Ayaan stood at the massive entrance of the mansion, his bag slung over his shoulder, his palms were sweaty and his heart raced as he stared at the towering door in front of him. Everything about this place screamed power and authority, a world far removed from his simple, struggling life.

Beside him, Lata glanced at him with a mix of amusement and sympathy. "Beta, don't look so scared. It's just a job. Do what I taught you be respectful, answer her questions clearly, and don't overthink," she said, patting his shoulder gently.

"I-I'm trying aunty," Ayaan stammered, his voice barely audible. "But... what if she doesn't like me? What if I mess up?"

Lata chuckled softly. "You'll do fine. Just be yourself, and you'll be okay."

Before Ayaan could respond, the door opened, and Lata gestured for him to step inside. "Come, I'll take you to her study."

Ayaan hesitated, his feet rooted to the spot. "Aunty, can't you go in first? I... I don't think I can do this alone."

Lata sighed, shaking her head. "You have to face her yourself, beta. I'll walk with you, but after that, it's all on you. Now come."

Reluctantly, Ayaan followed her into the house, his gaze darting around the grand interior. The floors gleamed like mirrors, the furniture looked expensive enough to fund all his and his sister's expenses, and the sheer size of the place made him feel like a speck of dust. He tightened his grip on his bag, trying to steady his trembling hands.

As they approached a large wooden door, Ayaan's pace slowed. Lata glanced back at him, raising an eyebrow. "Don't drag your feet. She doesn't like waiting."

"I'm coming," Ayaan mumbled, though his voice wavered.

Lata knocked on the door gently. "Ishita ji, the boy is here," she announced.

A calm but commanding voice responded from within, "Send him in."

Lata pushed the door open and looked at Ayaan. "Go on, beta."

Ayaan's breath hitched as he peeked inside the study. It was a vast, elegant room with bookshelves lining the walls and a sleek wooden desk at its center. Behind the desk sat Ishita, her sharp features illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the large windows. She didn't look up, her attention focused on her laptop.

Ayaan stepped inside cautiously, his steps slow and hesitant. He felt like an intruder in a world he didn't belong to. His gaze flickered around nervously, never lingering on Ishita for too long.

"You're late," Ishita said, her voice cold and impersonal, though her eyes remained on the screen.

"I... I'm sorry, ma'am," Ayaan stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. He kept his head down, his hands fidgeting with the strap of his bag.

"Sit," Ishita instructed, gesturing to the chair in front of her without sparing him a glance.

Ayaan quickly complied, perching on the edge of the chair like a schoolboy facing a strict principal. His fingers played nervously with the hem of his shirt as he tried to calm his racing heart.

Ishita finally looked up, her piercing gaze landing on him. Ayaan froze, his breath catching as her eyes seemed to strip away his every defense. He looked down again, unable to hold her gaze.

"Lata recommended you," Ishita said, her voice steady but devoid of warmth. "I trust her judgment, but I'll form my own opinion."

Ayaan hesitantly nodded. The weight of her cold words lingered in the air, pressing heavily on his chest. His throat tightened, but he forced himself to respond, his voice barely a whisper, "I...I understand."

With her gaze piercing yet unreadable, Ishita asked, "Your name?" Her tone as steady and unbothered as ever.

Ayaan swallowed hard, his nerves intensifying as he finally looked up at her. "Ayaan," he said softly, his voice still tinged with hesitation. "Ayaan Mehra"

"You've worked before?" Ishita asked, her tone flat and businesslike.

"Y-Yes, ma'am," Ayaan stuttered."I worked in cafés and local restaurants as a chef"

"And this is your first household job?" Ishita asked, her tone calm but laced with an undercurrent of scrutiny.

Ayaan shifted on his feet, his fingers fidgeting with the strap of his bag. "Y-Yes, ma'am," he said softly, his voice trembling slightly. "I...I haven't done this kind of work before.

He glanced up nervously, "I... I might make mistakes at first," he added quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush, "but I promise I'll learn fast. I just... I just really need this job, ma'am."

Ishita raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable as she studied him. Ayaan felt his heart hammering in his chest, and he clutched his bag tight, as though it could protect him from her piercing gaze.

Ishita leaned back in her chair, studying him silently for a moment. Ayaan shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"Why do you want this job?" she asked.

Ayaan hesitated, his voice trembling as he answered. "I... I need to support my little sister. She's... she's all I have"

Something flickered in Ishita's eyes, but her expression remained unreadable. She leaned forward slightly, clasping her hands on the desk. "You'll follow strict rules if you work here. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Ayaan replied quickly, his voice filled with relief and enthusiasm as he nodded vigorously. His eyes lit up, and a small, genuine smile broke through his nervous demeanor. He clutched his bag tightly, his knuckles turning white, but this time it wasn't from fear,it was the overwhelming happiness surging through him.

"I'll follow every rule, ma'am," he added earnestly, his words tumbling out. "I promise I won't disappoint you. I'll work hard, do everything perfectly, and thank you so much for giving me this chance!"

His joy was almost palpable, and for a fleeting moment, the corner of Ishita's mouth twitched, as if she was holding back a reaction. But she quickly straightened her posture, her cold exterior firmly intact. "We'll see," she said curtly, her tone sharp but not unkind.

