Chapter 1
Author's Note:
Dear Reader, This story carries a past that quietly drives the present. Reading the Story Notes first will help you feel the love, longing, and desperation behind male protagonist’s actions more deeply. For a smoother and more romantic reading experience, I recommend reading the Story Notes before Chapter 1.
Inside the Taxi:
The taxi driver scrolls through his smartphone. A voice crackles from the other end, “Boss, where are you?” At that moment, his screen floods with hundreds of notifications… messages from the office chat app, urgent emails – all demanding attention.
“Ahh… turning on my phone is like inviting chaos into my head,” he mutters, disconnecting the call he had answered by mistake.
He had switched on the phone just minutes ago, after keeping it off for two whole days.
He tosses the device onto the dashboard and shuts his eyes.
The man is a taxi driver, but only his clothes give that away. His face doesn’t match the profession at all… sharp chin, well-shaped eyebrows, sleek straight hair, and, most striking of all, glassy brown eyes that shine. It’s a strikingly handsome face. Add to that a muscular frame, perfectly built in all the right places, and well-balanced height of 186 cm. No one would ever guess he drives a taxi. He could easily pass for a supermodel.
With both hands gripping the steering wheel, he keeps his eyes closed for a few seconds. “I cannot stay here. They must have tracked my location the moment I switched on the phone,” he starts the car.
Suddenly, a muscular man flings open the front door and jumps into the passenger seat. Two more men hurry in and occupy the back seats.
“Driver, go to…,” the man orders, giving the location without courtesy.
“Ah! Better to move with customers than drive an empty taxi all day,” the driver thinks as he pulls the car into motion.
The man in front is too absorbed in his smartphone, fingers flying across the screen. “We’ve got the order. Change yourselves… we must reach the venue before noon,” he says to the two men in the back.
From the way they obey, he is clearly their leader.
The driver’s eyes shift to the man’s phone. What he sees stuns him, though his face stays unreadable. “Why is Hemant’s photo there? Something is being planned.”
“Just hit the side and don’t touch the target. That’s the order,” the leader says.
The two men in the back nod immediately.
He doesn’t mention a name, but the driver understands exactly who the target is.
“Hemant is in danger! His press meet is near the destination they just mentioned.” His mind races. “Should I avoid the location, take a U-turn, lead them somewhere else? No… they’ll realize, and if they fail, someone else will be assigned.” His thoughts spin, searching for the perfect plan.
The taxi continues rolling toward the destination.
Suddenly, his foot slams on the brake. All three passengers lurch forward, nearly crashing into the seats ahead. Anger flashes in their eyes as they glare at the driver, as if ready to kill him for his reckless driving. But their mission holds greater weight, so they swallow their rage and refocus on their goal.
“Sorry, sorry…” the driver apologizes with fake humility. “The cat…” He glances at the roadside.
The leader follows his gaze but finds no cat. With a fierce glare, he turns back toward the road.
A faint smirk curls at the driver’s lips.
The destination comes into view. Even before the taxi halts, the man in the front seat hurls a wad of cash at the driver and bolts out the moment the wheels stop. The two men in the back rush after him.
The driver doesn’t bother collecting the notes scattered across his lap. Instead, he twists the wheel, slams the accelerator, and vanishes from the spot within seconds. In his left hand, a phone dangles with pride… the very same phone he had slipped out of the muscular man’s pocket in the instant he hit the sudden brake.
His smirk slowly stretches into a self-satisfied smile…
City Outskirts:
“What a fool… only a simple pattern.” The taxi driver shakes his head as he unlocks the phone he stole from the muscular man moments earlier.
“This is what happens when you build muscles and not a brain,” he thinks while scrolling through the messages.
He dives into the messenger app, scanning conversations to understand the man’s tone and habits. The truth unfolds quickly… this thug will do anything for money: kidnapping, murder, whatever pays. His greedy bargaining messages say it all.
Then, a new notification flashes: “Are you at the destination?” The sender’s name stuns him… Mission Rao.
The driver’s brows shoot up. “Mission Rao? What are they planning?” He scrolls again. A familiar face stops him cold… Hemant, the younger son of Gagan Rao, founder of the richest business empire in the country.
