The smell of roasted beans and cinnamon lingered in the air as Aira pulled her apron over her shoulder. The bell above the door jingled as another customer walked in. It was almost closing time, but the café still hummed with soft jazz and late-evening chatter.

Aira's dark hair was tied in a low messy bun, strands falling across her tired but delicate features. Her brown eyes held the kind of weariness that comes from juggling university lectures and café shifts, yet there was a quiet resilience in her every move. The apron hugged her slim figure, and the faint ink marks on her hand told stories of hurried notes taken during class breaks.

She didn't see him at first.

Not until he spoke.

"A cappuccino. No sugar."

The voice was calm, deep, commanding-like someone used to being obeyed. When she looked up, her breath hitched. He was standing tall, dressed in a dark coat with the collar slightly turned up, damp from the night rain. Tousled hair, charcoal-black and slightly wet, framed a chiseled face. His features were sharp, his jaw defined, and there was something clinical -- precise -- in the way his eyes scanned her.

He looked... controlled. Like a man who could hide a storm behind a single blink.

Aira fumbled with the order pad. "Coming right up."

She didn't know that this man -- Dr. Karan Malhotra -- was a renowned surgeon. One of the best in the city. He wasn't in scrubs tonight, but there was something sterile in his presence, something unsettling in the way he observed things -- like he was dissecting them in his mind.

As she turned around to prepare the coffee, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number lit up the screen.

"If you need 10 lakhs before next month, reply 'Yes'. No questions. Just one night."

She froze.

Her hands trembled, eyes darting around. No one seemed to notice. The café was nearly empty now -- except for him, sitting in the corner, sipping his drink.

Was it some cruel joke?

She typed out: "Who are you?"

No reply.

But something in her gut twisted.

Ten lakhs. That was the exact amount needed for her mother's treatment.

How could anyone know?

She looked up and caught the man's eyes. He was watching her.

Not with curiosity.

But with intent.

Like he already knew her answer.

Then, a second buzz.

"Don't reply now. Leave your shift early. Take the alley behind the café. A car will be waiting. You have one chance."

She stared at the screen, heart racing, breath shallow.

Outside, the rain began to fall harder, drumming against the windows like a warning.

Behind her, Dr. Karan stood and placed the empty cup on the counter.

He leaned in just slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Time's ticking, Aira."

Her blood ran cold.

She never told him her name.

Authors POV :-
What do you think will Aira accept this offer ?

Please drop ❤️ if you liked it, also tell me how's it, so if there's any mistake i'll improve it for next time.
I'll keep updating the upcoming chapters each every day..