Radhika's POV

She sat on her seat, trying to calm herself , catching her breath.

Assistant:Are you okay mam?

Radhika:yaa, absolutely. Let's finish our food,we have already wasted our time enough.

Then some minutes went silent.Her mind keep playing the man's agressiveness -the precise angle how her heel landed .

"He need to go straight to hospital " Radhika said, voice Matter-of-fact."Any bones might not be fractured but he will not able to use his leg for someday,one week bed rest may be"

Her assistant let out a small laugh,

Assistant:You noticed that?

She allowed herself a ghost of smile"I'm a doctor anyway".

Before they could say something else someone approached them.

Man: Ma'am,Mr. Conan and Mr. Christian is here.They would like to thank you in person for what you did yesterday.If you would be willing to join us-for a quick coffee,we would be really thankful.

Then Radhika's eyes flicked up to the corner of the room.There he was-

Christian Reyes

Looking at her with his ocean blue eyes,like waves of sea passing through her,hypnotizing her.She looked back the man..

Radhika: Alright..

She get up... told her assistant...

Radhika:Lara wait for me in the car after paying the bill .

She nodded.

The man led her their way.But the second her heel hit the ground,she noticed that her right ankle was giving a strong reminder for what she did earlier to the man, it's sharply pain ,but she managed her posture.She reach to their table ,Conan get up and extend his hand first to her..

Canon:Thank you so much for coming over,we owe you one .

Radhika:that was just my job ,there was no need for thanking me.

Canon:ohh I didn't introduced myself, I'm Canon Smith.

Radhika: Dr. Radhika Rathore.

She did handshake with Christian then.His hand was warm, gentle.

Christian: I'm Christian Reys.

Canon: please,sit.

She sat beside Christian as it was only empty seat.

Radhika:So how is your manager now?

She asked to Canon completely ingoring Christian.

Canon:He's doing better. They kept him overnight, just for observation. But he's stable now ,thanks to you.

Radhika:That's good to hear. I hope he takes better care of his blood pressure from now on.

Christian finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "He wanted to thank you himself."

Still, Radhika didn't look at him. All composed,leg Crossed.

Radhika:Tell him I said he's welcome.

Then the waiter serve coffee.She took a sip,let the warmth distract the pain in her ankle.

Canon:You came with Avaline yesterday , right? It's improbable doctor and singer's friendship.

She nodded her head.

Radhika:We are friend for long enough now,from the time we stayed in London.

Canon(smilingly): Are you british? I'm british actually.

She shook her head.

Radhika:No, I'm Indian.I studied there .

Christian,under his breath,"London must've been lucky".

She heard that ,of course.Then said deliberatly.....

Radhika:yeah really, it's very beautiful place, lively - if you know how to look.

She didn't look at him but she felt that his lips curved into a smile.

Radhika:(to Canon)By the way She's a big fan of yours.She ,planned to go to your concert yesterday.

Christian :And you?

Radhika :Actually, I don't really get time to see that much ...

Christian's brows twitched, but Conan smoothly picked up the thread.

"Then thank you-for coming yesterday."

Radhika:I really enjoyed it, though.

Conan offered an apologetic smile. "But Sorry for ruining your enjoyment,that chaos backstage... it was a mess."

Radhika:I think it was great. I did my job and I think saving someone's life is more important than be the center of the evening.

"I literally have a curiosity,Can I ask" Conan said from behalf of his friend.

Radhika raised an eyebrow slightly. "Yeah, sure."

"We thought you were a doctor. But today it looked more like business."

She gave a half-shrug. "I partially handle business too. That's why."

Radhika usually hated when people pried into her life. But something felt different today. Maybe because someone was just listening,intently.

Then Radhika got a call ,

Radhika: excuse me.

her assistant: "Ma'am, you have a meeting in an hour."

Radhika:okay.

Radhika checked her watch, then slowly stood up from her seat. "I really need to get up now. It was nice to meet ."

Canon:yeah,it was nice to meet you too.

She one time looked at Christian,turned to leave. But just before she crossed their table, Christian's voice cut through the air-not loud, not urgent, but direct.

"I have a strain spray in the car. Probably a pair of slipper too." His eyes locked with hers. "You just need to wait for a moment."

Conan blinked, confused. "What-?"

Radhika froze.

She hadn't expected him to notice. She hadn't even realized she let her pain show. Her eyes met Christian's for the first time with something other than indifference-surprise. A flicker of vulnerability passed between them.

He knew.

It disarmed her.

But she composed herself quickly, expression returning to neutral. "I'm okay, no need of that ,thank you for asking" she replied simply. But this time her voice was less distant.

He simply said, "Just wait," and without another word, walked past her, leaving the restaurant toward the parking area.

Radhika stood still, momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected him to insist.

A minute later, Christian returned. In one hand, a compact medical pouch. In the other, a clean pair of soft black slippers.

Canon smirking at him,but he ignored it. He walked straight to her, to knelt down without hesitation -like it was the most natural thing in the world-place the slipper down and was just about to hold her ankle gently when she stepped back, her eyes slightly wide.

"I'm doing this," she said firmly.

Their eyes met. Hers, calm but guarded. His, quiet but intense.

He stood up slowly. "Alright," he said, handing her the spray .

Radhika sat down briefly. She gently rolled her heel, sprayed the strained area, and slipped off her heel. The pain flickered across her face for half a second, but she said nothing.

She put on the slipper.

Then Everyone began to leave the restaurant .At the exit, Christian walked just a little closer to her -not enough to block her way, but enough to get one last word in.

His voice was low, careful.

Christian: If that man was behaving abusively... you could've asked for help.

Radhika stopped.

She looked at him, her eyes steady-still unreadable. "I can take care of myself on my own, and thank you" she said, her tone neither cold nor warm. Just... clear.

She didn't wait for a reply. She turned and walked out, calm, graceful, every step reminding Christian how little she needed anyone.