~~
After spending two hours in a bathroom, Yuvika finally realized that she was too stupid to come without her clothes. She had just been thoroughly cleaned. Removing the tones of makeup and crucial hairstyle was seriously backbreaking. She has to clean herself thrice, just to ensure she gets rid of everything.
But the mangalsutra in her neck suggested otherwise.
At present, she was wondering what should be the right thing to do. Given that, she doesn't know she is all alone in the room.
She stared at the wedding dress, to whom she had thrown into the laundry bag, half wet, half dry. After gathering some courage, she opened the door only up to the length which could give her a sneak peek of the room while keeping her safe at the same time. When she saw an empty room, she thanked all the gods of the heavens, then got out, wrapped tightly in a towel, only to see the pair of clothes placed in a room. She thought he might have gone outside, tired of waiting for his turn.
So, she ignored the clothes on the bed and opened her suitcase. But, what she saw dumbfounded her. She muttered several curses under her breath. She should have known this. She should have predicted that they would interfere as usual.
Ah!!! She screamed out in frustration. When she was wondering what she should do, she heard a ding sound on her mobile. She saw a message had been delivered to her. She unlocked her screen and read it.
'Wear the clothes on the bed and come outside for dinner.' The message content revolved around her mind and before her thought process started gearing up, she shut her mind, by pausing her breath.
After which she did some breathing exercises, to calm herself down. After all, she isn't in her own home, to do as she pleases or screams. She was already in a complex situation, she doesn't want to complicate it by letting her mind wander around.
Once she was done, she came out, only to see her boss waiting for her at the dining table. His eyes were glued to his mobile's screen. But when he heard the sound of footsteps, he placed it aside.
He saw the girl wearing his clothes, transforming them from making him look like camouflage in the darkness, to a hot, sexy outfit, well suited for gym and running. All that just by wearing them. She has even given the touch of cuteness, by folding the ends of his sleeves and pants, to make it up to her body stature and size.
She definitely wasn't very comfortable with the scrutinizing gaze she was receiving. But she just can't snap at him, her boss.
'Come, I am sure you must be hungry. Since you didn't eat anything at the feast.' He simply stated, while pointing to the chair parallel to him.
She sat and started doing all the job of filling the plate with dishes. Once her plate was full, she waited for him to do the same and begin eating. Professionalism. After all, only after a boss starts the dinner can she eat as an employee.
' I am not hungry. So, please continue without me.' He added, making her nod, who not even once turned her head to stare at him or gaze at him.
'What do you think about Sophia's idea?' He asked when he saw her hesitating a little.
She left her bite on the plate, then gave it a thought and replied; 'It might have been a good idea, actually a great one, if we were discussing the western market.
But in the Indian market, I don't think it would be that good.
Firstly, not everyone will give our product a try, just because it's new.
Secondly, people will remain attached to the products they have been using for decades.
Thirdly, a new idea or innovation is more likely taken as a joke here, not as a chance towards change.
So, it would be difficult. If the company, which has been trusted by the people for more than decades, comes up with the same idea. Then, they would be in for a good few billion in an instant.
But we are a new company. We might have earned the trust of many, but not of everyone. So, it might end up as a loss and may even lead to some backlash.' She suggested her mind out, while taking her bite, taking her time in chewing, then taking a sip of water.
' Western market! But won't we be considered as a novice there?' Ashutosh asked back.
'We might be. But they are more open to embracing the new ideas, new chances, new changes than our own people.' She replied back while taking another bite of her food.
'Interesting. I will think about it.' He finally replied, feeling happy that at least she was at ease with him now.
' What do you think about the re-construction proposal, given by Mr. Rajan?' Ashutosh asked next while watching her eating like a little child.
'Re-construction proposal! Oh, that one. That falls under Mr. Bacchas's assistant Miss Rakuldeep Kaur. So, I don't know much about it.' She said while giving an apologetic smile.
He nodded in acknowledgment.
' So, what is the next project you will be working on?' He asked next.
'Oh, that! Actually, Miss Rajput came up with the idea of opening a restaurant chain, starting with one at a time. So, I as the first-in-charge most of the time and second-in-charge some time would be taking care of the fact that we end up opening a well-planned, well-strategized, well promoted, with great quality and customer service restaurant till the 10th of next month.' Yuvika replied with a sigh, while he ended up laughing out loud.
Making her stare at him in confusion.
'So you are working for that 'I-can-ditch and I-will-ditch' devil while putting your 100% in fulfilling her dreams. I am sure, even if you are an extravagant spender, you will still have hundreds of thousands of money in your bank account.
Then, why not step up and open your own business?' Ashutosh asked, despite knowing the answer so well.
'Because I want to work for her. I love working for her. She is my guide, my mentor. Though, she does have a bad ditching habit in the middle. But even that has taught me a lot. So, I will work for her, till I can.' Yuvika replied with loyal determination twinkling in her eyes.
Bringing another smile to Ashutosh's face. He kept bringing topics and she kept replying, thus she didn't even realize when her tummy was filled and her plate was empty.
'I think this would be enough for today. Let's continue our discussion tomorrow. Good night.' Ashutosh greeted, left his chair, and was about to leave but turn, staring back at her.
' I will be in this room, the next one to yours. If you need something or run into any trouble, feel free to knock on my door or call me. Whatever you see fit. Also, don't worry, I won't do anything you aren't comfortable or interested in.
So, sleep well. We still have to face a long schedule tomorrow. Good night.' He greeted her once again, then opened the door and shut it close, leaving her all alone at the large dining table.
But she wasn't sad, or angry. A small smile crept on her face, while she felt relieved for some reason. She returned back to her room, once the room service took care of everything. Then, she did what she was told, slept well.
~~
She was disturbed by the knock on her door. She checked her mobile, it was already 6 am. She felt she had slept just a few minutes before. Even though it's been more than hours.
The pressure of marriage.
She got out of the bed and opened her door, only to get greeted by the bouquet made of red roses, red tulips, dark red carnations, orchids, and peonies. She stares at the bouquet in confusion.
'Happy Valentine's day, Miss Chauhan.' She heard the voice, which hitched her breathing for a moment. It was him. Her boss.
'Boss!' She called out unsure and then the bouquet got out of her sight and she saw him, fully groomed, holding the bouquet in his hands.
'Yes, Miss Chauhan.' He asked with a sweet smile on his face.
'B-But why?' She asked in confusion.
'Because I know your prince will take a bit longer to find you and reach you out. Not to mention, it will take longer than eternity with your current position to go on a date and all that stuff.
Besides, today is gonna be one hell of a day. So, I thought to cheer you up, early. I hope you can bear all the ceremonies, all the people, all the troubles without fainting away.
So, treat it as a 'Best wishes' gift from me.' He said with a mischievous smile on his face. It was clear, he was trying to stop himself from bursting out into laughter.
'Very funny.' She commented and he ended up bursting into laughter.