Chapter SEVEN: Confrontation

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Fueled by exhaustion and frustration, Sia summoned the courage to confront Arjun about his harsh treatment. With a heavy heart and trembling hands, she approached him in his office, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke.

"Mr. Dev, I need to talk to you," she began, her words faltering as she met his steely gaze. "The workload and the way you've been treating me-it's becoming too much to bear."

Arjun's expression remained impassive, his features carved from stone as he listened to her words. Inside, a tumult of emotions raged, but he pushed them aside, burying them deep beneath the mask of indifference he wore so well.

 Inside, a tumult of emotions raged, but he pushed them aside, burying them deep beneath the mask of indifference he wore so well

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"I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Mehra," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "You're here to work, and I expect nothing less than perfection from you."

But despite his cold demeanor, a spark of something stirred within Arjun as he looked at Sia-a vulnerability that tugged at his heartstrings, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed walls around his emotions.

Sia, sensing his inner turmoil, pressed on, her voice gaining strength with each word. "But I'm not a machine, Mr. Dev," she pleaded, her eyes pleading for understanding. "I'm human, just like you. I can't keep up this pace forever."

Arjun's resolve wavered, his icy facade cracking ever so slightly as he looked into her eyes. In that moment, he saw not just a subordinate, but a woman-a woman who had endured more than she should have, a woman who deserved better.

But he pushed the thought away, burying it beneath layers of pride and stubbornness. He couldn't afford to show weakness-not now, not ever.

"I'll take your concerns into consideration, Miss Mehra," he replied curtly, his tone final. "But for now, I suggest you get back to work. We have a lot to do."

And with that, Arjun turned away, his heart heavy with the weight of the emotions he dared not acknowledge. Little did he know, the conversation they had shared would be the catalyst for a change that neither of them could have predicted-a change that would alter the course of their relationship forever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, Devon Fashion House prepared to host its annual office party-a night of celebration and camaraderie to honor the hard work and dedication of its employees. Arjun spared no expense in ensuring that the event would be a night to remember, his determination to show his gratitude evident in every detail.

As the guests arrived and the music filled the air, Sia found herself swept up in the festivities, her laughter echoing through the crowded room like music. Surrounded by her colleagues and friends, she let go of the burdens that had weighed her down for so long, allowing herself to bask in the joy of the moment.

But as the night wore on and the drinks flowed freely, Sia found herself indulging a little too much, her inhibitions slipping away with each sip. And as the alcohol clouded her judgment, she became more animated, her laughter infectious and her smile radiant.

Arjun, observing from a distance, couldn't tear his gaze away from her, his heart pounding with a desire he couldn't ignore. Despite his best efforts to maintain his composure, he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame, unable to resist the magnetic pull she exerted over him.

And as the night reached its peak, Sia found herself dancing with reckless abandon, her movements fluid and uninhibited. With each twirl and dip, she captivated everyone in the room, including Arjun, whose longing for her burned hotter than ever before.

In that moment, surrounded by the swirling lights and pulsating music, Arjun realized that his desire for Sia had transcended mere attraction-it had become something deeper, something undeniable.

But as the night drew to a close and the revelers dispersed, Arjun knew that he couldn't act on his feelings, not when the consequences could be so devastating. And so, with a heavy heart and a mind clouded by desire, he watched as Sia disappeared into the night, leaving him to wrestle with the emotions that threatened to consume him whole.

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