"Ma'am, you can't enter. Hriday sir doesn't allow anyone inside his room. Only Gauri is allowed."

The guard said nervously.

Disha's eyes narrowed.

"Who is Gauri?"

"She... she is the cook."

"Oh."

Her lips curved.

"Don't worry. I'm Hriday's fiancée."

She dismissed the guard with a flick of her hand and walked inside confidently.

In the kitchen, Gauri was preparing lunch.

"Gauri, right?"

Gauri stepped out.

"Yes."

"I heard you're Hriday's cook."

"Yes, ma'am. And you are...? Are you by chance sir's sister—"

"NO!"

Disha snapped loudly.

Gauri flinched.

"I am his fiancée."

"Oh... I'm sorry, ma'am."

"Bring me tea."

Gauri nodded and went back inside.

Disha roamed around the living room, touching antique pieces, lifting delicate artifacts, examining frames.

Hriday came downstairs—

And froze.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

Disha turned dramatically.

"Oh Hriday! I missed you."

"That's not an answer."

"Don't be rude. I'm your guest."

"You're an unwanted guest."

He took the antique piece from her hand immediately.

"This is my house, Disha Ranawat. And I didn't give you permission to touch my things."

She pouted.

"Hriday, how can you speak to me like this?"

"I can also throw you out."

His voice was flat.

Then suddenly—

"GAURI!"

He shouted.

Gauri hurried out, slightly breathless.

"S-sir, I was making tea for your fiancée—"

"Who is my fiancée without my knowledge?"

His tone was razor sharp.

Gauri looked at Disha in confusion.

Disha swallowed.

Hriday's patience snapped.

"Guards!"

Within seconds, they appeared.

"Who allowed this lady inside my house?"

Silence.

"I asked something."

The older guard began trembling.

"I—I—"

Gauri stepped forward slightly.

"Sir, please—"

He shot her a warning look.

Then suddenly—

He grabbed Gauri's wrist and pulled her into the kitchen.

"Sir! What are you doing? Leave my hand—"

"Ssh."

His tone dropped.

"Ms. Gauri. Stay quiet."

She froze.

He stepped closer.

Too close.

She could feel his breath against her cheek.

Her heart pounded.

He didn't touch her face.

He didn't kiss her.

He just leaned close.

Close enough to create an illusion.

Close enough for Disha, standing outside, to misunderstand.

Ten seconds.

Then he stepped back calmly.

Gauri stood stunned.

He glanced past her shoulder.

Disha was gone.

A satisfied smirk touched his lips.

He hadn't done it out of desire.

He had done it strategically.

To push Disha away.

Outside.

Disha sat inside her car, fuming.

She immediately dialed her bua.

"Hello, my baby!" Sanjana answered cheerfully.

"Bua! You said Hriday would fall for me! He's romancing his maid!"

There was a pause.

"Romancing?" Sanjana's voice turned thoughtful.

"Yes! I saw him holding her... leaning close to her!"

Sanjana gave a slow smile.

"Let him do whatever he wants. He is Shikhar Singh Shekhawat's son. And Shikhar never allowed another woman within ten meters of himself because he loved his wife too much."

Disha frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"It means... men of that family don't fall easily."

Disha huffed.

"Bua, I saw him almost kissing her!"

Sanjana's tone hardened.

"Listen to me carefully. Let him put his mouth anywhere he wants..."

Her voice turned cold.

"But the wedding night? That will be yours."

Disha slowly smiled.

"I trust you, Bua."

Call disconnected.

Inside the mansion—

Gauri was still trying to understand what just happened.

And Hriday?

He had just started a war he didn't realize would spiral.

Chandigarh.

"Where is your madam?" Shikhar asked while removing his coat.

The dining table was empty.

Maithili always waited for him.

"Sir, madam is in the garden."

"At this hour?" he checked his watch. "What is she doing there?"

"Sanajana madam came to meet her."

Shikhar's jaw tightened slightly.

"Okay. Serve dinner after I freshen up."

"Ji, sir."

A few minutes later, he was halfway through his meal when Maithili walked in.

"Shikhar! When did you come?"

"When you were busy with your so-called best friend."

His tone was dry.

Maithili sighed.

"I don't understand why you dislike her so much."

Shikhar didn't respond.

He finished his dinner in silence.

He had reasons.

Very strong reasons.

But he kept them buried — only tolerating Sanjana because she was Maithili's closest friend.

Kolkata.

One week.

Gauri hadn't spoken to Hriday unless absolutely necessary.

"Breakfast is ready, sir."

"Lunch is served."

"Dinner is on the table."

That's it.

No eye contact.

No reactions.

No arguments.

Hriday pretended not to care.

But he noticed everything.

"She's overreacting," he muttered to himself in his room. "I didn't even touch her. I was just a few inches away."

Then his conscience whispered—

But you did grab her hand without permission.

He paused.

"Hriday... you were wrong."

He exhaled.

"You need to say sorry."

Next morning.

He sat at the breakfast table.

Gauri stood beside him after serving the food — professional distance maintained.

Silent.

He cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

No response.

She didn't even look at him.

"Attitude dekho madam ka..." he muttered under his breath.

Cough. Cough.

He faked another one.

"Sir, water."

A passing maid immediately handed him a glass.

Hriday glared at the poor maid, who hurried away.

Gauri didn't react.

Didn't even blink.

He felt strangely... ignored.

And he hated it.

Later that afternoon.

Hriday was typing on his laptop when someone knocked.

"Yes," he said without looking up.

A maid stepped inside nervously.

"Sir... woh... Gauri—"

His head snapped up instantly.

"What happened to her?"

"Sir, she wants to take leave today."

"Why?"

"I don't know, sir."

His tone hardened.

"And why are you asking on her behalf? Doesn't she have a tongue?"

"S-sir..."

"Send her in."

The maid nodded and rushed out.

Hriday leaned back in his chair.

Something inside him felt uneasy.

She never asked for leave.

Not even once.

And suddenly—

He didn't like this feeling.

At all.