The sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of the conference room, bathing everything in a golden glow. "Meera", seated at the far end of the table, adjusted her glasses nervously as she organized the presentation slides. The crisp air inside the room was a stark contrast to the warmth she felt whenever her boss entered.
And then, right on cue, he did.
"Arjun Malhotra", the billionaire CEO, walked in with his usual confident stride, his dark suit perfectly tailored to his broad shoulders. His sharp jawline was clean-shaven, and his eyes carried a storm that rarely anyone could decipher. Meera glanced up briefly before lowering her gaze, her heart beating faster.
"Good morning, everyone," Arjun said, his deep voice commanding immediate attention from all staff members. His eyes flickered toward Meera, lingering for a split second longer than necessary. She felt it, and her fingers instinctively tightened around the edge of the table in front of her.
"Good morning, Sir," the team echoed in unison.
Meera's voice was softer than the rest of all, but Arjun caught it. He always did.
As the meeting began, Arjun's gaze kept drifting toward Meera. She was speaking now, her voice steady, presenting the marketing strategy she'd worked tirelessly on. He couldn't help but admire her passion, her determination, and the way her eyes lit up when she explained something she truly believed in.
But none of that mattered. Not to someone like him.
He clenched his jaw, reminding himself of the wall he had carefully built between them. She was a middle-class girl with dreams of her own, and he… he was a man who had no right to drag her into the shadows of his world.
When the meeting ended, the team began to disperse. Meera stayed behind, gathering her files. Arjun remained seated, watching her silently as if battling an internal war.
Finally, he spoke. "Meera."
She froze. She knew that voice, low and deliberate, meant he had something important to say. Turning slowly, she met his gaze. "A...Yes, Sir?"
"Stay for a moment," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
Her stomach flipped nervously, but she nodded, sliding into the chair.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension in the room was palpable. Meera looked at him expectantly, and Arjun's lips pressed into a thin line as if he wasn't sure how to begin.
"You've been doing good work," he started, his voice softer than usual.
"Thank you, Sir," she replied, keeping her tone professional.
Arjun leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her. "How long have you been with the company?"
"Two years," she said cautiously.
"Two years…" he repeated, almost to himself. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. "You've been consistent. Reliable. I value that."
Meera felt her cheeks warm under his praise, but she forced herself to remain composed. "I'm just doing my job, Sir."
"That's what I like about you," Arjun said, leaning forward slightly. "You're focused. Ambitious. Not like the others."
His words made her heart skip a beat. There was something in his tone, something that felt… personal. She swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond.
"Thank you, Sir," she said again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arjun's eyes darkened as he studied her. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine a different world—a world where he could be just a man, and she could be just a woman, without the weight of expectations and societal barriers.
But that world didn't exist.
"You can go now," he said abruptly, his tone turning cold again.
Meera blinked, startled by the sudden shift. She stood up, gathering her things. "Yes, Sir. Have a good day."
She walked to the door, her back straight, her steps steady. But just as she reached for the handle, she heard his voice again.
"Meera."
She turned, her eyes meeting his.
"Forgetting something?" he asked, holding up her pen—the one she always carried with her.
"Oh," she said, her cheeks flushing as she stepped back to take it. "Thank you."
Their fingers brushed briefly, and an electric jolt passed between them. Meera looked away quickly, clutching the pen as if it were a lifeline.
"Be careful, Meera," Arjun said softly, his voice carrying an edge she couldn't quite place.
"Careful of what, Sir?"
"Of getting too close," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Meera frowned, confused by his words. Before she could ask, he waved her away. "That's all."
As she walked out of the room, her mind raced with unanswered questions. Little did she know, Arjun sat alone in the conference room, fighting a battle against the emotions he swore he wouldn't allow himself to feel.
But the invisible crack in his armor was already there. And he knew it.
.
To be continue...