Shadows Of Desire
Introduction
Siddharth Malhotra
• Age: 32
• Work: CEO of Malhotra Industries (multinational business empire in real estate, luxury, and finance)
• Nature: Arrogant, dominant, charismatic, handsome playboy; clever businessman; gets what he wants, but secretly craves control in relationships too. Not used to rejection.
Avani Rao
• Age: 25
• Work: Newly appointed personal secretary to Siddharth Malhotra
• Nature: Elegant, beautiful, intelligent, calm, coldly professional; doesn’t tolerate flirtation or arrogance; hides emotions. Strong sense of independence.
Raj Malhotra
• Age: 65
• Work: Retired business tycoon, now advisor to the family empire
• Nature: Wise, authoritative, but secretive. Strong sense of family pride.
• Connection: Father of Siddharth.
Sharmila Malhotra (née Mehta)
• Age: 58
• Work: Socialite, charity worker, and strong presence in family business events
• Nature: Sophisticated, elegant, but sharp and prideful. Can be cold and calculating. Holds grudges.
• Connection: Mother of Siddharth.
Aryan Malhotra
• Age: 28
• Work: Business consultant for Malhotra Industries
• Nature: Calm, observant, often in Siddharth’s shadow. Less arrogant, but not as ambitious.
• Connection: Siddharth’s younger brother.
Priya Malhotra
• Age: 24
• Work: Fashion designer, runs her own boutique
• Nature: Emotional, sensitive, and outspoken. Gets easily influenced by gossip and family tensions.
• Connection: Siddharth’s younger sister.
Rao Family (Avani’s Family)
Raghav Rao
• Age: 60
• Work: Former businessman (now lives quietly after the past tragedy ruined him)
• Nature: Once charming and ambitious, now broken by guilt. Loves Avani deeply, protective of her.
• Connection: Avani’s father.
Avani’s Mother (Deceased)
• Died when Avani was young. Avani was raised by Raghav alone. Her mother’s absence shaped her into a disciplined, self-reliant woman.
Rajiv Sharma
• Age: 30
• Work: Senior assistant at Malhotra Industries
• Nature: Loyal, hardworking, often intimidated by Siddharth’s temper.
• Connection: Works under Siddharth.
Rhea Kapoor
• Age: 29
• Work: Model and aspiring businesswoman (wants control in Malhotra empire through marriage)
• Nature: Beautiful, glamorous, arrogant, jealous, possessive. Obsessed with Siddharth and her status as his fiancée.
• Connection: Siddharth’s fiancée.
Arvind Kapoor
• Age: 60
• Work: Business magnate (shipping & pharmaceuticals)
• Nature: Ruthless, strategic, power-hungry
• Connection: Rhea’s father. Wants Kapoor–Malhotra alliance for influence.
Anita Kapoor
• Age: 55
• Work: Socialite, charity events
• Nature: Controlling, proud, manipulative
• Connection: Rhea’s mother. Supports Rhea’s claim over Siddharth.
Mira Verma
• Age: 27
• Work: Actress & model
• Nature: Flirty, glamorous, opportunistic
• Connection: One of Siddharth’s outside flings. Used by Siddharth to test Avani’s reactions.
Cute Little Bunny
Story will start from next episode, so let's meet in next episode.
Cute Little Bunny
Don't forget to like comments and subscribe
Episode 1: The Playboy CEO
Malhotra Mansion – Evening
Sharmila Malhotra ( ML Mother )
Do you even realize what time it is, Siddharth? ( sharp voice echoed through the grand dining hall )
The table was set for ten, crystal glasses reflecting the chandelier lights. But the heir of the Malhotra empire had walked in two hours late, sleeves rolled up, tie hanging loose around his neck.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( leaned down, kissed his mother lightly on the cheek, and dropped into his chair as if he owned the place )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Relax, Ma. I’m here now, aren’t I?
Sharmila Malhotra ( ML Mother )
( eyes narrowed ) Your fiancée has been waiting since eight.
Across the table, Rhea Kapoor smiled tightly.
Rhea Kapoor ( ML Fiancee )
It’s fine, aunty. I’m used to Siddharth’s… unpredictable timings ( Her tone dripped with sarcasm masked as charm। )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( poured himself a drink, unfazed )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Well, Rhea, you know me. Work keeps me busy. I’m not the type to sit at home and count hours.
Sharmila Malhotra ( ML Mother )
Work? ( scoffed ) Or another late-night party with your friends?
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Both can be productive ( shot back smoothly, swirling his whiskey )
Rhea Kapoor ( ML Fiancee )
( painted lips curved ) You’ll have to learn the difference once we’re married.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( smirk deepened ) That’s the thing, Rhea. I don’t ‘learn’ when it comes to marriage. I… avoid.
The table fell into silence.
Sharmila Malhotra ( ML Mother )
( spoon clattered onto her plate ) Don’t you dare talk like that. This family’s reputation is not a joke. You will marry Rhea, and you will settle down. I won’t hear otherwise.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( leaned back, casual arrogance dripping from his voice )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Commitment is for men who are bored of life, Ma. I’m not bored. I enjoy my freedom.
Sharmila Malhotra ( ML Mother )
You call that freedom? Flirting with half of Mumbai’s models? ( Snapped )
Rhea Kapoor ( ML Fiancee )
( eyes glittered with annoyance, though her smile stayed in place )
Rhea Kapoor ( ML Fiancee )
Maybe you enjoy your freedom now, Siddharth. But remember—one day, freedom becomes loneliness
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( raised his glass toward her, mocking )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Then cheers to loneliness.
