The day was already off to a chaotic start for Sanjay. After dragging himself out of bed and surviving his morning jog with Hanley, he now found himself in the kitchen, following yet another of Hanley's commands. This time, it was to make breakfast. Sanjay, in a half-awake state, managed to whip up some pancakes, though they turned out more fried than fluffy. Still, he served them with what little pride he had left.
Just as he placed the plate down, the doorbell rang. Sanjay sighed, irritated, and dragged himself to the door. When he opened it, he was met with Shane, who was holding a tray of food.
"Good morning, sir," Shane greeted, as he handed over the tray with a polite smile. "Breakfast for Mr. Hanley. Please move"
Shane sidestepped Sanjay, ignoring his presence, and carried the breakfast tray to the table with practiced ease.
Sanjay blinked in disbelief. Breakfast for Hanley? But Hanley was already sitting at the table, happily diving into the tray of food without even looking at the pancakes Sanjay had made. He tore into his own meal with relish, completely indifferent to the burnt offering in front of him.
Sanjay couldn't hold it in anymore. "If you already ordered breakfast, why did you ask me to cook?" he asked, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.
Hanley glanced up at him between bites, a cheeky smile forming. "That's for you," he said nonchalantly, pointing at the fried pancakes with his fork before returning to his own plate, completely unbothered by Sanjay's plight.
Sanjay's blood boiled, but he forced himself to hold back. He didn't want to lose it—not over pancakes. He sat down beside Hanley, trying to muster up the energy to eat the soggy, tasteless pancakes that now seemed to mock him. His stomach growled in protest as he took a bite, but the pancakes were so awful that he nearly gagged.
Meanwhile, Hanley continued to savor his delicious breakfast, clearly enjoying every bite. Sanjay's eyes couldn't help but wander to the perfectly cooked food in front of him. He swallowed hard, a pang of jealousy and hunger gnawing at him. He wanted to trade places. He wanted that meal.
Hanley caught his gaze and, with a sly grin, pushed his plate of food toward Sanjay. "You want some?" Hanley asked, still smirking.
Sanjay hesitated for a second, then, without saying a word, quickly grabbed the plate and dug in. Shane, who had been standing quietly in the background, chuckled softly and joined them at the table.
"Well, it looks like boss got the best breakfast today," Shane said, settling into the chair next to them.
Sanjay, halfway through his meal, shot Hanley a look of silent indignation. Yeah, right.
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"Let's go together," Hanley said, as Sanjay started his car.
Sanjay shook his head, glancing over at him. "No need," he replied, his tone cool. "I don't know what kind of rivalry you're trying to resolve here, but that's enough for today. Let's just meet at the office."
With that, he drove off, leaving Hanley standing there, a faint smile playing on his lips. Hanley climbed into his own car, and Shane, ever the dutiful assistant, started the engine, heading toward the office.
When Hanley's car pulled into the office parking lot, he spotted Bella parking her scooter. She was talking to it as if it were a child, adjusting the seat and chatting to herself while looking at her reflection in the scooter's mirror. Hanley recognized it immediately—it was the same scooter her dad had given her when she won a story contest years ago. He remembered how she used to ride it with her dad, giving him rides around the neighborhood. The scooter was worn now, the paint chipped and rust starting to show, but Hanley knew it was something Bella cherished, regardless of its condition.
He stepped out of the car and walked over to her. "The scooter's still with you, Bella," he said, his hand lightly resting on the back seat.
Bella didn't respond. She grabbed her bag and began walking away, but Hanley caught up with her. "Its condition is pretty rough. Yet you've managed to keep it all these years," he said, trying to make conversation.
Bella adjusted her glasses, remaining silent. By the time they reached the office entrance, Hanley tried again. "So, do you still take rides with your dad on the scooter?"
The question hit too close to home. Bella stopped, turned to face him, and her eyes hardened. "My dad is dead, Hanley," she said, her voice sharp.
The smile on Hanley's face faltered, his words caught in his throat. He stopped walking, watching as Bella continued ahead, her steps unwavering.
Hanley immediately regretted his question. Why did I ask that? He didn't know the details of her dad's death, nor did he know much about the events that had unfolded in her life over the past few years. Bella was right—maybe it was better to stay away from her, to avoid causing any more pain.
When Hanley and shane reached the elevator, Bella was already inside. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure whether to step in or turn away.
Suddenly, a fast-moving figure darted into the elevator. "Wait for me!" Sanjay called out.
Seeing Sanjay enter, Hanley made his decision and stepped in as well.
"Good morning," Sanjay greeted Bella with a cheerful smile.
"Good morning, boss," Bella responded, her smile warm and effortless.
"Did you get your scooter yesterday?" Sanjay asked, his tone casual.
