Episode 1: The Sultan of Istanbul
The humidity of Mumbai usually slowed people down, but inside the boardroom of the Grand Imperial, the air was frozen.
Emir Sarsalmaj didn't do humidity. He didn't do "slow."
He sat at the head of the mahogany table, his 6'2" frame draped in a charcoal-grey suit that cost more than the cars parked outside. His amber eyes—cold, sharp, and predatory—were fixed on the trembling CEO across from him. Emir wasn't just a businessman; in Turkey, they called him the "Sultan of Shipping." He didn't negotiate; he conquered.
"I asked for the cultural feasibility reports ten minutes ago," Emir spoke. His voice was a low, gravelly baritone that vibrated through the room. "In my world, ten minutes is the difference between a fortune and a failure."
"S-sir, the consultant is on her way," the CEO stuttered. "The Mumbai traffic—"
"I don't care about the traffic. I care about results," Emir interrupted, stood up, and buttoned his blazer. The movement was fluid, like a tiger preparing to leave a hunt that had become boring. "This meeting is over. Cancel the project."
"Wait! Please!"
The heavy double doors burst open before the CEO could finish.
A whirlwind of sunflower-yellow silk and the frantic jingling of silver bells invaded the sterile room. Lavnya Mishra rushed in, breathless, her long dark hair a mess of curls, clutching a stack of hand-painted Gond art files.
"I'm here! I'm so sorry!" she gasped, leaning against the doorframe to catch her breath. "A stray puppy got stuck in a drain pipe near the station, and I couldn't just leave him, and then my rickshaw driver got into an argument with—"
She stopped. The silence in the room was deafening.
Lavnya's brown eyes traveled up... and up... until they met a pair of amber ones that looked like they wanted to set her on fire.
Emir looked at the girl in front of him. She was chaos personified. She smelled like sandalwood, rain-washed earth, and... cheap street tea. She was everything he avoided.
"Who," Emir asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "is this child?"
Lavnya's breath hitched, but not out of fear. It was annoyance. She stood up straight, squaring her shoulders, her jhumkas (earrings) giving a defiant final chime.
"I am not a child, Mr. Sarsalmaj," she said, her voice clear and bold. "I am the only person who can save your cold, grey project from failing in a country that lives for color and heart. I'm Lavnya Mishra. Your consultant."
Emir took a slow, predatory step toward her. He was so close she could smell his Oud and the faint scent of Turkish coffee. He towered over her, his shadow completely swallowing her small frame.
"You are late," he said, leaning down so his lips were inches from her ear. "And I don't hire people who prioritize 'puppies' over multi-million dollar contracts."
Lavnya didn't back away. She looked him straight in the eye—something no one in that room had dared to do all morning. "Then you're going to lose millions, Sir. Because you might have the Hukumat (Power) to buy this building, but you don't have the heart to understand the people inside it. And in India? Heart is everything."
For the first time in years, Emir Sarsalmaj was speechless. He stared at this girl—this tiny, vibrant, stubborn girl—and felt a strange, unwelcome spark of heat in his chest.
"You have exactly sixty seconds," Emir commanded, stepping back but keeping his gaze locked on hers. "Convince me not to fire you before you've even started."
Lavnya smirked, opening her file with a flourish. "I only need thirty."
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Hello readers! Welcome to the world of Emir and Lavnya. This is a story of two different cultures colliding in the most intense way possible. If you like a strong, traditional heroine and a cold, powerful Turkish hero, this is for you!
Please add this book to your Library and leave a comment if you enjoyed the first meeting! New chapters coming every day."
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🦁 Emir Sarsalmaj (The Sultan)
• Role: Male Lead / Hero
• Age: 32
• Nationality: Turkish
• Appearance: 6'2" tall, athletic build. He has sharp, sculpted features, a jawline that could cut glass, and piercing Amber eyes (like a hawk). He usually wears bespoke charcoal or navy suits.
• Personality: Cold, calculated, and extremely disciplined. He believes in Hukumat (Power/Control). He doesn't believe in love—only in legacy and logic.
• Hidden Side: Underneath the "Ice King" exterior, he is fiercely protective of his family and has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
🌸 Lavnya Mishra (The Devotee)
• Role: Female Lead / Heroine
• Age: 24
• Nationality: Indian
• Appearance: Petite but with a commanding presence. She has long, wavy dark hair, deep brown eyes full of "mischief and fire," and a small mole near her lip. She loves wearing vibrant colors—mostly kurtis with heavy jhumkas (earrings) and silver bangles.
• Personality: Vibrant, empathetic, and fearless. She lives by Ibadat (Devotion/Faith). She isn't afraid to speak her mind, even to a billionaire.
• Hidden Side: She carries the weight of her family's expectations on her shoulders and uses her "sunshine" personality to hide her own struggles.
What to expect:
• Forced Proximity (They have to travel together!)
• Grumpy x Sunshine Trope
• Turkish Billionaire x Indian Heroine
• Cultural Clash & Intense Romance