When Swath i struggled to reach the files, the urge to help her was almost overwhelming. But he held himself back. He didn't want to appear weak, especially not in front of her. He knew she'd likely heard the rumors – rumors about his coldness, his aloofness. It was a carefully crafted persona, a shield built after witnessing the vultures descend upon him after his parents' deaths. He let her perceive him as the uncaring boss, a role he'd perfected. The sight of her dragging the chair, her face paling under his gaze, had been a silent comedy. He knew she was nervous, probably intimidated by his reputation. And yet, there was a determination in her eyes that intrigued him. When she'd finally retrieved the file, her triumphant "Yes!" was like a burst of sunshine in the sterile confines of his office. It was a stark contrast to the calculated actions of his past assistants, one of whom he recalled feigning a fall for a touch. Now, watching her through the glass window, completely engro

Anand's hand gently grasped Swati's. "You know, Swati," he began, his voice sincere, "the moment we saw you, we knew you were going to be part of the gang. No matter what, we felt comfortable enough to share things with you." He glanced around the table, his smile genuine.Swati's eyes welled up, touched by their acceptance. "You guys are kidding, right? I haven't felt this way... so at ease... like I've known you all forever. I'd love to be a part of this amazing group." Tears threatened to spill over, but she managed a radiant smile."Okay, okay, let's hold on to the waterworks," Karan interjected playfully, ever the mood-lifter. "Change of subject, Swati, where are you staying now? Hostel, of course, but which one?"Swati chuckled, the tension broken by his usual antics. Their lunch arrived just then, Karan having preemptively placed their orders. As they dug in, Swati continued, "Working Women's Hostel."Deepali and Kavya bolted upright in their chairs. "No way!" they exclaimed in

Pushing the thought aside, I buzzed her on the intercom. "Have you finished the presentation?" I inquired, my voice clipped and impersonal as usual.The pause on the other end stretched a beat too long. When she finally spoke, her voice held a hint of surprise. "Yes, Sir," she replied."Good," I said, the word clipped and devoid of warmth. "Then bring it in. And my coffee."Before she could respond, I cut the connection, a pang of guilt twisting in my gut. I stole a glance at the receiver, half expecting it to spontaneously combust from the force of my curtness.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her staring intently at the receiver, a flicker of something crossing her face before she quickly glanced down at her watch. Relief washed over me, a selfish emotion I instantly despised. Had I been staring at her for too long? The thought sent a jolt through me."Thank goodness," I muttered under my breath, forcing my gaze back to the paperwork in front of me. But the words on the page blur

Despite the unwelcome interruption, the tension in the room remained thick. A minute ticked by, then another. Just as I was about to call out to her, Swati poked her head back in, a shy smile gracing her lips.She knelt down to reach for the abandoned shoe, but her hands trembled violently, making the simple task seem impossible. My amusement momentarily battled with concern as I watched her struggle. The knowledge that I, Arun, the stoic and intimidating CEO, had reduced her to this flustered state, sent a spark of something akin to satisfaction through me.Finally, she gave up on the shoe, opting to carry it in hand as she retreated towards the door. A soft chuckle escaped my lips, the sound genuine and devoid of malice. The sight of her scurrying away, head down and eyes tightly shut, was undeniably endearing.Reaching for my phone again, I ended the call and turned my gaze to the window. There, I saw Swati standing rigidly, taking a few deep breaths. Slowly, she opened her

Arun watched the entire scene unfold, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn't deny finding her fiery response…intriguing. As Swati reached him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and amusement, he offered her a silent nod of approval.Adi limped over to Arun, muttering under his breath, "Tigress, that one."Arun simply smirked. "Yep," he thought to himself, "a tigress indeed." The day was turning out to be far more interesting than he'd anticipated.A flicker of unease sparked within me as Adi greeted Swati with his usual brand of charm. I knew his flirtations were harmless, a routine he followed with every new face in the office. But Swati wasn't like the others. There was a quiet strength about her, an enigmatic quality that drew me in. The thought of another man flirting with her, even harmlessly, sent a jolt of possessiveness through me – a feeling I couldn't explain.Relief washed over me when Swati politely declined Adi's dinner invitation.