Bridging Hearts

6. That Went Better Than Expected

Her

The next morning, I was more than ready to escape the house and all thoughts of Dante. Work was my sanctuary, a place where I could be myself without anyone-especially Dante-getting on my nerves. As soon as I stepped into the design studio, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Urvi was already there, hunched over a table littered with fabric swatches and design sketches. She looked up and grinned as soon as she saw me.

"Hey, Tara! You're here early," she said, pushing her glasses up her nose. "What's the occasion?"

I dropped my bag onto my desk and sighed dramatically. "If you had the weekend I did, you'd understand."

Urvi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, do tell. This sounds juicy."

I plopped down into the chair beside her, rolling my eyes. "Juicy isn't quite the word I'd use. More like infuriating. Dante is driving me up the wall."

Urvi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Dante? Who is that ?"

"Both he and bhaiya are CEOs of QuantumTech..."

"Ooooh, got it, got it, got it....continue."

I launched into a detailed rant about our morning jog and the insufferable breakfast outing afterward. Urvi listened intently, her expression a mix of amusement and sympathy.

"And then, he had the nerve to act all smug about knowing how to get back home!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "He's so infuriating. I can't stand him."

Urvi laughed, shaking her head. "Sounds like someone's got a bit of a crush."

I stared at her in horror. "A crush? On Mr. Grump? Are you out of your mind?"

She shrugged, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Hey, just saying. Sometimes these things start with a lot of friction."

"Trust me, there's nothing there," I said firmly. "He's six years older than me and the most annoying person I've ever met."

Urvi leaned back in her chair, studying me. "What does he look like, anyway? I'm curious."

I hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. He's tall, got this brooding, handsome look with dark hair and these piercing eyes. He's fit, obviously. But none of that matters because he's an absolute nightmare to be around."

Urvi's grin widened. "Sounds like a total hottie to me."

I felt a strange flutter in my stomach at her words, but I quickly pushed it away. "Ew, no! He might look good, but his personality makes him completely undateable."

Urvi wasn't convinced. "Uh-huh, sure. Keep telling yourself that."

I pretended to gag, rolling my eyes dramatically. "I wouldn't date him if he were the last man on earth. I'd rather be alone forever than deal with his nonsense."

Urvi laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. But seriously, you should try to get along with him. For Arjun's sake."

I groaned, slumping in my chair. "I know. I'm trying, but it's hard when he's so... Dante."

We spent the rest of the morning working on our latest project, but my mind kept drifting back to Dante. No matter how hard I tried to push thoughts of him away, they kept creeping back in. When lunchtime rolled around, Urvi and I took a break to grab some food from a nearby café. As we ate, she kept teasing me about Dante, and I did my best to brush it off, but the fluttery feeling in my stomach wouldn't go away.

I could imagine myself touching the sculpted contours of his muscles, feeling his breath hot on my skin as he whispered sweet nothings in my ear -

Nope, I told myself firmly. Nope, nope, nope and a big fat nope.

He's just another annoyance in my life. And I had no intention of letting him be anything more.

Him

The boardroom was filled with a palpable energy as Arjun and I prepared for our meeting with our potential new clients. The representatives from the other company had just arrived, and we exchanged firm handshakes, introductions flowing smoothly.

Arjun began the meeting with a polished introduction, his voice steady and confident. "Thank you for joining us today. We're excited about the possibilities this collaboration could bring."

I watched the clients' faces, noting their attentive expressions. Arjun had a way of drawing people in, and it was clear they were hooked. He continued, outlining our company's strengths and vision with an ease that came from years of experience.

When it was my turn, I stood and walked to the presentation screen, clicking to the first slide. "Our approach focuses on innovative solutions and sustainable growth," I began, making eye contact with each client. "We believe in creating value that not only benefits our companies but also impacts the broader community."

As I spoke, I could see the clients nodding along, their interest piqued. I highlighted our recent projects, showcasing the success we had achieved and the positive feedback from our partners. Arjun chimed in seamlessly, adding stories that reinforced our points and added a personal touch to our pitch.

The clients were engaged, asking questions and seeking clarifications. Arjun and I responded with precision, our synergy evident. We had spent countless hours preparing for this moment, and it was paying off. The clients were clearly impressed with our professionalism and vision.

One of the clients, Mr. Mehra, leaned forward, his interest evident. "Your track record is impressive. But what sets you apart from others in the industry?"

Arjun smiled, glancing at me before answering. "It's our commitment to innovation and our deep understanding of market trends. We don't just follow the market; we anticipate its needs and stay ahead of the curve."

I nodded, adding, "And we place a strong emphasis on sustainability. Our goal is to create long-term value that benefits not just our companies, but also the communities we operate in."

Mr. Mehra exchanged glances with his colleagues, clearly impressed. "That's exactly the kind of partnership we're looking for."

The rest of the meeting flowed smoothly, with detailed discussions about our proposed plans and the potential benefits for both companies. We covered every aspect, from financial projections to implementation strategies, leaving no stone unturned.

By the end of the meeting, the clients were convinced. Mr. Mehra stood up, extending his hand. "We're in. Let's move forward with this partnership."

Arjun and I exchanged a satisfied look as we shook hands with each of the clients, sealing the deal. The sense of accomplishment was palpable, but we kept our composure, knowing that this was just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.

As the clients left, Arjun turned to me, a grin spreading across his face. "That went better than expected."

I nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "Absolutely. They were impressed, and rightfully so. We've got a solid plan and a great team to back it up."

We headed back to our office, where the rest of our team awaited the news. After a brief recap and some congratulatory words, Arjun and I found ourselves alone again, discussing the next steps.

"We need to decide what to do with the profit this deal is going to bring in," Arjun said, leaning back in his chair.

I agreed, "Yeah, but let's not rush it. We've got time to figure it out."

Arjun nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You're right. Let's discuss it later. For now, we should go celebrate."

"Sounds like a plan," I said, feeling a rare sense of relaxation wash over me. "Let's get out of here and enjoy the victory."

As we left the office, I couldn't help but think about how much work lay ahead. But for now, we had earned a moment to celebrate our success. And I was determined to make the most of it.

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