The rain continued to pour as the black car moved through the quiet city streets.
Inside the car, silence ruled.
Anika sat in the passenger seat, Arman's coat still wrapped around her shoulders. It smelled faintly of his cologne — sharp, expensive, unmistakably him.
She stared out of the window, watching the blurred city lights.
Arman drove without speaking.
His jaw was tight
His mind, however, was anything but calm.
That moment outside the building kept replaying in his head.
Her wet hair.
Her eyes looking up at him.
The way she hadn't stepped away.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"This shouldn't happen," he muttered under his breath.
Anika turned slightly. "What?"
"Nothing."
Silence returned.
A few minutes later, the car stopped at a red signal. The soft glow of the traffic light filled the car.
Arman glanced at her.
She looked smaller in his oversized coat, yet somehow still strong, still composed.
"You shouldn't stay that late at the office," he said suddenly.
Anika frowned slightly. "Why?"
"It's not safe."
She gave a small ironic smile.
"Interesting."
"What?"
"The man who destroyed my biggest opportunity is suddenly worried about my safety."
His expression hardened.
"That was business."
"And this isn't?"
Their eyes met.
For a moment the tension returned — the same one from the rain.
Dangerous.
Unspoken.
The signal turned green, and the car moved again.
After a while, Anika spoke quietly.
"You didn't have to give me your coat."
"I know."
"But you did."
Arman didn't answer.
The car slowed as it reached her apartment building.
Anika opened the door, stepping out into the light drizzle. Before closing it, she paused.
"Thank you… for the ride."
Arman simply nodded.
She shut the door and walked toward the building entrance.
But just before going inside, she turned once.
The car was still there.
Arman Khurana was still watching her.
And for some reason…
That look stayed with her long after she reached her apartment.
Across the city, in a luxury apartment,
Rhea stood near her window, staring at her phone.
A photo filled the screen.
Arman's car.
Parked outside Anika Kapoor's building.
Her eyes hardened.
"So this is how it is," she whispered.
And for the first time, Rhea decided something.
If Anika Kapoor wouldn't stay away from Arman Khurana…
She would make sure she had no choice.