chapter 4 "When Fire meets ice"

Maya

(Mehrotra mansion)

I wasn't the kind of girl who let a stranger live rent-free in her head. But something about that morning just wouldn't leave me alone.

The way that convoy sliced through the traffic like it owned the city-the arrogance practically dripping from those gleaming SUVs. His assistant had the audacity to clear the road like it was some royal procession. And I? I didn't hold back.

"Tumhare baap ka raaj hai kya?" I had snapped, words sharper than the heels I wore.

He never even looked at me. Not once. But there was something-something in the air, something in that moment-that lingered. Strange. Brief. But undeniably real.

Now, as I walked into the Mehrotra mansion, the clack of my heels echoed against the pristine marble floors, each step a reminder of who I was. Maya Shekhawat. Bollywood's rising star. I lived under the spotlight, owned it, and I definitely didn't get distracted-especially not by shadows behind tinted glass.

"Finally!" a familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned toward it, only to find Aditi rushing toward me in a total panic-looking adorable in an oversized T-shirt, shorts, and a messy aesthetic bun that somehow worked perfectly on her. She had that effortless, soft-girl charm that balanced my edge.

"Maya! Thank god you're here," she said, breathless. "You already know I'm freaking out. My mehendi is today, and I swear to God, nothing is going right. I'm panicking. Like really, really panicking-"

"Easy there, bride-to-be," I said with a small laugh, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Take a breath. You're not dying-you're just getting married."

"That is dying!" she groaned.

"Then lucky for you, I came early to save your life. We're going to show the groom's side what real power looks like, okay? Team bride's about to set this place on fire. But in a glamorous, Instagram-worthy kind of way."

She chuckled at that, visibly relaxing.

That was the thing about Aditi-she was soft and sweet, but the moment she was overwhelmed, she turned into a hot mess of nerves. And honestly? I didn't mind being the one to pull her out of it.

As I calmed Aditi down, my gaze finally wandered around the mansion-and for a moment, I couldn't help but take it all in.

The Mehrotra estate was nothing short of a spectacle. The marble floors gleamed like glass, polished to perfection, reflecting the grandeur of the glittering chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceilings above. Ornate golden moldings lined the edges of the ceiling, and long ivory curtains shimmered in soft hues of gold and rose, blending seamlessly into the mehendi-themed décor. Fresh flowers-roses, marigolds, and tuberose-were entwined along stair railings and archways, filling the air with a light, sweet fragrance.

It wasn't just luxury-it was elegance dressed in quiet power.

Aditya Mehrotra was clearly swimming in wealth, no doubt about that. But this? This was legacy money. Generational wealth. The kind you don't build overnight-the kind you inherit, like a crown.

I didn't know much about the Mehrotras personally, but their name echoed through every high-society circle in Mumbai. They weren't just rich. They were revered. Their empire spanned across aviation, real estate, luxury resorts, media publishing, and high-end pharmaceuticals. And Aditya? He was their golden prince. Groomed, polished, and rising steadily to take the reins of it all.

Aditi had once casually mentioned how his signature alone could make or break a deal, how boardrooms silenced the moment he stepped in. And now, here I was-standing in the heart of a dynasty. Among chandeliers and vintage oil paintings, Persian rugs and glass sculptures that probably cost more than some people's apartments.

For a moment, I forgot I was here for a wedding.

The Mehrotra mansion had a way of reminding you exactly who held power in this city.

"Whoa, madam? Lost in luxury already?" Aditi's voice broke through my thoughts, laced with her usual sarcasm, snapping me out of my trance.

I turned to her with a sly smirk. "Nothing like that. I was just wondering how you managed to pull Aditya Mehrotra into your orbit. But then again, love always finds its way-right? And clearly, destiny played favorites this time. Aditya Mehrotra marrying the superstar actress of Bollywood? It's definitely his good luck, baby girl."

Aditi rolled her eyes, laughing as we strolled deeper into the heart of the mansion, our heels echoing lightly against the marble.

"But hey," I added, my voice dipping slightly in curiosity, "where is Aditya, and where's the rest of the family? It's your wedding, and this place feels... unusually silent."

