The sleek black car glided smoothly through the bustling streets of New York, moving toward Kapoor Enterprises, the company Aarav had built from the ground up. Nisha sat in the passenger seat, her eyes on the road ahead, her mind drifting between thoughts of the day’s work and Aarav’s unreadable expression beside her.

As they approached the towering glass building, she glanced at him. His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp and focused. She knew this version of Aarav—the one the world saw. Cold. Distant. Intimidating. The CEO who didn’t tolerate mistakes or entertain pleasantries.

Nisha gently squeezed his hand. “I’ll get down here.”

Aarav’s eyes flickered with something softer for just a second. He pulled the car over, glancing at her with a silent understanding. “Text me when you’re in.”

She nodded, grabbing her bag and stepping out of the car. With a small wave, she turned and walked toward the side entrance, staying out of view. Nisha always insisted on them arriving separately—no one at the company knew about their relationship. She wanted to keep things professional, and as much as Aarav wished he could walk into the building with her by his side, he understood.

As Nisha disappeared down the street, Aarav’s expression shifted back to its usual mask of indifference. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he drove the last few feet to the entrance of the building. The moment he stepped out of the car, the temperature seemed to drop. His dark aura radiated around him like a storm cloud, and the employees standing outside instantly stiffened.

“Good morning, sir,” one of the receptionists said, but her voice wavered under his sharp gaze.

Aarav didn’t respond. His face was stone-cold, eyes straight ahead as he strode into the lobby. The air inside the building grew tense as he walked through, his footsteps echoing ominously. Conversations hushed, and employees scattered to their desks, avoiding his gaze as if the mere sight of him could freeze them in place.

Aarav Kapoor was not a man who exchanged pleasantries or indulged in idle chit-chat. He was here to work, and any sign of inefficiency was met with his ruthless intolerance. He swept through the hallways, his sharp eyes catching the slightest detail out of place. He didn’t care about the nervous looks, the whispers behind his back. He had a company to run, and anyone who wasn’t up to his standards would feel his wrath.

In his office, the employees moved like shadows, careful not to draw his attention. They feared his short temper and cold demeanor, but they also respected him. Aarav’s success was undeniable, and his presence commanded the room like no other.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, Nisha made her way toward the office through a quieter entrance, a stark contrast to Aarav’s dramatic arrival. Her soft smile and kind eyes greeted her colleagues as she entered, receiving warm smiles in return. Nisha was the complete opposite of Aarav—calm, approachable, and always considerate of others.

As she walked to her desk, her phone buzzed with a message. She unlocked it to find a text from her best friend back in India, Meera, someone who knew both her and Aarav from their college days.

Meera: Hey you! How’s life in the big city? Still surviving Aarav’s glares?

Nisha smiled at the message, imagining Meera’s playful tone. She quickly typed back.

Nisha: Barely! You know him, still as intense as ever.

Meera: LOL, poor you! Let’s catch up soon, miss our chai sessions!

Nisha smiled warmly at the thought. Meera always knew how to brighten her day. She tucked her phone away, making a mental note to call her later. Despite the chaos and tension that often surrounded Aarav, it was these small reminders—her father’s calls, Meera’s messages—that kept her grounded.

As Nisha settled into her workspace, she was greeted by the friendly smiles of her colleagues. Her warmth and approachable nature had made her popular within the office. People felt at ease around her, often seeking her out for advice or a quick chat. Nisha had a way of making people feel seen and heard, something that set her apart in a world dominated by cold efficiency.

She glanced at the clock, knowing that Aarav would be in the boardroom by now, no doubt commanding the attention of every executive present. His dark, intimidating presence often left the room in silence, his word being the final say on every decision.

Nisha, however, thrived in a different way. Where Aarav led with dominance and control, she led with empathy and understanding. Her work required precision and dedication, but she managed to balance it with the care she showed toward others.

As she got back to her tasks, her mind briefly drifted to Aarav. She wondered how his meetings were going, knowing he was probably firing off commands and pushing for perfection like he always did. A soft smile tugged at her lips. To the world, Aarav was cold and unapproachable, but she knew a different side of him. The side that melted in her presence, that sought her out in the quiet moments, needing her in a way no one else would ever understand.

The day moved forward with its usual rhythm, but the contrast between Aarav’s cold, commanding presence and Nisha’s warm, approachable nature was felt across the office. Though their worlds seemed so different on the surface, they had their own unique harmony, a balance that kept them both grounded—no matter how intimidating or overwhelming things got.

But as Nisha worked, her phone buzzed again with a new message—this time from Aarav, brief and to the point.

