14.

Mira’s POV

"Okay bye" Jiya says on the call but the moment she turns around, her phone slips from her hand and falls to the floor. Her eyes widen, her mouth slightly open in shock.

"Mi...Mira, I...you kn...know I didn’t..." she stutters, struggling to explain.

I don’t say a word. Instead I lift my palm to stop her and walk straight inside. Sitting on my bed, I fold my legs, my mind racing. She quickly runs after me and sits in front of me looking nervous.

"I’m really sorry" she whispers looking down.

I glare at her my eyes sharp, my heart aching. "How could you betray me Jiya?" My voice is low but the anger is clear. "I never expected this from you. We are everything to each other. I never hide anything from you but today... after hearing what you were talking about... it hurt me, Jiya. It really hurt me" My voice rises as emotions pour out.

But the next second, she lifts her leg and kicks me so hard that I fall back onto the bed.

"Don’t act like I stabbed you" she scoffs. "I know your heart is doing a happy dance inside!"

I sit up quickly, rubbing my side and pout at her. She was talking to Dev just now. And I had heard her say something crazy.

Mira also loves Abhiraj like he does. My heart skips a beat just thinking about it.

Now I need details! "Tell me everything properly" I demand my voice serious.

Jiya hesitates but finally starts explaining. "That day at the park, Dev told me that Abhiraj is in love with you. But he isn’t sure how you feel. Abhiraj knows you don’t want a complicated life, so he’s hesitating to approach you. That’s why Dev asked me to find out your feelings about him."

Oh. My. God.

Abhiraj loves me? He really loves me?

I feel like screaming, like running around the whole house, like dancing like a madwoman! But if I show my excitement in front of Jiya, she’ll tease me until I die of embarrassment. So I control myself.

Instead I smirk. "Tell Dev not to say anything to Abhiraj" I say.

Jiya frowns. "Why?"

I lean closer my eyes mischievous. "He ignored me in the beginning, right? Now it’s my turn. Let him come to me and confess first. But before that I want to tease him a little."

Jiya shakes her head but dials Dev’s number again. But before she can say anything I snatch the phone from her hands.

"Hey Dev" I say sweetly knowing he must be shocked to hear my voice.

There’s a pause before he responds. "Mira?"

"I know everything now" I tell him, my voice playful. "Jiya already told me that Abhiraj loves me. And yes I have feelings for him too. But please don’t tell him yet. I want to tease him a little first"

Dev chuckles. "Okay my soon to be sister in law... or should I say my sister?" He says dramatically.

I laugh and cut the call shaking my head. When I look at Jiya, she’s staring down at her hands, smiling to herself.

Oh?

I smirk. "Now tell me about you and Dev"

Her smile vanishes. "There’s nothing between us" she says quickly, lying down on the bed. "I just had a small crush on him before, that’s it. And now I have my eyes on someone who is totally my type"

I gasp and hit her arm. "I won’t accept anyone else for you except Dev!" I declare. "And can’t you see how much he cares for you? That day at the factory when you fainted, he was terrified. He was literally shaking because of how scared he was for you"

Jiya looks at me, as if searching for the truth in my eyes.

I sigh. "Fine. If you don’t trust me then go ahead. Go to the guy you think is your type. Then you’ll see what Dev does" I say lying down beside her.

I switch off the lights but I hear her mumbling something under her breath. I smile to myself.

I know Dev has feelings for Jiya.

Closing my eyes the first face that appears in my mind is his face.

Abhiraj.

A warm feeling spreads through my chest. I’m so happy right now. Suddenly I remember something.

Zar always called me dumb for asking so many questions about Abhiraj’s relationships. And now I understand why.

Ahh Mira Rao you’re so lucky!

But wait...Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh, you ignored me before. Now I’ll show you who Mira Rao really is.

Smirking to myself I drift off to sleep.

Abhiraj’s POV

"Dev give me more tips to bring her closer to me" I say looking at him as we sit in the car, heading to my company.

