(Author's POV)
After Ashvik got all the information on Aradhaya, he made a plan. He wanted to do it perfectly. First, he would find a way to bring Aradhaya into his company as an intern. Then, he would slowly win her heart. It seemed like a simple, romantic plan, but no one knew what the future would hold.
He summoned Sanjh to his study, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the room.
"I want her in my world, breathing my air," Ashvik stated, his voice a low command. "She will be an intern at this company."
Sanjh, ever cheerful, pulled out a small notepad with a dramatic flourish. "Right. 'Operation: Win Over the Waitress'. Step one: Corporate infiltration. Step two: Charm offensive." He looked up, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "About step two..." He tapped his pen on his chin. "Charm her? Bhai, are we talking about the same Ashvik Rajvansh? Your version of charm is staring at someone until they confess a crime they didn't even commit."
Ashvik's expression remained unchanged, but his silence grew heavy.
"And of course, there's the small matter of her having a boyfriend, or a life, or just not being interested in emotionally unavailable billionaires," Sanjh continued, blissfully ignoring the warning signs.
Sanjh grinned, flipping a page. "I can see the headlines now: 'Billionaire CEO Attempts Human Interaction, Accidentally Causes City-Wide Power Outage'. Seriously, bro. pehele ye toh pata kar le usse koi aur pasand hai ya nahi and tu usse impress Karega pehele kabhi sidhe muh ladkiyo se baat bhi ki hai kya tune."
Ashvik slowly raised his head, and the playful atmosphere in the room evaporated. The look in his greenish-blue eyes was not one of anger, but of chillingly blank authority. It was a look that had made hardened criminals go pale.
Sanjh immediately stood up straight, clearing his throat. "Understood. Operation begins now. Professionalism mode: activated." He said saluting him like an officer on duty going to accomplish his mission.
Predictably, the first attempt was a failure. The dean refused. Sanjh reported back, slumping into a chair. "Bad news, boss. The dean said he has ethics and said he will not compromise with his principles."
Ashvik, who was reviewing a contract, didn't even look up. For a moment, he was utterly still. Then, he said two words with the casual air of someone ordering lunch.
"Buy it."
Sanjh blinked. "Buy... what the lunch?"
"The university," Ashvik clarified, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "Buy the university, Sanjh. Get me a seat on the board. And then pass a motion that makes internships mandatory."
"OK," Sanjh said, shaking his head in amused disbelief. "Why solve a problem when you can just throw a mountain of money at it? Remind me to never annoy you. I don't want to wake up and find out you've bought my apartment building just to change the Wi-Fi password."
For the chance to get close to one girl, he purchased an entire institution. For any other man, it would be an act of madness. For Ashvik Rajvansh, it was simply the cost of doing business. The business of her. And in his world, no price was too high for what he wanted.
Soon, the interviews came, and as decided, Aradhaya was immediately selected. Even if Ashvik was not in her favor, she would have definitely aced the interview with her talent and her dedication.
(ARADHAYA'S POV)
The interview was fab. It was my first real-time interview rather than my usual part-time compromising jobs. At first, I was very nervous, but by devil's grace, I aced the interview and got placed as an intern at my dream company. I was over the moon and called my only best friend from my teenage years, Ashvi. As soon as I exited the interview room, I found a secluded spot and called Ashvi with trembling hands.
"Ashu," my voice was a slight higher pitch. "Ashu meri jane jigar meri janeman guess what?"
"arey arey calm down Aru pata chal gaya tera interview aacha gaya and tujhe job mil gai hai," she replied, her voice full of laughter.
"Bilkul sahi issilye tu meri sabse priya sakhi hai," I was bubbling with excitement and jumping on my place.
"Aacha acha thik hai aab mai itni bhi khas nahi par aaj raat dinner ki treat teri taraf se mai already preparation kar chuki thi I knew it tu interview crack kar legi. Finally, aab mai tere paison pe aaish karugi. I am rich bitch I am rich hurray!..."
"O behen shant ho ja mujhe intern ki position mili hai company ki Malkin nahi bani hu jo itna uchle ja rahi hai," I brought her into reality.
"Khash teri company ka CEO koi sundar sushil handsome hot young ladka ho and usse tujhse pyar ho jay vo tere piche pagal ho and teri shadi usse ho jaye and tu rato raat company ki Malkin ban jaye," she said, cooking her khalayi pulav.
"Ek baat bata kahi tu meri dur ki koi nagin chachi toh nahi jo tu naha dhoke mere shadi ke piche padi hai. Vaise bhi I hate being tied into ties it suffocates me. Mai mar jaugi par shadi kabhi bhi nahi karugi," I said with determination. Love and relationships were never meant for me.
After the call, I completed my formalities. At night, I had dinner with Ashvi. We had a lot of fun and ended the day on a good note.
The next day, I was ready early for the office. I wore a white top with beige pants and minimal makeup. I reached the office before time, so I thought to grab a quick coffee. I was busy on my phone and with the coffee cup in my hand when I accidentally bumped into a man and my coffee spilled on my pretty white top, ruining it.
"shit. Aakhen hai ya button samne dekhke nahi chal sakte kya idiot meri poori dress kharab kar di."
The man was handsome and arrogant. He was simply watching me, not even apologizing, and I lost it.
"Aab kya andhe ke sath sath gunge bhi ho kya jo ek sorry bhi nahi bol sakte," I shouted at him.
"Excuse me you were also at mistake so even you can apologize," he stated.
