Let Me Go Mr.Singh! (From the Start)

11

"Alright Mallik, keep up with the good work. Perhaps the traffic will increase after lunch hour. Seize the opportunity to hand out the leaflets as quickly as you can. I agreed to hire you because I think your pretty appearance might attract clients. You must work hard. A great designer is useless if she can't close deals."

"I will."

Haseena ended the call quietly.

Anubhav stole a glimpse of her out of the corners of his eyes. The car was not spacious, thus he overheard the entire conversation with her boss. "You should work somewhere else."

She twitched her lips into a bitter smile. "It doesn't matter which company I work for. Everything will be difficult in the beginning."

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel without commenting further.

Coincidentally, they drove past an unusual-looking building with a unique style. "What's that place?" he asked casually.

"Melbourne Culture and Technology Center." Something came into her mind out of the blue. "The construction has just recently been completed. Summit wanted to take on the design project but lost the opportunity to another company. Not long ago, I was thinking of taking on the design project myself but there's no point even thinking about it now."
"Why?"

"They're doing an open bidding process. A small company like ours isn't even qualified to join the bidding process."

"Even so, your company will not be able to secure the bid."

"That's not true." The confidence was evident in her tone. "I was crowned champion in the AM Award in the United States. Countless companies offered me a chance to work with them. Back then, as I was certain that I would inherit the family business, I rejected the offers and returned to Summit. I dare say no one else in the whole of Melbourne is better in designing than me."

Anubhav twitched his lips. Unexpectedly, the thick-skinned woman was confident in herself too.

"Alright, I can give you a chance to join the bidding."

Haseena straightened up in the seat, her eyes widening in surprise. Her jelly-like luscious lips parted slightly as if she could not believe her ears. "Are you serious?"

"It's up to you if you'll emerge the winner. Show me if you're actually as capable as you claim to be." He raised his eyebrows, still keeping his eyes on the road.
"I'm certainly not boasting. I'm confident I can win this." She felt her brain bubbling with excitement.

"Anuu, you're the best..."

She always called him by that name—sometimes gently, sometimes simply trying to bootlick him. However, this was the first time she sounded genuinely delighted. She did not even realize the flirtatious tone in her voice.

The man could not help turning sideways to catch a glimpse of the woman. Her bright round eyes twinkled above her sun-kissed cheeks. It was difficult to put into words the charm and allure written all over her face.

He averted his gaze immediately. His fingers awkwardly flew to undo the buttons near his neckline as he suddenly felt the heat rising in his body.

"If you really think so, then make me a delicious meal later."

"No problem at all. I can cook anything you request."

After living together for quite some time, he already knew that she was great at cooking. Upon thinking of that particular dish she made before, he felt a pang of hunger.
However, he cared too much about saving his own dignity to make the request.

"Stop here for a while. I'll go buy some streaky pork," she suddenly said when they drove near the neighborhood.

A light flashed across his dark eyes. She caught that although it happened for less than a second.

She pursed her lips to suppress a smile while getting out of the car. The devil looked like a hungry kitten waiting to be fed.

Hmm, there was even a little resemblance between him and Fudge when it came to their eyes. How adorable!

Anubhav had not mentioned it before but Haseena somehow knew roast pork was his favorite dish.

Upon looking at her receding silhouette that was heading toward the butcher, he reached for his phone with a faint smile and made a phone call to Karan. "Pull some strings so that Haseena Mallik from Imperial Design can participate in the bidding event of Melbourne Culture and Technology Center."

This took Karan by surprise. "I've never heard of that sh*t company. Are you trying to help Haseena? This is out of your character."
"What kind of character?"

"..."

Karan remained silent but thought to himself, 'The character of a cold-hearted and callous man.'

Of course, Karan dared not voice out his opinion. "I know the person in charge of the center quite well. Should I just pull some strings to give her company the project? As far as I know, many other big companies, Summit included, are participating in the bidding too. It's a fierce competition."

"There's no need for that. The chance is already presented to her. If she fails to acquire the project, it simply means that she's not capable. Just ensure it's a fair competition."

Karan was impressed. This man really showed no mercy even to his own wife. "Right, I'll do as you say."

Five minutes later, Haseena returned with a bag of streaky pork. "It's sorted," he said casually.

She appeared startled. Was that all it took? This uncle of Vivan must be a powerful man.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

The corners of his lips curled into a smile. "Now, let's head home for roast pork."
A look of mock surprise washed over her face. "I wasn't going to make that. I'm thinking of making pork and potatoes stew."

"..."

He was speechless.

His face changed as a whole range of emotions flashed across it. "Pfft." She chuckled. "I'm messing with you. I'm planning to make roast pork."

"Haseena Mallik," he enunciated each word carefully. How dare this woman tease him?! Was she taking advantage of him after he displayed a hint of kindness?

Upon realizing he was getting upset, she quickly stuck out her tongue and said in a playful manner, "Is it that difficult to admit you like roast pork? There's no shame in admitting one's guilty pleasure."

He gave a snort of disdain.

She questioned with a grin, "Do you know what I like to eat?"

"Cat food," he said.

"..."

She did not know what to say.

What the hell? She should stop cooking for him.

"I like to eat you the most." She pouted her lips adorably and winked flirtatiously.

Anubhav threw her a sideways glance. "Did no one warn you about flirting with a man in the car?"
Haseena became nervous. What about flirting in the car? Could it be possible that he wanted to...

Cough, thinking about that made her blush. She was not that open-minded.

"It'll lead to a rollover accident."

His tone was as cold as a bucket of ice water.

"..."

She kept quiet.

He smiled slightly upon seeing the embarrassment written all over her face. "We're here."

Once home, she made him a delicious lunch. He did not return to work until his stomach was full and satisfied.

...

Meeting room.

President Yates had already received news from the center. Like a child bubbling with excitement over a popsicle, he ordered for an emergency meeting.

The ones participating in the meeting included Haseena, President Yates, the project manager, and another designer, Henry Moore.

"Miss Mallik, I didn't think a young woman like you could be this capable. You actually got us the chance to participate in the bidding. This is the mega project that Melbourne has been building for the past five years. It's going to be one of Melbourne's landmarks in the future."
President Yates could not stop showering her with compliments. "Even if we can't get this project, being able to participate in the bidding is also a tremendous push for our company's future."

"President Yates, I'm sure we can win the bid with a great concept. We need to have faith in ourselves. Although the size of our company is small, perhaps we can subcontract to other designers. This is no small feat, but we can take it on," Haseena said earnestly.