At dinner, Aryan and Sanjana sat opposite each other. She didn’t utter a word to him. Aryan had hoped that after their conversation in the office, she would return to normal, but her expression told him otherwise. He sighed internally, realizing he was back at square one. Sanjana finished her dinner in silence and left for her room, not waiting for him.
Later that night, Aryan entered her room and noticed the untouched tablets on her table. Picking them up, he poured a glass of water and walked over to her.
“You need not do this. I can take care of myself, Mr. Chaitanya,” Sanjana said, her voice laced with defiance.
Aryan’s sharp gaze met hers. “What are you looking at? Your rules apply only in the office,” she challenged.
“I know, sweetheart,” he said smoothly. “Take the tablets and let me leave for my room.”
She took them hesitantly, and Aryan left with a smirk playing on his lips.
The next day, Sanjana reached the office before Aryan and waited for the lift. A voice called out to her.
“Ms. Sanjana, I’m Manasi.”
Sanjana turned to see a woman approaching her. “I’m the finance head, working on the 35th floor.”
“Okay, nice to meet you, Ms. Manasi.” Sanjanar spoke since she didn’t want to be rude.
“Just call me Manasi.” she said and Sanju bobed her head.
Manasi’s eyes scanned her outfit. “Why are you dressed in a kurti? You’re Aryan’s PA. Shouldn’t you be wearing formals?”
“I wasn’t informed of any dress code,” Sanjana replied evenly. “And you seem quite comfortable addressing sir by his name.”
Manasi shrugged. “Hmm, cool, Sanjana. We’re discussing this offline. You know, he can be quite moody.”
Sanjana’s mind echoed in agreement. Of course, I know that.
“But he’s very nice to me,” Manasi continued, a smug smile on her lips. “Very few have access to his floor. I’m one of them.”
“Ohhh, okay,” Sanjana responded, unimpressed.
Why boast to me about how good he is to you? she thought.
“Just be careful, Sanjana. He has a short temper. If you’re scared, tell me. I’ll help you,” Manasi offered.
Sanjana gave a polite smile. “Don’t worry, Manasi. I’ll take care.”
“Just stay a little away from him. He doesn’t like girls speaking to him unnecessarily.” Manasi continued only to be stopped by Sanju.
Sanjana sighed. “Manasi, I’m here to work. His personal preferences don’t concern me.”
The lift arrived, and as they stepped in, Manasi said, “I reached my floor. See you then.”
Sanjana reached her floor, swiped her access card, and entered. To her surprise, a cabin next to Aryan’s bore her name on the door. She stepped inside, scanning the luxurious space, a plush chair, a couch, an attached restroom, and a desk with a laptop and an iPad already set up.
Curious, she pulled back the curtains, only to freeze when she saw Aryan sitting in his cabin, staring directly at her. Their rooms were separated by a glass wall with curtains. Embarrassed, she quickly drew them shut and returned to her seat.
Rascal. He planned this deliberately, she fumed internally.
Ranjith, entered her cabin with a smile. “Sanjana, is everything okay? Do you need anything else?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Your sir planned all of this, didn’t he?”
Ranjith chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“God, what do I do with him?” she muttered.
“Your cabin is accessible only to you, sir, and me. No one else can enter without an access card,” Ranjith informed her. “If you need anything, call me.”
“Sure, bro.” Sanju said with a nod.
“I’ve uploaded all details of his schedule and meetings onto the iPad. You can take over.” Ranjith instructed passing the ipad to her.
Just then, the intercom on her table rang.
“That’s sir calling you,” Ranjith said. “Calls from this intercom will only be from Aryan sir. Other calls will come through the phone at the other corner of your table. Now be quick and check with him.”
Sanjana sighed and walked to Aryan’s office, knocking lightly.
“Come in,” Aryan’s deep voice commanded.
“Sir, how may I help you?” she asked formally.
Aryan leaned back. “Sanjana, don’t forget the conditions. I don’t like repeating them.”
She sighed internally. It’s my fate to listen to him.
“Yes, Aryan. How can I help you?”
“So sweet of you.” Aryan said with a smile which disappeared instantly with a glare from her.
“What?” she asked, frowning.
“Nothing,” he smirked. “Read me my schedule for today.”
“I’ll get the iPad.” Sanju said and turned to leave but he stopped her.
“Remember to carry it when you come to my cabin next time.” he ordered and she muttered, “Hmm, okay.”
Don’t scare her on the first day itself, man. Go slow, Aryan reminded himself.
She returned with the iPad and listed his appointments.
“Okay,” he said. “Take these files and prepare notes for the meeting.”
“Okay, sir.” she dragged a bit and heard his strict voice.
“Sanjana, this is my last reminder about the rules. Next time, I may behave differently.”
She sighed. “Sorry, Aryan.”
Back in her cabin, Sanjana immersed herself in work. By noon, her stomach growled in hunger. Remembering the cafeteria’s location from the receptionist, she headed to the 30th floor, grabbed curd rice, and found a quiet corner.
Manasi arrived with her teammates. “Hi, Sanjana.”
“Hi, Manasi.”
“Meet Pavithra, my assistant, and Daniel and Vinay from Marketing and HR.”
“Hi.” they chourused and Daniel grinned at sanju. “Wow, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Sanju muttered taking a step back.
Vinay asked, “Are you an introvert?”
“Not exactly, but a little.”
Pavithra teased, “Don’t start flirting immediately.”
“I’m not flirting,” Daniel defended. “Just complimenting her beauty.”
Vinay handed Sanjana his business card. “If you need any help, you can call me.”
Daniel added, “By the way, join us for refreshments at four. We meet here.”
“I’ll try. I have work,” Sanjana replied.
Manasi smirked. “Has he started torturing you with work already?”
“No. He’s the boss, and I work for him.” Sanju tried to defend.
“That’s okay. You can be open with us. After all, we can support you. Aryan is sweet but hates girls around him.”
Daniel grinned. “But Manasi is an exception, right?”
“Of course,” Manasi said proudly.
Sanjana forced a smile. “Okay, guys. You carry on. I have work. See you later.”
“Okay, gorgeous. Bye,” Daniel said with a wink.
Manasi chuckled as Pavithra caught up with Sanjana near the lift.
“Sanjana, let me join you.”
Inside the lift, Pavithra said, ” Sanju, don’t be scared by what they said. Actually, Aryan sir is very good. He stays away from all girls, including Manasi. She has always tried to get close to him, but it never worked. Seeing you, she wants to keep you away from him, so she’s exaggerating. Relax and work.”
Sanjana felt a sense of relief. “Thank you, Pavithra.”
“You can call me Pavi.”
“And you can call me Sanju.”
“See you then.”
Sanjana returned to her cabin, only to find Aryan waiting for her.
“Where did you go?” Aryan asked instantly.
“What? It’s lunch time. I had to satiate my hunger ” said Sanju in a cool manner.
“Next time, inform me before you leave,” Aryan ordered. “Have you finished the file?”
“A few more left.”
“Finish it and come to my cabin.”
I hate and it irritates me to look at you, she thought.
Aryan smirked. “Stop cursing me in your mind and start your work.”
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