A Sudden Transformation
Sonia descended the grand staircase and entered the dining hall. The room fell silent. Instead of the western dresses she had been wearing, she was draped in a sophisticated saree that highlighted her newfound maturity and grace.
Amrita, Abhay's mother, was the first to speak. "Beta, you look beautiful! But... why a saree so suddenly?" Inside, Amrita and the Grandmother, Lakshmi, were ecstatic. They remembered how Abhay, a cold workaholic, only ever softened when the original Sonia was around. Seeing her in their home again felt like a blessing.
Sonia looked toward Abhay, her expression unreadable. "Aunty, the wardrobe was filled with short gowns that looked like they were for a child. There was only this one saree available. If it was intended as a gift for someone else, please let me know. I will replace it immediately."
Abhay, who had been staring at her in a trance, snapped back to reality. The saree made her look like the queen of the Oberoi Empire. "No," he said firmly, his voice slightly husky. "It wasn't a gift for anyone else. It's yours. You can wear it."
Sonia simply nodded and took her seat next to him. The lunch passed with a strange tension in the air. While the family chatted, Sonia remained focused on her plate, her skin still tingling from the encounter in the bedroom.
The Professional and the Silent Observer
After lunch, the family gathered in the living hall. Sonia immediately resumed her work, spreading her sketches across the coffee table. She ignored Abhay entirely, treating him like any other client.
Abhay sat beside her, watching her slender fingers move with precision. He was deeply impressed. He had always valued focus and hard work, but seeing it in Sonia was a revelation. He missed her innocent faces and her constant chatter, but this silent, brilliant version of her commanded a different kind of respect.
"Let me see," Abhay murmured, leaning closer.
Sonia didn't pull away, but her body stiffened. She showed him the designs for a set of intricate bangles, rings, and a signature necklace. Lakshmi, Amrita, Meera, and the younger siblings, Siya and Dev, crowded around.
"Sonia... these are perfect," Meera whispered, touching a sketch of a floral-motif ring. "I've never seen anything so unique."
By 6:00 PM, the family was convinced. Sonia was a master. Even Vikram and Akash, returning from the office, were stunned by her talent. Despite their pleas for her to stay for dinner, Sonia remained firm. She bid everyone a polite farewell and walked out of the villa, her head held high.
The Echo of a Touch
Back at her penthouse, Sonia found Ishani lounging on the sofa.
"How was the 'Lion's Den'?" Ishani joked.
"Good. A little strange," Sonia replied vaguely.
She retreated to her room to freshen up, but as she looked in the mirror, her mind drifted back to the bedroom. She could still feel Abhay's hands on her waist—soft as cotton, yet strong. Her body had reacted to him with a passion that terrified her.
It's the body, Priya told herself. The original Sonia loved him so much that her nerves still remember him. I have to stay strong. I am not that girl. She resolved to ignore him even more strictly from now on.
The Distant CEO
At the Oberoi Villa, Abhay was having a similar struggle. He sat in his dark room, the scent of Sonia still lingering on his skin. He remembered the softness of her waist and the sweetness of her lips. He wasn't just attracted to her; he was becoming obsessed with the mystery of who she had become.
The next morning, Sonia arrived at the office and resumed her routine. She was cold, efficient, and distant. Every time Abhay tried to catch her eye or start a non-business conversation, she shut him down with professional jargon.
Abhay stood in the hallway, watching her walk away after a brief update. He felt a pang of frustration. He didn't know how to break through the shield she had built around her heart.