Abhay looked up and saw three guys standing at the entrance. Two of them looked around his age, while one seemed 2–3 years younger. Without waiting for an invitation, all three walked into the cabin and casually took seats on the chairs opposite him.

Two of them had light smirks on their faces, but the third — a guy about Abhay’s age — had no expression at all. His face was just as hard and cold as Abhay’s.

Raising an eyebrow with full attitude, Abhay spoke sharply, “Is there a specific reason you’re here? If not, get out.”

Rishabh, Abhay’s childhood friend, rolled his eyes at the tone and replied in the same attitude, “What kind of welcome is that? We came to meet you and you’re talking like we committed a crime or something.”

“Exactly, bhai! I brought some important news for you, but if you talk like this, I won’t tell you anything.” Dev — Abhay’s cousin — chimed in, pouting dramatically.

“Yeah Dev, don’t tell him anything until he orders something to eat for us,” Rishabh said quickly and flopped down onto the sofa like it was his own place.

Dev followed suit, sprawled out beside him. It was clear — they weren’t moving unless they got food. (They’re way too stubborn. Honestly, I’m kinda hungry too... Are you?)

Abhay’s patience was already wearing thin. He hated wasting time, and these two were pushing every button he had. The third guy — Raj, Abhay and Rishabh’s college friend — looked at the duo and thought silently, They clearly don’t value their lives if they’re triggering this monster like that. He looked upwards and mumbled in his mind, God, couldn’t you have given them even a little common sense?

Meanwhile, Abhay had been silently listening to their nonsense. Finally done, he got up from his chair, his face blank but deadly. He walked toward them and sat down on a single-seater like a king — calm but dangerous. In his hand was a gun, which he had taken from the drawer earlier.

He twirled the gun casually in his hand, and in a deep, threatening voice said, “Looks like you two aren’t scared of me anymore.”

Without warning, he pointed the gun toward them and gave a devilish smile. “I think you need punishment.”

Rishabh and Dev, who were lounging comfortably just moments ago, now looked like dry leaves shaking in the wind. They jumped up from the sofa and shook their heads quickly in fear. Seeing the gun aimed at them, they clung to each other like scared kittens.

They both instantly imagined Abhay’s kind of "punishment" — standing still with an apple on their heads while Abhay casually paced around with his gun, smiling darkly and singing:

Maar diya jaaye ke chhod diya jaaye

Bol tere saath kya sulook kiya jaaye

Maar diya jaaye ke chhod diya jaaye

Bol tere saath kya sulook kiya jaaye

And then — bang — he fires.

“Nooo!” Both of them screamed in unison, snapping out of their terrifying daydream.

Abhay and Raj looked at them like they were watching two mental cases. No words, just blank stares.

Feeling those judgmental eyes, Dev tried to pull himself together. With the most innocent look he could manage, he said dramatically, “Bhai, you’re seriously getting angry? I was just joking... Will you really punish your sweet little brother?”

“And you can’t punish your adorable best friend either. We were just messing around,” Rishabh added with an awkward laugh.

“Yeah bro, and—” Dev started again, but Abhay cut him off with a sharp, irritated voice, “Don’t test my patience. Just spit it out already or—”

He flashed the gun again and gave them a chilling glare.

Dev, now thoroughly scared, blurted out like a parrot, “Uh... Badi maa called. She said Isha is coming back this evening. She told us to come home and... and stay there for a few days...” (Because Abhay, Raj, Rishabh, and Dev live separately in a private villa.)

He let out a deep breath. Honestly, Dev was just waiting to escape this cabin. Abhay was still staring at him with those cold eyes, and it was killing him.

After a long pause, Abhay finally said in a deep, emotionless tone, “Okay. I’ll leave office early today. Inform everyone.”

He paused again, then added thoughtfully, “And pick up something for her before we go... Now leave.”

Dev bolted out like a lion was chasing him. His speed left everyone stunned for a second.

Before Abhay could say anything to Rishabh, he too escaped — without even looking back. Watching them go, Abhay and Raj exchanged glances and shook their heads. Hopeless.

(Though Rishabh was their age, he still acted like a kid — at least around them. During work, he was a completely different, serious person.)

Once the other two left, Abhay became serious again and sat down in his chair. Raj looked at him and asked in a low, firm voice, “Any updates on her?”

Abhay looked at him and shook his head. “No. Nothing yet. But I’ve got my men working on it. We’ll find out soon.”

Raj’s expression didn’t change, but hearing that gave him a bit of hope. After all, they were friends — emotions didn’t always show, but they were there.

“Hm... I just need to find her once. Then I’ll know everything about myself,” he said, his voice quiet but certain.

He gave Abhay a nod and walked out.

Once he left, Abhay got back to his work.

Time flew by, and soon it was 6:00 PM.