Dev sighs shaking his head. "Look I don’t know anything. And I don’t even know if she’ll accept you or not." Zar sitting next to him, nods in agreement.

I glare at my so-called best friends. "You betrayer, Tiger! How can you change sides so fast?" I say to Zar feeling betrayed.

Zar sticks his tongue out at me like a kid. I scoff and lean back.

"I should just kidnap her and forcefully marry her."

Both of them immediately turn to glare at me like I’ve lost my mind.

"Then she’ll hate you with everything she has" Dev warns.

The thought of Mira hating me makes my chest tighten painfully. No, no I can’t let that happen. I sigh rubbing my face. "Fine I won’t marry her forcefully."

I look outside the car window lost in my thoughts.

I remember yesterday’s meeting at my office… how she touched my cheek. I can still feel it....her soft, warm hand against my rough skin. Damn her touch is the most perfect thing in the world.

The car stops in front of my company. Zar and I step out while Dev heads to his own company. I start walking inside with Zar and Varun follows us.

But then my steps slow down.

Mira.

She’s standing in front of the lift, laughing while talking to some random guy. My fists clench. And then I see it.

A rose in her hand.

Wait… Did he give her that flower?

Rage shoots through my veins like fire. I’ll kill him. Just wait. Because she is mine. No one has the right to give her flowers except me.

I walk past her slowly, just so I can hear what they’re talking about.

"Good morning sir" the boy and some other employees greet me. I nod at them without paying much attention.

But Mira…She doesn’t greet me. Instead, she rolls her eyes.

I gulp down a big breath. Damn, why does she look so hot rolling her eyes? But the next time she does it, it better be because of me. I smirk at the thought.

But then my smirk fades. Why did she roll her eyes at me?

I walk to my lift and just before the doors close, I hear her say something that makes my blood boil.

"I love your dressing style" she tells that same guy.

I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. My fingers tighten around my tie as I loosen it, my breath coming out heavier.

She was laughing. She was talking to another man. And it wasn’t me. I fucking hate this.

The lift reaches my floor. I step out, storming straight into my cabin and shut the door harshly.

Zar watches me from the couch, his expression unreadable. But he doesn’t say anything. Instead he leans back and makes himself comfortable.

"Miraaaa" I murmur under my breath walking toward the glass wall. My eyes scan the city but my mind is a mess.

I can’t keep watching her with other men. It’s messing me up. I grip the railing tightly. How do I make her mine as soon as possible?

Because at this rate, I’m dying every day just seeing her with someone else.

I feel like destroying something. Punching someone. My patience is running out.

I turn and walk to my desk, sitting down. I open my laptop and check my emails. But at the same time I open the CCTV footage of her desk on another screen.

And then......My blood boils again. She’s talking to another guy. My fingers curl into a fist on the table.

Why? Why does she only talk to guys? Why doesn’t she talk to me? She smiles at everyone except me. She ignores me. Why Mira? Why?!

Something inside me snaps. I press the microphone button on my desk. The entire office is about to hear me now.

"Instead of chilling with others, focus on your work right now" I announce coldly. My voice is sharp and unyielding.

I switch off the microphone and glance at the CCTV again. The guy runs back to his desk. And Mira…

My baby finally starts working. I lean back in my chair, a smirk tugging at my lips.

Good.

Why… why… why hasn’t she thrown that flower away yet?

My jaw clenches as I stare at the rose on Mira’s desk....the same one I saw in her hand just a few minutes ago. She should have thrown it away already, right?

I try to calm myself taking deep breaths.

Abhiraj cool down. Focus on your work. She’s not talking to anyone right now.

I tell myself this but my mind refuses to listen. My eyes keep darting to my phone screen, checking the CCTV footage to see what she’s doing. I should be working but every few minutes, I look back...just to make sure she’s still at her desk.

It’s lunchtime.

I push my chair back and stand up, stretching my arms.

Varun walks in with our lunch, carrying the food in his hands. I go wash my hands and sit down on the couch ready to eat. But then I notice varun looking at me like he wants to say something.