"Oh, yes. I did," Bella replied, her smile light.
Hanley couldn't help but be surprised. How did Sanjay know about her scooter?
"You seem happy today," Sanjay added, leaning slightly toward Bella.
Bella shrugged, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "What's there to be sad about?"
Sanjay grinned knowingly. "You know, if you live with bad luck, it's hard to be happy," he said, his gaze briefly drifting toward Hanley.
Bella nodded, understanding the unspoken message.
"I agree with you, boss," she said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Some people are just bad luck."
Both she and Sanjay shared a knowing smile, and even Shane couldn't help but chuckle at their comment.
Hanley, unable to stay silent any longer, cleared his throat loudly, making it clear that he was very much present and hearing everything.
Bella and Sanjay exchanged a quiet, amused glance before the elevator doors slid open. Hanley stormed out, his pace quick and angry. Shane followed him, and Sanjay also trailed behind, shaking his head with a small grin.
Bella sighed deeply, her mood shifting as she made her way to her cabin, the lightness of the moment already fading.
Bella was engrossed in her script when Vicky arrived.
"Good morning, Bella," Vicky greeted, settling into the chair beside her. He scanned the script and added, "I've been thinking—what if we tweak the ending just a little? It could add more depth."
Bella glanced up, giving him a thoughtful nod. "I'll take a look at it later. Thanks for the input."
As they spoke, Bella checked the time on her watch. It was almost time for the meeting. "Looks like we're due," she said, standing up. "Let's head over."
The two of them made their way to the meeting room, where the team had already gathered. Bella, Tara, Sanjay, Hanley, and a few key investors were present, waiting for the session to begin.
After everyone settled, Bella stood and addressed the group, her voice calm and confident. "Good morning, everyone," she began. "I'm here to present the script we've been working on. I believe it captures the essence of the project and aligns with our vision for the future."
She began to explain the intricacies of the script, detailing the plot, character arcs, and key moments. The words flowed smoothly, and with each explanation, the script seemed to come to life for everyone in the room. The pacing was flawless, the dialogue sharp, and the emotional depth clear in every scene.
As Bella finished, she looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each investor. "I believe this script is a strong foundation for what we want to create," she concluded, her tone firm.
The room was silent for a moment, then Tara broke the quiet. "It's incredible, Bella," she said, her eyes wide with admiration. "I can't see any flaws in this. It's perfect."
Sanjay nodded in agreement. "I'm impressed. This will definitely grab attention."
The investors exchanged approving looks. "We're all on board," one of them said. "This is exactly what we were hoping for."
Hanley, who had been quietly observing, gave a small, appreciative smile. "Well done, Bella," he said, his tone more genuine than usual.
"So, who do you choose to play the characters in your story?" Hanley asked, his voice curious.
Bella's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward, excited. "Can I choose them?" she asked eagerly.
"Of course," Hanley replied with a smile. "No one knows the characters better than you do."
Sanjay, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "Yes, Bella. So, who do you have in mind to play your leads?"
Bella didn't hesitate for a second. "Jennifer Aniston and Arjun Raj as the main leads. I want them," she said firmly, her confidence clear in her voice.
Tara smiled in approval. "Great choice," she said, nodding.
Sanjay raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "I think Arjun is an easy one," he said, his voice casual. "But Jennifer… she's a tough one to get."
"I agree with Mr. Sanjay," one of the investors added. "Jennifer is incredibly busy. It'll be hard to convince her to take on a role unless she's personally interested. Even if you offered her double the pay, she's not the type to do something just for the money. She only takes roles that truly resonate with her."
Bella's expression didn't falter. She was determined. "Do you have anyone else in mind, Bella?" Hanley asked, his tone gentle but probing.
"I think Jennifer would be perfect for Kia. The character matches her so well," Bella replied without missing a beat.
Sanjay shook his head, a slight frown on his face. "I think it'll be impossible to convince her," he said.
"I will convince her," Bella said with unwavering confidence. Her tone left no room for doubt.
Tara exchanged a glance with Sanjay before speaking up. "Maybe it's not as easy as you think, Bella. If she's not interested, we might need to think about someone else."
But Bella's resolve was firm. "I won't change my choice until I've at least tried. I believe in myself. She will agree to this role," Bella said, her voice full of conviction. No one could change her mind.
Hanley watched her for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, I'll give you one chance. If you fail, the company will choose someone else," he said, his tone serious but understanding.
Bella nodded without hesitation, knowing in her heart that she would make it happen. "That's fair," she said. "But I know I can convince Jennifer to play Kia."
The room was silent for a moment, and everyone could sense Bella's determination. She wasn't about to back down, and that confidence might just be the key to making it all work.