We all settled back into the luxurious sofas. The cushions were incredibly soft, almost swallowing me as I sat down carefully. I kept my hands folded tightly in my lap, my fingers fidgeting slightly with the edge of my shirt. My heart was still racing, and I felt completely out of place in this grand room filled with crystal, marble, and quiet elegance.

Amrita noticed my stunned silence and leaned forward gently, her voice soft and understanding. “Diya… I know this must all feel very overwhelming for you. When Vansh got lost that day, I had taken a small break from security. I just wanted to feel like a normal person for once — walking freely in the park without guards following me everywhere. But then he suddenly disappeared and I got so scared. My heart almost stopped. I was calling his name everywhere, asking strangers if they had seen him.”

She paused, her eyes warm with deep gratitude. “And then you appeared. You helped me when I needed it the most. I’m so thankful, Diya. Truly.”

I looked down for a moment, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth. “It was nothing, Amrita. I just… saw him crying and couldn’t walk away.”

Amrita smiled, reaching out to gently squeeze my hand. “Vansh doesn’t usually go to strangers, you know. He’s generally shy and clings to me. But the way he held onto you… I was shocked. I’ve heard that children can sense genuine people just by their presence. That’s why he got attached to you so instantly. You have such a pure heart.”

Her words touched something deep inside me. I had always taken a long time to trust people, keeping my heart guarded after years of feeling unseen and unimportant. But with Amrita and Vansh, the connection had been instant — just one second, and it felt real. Natural. Like I had finally found a place where I didn’t have to prove myself.

“I… I feel the same,” I admitted softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s rare for me to feel this comfortable with someone so quickly. Thank you for making me feel welcome.”

Amrita’s husband — the Minister, Vikram Rathore — sat across from us, watching the exchange with a small, gentle expression on his face. His presence was calm and commanding, yet there was a quiet kindness in his eyes that put me slightly at ease.

He nodded toward me respectfully. “Thank you for finding Vansh that day. We are truly grateful.”

I felt my cheeks warm and quickly shook my head. “Sir, there is no need to thank me. It really wasn’t a big thing. Any person would have done the same.”

He gave a small, understanding nod, his expression softening further. “Still… it means a lot.”

Vansh, who had been sitting contentedly in his father’s lap, suddenly wiggled down and ran toward me with quick, excited steps. He grabbed my hand with his small, warm fingers and tugged gently.

“Come, Didi!” he said, his voice full of joy. “I will show you my room. And all my toys! Come, come! I have cars and a big teddy bear too!”

I couldn’t help but smile at his pure enthusiasm, my heart melting. “Alright, little one. Lead the way. I’d love to see your room.”

Amrita laughed softly and stood up as well, her eyes shining with happiness. “Yes, let’s show her around properly. I’ll show you some of the most beautiful parts of this house too. It’s not just big — it has a lot of heart and memories.”

She turned to her husband with a loving smile. “Vikram, we will show her around. We’ll meet you at Dinner, okay?”

Vikram Rathore nodded, a faint, affectionate smile touching his lips. ““Okay. But don’t tire yourself too much, Amrita. And let Diya rest as well if she needs to. ” She’s our guest.”

He stood up gracefully, gave Vansh a gentle pat on the head, and took his leave with quiet dignity, his footsteps echoing softly in the grand hall.

Vansh didn’t waste any time. Still holding my hand tightly, he pulled me along excitedly through the hallways, his little legs moving as fast as they could. Amrita walked beside us, pointing out beautiful paintings, a private library filled with thousands of books, and a sunlit indoor garden with colorful flowers.

My heart felt full and strangely light. In the middle of all this unimaginable luxury, I was surrounded by a warmth I hadn’t expected to find. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel invisible.

Amrita continued showing me around the vast estate, but we only managed to cover half of it. The sheer size of the place was overwhelming. We walked through long marble corridors lined with elegant paintings, multiple luxurious sitting areas, a private cinema room with plush recliners, an indoor swimming pool that sparkled under soft blue lights, and beautiful courtyards filled with fragrant flowers and fountains. Every corner felt like it belonged in a fairytale palace.

“This is only half?” I asked in disbelief, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked around in awe.

