Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 26 - Vienna Roast

Hello everyone!  I'm here with a (self-labelled early) update (:  The real story is just beginning, so I'm hope you guys will enjoy it even more now!

Thank you for all the support!  Take care <3

--

I headed to the office early in the morning after the sleepless night. My thoughts were as frazzled as ever, but there was one thing I was sure of: I didn't want anything to do with her now.

I cursed the day I overlooked our past and decided to hire her on the basis of her abilities. It would be unfair of me otherwise, but what about how unfair it was for me to have to look at her every day and be reminded of her betrayal every single day?

"Avantika, ask Solanki and Agarwal to see me in the office as soon as they are both in the office," I told her over the phone. "Yea sure Sir, anything else?"

"Yes actually, could you also ask the HR team to send our team of lawyers to see me before noon."

"Of course, I'll do that right away."

"Thanks Avantika, see you soon," I hung up.

It was time for damage control now.

—

"Mr. Solanki, Sir has asked to see you and Ms. Agarwal as soon as possible!"

Mr. Solanki looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "I wonder what he could want now, the presentation isn't until later today."

I held a blank expression on my face, though with much difficulty. I knew exactly what was going on.

—

"Good of you to join me so soon, I actually had some news to share with you. Ms. Agarwal, I'm sorry to say but you have been terminated from this internship. You may use our company as a reference but unfortunately, you may not continue working at the Shekhawat Corporation," I spoke clearly, intentionally looking at her in the eye with all the courage I could muster.

She almost looked as if she was expecting this, but turns out I wasn't wrong. Heck, she was prepared for this to happen.

—

"Mr. Shekhawat, I have rejected all of my other offers of internship in order to work here. Now unless Mr. Solanki has a problem with my work or I have somehow disobeyed the company policies, I am legally entitled to work here - not to mention you are legally obliged to let me work here." My throat felt parched, but I spoke through it. I was just about done with being treated like an object... There's no way I'm tolerating anymore nonsense. Enough is enough.

The tension in the air hung densely enough that even Mr. Solanki began to understand that there was something off between Randhir and I.

"I am the CEO of this company Ms. Agarwal," he said nonchalantly, reading through some papers. Or should I say avoiding eye contact purposely. "If I have taken a decision, it is for the better of the company!"

"Randhir, what's going on?" Mr. Solanki asked, concerned about the unfolding events. "Ms. Agarwal could you excuse us for a moment?"

I agreed and stepped out, furious at how Randhir was handling our situation.

—

"What happened between the two of you? Only a week ago you were talking about her capabilities with a strange sort of pride, and now you are pretending as if she is nothing but a liability to the company. Look I know there is something between you two that you aren't telling me about, but you've always been one to preach about not mixing up one's personal and professional lives. Just think about this before making a rash decision."

Vishal walked off after his little speech, leaving me in doubt. I knew I was acting against my better judgement, but all this was too much. And as if things couldn't get any worse, Sanyukta came storming in. I sighed; "Ms. Agarwal I'd prefer it if you don't try to talk to me right now. I don't have time to listen to you."

Her nose flared as she slammed her folders on my desk. "Randhir," but I interrupted her, standing up from the chair.

"It's Mr. Shekhawat for you Ms. Agarwal. And now if you don't mind, the door is to your left. Please see yourself out," my voice bordering the ferocity of a growl.

"Fine, but hear me out loud and clear, I will NOT let you bring our personal conflicts in between our professional lives. If you don't want to see my face, then shift me to another floor. In fact I'll make sure we don't even come across each other. But this internship is now my last resort. Don't you dare even try taking that away from me because of personal problems." Her voice wavered a little but she held her posture and left, leaving me in deep thought.

Was I right in doing this?

I pulled my phone out; "Vidu, I need to talk to you."

—

"Parth, I need to talk to you!"

—

I had just finished talking to Randhir who called me over for dinner today when I saw Parth agreeing for some plan too. "What happened? You look worried!"

He turned to me, "Sanyu just called... She said she needed to talk to me."

"Whaat? Really? Even Randhir asked me to meet up tonight."

We looked at each other, understanding what this was all about; "Riaan!" Oh this wasn't going to be pleasant.

—

"Randhir have you completely lost it?" she sighed. "If you were going to do this, then why bother hiring her in the first place?"

"You don't get it Vidu, I was okay until I found out why she left me... I hired her because I knew she deserved it, but now, now seeing her will only remind me of her betrayal!"

"Betrayal? Randhir you and I both know that if either one of us had been in that situation, we would've done the same thing!"

I was about to interrupt but she didn't let me; "I know her leaving you without an explanation wasn't right, but you can't judge her for falling weak once in her life! I never liked her back then, especially after seeing how she broke you, but after talking to her and finding out what happened, I don't blame her for making a choice that she believed was right. The circumstances were to blame, and although she shouldn't have cowered, she is only human!"

Angry tears fell before I could stop myself. "It just hurts Vidushi. All my life I've craved to be with someone who won't leave me. And I really thought - heck, I believed - that Sanyu was that one person who would never leave me, come what may."

I laughed as I wiped off the tears (which only made room for more though). "I'm here na? I won't ever leave you Randhir!" she hugged me, but I wish I had the strength to believe anyone now.

—

"Sanyu you have to understand his point of view too!"

"I am!" I said with exasperation, "but he needs to understand that he needs to keep our matters aside and think about my situation! Parth, I need this internship so I can provide for Riaan! I can't ask for more favours from Ankit, he's done so much for me already! If I hadn't rejected all the other offers, I would've still respected Randhir's wishes. But what about my future? This is the only way up for me, and I can't let him throw it away just because of my mistakes from the past!"

I leaned back on the chair, rubbing my temples together.

"I'm sure he will realize it soon enough Sanyu, but just tell him that! Tell him why. Don't just expect him to understand! I know you need this job, but think about how difficult it must be for him! I know you well enough to know that you probably fought back right away, but just try explaining your situation to him calmly." I sat still for a bit... but he was right, as usual. "You have always been the most mature one out of us all, haven't you?" I smiled despite feeling so low.

"And you guys, the most impulsive and hot-tempered!" he smirked.

—

I'm not looking forward to this, the two thought in unison as they picked up their phones.