Abhay checked the time, closed his laptop, and left the office with Dev to head home.

---

Two sleek cars pulled up at the grand Rathore Mansion. The moment the engines went off, Abhay and Dev stepped out, walking with their usual confident swagger towards the door. With one sharp knock, the massive gate creaked open, revealing a servant who greeted them with a polite bow.

In response, both just nodded silently.

As they entered, they suddenly heard a sharp voice from inside. Both looked in the direction of the voice and saw Pooja ji standing there, clearly annoyed.

"Oh wow, now you both have time to show up?" she said, making a face. "We say we have four children in this house, but none of them ever stay at home! As if we've laid thorns on the floor!"

Just then, Misha, who had been listening to all of this from behind, came up and hugged her affectionately.

"Aww, my sweet sweetheart, why are you talking like this? I'm always here with you... AHHH!"

Before she could finish her sentence, she screamed.

Because Ritika ji had grabbed her ear - firmly.

Holding her ear, Ritika ji said sharply,

"Oh please! Don't act innocent. These two don't stay here, true, but you live here and still act like a stranger. Either you're glued to the TV or lost in your phone. You never sit with us to even talk for a bit! And now listen to her-'I'm always here'. Really?"

She finally let go of Misha, who dramatically began rubbing her ear like she'd been through some war.

Meanwhile, the two newcomers - Abhay and Dev - just stood there, watching the entire spectacle unfold. This was routine now. Every time they came home, this kind of scene was part of the package.

Then suddenly, another voice echoed through the hall-

"Well, if you both can't even stay here, at least get married and give me a great-grandchild!"

Everyone turned toward the voice.

It was none other than Sunita ji, Abhay's grandmother, who had just entered the hall and had been silently listening to everything.

Hearing her words, every pair of eyes turned toward Abhay, because clearly the comment was meant for him.

The entire Rathore family had one mission: get Abhay married. After all, he was of the perfect age, and the proposals were pouring in - no surprises there, he was Asia's No.1 businessman. Everyone wanted to be connected to him.

But our hero?

He had said no to every proposal.

Why?

Because his heart was already taken - by his Butterfly.

And he wasn't willing to marry anyone else.

Now of course, our dear Dev babu couldn't stay quiet either. He chimed in cheerfully-

"Yes, bhaiya! Just get married already! That way, I'll finally get my sweet bhabhi, and your babies will call me Chachu!"

"Haan, me too, Dadi!" - all three ladies joined in with big smiles.

Misha, obviously, wasn't going to stay silent in all this either.

"Yes, yes, and I'll be the cutest Bua!" she declared proudly.

And just like that, everyone began slipping into their own little dreamland, imagining a future full of babies, giggles, and happy family chaos.

Abhay just shook his head at them all. His family was incredibly smart - but sometimes they acted like literal children. Smiling to himself, he left them to their fantasies and headed to his room to change.

The others were still lost in their daydreams when Harshvardhan ji, Abhishek ji, and Nitin ji walked into the room. Seeing everyone staring off into space like that left them utterly confused. They exchanged looks.

Then Dada ji raised his stick and banged it against the floor - a classic grandpa move to snap everyone back to reality.

Everyone jumped slightly and began looking around like they'd just woken up from a trance.

And then came Dev's voice, filled with disappointment, directed at Dada ji-

"What, Dada ji! I was just about to hold Abhay bhaiya's baby in my arms!"

To which everyone else nodded and said in unison-

"Yes!"

Now the three men were in total shock.

Abhay's baby?!

And they didn't know anything about it?

The three of them asked together, utterly baffled-

"Where is the baby?!"

Dev, completely relaxed, replied-

"In our dreams."

The men blinked, still not getting it.

"Sorry... what?"

Dev added casually-

"We were all just playing with Abhay bhaiya's baby... in our dreams!"

All the ladies and Misha nodded again, still smiling-

"Yes!"

The three men just stared at everyone like they had stepped into a parallel universe.

Choosing to ignore all the madness, Abhishek ji finally spoke-

"Alright, alright. Enough of all this. Isha is coming - is the food ready or not? Someone please go check!"

Hearing that, Pooja ji and Nitika ji rushed off to the kitchen, clearly activated into mom-mode.

The rest of them flopped onto the sofas, still giggling and talking - except for Dev, who looked around, didn't see Abhay, and then walked off to his room to freshen up.

Mumbai Airport

At this very moment, two girls were stepping out of the airport. And let's be honest-they were drop-dead gorgeous.

Every single pair of eyes around turned to look at them.

Guys? They forgot to breathe.

Girls? Burning with jealousy.

Out of the two girls, one had absolutely no expression on her face-cold, calm, unreadable.

The other? A soft, warm smile playing on her lips.