I narrow my eyes at him "Ask" Dev hesitates, then finally speaks.

"Sir… Miss M...Mira wants to take Zar with her for lunch" Varun says carefully. He looks down, almost as if he’s afraid of my reaction.

My head snaps up. My gaze immediately shifts to Zar, who’s sitting beside me.

That traitor!

Zar closes his eyes like he’s some kind of king and then proudly jumps off the couch. He walks towards the door, swishing his tail like he just won a battle.

But before leaving, he pauses......just for a second....turns back to me and gives me a devilish smirk.

I swear…

Cool, Abhiraj. Stay calm. Breathe.

I force myself to take a deep breath, my fingers twitching with the urge to strangle someone.

"Let’s go. We’ll have lunch in the canteen" I say standing up.

Varun looks at me in shock, probably wondering why I suddenly want to eat in the canteen when I never do. But he quickly picks up our lunch and follows me out.

The moment I step out I see Mira and Zar inside the lift. The doors are just about to close. And then...They close.

I feel my blood pressure rising.

Even Zar is getting her attention. Zar! And here I am, dying for a single glance from her yet she’s ignoring me like I don’t even exist.

I walk to the other lift and step inside my fists clenched at my sides.

We reach the office canteen and as expected, it’s crowded since it’s lunchtime. Employees stand in line, taking their food. The room is filled with chatter and the sound of plates clinking. But my eyes only focus on one thing...

Mira.

She’s sitting with Jiya. And Zar. I notice something else...almost everyone is looking at them. Mira and Jiya seem completely fine but I can see why people are staring.

Zar never gets close to women. He doesn’t let just anyone touch him. But now he’s sitting right there with them, completely comfortable.

And then, something unexpected happens.

The moment I take a step forward, the entire canteen falls silent for a second. Then hushed murmurs start.

"Oh my God Abhiraj sir is here!"

"He never comes to the canteen!"

"Is he really here for lunch?"

I smirk internally. Good. Let them wonder. Varun quickly sets up a table for me.....right beside Mira’s.

Perfect.

I know people will start suspecting something now. Maybe they’ll think there’s something between me and Mira. Let them think. They should know that I belong to her and she belongs to me.

I sit down and let Varun place my plate in front of me. I pick up my spoon but my focus is still on Mira.

She’s about to start her lunch. My grip on the spoon tightens as I hear her voice.

"Zar baby, you’re looking so cute today" Mira says running her fingers through Zar’s fur.

My fingers freeze. Did she just call him cute? My hold on the spoon becomes so tight, I feel like I might break it.

Everyone is cute to her… except me. I glance at Zar. That white furry traitor is ignoring me like I don’t even exist.

Zar just wait till we reach the mansion. I’ll show you what happens when you ignore your dad.

I take a deep breath trying to focus on my food but then I hear another voice.

"Here drink this. I made this especially for you" Jiya says sweetly.

I look up just in time to see her taking out a bottle of what looks like a milkshake. She pours it into a small bowl and places it in front of Zar.

Zar happily licks it, wagging his tail. I stare.

This tiger.....this same tiger who roars at home whenever I tell him to drink milk.....is now drinking it happily from Their hands?!

I press my fingers against my temple. Cheesy white tiger, Zar. I shake my head and look back at Mira.

Not even once. Not even once has she looked at me. The entire lunch, her attention is only on Zar. She completely ignores me.

Why Mira? Why?

After lunch, I head straight to my cabin. I have a meeting to attend....not a business meeting but a mafia meeting.

As soon as I step inside, I see Zar walking back into the room. My eyes lock onto him and I glare. The white tiger barely acknowledges me, his tail swishing lazily as if he didn’t just betray me a few minutes ago.

I exhale sharply, pushing my irritation aside. Focus, Abhiraj.

