AUTHOR'S POV

Abhimanyu Thakur stood at the head of his desk, his sharp eyes scanning the last of the reports his employees had hastily completed. It was earlier than usual for him to be finishing his work, which was unfortunate for his team. They had grown accustomed to his demanding schedule, but today, they'd been caught off guard. As always, Abhimanyu’s work ethic was beyond rigorous; he left no room for error. Each department had scrambled to complete their daily tasks, knowing full well that he wouldn’t leave until every detail had been inspected, questioned, and scrutinized to his satisfaction.

Abhimanyu moved to his closet which was built inside his cabin. He reached for his signature black coat. It was a coat that, much like the man himself, exuded power and authority. Every detail about him was carefully curated for the image of an invincible figure, someone who dominated the business world and the shadows beneath it. His intimidating presence was more than his towering height of 6.4 feet or his muscular frame. It was the way his eyes, cold and calculating, could strip away someone’s confidence with a single glance.

The moment he shrugged the coat over his broad shoulders, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and immediately straightened up when he saw the caller ID.

Dad.

He didn't make his father wait. No one made his father, Vishvnath Thakur, wait.

"Hello, Dad," Abhimanyu answered, his voice measured and respectful. His relationship with his father had always been one built on mutual respect, admiration, and a shared understanding of the Thakur legacy. Vishvnath Thakur had raised him to be ruthless in business and to let emotions fall by the wayside. But it wasn’t easy, not with a father who had accomplished so much. Living in his shadow had forged Abhimanyu into the cold and impenetrable man he was today.

"Abhi, how are you doing, son?" His father's deep voice was warm but direct.

"I'm good. Just finishing up for the day. About to leave the office," Abhimanyu replied, brushing aside his fatigue. He knew his father wouldn’t call just for small talk, and he could already sense where the conversation was headed.

"That's good. Listen, son," his father paused briefly, perhaps contemplating how to best phrase his request. "I know you're not a fan of these family events, but something’s come up. Your mother and I were supposed to attend the wedding of Pratham Chauhan’s son tonight. Unfortunately, the weather’s messed up our flight plans. Our jet can't make it to Delhi in time."

Abhimanyu instantly knew where this was going. He leaned against his desk, arms crossed, already preparing himself to decline whatever was coming next.

"I need you to go in our place," his father continued. "It's a significant wedding. Pratham Chauhan has been a friend of the family for years. And more than that, there will be a lot of important people there—businessmen, politicians, influencers. This is more than just a social obligation, Abhi; it's a networking opportunity."

"I can't," Abhimanyu said flatly. His father had to have expected this response. Abhimanyu didn't attend family functions, social events, or anything of the sort unless it was absolutely unavoidable. He hated them. The small talk, the fake smiles, the crowds—it all went against his nature.

"Son, it's important," his father pressed, his voice firm now. "You know how crucial the Chauhans are. If no one from our family shows up, it’ll look bad. Pratham personally invited us. I wouldn't ask if it weren’t necessary."

But before Abhimanyu could refuse again, another voice came through the phone. His mother's voice. Kaya Thakur—someone Abhimanyu could never deny.

"Abhi?" His mother’s tone was gentle but commanding in its own way. She didn’t need to say much to convince him; her voice alone was enough.

"Yes, Mom?" he replied, his grip on the phone tightening slightly.

"You know how important this wedding is for us. If no one from the Thakur family is there, it’ll cause unnecessary tension. You need to be there, son. For the family."

The thing about Kaya Thakur was that her words carried the weight of a thousand obligations. Abhimanyu had inherited his ruthlessness from his father, but his unbreakable sense of duty came from his mother.

Abhimanyu let out a quiet sigh. There was no getting out of this. His mother's request was the final nail in the coffin. He could never say no to her.

"Alright, I'll go," he said, his jaw clenched. "But just for a while."

"Thank you, Abhi," his mother said, her voice softening. "Oh, and one more thing—don’t go empty-handed. It’s important to bring a gift for the couple."

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes but knew better than to argue. "Fine."

"Good boy. I'll send you the location of the Chauhan mansion. Just in case. Take care, son."

The call ended, and Abhimanyu stared at the phone for a moment. The idea of attending an Indian wedding, with its loud music, endless rituals, and nosy guests, was repellent to him. It was the last place on earth he wanted to be, but his mother’s words left no room for argument.

He headed downstairs, where his black Rolls Royce awaited him. His driver, as always, was punctual and ready. As Abhimanyu approached, the driver opened the door for him.

“To the Chauhan mansion,” Abhimanyu instructed, his voice cold. “Stop at a jewellery store on the way.”

The driver nodded without a word. He was used to his boss’s sharp, no-nonsense tone. Abhimanyu slid into the backseat, mentally preparing himself for the tedious event ahead. He knew that these gatherings were a necessary evil in his world, but that didn’t make them any less tiresome.

The streets of Delhi were bustling as always, the city alive with the chaotic energy that Abhimanyu often found suffocating. He preferred the controlled environment of his office or his mansion, where everything was within his command. But here, among the traffic, the pedestrians, and the constant noise, control was elusive.

The car soon pulled up outside a high-end jewellery store, one of the most exclusive in the city. The manager was already waiting at the door, having been alerted in advance of Abhimanyu’s arrival by his driver.

As Abhimanyu stepped inside, the manager rushed forward to greet him personally. “Mr. Thakur, it’s an honor to have you here. How can we assist you today?”

“I need a gift for a wedding,” Abhimanyu said curtly, his eyes scanning the rows of sparkling diamonds and gold.

“Of course, sir. May I suggest a diamond necklace? Something elegant, timeless?” The manager motioned toward a glass display where several exquisite pieces were showcased.

Abhimanyu barely glanced at them. “That one,” he said, pointing to one of the most expensive necklace in the case.

The manager, flustered by Abhimanyu’s quick decision, nodded eagerly and instructed an assistant to retrieve the piece. Abhimanyu wasn’t interested in the specifics of the jewellery; all that mattered was that it was expensive and impressive enough to satisfy his mother’s request.

He handed over his black card without a second thought, waiting impatiently as the transaction was completed. The manager, sensing Abhimanyu’s impatience, moved swiftly, and within minutes, the necklace was boxed and handed to him with a bow.

“Thank you for your business, Mr. Thakur. It’s always a pleasure to serve you,” the manager said, bowing slightly.

Abhimanyu gave a curt nod and left the store, the box in hand. He tossed it onto the seat beside him as he got back into the car, feeling no satisfaction from the purchase. It was just another task completed, nothing more.

The drive to the Chauhan mansion took longer than expected due to the evening traffic. Abhimanyu stared out the window, his thoughts far away. He knew what to expect at the wedding: mindless chatter, people trying to curry favor with him, and the inevitable questions about when he would settle down.

Marriage. The very thought of it made him scoff. He had no time for such trivialities. His life was dedicated to the empire he was building, the legacy he was upholding. Relationships were a weakness, a distraction, and Abhimanyu Thakur had no room for either.

As they neared the Chauhan mansion, Abhimanyu’s expression grew colder. This was going to be a long, tedious night.

But what he didn’t know was that destiny had other plans. The beast inside him, the ruthless, cold-hearted man who feared nothing, was about to meet his match in the most unexpected way.