Amrita laughed warmly. “Yes. The other side has the office wing and more guest quarters. It’s too big, I know. Sometimes I still get lost and have to call the staff for directions!”

Vansh then eagerly pulled me to his room, his small hand gripping mine tightly. It was enormous — like two big halls combined into one massive play paradise. Toys were neatly arranged on built-in shelves, there was a large play area with a mini slide and race track, a king-sized bed with superhero bedding, and walls covered with his colorful drawings and paintings. The room even had its own small balcony overlooking the gardens.

“See, Didi! This is my favorite car!” he said proudly, holding up a shiny red toy. “And this is my big teddy bear. He sleeps with me every night!”

I smiled warmly, kneeling beside him. “It’s amazing, Vansh. You have such a beautiful room.”

We had dinner together later that evening. Vikram Rathore joined us at the long, elegant dining table. The conversation flowed easily — mostly light topics about Vansh’s school adventures, my work at the office, and simple everyday things. Vikram was polite and calm, occasionally asking me gentle questions. I answered softly, still feeling a little nervous in his presence.

After dinner, time passed quickly with more chatting and laughter. It was already 1 AM when Amrita looked at the clock and shook her head firmly.

“Diya, it’s too late now,” she said, crossing her arms with a determined look. “You’re staying here tonight. No arguments allowed.”

I hesitated, feeling a bit shy. “Amrita, it’s fine really. I can book a cab and go home.”

“No,” she interrupted, her tone leaving no room for discussion. “You’re staying. I won’t let you go alone at this hour. What kind of friend would I be?”

Vansh, already sleepy, added his own plea with big puppy eyes. “Please stay, Didi.”

With her constant gentle pressure and Vansh’s adorable request, I finally agreed with a small sigh.

Amrita showed me to a beautiful guest room and handed me comfortable nightclothes — a soft knee-length maxi dress with thin straps on the shoulders and a matching light shrug. “Change into this. You’ll sleep much more comfortably.”

I looked at the dress hesitantly, holding it up. “Amrita, I don’t usually wear clothes like this… it feels a bit revealing.”

She smiled and gently pushed the clothes into my hands. “Just for tonight. And keep the shrug on if it makes you feel better. Now go change, Miss Modest!”

After she left the room with a playful wink, I changed into the maxi. The fabric felt soft and flowing against my skin. I kept the shrug on for a while, then removed it before slipping under the covers. The bed was incredibly comfortable, but the unfamiliar room and the events of the day made it hard to sleep. I lay there for a long time, staring at the ceiling, before finally forcing my eyes shut.

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night. The clock on the bedside table showed 3 AM. My throat felt dry and scratchy — I had probably drunk too little water while talking with Amrita. I sat up slowly, rubbing my neck.

I slipped on the shrug over the maxi, tied it loosely at the front, and quietly stepped out of the room. The house was completely silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. I remembered the way to the kitchen from the earlier tour and slowly descended the grand staircase, softly rubbing my throat.

As I crossed the dimly lit hall area and entered the kitchen, I opened the large refrigerator and found a bottle of cold water. I poured some into a glass and began drinking, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp, intense gaze on me.

I lowered the glass from my lips and gasped loudly, nearly dropping it.

In the dim light of a single table lamp, a man was sitting on one of the sofas in the hall, watching me directly. He was massive — easily over six feet tall, with broad, powerful shoulders and well-defined muscles visible even through his dark shirt. His arms were thick and strong, his posture relaxed yet commanding. He looked like a Greek god carved from stone, every inch of him radiating raw strength and presence.

My breath hitched as I took in his face. He was breathtakingly handsome — sharp, chiseled jawline, intense dark eyes, high cheekbones, and perfectly tousled hair. His features were so striking and masculine that even the most famous actors would pale in comparison. I had never seen anyone this breathtakingly good-looking in my entire life.

But why was he staring at me like that?

His dark, piercing eyes slowly moved from my face, traveling down my body, and then back up again, scanning me with an intensity that made my skin tingle and my cheeks burn.

I quickly placed the glass on the counter and moved toward the stairs without looking at him again, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

I didn’t know who he was. I had never seen him before in this house.

I rushed back to my room, locked the door behind me, and sat on the bed, breathing heavily. My cheeks felt warm, and my mind was spinning with questions and nervousness.

Who was that man?