Morning slowly breaks, and the first rays of sunlight slip through the window, falling directly across my eyes.

I squint for a moment before opening them completely. Instead of getting up right away, I remain there, quietly enjoying the soft chirping of birds outside.

There’s something about mornings like this that I love.

The peacefulness… the fresh air… the sound of birds welcoming a new day. It’s my favorite way to begin my mornings, and somehow, it always leaves my mind feeling calm and at peace.

After lying there for another five minutes, I finally get out of bed. I tidy my room, grab my clothes, and head toward the bathroom.

A little while later, I step out after my shower, dressed in a simple long blue kurti paired with trousers. I check my purse to make sure I have everything I need before stepping out of my room.

As I walk downstairs, I call out,“Papa, I’m leaving for the office.”

Before I can take another step, Dad emerges from the kitchen with a plate in his hands. On it sits a piping-hot sandwich, its delicious aroma immediately reaching me.

He gives me that familiar fatherly look.“Hey, Devu, at least have some breakfast before you leave.”

I immediately make a face.

Breakfast has never really been my thing.

“No, Papa. I don’t feel like eating.”

Dad sighs, clearly unimpressed by my answer.“Stop making faces, Devu. Skipping breakfast isn’t good for you.”

Before I can come up with another excuse, he picks up the sandwich and holds it out toward me.

“Here. Eat.”

I grimace slightly.“Papa…”

But he gives me a look that makes it clear there’s no point arguing.

I finally take a bite.

For a moment, I say nothing.

It’s actually… really good.

I look at Dad, trying not to let him see that I’m enjoying it.

Of course, he notices anyway.

Just then, a dramatic voice comes from behind us.“Wow, Papa! You’re feeding your daughter with your own hands, but what about me?”

I turn around.

There stands my younger brother, Rohan—my family’s very own little monkey.

Dad bursts out laughing.“Come here, you too.”

Rohan happily walks over, but I narrow my eyes at him.“What, Rohan? Aren’t you going to college today?”

The moment the word college leaves my mouth, his expression changes.

He shakes his head dramatically.“Actually… I’m feeling feverish.”

I stare at him.

Then I slowly cross my arms.

Something tells me this is going to be interesting.“Really?”

Rohan immediately grabs my hand and places it on his forehead.

With the most innocent expression he can manage, he says,“Just feel how high the fever is.”

I stare at him for a couple of seconds before replying,“Rohan, that’s a completely normal body temperature. Besides, you were jumping around like a monkey just a moment ago. How did you suddenly become sick?”

Dad bursts out laughing.“Devu is absolutely right. You came out of your room jumping around like a monkey, but the moment college was mentioned, the fever suddenly appeared.”

Rohan realizes he has been caught.

His fake illness disappears almost instantly.

He lowers his head and mumbles,“Actually… I just don’t feel like going today.”

Dad and I look at each other.

And then, at the exact same time, we burst out laughing.

I shake my head.“You’re unbelievable! You’re in college, not school. Why are you still using such an ancient excuse to skip class?”

Rohan looks at me sheepishly.

I soften my expression.“Fine. Take the day off today. But don’t make a habit of it. You have only one year left to finish your graduation. Just get it done properly.”

His face immediately lights up.

He looks like a child who has just been granted a holiday.“I won’t skip again, I promise!”

I smile.“Good. I’ll remember that promise.”

I turn toward Dad and pick up my purse.Okay, Papa. I’m off to the office.”

Dad nods.

I say goodbye to both of them and finally step out of the house.

At the Office…

By the time I reach the office, I’m back in my professional mode.I walk down the familiar hallway and stop outside Viren Sir’s cabin.

I knock twice.

A voice comes from inside.“Come in.”

I open the door and step inside.“Good morning, Sir.”

Viren Sir looks up from his desk and gives me a polite smile.“Good morning, Devika.”

I walk toward his desk and begin briefing him about the day’s schedule.“Sir, the first meeting is at ten. After that, we have the client discussion at noon, followed by the management meeting in the afternoon. I’ve also arranged the documents you asked for yesterday.”

He listens carefully as I go through the rest of the schedule.

Once I finish, I close my notebook.“That’s everything for today, Sir. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll take my leave.”

I turn toward the door.But before I can take another step, his voice stops me."Devika?”

I turn around.“Yes, Sir?”

He leans back slightly in his chair.There’s something different in his expression now.

Something serious.

“I’ll be your boss for the next few days.”

I look at him, confused.“Your boss? Sir, what do you mean?”

He pauses for a moment before continuing.“I’m getting on in years, Devika. And I think the time has come for my ‘empire’ to have its next heir—someone who can take charge and move it forward.”

I remain silent, listening carefully.

Then he says something I wasn't expecting.“I’m handing over my entire business and the operations here to my son, Neel.”

My eyebrows rise slightly.“Neel, Sir?”

He nods.“Yes. Neel will be taking over the company in a few days. He’s returning from America.”

For a moment, I simply process the information.

A new boss.

A new responsibility.

And a man I have never even met.

Viren Sir continues,“You are the person I trust the most in this entire company. That’s why I want you to mentor Neel. Show him how everything works here, introduce him to the team, and help him understand the business.”

I take a breath and nod confidently.

Whatever this new responsibility brings, I’m ready for it.“Don’t worry, Sir. I’ll handle it.”

Viren Sir smiles.“I knew you would.”

I give him a small smile and walk out of the cabin.