Malhotra Industries – The Next Morning
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
Sir, today’s interviews for the new secretary start at 11, ( said, keeping pace with Siddharth’s long strides )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Again? ( groaned, adjusting his cufflinks ) Rajiv, how many women do I have to meet before we find one who can type faster than she stares at me?
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
( chuckled ) This one seems… different. She’s punctual, her record is clean, and she doesn’t sound like the type to gossip
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( rolled his eyes ) Fine. As long as she doesn’t faint when I walk into the room, she’s hired.
The office door opened, and Avani Rao walked in. White shirt, black trousers, hair in a neat ponytail. No trembling hands. No nervous smile. She simply nodded politely.
Avani Rao ( FL )
Good morning ( she said, her voice steady ) I’m here for the secretary interview.
Siddharth was busy scrolling through his phone. A message from last night’s model made him smirk. He didn’t even look up fully when he said,
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Sit
Avani Rao ( FL )
( sat, back straight, eyes calm )
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
( began the questions ) Miss Rao, you’ve worked as an assistant before?
Avani Rao ( FL )
Yes. Three years with Patel & Sons. I managed schedules, handled meetings, and oversaw client correspondence ( replied crisply )
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
What’s your strength?
Avani Rao ( FL )
Organization. And silence ( she said plainly )
That made Siddharth glance up briefly.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Silence?
Avani Rao ( FL )
( met his gaze directly ) Yes. A secretary’s job is to manage, not interfere. To listen, not gossip. Many forget that.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( smirked faintly, then dropped his gaze back to his phone ) Hired.
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
( blinked ) Sir? Just like that?
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Yes, ( said, standing ) She doesn’t look like the type to waste my time. That’s all I need.
Avani Rao ( FL )
( stood too, offering a polite nod ) I’ll start tomorrow, then.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( was already walking out ) Do whatever you want
And with that, the first chapter of their collision was complete—two worlds poised to meet, yet unaware of the storm slowly brewing.
Cute Little Bunny
Like comments and subscribe 🤍
Episode 2: First Day at Work
The morning sun spilled over Mumbai, golden light reflecting off the glass façade of Malhotra Industries. Inside, the office buzzed with the usual energy—phones ringing, printers humming, and assistants scurrying to meet deadlines.
For Avani, the world of high-rise offices and corporate precision was familiar, yet the scale here was something else entirely.
Dressed neatly in a tailored grey pantsuit, hair tied in a low ponytail, and a calm, unreadable expression, Avani walked through the glass doors. She carried a sleek black folder with all her notes organized, ready for her first day.
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
Good morning, Miss Rao ( greeted, opening the doors ) Sir hasn’t arrived yet, but he should be in shortly.
Avani Rao ( FL )
( nodded politely ) Thank you, Rajiv.
She made her way to her desk, quickly scanning the layout. The office was vast, open-plan, with cubicles neatly arranged around Siddharth’s enormous corner cabin. A few employees glanced at her, some curious about the new secretary, some busy with their own work.
A young assistant, Neha, leaned over her desk.
Neha Bhatia
Hi, I’m Neha. Welcome! You’ll be sitting near the CEO’s cabin—good luck surviving that ( she whispered with a mischievous smile )
Avani Rao ( FL )
( tilted her head politely ) Thank you. I’ll manage.
Neha Bhatia
( chuckled softly ) That’s all we can do
Avani simply nodded, unpacking her folder and placing each item precisely on her desk. Her calm efficiency immediately drew a few approving looks from other staff, though some wondered if she ever smiled.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and Siddharth strolled in, dark sunglasses concealing his eyes, sharp black suit impeccably tailored. He moved with the confidence of a man who owned not just the office but the city itself.
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Morning, Rajiv ( he said, removing his sunglasses and loosening his tie ) Anything urgent?
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
( handed him a tablet ) Just the usual schedules, sir. Interviews are over. Your new secretary starts today
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
( glanced briefly at Avani, who was seated at her desk, neatly arranging files )
Siddharth Malhotra ( ML )
Huh. Fine ( he muttered, then walked past, already checking his phone for last night’s social updates and messages from friends )
Avani noticed him pass, but there was nothing remarkable in his demeanor that caught her attention. To her, he was just the CEO—strict, busy, and slightly intimidating.
Rajiv Sharma ( ML Assistant )
Miss Rao, sir likes his calendar updated to the minute. Meetings, calls, appointments—everything. You’ll start by organizing today’s schedule
Avani Rao ( FL )
( nodded, taking the tablet ) Understood. I’ll prepare a summary for the morning briefing
Neha Bhatia
( peeked over her shoulder, whispering ) Good luck. He’s… very particular
Avani Rao ( FL )
( offered a calm smile ) I’ll do my best
Hours passed with Avani quietly adjusting schedules, confirming appointments, and handling emails. Occasionally, Siddharth walked past, barely noticing her presence.
He spoke to other assistants, made calls, and occasionally leaned back in his chair with a smirk at some incoming messages—entirely unaware of the new secretary silently keeping the office running efficiently.
By lunchtime, some colleagues had already noticed Avani’s calm professionalism.
“She’s organized and precise… very different from the last one,” one of the office colleague whispered.
Neha Bhatia
( chuckled ) Different is one thing, surviving him is another.
Avani simply smiled faintly to herself, opening her lunchbox. Focus on the work, nothing else, she thought. She had no interest in the chaos around the CEO or the office gossip
Cute Little Bunny
Like comments and subscribe🤍
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
