Boundaries Don’t Exist
1039 Words
Malhotra Mansion had never felt this… quiet before.
But today—
The silence wasn’t peaceful.
It was heavy.
Like something was about to happen… and the walls already knew it.
Reya slammed her bedroom door shut.
“Ugh!”
She threw herself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Who does he think he is…” she muttered under her breath.
Aarav.
His calm face.
Those cold, unreadable eyes.
And the most irritating part—
His confidence.
“‘You’ll start now’… seriously?” she mocked, rolling her eyes.
But the more she tried to brush it off…
The more her mind kept going back to him.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
Knock. Knock.
Reya shut her eyes.
“Go away.”
The door opened anyway.
Her eyes snapped open.
“Didn’t I say—”
She stopped mid-sentence.
Aarav.
Standing at the door like he owned the place.
Her jaw tightened.
“Do you not understand basic instructions?” she said sharply.
“I said go away.”
Aarav stepped inside.
Unbothered.
“I don’t follow your instructions,” he replied calmly.
“I follow your safety.”
Reya let out a dry laugh.
“Congratulations. That makes you even more annoying.”
He didn’t react.
Didn’t argue.
Didn’t even blink.
That made it worse.
“What do you want?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“Routine check.”
“I’m in my room.”
“That doesn’t make you safe.”
Reya scoffed.
“Oh please, what do you think? Someone’s hiding under my bed?”
Aarav walked further in.
His eyes scanned the room—windows, balcony, corners.
Every detail.
Like he didn’t trust anything.
Or anyone.
Reya watched him.
There it was again.
That difference.
Other guards just stood outside.
But him?
He acted like danger was already inside.
“Done?” she said impatiently.
Aarav didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the balcony.
Checked the railing.
The angles.
The distance below.
Then finally turned to her.
“For now.”
Reya tilted her head.
“For now?”
His gaze held hers.
“You shouldn’t stay alone near open spaces.”
She laughed.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
She stood up, walking toward him slowly.
“And what exactly do you think is going to happen? Someone’s going to fly in and kidnap me?”
Aarav didn’t smile.
Didn’t even soften.
“People don’t always attack in obvious ways.”
That line…
For a second—
It didn’t feel like a general statement.
It felt… personal.
Reya narrowed her eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Aarav held her gaze.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“Then don’t say it.”
“Then don’t ask.”
Silence.
Sharp. Immediate.
Reya stepped closer.
“You know what? I don’t like you.”
Aarav didn’t move.
“I’m not here to be liked.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“Good. Because that would’ve been embarrassing.”
For a second—
Something flickered in his eyes.
Not emotion.
Not exactly.
But… awareness.
Reya crossed her arms again.
“Let’s get one thing clear,” she said firmly.
“You might be hired to protect me, but you don’t control me.”
Aarav took a step closer.
Now the distance between them was almost nothing.
“I never said I control you.”
“Then stop acting like it.”
“I act based on risk.”
“And I act based on what I want.”
Their gazes locked.
Neither backing down.
Then Aarav said quietly—
“And what you want… can get you killed.”
The words hit harder than expected.
Reya’s expression didn’t change.
But inside—
Something shifted.
Before she could respond—
A sudden sound cut through the tension.
Buzz.
Aarav’s phone.
He glanced at it.
Just for a second.
But that second…
Changed everything.
His entire expression went colder.
Sharper.
Dangerous.
Reya noticed immediately.
“What?”
No answer.
“Aarav.”
Still nothing.
He typed something quickly.
Then looked back at her.
“We’re leaving.”
Reya blinked.
“What?”
“Now.”
She let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Excuse me? I’m not going anywhere.”
Aarav stepped closer.
This time—
Not calm.
Not casual.
Serious.
“You don’t have a choice.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“There you go again—”
“This isn’t a discussion.”
Something in his tone…
Made her stop.
“Why?” she asked, more serious now.
Aarav’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Because staying here right now… isn’t safe.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Real.
Reya studied his face.
For the first time—
He didn’t look like just a bodyguard.
He looked like someone who knew something.
Something he wasn’t saying.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked slowly.
Aarav held her gaze.
Then said quietly—
“Someone is watching you.”
Her heartbeat skipped.
Just for a second.
But Reya Malhotra didn’t show fear.
She stepped closer instead.
“Watching me?” she repeated.
“Or targeting me?”
Aarav didn’t hesitate.
“Both.”
A slow, dangerous smile appeared on her lips.
Instead of fear—
Excitement.
“Well…” she whispered,
“that just made things interesting.”
Aarav’s eyes darkened.
“This isn’t a game.”
Reya leaned slightly closer.
“Everything is a game.”
For a moment—
They stood there.
Close.
Too close.
Tension thick between them.
Then Aarav said quietly—
“Get ready. Five minutes.”
Reya held his gaze for a second longer.
Then turned.
Walking toward her wardrobe.
But this time—
Her steps weren’t bored.
Or lazy.
They were curious.
Because for the first time in a long time—
Her life didn’t feel predictable.
And Aarav?
He stood there.
Watching.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Because this wasn’t just a job anymore.
It was turning into something else.
Something dangerous.
And somewhere…
Far from the mansion—
A pair of eyes stared at a screen.
Watching Reya.
Zoomed in.
Tracked.
A voice whispered softly—
“Let the game begin.”
To be continued… 😏🔥
“Who is watching Reya…
and why does Aarav already seem one step ahead?”
- Writer
