Anshika's Pov:

The first rays of sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, casting a soft glow across the room. I stirred awake, stretching out my limbs and feeling a dull ache settle into my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of normalcy wash over me. But that quickly dissipated as I caught sight of the bloodstains on my shirt, dark patches that starkly contrasted against the fabric.

"What the—?" I gasped, bolting upright. The events of yesterday rushed back like a tidal wave, crashing into my consciousness. The gunfire, the chaos, and most importantly, the old man whose life I had tried to save. Panic set in, and I quickly assessed my surroundings, my heart racing.

Just then, the door swung open, and in burst my younger brother, Arjun. His eyes widened in alarm as he spotted the blood on my shoulder. "Anshika! What happened?!" His voice was laced with concern, and I could see the panic etched across his face.

"Shh!" I hissed, trying to maintain some semblance of calm. "It's nothing, Arjun. Just a scratch." I attempted to downplay it, but the look on his face told me he wasn't buying it.

"Nothing?!" He was practically shouting now, his voice dropping to a low, urgent tone. "That looks like more than a scratch! You need to—" Before he could finish his thought, he turned and dashed out of the room, leaving me momentarily bewildered.

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. I had to get a grip. This wasn't the time to spiral into panic. But as I examined my shoulder again, I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions flood through me—fear, anger, and a deep-seated sense of protectiveness that had been triggered by the day's events.

Moments later, Arjun returned, this time with a first aid kit in hand. "Sit down!" he commanded, gesturing towards the edge of my bed. His voice was firm but tinged with that unmistakable worry only a younger brother could muster.

I chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "You sound like a doctor, Arjun. Since when did you become such a gentleman?"

"Shut up and let me help you," he retorted, his brow furrowing as he carefully opened the kit. "This isn't a joke, Anshika. How could you let yourself get hurt like this? You're not invincible, you know."

I rolled my eyes, but his concern was palpable. As he began to clean the wound, his movements were gentle yet precise. I winced slightly as the antiseptic stung my skin. "You really didn't need to go all superhero yesterday," he continued, his voice lowering into a reprimanding tone. "What were you thinking? You could have been killed!"

"I was just—wait you know that?" I hesitated, trying to find the right words. How could I explain to him what had happened without revealing everything? "I was just trying to help. That old man... he needed someone."

Arjun paused, his hands stilled as he looked up at me, confusion written all over his face. "Of course I do. I do know what my sister looks like even if the video is in low quality but I didn't know you got shot." He took a pause and continued "What old man?"

I took a deep breath, knowing I had to tread carefully. "I can't really talk about it, Arjun. It's complicated." I watched as his expression shifted from concern to frustration.

"Complicated? Anshika, you're bleeding! This isn't just some 'complicated' situation. You could have called the police or—"

"I couldn't just stand by and do nothing!" I snapped, surprising even myself with the sudden outburst. "I couldn't let him die. He was in trouble, and I—"

"Trouble? You could have died trying to save him!" he interrupted, his voice strained but softening. "Look, I get that you want to help people, but you can't risk your life like that. You mean too much to us."

I took a moment to let his words sink in, feeling the weight of his concern wrap around me like a comforting blanket. "I appreciate that, Arjun. But sometimes, you have to act quickly, and you can't think about the consequences. At that moment, all I saw was someone who needed help."

He sighed, shaking his head as he continued to bandage my shoulder. "You're reckless, Anshika. But you're my sister, and I just want you to be safe."

As he finished wrapping the bandage, I looked at him, gratitude swelling within me. "I promise I'll be more careful. But please, don't tell Mom or Dad about this. They'll freak out, and I can handle it. I just need to focus on work."

"Fine," he relented, though I could tell he wasn't entirely satisfied. "But you owe me. Next time, you tell me what's going on. No more secrets."

"Deal," I said, smiling despite the heaviness still lingering in the air. He was right; I didn't want to keep anything from him. "But just know, I can handle myself. I've trained for moments like these."

As we exchanged playful banter, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Despite the chaos of yesterday, I had a family who cared. And while I still had to face the consequences of my actions, at least I wouldn't be facing them alone.

