Riya was busy organizing files at her desk when suddenly—
"Miss Riya."
That cold voice again.
She looked up.
Arjun stood there, his expression unreadable.
"Yes, sir?" she replied calmly.
"Meeting room. Now."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Riya frowned.
What now?
Taking a deep breath, she followed him.
The meeting room was already filled with employees.
Senior managers, executives… everyone important.
As soon as Riya entered, all eyes turned toward her.
She felt uncomfortable.
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
Arjun stood at the head of the table.
"Finally," he said coldly.
Riya stopped in her tracks.
"I'm sorry, sir. You just called me—"
"You're late again," he interrupted.
The room went silent.
Riya's eyes widened.
Again?
"But I came as soon as you—"
"Excuses," Arjun cut her off.
A few people in the room exchanged glances.
Some even smiled slightly.
Riya felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
He was doing this on purpose.
Publicly humiliating her.
Her fists clenched.
"Take your seat," Arjun ordered.
Riya quietly sat down, trying to ignore the whispers around her.
The meeting started.
Arjun began discussing a major project.
His voice was calm, confident… powerful.
Everyone listened carefully.
Everyone except Riya.
Her mind was still stuck on what had just happened.
Why does he treat me like this?
Suddenly—
"Miss Riya."
Her head snapped up.
"Yes, sir?"
"Explain the report," Arjun said, looking straight at her.
Riya froze.
"Report?"
"The one you prepared this morning," he replied.
Her heart skipped a beat.
He wants me to present? In front of everyone?
She wasn't ready.
Not for this.
"I… I didn't prepare for a presentation," she said nervously.
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"So you did incomplete work?"
A few people chuckled softly.
That was it.
Riya had had enough.
She stood up.
"I completed the report perfectly," she said firmly.
The room fell silent.
Arjun's gaze sharpened.
"Then present it," he challenged.
Riya took a deep breath.
Her heart was racing.
But she refused to back down.
"Fine."
She walked to the front.
Every step felt heavy.
Every eye was on her.
But this time—
She didn't feel scared.
She felt angry.
And that anger gave her strength.
She picked up the file and started speaking.
Clear.
Confident.
Sharp.
As she explained the report, the room slowly changed.
The same people who were whispering before…
Were now listening carefully.
Impressed.
Even surprised.
Riya didn't stop.
She explained every detail, every point, perfectly.
By the time she finished—
The room was silent.
Then—
A light clap.
Everyone turned.
It was Arjun.
He was clapping slowly.
His expression unreadable.
"Not bad," he said.
Riya looked at him.
Not bad?
After everything?
Something inside her snapped again.
"With all due respect, sir," she said, her voice steady, "it's more than 'not bad'."
A wave of shock spread across the room.
No one talked to Arjun like that.
No one.
Arjun's eyes darkened slightly.
"Are you questioning me?" he asked.
Riya held his gaze.
"No," she said. "I'm correcting you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Tense.
For a moment, it felt like the air itself had stopped.
Then suddenly—
Arjun smirked.
A real one.
Interesting.
"Meeting dismissed," he said.
Everyone quickly stood up and left the room.
One by one.
Until only Riya and Arjun remained.
Riya turned to leave.
"Stop."
His voice froze her in place.
She slowly turned around.
Arjun walked towards her.
Step by step.
That same intense presence.
"That attitude…" he said softly.
Riya didn't move.
"It will either destroy you…"
He stopped right in front of her.
"Or make you stronger."
Their eyes locked.
Riya's heart started racing again.
"But don't forget," he added.
"I'm still your boss."
Riya lifted her chin slightly.
"And I'm not scared of you."
For a moment—
Something changed in his eyes.
Not anger.
Not control.
Something else.
Something deeper.
Arjun leaned closer.
"Good," he whispered.
"I like challenges."
Riya's breath hitched.
And just like that—
The distance between hate and attraction…
Started to blur.