Smile Mates to Soulmates ✓

Chapter Sixteen

Shehnaaz was standing in a corner, watching her colleagues celebrate a big win, lost in thought. It had been a stressful week at the office. Siddharth and Shehnaaz were buried neck deep in the preparation for a big collaboration. Sehar Constructions was a reputed company and the collaboration that was underway between the Shukla Group of Industries & and the former could prove beneficial to both the companies. 

The whole office had concentrated all of their efforts in the direction of this collaboration, and thus it was some kind of a big deal for everyone in one way or another. 

Shehnaaz sighed, rubbing her forehead. Although they'd worked hard for the deal, Shehnaaz couldn't help but let the feeling of dread consume her. 

Harsh Sharma.

He wasn't the owner of the company but held enough esteem in there to be believed upon his word. She didn't get the right kind of vibes from the man, the first day she saw him and the feeling hadn't changed in any of their subsequent meetings. Siddharth kept her away from the man, mostly occupied with himself and as much relief as that was, it wasn't exactly a solution to his unwanted advances. (Which were still very much active) 

Now, It's not like Siddharth didn't know or that he couldn't do anything but his hands were tied. For starters, The Mahajans were good friends of his father's and if Siddharth was to kill their Project Director like he so desperately wished, it would mean Negative Publicity for both the companies.

Not that he cared, but his girl did and he had to consider her wishes while making life and death decisions.

So, he decided to wait. Till he could strike and take that man apart, Limb. By. Limb.

The only problem was that the person who had stopped him from committing homicide was the one who was most affected by the whole damn thing. 

Now that the deal was sealed, and celebrations in progress, Shehnaaz couldn't get herself to enjoy it the way she deserved.

It killed Siddharth. 

Siddharth was engrossed in a conversation with Yash Mahajan, the owner of Seher Construction while Shehnaaz was sipping on Cola after running around the whole place, greeting the guests and ensuring their comfort. 

So much work.

Aarti walked up to her. "Hey." 

Shehnaaz smiled. "Hey. Congratulations." 

"Thank you. You weren't as active with this collaboration, were you?" Aarti asked. 

Shehnaaz shrugged. "I was occupied, elsewhere." 

False. It took you and Siddharth two week's worth of sleepless nights to get here.

"It wasn't easy." Aarti said, sighing. "But we're here."

"Yeah. Can't imagine the amount of hard work that you had to put in." Shehnaaz smiled at her.

"Sir isn't here today." Aarti said, a few minutes later, frowning slightly. 

"He's here. I think he's with Preeti ma'am around.. there." Shehnaaz gestured vaguely towards the couches lying in a quiet corner of the hall.

Aarti nodded. "Thought you came in uninvited."

"I'm an employee, Aarti. Even if Dr. Shukla wasn't here, I could and would come as an employee of the company." Shehnaaz said sternly. 

"I didn't--" 

Shehnaaz shook her head, "I'll be back in a minute. Excuse me." She said curtly, leaving the girl alone and surprised. 

She had barely made it to the centre of the room when another abomination of mankind, by the name of Hareh Sharma greeted her with a sickening smile.