After he finished, I pulled him into a quick hug. "Thanks for being such a great brother."

"Don't get all mushy on me now," he chuckled, playfully pushing me away. "Just try to stay out of trouble, okay?"

"I'll do my best," I replied, feeling lighter. But as I prepared to step back into the world outside, I knew that the real battle was still ahead. I couldn't forget what had happened, and I had to figure out how to keep my secret safe, especially from Aman and his family.

As I glanced in the mirror, I saw the bandage on my shoulder, a stark reminder of my recklessness. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the day ahead.

Just as I was starting to gather my thoughts, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I glanced over, heart skipping a beat as I saw the notification. It was from the Business Leaders Consortium, a group that had been the backbone of my networking and growth in the industry.

"Remember the announcement at the Gala? Well, yes, we would be organising it this Sunday! Get ready for 15 days of celebration and networking!"

The message sent a jolt of adrenaline and I could already envision the spotlight on me as I unveiled our new collection. But I didn't know that we would help organise the events.

The event would mean facing Aman again—ugh, my rival, the mastermind behind the tricks that had thrown me off balance just days ago. I took a deep breath, shaking my head as I pushed those thoughts aside. Focus, Anshika!

I needed to concentrate on what I could control. After washing up and dressing quickly, I opted for a tailored black blazer over a chic blouse and a pair of fitted trousers. I needed to project confidence, strength, and above all, my commitment to my brand.

Once I stepped into the office, the familiar buzz of energy engulfed me. My team was already hard at work, prepping for the event, and I could see the excitement in their faces. I felt a surge of determination. I wasn't just going to attend; I was going to steal the show.

"Good morning, everyone!" I called, my voice cutting through the chatter. Heads turned, and smiles broke out across the room. "I hope you've all had a chance to think about our event strategy because today we need to finalise our theme, our designs, and our marketing plans."

"Ma'am!" My assistant, Ashwin, waved me over, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. "I've been going through the feedback from last week's collection. There are some incredible ideas for the event, but we need to pick a direction fast."

I nodded, making my way over to him. We gathered the team around the table, and as I laid out my vision for the event, I could see the gears turning in their heads. "We need something bold, something that reflects not just our brand but also the resilience we've shown this past week. Let's push the envelope—glamorous but edgy. I want people to talk about our collection long after the night is over."

The team began brainstorming, ideas flying around like confetti. I jotted down notes, my mind racing with possibilities. I wanted to incorporate striking colours, innovative designs, and perhaps a unique runway setup that would capture attention and showcase our collection in the best light possible. As we discussed, my thoughts occasionally drifted to Aman. I wondered what his plans were for the event. Would he try to outshine me again? The thought ignited a fire within me. I would not let him win.

The meeting shifted into high gear, and hours passed in a flurry of sketches, samples, and heated discussions. I loved this part of my job—the creativity, the collaboration, the thrill of crafting something spectacular from scratch. But in the back of my mind, the tension about the upcoming event lingered, like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Finally, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, signalling the end of the workday, I wrapped up the meeting, energising my team with a pep talk about the importance of the event and how we could make it a 15-day spectacle to remember.

"Let's regroup tomorrow at the same time," I concluded. "I want everyone to come with at least three ideas on how we can elevate our presentation. This is our moment—let's make it count!"

As my team dispersed, I took a moment to breathe deeply, soaking in the energy and excitement that hung in the air. But even amidst that, a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I still had a mountain of work to tackle, and I couldn't let myself falter. I sat at my desk, organising my notes and preparing for another long night.

Finally, I looked up and realised it was getting late. The office was quieter now, and I could hear the faint sounds of the city outside. I knew I needed to push through, so I pulled out my laptop and started on emails to finalise the guest list for the event, making sure to send invites to the right people although it is not my work but I thought to help the owner of that event.

As I typed, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Isha, my best friend and confidante: "I can't wait for the event! We need to do something amazing together, just us. Let's celebrate afterward too!"

