𝓜𝔂 𝓘𝓶𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

CHAPTER 8

AKSHARA'S POV

As we sat in the car, Abhimanyu's fury was palpable. I mused to myself, 'What's gotten into him?' His glare was intense, and though his words were unspoken, his message was clear. Then, with a stern command, he said, "Buckle your seatbelt, Miss Akshara."

I chided myself silently, 'Oh Akshu, how could you forget?' Despite the tension, I couldn't help but notice how his anger seemed to accentuate his allure. The veins on his tattooed arms stood out, a testament to his simmering rage, and I found it utterly irresistible.

"Toh kisne kaha resist karne ko?" Dusht prani snapped, breaking my reverie.

"Shut up, pagal insaan. You'll get yourself killed, and take me with you," I continued, concern barely veiling the annoyance in my voice.

"Don't worry, Jaan. He won't kill you; rather, he'd die for you," Dusht prani teased, a blush creeping onto my cheeks as I bit my lower lip in anticipation.

His voice, clenched with frustration, brought me back to reality. "Stop daydreaming and biting your lips. Read this," he instructed, handing me a file. "These are the tasks you need to perform as my PA."

I sighed inwardly, 'I thought too highly of him; he's still the same old curmudgeon.' But a spark of hope flickered within me. 'No matter, Mr. Chand. I'm here now, and this grumpiness will soon fade,' I thought, grinning to myself.

I pretended to be engrossed in the file, but if looks could kill, I'd surely be six feet under from his piercing gaze. Time passed, and I found myself genuinely absorbed in the list of duties, when suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. I braced for impact, but before my head could meet the dashboard, Mr. Chand's hand was there, shielding me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

I nodded, assuring him of my well-being. He was ready to unleash his wrath on the person, but then I saw the old man, frantically chasing his grandchild, oblivious to the traffic signals. His pleading eyes met mine, silently begging me to rein in the tempest that was Abhimanyu Raichand.

As Abhimanyu moved to step out, I caught his hand. "Please, let it go," I implored. "I'm okay, and it's not uncle's fault. He was just chasing his grandchild."

I hoped my puppy eyes would sway him, but the death glares he shot me suggested otherwise. Yet, to my surprise, he sat back down. He had accepted my plea!

"Yehhhh!" I couldn't contain my joy, screaming in triumph. The old man blessed me with a grateful look before disappearing into the crowd. Abhimanyu resumed driving, and soon, the grand edifice of Raichand's and Co. loomed before us.

As Abhimanyu prepared to leave the car, I interjected, "You go ahead; I'll come after a few minutes."

His eyebrows arched in a silent query. "Why?" he asked, his voice a blend of curiosity and command.

I explained, hoping to make him see reason. "It wouldn't be proper for a mere employee to enter the office alongside her boss," I said, my voice steady despite the flutter in my stomach.

He muttered something so softly it was like a secret meant for the wind. "You are everything but a mere employee," he whispered, his words barely reaching me.

Choosing not to prolong the conversation, he gave a nod of understanding and stepped out of the car. I watched as he entered the building, a figure of authority and respect. Employees bowed and greeted him, but he moved past them with a royal indifference, his focus unswayed. He made his way to the elevator, his presence commanding yet isolated, a king in a sea of faces.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Stepping into the grand lobby, my heart fluttered with a cocktail of nerves and defiance. 'What will they think of me?' I wondered, only to dismiss the thought with a rebellious, 'Who cares?' Approaching the receptionist, I inquired about my workspace. Her smile was a beacon as she directed me to the elevator, mentioning the CEO's office on the 30th floor where I'd be further guided.

"30th floor?" I gasped, the number echoing in my mind like a daunting challenge. My claustrophobia clawed at me, mocking my earlier confidence. 'I thought I could just use the stairs,' I lamented internally. 'But 30 floors? It might as well be a mountain.'

With no other choice, I steeled myself and stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, I sent a silent prayer to every deity I knew, begging for salvation from the embarrassment on my first day. The elevator lurched into motion, and my heart raced, breaths shallow, sweat beading on my forehead. 'This is it,' I thought, bracing for the worst.

But then, the doors slid open on the 5th floor, and there he was-Mr. Chand, in all his intimidating glory. 'Why is he here? I'm only on the 5th floor,' I puzzled, but then it hit me, 'Of course, it's his building; he can roam as he pleases.'

His presence was a balm to my frayed nerves. His scent, his piercing gaze-it all drew me in, grounding me. He peered into my eyes, searching for something unknown, and suddenly asked, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, mute with shock.

"Why don't you speak when you're with me? You laugh and chat with everyone else, am I a monster" he snapped, his tone a mix of irritation and something else I couldn't place.

"Yess" the words slipped without my consent and I started looking down at floor , while he was giving me 'i'm so done with you , what's your problem with speaking'.

'Dar Babu bhaiya dar' DUSHT PRANI MOCKED.

I was about to retort when the elevator beeped, signaling our arrival. Stepping out, I finally exhaled a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Mr. Chand then pointed to a cabin near his, enclosed with tinted glass that allowed only him to see inside from his office. I acknowledged with a nod and settled into my new space, offering him coffee as per written in the file .

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

As I promise I'll give you double update , I'm sorry as it's a short one , but you guys aren't fulfilling yours I'm not getting much response, I request you once again please engage as much as you can , and to those who are engaging I'm very grateful to you guys , just kepp supporting like this always .

Thank you
Nandu