Within minuts, Rishi returned, tablet in his hand. He placed it on table and pressed play.
The video showed everything.
Rishab bumping into her.
Her apologizing.
His arrogance.
His raised voice.
His taunts.
The room went silently instantly.
Rishab's lie was exposed.
Vikram closed tablet and set it down slowly.
"Rishab" he said, cold voice." Do you know what i hate the most?"
Rishab voice cracking"S-Sir?"
"People who lie." Vikram leans closer. " And people who try to make my employees look bad."
Devika's heart beating fast.
My employees.
As if she belong to him.
Vikram stood straight again.
"You will issue a written apology to ms. Malhotra within the next ten minutes."
"But sir--" Rishab was about to say.
"Teb minutes" vikram repeated.
Rishab didn't dare to argue. He ran out of the room.
The HR head followed him.
Now only Devika, vikram and rishi were left.
Vikram didn't look at her.
He just said"meeting dismissed" and walked out.
But devika stood frozen.
(What..just happened?)
Why he defended her?
Why did he look angrier than she was?
Rishi approached her gently.
"Don't take it personally" he said. " Sir is strict..but fair".
Devika noded slowly.
But it wasn't fairness she saw in vikram's eyes.
It was something else.
Something she couldn't name.
LATER..
Her team surronded her the moment she reached the department.
"What happened?" Arshi whispered.
"Did he scold you?" Karan asked.
"Did he fire you?" Someone else joked nervously.
Devika sat down, exhaling " No, i am fine"
Ishaan knelt beside her desk."what did that Rishab idiot say? I swear i will go--"
Devika touched his arm." Everything is handled"
Ishaan stared at her like he didn't believe a word." You sure?"
"Yes" she gave a small smiles.
Surprisingly, she was sure.
Because as much as vikram terrified her.
He also protected her.
Even if he pretended otherwise.
AFTERNOON.
At 3 pm , an email arrived.
From: Vikram Oberoi.
Subject: New Project
Body: Ms. Malhotra, meet me in conference room B. Now.
Devika eyes widen.
Again?
Arshi looked over her shoulder, "ooff. Good luck".
"NO" karan muttered." May god help her soul."
Devika glares at them and left.
Inside the conference room
Vikram stood with a file open on the table.
He didn't greet.
Didn't nod.
He just said" you are handling the new product launch"
Devika blinked" Me? Alone?"
"Yes" vikram said. While looking at her.
"But sir, i have never led major project alone" devika said in low voice.
"That's why you are getting it" vikram said. With smirk on his face.
Devika stared at him, confuse and irritated,
"are you giving me a chance or a punishment?"
He again looks at her.
Their eyes locked.
"Both" he said simply.
Vikram said" you complain too much"
She crossed her arms." I don't complain--"
"Prove it" he said, and smirks
She opened mouth to argue,
But he stepped closer. Too close.
"Do it well, Ms. Malhotra. Don't disappoint me" he said, deep voice.
She couldn't breathe for second.
Then she force herself to speak."i won't " while looking into his eyes.
"Good" he said and handed her the file." Meeting ends"
His words were always short.
He was afraid to say more.
But his eyes.
His eyes always said too much.
Evening...
Around 6 p.m, Devika stayed back late. Working on the new project outline.
Her team left already.
Only the cleaning staff moved around quietly.
She stepped out to print document and suddenly slipped on wet floor.
Her foot twisted and stumbled forward.
Before she hit ground,
A strong hand grabbed her wrist.
Her breath hitched.
Vikram.
He held her firmly and pulling her upright.
"Careful" he said, low voice, almost gentle.
She stared up at him, shocked.
Where did this tone come from?
"I--the floor was wet" she whispered.
"I noticed" he didn't let go hand.
Not immediately.
Their eyes met.
Something strange between them.
Confusion
Tension
Awareness.
And heat.
Then vikram released her and stepped back as if nothing happened.
"Don't walk without looking" he muttered
She swallowed " Thanks"
Vikram noded. But didn't walk away
He stood there for a moment--watching her, checking if she was really okay. Before going.
Something in his eyes.
Something protective.
Something dangerous.
Late night...
Devika packed her bag and started leaving.
Her phone buzzed.
A message.
From: Unknown Number
(Don't stay late in the office alone. Its not safe)
Her heart skipped
She typed back:
(Who is this?)
From: Unknown Number.
( V.O)
Her breath hitched.
Him.
Why did he message her?
Why did he care?
Why did he feel..protective?
Another message arrived.
From: Unknown Number
(Go home. Now)
Devika stared at screen.
But then another message arrived.
(And Ms. Malhotra...don't argue)
She looks around. Was he still here?
Was he watching her?
She stepped towards the exit.
She went outside company and look back she saw vikram standing near window of top floor.
Then she take taxi and went from there.