The day started like any other Tuesday. Akshara Mehra woke up at 5:30 AM to the sound of the temple bells in her neighborhood. Her life was a study in discipline. By 8:45 AM, she was stepping out of a local train, her saree draped to perfection, her hair pulled into a sleek bun that meant business.
She entered the Singhania building, and the atmosphere shifted. The security guards straightened their caps; the receptionists stopped whispering. Akshara didn't just work here; she kept the heart of the building beating.
"Morning, Akshara! Did you see the memo about the merger?" Neha from HR whispered, leaning over the counter.
"I wrote the memo, Neha," Akshara replied with a polite but firm smile. "And if you're reading it, it means you're late for the morning sync."
Akshara walked into Vihaan's office. It smelled like expensive leather and sandalwood. Vihaan was already there, staring at a monitor. He didn't look up, but he knew it was her. He could identify the sound of her footsteps in a crowded stadium.
"You're three minutes early," he remarked, his voice a deep baritone that usually sent shivers down the spines of his directors.
"And you've already had two espressos. Your heart rate will be up by the 10:00 AM meeting," she countered, placing a cup of mild green tea on his desk. "Drink this. And sign these. The labor union is waiting."
This was their rhythm. A dance of efficiency and unspoken understanding.
For four years, she had been his shadow. She knew his coffee temperature, his mood swings, and the way he tightened his jaw when he was lying. She thought she was safe in this bubble of professional respect.
She was wrong.
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Author's Note:
Welcome to the first chapter! I wanted to show how perfect their working relationship was before it all goes south. Do you think a man like Vihaan can ever truly respect an employee, or is she just a high-functioning tool to him?