Roy Textiles
Aadhya stormed off, still fuming from her unexpected collision with Adhvik. Her cheeks were flushed with anger, and her footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Behind her, Adhvik stood frozen, speechless, stunned… and strangely amused.
Rajat, watching the whole scene unfold, maintained his composure, but a flicker of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Rajat (thinking):
"Boss has finally met his match. Someone who doesn't melt at his gaze, but burns him with her fire."
Just then, Diya appeared, her eyes widening as she saw her brother standing there. She immediately knew something unusual had just happened.
Adhvik gestured for her to follow him, walking briskly to his private cabin on the 25th floor—a space few dared enter.
Inside, Diya asked, "Bhai, you're here? Without telling anyone?"
Adhvik (sternly): "You're forgetting where you are. Here, I'm not your brother—I'm your boss."
Diya (smiling): "Sorry, sir."
He softened. "Call me 'bhai' when no one's around. But in the office, be professional."
She nodded playfully. "Okay, bhai."
Without wasting a second, he asked, "Do you know a girl named Aadhya?"
Diya, hiding her grin, replied innocently, "Who's Aadhya, bhai? I don't know anyone here. Just joined today."
Adhvik raised an eyebrow, leaned forward, and asked again, "Really? You don't know Aadhya?"
Diya chuckled, "Why are you so interested in her? Wait—do you like her?"
Without hesitation, Adhvik replied, "She's your bhabhi. So yes—address her properly."
Diya's jaw dropped.
"Bhabhi?!" she repeated in disbelief.
The grumpy, workaholic brother who barely gave any girl a second glance had just confessed his feelings.
She squealed, "Are you serious, bhai?"
Adhvik: "More serious than I've ever been."
Diya's joy knew no bounds. Finally, someone had broken through her brother's icy walls.
As requested, she spilled everything—how she met Aadhya, the group bonding, and Reema's bullying. Adhvik listened carefully, and his jaw clenched at the mention of Reema's misuse of power.
Just then, Diya forwarded him a photo she had clicked of the group in the morning.
Seeing Aadhya's smiling face, a rare warmth spread across Adhvik's expression.
Diya (thinking):
"You've truly cast a spell, Aadhya. If you can make my brother smile like that… you must be something special."
Moments later, his expression darkened again. "It's time Reema learned a lesson."
Storm at the Secretariat
Adhvik exited his cabin with Rajat and headed straight to the secretarial department, just outside Karan's cabin.
Reema, seeing Adhvik approach, jumped up nervously.
Reema: "Sir, you're here suddenly? Was there something urgent?"
Adhvik (coldly): "Do I need your permission to enter my own company? Since when did the COO's secretary become the gatekeeper?"
Her face paled.
Reema (stammering): "N-no, sir. That's not what I meant—"
Adhvik (cutting her off): "Save your excuses. You didn't know the CEO had been here for thirty minutes. You call this doing your job?"
He didn't stop there.
Adhvik (snapping): "Your bonus this month? Canceled. Let this be your first and last warning."
Turning to Rajat, he ordered, "Inform accounts immediately."
Rajat: "Yes, sir."
Just then, Karan stepped out of his cabin, surprised.
Karan: "Bhai? What's going on?"
Adhvik: "Your secretary needs a reality check. She's more interested in power plays than professionalism. Keep her in line."
Karan (nodding): "Understood."
Reema stood frozen, watching her image crumble in front of the man she liked.
Reema (thinking):
"No… I won't let this ruin my standing. I'll fix this—I have to."
As Adhvik and Karan walked inside, the other secretaries shared secret smiles. Justice had finally been served.
Inside Karan's Cabin
Karan: "So… Bhai, what brings you here?"
Adhvik: "The international project I handed to you—I'm taking personal charge. I'll be visiting regularly from now on."
Karan (surprised): "Okay… noted."
Rajat (knocking): "Sir, your meeting with the American clients is in fifteen minutes."
Adhvik: "Arrange it in my cabin."
Rajat: "Yes, sir."
Adhvik: "Also, schedule a company-wide meeting in the auditorium after lunch."
Karan: "Alright."
As Adhvik walked out, the entire floor fell into silent attention.
His thoughts, however, were far from work.
Adhvik (thinking):
"Just a little longer. After lunch… I'll see you again."
"You're the only one who has ever dared to stand against me... and I've never been more eager to lose."
Design Department – A New Friendship
Back at her desk, Aadhya resumed her work. Sitting beside her was Raghav, who had been watching her since morning with growing admiration.
Raghav: "Hey, you're new, right?"
Aadhya: "Yeah. First day."
Raghav (smiling): "If you need any help, I'm here."
Aadhya: "Thanks."
Raghav (nervous): "So… Can we be friends?"
Aadhya (smiling): "Sure."
Their friendly exchange continued, and Raghav helped her navigate the system and tools.
Canteen – Lunch Break
Diya: "Guys, I'm starving. Let's head to the canteen."
Aadhya: "Let's go. Raghav, you coming?"
Raghav: "Absolutely."
At the canteen, Eva and Ruhi were already waiting. Everyone introduced themselves and sat down.
Ruhi (noticing): "Aadhya, what's wrong? You seem tense."
Aadhya explained everything—including her encounter with the arrogant man from earlier.
At the word "collision," Diya choked on her food.
Eva: "What are you doing, Diya? Eat slowly!"
Diya (nervously): "Sorry, just swallowed wrong."
Ruhi: "Anyway… what's Reema's deal with you?"
Aadhya: "No clue. She just seems... threatened?"
Raghav: "She's always like that. People say Karan sir likes her—that's why she behaves like she owns the place."
Eva & Diya (instantly): "WHAT?! That can't be true!"
Ruhi: "Why are you both so shocked?"
Eva (quickly): "I mean… Karan sir and Reema? Ew."
Aadhya & Raghav (together): "Exactly!"
They looked at each other and laughed.
But none of them noticed that someone was watching.
From the top floor, Adhvik stood silently, arms folded, eyes fixed on the girl who had unknowingly stirred something inside him.
His gaze was sharp… burning… possessive.
His fists clenched.
His jaw tightened.
His heart pounded.
And the storm… was just beginning.