Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-17: Beneath Her Composure

Her mind was a storm, her heart a battlefield, and her soul was caught in the crossfire.

Manik's POV,

The clock ticked away relentlessly as I sat in my cabin, reviewing the schedule for the day. My eyes flicked to the time-10:10 a.m. She was late again. My jaw tightened as irritation flared in my chest. If there was one thing I despised, it was people who couldn't respect time. Last time I warned her, I had made it explicitly clear that punctuality was non-negotiable. And yet, here we were.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair to calm myself, though the anger bubbled dangerously close to the surface. A sharp knock on the door broke my thoughts. My tone was clipped when I barked, "Come in."

The door opened, and there she was-Nandini Murthy, walking in with her head down, looking almost like a guilty child caught red-handed. My gaze hardened as I stood, slamming the pen I'd been holding onto the desk.

"You're late. Again," I began, my voice cold and controlled. I watched her flinch slightly but remained silent.

"Do you have any idea how unprofessional this is?" I continued. "This is a workplace, not your playground where you can waltz in whenever you feel like it. I don't care if you were stuck in traffic, overslept, or were abducted by aliens-when I say 9:00 a.m., I mean 9:00 a.m.!"

Her head dipped lower, and finally, she muttered, "I'm sorry, Mr. Malhotra. It won't happen again."

I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Oh, you're sorry? How original. Do you even understand the value of time, Miss Murthy? Or is apologizing the only skill you've mastered?"

Her silence was answer enough. "Don't stand there like a statue. Get to work," I snapped, waving her off dismissively. "And bring me a coffee. Now."

I returned to my chair, trying to focus on the emails waiting for my attention, but the irritation lingered. A few minutes later, she returned, a steaming cup in her hands. She placed it carefully on my desk, her gaze avoiding mine. I reached for it, hoping a strong coffee would help me get through this miserable morning.

The first sip hit my tongue, and I immediately spat it back into the cup, disgust curling my lips. "What the hell is this?!" I exploded, slamming the cup down so hard that some of the liquid spilled onto the desk.

She jumped, visibly startled.

"Do you not know how to make a simple cup of coffee?" I demanded, standing up to tower over her. "Is this what you call professionalism? Or do you just enjoy wasting my time with this garbage?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "I'm... I'm sorry, sir. I'll-"

"Enough!" I cut her off. "I don't want your excuses. Leave my cabin. Right now."

She nodded quickly and scurried out, leaving me fuming. I pressed the intercom and ordered someone else to bring me a proper coffee, determined not to let her incompetence ruin my morning further.

I was finally beginning to feel productive when the intercom buzzed again. It was the receptionist.

"Sir, the investors have arrived. They're waiting for you in the conference room."

Damn it. I glanced at the clock-11:15 a.m. "I'll be there in a minute," I said curtly, hanging up.

Grabbing my phone, I pressed the intercom again. "Miss Murthy, come to my cabin. Now."

A minute later, she walked in, her demeanor as meek as before. "Yes, Mr. Malhotra?"

I didn't even look up. "Why didn't you inform me about the meeting with the investors?"