"Good," Ishita said, returning her gaze to her laptop. "If you don't have any further questions-"

"Ma'am," Ayaan interrupted softly, his voice suddenly faltering. The excitement that had been so evident moments ago started to fade, replaced by a growing nervousness. He shifted in his seat,"I...I wanted to ask... something."

Ishita arched an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Speak clearly."

He swallowed hard, his fingers twisting nervously. Ma'am, I... I wanted to ask..." Ayaan's voice quivers his eyes glued to the floor. "I-Is it okay if my little sister stays here? She's really quiet... and well behaved, I promise she won't disturb you."

The room fell silent. Ishita's expression didn't change, but something in her gaze softened ever so slightly as she studied him. Ayaan's heart raced, his fear and hope battling within him as he waited for her response

Finally, Ishita broke the stillness, her voice calm but authoritative.

"okay" she said, her tone steady. "But she'll need to follow the rules here as well. I'm not running a daycare."

Relief flooding through him as he raised his head, looking at her with wide, grateful eyes. "Thank you, ma'am," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Ishita nodded, her expression unreadable. "Your sister can come tomorrow when you start your duties. Lata will guide you, but don't expect any leniency. "And I expect professionalism from you."

Ayaan nodded eagerly, his nervousness momentarily replaced by a wave of gratitude. "I'll be professional, ma'am. I promise."

"Good. Now, if there's nothing else, you're dismissed. Be here at 8 AM sharp tomorrow."

Ayaan stood quickly, his heart still racing but a sense of relief settling in. "Thank you, ma'am. I won't let you down."

As he turned to leave, Lata gave him a reassuring nod from the doorway, and Ayaan followed her out, his mind racing with thoughts of the new chapter in his life and the chance to give his sister a better future.

💖✨️

Ishita was sitting at her desk, her focus entirely on the stack of files in front of her,the tasks piled up as usual. Her sharp gaze moved from one document to another, processing information with effortless precision, yet the air around her remained cold and impersonal.

Ayaan entered with his stuff, his footsteps hesitant. He held Aanya's small hand in his, walking in a way that betrayed the nervousness in his heart. Ishita's gaze flicked toward them briefly, but she was too engrossed in her work to make much of it at first.

But then, something caught her attention. Aanya, with her innocent smile and the softness that radiated from her, stood there holding Ayaan's hand and a small bag in her back. She looked at Ishita with wide curious eyes and for the briefest moment, Ishita's focus shifted. It was an almost imperceptible change, a softening in her expression, a hint of a smile forming at the corner of her lips.

Ayaan noticed it too. He stopped in his tracks, blinking in disbelief. Ishita, the woman known for her cold and unyielding nature had smiled. Not just any smile, but a genuine one, rare and unexpected.

Ishita realizing her uncharacteristic reaction quickly regained her composure but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. She glanced at Aanya, who was standing there, quietly observing her.

"Come here" Ishita said, her voice soft, almost coaxing, as she set aside the file she was reading.

Aanya's eyes widened in surprise,

she looked up at Ayaan, who nodded hesitantly. Letting go of his hand, she walked toward Ishita her steps light and fearless.

Ayaan watched, his heart fluttering unsure of what to expect. The sight of Aanya walking towards Ishita so unafraid made him even more nervous yet strangely hopeful.

Aanya stood in front of Ishita, her head tilted upwards, her smile bright and innocent. "What's your name?" Ishita asked bending to her level, her voice warm as she studied the little girl with curiosity.

"Aanya," the girl replied, her voice sweet and soft, "Aanya Mehra."

"And how old are you, Aanya?"

"Six," Aanya said proudly. "

Ishita smiled faintly at the name, but what came next made her chuckle softly. Aanya, with a gleam in her eye, said, "Aap kitni pyaari ho, just like an angel!" Her words were innocent but so full of sincerity, it was a compliment given by a child who saw the world through the lens of beauty and kindness.

(You are so cute!)

Ishita gently brushed a strand of hair away from the Aanya's face. "And you," she said, pinching her rosy cheek lightly, "are the sweetest cutie pie I've ever seen."

Aanya beamed at the compliment, making Ishita's smile linger a little longer than usual.

Aanya's small hand reached out to touch Ishita's fingers. "Can I call you Angel?"

Ishita chuckled softly, the sound unfamiliar but oddly comforting. "If you'd like," she said, her voice unusually gentle.

Ayaan, who had been watching the interaction with a mixture of surprise and awe, couldn't help but feel a wave of warmth spread through him. Ishita, the woman who he had feared would never show kindness, had softened in front of his sister, and for the first time, Ayaan felt a tiny sense of hope that things might be different here.

Ishita's gaze flicked back to him briefly, her face returning to its usual composed demeanor. "Take her with you," "Lata will show you both your room. Get settled in, and start preparing breakfast

I don't have time to waste."

Ayaan nodded quickly, trying not to let his emotions show. "Yes, ma'am," he said, giving a small bow before turning to Aanya.

"Come on, Aanya," he said gently, his hand extended. "Aunty will show us our room now."

Aanya, her face lighting up with excitement, grabbed his hand. "Our room?" she asked, her voice full of wonder.

"Yes, our room," Ayaan confirmed with a small smile. "Let's go."

As they walked out of the study, Lata, who had been quietly waiting by the door, smiled at Aanya and gestured for her to follow. "This way," Lata said warmly. Ayaan gave her a grateful nod before turning to follow, Aanya walking beside him.

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