Without wasting time, I turn and start walking toward the meeting room. Zar and Varun silently follow behind me. My footsteps echo in the hallway, heavy and firm. Everyone I pass lowers their gaze, stepping aside. They know better than to get in my way when I’m like this.

The moment I push open the doors of the meeting room, all eyes turn toward me. Everyone is already seated.

Good.

I walk inside my presence alone shifting the atmosphere. The tension thickens. The men at the table immediately stand up to greet me.

"Good afternoon sir" they say in unison, their voices respectful almost cautious.

I don’t bother responding. I simply nod once before walking to my chair.....the chair that belongs only to me. The chair at the head of the table.

I sit down like the king I am. The leather creaks slightly under my weight but the room remains silent. No one dares to speak until I allow them to.

Then after a few seconds Mr. D’Souza finally speaks up.

"Sir you know why we are here" he begins his voice carefully controlled. "And I hope you are ready to return our land to us"

I lift my gaze to him, my expression cold and unreadable. Return their land?

I scoff internally. I tap my fingers lightly against the table, my movements slow and deliberate.

"Isn’t it your son who sold that land to me?" I ask my voice void of any warmth.

A shiver runs through Mr. D’Souza’s body at my tone. He quickly glances at his son, who stiffens in his seat.

The young man clenches his fists, his jaw tightening as he tries to gather his courage. Then in a voice louder than necessary, he blurts out.....

"I....I’m not the one who sold it! Your men manipulated m....."

Before he can finish his sentence a deep, powerful roar fills the room.

Zar.

The white tiger growls loudly, his sharp teeth bared. The sound alone is enough to shake the walls.

The boy’s face turns pale in an instant. Sweat forms on his forehead as he swallows thickly, his bravado vanishing in a second.

I smirk.

Mr. D’Souza looks at me with desperation in his eyes. "Sir I....I’m really sorry about this" he stammers, bowing his head slightly. "But please… that land is very important to us. Please give it back. I beg you sir."

I lean back in my chair, still tapping my fingers against the table watching him beg. Begging won’t work on me.

"There is nothing to discuss, Mr. D’Souza" I say my voice final unshakable. "I will not give you that land back. I have already started my project.....a mall will be built there. It belongs to me now."

I stand up, ready to leave. But then....

"I’LL KILL YOU TODAY!"

The sudden shout makes everyone tense. I turn my head slightly, my expression still calm.

Mr. D’Souza’s idiotic son is standing now, his hand trembling as he points a gun straight at me.

Fool.

A slow, dark smirk spreads across my face as I tilt my head.

"Alright" I say my tone casual, almost amused. "If you attack me… and if you manage to give me even a single scratch I’ll return your land."

Silence.

I can see it....the way his confidence wavers. His hand shakes slightly but he quickly tightens his grip on the gun trying to appear unfazed.

"No no sir!" Mr. D’Souza’s voice breaks in panic. "He’s just a kid! Please sir forgive him!" He rushes toward me his face filled with fear.

Too late.Before he can even reach me.... Zar strikes.

Zar leaps forward, his massive body moving like lightning. His claws extend as he pounces on the boy knocking him down in a heartbeat.

"A....AAHHH! NO! PLEASE.....AHHHH!"

Screams. Loud, piercing screams fill the room as Zar delivers his signature mark....deep, sharp cuts across the boy’s face, arms and chest. Blood seeps into his clothes, staining them red. His body trembles violently as pain overtakes him.

No one moves. No one dares to interfere. I step forward, standing over the injured fool.

"Teach your son some manners, Mr. D’Souza" I say, my voice deathly calm.

"He should know how to respect others. And he should never mess with someone whose power is greater than his entire bloodline"

Mr. D’Souza nods rapidly his hands trembling as he rushes to his son.

"T....Thank you sir… t...thank you for sparing him…" I flick my wrist. My guards immediately step forward.

"Throw them out" I command.

The guards grab them roughly, dragging them toward the exit. The doors slam shut. I exhale, adjusting my cuffs.

"Pathetic" I mutter before turning to leave.

