Page 38 of One Hellish Love

Startled, she quickly composed herself, turning to face him.

“I wouldn’t step in here by choice. The designs are ready. I need you to approve them.”

She handed him the file with the sketches, keeping the one with the hidden envelope clutched tightly in her hands. He sat down, reviewing the designs with an intensity that surprised her. His gaze softened as he admired her work.

“I approve them all. We’ll meet with Tanuja tomorrow. If she likes them, we’ll move forward with production.”

He approved them all? She couldn’t believe it. Was he trying to impress her for the sake of an apology, or had he become lenient due to the tight deadlines? She picked up the file and turned to leave, anxious to read the contents of the mysterious envelope.

“Kashish, wait.”

No, not now. She wanted to escape before he suspected anything. She turned, her heart racing, as he rose from hischair and walked toward her. Did he realize she was hiding something? She swallowed nervously, gripping the file tighter. There was no way she’d let him know what she had taken.

Without breaking eye contact, he bent down to pick up another envelope that had fallen at her feet. The moment he did, she curled her toes in reflex. His sharp gaze caught the subtle movement, and as he rose, he locked eyes with her—seeing the fear flicker in her expression. She was hiding something. He held up the envelope, scrutinizing her reaction.

Before he could say anything, she snatched it from him.

“Don’t touch my stuff.”

His jaw tightened at her audacity. He had just helped her, and now she was giving him attitude?

“Maybe learn to keep your things in order before you start mouthing off,” he shot back, his words cutting through the air.

That remark left her breathless for a moment, but she didn’t linger. Without another word, she hurried out, clutching the envelope. She was lucky he hadn’t noticed it belonged to him.

Locking herself in her cabin, she tore open the envelope—only to find it empty. What? After all that, there was nothing inside? Why would someone from Uttam Nagar send an empty envelope to Rudra Raheja? Was this a mistake or some sort of twisted message? Frustrated, she slammed her palms on the desk. A dead end. But Kashish wasn’t one to give up easily. If there was a hidden truth behind this, she would uncover it—no matter the cost.

*******************

At 8:00 p.m., Rudra returned home, his eyes scanning the living room. Shekhar and Anjali were sitting on the couch, engaged in conversation, but Rudra had other things on his mind. As he made his way to his bedroom, he noticed Ram Prasad rushing ahead with his laptop bag. Passing by Kashish’sroom, he saw the door open, the maid cleaning inside. A sense of unease hit him. She wasn’t home yet.

“Isn’t Kashish home?” Rudra asked.

“She will be late today, Shekharji said,” Ram Prasad answered, hesitantly.

Late? Why? Where had she gone? When Rudra left the office, her cabin was empty, lights off, everything as usual. She had left at her normal time. So why hadn’t she returned home yet? His instincts screamed at him to find out, to use the very skills that had helped him track people in the past. But this was different. He didn’t want her to feel cornered, knowing she already despised him.

After a quick shower and a few failed international calls due to poor signal, Rudra stepped outside into the entrance lobby for a better connection. Just as he was about to redial, the sound of a motorbike approaching made him pause. Kashish got down from Sanjay’s bike, draping a shawl over her shoulders. The sight of her with Sanjay—her colleague—sent a strange pang of unease through him.

“Thanks for the ride, Sanjay,” she said, her voice soft.

“Anytime, Lead,” he winked, clearly playful in his tone.

Kashish chuckled at the title, unaware of the storm brewing in Rudra’s chest. She waited until Sanjay drove out of the gates, but the tension in Rudra had already peaked. He was standing in her path before she could even take a step inside.

“Where were you?” His voice was rough, demanding.

Kashish rolled her eyes, trying to sidestep him, but in her haste, her heel twisted. She stumbled, falling hard onto the floor. Panic shot through Rudra, and he instinctively moved to help her, but her cold glare froze him in place. She waved him off, refusing his assistance as she winced, clutching her twisted ankle.

“Ouch!” she hissed in pain, cradling her injured foot.

He stood there, watching her struggle, knowing she needed help but refusing to give in. “You need help,” he offered, his voice a bit gentler.

“I can manage,” she snapped back, her voice sharp despite the obvious pain.

Rudra clenched his jaw, his frustration barely contained.

“I’d love to see you manage a walk with a twisted ankle,” he retorted.

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