The office felt different at morning.
Too quiet
Too stiff
Too tense
Devika stepped inside the glass doors of oberoi industries. Memory of last night still twisting in her mind.
The club.
The argument.
The way he watched her from the black car.
She still didn't know why he was there.
Why he cared.
Why looked at her like he knew her.
And now, he is coming here.
Devika took a deep breath. And walked toward her desk. Arshi was already there. Sipping her coffee.
"Morning", arshi said, yawning."you look nervous".
*I am fine" devika lied.
Before Arshi could reply, ishaan rushed towards them, eyes wide and uneven breathing.
"GUYS, you won't believe it this" ishaan said.
Karan came behind him, confused." He is been like this since he entered".
Arshi raised an eyebrow."what happened?"
Ishaan leaned closer, low voice."The CEO is coming".
Karan noded,"we know. The announcement was everywhere".
"No, no, no listen!!" Ishaan almost shook."the CEO is coming in person.
Devika froze
Arshi gasped,"what? That never happened!!"
"It NEVER happens " ishaan repeated, "he handles everything from mumbai, video calls meeting only. He doesn't even show his face in conference"
"So why today?" Arshi whispered.
Karan shrugged," maybe something serious happened"
Devika's heart drop.
Something serious.
Something that made him watch her apartment in the dark.
Devika couldn't tell them
She didn't even understand it herself.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened her laptop. And tried to breath properly.
But then--
The entire office atmosphere changed
Whispers speard.
Footsteps slowed.
Every head turned towards front door.
He walked in,
Vikram oberoi.
Tall.
Sharp.
The same cold eyes.
The same unreadable expression.
But now..
He wasn't stranger. He wasn't the dark figure from the club.
He was her boss.
Her ceo.
The man who had glared at her last night like she meant something. The man who watched her from car like he is protecting her.
He walked with rishi beside him, his right hand and silent shadow.
Everyone stood.
Everyone whispered
Everyone stared.
But devika.
Devika felt the world is moving when vikram's eyes found her instantly. Like he had been searching for her since the moment he entered.
Vikram gaze dropped to her trembling fingers on the keyboard.
And just like last night
His jaw tigthen.
Devika looked away quickly.
Ishaan whispered in shock,"bro, that's the guy"
"What guy?" Arshi asked.
"The guy from club!" Ishaan shocked,"the one devika was arguing with!!"
Arshi eyes widen"WHAT!?"
Karan nearly choked." No freaking way"
Devika kept her head down.
Devika felt, ishaan turned slowly toward her.
"Devika, you KNEW? You saw him last night? Why didn't you tell us??"
"I didn't know he was CEO" she whispered, " i just thought he was---"
"What? A random stranger? Ishaan said
Devika swallowed,"yes"
Ishaan pinched bridge of his nose"unbelievable".
The branch manager hurried forward nervously. "Welcome, Mr Oberoi--"
Vikram didn't even look at him.
His eyes stayed on Devika.
Like she was the only person in the room.
Like he came here only for her.
Finally, he said in a cold voice."Everyone, back to work."
His tone had no warmth.
No softness.
Just pure authority that filled every inch of the room.
People moved instantly.
But devika didn't move.
Because..
Vikram was walking towards her.
Step by step
Slow.
Unavoidable.
Ishaan instantly stepped in front of her.
Vikram stopped.
Looked at Ishaan.
Expression cold.
"You are blocking my way" vikram said, cold voice.
Ishaan swallowed hard, " w--we are working here"
Vikram eyes first look at Devika and then back to ishaan without even blinking. "Move"
The word wasn't loud
But sharp enough to scare.
Ishaan hesistated, jaw tight.
Devika touched ishaan arm." It's fine"
Then ishaan stepped aside.
Vikram finally faced her directly.
"Devika"
Her name in his voice sounded different.
Too familiar
Too intense.
She whispers" sir"
Vikram eyes soften for half second, only half.
And then his mask returned.
"Let's begin".said to everyone.
Devik swallowed hard and focused herself to sit down, pretending to take notes. But her palms were sweaty, her heartbeat fast.
And mind stuck on one line.
Of all people...why him?
The next few hours become hell.
Vikram walked through the department, asking difficult questions, challenging strategies and checking reports.
He said nothing directly to Devika.
Not a single word.
But everytime she spoke, she felt his eyes on her. Heaving and silent.
Rishi pointed at her report.
"Devika made this, she led last month's campaigns".
Vikram didn't praise, didn't smile
He only said," we will see how she performs today."
After review, he remained in the conference room.
"Devika malhotra" rishi called. "Mr Oberoi wants to see you right now".
She froze.
Everyone froze.
Ishaan whispered," do you want me to come with you?"
"No" she whispers back, "i will handle him"
"If he talks rude--" ishaan said
"I will handle him", she repeated, forcing a smile.
She walked inside.
Vikram stood with his back to her.
Staring out of glass window.
"You are late", he said, without turning.
"We were five minutes late, sir. And everyone-" Devika said.
"I am not talking about morning"
He turned slowly.
"I am talking about your report. It should have been on my desk twenty minutes ago." He said, cold voice.
Devika blinked."i didn't know you needed it today--"
"Is that an excuse" he said, looking at her face.
"No" clenched her jaw," it's a fact"
Vikram eyes narrowed slightly, "facts don't matter when deadlines are given".
"You didn't give me any" Devika confuse.
Vikram said, " rishi did"
Devika stiffened.
She didn't check her mail.
"Fine" she said stiffly, "i will submit it".
"You will submit it in one hour". Vikram said, cold voice.
"One hour?"she said, almost choking, " sir, the research alone takes---"
"One hour, Ms Malhotra" he said.
She wanted to throw something at him.
But instead, she nodded and walked out.
Feeling his eyes on her back.
Later, she was working nonstop.