Aurous Charms

16| Recipe for Disasters

Published on 19th August 2024.
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The chapter is unedited.
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♡⁠ Baramade purane hai, nayi si dhoop hai
Joh palkein khatkhata raha hai, kiska roop hai ♡

- S H L O K -

I stood in my office, trying to balance the decision that had been weighing on my mind for the past hour. It was flipping between two competing demands: the hotel construction site and the crucial client meeting that could make or break my next big deal.

Should I head over to the hotel to see Akriti or stay at the office to prepare for the upcoming client meeting?

It wasn't an easy choice!

For now, the answer seemed obvious: the client was more important.

But why did it feel so heavy, so complicated? Perhaps it was because this decision wasn't just about business. No, it felt like there was more at stake than just numbers and contracts. There was Akriti.

I knew she could handle herself — she was nothing if not resourceful, meticulous, and, above all, determined. She'd managed the design of this entire hotel project practically single-handedly. Yet, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that I was letting her down by prioritizing Mr Oberoi over her.

It wasn't rational, but feelings rarely were.

I stared out the window at the sprawling city below, buzzing with life. The hotel project had consumed so much of my energy these past few months, but recently, it wasn't just the construction that occupied my thoughts.

Akriti had slowly become woven into the fabric of my mind. Not just as a professional — though she was brilliant at her job — but as someone I had come to admire and respect deeply.

Was I starting to feel something more for her?

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. This wasn't the time for that. My company was at a critical juncture, and the client's deal was too important to risk. And as much as I valued Akriti's role in the project, I couldn't jeopardize this opportunity.

The client, Mr Oberoi, was a major player in the industry, and securing his business was crucial for our company as it would not only elevate our company's profile but also open doors to new ventures and partnerships. It wasn't just about making a good impression; it was about solidifying our future prospects. I had made my choice.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. A message from Mr Oberoi confirmed the meeting time. Decision made. I would meet the client first, and if things went well, maybe I could swing by the site later.

"Here we go." I grabbed my jacket and headed out the door.

The meeting with Mr Oberoi went as smoothly as I could have hoped. We sat across from each other in a polished conference room, with the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air as we exchanged pleasantries. Mr Oberoi was an imposing figure — tall, with an air of authority that made people sit up a little straighter in his presence.

Yet despite his commanding demeanor, he was courteous and charismatic, effortlessly making small talk before we dove into the more serious business at hand.

He was impressed with our progress and the vision we had for the hotel. We talked at length about market trends, potential collaborations and the future of Aurous. Mr Oberoi leaned in as we discussed the latest blueprints, his interest was evident as he asked insightful questions.