Chapter 3 - The Slap That Changed Everything

Pranavi had thought that Vedant Rathore was just an arrogant and ill-mannered man, someone she could easily avoid. But she was wrong. Very wrong.

After that café encounter, she had promised herself that she would ignore him. But some people aren't meant to be ignored... some people stop only when the limits are crossed.

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Scene - The Third Encounter

Event: A Charity Gala

Pranavi had come to a charity gala with her friend Kyra, an event attended by the city's high-profile personalities. It was part of her internship, and she had assumed it would be a sophisticated evening.

But fate had other plans.

Just as she picked up a drink from a nearby table, her eyes fell on a familiar figure in a dark grey suit. Vedant Rathore.

He stood in a corner, whiskey glass in hand, like he owned the place. But today, his face didn't carry its usual smirk. Instead, there was a dangerous calmness in his eyes-like a predator patiently watching its prey.

Pranavi quickly averted her gaze, but before she could move away, Vedant had already closed the distance between them.

Vedant (low voice, mocking): "Are you ignoring me, Pranavi?"

Pranavi (coldly): "Why do you keep showing up, Mr. Rathore? Don't you have anything better to do?"

Vedant took a step closer, dangerously close.

Vedant (smirking): "Maybe I enjoy watching your reactions... especially when you're irritated."

Pranavi clenched her jaw, holding back her anger. She had no business with this man. But Vedant wasn't someone who backed down easily.

Vedant (leaning closer, whispering): "Tell me something, Pranavi... why do I bother you so much? Or is it that you're afraid of yourself?"

Pranavi's patience snapped. She tried to step back, but Vedant blocked her way. His face held that same infuriating smirk, as if he was provoking her on purpose.

And then, he crossed the line.

Vedant casually reached forward and touched a loose strand of her hair, twirling it between his fingers like he had all the time in the world.

"Your eyes are quite interesting," Vedant murmured.

And then... a loud sound echoed across the hall.

SLAP!

The entire room went silent. Pranavi's hand was still in the air, and Vedant Rathore's face had turned slightly to the side. His cheek was now red.

A deep silence.

Vedant Rathore-**a man no one dared to touch-**had just been slapped by Pranavi Rai.

The guests were stunned. Kyra almost dropped her drink. The security guards weren't sure if they should step in or not.

Pranavi's breathing was heavy, but she didn't step back.

Pranavi (coldly): "Next time, Mr. Rathore... don't even think about touching me."

Vedant Rathore... was silent.

For a second.

And then, he chuckled.

A dark, spine-chilling laugh.

Vedant (low, dangerous voice): "You shouldn't have done that, Pranavi."

There was a different kind of fire in his eyes now.

One that would never burn out.

To be continued...