Shiddat

Chapter 27

The Rathore boardroom buzzed with tension. Arjun Rathore, seated at the head of the table, tapped his fingers rhythmically on the polished wood. Around him sat the key members: Rohan and their trusted advisors. The air was thick with anticipation as they reviewed the latest updates on the Dubai project—a project that had become a battleground between the Rathores and Rajputs.

Arjun leaned back in his chair, his piercing brown eyes scanning the room. He began, his deep voice commanding attention. "The Rajputs have secured key positions in the Dubai deal. For now, I've decided that our team will work directly from the Rajput office."

The room fell silent. Rohan's eyes widened slightly in surprise, while others' brows furrowed with concern. The tension between the Rathores and Rajputs was well-known, and the idea of working within enemy territory was both daring and dangerous.

The meeting continued with discussions on logistics and security measures. By the time it concluded, the Rathores had a clear plan in place.

As the meeting wrapped up, the office shifted into the usual lunch break routine. Employees trickled out of their offices, heading towards the cafeteria for a much-needed break. The chatter of conversations and the clinking of cutlery could be heard as everyone settled in for their meals.

However, Ananya remained at her desk, lost in thought. She could still feel the weight of Arjun's words from their brief encounter in the elevator earlier that morning. His tone had been stern, yet there was a flicker of something else—concern, perhaps—that she couldn't shake off. She replayed the conversation in her mind, trying to decipher the emotions behind his commanding exterior.

With renewed determination, she decided to go to Arjun's office. Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached his door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on his office door, ready to face whatever awaited her on the other side.

"Come in," Arjun's deep voice resonated from within.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Arjun was standing by the window, his back to her, gazing out at the city. The tension in the room was palpable. He turned around slowly, his piercing brown eyes locking onto hers, the air between them heavy with unspoken words.

Ananya took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Earlier, in the lift, you said you wanted to talk."

Arjun's gaze darkened slightly, and he paused, his eyes narrowing as he recalled their recent car ride. His mind flashed back to the memory of her deliberately avoiding acknowledgment as Mrs. Rathore in front of others. A muscle ticked in his jaw as the scene replayed in his mind, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.

He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a tone that was both controlled and demanding. "What was that?"

Ananya's heart skipped a beat at Arjun's question, but she held her ground, refusing to let the intensity of his gaze intimidate her. Standing this close, she felt the full force of his presence, and it took every ounce of her strength to hold her ground.

"I..." Ananya began, struggling to find the right words. "It's not that I don't want to be acknowledged. It's just... everything happened so quickly. And I.."

Arjun's silence stretched, his eyes searching her face as if trying to read her true intentions. He took a step closer, closing the distance between them, and Ananya felt a shiver run down her spine. He was close enough now that she could feel the warmth of his body, making her acutely aware of how vulnerable she felt.

"We're having our reception party this weekend." Arjun finally spoke, his voice soft but firm, cutting through the tension with precision. There was a hint of something else in his tone—a challenge, perhaps, or a demand for her to justify herself.