These two were none other than Avya and Isha-and their arrival had just caused a mini heart attack among Mumbai's male population.

Now that they were officially out of the airport, Isha beamed and said cheerfully,

"It feels so good to be back after so long! Everyone says it-and it's true-no matter where you go, there's no peace like home."

Avya just nodded silently, her eyes scanning the area around them sharply.

Something had caught her eye.

In a flash, her expression changed-those calm eyes turning deadly.

With the most subtle gesture, she signaled toward a few men hidden in the crowd.

Bodyguards.

They understood and instantly disappeared from the scene.

Isha, noticing this sudden change, looked a little worried and asked,

"What happened? Is there a problem?"

Avya turned to her and gently said,

"Relax, jaan. It's nothing. You go home-I've got something to handle. I'll be back soon."

She started to walk away, but Isha stepped forward, stopping her.

"Then I'll come with you."

Avya looked at her and smiled faintly, explaining softly but firmly,

"Ishu, your family must be waiting for you at home. And what I'm about to do... it's going to take time."

Her tone was calm. Unshakable.

Isha knew there was no arguing with that voice.

So she agreed quietly and headed to a luxury car parked nearby-sent by her family. She had refused to let anyone come receive her, but they'd insisted on sending a car at least.

As Isha left, a matte black Rolls Royce pulled up in front of Avya.

She didn't hesitate-just opened the back seat and got in.

In the driver's seat was Jack. He glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

No words needed.

She simply said,

"Drive."

He nodded and the car glided away, disappearing into the darkening city.

---

Somewhere in a Forest Outside Mumbai

The car came to a halt.

All around-nothing but trees and silence.

In front of them stood a massive, haunted-looking palace. Its towering walls seemed ancient and cold.

Jack quickly got out and opened the door for Avya.

She stepped out like a storm cloaked in elegance.

Her face was now hidden behind a mask-black, with a golden Queen's crown etched into it.

Together, they walked inside.

Bodyguards lined the way, dressed in all-black uniforms, each bearing the same crown symbol. Every single one of them bowed respectfully as she passed.

Outside, the place looked terrifying.

But inside? It was straight out of a royal fantasy-beautiful, modern, and mysterious.

They stopped in front of a plain stone wall.

At least, it looked plain.

Avya placed her hand on a small panel-silent scan activated.

Within seconds, the wall slid open like a secret door.

They walked in.

The entrance sealed shut behind them.

Inside, several guards stood at attention. All of them bowed as she passed.

She didn't even look at them.

Focused.

Deadly.

She entered a specific room.

Inside stood a few more guards... and one man.

Krish.

Handsome. Calm. Dangerous.

Krish was her right-hand man-the one who handled all the underworld work in her absence. He wasn't just anyone. He was the one who once saved her life during an enemy ambush. Since then, he had become her most trusted soldier.

Also in the room?

A man tied to a chair-unconscious.

The moment Avya stepped in, the entire energy in the room changed.

Chills. Silence. Fear.

She walked over and sat on the massive Queen's chair like it belonged only to her.

And it did.

Every guard tensed.

Sweat trickled down faces.

Her aura was terrifying.

Then came her voice-low, sharp, and spine-chilling:

"Krish."

He understood without her needing to explain. He turned to a guard and ordered,

"Get hot water."

Minutes later, a jug of hot water arrived.

Krish didn't waste time.

He threw it straight on the unconscious man's face.

"AAHHHH!!"

The man screamed, jolting awake, pain flashing in his eyes.

Before he could understand what was happening, he heard her voice:

"What were you doing at the airport?"

His blurry vision cleared-he saw a figure in front of him. A woman. Masked. Silent.

But he had no idea who she was.

Still trying to act tough through the pain, he growled,

"You... You don't even know whose man you've-AAAHHH!"

His sentence ended in a blood-curdling scream.

Because Avya had taken a knife from the torture kit and stabbed it straight through his hand.

No emotion.

No hesitation.

She leaned in, her voice like ice:

"Why were you at the airport? Why were you following us?"

Now fully awake, the man trembled-his entire body shaking.

And then... he saw the mask.

His eyes widened in horror.

His lips trembled.

And he stammered-

"Q-Queen... Q-Queen!!"

Because even if no one had seen her face,

everyone in the underworld knew her symbol.

The Queen's Crown.

Avya.

The MAFIA QUEEN.

Her lips curled into a sinister smile.

Then she laughed.

And it wasn't a cute giggle.

It was the kind of laugh that made grown men cry.

All the guards-except Jack and Krish-were now drenched in fear.

Because unlike those two, they weren't used to this side of Avya.

She didn't come to India often.

But when she did?

Blood followed.

The tied-up man?

He was no longer a threat.

TO BE CONTINUED

He was trembling, shivering, broken.

And then...

"AAAHHHHHHH!"