant said softly, placing the tray on the side table. D barely acknowledged the gesture, his mind still drifting in the haze of sleep. D was used to being catered to, his every need fulfilled without question. It had been like that for as long as he could remember. But the emptiness lingered—a quiet space he couldn't fill, no matter how many luxuries surrounded him. The phone buzzed on his bedside table, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a reminder for him to get moving. > “7 AM: Arrive at set. 9 AM: First shot.” D sighed. It was all so routine. The lights, the cameras, the endless noise of fame. He reluctantly swung his legs over the side of the bed, running a hand through his unkempt hair. The buzz of the city outside his window beckoned him, but even the chaos of Mumbai couldn’t shake the ache in his chest. --- Back at Mive's mansion, the door to her room swung open, and a servant appeared with the tray she had ordered. The rich scent of fresh coffee filled the room, and she took a sip, savoring it for a moment before setting it down on the table next to her. It was perfect. And still, something gnawed at her. Her world was one of perfection, but it was also a cage. She’d never known anything else, but her restless heart began to crave more. She couldn't even put it into words. It was a feeling that seemed to follow her everywhere—a subtle, yet constant unease that something, someone, was missing. Mive’s father had given her everything. He had made sure she lacked for nothing. A lavish penthouse, endless shopping sprees, top-tier education—all of it came without question. But even with all the wealth and privilege, there was always an unspoken distance between them. Mive had always respected her father’s wishes, but she’d never felt truly known by him. She sat back against the pillows, staring out the window at the sprawling city of Mumbai below her. --- As D left his room, his thoughts wandered briefly back to the last few days. Despite the servants who ran his house and the people around him, he had never felt more alone. His parents were often caught up in their own world, leaving him to navigate the spotlight alone. The loneliness in his mansion felt more real than anything else. He stepped out into the hallway and made his way downstairs, passing by the large portraits of his family that lined the walls. His father had built an empire, and it was clear that D was meant to follow in his footsteps—but somehow, the pressure felt suffocating. As he stepped outside, the hustle of the city greeted him. The roads were busy, the honks of cars and the buzz of the crowds filling the air. He was used to the noise, used to being noticed. Yet, there was always a distance—a wall between him and the world around him. His phone buzzed again. It was from his manager: "Remember, you’re meeting someone new today. Make a good impression." He didn’t need to think twice about who that would be. He was on his way to the set of his latest film—a film that would introduce him to someone who would change his life forever. --- Mive and D didn’t know each other yet. Their worlds were so different, their lives so far apart. One was born with a platinum spoon in her mouth, the other had clawed his way to the top. But what neither of them knew was that today would change everything. Their paths would cross in the most unexpected of ways—and in that moment, something would spark. It wasn’t just love. It was something that neither of them had been prepared for. --- To be continued...