Author's POV

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and crimson. Dia remained in Ekansh’s room, her body aching but her mind restless. She couldn’t fully process what had happened in the last few days. Her life had shifted from mundane to chaotic in the blink of an eye, and now she was under the roof of a man who was both terrifying and strangely protective.

She shifted slightly in the bed, wincing as the bruises on her arms throbbed. The soft knock on the door startled her. Before she could respond, Ekansh stepped in, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and a glass of water.

“I figured you might be hungry,” he said, his tone neutral but his eyes softer than she’d seen before. He set the tray on the bedside table and pulled a chair closer.

Dia hesitated, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the glass of water. Ekansh watched her intently, noticing the way she avoided his gaze. “You don’t have to be afraid,” he said gently.

Her fingers paused mid-air, and she finally looked up at him. “I... I’m not afraid,” she said, though her voice betrayed her.

---

Ekansh leaned back in his chair, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’re a terrible liar,” he remarked.

Dia’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, taking a sip of water to mask her embarrassment. She hated how vulnerable she felt around him, how easily he seemed to read her.

“I know you didn’t ask for any of this,” Ekansh continued, his tone more serious now. “But you’re here. And I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again. You have my word.”

Dia blinked at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. She wanted to believe him, but the events of the past day made it difficult to trust anyone—especially someone like him.

“Why do you care?” she asked before she could stop herself. Her voice was small, but her curiosity was genuine. “You’re... you’re a Mafia boss. People like me don’t matter in your world.”

---

Ekansh’s expression darkened slightly at her words, though not in anger. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You matter,” he said firmly. “More than you think.”

Dia frowned, confused by his response. “But why? Why not just let me go?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t explain it, Dia. I just know I can’t ignore what’s happening to you. Call it responsibility, call it guilt... I don’t know. But I won’t let you go—not until I know you’re safe.”

His words left her speechless. She stared at him, searching for any hint of deception, but his expression remained steady, his eyes locked on hers. For the first time since entering his world, Dia felt a glimmer of trust.

---

The silence between them stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Dia slowly reached for the bowl of soup, her hands still shaking slightly. Ekansh didn’t move to help her, giving her the space to regain her strength.

“Thank you,” she said softly after taking a few sips, her voice barely audible.

He nodded once, satisfied. “Get some rest after you eat. You need it,” he said, standing up and adjusting his cufflinks. “I’ll be in my study if you need anything.”

Dia watched him leave, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. His actions confused her. He was ruthless, cold, and terrifying—but there was a side to him that showed glimpses of kindness, even if it was fleeting. For the first time, she wondered if there was more to Ekansh Raghuvanshi than the fearsome reputation he carried.

---

As the door clicked shut, Dia set the bowl back on the tray and lay back against the pillows. Her body ached, and her mind was exhausted, but a tiny part of her felt lighter. She wasn’t sure if she could fully trust Ekansh, but his words and actions had planted a seed of hope she hadn’t felt in days.

In the solitude of the room, she allowed herself to close her eyes, letting sleep take over. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it one step at a time. For now, she clung to the faint promise of protection Ekansh had given her, even if it was fragile and uncertain.

---

Dia woke up to the soft rays of morning light streaming through the curtains. Her body still ached from the events of the previous days, but the pain was duller now, a mere echo of what it had been. She sat up slowly, her eyes scanning the room, and then made her way to the bathroom. The warm water from the shower was a brief comfort, washing away the grime and soreness.

As she stepped out and reached for a towel, a sudden realization hit her—she had nothing to wear. Her clothes from the previous day were crumpled and dirty, and she had no other options. Panic set in as another thought followed: she was still on her period, and she had no pads left.

Clutching the towel tightly around herself, Dia bit her lip, her mind racing. She didn’t know who else to ask, and despite her hesitation, she decided to call Ekansh. She picked up the phone on the bedside table and dialed his number. The line rang, but there was no response.

Frowning, she tried again, this time her fingers trembling slightly. After a few moments, the call was answered, and she heard Ekansh’s deep, slightly groggy voice. “What is it, Dia?”

Her voice faltered at first, but she forced herself to speak. “I... I need your help,” she said, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

---

Ekansh’s tone shifted immediately, from annoyed to concerned. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.

Dia hesitated, swallowing hard before answering. “I don’t have any clothes... or pads. I didn’t know who else to ask.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and she felt her heart pounding in her chest. She wondered if he was angry, if he thought her request was trivial.

“I’ll handle it,” he said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Stay where you are. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Relief flooded through her, but it was quickly replaced by nerves. She had never been in a situation like this before, relying on someone else—especially someone like Ekansh—for such basic necessities.

---

True to his word, Ekansh arrived within minutes, carrying a large shopping bag in one hand. Dia stood in the bathroom doorway, still wrapped in her towel, her face flushing as she avoided his gaze. He placed the bag on the bed without a word.

“Everything you need is in there,” he said, his tone brisk. “Clothes, pads, whatever else you might need.”

Dia’s eyes widened slightly at the thoughtfulness behind his actions. She hadn’t expected him to go out of his way like this, especially so quickly. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ekansh nodded, his gaze briefly meeting hers. “If you need anything else, let me know,” he said, turning to leave. But before he walked out, he paused, glancing over his shoulder. “And Dia... don’t hesitate to call me again.”

---

As he left the room, Dia sat down on the edge of the bed, opening the bag carefully. Inside were several sets of comfortable clothes, toiletries, and a pack of pads. Her fingers brushed over the items, and she felt an unexpected warmth in her chest.

For someone as intimidating and distant as Ekansh, he had shown her kindness in a way she hadn’t expected. Dia couldn’t help but wonder why he cared so much, why he was going out of his way for someone like her.

She quickly dressed, feeling a bit more at ease now. Her reflection in the mirror showed a faint smile—one she hadn’t worn in days. For the first time, she felt a small flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could survive in this strange and terrifying new world.