I walk out of the meeting room with Zar by my side. My steps are calm, steady. But Zar....he walks ahead of me leading the way to my cabin.

Everything seems normal.Until suddenly... Zar stops.

His body tenses, ears perked up. Then, in the next second, he turns around and runs toward me, hiding behind my legs.

I frown, looking down at him. This tiger… hiding? My eyes shift forward following his line of sight. And then I see her.

Mira.

She is standing in front of my cabin knocking on the door. I raise an eyebrow then smirk as realization hits me.

"Ohhh… so the tiger who just almost killed a man is scared now?" I mutter glancing down at Zar. "Scared because she might see the blood on your body?"

Zar lets out a low huff refusing to meet my eyes. I shake my head. Unbelievable. Taking slow deliberate steps, I walk towards her.

"Yes, Miss Rao" I say my deep voice breaking the silence.

Mira turns to face me.

Her expression is calm, unreadable. But her eyes....sharp and focused, like she had been waiting for me.

"Sir Miss Meena gave me this file for you" she says holding out a file. I don’t take it.

Instead I step past her, push open the door to my office and walk inside. Then without turning, I lift my hand slightly.....gesturing for her to follow.

She hesitates for a brief second before stepping in.

The moment she enters, her eyes land on Zar who is still trying to hide behind me. Her eyebrows knit together.

"Zar, what happened to you?" she asks immediately her voice laced with concern.

I step aside, giving her a full view of him. She gasps softly when she notices the bloodstains on his fur.

"Did you get hurt?" she asks bending down slightly, trying to check on him.

Zar looks everywhere but at her, his eyes darting around the room like he’s searching for an escape.

I cross my arms, leaning against my desk and smirk.

"He’s a mafia tiger, Mira" I say my voice deep. "I think you already know why he has blood on him."

Her body stiffens. Her lips press together as she glances between me and Zar.

Then in a completely unexpected move, she glares at him. Mira Rao, glaring at zar. Zar flinches slightly.

"Bad boy" she whispers under her breath before straightening up and walking toward my desk.

I bite back a chuckle. Tit for Tat.

Zar glares at me now, like this is all my fault. Oh so now you're mad at me, huh? I ignore him. Mira stops in front of my desk and lifts the file again.

"Sir, the file" she says her voice firm. I don’t take it.

Instead, I just stare at her. She shifts slightly but holds her ground. I need my answer.

"Why did you ignore me this morning?" I ask my voice dropping lower.

Her eyes meet mine for a brief moment before she places the file on my desk and turns around. She starts walking toward the door. My jaw clenches.

"You’re ignoring my question, Miss Rao" I say pushing myself up from my chair.

She stops. Then slowly, she turns to face me.

Her arms cross over her chest as she looks at me with a cold, unreadable expression.....just like mine.And then....

"What is your name, Mr…..?" she asks, her voice casual.

Like she doesn’t know exactly who I am. Silence.

Then....A deep, throaty chuckle leaves my lips.

This woman…My woman.

"Abhiraj" I say tilting my head slightly, watching her carefully.

If it were anyone else, asking me that question...They wouldn’t be alive right now.

But she’s not just anyone. She is my queen. And she has every right to show me this attitude. She lifts her chin slightly.

"Mr. Abhiraj we are at a workplace" she says sassily. "So behave professionally."

Then She turns around. And flips her hair before walking out of my office, leaving me completely......

Stunned. I just stand there. Watching her leave. My eyes trail over her as she disappears through the door.

She was looking hot. I run a hand down my face.

"Ahh, Abhiraj" I mutter exhaling. "You got yourself a bomb."

I sit back in my chair, shaking my head. Then suddenly......

A low chuckle escapes my lips. The first time anyone has ever talked to me like this. And I fu*king love it.

I want more. I want her to keep talking to me like this. I want her to challenge me, push me, make me crave her attention.

She has no idea.

Mira.

MIRA ABHIRAJ SINGH RAJVANSH.

You’re driving this mafia king crazy.