Aarav: Meeting’s done. Lunch later?

Nisha smiled, quickly typing back.

Nisha: Always.

And just like that, her day felt a little brighter.

As the day dragged on, the office buzzed with its usual rhythm, but the weight of Aarav’s presence had left its mark. Employees moved faster, quieter, always a little more tense whenever he passed by. Nisha, on the other hand, had a calming effect on those around her. The two of them were a paradox in this environment—Aarav, the dark storm, and Nisha, the soothing calm.

When the clock finally struck six, Nisha wrapped up her work for the day, gathering her things and slipping out quietly. She texted Aarav that she was heading home first, as she often did. He was still locked in a late meeting, probably hurling orders or dissecting a new project with his usual fierce intensity.

Nisha: Heading home. Don’t be too late, okay?

There was no immediate reply, which was expected when Aarav was in work mode, but she smiled, knowing he’d see it soon enough.

Once back at their apartment, Nisha quickly changed into something more comfortable—soft lounge pants and a cozy top—before heading into the kitchen. Cooking was something she loved. It helped her unwind after a long day and gave her a sense of calm that nothing else could. She began chopping vegetables, the rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board filling the quiet apartment.

As the aroma of spices and fresh ingredients filled the air, Nisha glanced at the clock, wondering when Aarav would be home. He always worked longer hours, but he never missed dinner with her. It was one of the few things he made time for, no matter how crazy his day had been.

She stirred the pot of curry on the stove, adding in the last pinch of spices, when suddenly she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. Startled at first, Nisha smiled as the familiar warmth of Aarav enveloped her. He pressed his face into the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent, his embrace firm yet tender.

“You’re home,” she said softly, her smile widening.

“Mhm,” Aarav murmured against her neck, his voice low and husky from the long day. “I missed you.”

Nisha turned off the stove, knowing dinner could wait for a moment. She leaned back into his embrace, resting her hands on his arms, feeling the strength in them but also the comfort they always brought her.

“You’re late” she said teasingly. “What happened? Did you scare off all your employees too fast today?”

Aarav chuckled lightly, his grip tightening just a little around her. “Maybe,” he admitted, his lips brushing the skin of her neck. “But you know I work better when I know I get to come home to you.”

Nisha’s heart fluttered at his words, the softness in his voice something only she ever got to hear. To the rest of the world, he was hard, unyielding—a man who commanded respect and fear. But with her, he let his guard down, showing the tenderness that no one else knew existed.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” she said, her voice soft as she tilted her head slightly, allowing him better access to her neck.

“Mmm,” Aarav hummed, his lips trailing lightly over her skin. “Dinner can wait a few minutes.”

Nisha laughed softly, turning in his arms to face him. “You know, you’re not as intimidating as you think when you’re like this,” she teased, looking up into his dark eyes, her hands resting on his chest.

Aarav raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Don’t let anyone else hear you say that. I have a reputation to maintain.”

Nisha smiled, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him gently. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

Aarav kissed her back, his hands sliding down to rest on her hips. For a few moments, they stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, the outside world feeling far away. These were the moments that made everything worth it—the chaos, the stress, the long hours. Here, in the quiet of their home, it was just the two of them.

Eventually, Nisha pulled back, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “Okay, Mr. CEO. Let me finish dinner before it burns.”

Aarav sighed dramatically, but the small smile on his face gave him away. “Fine. But I expect a full meal after that kiss.”

Nisha laughed, giving him a playful push toward the dining table. “Go sit down. You’ll get your meal, Mr. Impatient.”

Aarav finally let her go, walking over to the table and watching as she finished preparing dinner. The tension from his day seemed to melt away just watching her, the way she moved so effortlessly in the kitchen, the care she put into even the simplest tasks. It grounded him, reminded him that there was more to life than board meetings and company profits.

A few minutes later, Nisha brought the plates to the table, setting them down with a satisfied smile. “There we go. Your favorite,” she said, placing the dish in front of him.

Aarav looked down at the food, then back up at her, his eyes softening again. “You spoil me.”

“Someone has to,” she said with a wink, sitting down across from him.

They began eating, the conversation flowing easily between them, as it always did. Aarav talked about his day, the challenges at work, the never-ending stream of decisions he had to make. Nisha listened, offering her support and insight where she could, but mostly just being there for him, which was all he really needed.

As the evening went on, their home became their safe space—far removed from the intensity of their professional lives. Here, it was just Aarav and Nisha, two people who loved each other fiercely, despite their differences. And for now, in this quiet moment, everything felt perfect.