A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch - 19 Cookies, Colleagues, and a Supportive Husband

Shivay leaned against the doorframe, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Seems I have a doppelganger in my office," he said, his voice laced with amusement.  "A rather… energetic one, at that."

Annika's cheeks burned with a blush.  "I, uh… I just… well, I wanted to surprise you with breakfast," she stammered, gesturing towards the lunch bag on the table.  "And, uh, I got a bit carried away."

Shivay's smile softened.  He crossed the room, his eyes twinkling.  "Well, your surprise certainly succeeded," he said, reaching for the bag.  "And your impersonation skills are… impressive, to say the least."

Annika blushed further, then glanced towards Mishra, who was looking increasingly confused by the interaction between his boss and this woman. Suddenly, his eyes widened in recognition. "You're the lady from the cafe!" he blurted out.

Annika looked at him, bewildered. "Lady from which cafe?" she asked before Mishra could elaborate.

Shivay interjected, sensing the potential complication. "He may be mistaken," he said smoothly. "Let me introduce you both officially. Annika, this is my personal secretary, Abhijeet Mishra. Mishra, this is my wife, Annika."  He lowered his voice slightly.  "And this information should remain confidential.  No one else needs to know about it."

Mishra nodded in understanding. It suddenly clicked why his boss had asked him to investigate the man who caused the incident at the cafe. His boss was clearly protective of his wife. With a silent nod, he excused himself, leaving Shivay and Annika alone in the opulent office.

A comfortable hush descended upon Shivay and Annika after Mishra's exit. The earlier tension melted away, replaced by a comforting warmth that enveloped Annika. She toyed with the hem of her dress, her earlier boldness replaced by a flicker of nervousness.

"So," Shivay began, a hint of amusement lingering in his voice, "about that impressive performance. You seem to have a keen eye for the daily office drama."

Annika blushed once more, her gaze falling to her shoes. "It was just... a silly impersonation," she mumbled.

Shivay chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Let's not let breakfast get cold," he said, gesturing towards the food. "We can discuss your dramatic flair later."

They settled at a small table tucked away in a corner of the office, enjoying the simple pleasure of breakfast together. As they ate, Annika, her initial nervousness fading, shared her excitement about the upcoming baking competition. She described the different stages, the judging criteria, and the ultimate prize – the chance to open her own bakery.

Shivay listened intently, a newfound respect blossoming in his chest. He had always known about her passion for baking, a simmering ember beneath the surface. But this competition had ignited a blazing fire within her. He saw her not just as his wife, but as a talented and ambitious woman with dreams he yearned to support.

"That's incredible, Annika," he said, his voice filled with genuine sincerity. "This is your chance to turn your passion into reality."

A radiant smile lit up Annika's face. "I know, right? I'm so excited! But I also need to practice a lot. That's why I took a leave from my work."

Shivay nodded in understanding. "How can I be of assistance?" he offered.

Annika's eyes twinkled. "Well, I was thinking, maybe your wonderful staff would be willing to be my taste testers?"

A surprised chuckle escaped Shivay's lips. "Taste testers? You want to share your cookies with them?"

A glint of mischief flickered in Annika's eyes. "Not just any cookies, Mr. Oberoi," she corrected playfully. "These are a sneak peek at what I'm planning for the competition – a fusion of traditional flavors with a modern twist. Besides, who can resist a delicious cookie?"

Shivay couldn't argue with that logic. A smile played on his lips. "Alright," he agreed. "Let's see what your culinary genius has dreamt up."

With a triumphant grin, Annika rummaged through the bag, emerging with a plate piled high with her freshly baked cookies. They were beautifully decorated, each one a miniature work of art.

"Mishra might be able to help you distribute them," Shivay suggested, picking up the intercom. "Mishra, come back in for a moment, please."

Mishra reappeared, a hint of curiosity flickering in his eyes. Shivay explained Annika's idea, and a smile spread across Mishra's face.

"Excellent idea, Mrs. Oberoi," he said, immediately putting Annika at ease. "I'd be happy to help. The staff will love a taste of something homemade."

Shivay leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone, "Mishra, be very careful. No one should know that she is my wife. You can introduce her as your sister."

Mishra nodded his head in understanding and led Annika outside Shivay's cabin. He then took her to the door of the room where Shivay's employees were diligently working. He opened the door and announced, "Listen everyone, my sister here has baked some cookies and would love for you to taste them and offer some feedback. She's participating in a big competition and needs some confidence and feedback from discerning palates."

Annika, a touch nervous at first, quickly found herself enjoying the task. She distributed the cookies and chatted with the employees, explaining the different flavors and the inspiration behind each one. They, in turn, were delighted by the unexpected treat. The office buzzed with a newfound energy, smiles replacing the usual harried expressions.

Their faces lit up with genuine delight. They complimented the flavors, the textures, and the creativity behind the designs. By the time the distribution was over, Annika's heart brimmed with a mixture of relief and pride. The feedback, overwhelmingly positive, had done wonders for her confidence.

Beaming with newfound confidence, Annika returned to Shivay's cabin, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Oberoi," she expressed sincerely, "for everything."

Shivay met her gaze, a warmth radiating from his chest. "Anytime, Annika," he replied. "And if you need any help with the competition, don't hesitate to ask. Consider me in your corner."

A slow smile bloomed on Annika's face. Perhaps, just perhaps, this impulsive visit to Shivay's office had been a stroke of baking brilliance after all.

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