Episode-4

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Perfectly Twisted

Episode 4: A Smile That Lied

The night after the business event felt louder than any party Ruby had ever attended. Her house was silent, her staff dismissed, yet her mind wouldn’t quiet. She stood at the giant glass window of her penthouse, a glass of red wine in one hand, her eyes fixed on the glittering city lights below.

But her thoughts were far from the skyline.

Amit Mehra.

She had touched his hand again. Heard his voice, seen the subtle curve of amusement in his smile, and felt something shift in the air around them. But it wasn’t just attraction. No. This was deeper. Stranger. And far more dangerous.

Ruby's fingers tightened around the glass as she remembered the way he had looked at her. Not like others did — not with admiration or desire — but with curiosity. He was reading her, trying to peel back her layers. That could be dangerous. Very dangerous.

She exhaled, a slow breath that did nothing to cool the fever building in her chest.

“I need to move faster,” she whispered to herself. “Before he figures me out.”

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The next day, Ruby sat in her office, a carefully planned idea simmering in her mind. She called her assistant, voice sugar-coated with sweetness.

“Send a personal lunch invitation to Mr. Mehra. No formalities, just a casual meeting to discuss future collaboration.”

The assistant hesitated. “You mean… a date?”

Ruby laughed — soft and breezy. “Of course not. Strictly business.”

But inside? She was already choosing her dress.

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Amit received the message mid-morning. His assistant blinked twice, reading the text aloud.

“She wants to discuss a possible partnership. Private lunch. Just the two of you.”

Amit said nothing for a moment. Then, a slow smile curled his lips.

She was making her next move.

He could decline — keep the mystery alive from a distance — but something about Ruby fascinated him too much. There was a sharp edge to her sweetness, like sugar-coated glass. And if she was trying to lure him in, he wanted to see just how far she’d go.

“Tell her I’ll be there.”

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The restaurant Ruby had chosen was intimate — not flashy, not crowded. Subtle. Classy. And private. She wore a soft cream blouse and wine-colored skirt, makeup minimal but perfectly placed. She wasn’t trying to seduce him.

She was trying to haunt him.

Amit arrived a few minutes late, intentionally. He wanted her to wait. Wanted her to feel the suspense. When he entered, he noticed how she didn’t turn around immediately — but he knew she felt him. Her posture shifted ever so slightly, like she was bracing for a storm.

“You look like you expected me,” he said, taking the seat across from her.

“I don’t invite people without being sure they’ll show,” she replied smoothly.

They ordered, chatted, and smiled — but it was the kind of conversation where every compliment had two meanings. Every laugh had a crack behind it.

Midway through the meal, Ruby leaned in slightly.

“Do you believe in instincts, Amit?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Depends.”

“I think mine are very sharp,” she said, voice low. “I can always tell when someone is… hiding something.”

Amit didn’t flinch, but he paused long enough for her to notice.

“And you?” she continued. “What do your instincts tell you about me?”

A beat of silence.

“That you’re not as sweet as you look,” he said, finally.

Ruby smiled — wide, wicked, and unbothered.