Shattered Hearts: A Journey Through Darkness and Redemption

[10] Sexual Tension

The sun was about to rise by the time I was about to finally leave the office, the faint light filtering through the tall windows of my conference room.

The last two days had been a whirlwind of negotiations, power, calculations, and strategy. 

The Spectrum Corp deal was crucial, a high-stakes game where the slightest mistake could cost me more than just money. 

It could cost me my reputation, my power, everything I had meticulously built in the business world.

Vasishta Chauhan had been tough, as expected. 

The old man was shrewd, his every word calculated, his every move a deliberate attempt to gain the upper hand.

He underestimated me, just like everyone else does, and I despise it. 

It's that underestimation that shaped who I am today. 

My proposal was flawless, a masterstroke that left him no room to maneuver. 

By the end of the meeting, he was left with no choice but to accept.

As I walked out of the boardroom, the weight of the last 2 days pressed heavily on my shoulders, but the victory was sweet. 

I knew I had won and the deal was mine.

Yet, as I made my way toward the elevators, a thought kept nagging at the back of my mind, a thought I couldn't quite shake: 

MY WIFE.

All this time, she kept slipping into my mind. 

I couldn't help but think about her. 

I had told her to come home early, practically ordered her to, and yet... I hadn't come home myself. 

I hadn't even informed her that I wouldn't be there.

For a moment, a flicker of guilt crept up on me, 

Would she have waited for me? 

Would she have wondered where I was?

Maybe someday she would, 

I told myself...

Or maybe, I just wanted her to.

The elevator doors opened, pulling me from my thoughts. 

Vikram was waiting for me in the lobby, his expression a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. 

"It's done," he said, handing me a folder with the finalized agreement. 

"They've signed."

"Of course they will," I replied, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. 

"No one says no to a deal like that."

Vikram nodded, but there was a look in his eyes, something hesitant. 

"You did well, Aadarsh. But you know, you didn't have to stay all night. We could've handled the final details."

"I couldn't risk it," I said, my tone firm. 

"This deal had to be sealed perfectly. I don't leave anything to chance, you know that."

He didn't argue, but the concern in his eyes didn't fade. 

"You should get some rest. You've been pushing yourself too hard."

I waved him off, already heading toward the exit. 

"I'm fine. I'll sleep when I'm dead."

Vikram sighed, shaking his head as he followed me toward the exit.