Monday morning,

The office buzzed like a beehive on espresso. Phones rang, printers hissed, and half the team hovered near the reception like something big was about to happen. Mrunal looked up from her laptop, blinking the sleep from her eyes. Her third coffee hadn’t kicked in yet, and her mind was still half-lost in the memory of last night’s chat.

SinEater’s voice—silent but powerful—lingered like phantom fingers. She rubbed her temples.

“You look like you haven’t slept,” Tanya said, sliding into the chair beside her. “Your eyes are practically begging for concealer.”

“Thanks,” Mrunal muttered. “Always love your compliments.”

“No really,” Tanya leaned in, lowering her voice. “You okay? Or were you on Velvet again?”

Mrunal stiffened. “Shut up.”

Tanya giggled, nudging her arm. “I knew it. You’ve got that haunted, post-sexting glow. Must’ve been good.”

Before Mrunal could answer, the door to the Creative Wing opened with a sharp creak. Their team lead, Priya, peeked in.

“Everyone, quick announcement.”

The entire department stilled.

“A new executive creative director is joining us. He’ll be heading the entire vertical—overseeing every brand, campaign, pitch, and internal creative review. So yeah... brace yourselves. He’s coming in two days.”

“Another boss?” Tanya whispered. “Just what we needed.”

“His name is Mr. Devraj Rathore,” Priya continued. “Let’s all make sure we’re on our best behavior. He’s known to be… particular.”

As soon as the door shut behind Priya, the whispers began.

Tanya spun toward her with wide eyes. “Did you hear that name? Devraj Rathore.”

Mrunal blinked. “Should I know who that is?”

“No, but apparently he’s some branding god. My friend Diya works at Vantage—their office worshipped him. Said he rarely talks, doesn’t smile, and runs things like a military camp.”

“Oh.”

“And he’s hot,” Tanya added. “Like, sin-on-legs hot. But totally boring. No office gossip, no flirting, not even a secret affair. Just... pure discipline and spreadsheets.”

Mrunal smirked. “So basically... attractive furniture.”

“Exactly. Good to look at, zero warmth. She said working under him was like being under a cold shower... but weirdly addictive.”

Mrunal laughed, shaking her head, though something about the name stuck.

Devraj Rathore. It rolled off the tongue with the same slow danger her midnight chats carried. But that was ridiculous. Her SinEater was a stranger in the dark. This man was just her new boss. A very cold, very strict, very real one. Right?