INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 1

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Ananya Sharma's life was a meticulously ordered sequence of responsibilities and detached interactions. As the CEO of Sharma Enterprises, a conglomerate built by her father, she carried the weight of her family's expectations and disappointments on her shoulders every single day.

The morning had begun like any other. Ananya woke up in her spacious, modern quarter and went through the motions of her morning routine with practiced efficiency. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, she descended the staircase of her luxurious home with a mask of indifference firmly in place. However, the sight that greeted her in the dining area pierced through that facade.

Her mother, Mrs. Naina Sharma, was tenderly placing a plate of steaming parathas in front of Ananya's younger brother, Rohan. The scene, filled with warmth and affection that Ananya herself had yearned for but never received, caused a fleeting expression of longing to flicker in her eyes. Swiftly regaining her composure, she turned to leave, but her father's voice halted her.

"Ananya," Mr. Vikram Sharma's stern voice called out from behind the morning newspaper he was engrossed in. "I trust you're handling the Prakash Industries merger project with utmost care. Don't let us down."

Ananya nodded stiffly, her jaw set in a familiar resolve. "It shall be done, sir," she replied coolly, her words echoing with the weight of unspoken bitterness.

With a heavy heart, Ananya left her family behind and drove to the office in her sleek black car—a testament to her own hard-earned success and independence within the family empire. She entered the bustling office building, her presence enough to command both respect and fear among the employees who hurriedly greeted her. Ignoring their greetings, Ananya made her way towards the elevator, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished marble floor.

The building's lobby was a cavernous space, adorned with sleek modern furniture and abstract art pieces that echoed her company's cutting-edge reputation. She paused in front of the mirrored elevator doors, her reflection staring back at her—a poised and confident woman in a tailored navy suit, her hair pulled back into a sophisticated chignon.

With a soft ding, the elevator arrived, and the doors slid open smoothly. She stepped inside, the scent of freshly cleaned surfaces and a hint of her own floral perfume filling the small space. She pressed the button for the top floor, and the doors closed with a whisper. As the elevator ascended, Ananya mentally reviewed her schedule for the day. Meetings, reports, and a video conference with the overseas team. Her mind was a whirlwind of tasks, but she thrived on the constant activity.

The elevator came to a gentle stop, and the doors opened to reveal the top floor of the building. This floor was her sanctuary. Only her office and Mr. Dev's, her secretary, occupied this space. She preferred solitude during her working hours, finding it easier to concentrate and make decisions without the constant hum of the office below.

Mr. Dev's office was strategically located near the elevator, ensuring he was the first line of defense against any unwanted interruptions. His door was slightly ajar, and she could see him inside, already engrossed in his work. He glanced up briefly, offering her a respectful nod, which she returned with a slight smile.

She continued down the plush-carpeted hallway to her own office, a space designed to inspire both calm and creativity. The door, marked with her name in sleek, metallic lettering, swung open as she pushed it, revealing a spacious room bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.