A small smile crept onto my face, grateful for her unwavering support. I replied quickly, my fingers flying over the keys: "Absolutely! But let's focus on making this event incredible first. We'll celebrate later!"

After sending my message, I took a moment to gaze out the window, the city lights twinkling like stars against the darkening sky. I felt a surge of determination through me. The past week had tested me, but I refused to let fear or uncertainty dictate my path. I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way—especially if that meant confronting Aman at the event.

With renewed resolve, I turned back to my laptop, ready to tackle the tasks ahead.

Aman's POV:

As I sat in my office, the low hum of conversation around me barely registered. My mind was tangled in thoughts about the upcoming days, strategizing how to keep my company ahead while keeping one eye on the competition. Just then, my phone buzzed on the desk, jolting me from my reverie. I picked it up and glanced at the notification, my pulse quickening as I recognized the sender.

It was from the Business Leaders Consortium, the same group that organised the gala—a major event in the business calendar. My heart raced as I read the message: "Remember the announcement at the Gala? Well, yes, we would be organising it this Sunday! Get ready for 15 days of celebration and networking!"

The announcement hit me like a punch to the gut. This event was an opportunity—a chance to showcase not only my company but also to remind everyone that I was still a force to be reckoned with. However, the looming presence of Anshika hung over me like a storm cloud. My thoughts twisted into a knot; I hadn't seen her since the incident with my father, and now I had to prepare to face her at an event that would have the eyes of the industry upon us.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. The gala wasn't just about glitz and glamour; it was a battlefield where reputations could be made or broken. I could already envision the room filled with influential figures—investors, fashion moguls, and media personalities. The stakes were high, and I couldn't afford to show weakness.

The anticipation thrummed in my veins. I needed a plan. I couldn't just let her steal the spotlight, not after everything that had happened. Anshika and I had a fierce rivalry that pushed us both to excel, but now it felt personal. I wanted to expose her flaws while simultaneously positioning myself as the undisputed leader in the industry.

I pushed the chair back and stood, deciding to pace the room to shake off the anxiety. Each step ignited my competitive spirit further. I had to gather my team, brainstorm ideas, and come up with a strategy that would ensure I was the one everyone remembered.

"Hey, Kabir!" I called out to my best friend and business partner, who was huddled over his laptop, engrossed in some market analysis.

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"Did you get the notification about the gala?" I asked, my voice low but urgent.

"Yeah, just saw it," he replied, leaning back with a smirk. "Are you excited to go head-to-head with Anshika again?"

"More like prepared," I retorted, a smirk of my own creeping onto my face. "We need to get ahead of the game. This isn't just a regular event—it's a chance to reshape our narratives."

Kabir nodded, the enthusiasm in his eyes matching my own. "Let's gather the team and brainstorm. I have a few ideas that could really make waves. This is our moment to shine."

I felt a sense of urgency swell within me as we headed to the conference room, ready to rally the troops. We needed to be sharper, more innovative, and ahead of the curve. I wasn't going to let Anshika's brand overshadow mine—not again.

As my team filtered in, the room buzzed with excitement, the air thick with potential. I stepped to the front, planting my feet firmly on the ground. "Alright, listen up! We have a major event coming up, and this is our time to show everyone that we're not just players in this game—we're the ones leading it. We need to come up with a theme that'll resonate and create a lasting impression. Ideas, now!"

The room erupted in discussion, ideas flying around like confetti. I listened intently, feeling the adrenaline spike as creativity sparked. We brainstormed ways to elevate our presentation and marketing strategies. I wanted our collection to not only stand out but also to be unforgettable—a headline that would overshadow the rest.

Hours passed in a whirlwind of sketches, discussions, and laughter. The camaraderie amongst the team reignited my drive, and I felt the weight of the upcoming event shift from pressure to an exhilarating challenge. As we wrapped up, I reminded them, "This isn't just about the gala; it's about establishing our dominance in the industry."

After the meeting, I felt a surge of confidence. But deep down, the reality of Anshika still loomed. Would she manage to undermine my plans once again? The thought gnawed at me, fueling my resolve.