THE PRINCE WHO LOVED ME

11

Yamini's eyes widened in horror as she shot him a sharp look. 

Yamini : What ? 

she exclaimed and her is voice cracking. She looked like she was about to panic, but then Rudransh burst out laughing.

Rudransh : Relax ! 

He chuckled by leaning back and his hands up in mock surrender. 

Rudransh : I'm just pulling your leg. I was kidding.

He grinned playfully by watching her visibly deflate. 

Rudransh : But, you know, with the way things are nowadays, there's no safety for men. Women like you, you're dangerous.

He added with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

Yamini's brows furrowed in confusion, but she was still tense. Rudransh could see the unease creeping over her as her mind tried to process what he was saying. He softened his expression, letting her off the hook. 

Rudransh : Alright, alright. I was just joking.

He said with a chuckle.

Yamini stared at him for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze. She exhaled slowly, her posture stiffening again. 

Yamini : You're... you're really something, Rudransh.

He smiled, enjoying the way she seemed to be trying to regain control of the situation. 

Rudransh : So !

He said by  changing the subject, 

Rudransh : let's get to the important stuff. Why'd you kiss me that night ? Why you're trying to make your ex jealous ? 

He asked it half-playfully, but there was an undercurrent of genuine curiosity in his tone.

Yamini's expression shifted, a shadow falling over her features. She turned her head, glancing out the window for a moment, before facing him again. There was something in her eyes that told him this was more than just a passing moment of drunken impulse.

Yamini : Raghav is his name.

 She said and her  voice is darkening with distaste. 

Yamini : He's just after my money. And when I found out he was cheating on me... I lost it. That kiss....it wasn't about you. It was about showing him I didn't care anymore.

She paused by  looking down at her hands as if the admission was hard to make. 

Yamini : I wanted him to know that I didn't need him, that I could be the one to control the situation for once.

Rudransh nodded slowly, taking in her words. He could hear the bitterness in her voice, the lingering hurt. It wasn't just about a kiss, it was about something deeper. He could see that now.

Rudransh : I get it.

He said quietly by leaning forward. 

Yamini's gaze flickered to him, her expression softening just a little. 

Yamini : But it doesn't matter anymore. I'm done with him.

There was a long silence between them, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. Rudransh could feel the tension lifting slightly, the awkwardness fading into something more real something genuine.

Rudransh : So ?

He said bh  finally breaking the silence with a smirk.

Rudransh : Since  we've got that out of the way... how about we talk business ? 

Yamini gave him a small, appreciative smile, the edge of tension finally leaving her shoulders. 

Yamini : Yeah ! 

She replied by straightening in her chair. 

Yamini : Let's talk business.

But even as she focused on the work ahead, Rudransh couldn't help but wonder if this meeting, this unexpected encounter wasn't just about the project they were about to embark on. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to this story than he'd originally thought.

Rudransh cleared his throat, his playful smirk still lingering as he leaned back in his chair. 

Rudransh : Alright, let's get down to business.

He said and his tone is shifting to professional once again. 

Rudransh : I need a pitch from you for our upcoming ice cream promotion. Something fresh. Bold. You know, like your usual style. Think outside the box, and take your time to nail the concept.

Yamini raised an eyebrow at him, clearly processing the change in dynamic. Gone was the teasing, playful exchange, and in its place was the professional side of Rudransh, the senior marketing manager, the decision-maker of Yummy bites food comapny. She quickly recovered her composure, picking up the details he had handed over, and scanned them thoughtfully.

Yamini : Got it ! 

She said and her voice is steady. 

Yamini : I'll need about a week to finalise everything. Time to research, brainstorm, and put together something that will really wow you.

Rudransh nodded in  appreciative of her directness. 

Rudransh : Take your time. I know you'll come up with something great.

He stood up by  adjusting his shirt 

Rudransh : I'll be waiting for the presentation. But no pressure.

He added with a wink and his tone is laced with a touch of sarcasm.

Yamini let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh of relief as she stood too, walking him to the door. 

Yamini : No pressure at all, Rudransh.

She replied with a tight smile, though her mind was already racing ahead, formulating ideas.

He paused at the door and turned to face her one last time. 

Rudransh : Thanks, Yamini. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

She nodded and her professional mask is  back in place. 

Yamini : You'll see it soon enough.

With that, Rudransh left her office, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Yamini stood there for a moment, the silence in the room suddenly feeling heavy. She closed the door behind him, taking a deep breath, and then...

'Facepalm.'

The realization hit her all at once. 'Her handsome stranger' the man she had kissed without a second thought at the pub was now her 'client'.  The irony was too much to handle.

Her palm pressed against her forehead as she shook her head, laughing under her breath at the absurdity of it all. 

Yamini : Of course !

She muttered and her voice is dripping with disbelief. 

Yamini : Of course he's my client now.

 She leaned against her desk, running a hand through her hair, trying to process the bizarre turn of events. The handsome stranger who had left her flustered and impulsive was now going to be the one sitting across from her, evaluating her ideas.

...........

How's the chapter ? 

They've dealt the awkward situation coolely.