The next few days were filled with tension. Every meeting with Aryan turned into a battle of wills. They clashed over design changes, budget increases, and project timelines. Each time Aryan tried to assert his control, Maya pushed back with facts, figures, and logic. She refused to let him steamroll her decisions.
In one particularly heated meeting, Aryan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smug smile as he addressed the group. "If we incorporate the new luxury features I’ve suggested, we can position this project as the most prestigious development in the city. The additional costs are negligible in the grand scheme of things."
Maya’s eyes narrowed. "Negligible? We’re already pushing the budget limits, and adding luxury elements that weren’t in the original scope is irresponsible. It’s not just about throwing more money at the project, Aryan. It’s about maintaining the client’s vision and delivering on our promises."
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as the two locked eyes. Aryan’s smile faded slightly, and for a moment, he looked like he was going to snap back with one of his typical arrogant remarks. But instead, he leaned forward, his gaze intense. "The client hired us because they want something extraordinary, not something safe and ordinary. If we don’t push the boundaries, we’re going to miss an opportunity to make this a landmark project."
Maya’s heart raced. The challenge in his voice was unmistakable. He wasn’t just questioning her work; he was questioning her vision, her ability to take risks. The heat between them wasn’t just professional anymore—it was personal. She could feel it inthe way his eyes lingered on her, the tension between them crackling in the air like electricity.
But Maya wasn’t going to let Aryan see her falter. She held his gaze, refusing to back down. "I’m not afraid to take risks," she said firmly. "But I’m not going to gamble with our reputation just because you want to make a statement."
The meeting ended on a bitter note, with Aryan shooting her a final, challenging look before leaving the room. Maya’s pulse was still pounding in her ears as she watched him walk away, a knot of frustration and something else—something she didn’t want to acknowledge—tightening in her chest.
YOU ARE READING
"Bitter Hearts, Sweet Surrender"
Teen FictionMaya Sharma is a fiercely independent project manager at one of the country's leading architecture firms, determined to prove herself in a male-dominated world. Her life revolves around her career, with no room for distractions-especially not from a...