Aditi let out a long sigh, the kind that said there was more weight behind the glitter.

"Aadi's family doesn't know about the wedding," she admitted, her tone softer now. "Only his cousin Utsav is aware. The rest... they have no clue. His father-especially-would never approve. He wants Aditya to marry someone from their business circles, someone who could merge into their empire and strengthen it further."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Wait, seriously? He's going against his family? And without even telling them?"

She nodded, a flicker of worry crossing her features.

"Yup. That's why everything's happening so fast. He doesn't want to give anyone the time or chance to stop him. It's all been hush-hush, even the guests are handpicked. Honestly, it's a miracle we've managed to keep the media out of it so far."

"Damn," I muttered, the weight of it settling in. "So it's a secret wedding of a billionaire rebel and a Bollywood queen... Now that's a love story I didn't see coming."

Aditi chuckled, but I could sense the tension simmering underneath. This wasn't just a love story-it was a gamble. And something told me the stakes were higher than she let on.

-----

(Maya's room)

As I stepped into the room assigned to me, I had to admit-it was stunning. A sprawling luxury suite with warm cream-toned walls, elegant gold accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows that led to a private balcony overlooking the manicured gardens below. The chandelier above sparkled like a cascade of stars, casting soft golden light across the Italian marble floor.

Of course, I wasn't unfamiliar with luxury-I was born into it. My father runs one of the largest publishing houses in India, and our mansion in Juhu is nothing short of opulence. I'd grown up around elegance, marble staircases, and imported Italian furniture. But this... this was a different level. The Mehrotra estate didn't whisper wealth. It screamed it.

Aditi had informed me earlier that Aditya had stepped out for something urgent, which meant I had some time to myself before tonight's mehendi function. I could've rested-kicked off my heels and sunk into that king-sized bed wrapped in Egyptian cotton sheets-but the quiet itch of curiosity was stronger than comfort.

And once Maya Shekhawat is curious about something, not even Maya can stop herself.

With that thought, I slipped out of my room and into the wide hallway. The corridor stretched endlessly, lined with ornate wall sconces and framed classic art pieces. It wasn't just a house-it was a palace masquerading as a home.

As I wandered deeper, I noticed room after room-guest suites, reading lounges, a home theatre. The chandeliers hanging above each passage sparkled like constellations, each more extravagant than the last. The dining hall alone looked like it could seat thirty people, with a carved mahogany table in the center and hand-painted porcelain plates displayed in glass cabinets along the walls.

Eventually, I made my way outside, where the estate opened into a vast backyard. A fleet of luxury cars stood like loyal soldiers in a custom-designed glass garage-Mercedes-Benz, Ferraris, Bentleys, a few custom SUVs. Clearly, Aditya Mehrotra had a thing for horsepower.

(Car collection)

There were resting chairs placed under pergolas, flowerbeds blooming with exotic orchids and roses, and an elaborate koi pond at the center of the garden. And then, as if that wasn't eccentric enough, I spotted glass enclosures with rare birds and even a pair of snow foxes-wild, beautiful, but caged.

(Backyard)

My brows lifted. Aditya's obsession with perfection and power wasn't limited to business, it seemed. His mansion was a statement-of wealth, of control, of grandeur... and maybe even a touch of madness.

I leaned slightly on the polished rail that bordered the garden, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "You sure know how to put on a show, Mr. Mehrotra," I muttered under my breath.

----

And somehow, without even trying, this place had begun to wrap its strange, golden fingers around me.

As I continued exploring the mansion, my eyes caught sight of something unexpected-a large infinity pool glistening under the ambient lights on the third floor. Elevated and secluded, it looked like something out of a high-end resort brochure. Without thinking twice, I climbed the stairs and stepped into the open terrace where the pool lay like a sheet of still glass under the night sky.

(Swimming pool)

The surrounding area was hushed, dimly lit by golden sconces built into the marble walls. A gentle breeze stirred the surface of the water, and for a moment, I let myself breathe-truly breathe. The cold air against my skin, the silence, the soft shimmer of the pool... it felt like time had paused just for me.

But life never lets you have peace for too long.

