Aurous Charms

12| Selfish

Published on 22nd July 2024.
__________________________

Another chapter is here.
Do share your love through the comments. I love reading them.

A long rant in the end.

The chapter is unedited.

♡ Bheegi si bhaagi si
Meri baazuon mein samayi
Jogi si jaagi si
Koi prem dhun woh sunaye ♡

- S H L O K -

I had been waiting for the past three minutes when Akriti finally arrived, slightly out of breath. "I'm so sorry for being late, Mr Shah." She apologized, quickly setting her materials on the table.

"No problem, Ms Goyal. Let's get started." I replied, waving off her apology.

We dove straight into the meeting, discussing the intricate details of the hotel's design. Akriti was thorough and precise, her vision for the space aligning perfectly with what I had in mind. As the meeting progressed, I found myself increasingly impressed and somewhat mesmerized by her professionalism and attention to detail.

"These are the color schemes I've shortlisted," Akriti said, sliding a set of swatches across the table. "I think these tones will create a warm and inviting atmosphere for the guests."

I nodded, examining the samples. "I agree. These look good."

As we continued discussing various elements - the layout, the furniture, the lighting - I couldn't help but think about what Rajiv had told me.

Akriti and Yash were divorced.

Which meant she was single.

This information was a relief but also introduced a new layer of complexity to our interactions. I found myself more enchanted by her every minute, noticing the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her ideas and the slight smile that played on her lips when she explained her concepts.

Despite the weight of my personal concerns, I managed to stay engaged, appreciating Akriti's expertise and dedication.

As the meeting drew to a close, Akriti started to pack up her materials. I watched her for a moment, then cleared my throat. "Ms Goyal, before you leave, there's one more thing I'd like to discuss."

She looked up, slightly surprised. "Of course, Mr. Shah. What is it?" I signaled Rajiv to step out, and he complied.

"I have a personal favor to ask," I began, trying to keep my tone casual. "Would you be interested in helping with a renovation project? It's separate from the hotel work."

Her curiosity was piqued. "What kind of project is it?"

I reached for a folder on my desk and handed it to her. "It's a renovation of my penthouse. I believe your touch could really bring it to life."

Akriti opened the folder and began leafing through the documents. After a few moments, she looked up, her eyes bright with interest. "This looks like a fascinating project. I'd love to help. But-"

"Great," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Can we plan out a schedule that accommodates both the hotel and this personal project?"

She nodded, pulling out her planner. "Absolutely. Let's see how we can fit everything in."

We spent the next several minutes coordinating schedules and setting milestones for both projects. Her efficiency and enthusiasm were evident, and I felt confident that she was the right person for the job.