Without hesitation, he switches to his own phone and dials Hemant.
“Big bro!” Hemant answers, his voice bubbling with excitement. “Where were you these days? Mother is worried. Please come back home.”
The taxi driver is none other than Yug Gagan Rao, elder son of Rao Industries. A brilliant CEO, the man who grew his father’s empire tenfold through his masterful and visionary strategies. Yet, he hides his face from the world… no public appearances, no photos, not even the most senior managers have seen him. Only his assistant speaks in his name.
“Little, where are you?” Yug’s voice softens with concern. Hemant, being five years younger than Yug, is always on the receiving end of his brother’s affection… little, babu, baby.
“I have to attend a press meet in fifteen minutes. Almost there,” Hemant replies, never questioning his brother’s sudden calls.
“Wait. Change your route. Go to our hotel… I’ll arrange trusted journalists. Let the rest use those clips. Don’t go to the original venue now.” Yug’s words are gentle, yet commanding.
“Mhm…” Hemant agrees without protest. He knows… if his brother breaks his silence and appears, it must be serious.
Yug disconnects, then leans casually against the taxi with the stolen phone. His fingers fly across the screen: “Yeah! I am. But too many people here… it’s risky to do as you asked. Your offer’s too low. Make it 10 million. Not a penny less.”
Perfect! A genius reply. He knows thugs like this only trust one number, one channel. By twisting the demand into money, he plants conflict into the heart of their deal. The muscular man cannot use the same number for a while.
Suddenly, the back door of the car opens. A young woman slides into the seat, tossing her luggage beside her.
Yug turns back, bending slightly toward her. “Get down… the taxi isn’t working,” he says, his usual arrogance spilling through.
“What kind of attitude is this?” the lady snaps back, matching his tone. “Why are you running a taxi if you can’t take passengers when they actually need it?”
Yug ignores her completely. He steps out and walks little away from the taxi, phone pressed to his ear as he calls his assistant.
Suddenly, a soft hand rests on his shoulder, gently pulling him around.
The lady is standing right behind him.
Yug’s eyes blaze with anger, burning with fury at her boldness. “How dare she touch me?” He jerks his shoulder free. “Am I your personal driver, that you order me around?” he growls, stepping close to her, his gaze so sharp it could kill.
But the lady doesn’t flinch. His fury seems to leave no mark on her.
“I have to reach my interview on time. There’s no other taxi here, no online booking available. Please drop me at Rao Retail Limited’s office. Please…” she says. Her words carry a request, but her tone remains steady, unshaken.
Yug’s resolve trembles. Her unflinching reaction unsettles him. People usually bow before his anger… because those who don’t often pay for it, losing much, sometimes everything.
He reins himself back, his voice regaining its cold arrogance. “You’ll never get a job in Rao Retail Limited. Just go back.” His eyes harden with determination. He only wants to push her away… he has no patience left for this.
The lady’s eyes widen, her face flushing with anger. But she has no time to fight.
She sighs, scanning the empty road… still no vehicles. The bus she had been riding stopped almost a kilometer away, and she had walked here. With such little traffic in this area, finding another ride seems impossible.
Yug turns his back to her, walking further as he addresses his assistant. “Check the number I just messaged you. I want complete details within an hour…”
But before he realizes it, something tugs at his pocket. His car keychain dangles from his trousers—and the lady snatches it.
He whirls around, but too late. She has already opened the car door, slipped into the driver’s seat, and started the engine.
The car surges forward before he can reach her.
For a moment, Yug freezes in disbelief. Never in his life… never… has anyone dared to pull something from his pocket, let alone a woman.
His eyes widen.
“What kind of woman is she?” His jaw tightens, his fists clench.
“Not only Rao Retail Limited… I’ll make sure no company, no vendor connected to Rao Group, ever gives you a chance.” His rage burns as he watches the car disappear.
✨🔥 What do you think of Yug’s secret life as a taxi driver? And who is this fearless woman who just stole his car? 😲🚖
Dear Readers, your thoughts, theories, and reactions mean the world to me! 💬💖 If you enjoyed the first chapter, please vote ⭐ and leave a comment.
