Chapter 3: The First Encounter

Author's POV

The sun hung low in the sky as Kiara and her family wandered through the Lake Palace once again. Despite the grandeur surrounding her, Kiara’s focus remained on the possibility of finding her anklet. The palace staff had promised to search, but so far, there had been no sign of the lost jewelry.

As her family explored another section of the palace, Kiara lingered by the balcony where she believed the anklet had fallen. The breeze tugged at her dupatta, carrying with it the faint sounds of laughter from the lake below. She sighed, leaning on the railing, her gaze fixed on the water.

“You seem troubled,” a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

Startled, Kiara turned quickly, her eyes meeting those of a tall man standing a few feet away. He was dressed in a sharp black blazer and trousers, his presence commanding yet strangely comforting. His dark eyes held an intensity that made her feel as though he could see right through her.

“I—I’m fine,” she stammered, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. “Just... looking for something I lost.”

Reyaansh Rathore took a slow step closer, the faintest smile playing on his lips. “Perhaps I can help. What are you looking for?”

---

Kiara hesitated, unsure whether to trust a stranger, but his calm demeanor eased her nerves. “It’s an anklet,” she admitted. “Silver, with small bells. I think I lost it here yesterday.”

Reyaansh’s fingers brushed the pocket of his blazer where the anklet lay hidden. For a brief moment, he considered returning it to her, but then thought better of it. This was his connection to her, the reason she occupied his every thought. Giving it back too soon would sever that link, and he wasn’t ready for that.

“That sounds like a special piece,” he said, his tone soft but curious. “Did you check with the staff? They’re usually very diligent.”

“Yes, but they haven’t found anything yet,” Kiara replied, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I just hope it’s not lost forever.”

“It won’t be,” Reyaansh assured her, his voice steady. “Sometimes, things find their way back to us when we least expect it.”

---

Kiara gave him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you… Mr.?”

“Reyaansh,” he introduced himself smoothly. “And you are?”

“Kiara,” she said softly, her name rolling off her tongue like a melody.

“Kiara,” he repeated, as if testing how it sounded in his own voice. “A beautiful name for someone who seems to appreciate beauty so much.”

Kiara blushed lightly, unused to such direct compliments. Before she could respond, her sister’s voice rang out from the distance.

“Kia! Where are you?”

“I should go,” she said quickly, stepping back. “Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Reyaansh.”

Reyaansh nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Kiara. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

---

As Kiara walked away to rejoin her family, Reyaansh remained rooted to the spot, his gaze following her until she disappeared from view. His heart, long hardened by the brutality of his world, felt a strange warmth he couldn’t quite explain.

“She’s even more intriguing up close,” he murmured to himself.

Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pulled out the anklet, the small bells jingling softly. The girl he had encountered wasn’t just a passing fancy—she was becoming a fixation, a need he couldn’t ignore.

For now, he decided on a nickname, one that only he would use—a way to claim her, even if she didn’t yet know it. He smirked to himself, the name rolling off his tongue like a secret he intended to keep.

And for the first time in years, Reyaansh Rathore, the untouchable Mafia King, felt a longing he couldn’t control. A longing for her.

---

Kiara rejoined her family, trying to shake off the strange encounter with the mysterious man. There was something unsettling yet intriguing about him. His presence lingered in her mind as her father excitedly pointed out the intricate carvings on the palace walls. Kiara tried to focus, nodding and smiling at her father’s enthusiasm, but a nagging curiosity about Reyaansh refused to fade.

“Kia, you’ve been quiet,” Sneha said, nudging her gently. “Is something bothering you? Still thinking about the anklet?”

Kiara shook her head quickly. “No, just... the beauty of this place. It feels like it holds so many stories.”

Her sister laughed. “You and your poetic thoughts. Come on, let’s take some pictures before we leave.”

Kiara followed her sister, grateful for the distraction. She posed for photos, laughed at Arjun’s jokes, and tried to immerse herself in the moment, but her thoughts kept straying back to Reyaansh. Who was he? And why did it feel like their meeting wasn’t a coincidence?

---

Meanwhile, Reyaansh stood at a distance, his sharp gaze locked on Kiara. He had followed her discreetly, ensuring she didn’t notice him. Watching her interact with her family gave him a glimpse into her world—a world so starkly different from his own.

She radiated a warmth and innocence that he hadn’t known in years. Her laughter was genuine, her smile unguarded. Reyaansh felt a pang of something unfamiliar—envy, perhaps? How easily she moved through life, untouched by the shadows that consumed his.

Yet, he knew she wouldn’t remain untouched for long. Not now that she had crossed paths with him. His life was a labyrinth of danger and power, and Kiara had unknowingly stepped into it. Whether she realized it or not, she was his now, and he would do whatever it took to keep her close.

---

As the family prepared to leave the palace, Kiara felt a strange pull to linger. She glanced back at the balcony one last time, almost as if expecting to see Reyaansh again. But the space was empty, and she shook off the thought.

The ride back to their hotel was filled with light chatter and laughter, but Kiara remained quiet, lost in her own world. Sneha noticed but chose not to press, figuring her sister was simply tired.

That night, as Kiara sat by the window of her hotel room, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance, she absentmindedly touched her bare ankle. A part of her still hoped the anklet would turn up somehow. What she didn’t realize was that it was already in the hands of the man who couldn’t stop thinking about her.

---

Reyaansh, sitting in his study, held the anklet once again. The bells jingled softly, and his lips curved into a possessive smile. He had made a decision. Kiara wasn’t just a fleeting fascination; she was his, whether she knew it or not.

“She’ll be mine, completely,” he murmured to himself, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “And when she is, she’ll wear this anklet again, knowing it belongs to me.”

His resolve hardened. Tomorrow, he would take the next step toward bringing her into his world. Kiara Malhotra had unknowingly captured the attention of a man who always got what he wanted—and Reyaansh Rathore wanted her.