I took a slow step along the edge of the pool, admiring the stillness-and that's when it happened. My heel skidded against the smooth, damp floor. The world tilted in an instant.

I was falling.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips-panic fluttering through my chest. Just as I was about to hit the water-or worse, the floor-a strong hand clutched my wrist in a firm grip, stopping my fall mid-air.

I was suspended-half in the air, half saved. My breath hitched as I looked up, and my gaze collided with him.

And there he was.

The man I hadn't seen properly that day on the road. The stranger behind the tinted glass.

Up close, he was every inch the danger I had imagined... and more.

Tall, imposing, and shirtless-his toned chest glistened faintly with sweat, muscles carved like he walked straight out of mythology. His wavy hair was tousled, damp at the ends, and a few strands clung to his forehead. His eyes-deep, intense brown-held a quiet storm within them. There was no softness in that gaze, just raw observation... as if he was studying a specimen rather than a person.

And then it struck me.

The way he looked at me-it wasn't like a man rescuing a damsel in distress. No. It was like a panther watching a squirrel make a foolish leap.

He tilted his head, expression unreadable. "Are you always this graceful?" he asked, voice low and slow, almost amused.

My eyes narrowed, but my heartbeat was still racing. "Only when I have an unexpected audience," I shot back, reclaiming my tone.

He didn't smile. Not even a smirk. He just pulled me up effortlessly, setting me on my feet like I weighed nothing.

His eyes lingered on me for one more second before he turned to walk away, not offering his name, not asking mine.

And yet, in that moment, I knew exactly who he was.

Utsav Mehrotra.

The enigma. The storm I didn't see coming.

And suddenly... I wasn't sure if I was the one exploring the mansion, or if the mansion had just started exploring me.

He turned without a word, as if saving me was nothing more than swatting a fly. Just like that-stoic, silent, ready to disappear down the hallway.

But something in me refused to let the moment end like that.

"Maya... it's Maya Shekhavat," I blurted, my voice unsteady and too rushed. "Thanks for helping me. And you're-Utsav Mehrotra, right?"

He paused, but didn't bother turning to face me. Just a sharp, almost mechanical nod.

"Keep your eyes open when you wander around the mansion," he said, his voice clipped, indifferent. "And yes... this is Utsav."

And with that, he walked away. Calm. Cold. Untouched by the chaos he left behind in me.

I stood there-alone, stunned, confused, amused... and annoyingly intrigued.

"Prince with a devil's aura," I muttered to myself, trying to laugh it off. "Great combination."

Utsav Mehrotra.

The name that echoed in elite circles, graced headlines in medical journals, and occasionally slipped into glossy magazine features-always with the same tagline: "The genius heart surgeon from the U.S. who keeps his personal life a mystery."

They said he was sharp, focused, professional to the bone. A man who wielded a scalpel like an artist. A gentleman who never lost composure. No dating scandals, no drama, no distractions. Just brilliance carved in discipline.

And now, standing here, having felt the raw strength of his grip and seen the indifference in his eyes-I could feel the carefully built image crumbling. He wasn't just focused. He was... restrained. Like a storm contained behind iron gates.

And for some twisted reason, I found myself drawn to it.

There was something about the way he looked at the world-as if everything was disposable. Everyone... replaceable.

It should have repulsed me. Should have made me scoff and roll my eyes like I always did when men tried to play mysterious.

But this?

This wasn't a performance.

This man was truly unreachable.

And yet...

For the first time, Maya Shekhavat-the woman who ruled stages, captured millions with a single note, and never looked twice at a man-stood still, watching someone walk away like he'd carved a mark on her soul without even trying.

I had no intention of falling.

But something about him was breaking through my walls.

A man like him... cold, cruel, emotionally untouchable...

Was the only one who made my heart skip.

God help me-

I think I was falling for a man who didn't even believe in love.

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Do let me know about ur opinions in comment section. Tell me how was the first meeting of Utsav and Maya? And if U like it then please vote.. Ur single vote gives me courage to write more Plus I know some might say that Utsav is really Rude Or something but then again. It's his personality and we have to cherish it.. Trust the process and be patient!