Though I knew I was also at fault, I couldn't apologize.
"Thankyou so much gentleman for ruining my day and my dress. I really appreciate that," I said and went from there.
In the elevator, I met a kind woman named Shruti who offered me her blazer to cover the stain. "oh by the way I am Shruti," she said.
"hello I am Aradhaya and thank you so much shruti for saving my reputation on my first day," I sincerely thanked her.
(ARADHAYA'S POV: Later that day)
As soon as I reached my floor, I was shown to my designated desk. After our orientation, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the manager of our team was none other than Shruti. I felt a little relieved to see a friendly face.
Shruti was amazing. She gave me a tour of the sprawling office, drilled some important rules and instructions into me, and then explained my first task: analyzing a competitor's recent market report. Finally, some real work! I was ready to dive in.
I had barely opened the file when Shruti came to my desk, her expression a little nervous. "Aradhaya, you have a summons. Sanjh sir is here to see you. He is the secretary of our company's CEO."
I looked up to see a man in a sharp suit with a polite but unreadable smile. My heart started to beat a little faster. Shruti walked with me to meet him.
"Aradhaya, CEO sir is calling you on the 22nd floor," Sanjh said smoothly.
"Me?" I asked in a little shock. It was my first day. I hadn't done anything to get called by the CEO. My mind instantly went to the coffee incident. Could that arrogant man have complained about me?
Shruti must have seen the panic on my face. She pulled me aside for a moment as Sanjh waited patiently. "Listen," she whispered. "Remember one thing, he is short-tempered and rude, and on top of that, he hates women. You can use the private elevator to go on the 22nd floor."
My stomach dropped. Hates women? Perfect.
"No worries Shruti I will use the regular elevator," I said, wanting to avoid any special attention.
"It is not possible Aradhaya, as only the private elevator goes to the 22nd floor. The rest of the elevators can only go till the 21st floor," Shruti explained apologetically.
"ok," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I walked towards the private elevator, feeling the curious stares of the entire floor on my back.
The elevator was spacious and luxurious, but I was unable to enjoy it as my heart was thudding with fear. Why was I being called to the CEO's cabin?
When the doors opened on the 22nd floor, I was met with chilling silence. There was only a single, massive cabin door and a reception desk. And on top of that, even the receptionist was male. Wow, this man is strange. He despises women so much that he hasn't even hired a female receptionist for his own floor.
I walked towards the cabin door and saw the nameplate, etched in steel: "Ashvik Rajvansh – CEO, Rajvansh Empire". I took a deep, shaky breath, knocked on the door, and heard a faint, "Come in."
I entered. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light. A man was sitting at his desk, his back to me, looking out at the city through a floor-to-ceiling window. He was a powerful silhouette. Then, he turned.
Correction: a handsome man was sitting at his desk. And then I recognized him.
Boom. The biggest shock of my life. The man with whom I fought in the morning was none other than my new company's CEO.
"Gai Aradhaya, tu toh aaj gai. Job ka pehela din aur aaj hi tune CEO se panga le liya. Khash mujhe subah sorry bol dena chahiye tha. Abhi bol du kya?" (You're gone, Aradhaya. First day of the job and you messed with the CEO. I wish I had said sorry this morning. Should I say it now?) the question arose in my mind.
"Waah, aab tu sorry bolegi and ye maan hi jayege and bolege ki koi baat nahi aapki koi galti nahi thi," (Wow, you'll say sorry now and he'll agree and say it's okay, it wasn't your fault?) mocked my subconscious mind.
I was frozen, just thinking, when a cold and authoritative voice cut through the silence, pulling me from my panicked thoughts.
"Hello, Miss Aradhaya."
(ASHVIK'S POV: That Morning)
Today was just like any other regular day. I woke up, hit the gym. Breakfast was the usual affair. Dadu was on his favorite topic. "When will you give me a great-grandchild, Ashvik? All my friends are playing with their grandchildren!"
"I'm busy building an empire, Dadu," I replied, my eyes on the financial reports.
"What's the point of an empire if you have no queen?" he grumbled.
For the first time, his words actually hit a mark. An image of a fierce girl with hazel eyes flashed in my mind. Today was different. I felt an unfamiliar buzz under my skin, something dangerously close to excitement. I decided to use the employee entrance.
When I was walking, I accidentally bumped into someone, and I got furious. Where the hell was that person's attention? As soon as I was about to lash out on whoever was in front of me, I saw her. The person who had my whole attention, my world had started to revolve around her in only one night.
And before I could even understand how to react, she snapped and started scolding me. Wow, like absolutely stunning. Only she has the audacity to raise her voice on me. She was just looking pretty due to anger; her nose was red and I just wished I could pinch that nose of hers. Here my fire, my Aradhaya, is blaming me for her mistake. That's why she is my ladaku viman (fighter jet). Now my first day will be fun. I would love it when I will show her who I am.
(Later that day, in his office)
I watched the dot on my screen that represented the private elevator making its ascent. She was coming. The game was about to begin. When I heard the knock, I let a small, predatory smile touch my lips before schooling my features back into a cold mask. "Come in," I commanded.
I waited, my back to the door, letting the silence build. I could practically feel her nervousness radiating from across the room. I turned slowly, savoring the moment. I watched the wave of recognition, then shock, then pure, unadulterated panic wash over her beautiful face. It was even more satisfying than I had imagined.
I let her stand there, lost in her internal battle, for a full minute. Finally, I spoke, my voice cold and calm.
"Hello, Miss Aradhaya."
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