REDEMPTION IN LOVE

TENSION AND TEASES

I woke up the next morning, my mind instantly alert. Today was the day. The first official meeting with Araav Raghuvanshi. After our little banter last night, I wasn’t sure what to expect. He seemed... interesting. Confident, perhaps a little too much. But then again, so was I.

As I got dressed, the feeling of anticipation buzzed through me. I picked a black pantsuit, sharp and fitting, something that would say, “I’m not here to play games.” I needed to be taken seriously in this meeting, not just as the girl who took over her father’s position but as someone who could run the show.

My team and I reached the building earlier than scheduled. The structure loomed above us, sleek and modern, but there was something about it, dark, mysterious.

It gave off an eerie vibe, yet strangely, it didn’t unsettle me. Instead, it was oddly comforting, like the feeling of stepping into the unknown but knowing you were ready for whatever was waiting.

“Quite the place,” one of my employees murmured, looking up at the tall building.

I nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The lobby was vast, its polished floors reflecting the overhead lights. We were directed to the conference room on one of the upper floors, and as the elevator doors opened, my heart raced just a little. I wasn't nervous more like... ready.

And then, there he was. Araav Raghuvanshi. He stood leaning against the wall outside the conference room, scrolling through his phone, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes flickered up when he sensed our approach, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Tanvi.” His voice was casual, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Didn’t think you'd show up this early. Eager to impress?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Eager to get this over with, more like.” I shot back, not missing a beat.

He chuckled softly. “Fair enough.”

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he straightened up, pocketing his phone. As we approached the door, one of my employees stepped forward to open it, but Araav beat them to it, smoothly reaching out to push the door open.

“Allow me,” he said, glancing at me with that same teasing smile. “Wouldn’t want you to tire yourself out before the meeting even starts.”

I fought the smile threatening to tug at my lips. “How thoughtful,” I said, stepping through the doorway. “But don’t think for a second I’ll go easy on you in there.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, his tone matching mine perfectly.

The conference room was bright and professional, in stark contrast to the dark aura outside. As I took my seat at the table, I couldn’t help but feel a small surge of excitement. This was going to be fun.

Araav's pov

I leaned against the wall outside the conference room, glancing at my phone but not really paying attention to anything on the screen. My mind was elsewhere, waiting for her. It had been five years since I fell for Tanvi, and even though she never had a clue, my feelings for her had only deepened over time. I kept things professional, of course, but it was getting harder, especially now that we’d be working together closely.

When I saw her step out of the elevator, walking with that quiet confidence, my heart did something it hadn’t done in a long time, it skipped a beat.

Tanvi had always been striking, but today there was something more, something, commanding about her presence. The sharp black pantsuit she wore highlighted her authority, and yet, to me, it only added to her beauty.